Enjolrashastilyquittedtheurchinandmurmuredafewwordsinaverylowtonetoalongshoremanfromthewinedockswhochancedtobeathand。Themanlefttheroom，andreturnedalmostimmediately，accompaniedbythreeothers。Thefourmen，fourporterswithbroadshoulders，wentandplacedthemselveswithoutdoinganythingtoattracthisattention，behindthetableonwhichthemanoftheRuedesBilletteswasleaningwithhiselbows。
　　Theywereevidentlyreadytohurlthemselvesuponhim。
　　ThenEnjolrasapproachedthemananddemandedofhim:——
　　"Whoareyou？"
　　Atthisabruptquery，themanstarted。HeplungedhisgazedeepintoEnjolras’cleareyesandappearedtograspthelatter’smeaning。
　　Hesmiledwithasmilethanwhichnothingmoredisdainful，moreenergetic，andmoreresolutecouldbeseenintheworld，andrepliedwithhaughtygravity:——
　　"Iseewhatitis。Well，yes！"
　　"Youareapolicespy？"
　　"Iamanagentoftheauthorities。"
　　"Andyourname？"
　　"Javert。"
　　Enjolrasmadeasigntothefourmen。Inthetwinklingofaneye，beforeJaverthadtimetoturnround，hewascollared，throwndown，pinionedandsearched。
　　Theyfoundonhimalittleroundcardpastedbetweentwopiecesofglass，andbearingononesidethearmsofFrance，engraved，andwiththismotto:Supervisionandvigilance，andontheotherthisnote:
　　"JAVERT，inspectorofpolice，agedfifty—two，"andthesignatureofthePrefectofPoliceofthatday，M。Gisquet。
　　Besidesthis，hehadhiswatchandhispurse，whichcontainedseveralgoldpieces。Theylefthimhispurseandhiswatch。Underthewatch，atthebottomofhisfob，theyfeltandseizedapaperinanenvelope，whichEnjolrasunfolded，andonwhichhereadthesefivelines，writtenintheveryhandofthePrefectofPolice:——
　　"Assoonashispoliticalmissionisaccomplished，InspectorJavertwillmakesure，byspecialsupervision，whetheritistruethatthemalefactorshaveinstitutedintriguesontherightbankoftheSeine，neartheJenabridge。"
　　Thesearchended，theyliftedJaverttohisfeet，boundhisarmsbehindhisback，andfastenedhimtothatcelebratedpostinthemiddleoftheroomwhichhadformerlygiventhewine—shopitsname。
　　Gavroche，whohadlookedonatthewholeofthissceneandhadapprovedofeverythingwithasilenttossofhishead，steppeduptoJavertandsaidtohim:——
　　"It’sthemousewhohascaughtthecat。"
　　Allthiswassorapidlyexecuted，thatitwasalloverwhenthoseaboutthewine—shopnoticedit。
　　Javerthadnotutteredasinglecry。
　　AtthesightofJavertboundtothepost，Courfeyrac，Bossuet，Joly，Combeferre，andthemenscatteredoverthetwobarricadescamerunningup。
　　Javert，withhisbacktothepost，andsosurroundedwithropesthathecouldnotmakeamovement，raisedhisheadwiththeintrepidserenityofthemanwhohasneverlied。
　　"Heisapolicespy，"saidEnjolras。
　　AndturningtoJavert:"Youwillbeshottenminutesbeforethebarricadeistaken。"
　　Javertrepliedinhismostimperioustone:——
　　"Whynotatonce？"
　　"Wearesavingourpowder。"
　　"Thenfinishthebusinesswithablowfromaknife。"
　　"Spy，"saidthehandsomeEnjolras，"wearejudgesandnotassassins。"
　　ThenhecalledGavroche:——
　　"Hereyou！goaboutyourbusiness！DowhatItoldyou！"
　　"I’mgoing！"criedGavroche。
　　Andhaltingashewasonthepointofsettingout:——
　　"Bytheway，youwillgivemehisgun！"andheadded:"Ileaveyouthemusician，butIwanttheclarionet。"
　　Thegaminmadethemilitarysaluteandpassedgaylythroughtheopeninginthelargebarricade。
　　CHAPTERVIII
　　MANYINTERROGATIONPOINTSWITHREGARDTOACERTAINLECABUCWHOSE
　　NAMEMAYNOTHAVEBEENLECABUC
　　Thetragicpicturewhichwehaveundertakenwouldnotbecomplete，thereaderwouldnotseethosegrandmomentsofsocialbirth—pangsinarevolutionarybirth，whichcontainconvulsionmingledwitheffort，intheirexactandrealrelief，werewetoomit，inthesketchhereoutlined，anincidentfullofepicandsavagehorrorwhichoccurredalmostimmediatelyafterGavroche’sdeparture。
　　Mobs，asthereaderknows，arelikeasnowball，andcollectastheyrollalong，athrongoftumultuousmen。Thesemendonotaskeachotherwhencetheycome。Amongthepassers—bywhohadjoinedtherabbleledbyEnjolras，Combeferre，andCourfeyrac，therehadbeenapersonwearingthejacketofastreetporter，whichwasverythreadbareontheshoulders，whogesticulatedandvociferated，andwhohadthelookofadrunkensavage。Thisman，whosenameornicknamewasLeCabuc，andwhowas，moreover，anutterstrangertothosewhopretendedtoknowhim，wasverydrunk，orassumedtheappearanceofbeingso，andhadseatedhimselfwithseveralothersatatablewhichtheyhaddraggedoutsideofthewine—shop。ThisCabuc，whilemakingthosewhoviedwithhimdrunkseemedtobeexaminingwithathoughtfulairthelargehouseattheextremityofthebarricade，whosefivestoriescommandedthewholestreetandfacedtheRueSaint—Denis。Allatonceheexclaimed:——
