 Chapter 8. Taking the Best Steal This is a LibriVox recording. All LibriVox recordings are in the public domain. For more information or to volunteer, please visit LibriVox.org. Recording by Rita Butros. Taking the Best Steal by Alexander Dumas. Chapter 8. Pitu discovers he is brave. The street appeared void and lonesome to Bea and his friend, because the cavalry, in chase of the hires, had gone through the market and scattered after them in the side streets. But as the pair got nearer the Palais Royale, calling out in a hoarse voice by instinct, revenge, men began to appear in doorways, upsellers, out of alleys, from the carriage gateways, mute and frightened at the first, but when assured that the hoarse soldiers had gone on, forming the procession anew, they repeated in a low tone, but soon in a loud one, revenge. Pitu marched behind the farmer, carrying the Savoyard's cap. Thus the mournful and ghastly cortège arrived on Palais Royale Place, where a concourse drunk with wrath were holding council and soliciting the French troops to help them against the foreign ones. What are these men in uniform, inquired Bea, in front of a company, standing under arms, to bar the road from the palace main doors to Chartres Street? The French guards answered several voices. Oh! said the countrymen, going nearer and showing the body of the Savoyard, which was lifeless now. Are you Frenchmen and let us be murdered by foreigners? The guardsmen shrank back a step involuntarily. Dead? uttered several. Dead, murdered, along with lots more, by the royal German dragoons. Did you not hear the charging cry, the shots, the sword slashes, and the shrieks of the defenseless? Yes, shouted two or three hundred voices, the people were cut down on Vendome Square. And so are you the people, shouted Bea, to the soldiers. It is cowardice of you to let your brothers be hacked to pieces. Cowardice, muttered some of the men in the ranks, threateningly. Yes, I said cowardice, and I say it again. Look here. Bea went on, taking three steps toward the point where the protest had risen. Perhaps you will shoot me down to prove that you are not cowards? That is all very good, said a soldier. You are an honest blunt fellow, my friend, but you are citizens, and you do not understand that soldiers are bound by orders. Do you mean to say, said Bea, that if you receive orders to fire on us, unarmed men, that you, the successors of the guards who, at Fontenoy, bade the English shoot first would do that? I wager I would not, said the soldier. Nor I, nor I, echoed several of his comrades. Then stop the others firing on us, continued Bea. To let the royal Germans cut our throats is tantamount to doing it yourselves. The dragoons, here come the dragoons, yelled many at the same time, as the gathering began to retire over the square to get away up Richelieu Street. At a distance, but approaching, they heard the clatter of heavy cavalry. Two arms, two arms, cried the runaways. Plague on you, said Bea, throwing down the dead several-yard, lend us your guns if you will not use them. Hold on till you see whether we won't use them, said the soldier whom Bea had addressed, as he snatched back the musket which the farmer had torn from his grip. Bite your cartridges, boys, and make the Austrians bite the dust if they interfere with these good fellows. I, they shall see, said the soldiers, carrying their hands from the cartridge boxes to their mouths. Thunder, muttered Bea, stamping his foot, why did I not bring my old duck gun along? But one of these pesky Austrians may be laid out, and I can get his carbine. In the meantime, said a voice, take this gun, it is ready loaded. A stranger slipped a handsome fouling-piece into Bea's hands. At this very instant, the dragoons rushed into the square, upsetting everybody they ran against. The officer commanding the French guards came out three steps to the front. Hello, you gentlemen of the heavy dragoons, he called out. Halt, please! Whether the cavalry did not hear him, or did not want to hear him, or again were carried on by the impetus of a charge too violent to check, the Germans wheeled by a half turn to the right, and trampled down an old man and a woman who disappeared under the hoofs. Fire, roared Bea, why don't you fire? He was near the officer, and the order might have been taken as coming from him. Anyway, the French guards carried their muskets to the shoulder, and delivered a volley which stopped the dragoons short. Here, gentlemen of the guards, said a German officer, coming before the squadron thrown into disorder. Do you know you are firing on us? Yes, by heaven we know it, and you shall know it too. So Bea retorted, taking aim at the speaker, and dropping him with the shot. Thereupon, the reserve rank of the guards made a discharge, and the Germans, seeing that they had trained soldiery to deal with, and not citizens who broke and fled at the first shot, pulled round and made off for Van Dom Square in the midst of a formidable outburst of hoots and cheers of triumph, so that some horses broke loose and smashed their heads against the store shutters. Hurrah for the French guards, shouted the multitude. Hurrah for the guards of the country, said Bea. Thank you, said a soldier, we are given the right name and christened with fire. I have been under fire too, said Petu, and it is not as dreadful as I imagined it. Now who owns this gun, queried Bea, examining the rifle, which was a costly one? My master answered the man who had lent him it, and who wore the Orléans livery. He thinks you use it too handsomely to have to return it. Where is your master, demanded the farmer. The servant pointed to a half-open blind behind which the prince was watching what happened. Is he with us then? With heart and soul for the people, replied the domestic. In that case, three cheers again for the Duke of Orléans, said the farmer. Friends, the Duke of Orléans is on our side. Three cheers for the Duke. He pointed upwards, and the prince showed himself for an instant while he bowed three times to the shouting. Short as was the appearance, it lifted enthusiasm to the utmost. Break open the gunsmiths, shouted a voice in the turbulence. Let us go to the invalid soldier's hospital, added some old veterans. General Sambrule has 20,000 muskets there. And to the city hall, exclaimed others. Flacelle, provost of the traitors, has the keys for the town guard's armory, and he must give them up. To the hall, bellowed a fraction of the assemblage. All float away in one or the other of the three directions, called out. During this time, the dragoons had rallied around Baron Besenval and Prince Lambesque on Louis XV's square. B.A. and P'thue were unaware of this, as they followed none of the parties, and were left pretty well alone on Palais Royale Square. Well, where are we off to, dear Master B.A., inquired Ange P'thue. I should like to follow the crowd, replied the other, not to the gun-makers, as I have a first-rate gun, but to the city hall or the military asylum. Still, as we came to town not to fight, but to learn Dr. Gilbert's address, I think we ought to go to Louis the Great's college, where his son is. When I shall have got through with the doctor, we can jump back into the chafing-dish. His eyes flashed lightnings. This course seems logical to me, observed the young peasant. So take some weapon, gun or sword, from those beer-drinkers lying there, said the farmer, pointing to half a dozen dragoons on the pave, and let us go to the college. But these weapons are not mine, but the king's, objected P'thue. They are the people's, corrected B.A., whereupon the other, who knew the speaker was incapable of wronging a man to the extent of a mustard seed, went up to the nearest corpse with multiplied caution, and making sure he was lifeless, he took his musket, cartridge-box and sabre. He wanted to take his hamlet, but had his doubts about the defensive armor being confiscatable, like the offensive arms, while deliberating he listened towards Van Dom's square. It seems to me that the royal Germans are coming back again, he said. Indeed, a troop of horse was heard coming at the walking-gate. Quick, quick, they are returning, said P'thue. B.A. looked around to see what means of resistance were offered, but the place was almost deserted. Let us be off, said he. He went down Sharche Street, followed by P'thue, who dragged the sabre after him by the scabbard's straps, not knowing how it ought to be hooked up till B.A. showed him. You look like a traveling tinker, he said. On Louis XV's square they met the column, started off to go over the river to the invalid, but stopped short. The bridges and the Champs-Élysées were blocked. Try the Tuileries Garden Bridge, suggested B.A. It was quite a simple proposition. The mob accepted it and followed B.A., but swords shining halfway to the gardens indicated that cavalry intercepted the march to that bridge. These confounded dragoons are everywhere, grumbled the farmer. I believe we are caught, said his friend. Nonsense, five or six thousand men are to be caught, and we are that strong. The dragoons came forward slowly, but it was in advance. The royale street is left us, said B.A., come this way, Ange. But a line of soldiers shut this street up. It looks as though you were right, said the countrymen. Alas, sighed Ange, who had followed him like his shadow. All his regret at not being wrong was shown in the single word by the tone it was spoken in. By its clamour and motion, the mob showed that it was no less sensible than he about the quandary all were in. Indeed, by a skilful maneuver, Prince Lambezke had encircled the rioters in a bow of iron, the cord being represented by the Tuileries Garden Wall, hard to climb over, and the drawbridge railing almost impossible to force. B.A. judged that the position was bad. Still, being a cool fellow, full of resources when the emergency arose, he looked round him. Seeing a pile of lumber by the riverside, he said, I have a notion, P'thue, come along. B.A. went up to a beam and took up one end, making a nod to his followers as much as to say, take your end of it. P'thue was bent on helping his leader without questioning. He had such trust in him that he would have gone down into Sheol without grumbling on the length of the road or how the heat increased as they got on. The pair returned to the waterside walk, carrying a burden which half a dozen ordinary men would have sunk under. Strength is always an object of admiration to the crowd. Although very closely packed, way was made for the peasants. Catching an idea of the work ahead, some men walked before the joist carriers, calling out, clear the way there. I say, Father B.A., are we to make a long job of this, asked P'thue, when they had gone some thirty strides. Up to that gateway, I can go it, replied the young man laconically, as he saw it was about as much farther, and the crowd, having an inkling of the plan, cheered them. Besides, some helped to carry, and the beam went on much more rapidly. In five minutes they stood before the gates. Now then, heave, and all together, said B.A. I understand, said P'thue, this is what the ancient Romans called a battering ram. The piece of timber set going was banged with a terrible blow against the gate lock. The military on guard within the gardens ran to check this in-road. But, at the third swing, the gates yielded, and the multitude flowed into the dark gap. By the movement, Prince Lembesque perceived that the netted rioters had found an outlet. Rage mastered him to see