After this audacious display, the national guard, in parties, paraded the town, insulting, braving the soldiers: swords were drawn, and blood flowed.
The troops pursued made a stand, and took to their weapons.

The municipality, having the directory in check, and holding it as hostage, compelled it to send the troops orders to withdraw to their quarters.
The commandant of the forces obeyed.

This victory emboldened the national guard; and during the night it compelled the directory to send the troops an order to leave the city and evacuate the department.

The national guard, drawn up in a line of battle in the square of Mende, saw hourly its ranks increase by detachments of the neighbouring municipalities, who came down from the mountains, armed with fowling pieces, scythes, and ploughshares.

The troops would have been massacred if they had not retired under cover of the night.