Page:The Rise and Fall on the Paris Commune in 1871.djvu/325

 all window shutters to be opened, and, in many cases, the agents of the Commune had the doors of apartments forced and the shutters thrown back. No vehicles were to be seen, with the exception of ammunition and ambulance wagons, which clattered along making fearful echoes in the vacant streets, and sending a thrill through the terrified hearts of the inhabitants. Few persons ventured out, and wherever the circulation existed, the passers-by were forced by the National Guards to contribute to the construction of the barricades. It has already been stated that in this work the energy of the women exceeded that of the men. The Hotel de Ville was continually invaded by deputations of these citoyennes exaltées, who wished to take their part in the defence.

At one time thirty women came with a demand for a mitrailleuse to arm the barricade in the Place du Palais-Royal. They all wore a band of crape round the left arm; each one had lost a husband, a lover, a son, or a brother, whom she had sworn to avenge. Horses being at this time scarce in the service of the Commune, they harnessed themselves to the enormous machine, and dragged it off, fastening their skirts round their waists lest they should prove an impediment to their march. Others followed, bearing the caissons filled with munitions. The last carried the flag.

Citizen Vallès, a delegate of the Commune, delivered to them the mitrailleuse and the flag, together with an order written and signed by Delescluze, commissioning the above mentioned citoyennes to aid in the defence of Paris. One of them received the embrace of Citizen Vallès in the name of all, and they then departed, bearing with them the engine of destruction.

They were immediately followed by another deputation of women, mistresses of the schools of primary instruction established by the Commune in place of the religious