his prisoners escape. He started his horse forward to learn what was the matter, when his men, thinking he was leading a charge, followed him closely. The horses were heated with their recent work, and could not be restrained. Thirsting for retaliation for their check on Palais Royal Square, the men did not probably try hard to restrain them. The Prince, seeing that it was impossible to stop the movement, let himself be carried away, and a shriek of frightful intensity from women and children rose to heaven as a claim for its vengeance. A dreadful scene took place in the gloom. The victims went mad with pain, while they who charged were mad with fury. A kind of defence was organised, and chairs were flung at the cavalry. Struck on the head, Prince Lembesque replied with a sword cut, without thinking that he was striking the innocent for the guilty. An old man was sent to the ground. B.A. saw this, and he uttered a shout. At the same time, he took aim with his rifle, and the Prince would have been killed, but for his horse having reared at the very instant. It received the bullet in the neck and died instantly. The fallen Prince was believed slain, and the dragoons rushed into the twillery's gardens, firing their pistols at the fugitives. But they, having plenty of room, dodged behind the trees. B.A. tranquilly reloaded his fouling piece. You are right, Pitu. We have come to town on time, he said. And I think I am becoming brave, remarked Pitu, standing the pistol fire of a horseman, and spilling him out of the saddle with his musketoon. It is not so hard as I thought. That so, replied the other, but useless bravery is bravado. Come along, and don't let your sword trip you up. Wait for me, Father B.A., for I do not know Pali like you do, and without you I shall go astray. Come, come, said the farmer, leading him along the river terrace, until they had distanced the troops advancing by the keys as rapidly as they could to help the lambesque dragoons if needed. At the end of the terrace, he sat on the parapet and jumped down on the embankment running along the river. Pitu did the same. End of Chapter 8 Chapter 9. Taking the Best Steel This is a LibriVox recording. All LibriVox recordings are in the public domain. For more information or to volunteer, please visit LibriVox.org Recording by Rita Boutros. Taking the Best Steel by Alexander Dumas. Chapter 9. To the Best Steel Once on the river edge, the two countrymen spying arms glitter on the twillery's bridge in all probability, not in friendly hands, laid down in the grass beneath the trees and held a council. The question was, as laid down by the elder, whether they ought to stay where they were in comparative safety or return into the action, he waited for Pitu's opinion. Pitu had grown in the farmer's estimation from the learning he had shown down in the country and the bravery he showed this evening. Pitu instinctively felt this, but he was naturally so humble that he was only the more grateful to his friend. Master, he said, it is clear that you are braver and I less of a coward than was supposed by ourselves. Horace the poet, a very different character from you, flung down his weapons and took to his heels at the first conflict he was in. This proves that I am more courageous than Horace with my musket, cartridge box, and sword to show for it. My conclusion is that the bravest man in the world may be killed by a bullet. Ergo, as your design in quitting the farm was to come to Pali on an important errand. By all that is blue, the casket, you have hid it and for nothing else. Then if you are killed, the business will not come off. Quite so, when we shall have seen the doctor, we will return to politics as a sacred duty. Come on then to the college where is Sebastian Gilbert, said B.A. Rising. Let us go, added Pitu, rising but reluctantly so soft was the grass. Besides, good Pitu was sleepy. If anything happens to me, you must know what to say to Dr. Gilbert in my stead, but be mute. Ange was not saying anything, for he was dozing. If I should be mortally wounded, you must go to the doctor and say, bless me, the boy's asleep. Indeed Pitu was snoring where he had sunk down again. After all the college will be shut at this hour, thought B.A., we had better take a rest. Dawn appeared when they had slept three hours, but the day did not bring any change in the warlike aspect of Paris. Only there were no soldiers to be seen. The populace were everywhere. They were armed with quickly made pikes, guns of which most knew not the use, and old-time weapons of which the bearers admired the ornamentation. After the military had been withdrawn, they had pillaged the royal storage magazines. Towards the city hall, a crowd rolled a couple of small cannon. At the cathedral and other places, the general alarm was rung on the big bells. Out from between the flagstones, so to say, oozed the lowest of the low. Legions of men and women, if human they were, pale, haggard, and ill-clad, who had been yelling, bread the night before, but howled for weapons now. Nothing was more sinister than these specters who had been stealing into the capital from all the country round during the last few months. They slipped silently through the bars and installed themselves in the town like ghouls in a cemetery. On this day, all France, represented in the capital by these starvelings, called out to the king, make us free while howling to heaven, feed us. Meanwhile, B.A. and his pupil were proceeding to the college. On the way, they saw the barricades growing up with even children lending a hand, and the richest, like the poorest, contributing some object that would build the wall. Among the crowds, B.A. recognized one or two French guardsmen by their uniform, who were drilling squads and teaching the use of firearms with the women and boys looking on. The college was in surrection also. The boys had driven out the masters and were attacking the gates to get out with threats which terrified the tearful principal. Who of you is Sebastian Gilbert, demanded B.A. in his stentor's voice after regarding the intestine war? I am he, replied a boy of fifteen, of almost girlish beauty, who was helping three or four school fellows to bring up a ladder with which to scale the wall, as they could not force the lock. What do you want of me? Are you going to take him away? asked the head teacher, alarmed by the sight of two armed men, one of whom the speaker was covered with blood. The boy was also looking at them without recognizing his foster brother, who had grown out of all reason since he left him, and was farther disguised by the martial harness. Take away Dr. Gilbert's son into that infernal rumpus, said the young man, expose him to some ugly blow, oh dear no. You see, you mad fellow Sebastian, that your friends do not approve of your attempt, said the principal. For these gentlemen do appear to be your friends. Aid me, gentlemen, and ye my children obey me when I command and entreat. Keep my mates if you will, replied young Gilbert, a firmness marvelous at his age. But I must go forth, I am not in the position of these, my father has been arrested and is imprisoned, he is in the tyrant's power. Yes, yes, shouted the boys, Sebastian is right, they have locked up his father, and as the people are opening the prisons, they must set his father free. Aid, have they arrested Dr. Gilbert? roared the farmer, shaking the gates. Death of my life, little Catherine was right. Yes, they have taken away my father, continued little Gilbert, and that is why I want to get a gun and fight till I deliver my father. This plan was hailed by a hundred shrill voices. Yes, give us weapons, let us fight. At this, the mob outside the gates ran at them to give the scholars passage. The principal threw himself on his knees to supplicate both parties crying, friends, friends, spare tender youth, spare them, of course we will, said an old soldier, they will be just the chaps to form a cadet corps with. But they are a sacred deposit entrusted to me by their parents, continued the head teacher. I owe my life to them, so in heaven's name, I will take away my lambs. Hooting from both sides of the wall, killed his doleful entreaties. B.A. stepped forward and interposed between the soldiers and the mob and the schoolboys. The old gentleman is right, he said. The youngsters are a sacred trust. Let men go and fight and get knocked over, that is their duty, but children are the seed for the future. The moving murmur was heard. Who grumbles, demanded the farmer. I am sure it is not a father. Now I am a father. I have had two men killed in my arms this last night. It is their blood on my breast. See? He showed the stains to the assemblage with a grand gesture electrifying all. Yesterday I was fighting at the Palais Royal and in the Tuileries garden resumed the farmer's lad fought by my side, but then he has no father or mother and besides he is almost a man grown. Petu looked proud. I shall be fighting again today, but I do not want anybody to say the Palaisians could not thrash the enemy until they brought the children to help them. The man's right, chorus the soldiers and women. No children in the fighting. Keep them in. Oh, thank you, sir, said the headmaster to B.A., trying to shake hands with him through the bars. And above all, take good care of Gilbert, said the latter. Keep me in. I tell you they shall not, cried the boy, live it with anger as he struggled in the grasp of the school servants. Let me go in and I undertake to quiet him. The crowd divided and let the farmer and Petu go into the schoolyard. Already three or four French guards and a dozen other soldiers instinctively stood sentry at the gates and prevented the young insurgents from bolting out. B.A. went straight up to Sebastian and taking his fine white hands in his large horny ones said, Sebastian, do you not know farmer B.A., who farms your father's own land? Yes, sir, I know you now. And this lad with me? It must be Ange Petu. Petu threw himself on the other's neck, blubbering with joy. If they have taken away your father, I will bring him back, I and the rest of us. Why not? Yesterday we had a turn-up with the Austrians and we saw the flat of their backs. In token of which here is a cartridge box, one of them has no further use for, added Ange. Will we not liberate his father? cried B.A. to the mob, who shouted an ascent. But my father is in the Bastille, said Sebastian, shaking his head in melancholy. None can take the Bastille. What were you going to do then? Had you got out? I should have gone under the Bastille walls and when my father was out walking on the ramparts, where they tell me the prisoners come for an airing, I should have shown myself to him. But if the sentinels shot you when they caught you making signs to a prisoner, I should have died under my father's eyes. Death of all the devils, you are a bad boy to want to get killed under your father's eyes, to make him die of grief in his cell when he has nobody but you to live for and one he loves so well. Plainly you have no good heart, Sebastian. A bad heart whimpered Pitu as B.A. repulsed the boy. While the boy was musing sadly, the farmer admired the noble face, white and pearly, the fiery eye, fine and ironical mouth, eagle nose and vigorous chin, revealing nobility of race and of spirit. You say your father has been put in the Bastille? Why, he inquired. Because he is a friend of Washington and Lafayette, has fought with the sword for the independence of America and with the pen for France, is known