　　"Doyouknow，comrades，itisfromthathouseyonderthatwemustfire。
　　Whenweareatthewindows，thedeuceisinitifanyonecanadvanceintothestreet！"
　　"Yes，butthehouseisclosed，"saidoneofthedrinkers。
　　"Letusknock！"
　　"Theywillnotopen。"
　　"Letusbreakinthedoor！"
　　LeCabucrunstothedoor，whichhadaverymassiveknocker，andknocks。
　　Thedooropensnot。Hestrikesasecondblow。Nooneanswers。
　　Athirdstroke。Thesamesilence。
　　"Isthereanyonehere？"shoutsCabuc。
　　Nothingstirs。
　　Thenheseizesagunandbeginstobatterthedoorwiththebuttend。
　　Itwasanancientalleydoor，low，vaulted，narrow，solid，entirelyofoak，linedontheinsidewithasheetofironandironstays，agenuineprisonpostern。Theblowsfromthebuttendofthegunmadethehousetremble，butdidnotshakethedoor。
　　Nevertheless，itisprobablethattheinhabitantsweredisturbed，foratiny，squarewindowwasfinallyseentoopenonthethirdstory，andatthisapertureappearedthereverendandterrifiedfaceofagray—hairedoldman，whowastheporter，andwhoheldacandle。
　　Themanwhowasknockingpaused。
　　"Gentlemen，"saidtheporter，"whatdoyouwant？"
　　"Open！"saidCabuc。
　　"Thatcannotbe，gentlemen。"
　　"Open，nevertheless。"
　　"Impossible，gentlemen。"
　　LeCabuctookhisgunandaimedattheporter；butashewasbelow，andasitwasverydark，theporterdidnotseehim。
　　"Willyouopen，yesorno？"
　　"No，gentlemen。"
　　"Doyousayno？"
　　"Isayno，mygoo——"
　　Theporterdidnotfinish。Theshotwasfired；theballenteredunderhischinandcameoutatthenapeofhisneck，aftertraversingthejugularvein。
　　Theoldmanfellbackwithoutasigh。Thecandlefellandwasextinguished，andnothingmorewastobeseenexceptamotionlessheadlyingonthesillofthesmallwindow，andalittlewhitishsmokewhichfloatedofftowardstheroof。
　　"There！"saidLeCabuc，droppingthebuttendofhisguntothepavement。
　　Hehadhardlyutteredthisword，whenhefeltahandlaidonhisshoulderwiththeweightofaneagle’stalon，andheheardavoicesayingtohim:——
　　"Onyourknees。"
　　ThemurdererturnedroundandsawbeforehimEnjolras’cold，whiteface。
　　Enjolrasheldapistolinhishand。
　　Hehadhastenedupatthesoundofthedischarge。
　　HehadseizedCabuc’scollar，blouse，shirt，andsuspenderwithhislefthand。
　　"Onyourknees！"herepeated。
　　And，withanimperiousmotion，thefrailyoungmanoftwentyyearsbentthethicksetandsturdyporterlikeareed，andbroughthimtohiskneesinthemire。
　　LeCabucattemptedtoresist，butheseemedtohavebeenseizedbyasuperhumanhand。
　　Enjolras，pale，withbareneckanddishevelledhair，andhiswoman’sface，hadabouthimatthatmomentsomethingoftheantiqueThemis。
　　Hisdilatednostrils，hisdowncasteyes，gavetohisimplacableGreekprofilethatexpressionofwrathandthatexpressionofChastitywhich，astheancientworldviewedthematter，befitJustice。
　　Thewholebarricadehastenedup，thenallrangedthemselvesinacircleatadistance，feelingthatitwasimpossibletoutterawordinthepresenceofthethingwhichtheywereabouttobehold。
　　LeCabuc，vanquished，nolongertriedtostruggle，andtrembledineverylimb。
　　Enjolrasreleasedhimanddrewouthiswatch。
　　"Collectyourself，"saidhe。"Thinkorpray。Youhaveoneminute。"
　　"Mercy！"murmuredthemurderer；thenhedroppedhisheadandstammeredafewinarticulateoaths。
　　Enjolrasnevertookhiseyesoffofhim:heallowedaminutetopass，thenhereplacedhiswatchinhisfob。Thatdone，hegraspedLeCabucbythehair，asthelattercoiledhimselfintoaballathiskneesandshrieked，andplacedthemuzzleofthepistoltohisear。
　　Manyofthoseintrepidmen，whohadsotranquillyentereduponthemostterribleofadventures，turnedasidetheirheads。
　　Anexplosionwasheard，theassassinfelltothepavementfacedownwards。
　　Enjolrasstraightenedhimselfup，andcastaconvincedandsevereglancearoundhim。Thenhespurnedthecorpsewithhisfootandsaid:——
　　"Throwthatoutside。"
　　Threemenraisedthebodyoftheunhappywretch，whichwasstillagitatedbythelastmechanicalconvulsionsofthelifethathadfled，andflungitoverthelittlebarricadeintotheRueMondetour。
