his throat;[34162]
he clings fast to the tribune and strives in vain, for his party
around him are losing courage.--At this moment Barrere, remarkable for
expedients, proposes to the Convention to adjourn, and hold the session
"amidst the armed force that will afford it protection."[34163] All
other things failing, the majority avails itself of this last straw.
It rises in a body, in spite of the vociferations in the galleries,
descends the great staircase, and proceeds to the entrance of the
Carrousel. There the Montagnard president, Herault-Sechelles, reads the
decree of Henriot, which enjoins him to withdraw, and he officially
and correctly summons him in the usual way. But a large number of the
Montagnards have followed the majority, and are there to encourage the
insurrection; Danton takes Henriot's hand and tells him, in a low voice,
"Go ahead, don't be afraid; we want to show that the Assembly is
free, be firm."[34164] At this the tall bedizened gawky recovers his
assurance, and in his husky voice, he addresses the president: "Herault,
the people have not come here to listen to big words. You are a good
patriot... Do you promise on your head that the Twenty-two shall be
given up in twenty-four hours?"--"No."--"Then, in that case, I am not
responsible. To arms, cannoneers, make your guns ready!" The cannoneers
take their lighted matches, "the cavalry draw their sabers, and the
infantry aim at the deputies."[34165] Forced back on this side, the
unhappy Convention turns to the left, passes through the archway,
follows the broad avenue through the garden, and advances to the
Pont-Tournant to find an outlet. There is no outlet; the bridge is
raised, and everywhere the barrier of pikes and bayonets remains
impenetrable; shouts of "Vive la Montagne! vive Marat! To the guillotine
with Brissot, Vergniaud, Guadet and Gensonne! Away with bad blood!"
greet the deputies on all sides, and the Convention, similar to a flock
of sheep, in vain turns round and round in its pen. At this moment, to
get them back into the fold, Marat, like a barking dog, runs up as fast
as his short legs will allow, followed by his troop of tatterdemalions,
and exclaims: "Let all loyal deputies return to their posts!" With bowed
heads, they mechanically return to the hall; it is immediately
closed, and they are once more in confinement. To assist them in their
deliberations a crowd of the well-disposed entered pell-mell along with
them. To watch them