in the two worlds as a hater of tyranny because he has cursed this Bastille, where others were suffering and now he is there himself. How long since? He was arrested the moment he landed at Havre, at least at Lillebonne, for he wrote me a letter from the port. Don't be cross, my boy, but let me have the points. I swear to deliver your father from the Bastille or leave my bones at the foot of its walls. Sebastian saw that the former spoke from the bottom of his heart and he replied, he had time at Lillebonne to scribble these words in pencil in a book. Sebastian, I am taken to the Bastille, Patience, Hope and Labor, 7th July 1789. P.S. I am arrested for liberty's cause. I have a son at Louis the Great College, Paris. The finder of this book is begged to bear this note onto my son, Sebastian Gilbert, in the name of humanity. And the book inquired B.A., breathless with emotion. He put a gold piece in the book, tied a string around it and threw it out of the window. The parish priest found it and picked out a sturdy fellow among his flock to whom he said, leave twelve francs with your family who are without bread. With the other twelve, go carry this book to Paris to a poor boy whose father has been taken away from him because he loves the people too well. The young man got in yesterday at noon, he handed me the book, and thus I knew of the arrest. Good, this makes me friends with the priest again, exclaimed B.A., a pity they are not all built on this pattern. What about the peasant? He went back last evening hoping to carry his family, the five francs he had saved on the journey. How handsome of him said B.A., oh, the people are good for something, boy. Now you know all, you promised if I told you to restore me my father. I said I should or get killed. Now show me that book. The boy drew from his pocket a copy of Rousseau's social contract. B.A. kissed where the doctor's hand had traced the appeal. Now, be calm, he said. I am going to fetch your father from the Bastille. Madman, said the principal, grasping his hands, how will you get at a prisoner of state? By taking the Bastille, replied the farmer. Some guardsmen laughed, and the merriment became general. Hold on, said B.A., casting his blazing glance around him. What is this bogies castle anyhow? Only stones, said a soldier. And iron, said another. And fire concluded a third. Mind you do not burn your fingers, my hero. Yes, he'll get burnt, cried the crowd. What, roared the peasant, have you got no pickaxes, you Parisians, that you are afraid of stone walls, no bullets for you to shrink from steel, no powder when they fire on you? You must be cowards, then, dastards. Machines fit for slavery, a thousand demons. Is there no man with a heart who will come with me and Petu to have a go at this Bastille of the King? I am B.A., farmer in the Ildefond section, and I am going to knock at that door. Come on! B.A. had risen to the summit of sublime audacity. The inflamed and quivering multitude around him shouted, Down with the Bastille! Sebastian wished to cling to B.A., but he gently put him aside. Your father bade you hope and have patience while you worked. Well, we are going to work too. Only the other name for our work is slaying and destroying. The youth did not say a word, but, hiding his face in his hands, he went off into spasms which compelled them to take him into the sick ward. On to the Bastille! called out B.A. To the Bastille! echoed Petu. To the Bastille! thundered three thousand persons a cry which was to become that of the entire population of Paris. End of Chapter 9 Chapter 10 Taking the Bastille This is a LibriVox recording. All LibriVox recordings are in the public domain. For more information or to volunteer, please visit LibriVox.org recording by Rita Butros. Taking the Bastille! by Alexander Dumas Chapter 10 Blowing hot and cold It was on the morning of the 14th of July that B.A. opened oratorical fire against the monument which had for five centuries weighed like an incubus on the breast of France, a rock of Sisyphus. Less confident than the titan in her power, France had never thought to throw it off. The Bastille! was the seal of feudalism on the brow of Paris. The king was accounted to good to order people to be beheaded, but he sent people into the Bastille. Once there, a man was forgotten, isolated, sequestered, buried alive, annihilated. He stayed there till the monarch remembered him, and kings have so many new matters to think of that they often forget the old ones. There were twenty other Bastilles in France, the name being general for prison, so that to this day the tramp on the dusty road speaks of the Stille without perhaps knowing that the title of ignominy refers to the great French state's prison. The fortress by the Saint Antoine gate was the Bastille preeminently. It was alone worth all the others. Some of the prisoners were perhaps great criminals, but others like Latude had done nothing to merit thirty years' captivity. He had fallen in love with the Lady Pompadour, his mistress, and wrote her a note which caused his imprisonment for a lifetime. It was not for nothing that the Bastille was hated by the people. It was hated like a living thing, a monster like the dragoons who defy a people till a champion rises, like B.A., to show them how to attack it. Hence one may comprehend Sebastian's hopeless grief at his father being incarcerated in the Bastille. Hence B.A.'s belief that he would never be liberated but by being plucked forth. Hence the popular transport may be felt when the shout rose of down with the Bastille. But it was, as the soldiers said, an insane project to think of capturing the King's prison castle. The Bastille had a garrison, artillery, and provisions. The walls were fifteen feet thick at the top and forty at the base. The governor was Count Launay, who had thirty thousand pounds of gunpowder in the magazine and had promised in case of annoyance to blow up the fort and with it all that part of Paris. Nevertheless B.A. marched forward but he did not have to do any shouting. Liking his martial mane, the multitude felt he was one of their kind and commenting on his words and bearing it followed him increasing like the flowing tide. When B.A. came out on Saint Michel's Quay he had behind him more than three thousand men armed with hatchets, cutlasses, pikes and guns all were shouting, on to the Bastille. B.A. was making the reflections which his knowledge of the stronghold warranted and the vapor of his enthusiasm faded gradually. He saw clearly that the enterprise was sublime though insane. That was easy to understand by the odd expression of those to whom he had first broached the project of taking the Bastille. But he was only the more fortified in his resolve but he understood that he had to answer to these mothers and fathers, girls and children for the lives of those whom he was leading and that he was bound to take all the precautions possible. He commenced by collecting his followers at the city hall. He appointed lieutenants to control the flock of wolves. Let me see, said B.A. to himself, there is more than one power in France there are two the head of the chief city for one and may be another yet. He entered the city hall asking for the chief civic magistrate. It was the traitor's provost Flacel. My Lord de Flacel, he repeated a noble and no friend of the people. Oh no, he is a sensible man. B.A. went up the stairs into the anti-chamber where he met an usher who came up to him to see what he wanted. Speech with Lord Flacel replied B.A. Cant sir? answered the man. He is completing the list for the militia which the city is to raise. Capital rejoined B.A. I am also organizing a militia and as I have 3,000 men ready under arms I am worth a Flacel who is only going to get his together. Let me speak with him and write off. If you like just look out the window at my soldiers. One rapid glance on the water side was enough for the servant who hastened to notify the traitor's provost to whom as emphasis to his message he pointed out the army. This sight inspired respect in the provost for the man commanding them. He left the council and came into the anti-room. Perceiving B.A. he smiled at guessing the kind of man he must be. Were you wanting me? he challenged. If you are provost Flacel responded B.A. Yes, how can I serve you? Please be quick, for I am very busy. How many powers do you acknowledge in France my Lord provost Query B.A.? That is just how one looks at it replied the politician. If you ask Bailey the mayor he will say the National Assembly. If Lord Drew he will say only one, the King. And which is yours between the two? Neither one, but the nation at present rejoined Flacel playing with his ruffles. Ah, the nation repeated the farmer. Those gentlemen waiting below there with the wood choppers and carving knives the nation all the world to me. You may be right and there was no mistake in there warranting you to me as a knowing man. Which of the three powers do you belong to? Inquired the trimmer bowing? Faith, when there is a question for the grand spirit and the angels I apply to the fountain head. You mean the King? What for? To ask for the release of Dr. Gilbert who is in the best steel. He is one of those pamphleteers I believe said the aristocratic one Saucely. A lover of mankind. That is all one. My dear Monsieur B.A., I believe you have little chances of obtaining such a favour from the King. If he put the doctor in his best steel he had reasons for it. All right, returned B.A., he shall offer his reasons and I will match them with mine. My dear sir, the King is so busy that he will not receive you. Oh, if he will not let me in I shall walk in without his leave or licence. But you will find Lord Drew Buz at the door who will put you away from it. It is true he failed to do that with the National Assembly in a body but that failure will only the more put him on his metal and he will take his revenge out of you. Then I will apply to the National Assembly. The way to Versailles is cut off. I will have my three thousand men with me. Have a care my dear fellow for you will meet on the road four or five thousand Swiss soldiers and two or three thousand Austrians who will make mincemeat of your forces in a twinkling you will be swallowed. What to do, semi to do then? Do what you like but rid me of your three thousand tattered emalions who are cracking the flagstones with thumps of their halberds and smoking. In the vaults are seven or eight thousand pounds of gunpowder and a spark may send us all flying to the eternal throne. In that case turning this over in my mind said the farmer I will not trouble the king or the assembly but call in the nation and take the Bastille myself. With what? With the powder you have kindly told me is stored in your cellar. You don't tell me that, sneered Flacel. That is the very thing the cellar keys my lord. Hello you are joking, faltered the gentleman. I never joke, returned BA grasping the provost by the collar with both hands. Let me have the keys or I shall sling you out to my tattered emalions who know how to pick pockets. Flacel turned pale as deaf, his lips and teeth closed so convulsively but his voice did not alter in tone from the ironical one adopted. To tell you the truth sir you do me an assistance in reading me of this combustible he said so I will hand you over the keys as you desire only do not forget that I am your first magistrate and that if you are so unfortunate as to handle me roughly before others as you have done catching me privately