A dreadful scene took place in the gloom. The victims went mad with pain while they who charged were mad with fury.
A kind of defense was organized and chairs were flung at the cavalry. Struck on the head, Prince Lambesq replied with a sword cut, without thinking that he was striking the innocent for the guilty. An old man was sent to the ground. Billet saw this and he uttered a shout. At the same time he took aim with his rifle and the prince would have been killed but for his horse having reared at the very instant. It received the bullet in the neck and died instantly.
The fallen Prince was believed slain, and the dragoons rushed into the Tuileries Gardens, firing their pistols at the fugitives.
But they, having plenty of room, dodged behind the trees.
Billet tranquilly reloaded his fowling-piece.
"You are right, Pitou, we have come to town on time," he said.
"And I think I am becoming brave," remarked Pitou, standing the pistol fire of a horseman and spilling him out of the saddle with his musketoon; "it is not so hard as I thought."
"That's so," replied the other, "but useless bravery is bravado. Come along, and don't let your sword trip you up."
"Wait for me, Father Billet, for I do not know Paris like you do; and without you, I shall go astray."
"Come, come," said the farmer, leading him along the river terrace until they had distanced the troops advancing by the quays as rapidly as they could to help the Lambesq Dragoons, if needed.