The officer stared at his interlocutor, amazed by the tone of the
man as much as by the sudden growls that chorused it, but nowise
intimidated by either the one or the other.

"I proclaimed my right when I issued my charge in the name of the
Republic," he answered shortly.

"We are the Republic," Souvestre retorted, with a wave of the hand
towards the ferocious crowd of men and women behind him. "We are
the Nation - the sacred people of France. In our own name,
Citizen-soldier, we charge you to withdraw and leave us undisturbed."

Here lay the basis of an argument into which, however, the Captain,
being neither politician nor dialectician, was not minded to be
drawn. He shrugged his shoulders and turned to his men.

"Present arms!" was the answer he delivered, in a voice of supreme
unconcern.

"Citizen-captain, this is an outrage," screamed a voice in the mob.
"If blood is shed, upon your own head be it."

"Will you withdraw?" inquired the Captain coldly.

"To me, my children,"cried Souvestre, brandishing his sabre, and
seeking to encourage his followers. "Down with these traitors who
dishonour the uniform of France! Death to the blue-coats!"

He leapt forward towards the military, and with a sudden roar his