in an unguarded time you will be hanged within the hour by the city guards. I will resist in removing this powder. I do and will divide it out myself right away. Let us have this clear then. I have business here for another quarter of an hour and if it makes no difference to you I should prefer the distribution to go on during my absence. It has been foretold me that I should die of a violent death but I own to having a deeper pugnance to being blown into the air. You shall have the time but do me a favor in return come to this window that I may make you popular much obliged in what manner you shall see friends he called out as the two stood at the window you want to take the best deal I I replied the thousands of voices but we want powder now here is the provost who gives us all there is in the city hall sellers thank him boys long live the provost flacell forever roared the mob now my lord there is no need for me to color you before the crowd or when alone said be a for if you do not give the powder the people or the nation as you call it will tear you to pieces here are the keys your way of asking for anything allows and no refusing this encourages me to be a who was meditating hang it all have you more to ask yes if you know governor Lawnay of the best steel he is a friend of mine in that case you cannot wish evil to befall him to prevent that ask him to give up the prison to me or at least the prisoner gill bear you cannot hope that I have any such influence that is my look out all I want is an answer to him my dear monsieur be a I must warn you that if you enter the best deal it will be alone and it is likely that you will never come out again still I will give you a passport into the best deal on one condition that you do not ask me another for the moon I have no acquaintances lunatics flacell shrill the harsh voice behind the speaker if you continue to one laughing with the aristocrats and the other smiling on the people you will be signing your own passport in a day or two to the other world whence none return who speak thus cried the pro-host turning to the ill-favored man who interrupted I Marat the surgeon Marat the philosopher said be a yes the same Marat continued flacell who as a medical man ought to attend to the insane he will have his hands full in France at this moment provost flacell replied the somber surgeon this honest citizen asks a passport to governor launay I would point out that you are not only keeping him waiting but three thousand other honest citizens very well he shall have it going to a table he passed his hand over his forehead before writing with the other a few rapid lines in ink here is your introduction he said presenting it to the countrymen I do not know how to read said be a give it to me and I will do so said Marat and he saw that the past was couched in these words governor we provost of traders of Pali send you miss you be a to confer on the welfare of the city 14th July 1789 flacell all right let me have it to be a oh you think it good enough sneered Marat wait for the provost to add a post script which will improve it he went over to the provost who was leaning one closed hand on the table and regarding with a scornful air not only the two men who were the jaws of a vice which enclosed him but a third whose breeches were torn standing before the doorway with a musket tune in his fist this was P2 who followed his friend and was ready to execute any order of his I suggest the following post script to improve the paper said Marat speak Marat laid the paper again on the table and pointing with his crooked finger to the place for the addendum he dictated citizen be a being under flag of truth I confide his life to your honor flacell looked at the cunning face as if he had the strongest desire to smash it with a blow then do what he was counseled do you hesitate demanded the surgeon no for at the most you only ask what is fair replied the other writing as proposed still gentlemen I want you to bear in mind that I do not answer for the envoy's safety but I will said Marat taking the paper from his hands for your liberty is here to answer for his your head will guarantee his there is your pass my brave be a flacell called for his coach and said loudly I suppose my friends you are asking nothing more no replied the two together am I to let him pass asked Pitu my young friend said the gentlemen I should like to observe that you are rather too insufficiently clad to stand guard at my door if you feel constrained to do it at least sling your cartridge box round and stand with your back to the wall am I to let him go asked Pitu again looking at the speaker as if he did not relish the jest yes be a said perhaps you are wrong to let him go said Marat as Pitu stepped aside he was a good hostage to hold but in any case be he where he may I can lay hands on him never fear LeBrie said flacell to his valet as he got into his carriage they are going to serve out the powder if the city hall goes up in an explosion I should like to be well out of the reach of splinters tell the coachman to whip up smartly the vehicle rolled under the covered way and came out on the square before some thousands of spectators the provost feared that his departure might be misinterpreted and taken for a flight so he leaned out of the window and said loudly drive to the national assembly this earned him a cheer up on the balcony outside Marat and be a heard the order my head to his that he is not going to the assembly but to the king commented the surgeon had he not better be stopped said the farmer no replied the other with a hideous grin be easy go where he may and however quickly we shall travel more quickly than he now let us get out that powder out with the powder said be a flacell was right in saying there were eight thousand pounds of gunpowder in the vaults Marat and be a walked in the first with a lantern which they hung to a beam to mounted guard at the door the powder was in twenty pound kegs men were stationed in a line and the kegs were passed out hand to hand there was a brief confusion as it was not known what was the amount and some feared they could not get any if they did not scramble for it but be a had selected his lieutenants on his own model with leg of mutton fists and the distribution went on with much order each man received half a pound of powder which would fire thirty or forty shots but when everybody had powder it was discovered that guns were short only some five hundred men had them while the powder was being dealt out some of the unarmed went into a council chamber where a debate was proceeding it was about the national guards of which the usher had mentioned a word to be a it was settled that the force should consist of forty eight thousand men the army existed only on paper and yet they were wrangling about who should have the command in the midst of this dispute in rushed the weaponless men the people had formed an army of their own but they wanted arms at this moment was heard the arrival of a carriage it was flacels for they would not let him pass though he had shown the royal order for him to go to Versailles and he was brought back to the hall by main force arms arms they yelled at him as soon as they saw him no arms here but there must be some at the arsenal he replied so five thousand men ran over to the arsenal to find it was bare they returned to howling to the city hall the provost had no firearms or he would not tell of them he packed them off to the old Carthusian monastery but it was empty too not so much as a pocket pistol rewarded them meanwhile Flacel learning that Marat and BA were still busy getting out the powder suggested sending a deputation to Governor Launay to induce him to draw in the cannon he had made the populace howl dreadfully on the evening before by running out his guns through the embrasures Flacel hoped that by having them taken in the people would be satisfied and settle down the deputation was starting when the arms seekers came back enraged on hearing their vociferations BA and Marat came up out of the underground on a lower balcony the provost was trying to quiet the multitude he proposed a resolution that the wards should forge fifty thousand pikes the people were jumping at the offer truly this fellow is playing with us said the surgeon he turned to his new friend saying go and get to work at the best deal in an hour I shall be sending you twenty thousand muskets with a man to each but at first blush BA had felt great confidence in this leader whose name was so popular as to have reached him down in the country he never thought to ask him how he was going to get them he noticed a priest in the crowd working lustily and though he had no great confidence in the cloth he liked this one to whom he confided the serving out of the ammunition Marat jumped upon a stone horse block the uproar was indescribable silence he called out I am Marat and I want to speak like magic always hushed and every eye was turned upon the orator you want arms to take the best deal come with me to the invalid days where our twenty five thousand stand of arms and you shall have them to the invalid days shouted the throngs now continued Marat to be a you'll be off to the best deal but stay you may want help before I come he wrote on a leaf of his tablets from Marat and tore this out to give it to be a who smiled to see that it also bore a Masonic sign he and Marat belonged to the order of the invisibles over which presided balsamo cagliostro and his work was what they were prosecuting what am I to do with a paper having no name or address inquired the peasant my friend has no address but his name is well known ask the first working man you come across for the people's spokesman gonshan gonshan fix that on your mind pitou gonshan or gonshan yes in Latin repeated pitou I shall retain it to the invalid days yelled the voices with increasing ferocity be on your way said Marat and may the spirit of liberty march by your side now then brothers on to the invalid days shouted Marat in his turn he went off with more than 20,000 men while the farmer took away some 600 in his train but they were armed as the two leaders were departing the provost appeared at a window calling out friends why do I see the green cockade in your hats when it is the color of art while though it may also be that of hope don't look to be sporting the colors of a prince no no was the chorus with BA's loudest of the voices then change it and if you must wear a color take that good old Pally town our mother blue and red my friends later general Lafayette making the criticism that blue and red were the Orleans colors also and perhaps having the stars and stripes of the Republic he had fought for in his mind suggested the addition of white saying that the red white and blue would be a flag that would go round the world with approving words everybody tore off the leaves and trampled them under foot while they called for ribbons as if by enchantment all windows opened and there was a rain of red and blue ribbons but this was scant supply for a thousand only aprons silk dresses tapes scarves all sorts of tissues were torn into strips and twisted up into rosettes streamers favors and ties with which decorations the improvised army of BA went its road it had recruits on the line all the side streets of the Saint Antoine or working quarter sent the warmest blooded and strongest of its sons they reached in good order let a girl street where a number of folk were staring at the best steel towers their red