　　Enjolraswasthoughtful。Itisimpossibletosaywhatgrandioseshadowsslowlyspreadoverhisredoubtableserenity。Allatonceheraisedhisvoice。
　　Asilencefelluponthem。
　　"Citizens，"saidEnjolras，"whatthatmandidisfrightful，whatIhavedoneishorrible。Hekilled，thereforeIkilledhim。
　　Ihadtodoit，becauseinsurrectionmusthaveitsdiscipline。
　　Assassinationisevenmoreofacrimeherethanelsewhere；weareundertheeyesoftheRevolution，wearethepriestsoftheRepublic，wearethevictimsofduty，andmustnotbepossibletoslanderourcombat。
　　Ihave，therefore，triedthatman，andcondemnedhimtodeath。
　　Asformyself，constrainedasIamtodowhatIhavedone，andyetabhorringit，Ihavejudgedmyselfalso，andyoushallsoonseetowhatIhavecondemnedmyself。"
　　Thosewholistenedtohimshuddered。
　　"Wewillsharethyfate，"criedCombeferre。
　　"Sobeit，"repliedEnjolras。"Onewordmore。Inexecutingthisman，Ihaveobeyednecessity；butnecessityisamonsteroftheoldworld，necessity’snameisFatality。Now，thelawofprogressis，thatmonstersshalldisappearbeforetheangels，andthatFatalityshallvanishbeforeFraternity。Itisabadmomenttopronouncethewordlove。Nomatter，Idopronounceit。
　　AndIglorifyit。Love，thefutureisthine。Death，Imakeuseofthee，butIhatethee。Citizens，inthefuturetherewillbeneitherdarknessnorthunderbolts；neitherferociousignorance，norbloodyretaliation。AstherewillbenomoreSatan，therewillbenomoreMichael。Inthefuturenoonewillkillanyoneelse，theearthwillbeamwithradiance，thehumanracewilllove。
　　Thedaywillcome，citizens，whenallwillbeconcord，harmony，light，joyandlife；itwillcome，anditisinorderthatitmaycomethatweareabouttodie。"
　　Enjolrasceased。Hisvirginlipsclosed；andheremainedforsometimestandingonthespotwherehehadshedblood，inmarbleimmobility。
　　Hisstaringeyecausedthoseabouthimtospeakinlowtones。
　　JeanProuvaireandCombeferrepressedeachother’shandssilently，and，leaningagainsteachotherinanangleofthebarricade，theywatchedwithanadmirationinwhichtherewassomecompassion，thatgraveyoungman，executionerandpriest，composedoflight，likecrystal，andalsoofrock。
　　Letussayatoncethatlateron，aftertheaction，whenthebodiesweretakentothemorgueandsearched，apoliceagent’scardwasfoundonLeCabuc。Theauthorofthisbookhadinhishands，in1848，thespecialreportonthissubjectmadetothePrefectofPolicein1832。
　　Wewilladd，thatifwearetobelieveatraditionofthepolice，whichisstrangebutprobablywellfounded，LeCabucwasClaquesous。
　　Thefactis，thatdatingfromthedeathofLeCabuc，therewasnolongeranyquestionofClaquesous。Claquesoushadnowhereleftanytraceofhisdisappearance；hewouldseemtohaveamalgamatedhimselfwiththeinvisible。Hislifehadbeenallshadows，hisendwasnight。
　　Thewholeinsurgentgroupwasstillundertheinfluenceoftheemotionofthattragiccasewhichhadbeensoquicklytriedandsoquicklyterminated，whenCourfeyracagainbeheldonthebarricade，thesmallyoungmanwhohadinquiredofhimthatmorningforMarius。
　　Thislad，whohadaboldandrecklessair，hadcomebynighttojointheinsurgents。
　　BOOKTHIRTEENTH。——MARIUSENTERSTHESHADOW
　　CHAPTERI
　　FROMTHERUEPLUMETTOTHEQUARTIERSAINT—DENIS
　　ThevoicewhichhadsummonedMariusthroughthetwilighttothebarricadeoftheRuedelaChanvrerie，hadproducedonhimtheeffectofthevoiceofdestiny。Hewishedtodie；theopportunitypresenteditself；heknockedatthedoorofthetomb，ahandinthedarknessofferedhimthekey。Thesemelancholyopeningswhichtakeplaceinthegloombeforedespair，aretempting。
　　Mariusthrustasidethebarwhichhadsooftenallowedhimtopass，emergedfromthegarden，andsaid:"Iwillgo。"
　　Madwithgrief，nolongerconsciousofanythingfixedorsolidinhisbrain，incapableofacceptinganythingthenceforthoffateafterthosetwomonthspassedintheintoxicationofyouthandlove，overwhelmedatoncebyallthereveriesofdespair，hehadbutonedesireremaining，tomakeaspeedyendofall。
　　Hesetoutatrapidpace。Hefoundhimselfmostopportunelyarmed，ashehadJavert’spistolswithhim。
　　Theyoungmanofwhomhethoughtthathehadcaughtaglimpse，hadvanishedfromhissightinthestreet。
　　Marius，whohademergedfromtheRuePlumetbytheboulevard，traversedtheEsplanadeandthebridgeoftheInvalides，theChampsElysees，thePlaceLouisXV。，andreachedtheRuedeRivoli。
