M.de Bouille ordered them to charge, and putting himself at the head of the troop, arrived at Varennes at a quarter to nine, closely followed by the regiment.

Whilst reconnoitring the town, previous to an attack, he observed a troop of hussars, who appeared also to watch the town.

It was the squadron from Dun, commanded by M.
Derlons, who had passed the night here, awaiting reinforcements.

M.
Derlons hastened to inform the general that the king had left the town more than an hour and a half; he added, the bridge was broken, the streets barricaded; that the hussars of Clermont and Varennes had fraternised with the people, and the commanders of the detachments, MM.
de Choiseul, de Damas, and de Guoguelas, were prisoners.

M.de Bouille, baffled, but not discouraged, resolved to follow the king, and rescue him from the hands of the national guard.