brick ruddy in the setting sunshine some were calm some saucy in the instant the arrivals of reinforcements changed the multitude in aspect and mood they were the drum core a hundred French guards who came down the main avenue and BA's rough fellows upwards of twelve thousand strong the timid grew bold the calm were excited and the part were menacing down with the cannon how old twenty thousand throats as twice as many fists were shaken at the brazen pieces stretching their necks over the crenellations at that very time as though the fortress governor obeyed the injunction the gunners came out to the pieces and retired them until they were no longer visible from below the throngs clapped hands thinking they were a power because they had apparently been obeyed the centuries continued to pace up and down the ramparts with alternations of the Swiss and the veterans after the shout of down with the cannons that of draw back the Swiss arose in continuation of down with the Germans of the evening before but the Swiss continued all the same to march up and down to meet the French invalid days one of the shouters was impatient and having a gun he fired on a sentinel the bullet struck the gray stone wall a foot above the cornice of the tower above the soldier's head it left a white mark but the man did not halt did not do so much as turn his head a great hubbub rose around the fire of the first shot at the best deal it was the signal for a mad and unheard of attack the tumult had more dread in it than rage many did not understand that to fire on a royal prison was incurring the death penalty end of chapter 10 chapter 11 taking the best steel this is a LibriVox recording all LibriVox recordings are in the public domain for more information or to volunteer please visit LibriVox.org recording by Rita Butros taking the best deal by Alexander Dumas chapter 11 the prison governor BA looked at the moss grown edifice resembling the monsters of fable covered with scales he counted the embrasures where the great guns might be run out again and the wall guns which opened their ominous eye to peer through the loopholes he shook his head recalling Flacell's words we'll never get in he muttered why never questioned a voice at his elbow turning he saw a wild looking beggar in rags but with eyes glittering like stars in their hollow sockets because it is hard to take such a pile by main strength taking the best deal is not a matter of strength replied the mendicant but an act of faith have as little faith as a grain of mustard seed and yet you can overturn a mountain believe we can do it and good night best deal wait a bit muttered BA fumbling for Marat's recommendation in his pocket wait reiterated the vagabond mistaking his mind yes I can understand you being willing to wait for you are a farmer and have always had more than enough to make you fat but look at my mates the death's heads and raw bones surrounding us see their veins dried up count their bones through the holes in their tatters and ask them if they know what waiting in patients means this man speaks glibly but he frightens me remarked pitou he does not frighten me replied BA then turning to the stranger he went on I say patients because in a quarter hour yet we shall do I can't call that much answered the vagran smiling but how much better off will we be then I shall have visited the best deal by then rejoined the farmer revolutionist I shall know how strong the garrison is and the governor's intention I shall in short have a glimpse of how we can get in it will do if you see how to get out well as to that if I do not come out I know a man who will fetch me out who is he gone Sean the people spokesman their orator their mirror bow you don't know him said the man his eyes flashing fire so how do you make that out I am going to know him I was told that the first person I addressed on Bastille Square would take me to him you are on the spot lead me to him what do you want of him to hand him this paper from surgeon Marat whom I have just left at the city hall once he was marching to the invalid days to get muskets for his 20,000 men in this case hand over the paper I am going Sean friends added the vagabond as be a drew back a step here is a chap who does not know me and asks if I am really gone Sean the mass burst into laughter it seemed impossible that their favorite should not be known to all long life to go Sean was the shout there you are said be a passing the paper to him mates said the popular leader having read and slapping the bearer on the shoulder this is a brother whom Marat recommends so you may rely on him what is your name pal be a my name is acts do you see between us I hope we shall cut something the mob laughed at the ominous pun I somebody will get cut was the cry how are we to set about it we are going right into there answered gone Sean pointing to the building that is the right kind of talk said the farmer how many have you gone Sean 30 skeletons 30,000 of yours and 20 coming from the soldiers hospital 10,000 here more than enough to succeed if we are to succeed we shall replied the beggar king I believe you get your men in hand while I go in and summon the governor to surrender if he should so much the better as it will spare bloodshed if not the blood will fall on his head and it is bad luck these times ask those German Dragoons who hewed down the inoffensive how long will you be engaged with the governor as long as I can make it so as to have the castle invested thoroughly if possible the moment I come out begin the onset enough said you don't distrust me said the countrymen holding out his hand to the city ragamuffin I distrust you replied the other shaking with his emaciated hand the plump one of the farmer with a vigor he had not expected where for with a word or a sign I could have you ground into dust though you were sheltered by young towers which tomorrow will exist not were you protected by those soldiers who will be our dead meat or we shall be theirs go ahead and rely on ganshan as he does on be a convinced the farmer walked towards the best deal gateway while his new comrade proceeded towards the dwellings under cheers for the people's Mirabeau I never saw the other Mirabeau thought pitou but ours is not handsome towards the city the best deal presented to twin towers while its two sides faced where the canal runs today the entrance was defended by an outpost house two lines of sentinels and two draw bridges over moats after getting over these obstacles one reached the government yard where the governor's residence was hence a corridor led to the ditches another entrance also leading to the ditches had a drawbridge a guardhouse and an iron grating as portcullis at the first entry they stopped to be a but he showed the flacelle introduction and they did not turn him back perceiving that pitou followed him as he would have locked steps with him and marched up to the moon he said stay outside if I do not return it will be well for somebody to be around to remind the people that I went in just so how long shall I wait an hour what about the casket inquired the youth if I do not come out if gonshan does not take the best deal or if having taken it I am not to be found tell dr. Gilbert who may be found that men from Paris stole the boxy and trusted to me five years ago that on arriving in town I learned he was put in the best deal once I strove to rescue him but left my skin which was entirely at his service very good father be a said the peasant it is rather long and I am afraid of forgetting it I will repeat it better write it said a voice hard by I cannot write rejoined be a I can for I am clerk to the chateau a prison my name is mayard Stanislaus mayard he was a man of forty five tall and slim grave and clad in black as became such a functionary he drew a writing case from his pocket containing writing materials he looks devilish like an undertaker muttered P2 you say said the clerk imperturbably writing that men from Pali took from your dwelling a casket entrusted to you by dr. Gilbert that is an offense to begin with they belonged to the Pali police infamous theft said mayard here is your memorandum young man he added giving the note to Ange if he be slain it is to be hoped that both of us will not I will do it if you both go down thank you said be a giving his hand to the clerk who grasped it with more power than one might accredit to the meager frame so I may rely on you as on Marat and Gonchon such triplets are not born every day thought P2 who only said be prudent father be a do not forget that the most prudent thing in France is courage said the farmer with his blunt eloquence sometimes startling in his rough body he passed the first line of sentinels while P2 backed out at the bridge he had to Pali but it was lowered on his showing his pass and the iron grading was raised behind the port Colas was the governor this inner yard was the prisoners exercise ground eight giant towers guarded it no window opened into it the sun never penetrated its well-liked circuit where the pavement was damp almost muddy here a clock the face upheld by chained captives and carving dropped the seconds like water oozing through a ceiling on the dungeon slabs at the bottom of this pit the prisoner lost in the stony gulf would glance up at the inexorable nakedness and sue to be led back into his cell Governor Launay was about 50 years of age he wore a gray lincey-wilsey suit this day it was crossed by a red sash of the order of Saint Louis and he carried a sword cane he was a bad man linguette's memoirs had just shown him up in a sad light and he was hated almost as much as the jail his father had been governor before him the officers here were on the purchase system so that the officials tried to make all the money they could squeeze out of the prisoners and their friends the governor chief Warder doubled his 60,000 francs appointments by extortion in the way of meanness launay outdid his foregoers he may have had to pay more highly for the post than his father and so had to put on the screw to relieve his outlay he fed his household out of the prisoners rations he reduced the firing allowance and doubled the higher of furniture maybe he foresaw that he was not to enjoy the birth long he had the right to pass a hundred casks of wine into Pali free of duty he sold it to a wine shopkeeper who got in the best vintage and supplied him for the prisoners with vinegar the latter had one relief one pleasure a little garden made on a bastion where they got a whiff of sweet air and saw flowers and grass and sunshine he let this out to a truck gardener robbing the prisoners for 50 leaves a year on the other hand he was yielding to rich captives he let one furnish his room in his own style and have any visitors he liked for further particulars see the best steel unveiled for all this launay was brave he might be pale but he was calm although the storm had raged against him from the previous evening he felt aware of the riot becoming a revolt for the waves broke at the foot of his castle wall it is true that he had four cannon and a garrison of old soldiers and Swiss with only one unarmed man confronting him for BA had handed his fouling peace to Ange on entering the stronghold he understood that a weapon might get him into trouble beyond the barrier with a glance he remarked everything the governor's calm and menacing attitude the Swiss ranked in the guardhouses the veterans on the platforms and the silent bustle of the artillery loading up their caissons with