　　Theshopswereopenthere，thegaswasburningunderthearcades，womenweremakingtheirpurchasesinthestalls，peoplewereeatingicesintheCafeLaiter，andnibblingsmallcakesattheEnglishpastry—cook’sshop。Onlyafewposting—chaisesweresettingoutatagallopfromtheHoteldesPrincesandtheHotelMeurice。
　　MariusenteredtheRueSaint—HonorethroughthePassageDelorme。
　　Theretheshopswereclosed，themerchantswerechattinginfrontoftheirhalf—opendoors，peoplewerewalkingabout，thestreetlanternswerelighted，beginningwiththefirstfloor，allthewindowswerelightedasusual。TherewascavalryonthePlaceduPalais—Royal。
　　MariusfollowedtheRueSaint—Honore。InproportionasheleftthePalais—Royalbehindhim，therewerefewerlightedwindows，theshopswerefastshut，noonewaschattingonthethresholds，thestreetgrewsombre，and，atthesametime，thecrowdincreasedindensity。Forthepassers—bynowamountedtoacrowd。Noonecouldbeseentospeakinthisthrong，andyettherearosefromitadull，deepmurmur。
　　NearthefountainoftheArbre—Sec，therewere"assemblages"，motionlessandgloomygroupswhichweretothosewhowentandcameasstonesinthemidstofrunningwater。
　　AttheentrancetotheRuedesProuvaires，thecrowdnolongerwalked。
　　Itformedaresisting，massive，solid，compact，almostimpenetrableblockofpeoplewhowerehuddledtogether，andconversinginlowtones。Therewerehardlyanyblackcoatsorroundhatsnow，butsmockfrocks，blouses，caps，andbristlingandcadaverousheads。
　　Thismultitudeundulatedconfusedlyinthenocturnalgloom。
　　Itswhisperingshadthehoarseaccentofavibration。Althoughnotoneofthemwaswalking，adulltramplingwasaudibleinthemire。
　　Beyondthisdenseportionofthethrong，intheRueduRoule，intheRuedesProuvaires，andintheextensionoftheRueSaint—Honore，therewasnolongerasinglewindowinwhichacandlewasburning。
　　Onlythesolitaryanddiminishingrowsoflanternscouldbeseenvanishingintothestreetinthedistance。Thelanternsofthatdateresembledlargeredstars，hangingtoropes，andsheduponthepavementashadowwhichhadtheformofahugespider。
　　Thesestreetswerenotdeserted。Therecouldbedescriedpilesofguns，movingbayonets，andtroopsbivouacking。Nocuriousobserverpassedthatlimit。Therecirculationceased。Theretherabbleendedandthearmybegan。
　　Mariuswilledwiththewillofamanwhohopesnomore。Hehadbeensummoned，hemustgo。Hefoundameanstotraversethethrongandtopassthebivouacofthetroops，heshunnedthepatrols，heavoidedthesentinels。Hemadeacircuit，reachedtheRuedeBethisy，anddirectedhiscoursetowardstheHalles。AtthecorneroftheRuedesBourdonnais，therewerenolongeranylanterns。
　　Afterhavingpassedthezoneofthecrowd，hehadpassedthelimitsofthetroops；hefoundhimselfinsomethingstartling。Therewasnolongerapasser—by，nolongerasoldier，nolongeralight，therewasnoone；solitude，silence，night，Iknownotwhatchillwhichseizedholduponone。Enteringastreetwaslikeenteringacellar。
　　Hecontinuedtoadvance。
　　Hetookafewsteps。Someonepassedclosetohimatarun。Wasitaman？Orawoman？Weretheremanyofthem？hecouldnothavetold。
　　Ithadpassedandvanished。
　　Proceedingfromcircuittocircuit，hereachedalanewhichhejudgedtobetheRuedelaPoterie；nearthemiddleofthisstreet，hecameincontactwithanobstacle。Heextendedhishands。
　　Itwasanoverturnedwagon；hisfootrecognizedpoolsofwater，gullies，andpaving—stonesscatteredandpiledup。
　　Abarricadehadbeenbegunthereandabandoned。Heclimbedoverthestonesandfoundhimselfontheothersideofthebarrier。
　　Hewalkedverynearthestreet—posts，andguidedhimselfalongthewallsofthehouses。Alittlebeyondthebarricade，itseemedtohimthathecouldmakeoutsomethingwhiteinfrontofhim。
　　Heapproached，ittookonaform。Itwastwowhitehorses；
　　thehorsesoftheomnibusharnessedbyBossuetinthemorning，whohadbeenstrayingatrandomalldayfromstreettostreet，andhadfinallyhaltedthere，withthewearypatienceofbruteswhonomoreunderstandtheactionsofmen，thanmanunderstandstheactionsofProvidence。
　　Mariusleftthehorsesbehindhim。AshewasapproachingastreetwhichseemedtohimtobetheRueduContrat—Social，ashotcomingnooneknowswhence，andtraversingthedarknessatrandom，whistledclosebyhim，andthebulletpiercedabrassshaving—dishsuspendedabovehisheadoverahairdresser’sshop。
