of grape-shot.
The object of this mode of firing was to drive the insurgents from the summit of the redoubt, and to compel them to gather close in the interior, that is to say, this announced the assault.
The combatants once driven from the crest of the barricade by balls, and from the windows of the cabaret by grape-shot, the attacking columns could venture into the street without being picked off, perhaps, even, without being seen, could briskly and suddenly scale the redoubt, as on the preceding evening, and, who knows? take it by surprise.
"It is absolutely necessary that the inconvenience of those guns should be diminished," said Enjolras, and he shouted:
"Fire on the artillery-men!"
All were ready.
The barricade, which had long been silent, poured forth a desperate fire; seven or eight discharges followed, with a sort of rage and joy; the street was filled with blinding smoke, and, at the end of a few minutes, athwart this mist all streaked with flame, two thirds of the gunners could be distinguished lying beneath the wheels of the cannons.
Those who were left standing continued to serve the pieces with severe tranquillity, but the fire had slackened.
"Things are going well now," said Bossuet to Enjolras.
"Success."
Enjolras shook his head and replied:
"Another quarter of an hour of this success, and there will not be any cartridges left in the barricade."