ammunition the sentinels had their muskets on their shoulders and their officers carried drawn swords as the commander stood still BA was obliged to go to him the grading closed behind the people's parliamentarian with an ugly grinding of metal on metal which made him shudder to the marrow brave though he was what do you want again challenged Launay again took up BA it seems to me that this is the first time you have seen me so that you cannot be very tired of me I was told you come from the city hall and I have just had a deputation from there to get me to promise not to open fire I promised that much and so I had the guns drawn in I was on the square as you did so and I you thought I was giving way to the calls of the crowd it looked that way replied the farmer did I not tell you that they would believe me just such a coward said Launay turning round to his officers who do you come from then he demanded of BA I come on behalf of the people rejoined the visitor proudly that is all very well sneered Launay smiling but you must have shown some other warrant for otherwise you would not have passed the first deadline of centuries true I have a pass from your friend Flacelle Flacelle why do you dub him my friend exclaimed the prison warden looking at the speaker to read to the bottom of his mind how do you conclude that he is a friend of mine I supposed as much is that all never mind let us see your safe conduct BA presented the paper which Launay read more than once in order to catch a hidden meaning or concealed lines he even held it up to the light to see if there was secret writing is that all are you perfectly sure nothing by word of faith in addition not a bit strange said Launay plunging his glance by a loophole on best deal square then tell me your want and be quick the people want you to give up the best deal what do you say cried Launay turning quickly as if he must be mistaken in his hearing I summon you in the people's name to give up the best deal queer animals the people sneered Launay snapping his fingers what do they want with the best deal to demolish it why what the mischief is the best deal to the people is any common man ever shut up here in why the people ought to bless every stone of the best deal who is locked up here philosophers learned men aristocrats statesmen princes all the enemies of the dregs this only proves that the people are not selfish and want to do good to others it is plain that you are not a soldier my friend said the other with a kind of pity it is true and come fresh from the country for you do not know what the best deal is come with me and I will show you he is going to pull the spring of some trap which will open beneath my feet thought the adventurer and then goodbye old be a but he was intrepid and did not know what he meant as he prepared to exceed to the invitation in the first place continued Launay it is well to know that I have enough powder in the store to blow up the castle and lay half the suburbs in ashes I knew that was the tranquil reply do you see these cannon they rake this gallery which is defended by a guardhouse and by two ditches only to be attacked lastly there is a port colors all I am not saying that the best deal will be badly defended but that it will be well attacked to proceed here is a post turn opening on the motes observe the thickness of the walls forty feet here and fifteen above you see that though the people have nails they will break against such walls I am not saying that the people will demolish the it, but that, having mastered it, they will demolish it," said the leader of the revolutionist. "'Let us go upstairs,' said the governor, leading up thirty steps where he paused to say. This embrasure opens on the passage by which you would be bound to come. It is defended by one rampart gun, but it enjoys a fair reputation. You know the song? Oh, my sweet-voiced sackbutt, I love your dear song!' Certainly, I have heard it, but I do not think this is a time to sing it, or anything else. Stay! Marshall Sax called his gun his sackbutt, because it sang the only music he cared anything for. This is a historical fact! But let us go on! Oh!' said B.A., when, upon the tower-top, you have not dismounted the cannon, but merely drawn them in. I shall have to tell the people so. The cannon were mounted here by the king's command, and by that alone can they be dismounted. Governor Launay returned B.A., filling himself rise to the level of the emergency. The true sovereign is yonder, and I counsel you to obey it. He pointed to the gray-looking masses, spotted with blood from the night's battling, and reflecting the dying sunlight on their weapons up to the very motes. Friend, a man cannot know, two masters, replied the royalist, holding his head up haughtily. I, the governor of the best steel, know but one, the sixteenth Louis, who put his sign manual at the foot of the patent, which made me the commander over men and material here. Are you not a French citizen, demanded B.A. warmly? I am a French nobleman, said the count of Launay. True, you are a soldier and speak like one. You are right, said the gentleman, bowing. I am a soldier and carry out my orders. Well, I am a citizen, went on B.A., and as my duty as such is opposed to yours as the king's soldier, one of us must die, he who fulfills his orders or his duties. That is likely, sir. So you are determined to fire on the people? Not unless I am fired at. I pledged myself to that effect to Lord Provost Flessel's reputation. You see, the guns have been retired. But at the first shot, I will roll one, say this one, forward out of the embrasure with my own hands, train it and point it, and fire with the slow match you see there. If I believe that, said B.A., before you could commit such a crime, I have told you that I am a soldier and know nothing outside my orders. Then look, said B.A., drawing Launay to the gap in the battlements and pointing alternately in two different directions, the main street from the town and the street through the suburbs, behold those who will henceforth give you orders. Launay saw two black, dense, roaring bodies undulating like snakes, with head and bodies in sight, but the rearmost coils still waving onwards till lost in the hollows of the ground. All the bodies of these immense reptiles glittered with the scales. These were the two armies to which B.A. had given the best steel as the meeting place, Marat's men and Ganchan's beggars. As they surged forward, they brandished their weapons and yelled blood, curdling cries. At the sight, Launay lost color and said as he raised his cane, To your guns! Then, threatening B.A., he added, use scoundrel to come here and gain time under pretense of a parley. Do you know that you deserve death? B.A. saw the attempt to draw the sword from the cane and pierce him. He seized the speaker by the collar and waistband as swift as lightning and raising him clear off the ground, he replied, And you deserve to be hurled down to the bottom of the ditch to be smashed in the mud. But never mind. Thank God I can fight you in another manner. At this instant, an immense howl, a universal one, rose in the air like a whirlwind as Major Lasmi appeared on the platform. Oh, sir, for mercy's sake, he said to B.A., show yourself for the people there believed something has happened to you and they call for you. Indeed, the name of B.A., set afloat by fitou, ascended on the clamor. The farmer let go Launay, who replaced the blade in the stick. The three men hesitated for a moment while the innumerable cries of vengeance and menace arose. Show yourself, sir, said Launay. Not because the noise frightens me, but to prove that I have acted fairly. The farmer thrust his head out of the porthole, waving his hand. At this site, the populace burst with cheering. It was in a measure, revolutions standing up in B.A.'s stead as this man of the lowest ranks trod the best steel turret like a master. That is well, sir, went on Launay. Now all is ended between us. You have no further business here. They ask for you below. Go down. B.A. appreciated this moderation on the part of a man who had him in his power. He went down by the same stairs, the governor following. The major remained up there as the governor had whispered some orders to him. It was evident that Count Launay had but one wish that the bearer of the flag of truce should be his active enemy as soon as possible. Without speaking a word, the envoy crossed the yard where he saw the canoneers were at their pieces and the lint stocks were lighted and smoking. He stopped before them. Friends, he cried, remember that I came to your commander to stay the shedding of blood, but that he refused me. In the king's name, be off from here, said Launay, stamping his foot. Have a care, retorted the farmer. I am ordered out in the king's name, but I shall return in that of the people. Speak out, he added, turning to the Swiss. Who are you for? The foreign soldiers were silent. Launay pointed to the iron door, but B.A. attempted a final effort. Governor, in the name of the nation, in the name of your brothers. Brothers, is that what you call them who are bellowing down the best steel and death to the governor? They may be brothers of yours, but surely they are none of mine. In humanities, then. Humanity, which urges you to come 100,000 strong against 100 hapless soldiers, immured in these walls and cut their throats. But by giving up the best steel, you save their lives. And I lose my honor. B.A. was hushed for the soldierly argument crushed him. But again, he addressed the soldier, saying, surrender, friends, while it is yet time. In another 10 minutes, it will be too late. I will have you shot, unless you are out of this instantly thundered Launay, as true as I am a noble. B.A. stopped an instant, folded his arms in token of defiance, and, crossing glances for the last time with the exasperated governor, walked forth. End of chapter 11. Chapter 12. Taking the Best Steel. This is a LibriVox recording. All LibriVox recordings are in the public domain. For more information or to volunteer, please visit LibriVox.org. Recording by Rita Boutros. Taking the Best Steel. By Alexander Dumas. Chapter 12. Storming the Best Steel. Under the burning July sun, the crowds awaited, shuddering with fever. Ganshan's men had joined in with Marat's, the suburbs hailing each other as brothers. Ganshan was at the head of his patriots, but Marat had disappeared. The scene on the open place was terrifying. On seeing B.A., the cheering was tremendous. He is a brave man, said B.A. to Ganshan. Or rather, I should say he is stubborn. He will not surrender the best steel, but will sustain the siege. Do you think he will hold out long? To death. All right, he shall have that. But how many men will be killed by us, said the farmer, no doubt fearing that he had not the right you served by generals, kings, and emperors, those who take out licenses to kill and maim? Rubbish, said Ganshan, there are too many, since we have not enough for half the population. Is not that about the size of it, boys? He asked of the bystanders. Yes, yes, was the reply in sublime abnegation. But the moat queried B.A. It need be filled up in only one place, responded the beggar's leader, and I calculate that we could choke it up altogether, eh, lads? The friends answered unanimously in the affirmative. Have it so, said B.A., overpowered. At this moment, Lonay appeared on a terrace followed by Major Lozmi and two or three other officers. Commence, shouted Ganshan. The governor turned