"Never mind. I believe the time has come to risk our necks. In that case, everybody for himself," replied Sergent. "Here goes for mine; you can do as you like."
He signed the delivery note, and Panis put his name to it.
Things were easier now; when the Marseilles men had powder and shot they would not let themselves be butchered without hitting back.
As soon as they were armed, the Assembly received their petition, and allowed them to attend the session. The Assembly was in great fear, so much so as to debate whether it ought not to transfer the meetings to the country. For everybody stood in doubt, feeling the ground to quake underfoot and fearing to be swallowed.
This wavering chafed the southerners. No little disheartened, Barbaroux talked of founding a republic in the south.
He turned to Robespierre, to see if he would help to set the ball rolling. But the Incorruptible's conditions gave him suspicions, and he left him, saying:
"We will no more have a dictator than a king."
[CHAPTER VIII.]
THE FRIEND IN NEED.
The very thing encouraging the Tuileries party was what awed the rebels.