Without doubt, it was a signal; but the citizens took it as a sign for hostilities, especially as, on hearing it, the dragoons rushed to their horses.
At this pistol-shot, cries were heard. A man who was threshing in a barn on the left-hand side of the road, a little above the small bridge thrown over the Aisne, left the barn, and tried to stop the sous-officer with his flail.
The officer drew his sabre, cut the flail in half, and passed on.
During this time the municipal council had decided that some one should run after the royal carriages, and stop them.
“But who will do it?” asked the Mayor.
“I will,” replied M. Drouet.
Other young men offered to accompany him; but he had not at the post-house more than one horse of his own, with the exception of a little pony, which was for his friend Guillaume, on which he could count as well as he could on himself. Two other citizens seized horses, and determining not to leave them, set out with them, or, at least, behind them.
They started, amid shouts of encouragement from the whole town.
Two hours after, the two citizens returned on their paltry hacks. They had not been able to keep up the pace.
But M. Jean Baptiste Drouet, bearer of A Warrant from the Municipality to arrest the King, and Citizen Guillaume, continued the chase.