Page:The Rise and Fall on the Paris Commune in 1871.djvu/387

 begged them on their knees to abandon this intention. The commanding officer seemed softened by their appeal, and retired, saying that he would establish an ambulance in the house.

A short time after, the same man returned, but with an increased force, and then began a regular pillage. Every article of furniture was thrown from the windows, under pretence that it was needed for making barricades. The tenants were loud in their complaints and indignation. One young man, unable to control his feelings, struck an insurgent in the face.

That act was fatal to the unfortunate people, who were pursued from room to room, and massacred by the Federals without mercy. Men, women, and children all shared the same fate. Fire was then set to the houses, and they were entirely consumed. Meanwhile, in another part of Paris a scene was enacted exceeding even this in horror.

This was the murder of the hostages.

The following order had been given by the Commune on the 22d of May; and we have already seen the manner in which it was employed by Raoul Rigault, with reference to the unfortunate Chaudey:

"COMMUNE OF PARIS.

", ", 2 Prairial, year 79.

"The Citizen Raoul Rigault is charged, together with the Citizen Régère, with the execution of the decree of the Commune of Paris relative to the hostages.

"Delescluze, Billioray."

These hostages, mostly priests, had been arrested at different periods during the reign of the Commune; and their execution, threatened at first as a means of intimidation, was finally decided upon.