monarchy received its death-blow, and was accompanied by fighting
and bloodshed which filled Paris with terror. In the morning
before daybreak the tocsin had sounded, and not long after the
mob of Paris, headed by the Marseillais, "Six hundred men not
afraid to die," who had been summoned there by Barbaroux, were
marching upon the Tuileries. The king, or rather the queen, had
at last determined to make a stand and to defend the throne. The
Swiss Guards were there at the palace, well posted to protect the
inner court; and there, too, were the National Guards, who were
expected to uphold the government and guard the king. The tide of
people poured on through the streets, gathering strength as they
went the Marseillais, the armed bands, the Sections, and a vast
floating mob. The crowd drew nearer and nearer, but the squadrons
of the National Guards, who were to check the advance, did not
stir. It is not apparent, indeed, that they made any resistance,
and the king and his family at eight o'clock lost heart and
deserted the Tuileries, to take refuge with the National
Convention. The multitude then passed into the court of the
Carrousel, unchecked by the National Guards, and were face to
face with the Swiss. Deserted by their king, the Swiss knew not
how to act, but still stood their ground. There was some
parleying, and at last the Marseillais fired a cannon. Then the
Swiss fired. They were disciplined troops, and their fire was
effective. There was a heavy slaughter and the mob recoiled,
leaving their cannon, which the Swiss seized. The Revolutionists,
however, returned to the charge, and the fight raged on both
sides, the Swiss holding their ground firmly.

Suddenly, from the legislative hall, came an order from the king
to the Swiss to cease firing. It was their death warrant.