To the mastiff, clever argumentation is only so much unmeaning sound; with his eager eyes fixed on his temporary master he awaits only his signal to spring on the adversaries he points out.

On the 20th of June he has almost strangled one of them, and covered him with his slaver.

On the 21st,[2608] he is ready to spring again.

He continues to growl for fifty days, at first sullenly and then with terrific energy.

On the 25th of June, July 14 and 27, August 3 and 5, he again makes a spring and is kept back only with great difficulty.[2609] Already on one occasion, July 29th, his fangs are wet with human gore.[2610]--At each turn of the parliamentary debate the defenseless Constitutionalists beholds those open jaws before him; it is not surprising that he throws to this dog, or allows to be thrown to him, all the decrees demanded by the Girondists as a bone for him to gnaw on .-- Sure of their strength the Girondists renew the attack, and the plan of their campaign seems to be skillfully prepared.