"Stop the massacre!"
Among the prisoners several, unable to resist the sudden leap of hope to their eyes, stretched out their hands, crying:
"We are innocent!"
In the first chariot Cramoisin, in a frenzy, was shouting:
"Citoyens, do not mistake me. I am a republican. Vive la République! Save me, at least!"
Nicole was speaking to the boy; for the new vision of life had made him tremble. Amid the leaping floods of humanity she remained calm, a certain maternal sweetness and repose enveloping her as she sought to fortify the resolution of her companion. To Dossonville, through the rising storm of sound and swaying of bodies, a lull of peace seemed to surround her and to remove her from the frenzy.
Again the revolt rose in him that she should die thus. Perceiving all at once that the crowd had pressed about the carts until their progress was impeded, he flung himself into the swirl, exhorting and encouraging. The cries redoubled, becoming more threatening:
"Save them!"
"Enough butchery!"
"On, comrades! Save them!"