He despatched officers to find a ford by which they could pass the river; but, unfortunately, although one existed, they were unable to find it.
Whilst thus engaged, he learnt that the garrisons of Metz and Verdun were advancing with a train of artillery to the aid of the people.

The country was swarming with troops and national guards.

The troops began to show symptoms of hesitation; the horses, fatigued by nine leagues over a bad road, could not sustain the speed necessary to overtake the king at Sainte Menehould.

All energy deserted them with hope.

The regiment turned round, and M.de Bouille led them back in silence to Stenay; thence, followed only by a few of the officers most implicated, he gained Luxembourg, and passed the frontier amidst a shower of balls, and wishing for death more than he shunned the punishment.
XXIV.
The royal carriages, however, rolled rapidly along the road to Chalons, attended by the national guard, who relieved each other in order to escort them on; the whole population lined the road on either side, to gaze upon a king brought back in triumph by the nation that believed itself betrayed.