The National Guard would have shot him on the spot, had not Lafayette torn him from their hands, and rendered him his liberty.
The most curious of all was, that this bloody day was caused by these two bloodthirsty men, Lafayette and Bailly.
The battalion from the Faubourg St. Antoine and Marias entered the Champ at the same time as Lafayette, and ranged themselves behind the altar, in front of the Military College.
Lafayette, fearing that these might sympathise with the people, sent a detachment of the National Guard to join them.
At this moment the promenaders, and those who were signing the petition on the altar, preoccupied, but not alarmed, at the sort of collision which had taken place between the National Guard and the defenders of the barricade, saw, advancing by the Bridge of Bois (to-day the Bridge of Jéna) another body of the army, headed by the Mayor, and over the heads of which floated the red flag.
This red flag informed us that martial law was proclaimed.
Against whom?
It could not be against those who were guilty of no wrong, and who were simply walking by right of the petition accorded to every citizen.
In the midst of the troop following the Mayor were to be distinguished a company of dragoons. The dragoons were well known to be an aristocratic regiment, being used to firing on the people. Also a band of hair-dressers, armed to the teeth, with their hair dressed à l’aile de pigeon and clad in the height of fashion. Their clothes were of silks and satin, and of every color in the rainbow.
They came, no doubt, to avenge the death of that unfortunate poor fellow, Léger.