once mention, did what he had promised us; unfortunately, as we learnt that evening, he began perhaps a little too soon.  As he had foreseen, a moment arrived when the square of the Hotel de Ville was almost devoid of troops, General Herbillon having been forced to leave it with his cavalry to take the barricades of the centre in the rear.  The attack of the Republicans burst forth instantly.  Musket shots were fired from the windows on the Quai Lepelletier; but the left of the column was still on the Pont d’Arcole, a line of riflemen had been placed by a major named Larochette before the Hotel de Ville, the 44th retraced its steps, and the attempt failed.

Bastide arrived, with Chauffour and Laissac.

“Good news,” said he to us, “all is going on well.”  His grave, honest, and dispassionate countenance shone with a sort of patriotic serenity.  He came from the barricades, and was about to return thither.  He had received two balls in his cloak.  I took him aside, and said to him, “Are you going back?” “Yes.”  “Take me with you.”  “No,” answered he, “you are necessary here.  To-day you are the general, I am the soldier.”  I insisted in vain.  He persisted in refusing, repeating continually.  “The Committee is our centre, it should not disperse itself.  It is your duty to remain here.  Besides,” added he, “Make your mind easy.  You run here more risk than we do.  If you are taken you will be shot.”  “Well, then,” said I, “the moment may come when our duty will be to join in the combat.”  “Without doubt.”  I resumed, “You who are on the barricades will be better judges than we shall of that moment.  Give me your word of honor that you will treat me as you would wish me to treat you, and that you will come and fetch us.”  “I give it you,” he answered, and he pressed my two hands in his own.

Later on, however, a few moments after Bastide had left, great as was my confidence in the loyal word of this courageous and generous man, I could no longer restrain myself, and I profited by an interval of two hours of which I could dispose, to go and see with my own eyes what was taking place, and in what manner the resistance was behaving.

I took a carriage in the square of the Palais Royal.  I explained to the driver who I was, and that I was about to visit and encourage the barricades; that I should go sometimes on foot, sometimes in the carriage, and that I trusted myself to him.  I told him my name.

The first comer is almost always an honest man.  This true-hearted coachman answered me, “I know where the barricades are.  I will drive you wherever it is necessary.  I will wait for you wherever it is necessary.  I will drive you there and bring you back; and if you have no money, do not pay me, I am proud of such an action.”

And we started.

[18] The original of this note is in the hands of the author of this book.  It was handed to us by M. Avenel on the part of M. Bocage.