　　Thispiercedshaving—dishwasstilltobeseenin1848，intheRueduContrat—Social，atthecornerofthepillarsofthemarket。
　　Thisshotstillbetokenedlife。Fromthatinstantforthheencounterednothingmore。
　　Thewholeofthisitineraryresembledadescentofblacksteps。
　　Nevertheless，Mariuspressedforward。
　　CHAPTERII
　　ANOWL’SVIEWOFPARIS
　　AbeingwhocouldhavehoveredoverParisthatnightwiththewingofthebatortheowlwouldhavehadbeneathhiseyesagloomyspectacle。
　　AllthatoldquarteroftheHalles，whichislikeacitywithinacity，throughwhichruntheRuesSaint—DenisandSaint—Martin，whereathousandlanescross，andofwhichtheinsurgentshadmadetheirredoubtandtheirstronghold，wouldhaveappearedtohimlikeadarkandenormouscavityhollowedoutinthecentreofParis。
　　Theretheglancefellintoanabyss。Thankstothebrokenlanterns，thankstotheclosedwindows，thereallradiance，alllife，allsound，allmovementceased。Theinvisiblepoliceoftheinsurrectionwereonthewatcheverywhere，andmaintainedorder，thatistosay，night。Thenecessarytacticsofinsurrectionaretodrownsmallnumbersinavastobscurity，tomultiplyeverycombatantbythepossibilitieswhichthatobscuritycontains。
　　Atdusk，everywindowwhereacandlewasburningreceivedashot。
　　Thelightwasextinguished，sometimestheinhabitantwaskilled。
　　Hencenothingwasstirring。Therewasnothingbutfright，mourning，stuporinthehouses；andinthestreets，asortofsacredhorror。
　　Noteventhelongrowsofwindowsandstores，theindentationsofthechimneys，andtheroofs，andthevaguereflectionswhicharecastbackbythewetandmuddypavements，werevisible。
　　Aneyecastupwardatthatmassofshadowsmight，perhaps，havecaughtaglimpsehereandthere，atintervals，ofindistinctgleamswhichbroughtoutbrokenandeccentriclines，andprofilesofsingularbuildings，somethinglikethelightswhichgoandcomeinruins；itwasatsuchpointsthatthebarricadesweresituated。
　　Therestwasalakeofobscurity，foggy，heavy，andfunereal，abovewhich，inmotionlessandmelancholyoutlines，rosethetowerofSaint—Jacques，thechurchofSaint—Merry，andtwoorthreemoreofthosegrandedificesofwhichmanmakesgiantsandthenightmakesphantoms。
　　Allaroundthisdesertedanddisquietinglabyrinth，inthequarterswheretheParisiancirculationhadnotbeenannihilated，andwhereafewstreetlanternsstillburned，theaerialobservermighthavedistinguishedthemetallicgleamofswordsandbayonets，thedullrumbleofartillery，andtheswarmingofsilentbattalionswhoserankswereswellingfromminutetominute；aformidablegirdlewhichwasslowlydrawinginandaroundtheinsurrection。
　　Theinvestedquarterwasnolongeranythingmorethanamonstrouscavern；
　　everythingthereappearedtobeasleepormotionless，and，aswehavejustseen，anystreetwhichonemightcometoofferednothingbutdarkness。
　　Awilddarkness，fulloftraps，fullofunseenandformidableshocks，intowhichitwasalarmingtopenetrate，andinwhichitwasterribletoremain，wherethosewhoenteredshiveredbeforethosewhomtheyawaited，wherethosewhowaitedshudderedbeforethosewhowerecoming。
　　Invisiblecombatantswereentrenchedateverycornerofthestreet；
　　snaresofthesepulchreconcealedinthedensityofnight。
　　Allwasover。Nomorelightwastobehopedfor，henceforth，exceptthelightningofguns，nofurtherencounterexcepttheabruptandrapidapparitionofdeath。Where？How？When？Nooneknew，butitwascertainandinevitable。Inthisplacewhichhadbeenmarkedoutforthestruggle，theGovernmentandtheinsurrection，theNationalGuard，andpopularsocieties，thebourgeoisandtheuprising，gropingtheirway，wereabouttocomeintocontact。
　　Thenecessitywasthesameforboth。Theonlypossibleissuethenceforthwastoemergethencekilledorconquerors。Asituationsoextreme，anobscuritysopowerful，thatthemosttimidfeltthemselvesseizedwithresolution，andthemostdaringwithterror。
　　Moreover，onbothsides，thefury，therage，andthedeterminationwereequal。Fortheoneparty，toadvancemeantdeath，andnoonedreamedofretreating；fortheother，toremainmeantdeath，andnoonedreamedofflight。
　　Itwasindispensablethatallshouldbeendedonthefollowingday，thattriumphshouldresteitherhereorthere，thattheinsurrectionshouldproveitselfarevolutionoraskirmish。TheGovernmentunderstoodthisaswellastheparties；themostinsignificantbourgeoisfeltit。
