pardoned and released this man, who had been seized by the escort.  This popular report cast a halo of heroism around M. de La Fayette, and animated anew the national guard, who were devoted to him.  At this recital Bailly did not hesitate to proclaim martial law, and to unfurl the red flag, the last resource against sedition.  On their side, the mob, alarmed at the aspect of the red flag floating from the windows of the Hotel-de-Ville, despatched twelve of their number as a deputation to the municipality.  These commissioners with difficulty made their way to the audience-hall, through a forest of bayonets, and demanded that three citizens who had been arrested should be given up to them.  No attention was paid to them, however, and the resolution of employing force was adopted.  The mayor and authorities descended the steps of the Hotel-de-Ville, uttering threats of their intentions.  At the sight of Bailly preceded by the red flag a cry of enthusiasm burst from the ranks, and the national guards clashed the butts of their muskets loudly against the stones.  The public force, indignant with the clubs, was in a state of that nervous excitement that occasionally takes possession of large bodies as well as individuals.

La Fayette, Bailly, and the municipal authorities commenced their march preceded by the red flag, and followed by 10,000 national guards, the paid battalions of grenadiers of this army of citizens formed the advanced guard.  An immense concourse of people followed by a natural impulse this mass of bayonets that slowly descended the quays and the rue du Gros-Caillou, towards the Champ-de-Mars.  During this march, the people congregated around the altar of the country since the morning continued to sign the petition in peace.  They were aware that the troops were called out, but did not believe any violence was intended; their calm and lawful method of proceeding, and the impunity of their sedition for two years, made them believe in a perpetual impunity, and they looked on the red flag merely as a fresh law to be despised.

On his arrival at the glacis of the Champ-de-Mars, La Fayette divided his forces into three columns; the first debouched by the avenue of the Ecole Militaire, the second and third by the two successive openings that intersect the glacis between the Ecole Militaire and the Seine.  Bailly, La Fayette, and the municipal body with the red flag, marched at the head of the first column.  The pas de charge beaten by 400 drums, and the rolling of the cannon over the stones, announced the arrival of the national army.  These sounds drowned for an instant the hollow murmurs and the shrill cries of 50,000 men, women, and children, who filled the centre of the Champ-de-Mars, or crowded on the glacis.  At the moment when Bailly debouched between the glacis, the populace, who from the top of the bank looked down on the mayor, the bayonets, and the artillery, burst into threatening shouts and furious outcries against the national guard. “Down