"Come on then, to the college where is Sebastian Gilbert," said Billet, rising.
"Let us go," added Pitou, rising but reluctantly so soft was the grass. Besides good Pitou was sleepy.
"If anything happens me, you must know what to say to Dr. Gilbert in my stead. But be mute."
Ange was not saying anything, for he was dozing.
"If I should be mortally wounded you must go to the doctor and say--Bless me, the boy's asleep----"
Indeed, Pitou was snoring where he had sunk down again.
"After all, the college will be shut at this hour," thought Billet; "we had better take a rest."
Dawn appeared when they had slept three hours; but the day did not bring any change in the warlike aspect of Paris.
Only, there were no soldiers to be seen. The populace were everywhere. They were armed with quickly made pikes, guns of which most knew not the use, and old time weapons of which the bearers admired the ornamentation. After the military had been withdrawn they had pillaged the Royal Storage Magazines. Towards the City Hall a crowd rolled a couple of small cannon. At the Cathedral and other places the general alarm was rung on the big bells. Out from between the flagstones, so to say, oozed the lowest of the low, legions of men and women, if human they were, pale, haggard, and ill-clad, who had been yelling "Bread!" the night before, but howled for "Weapons!" now.
Nothing was more sinister than these spectres who had been stealing into the capital from all the country round during the last few months. They slipped silently through the bars and installed themselves in the town like ghouls in a cemetery.
On this day all France, represented in the capital by these starvelings, called out to the King: "Make us free!" while howling to heaven: "Feed us."
Meanwhile Billet and his pupil were proceeding to the college. On the way they saw the barricades growing up, with even children lending a hand and the richest like the poorest contributing some object that would build the wall. Among the crowds Billet recognized one or two French Guardsmen by their uniform, who were drilling squads and teaching the use of firearms, with the women and boys looking on.
The college was insurrection also. The boys had driven out the masters and were attacking the gates to get out with threats which terrified the tearful principal.