A second council, more secret and less numerous than the former, had assembled the men destined to put these designs into execution, and they only separated at midnight.

Each of them went to his post, awoke his most trusty followers, and stationed them in small groups, to stop and assemble together the workmen, as they quitted their homes.

Santerre answered for the neutrality of the national guard.

"Do not fear," said he; "Petion will be there." Petion in reality had on the previous evening ordered the battalions of the national guard to get under arms, not to oppose the columns of the people, but to fraternise with the petitioners and swell the cortege of sedition.

This equivocal measure at once saved the responsibility of Petion to the department, and his complicity before the assembled people; to the one he said I watch; to the other, I march with you.
At daybreak the battalions were assembled, and their arms piled on all the _grandes places_.