Thereupon the National Guards regarded themselves as released from their oath, and almost all withdrew.
Several noblemen followed them, thinking it foolish to die for a cause which acknowledged itself lost.
Alone the Swiss remained, somber and silent, the slaves of discipline.
From the top of the Flora terrace and the Louvre gallery windows, could be seen coming those heroic working-men whom no army had ever resisted, and who had in one day brought low the Bastile, though it had been taking root during four centuries.
These assailants had their plan; believing the king in his castle, they sought to encompass him so as to take him in it.
The column on the left bank had orders to get in by the river gates; that coming down St. Honore Street to break in the Feuillants' gates, while the column on the right bank were to attack in front, led by Westerman, with Santerre and Billet under his orders.
The last suddenly poured in by all the small entrances on the Carrousel, singing the "It shall go on."
The Marseilles men were in the lead, dragging in their midst two four-pounders loaded with grape-shot.
About two hundred Swiss were ranged in order of battle on Carrousel Square.
Straight to them marched the insurgents, and as the Swiss leveled their muskets, they opened their ranks and fired the pieces.