As for Barnwell, he, of course, saw that it was an outrage of the deepest dye, and he had no idea of submitting to it.
His American blood was up, and, knowing his own great strength, he watched his opportunity as the guards led him from the prince's quarters towards the Bastile. He suddenly wrenched himself away, and knocked one of them sprawling upon the courtyard flags.
Quick as thought almost, he sent another of them toppling against the wall of a building.
A third was on the point of firing at him with his musket, when Tobasco dealt him a stinging blow from behind, that sent him sprawling on top of his comrades.
"Quick, young man! Escape by the gate yonder, and fly to the American minister for protection," said Tobasco; and without waiting for an explanation he fled, and in an instant more was on the street, while Tobasco quickly secreted himself in a deep doorway, for his work was not done yet.
Recovering from their stunned condition, the gendarmes raised an alarm in the courtyard, which quickly brought out the prince's followers, and even the prince himself rushed from his room into the courtyard, to ascertain the cause of the alarm.
Flitting like a shadow almost, Tobasco ran from his hiding-place into the office that the prince had hurriedly left; and seeing the paper and envelope lying upon his table, hastily secured it and again returned to his hiding-place.
It did not take Prince Mastowix but a moment to find out that the young American had escaped from his guard, and he was wild with rage.
"After him, laggards! What are you standing here for? Retake him, or I'll have every rascal of you knouted!" he roared.
But this exhibition on his part only made the confusion greater for a moment.