his back on him. Ganshan might have put up with a threat, but he would not bear contempt. He lifted his gun and fired at him. A man near him fell. Instantly a hundred, nay, a thousand gunshots sounded, as if it were awaited as a signal, and the gray towers were striped with white. A few second silence succeeded this discharge, as if the assailants were frightened at what they had done. Then a gush of flame, lost in a cloud of smoke, crowned the crest of one tower. A detonation thundered. Shrieks of pain were heard in the throngs, closely pressed. The first cannon shot had been fired by the royalists, the first blood shed. The battle between people and Bastille was begun. An instant previously menacing, the multitudes felt something like terror. By defending itself with so little of its weapons, the Bastille seemed impregnable. In this period of concession, the majority had no doubt supposed that they would always have their way. That was a mistake. This cannon shot fired into them, gave the measure of the titanic work they had undertaken. A firing of muskets, well aimed, from the platform immediately followed. The fresh silence was broken by renewed screams, groans, and a few complaints, but nobody thought to flee, and had the thought struck anyone, he must have been ashamed seeing the numbers. Indeed all the thoroughfares were streams of human beings, the square and immense sea, with each billow a human head, the eyes flamed and the mouths hurled curses. In a trice all the windows on the square were filled with sharpshooters who fired, though out of range. If a soldier appeared at a loophole or an embrasure, a hundred barrels were leveled at him, and the hail of bullets chipped away the edge of the stone angle shielding him. But soon they were tired of firing at insensible stone. They wanted the flesh to aim at, and to see the blood spurt. Everybody shouted ideas of an assault. B.A., weary of listening, caught up an axe from a carpenter's hand and rushed forward in the midst of a shower of missiles, striking down the men around him like a scythe lays the grain, till he reached a small guardhouse before the first drawbridge. While the grape-shot was hurling and whistling about him, he hacked at the chains till down came the bridge. During the quarter of an hour that this insane enterprise went on, the lookers on held their breath. At each volley they expected to see their champion laid low. Forgetting their own danger, they thought solely of that the audacious worker ran. When the drop came down, they uttered a loud whoop and dashed into the first yard. The rush was so unexpected, rapid and impetuous that no resistance was made. The frenzied, joyful cheers announced the first advantage to Launay. Nobody noticed that a man had been mangled under the bridge. Then, as if at the depth of a cavern, the four guns pointed out to B.A. by the governor were shot off with a dreadful crash and all the outer yard was swept clear. The iron hurricane cleft a long swathe of blood through the mass. On the path lay 10 or 12 dead and double as many wounded. B.A. had stood on the guardhouse roof to reach the chain well up. He slid down where he found Pitu, who had reached the spot he knew not how. The young man had a quick eye, a poacher's habit. He had seen the gunners step up to the touch hole with the lighted matches and seizing his patron by the coat, he had pulled him back behind a corner of the wall which sheltered both from the cannonade. From this period on, the war was real. The tumult was alarming, the onslaught murderous. 10,000 gunshots poured upon the fort at risk of slaying the assaulters with the garrison. To cap all, a field piece brought up by the French guardsmen added its boom to the cracking of small arms. The frightful uproar intoxicated the amateur fighters and began to daunt the besieged who felt that they could never raise a commotion equal to this deafening them. The officers saw that their soldiers were weakening. They had to snatch their muskets from them and fire themselves. At this juncture, amid the roar of great guns and smaller ones and the shouting, as the mob were rushing forward to carry away the injured and dead on litters, a little body of citizens appeared calm and unarmed at the yard entrance. It was a deputation of electors from the city hall. They were sacrificing life under protection merely of the white flag before and after them to indicate they came to parley. Wishing to stop the effusion of blood after hearing that the attack had commenced, they forced Flacelle to renew negotiations with the governor. In the name of the city, they summoned the governor of the citadel to cease firing and to receive in the place a hundred of the town guards to guarantee his safety, the garrisons and the inhabitants. The deputies called this out as they marched along. Frightened by the magnitude of the task they had set themselves, the people were ready to accept the proposal seeing two the dead and wounded carried by. If Launay accepted the partial defeat, they would be content with a half victory. At sight of them, the inner yard firing ceased. They were beckoned to approach and they scrambled over the corpses, slipped in gore and held their hands out to them maimed. Under their shelter, the others grouped. The injured and lifeless were borne out streaking the marble flags with broad purple stains. Firing, ceasing on the fourth side, Biae went out to get his party to refrain. At the doors he met Gonshan without arms exposing his naked breast like a man inspired, calm as though invulnerable. What has become of the deputation he inquired? It has got in, replied Biae, cease firing. It is useless, he will not give in, said the beggar leader with the same certainty as if he had been gifted with reading the future. No matter, respect the usages of war since we have become soldiers. I do not mind, said Gonshan. Ali, Hulan, go, he said to two men who seemed to rule the crowd together with him. Do not let a shot be fired till I say so. At the voice, the two darted away, cleaving the throng and soon the sound of the musketry dying away stopped entirely. During the short rest, the wounded were attended to. They were upwards of 40. Two o'clock struck. They had been hammering away two hours from noon. Biae had returned to the front where Gonshan found him. His impatience was visible as he watched the iron grating. What is wrong? asked the farmer. All is lost if the Bastille is not taken in two hours, was the beggar's reply. How so? Because the royal court will learn what we are at, it will send us Besenwald's switzers and Lambesque's heavies who will help catch us between three fires. Biae was forced to confess the truth in the prospect. At length the deputies appeared. By their woe be gone aspect it was clear their errand had failed. What did I tell you? cried the popular orator, gladly. What was foretold by Belsamo and Cagliostro will come to pass. The accursed fortresses doomed. To arms boys, to arms he yelled without waiting for the deputies to relate their doings. The commandment refuses. In fact, scarcely had the governor read Flacelle's letter introducing the party, then he brightened up in the face and exclaimed, instead of yielding to the proposition, you Parisian gentlemen wanted the fight and it is too late to draw back. The citizens had protested and persisted in picturing the horrors which the defense would entail. But he would heed nothing and finished by saying to them what he had told B.A. a couple of hours anteriorly. Be gone or I will have you shot. The citizens were glad to get out of it. Launay took the offensive this time. He was wild with impatience. Before the deputation crossed the threshold, the sackbutt of Marshal Saxe played its tune. Three men fell, one dead and two wounded, the latter being a French guardsman and the other one of the flag of truce bearers. At sight of this victim, whose errand made him sacred, carried away smothered in blood, the fury of the numbers was exalted once more. Gonshan's aid to camp had returned to take their places by his side, but each had run home to change his dress. Ali had been the Marquis confluence running footmen and his livery resembled a Hungarian officer's uniform. Ali put on the uniform he had worn when an officer of the Queen's own regiment and this gave more confidence to the masses with the thought that the army was on their side. The firing recommended more fiercely than before. At this, Major Lasmi approached his superior. He was a brave and honorable soldier but he had some manhood left him and he saw with pain what had happened and foresaw with more pain what would occur. You know we have no food, he said. I know that, answered Launay and we have no order to hold out. I ask your pardon, military governor of the Bastille but I am the governor of it in all respects. My order is to shut the doors and I hold the keys. My lord, keys are to open locks as well as to fasten them. Have a care that you do not get the garrison massacred without saving the castle. That will be two triumphs for the revolters in one day. Look at the men we kill. They spring up again from the pavement. This morning only 3,000 were there. Three hours ago there were six. Now there are over 60,000 and tomorrow they will number 100,000. When our cannon are silenced and that will be the upshot they will be strong enough to pull down the Bastille with their bare hands. You do not speak like the military governor of the Bastille major lost me. I speak like a Frenchman, my lord. I say that his majesty having given us no special order and the provost of the traitors having made us a very acceptable proposition to introduce a hundred civil guards into the castle. You might avoid the misery I foresee by exceeding to provost Flacel's proposition. In your opinion, the city of Palais is a power we ought to obey? Yes, in the absence of special royal order. Then Reed, major lost me, said the prison chief, leading his lieutenant aside into a corner. On the small sheet of paper which he let him read was written. Hold out firmly. I will amuse the Parisians with cockades and promises. Before day is done, Besenval will send you reinforcements, Flacel. How did this advice reach you, inquired the major? In the letter the deputies carried, they thought they were bearing a desire for the Bastille to be surrendered and it was the order to defend it that they handed me. The major bent his head. Go to your post and do not quit it till I command you, sir, continued Launay. Lost me obeying, he coldly folded up the paper, replaced it in his pocket and went over to the canoneers to advise them to aim true and fire low. They obeyed like the major. But the fortiless's fate was settled. No human power could delay the accomplishment. To every cannon shot, the reply was, we mean to have the Bastille. While voices claimed it, arms were not idle. Pittu's and B.A.'s arms and voices were among those asking most energetically and working most efficaciously. Each worked according to his character. Courageous and confident as the bulldog, B.A. had run at the enemy, heedless of shot and steel. Pittu, prudent and circumspect as the fox, endowed to the highest degree with self-preservation, utilized all his faculties to watch danger and anticipated. His sight knew the most deadly embrasures and distinguished the least move of the bronze tube to enter it. He could guess the exact moment when the rampart gun was about to fire through the portcullis. His eyes, having done their office, he made his limbs work for