　　Henceathoughtofanguishwhichmingledwiththeimpenetrablegloomofthisquarterwhereallwasatthepointofbeingdecided；
　　hencearedoubledanxietyaroundthatsilencewhenceacatastrophewasonthepointofemerging。Hereonlyonesoundwasaudible，asoundasheart—rendingasthedeathrattle，asmenacingasamalediction，thetocsinofSaint—Merry。Nothingcouldbemoreblood—curdlingthantheclamorofthatwildanddesperatebell，wailingamidtheshadows。
　　Asitoftenhappens，natureseemedtohavefallenintoaccordwithwhatmenwereabouttodo。Nothingdisturbedtheharmonyofthewholeeffect。Thestarshaddisappeared，heavycloudsfilledthehorizonwiththeirmelancholyfolds。Ablackskyrestedonthesedeadstreets，asthoughanimmensewinding—sheetwerebeingoutspreadoverthisimmensetomb。
　　Whileabattlethatwasstillwhollypoliticalwasinpreparationinthesamelocalitywhichhadalreadywitnessedsomanyrevolutionaryevents，whileyouth，thesecretassociations，theschools，inthenameofprinciples，andthemiddleclasses，inthenameofinterests，wereapproachingpreparatorytodashingthemselvestogether，claspingandthrowingeachother，whileeachonehastenedandinvitedthelastanddecisivehourofthecrisis，farawayandquiteoutsideofthisfatalquarter，inthemostprofounddepthsoftheunfathomablecavitiesofthatwretchedoldPariswhichdisappearsunderthesplendorofhappyandopulentParis，thesombrevoiceofthepeoplecouldbeheardgivingutterancetoadullroar。
　　AfearfulandsacredvoicewhichiscomposedoftheroarofthebruteandofthewordofGod，whichterrifiestheweakandwhichwarnsthewise，whichcomesbothfrombelowlikethevoiceofthelion，andfromonhighlikethevoiceofthethunder。
　　CHAPTERIII
　　THEEXTREMEEDGE
　　MariushadreachedtheHalles。
　　Thereeverythingwasstillcalmer，moreobscureandmoremotionlessthanintheneighboringstreets。Onewouldhavesaidthattheglacialpeaceofthesepulchrehadsprungforthfromtheearthandhadspreadovertheheavens。
　　Nevertheless，aredglowbroughtoutagainstthisblackbackgroundtheloftyroofsofthehouseswhichbarredtheRuedelaChanvrerieontheSaint—Eustacheside。ItwasthereflectionofthetorchwhichwasburningintheCorinthebarricade。Mariusdirectedhisstepstowardsthatredlight。IthaddrawnhimtotheMarche—aux—Poirees，andhecaughtaglimpseofthedarkmouthoftheRuedesPrecheurs。
　　Heenteredit。Theinsurgents’sentinel，whowasguardingtheotherend，didnotseehim。Hefeltthathewasveryclosetothatwhichhehadcomeinsearchof，andhewalkedontiptoe。
　　InthismannerhereachedtheelbowofthatshortsectionoftheRueMondetourwhichwas，asthereaderwillremember，theonlycommunicationwhichEnjolrashadpreservedwiththeoutsideworld。
　　Atthecornerofthelasthouse，onhisleft，hethrusthisheadforward，andlookedintothefragmentoftheRueMondetour。
　　AlittlebeyondtheangleofthelaneandtheRuedelaChanvreriewhichcastabroadcurtainofshadow，inwhichhewashimselfengulfed，heperceivedsomelightonthepavement，abitofthewine—shop，andbeyond，aflickeringlampwithinasortofshapelesswall，andmencrouchingdownwithgunsontheirknees。Allthiswastenfathomsdistantfromhim。Itwastheinteriorofthebarricade。
　　Thehouseswhichborderedthelaneontherightconcealedtherestofthewine—shop，thelargebarricade，andtheflagfromhim。
　　Mariushadbutastepmoretotake。
　　Thentheunhappyyoungmanseatedhimselfonapost，foldedhisarms，andfelltothinkingabouthisfather。
　　HethoughtofthatheroicColonelPontmercy，whohadbeensoproudasoldier，whohadguardedthefrontierofFranceundertheRepublic，andhadtouchedthefrontierofAsiaunderNapoleon，whohadbeheldGenoa，Alexandria，Milan，Turin，Madrid，Vienna，Dresden，Berlin，Moscow，whohadleftonallthevictoriousbattle—fieldsofEuropedropsofthatsameblood，whichhe，Marius，hadinhisveins，whohadgrowngraybeforehistimeindisciplineandcommand，whohadlivedwithhissword—beltbuckled，hisepauletsfallingonhisbreast，hiscockadeblackenedwithpowder，hisbrowfurrowedwithhishelmet，inbarracks，incamp，inthebivouac，inambulances，andwho，attheexpirationoftwentyyears，hadreturnedfromthegreatwarswithascarredcheek，asmilingcountenance，tranquil，admirable，pureasachild，havingdoneeverythingforFranceandnothingagainsther。
