Page:The Rise and Fall on the Paris Commune in 1871.djvu/73

 before the right and legality of conciliation; but, alas! at the corner of Place Vendome a shot was fired. The crowd remained impassible. This first shot was immediately followed by five others, which caused the multitude to retreat; but on the exhortation of several men of decision and courage, it again advanced, holding firm its original position, when a fearful discharge of musketry took place, causing a general flight of the masses. In the twinkling of an eye Rue de la Paix was covered with the bodies of the wounded, dead, and those overthrown in the panic. The flight of the crowd did not arrest the fire of the National Guards, who continued to shoot on every side of the street, in many instances killing their own men. One splendid looking fellow, dressed in the costume of the French navy, bravely stood his ground, holding the tricolor in his left hand, and striking his breast with his right, crying "Vive la Republique!" "Tirez donc, tas d'assassins." A rush was then made by the National Guard, who arrested all who had not run away, and conveyed them inside the Place Vendome. In an instant the greatest alarm prevailed everywhere in the neighborhood, and all the shops were at once closed. Groups collected, and the words "Assassins!" "Brigands!" were heard on every side. The men of the Place Vendome then cleared the Rue Castiglione, and posted sentinels at the end towards the Rue Rivoli, to prevent any one from passing. Half-an-hour afterwards a strong body escorted the persons made prisoners to the end of the street, and then set them at liberty. The excitement was everywhere intense, and fear was entertained of further bloodshed before the morning.

The ambulances soon began collecting the bodies which were lying in the Rue de la Paix and in the adjoining streets. They were mostly carried inside the Place Vendome, and ranged in a row upon a long table in the build