Muzillac is a town in France, twenty leagues (60 miles, 90 km) southeast of Quiberon. Forces led by the Marquis de Pouzauges occupy Muzillac during their abortive invasion, as it had a key bridge over the Marais that could prevent relief forces coming from the south. The Royalists settle old scores with the guillotine they brought with them, but French forces arrive unexpectedly from the north and take the town, even though the bridge is blown. Hornblower joins Edrington and the English soldiers for a fighting retreat to the coast where they are picked up by HMS Indefatigable