　　Hesaidtohimselfthathisdayhadalsocomenow，thathishourhadstruck，thatfollowinghisfather，hetoowasabouttoshowhimselfbrave，intrepid，bold，toruntomeetthebullets，toofferhisbreasttobayonets，toshedhisblood，toseektheenemy，toseekdeath，thathewasabouttowagewarinhisturnanddescendtothefieldofbattle，andthatthefieldofbattleuponwhichhewastodescendwasthestreet，andthatthewarinwhichhewasabouttoengagewascivilwar！
　　Hebeheldcivilwarlaidopenlikeagulfbeforehim，andintothishewasabouttofall。Thenheshuddered。
　　Hethoughtofhisfather’ssword，whichhisgrandfatherhadsoldtoasecond—handdealer，andwhichhehadsomournfullyregretted。
　　Hesaidtohimselfthatthatchasteandvaliantswordhaddonewelltoescapefromhim，andtodepartinwrathintothegloom；
　　thatifithadthusfled，itwasbecauseitwasintelligentandbecauseithadforeseenthefuture；thatithadhadapresentimentofthisrebellion，thewarofthegutters，thewarofthepavements，fusilladesthroughcellar—windows，blowsgivenandreceivedintherear；
　　itwasbecause，comingfromMarengoandFriedland，itdidnotwishtogototheRuedelaChanvrerie；itwasbecause，afterwhatithaddonewiththefather，itdidnotwishtodothisfortheson！
　　Hetoldhimselfthatifthatswordwerethere，ifaftertakingpossessionofitathisfather’spillow，hehaddaredtotakeitandcarryitoffforthiscombatofdarknessbetweenFrenchmeninthestreets，itwouldassuredlyhavescorchedhishandsandburstoutaflamebeforehiseyes，liketheswordoftheangel！
　　Hetoldhimselfthatitwasfortunatethatitwasnotthereandthatithaddisappeared，thatthatwaswell，thatthatwasjust，thathisgrandfatherhadbeenthetrueguardianofhisfather’sglory，andthatitwasfarbetterthatthecolonel’sswordshouldbesoldatauction，soldtotheold—clothesman，thrownamongtheoldjunk，thanthatitshould，to—day，woundthesideofhiscountry。
　　Andthenhefelltoweepingbitterly。
　　Thiswashorrible。Butwhatwashetodo？LivewithoutCosettehecouldnot。Sinceshewasgone，hemustneedsdie。Hadhenotgivenherhiswordofhonorthathewoulddie？Shehadgoneknowingthat；
　　thismeantthatitpleasedherthatMariusshoulddie。Andthen，itwasclearthatshenolongerlovedhim，sinceshehaddepartedthuswithoutwarning，withoutaword，withoutaletter，althoughsheknewhisaddress！Whatwasthegoodofliving，andwhyshouldhelivenow？
　　Andthen，what！shouldheretreataftergoingsofar？shouldhefleefromdangerafterhavingapproachedit？shouldheslipawayafterhavingcomeandpeepedintothebarricade？slipaway，allinatremble，saying:"Afterall，Ihavehadenoughofitasitis。
　　Ihaveseenit，thatsuffices，thisiscivilwar，andIshalltakemyleave！"Shouldheabandonhisfriendswhowereexpectinghim？
　　Whowereinneedofhimpossibly！whowereamerehandfulagainstanarmy！Shouldhebeuntrueatoncetohislove，tocountry，tohisword？Shouldhegivetohiscowardicethepretextofpatriotism？
　　Butthiswasimpossible，andifthephantomofhisfatherwasthereinthegloom，andbeheldhimretreating，hewouldbeathimontheloinswiththeflatofhissword，andshouttohim:"Marchon，youpoltroon！"
　　Thusapreytotheconflictingmovementsofhisthoughts，hedroppedhishead。
　　Allatonceheraisedit。Asortofsplendidrectificationhadjustbeeneffectedinhismind。Thereisawideningofthesphereofthoughtwhichispeculiartothevicinityofthegrave；
　　itmakesoneseeclearlytobeneardeath。Thevisionoftheactionintowhichhefeltthathewas，perhaps，onthepointofentering，appearedtohimnomoreaslamentable，butassuperb。Thewarofthestreetwassuddenlytransfiguredbysomeunfathomableinwardworkingofhissoul，beforetheeyeofhisthought。
　　Allthetumultuousinterrogationpointsofreveryrecurredtohiminthrongs，butwithouttroublinghim。Heleftnoneofthemunanswered。
　　Letussee，whyshouldhisfatherbeindignant？Aretherenotcaseswhereinsurrectionrisestothedignityofduty？
　　WhatwastherethatwasdegradingforthesonofColonelPontmercyinthecombatwhichwasabouttobegin？ItisnolongerMontmirailnorChampaubert；itissomethingquitedifferent。Thequestionisnolongeroneofsacredterritory，——butofaholyidea。
　　Thecountrywails，thatmaybe，buthumanityapplauds。Butisittruethatthecountrydoeswail？Francebleeds，butlibertysmiles；
　　andinthepresenceofliberty’ssmile，Franceforgetsherwound。
　　Andthenifwelookatthingsfromastillmoreloftypointofview，whydowespeakofcivilwar？
　　Civilwar——whatdoesthatmean？Isthereaforeignwar？
　　Isnotallwarbetweenmenwarbetweenbrothers？Warisqualifiedonlybyitsobject。Thereisnosuchthingasforeignorcivilwar；
