They ran to the principal doors, pressed upon the soldiers on guard, called their comrades without to come to them, and forced the hinges of the royal entrance gate.

The municipal officer, Panis, gave orders that it should be opened.

The Carrousel was forced, and the mob seemed for a moment to hesitate before the cannon pointed against them, and some squadrons of _gendarmerie_, drawn up in a line of battle.

Saint Prix, who commanded the artillery, separated from his guns by a movement of the crowd, sent to the second in command an order to let them fall back in the door of the Chateau.

He refused to obey: "_The Carrousel is forced_," he said in a loud voice, "_and so must be the Chateau.