their owner. Down went his shoulders and in went his chest so that his frame offered no more surface than a board seen edgewise. In these moments of the filling out Pittu, sin only in the legs, nothing remained but the geometrical expression of a straight line. He chose a spot where the masonry shaped out cavities and projections so that his head was shielded by a stone, his heart by another and his knees by still another slab. Nowhere could a mortal wound be got in on him. He fired a shot now and then to relieve his feelings and because B.A. told him to blaze away, but he had nothing but wood and stone before him. For his part he kept begging his friend not to expose himself to the firing. There goes the sack-butt or I hear a hammer coming down. Despite these injunctions, the farmer executed prodigies of daring and energy, all in pure waste, till the idea struck him to go along the woodwork of the bridge and chop the chains of the second one as he had done with the first. And howled for him to stay and seeing that howls were useless, he followed him from cover saying, Dear Master B.A., your wife will be a widow if you get killed. The Swiss thrust their guns through the loopholes by which the sack-butt was fired to try to pick off the daring fellow who was making the chips fly off their bridge. B.A. called on his single gun to answer the sack-butt, but when the latter fired, the other artillery retreated and the farmer was left alone to serve the cannon. This again drew Pitu out of his refuge. Master, he sued, in the name of Catherine, think if you are done for that Catherine will be an orphan. B.A. yielded to his plea and because he had a new idea, he ran out on the square, hallowing. A cart! Two carts, added Pitu, thinking you cannot have too much of a good thing. Ten carts were immediately trundled through the multitude. Dry hay and straw, shouted B.A. Straw and hay, repeated Pitu. Like a flash, two hundred men brought each a truss of straw or half a bale of hay. Others brought dry fodder on litters. They were obliged to call out that they had ten times more than was wanted. In an hour they would have smothered the best steel. B.A. put himself in the rails of a bush cart, laid in with hay, and pushed it before him instead of dragging it. Pitu did the same with another, without knowing why, but thinking the farmer's example was worthy of imitation. Ali and Hulan guessed what the farmer proposed. They supplied themselves with carts and pushed them into the prison yard. Scarcely did they enter, then small shot and canister received them, but the hay and straw deadened the bullets and slugs, and only a few rattled on the wheels and shafts. None of the assailants were touched. As soon as this discharge was fired, two or three hundred musket men dashed on behind the cart pushers and lodged under the sloping shed of the bridge itself, under cover of the moving breastwork. There, B.A. pulled out a scrap of paper and flint and steel. He wrapped up a pinch of gunpowder in the paper, struck a light and ignited it and shoved the flaring piece into the heap of hay. Others took lighted wisps and scattered the flames. It caught the pentroof and the foreblazing carts set fire to beams high up and sneaked along the bridge supports. To put out the fire, the garrison would have to come out and to show oneself was to court dev. The glad cheer started in the yard was caught up on the square where the smoke was seen above the towers. Something fatal to the besieged was surmised to be going on. Indeed, the red-hot chains drew out and snapped from the ring bolts. The half-broken bridge fell smoking and sending up sparks. The firemen came up with their engines, but the governor ordered them to be fired upon though the prison might be thus burned over the garrison's heads. The old French soldiers refused. The Swiss were willing, but as they were not artillerous, they could not work the carriage guns. These had to be abandoned. On the other side, seeing that the cannonade ceased, the French guards resumed their field piece work and with the third ball sent the portcullis flying. The governor had gone upon the tower to see if the promised succor was arriving when he suddenly found himself enrapt in smoke. He ran downstairs and ordered the gunners to keep up the firing. The refusal of the French veterans exasperated him. On hearing the portcullis smashed in, he recognized that all was lost. He was fully aware that he was hated. He guessed that there was no safety for him. During the whole of the action, he had cherished the thought of burying himself under the ruins of his castle. As soon as he acknowledged that all resistance was useless, he snatched a lint stock from an artillerist and precipitated himself towards the powder magazine. The powder, the powder shrieked 20 terrified voices. On seeing the governor with the burning match, they divined his intention. Two soldiers crossed their bayonets before his breast at the very instant when he opened the ammunition storeroom door. You may kill me, he said, but you cannot do that so quickly that I shall not have had time to toss this brand into one of the open kegs. Then all of us besieged and besiegers go up. The soldiers stopped with the steel at his breast, but he was still their commander and commanded for he held the lives of all in his hands. His movement riveted everybody to their place. The assailants perceived that something extraordinary was going on. They peered into the yard and saw the governor threatening and being threatened. Hark to me, said he, as true as I have death in my grasp for all of you, I will fire the powder if one of you dare step within this yard. The hearers might fancy the earth quaked beneath their feet. What do you want, several voices gasped with the accent of a panic? An honorable capitulation. As the assailants could not fully comprehend the extent of Launay's despair and did not believe his speech, they began to enter BA at the head, but he suddenly turned pale and trembled for he had thought of Dr. Gilbert. It little mattered to the farmer whether the best deal was torn down or blown up, but at any price, the arch-revolutionist must live, the pupil of Belsamo, his successor perhaps at the head of the invisibles. Stop, shouted BA, for the sake of the prisoners. Elie and Hulan and their men who had not shrank from death on their own behalf recoiled, white and trembling like he had. What do you want, they demanded of the governor, renewing the question his garrison had put to him. Everybody must retire, replied Count Launay. I will listen to no proposition while there is an intruder inside the best steel walls, but you will take advantage of our withdrawal to repair damages, remonstrated BA. If the capitulation be refused, you will find things in the same condition. You there, I at this door, on the faith of a nobleman. Some shook their heads. Is there any here who doubt a nobleman questioned the count? No, no, nobody rejoined 500 voices. Bring me pen, ink and paper, continued the governor. That is well, he went on as his orders were executed. Now retire, he said to the assaulters. BA, Elie and Hulan set the example and all followed them. Launay laid the match by his side and began to write the terms of surrender on his knee. The French veterans and the Swiss aware that their safety was at stake, silently looked at him in superstitious terror. When he turned before writing the document outfair, all the yards were clear. In a twinkling, all the concourse outside had learned what was proceeding. As the Lasmi had said, it was the population which issued from beneath the flagstones and pavement. Not only workmen and beggars, the homeless and the imperfectly clad, but citizens of the better classes. Not only men, but women and children. Each had a weapon and uttered a war cry. From spot to spot amid groups was seen a woman disheveled, wringing her hands and waving her arms, howling curses at the giant of stone. It was a mother, a wife or a sweetheart whose dearest one had been incarcerated in its flanks. But since a short space the giant had ceased to vomit flame and scowl in the smoke, the fire was extinct and the hull mute as a tomb. On the blackened walls, the bullet grazes stood out white and were above count. Everybody had wanted to leave his mark on the granite brow of his personification of tyranny. They could hardly believe that the best deal was about to be turned over to them, that its governor would surrender. In the midst of this general doubt, as none ventured to congratulate another and all waited in silence, a letter stuck on a spear point was seen thrust through a loophole. Between the dispatch and the besiegers was the great moat deep and wide and full of water. B.A. called for a plank, but three were too short and the fourth while long enough was ill-adjusted. Still, he balanced himself as well as he could and unhesitatingly risked himself on the bending bridge. All in dumbness fixed their eyes on the man who seemed suspended over the stagnant water while P.2, quivering, sat on the brink and hid his face. All of a sudden, when B.A. was two-thirds over, the plank shifted and throwing up his arms, he fell in the moat where he sank out of sight. P.2 uttered a roar and dived after his master like a Newfoundland dog. A man went right out on the plank without hesitation, choosing the same road as B.A. It was Stanislaw Maillard, the prison clerk. On reaching the point beneath which he saw two men struggling, he looked, but seeing that they could swim ashore, he continued his way. In half a minute, he was across and took the letter off the pike. With the same tranquil nerve and steadiness of gait, he passed back over the plank. But at the very second, when all crowded round him to read the message, a hail of bullets rained down from the battlements at the same time as a tremendous report was heard. From all breasts, a cry arose, one announcing that the people meant to have revenge. Trust the tyrants again, said Ganchon. Nobody cared anymore about capitulations, the powder, the prisoners or himself. Nothing was wanted but retaliation and the besiegers strewed into the yards, not by hundreds but by thousands. The only thing preventing them entering still faster was not the muskets but the narrowness of the doorways. On hearing the firing, the two soldiers who had not gone away from their commander jumped at him and a third set his foot on the slow match and crushed it out. Launay drew the sword hidden in his cane and tried to stab with it, but it was wrenched off from him and broken while in his grip. He was convinced that he could do no more and he waited for his doom. The mobs rushing in met the soldiers, holding out their hands to them and so the best deal was not taken under a surrender but by assault. This came from the royal castle having ceased to enclose inert matter. Laterally, the king had shut up human brain there and the spirit had burst the vessel. The people entered at the breach. As for the treacherous volley fired in the midst of silence during the suspension of hostilities and unforeseen, impolitic and deadly aggression, it will never be known who gave the order, inspired it and accomplished it. There are moments when the future of a nation is exactly poised in the scales of fate. One of the plates bears up the other even while each party thinks his side will make the other kick the beam. An invisible hand has flung into the dish a dagger or a pistol and all changes. The only cry heard is, woe to the vanquished. End of chapter 12.