The Convention, perceiving their unpopularity and danger, began to look about them anxiously for the means of defence.  There were in and near Paris 5000 regular troops, on whom they thought they might rely, and who of course contemned the National Guard as only half-soldiers.  They had besides some hundreds of artillerymen; and they now organized what they called “the Sacred Band,” a body of 1500 ruffians, the most part of them old and tried instruments of Robespierre.  With these means they prepared to arrange a plan of defence; and it was obvious that they did not want materials, provided they could find a skilful and determined head.

The Insurgent Sections placed themselves under the command of Danican, an old general of no great skill or reputation.  The Convention opposed to him Menou; and he marched at the head of a column into the section Le Pelletier to disarm the National Guard of that district—­one of the wealthiest of the capital.  The National Guard were found drawn up in readiness to receive him at the end of the Rue Vivienne; and Menou, becoming alarmed, and hampered by the presence of some of the “Representatives of the People,” entered into a parley, and retired without having struck a blow.

The Convention judged that Menou was not master of nerves for such a crisis; and consulted eagerly about a successor to his command.  Barras, one of their number, had happened to be present at Toulon, and to have appreciated the character of Buonaparte.  He had, probably, been applied to by Napoleon in his recent pursuit of employment.  Deliberating with Tallien and Carnot, his colleagues, he suddenly said, “I have the man whom you want; it is a little Corsican officer, who will not stand upon ceremony.”

These words decided the fate of Napoleon and of France.  Buonaparte had been in the Odeon Theatre when the affair of Le Pelletier occurred, had run out, and witnessed the result.  He now happened to be in the gallery, and heard the discussion concerning the conduct of Menou.  He was presently sent for, and asked his opinion as to that officer’s retreat.  He explained what had happened, and how the evil might have been avoided, in a manner which gave satisfaction.  He was desired to assume the command, and arrange his plan of defence as well as the circumstances might permit; for it was already late at night, and the decisive assault on the Tuileries was expected to take place next morning.  Buonaparte stated that the failure of the march of Menou had been chiefly owing to the presence of the “Representatives of the People,” and refused to accept the command unless he received it free from all such interference.  They yielded:  Barras was named Commander-in-Chief; and Buonaparte second, with the virtual control.  His first care was to dispatch Murat, then a major of Chasseurs, to Sablons, five miles off, where fifty great guns were posted.  The Sectionaries sent a stronger detachment for these cannon immediately afterwards; and Murat, who passed them in the dark, would have gone in vain had he received his orders but a few minutes later.