Page:The Rise and Fall on the Paris Commune in 1871.djvu/436

 that, though recognized innocent, they would be retained as hostages.

On Thursday, May 25th, the Federals evacuated Bicêtre. A Belgian and an Italian domestic belonging to the College d'Arcueil were released while the others were led away prisoners, the Federals telling them that as soon as they arrived at the Barrière Fontainebleau they should be set free.

In leaving the fort, a few shots, fired through carelessness, caused a panic among the Federals, in consequence of which one of the fathers, the Père Rousselin, succeeded in making his escape.

During the transfer the unhappy Dominicans were continually outraged and insulted by the people in that quarter. Arrived at the Mairie of the Route d'Italie, they were placed in a court where shells were perpetually falling; they were then taken to the 9th section and again interrogated.

At half-past two a man in a red shirt arrived, calling, "We want workmen for the barricades. What are these cassocks doing here. Bring them along, it is just what we want."

The prisoners were then conducted to a barricade where the balls fell with such rapidity that the insurgents could not retain possession, and they were led back again to the section by order of Colonel Cerisier.

At four o'clock a new order arrived from the same personage brought by a red shirt; the Dominicans were placed in file two by two, and told to go out, that they were free. Understanding the sinister meaning of those words, Father Captier advanced, saying, "Allons, mes amis, pour le bon Dieu!"

Hardly had he advanced a few steps when he was struck by several balls, and instantly killed. Twenty-one out of the twenty-four were successively shot; five