　　thereisonlyjustandunjustwar。Untilthatdaywhenthegrandhumanagreementisconcluded，war，thatatleastwhichistheeffortofthefuture，whichishasteningonagainstthepast，whichislaggingintherear，maybenecessary。Whathavewetoreproachthatwarwith？Wardoesnotbecomeadisgrace，thesworddoesnotbecomeadisgrace，exceptwhenitisusedforassassinatingtheright，progress，reason，civilization，truth。Thenwar，whetherforeignorcivil，isiniquitous；itiscalledcrime。
　　Outsidethepaleofthatholything，justice，bywhatrightdoesoneformofmandespiseanother？BywhatrightshouldtheswordofWashingtondisownthepikeofCamilleDesmoulins？Leonidasagainstthestranger，Timoleonagainstthetyrant，whichisthegreater？
　　theoneisthedefender，theothertheliberator。Shallwebrandeveryappealtoarmswithinacity’slimitswithouttakingtheobjectintoaconsideration？ThennotetheinfamyofBrutus，Marcel，ArnouldvonBlankenheim，Coligny，Hedgerowwar？Warofthestreets？
　　Whynot？ThatwasthewarofAmbiorix，ofArtevelde，ofMarnix，ofPelagius。ButAmbiorixfoughtagainstRome，ArteveldeagainstFrance，MarnixagainstSpain，PelagiusagainsttheMoors；allagainsttheforeigner。Well，themonarchyisaforeigner；oppressionisastranger；therightdivineisastranger。Despotismviolatesthemoralfrontier，aninvasionviolatesthegeographicalfrontier。
　　DrivingoutthetyrantordrivingouttheEnglish，inbothcases，regainingpossessionofone’sownterritory。Therecomesanhourwhenprotestationnolongersuffices；afterphilosophy，actionisrequired；
　　liveforcefinisheswhattheideahassketchedout；Prometheuschainedbegins，Arostogeitonends；theencyclopediaenlightenssouls，the10thofAugustelectrifiesthem。AfterAEschylus，Thrasybulus；
　　afterDiderot，Danton。Multitudeshaveatendencytoacceptthemaster。
　　Theirmassbearswitnesstoapathy。Acrowdiseasilyledasawholetoobedience。Menmustbestirredup，pushedon，treatedroughlybytheverybenefitoftheirdeliverance，theireyesmustbewoundedbythetrue，lightmustbehurledattheminterriblehandfuls。
　　Theymustbealittlethunderstruckthemselvesattheirownwell—being；
　　thisdazzlingawakensthem。Hencethenecessityoftocsinsandwars。
　　Greatcombatantsmustrise，mustenlightennationswithaudacity，andshakeupthatsadhumanitywhichiscoveredwithgloombytherightdivine，Caesarianglory，force，fanaticism，irresponsiblepower，andabsolutemajesty；arabblestupidlyoccupiedinthecontemplation，intheirtwilightsplendor，ofthesesombretriumphsofthenight。
　　Downwiththetyrant！Ofwhomareyouspeaking？DoyoucallLouisPhilippethetyrant？No；nomorethanLouisXVI。
　　Bothofthemarewhathistoryisinthehabitofcallinggoodkings；
　　butprinciplesarenottobeparcelledout，thelogicofthetrueisrectilinear，thepeculiarityoftruthisthatitlackscomplaisance；
　　noconcessions，then；allencroachmentsonmanshouldberepressed。
　　ThereisadivinerightinLouisXVI。，thereisbecauseaBourboninLouisPhilippe；bothrepresentinacertainmeasuretheconfiscationofright，and，inordertoclearawayuniversalinsurrection，theymustbecombated；itmustbedone，Francebeingalwaystheonetobegin。
　　WhenthemasterfallsinFrance，hefallseverywhere。Inshort，whatcauseismorejust，andconsequently，whatwarisgreater，thanthatwhichre—establishessocialtruth，restoresherthronetoliberty，restoresthepeopletothepeople，restoressovereigntytoman，replacesthepurpleontheheadofFrance，restoresequityandreasonintheirplenitude，suppresseseverygermofantagonismbyrestoringeachonetohimself，annihilatestheobstaclewhichroyaltypresentstothewholeimmenseuniversalconcord，andplacesthehumanraceoncemoreonalevelwiththeright？Thesewarsbuilduppeace。
　　Anenormousfortressofprejudices，privileges，superstitions，lies，exactions，abuses，violences，iniquities，anddarknessstillstandserectinthisworld，withitstowersofhatred。
　　Itmustbecastdown。Thismonstrousmassmustbemadetocrumble。
　　ToconqueratAusterlitzisgrand；totaketheBastilleisimmense。
　　Thereisnoonewhohasnotnoticeditinhisowncase——thesoul，——
　　andthereinliesthemarvelofitsunitycomplicatedwithubiquity，hasastrangeaptitudeforreasoningalmostcoldlyinthemostviolentextremities，anditoftenhappensthatheartbrokenpassionandprofounddespairintheveryagonyoftheirblackestmonologues，treatsubjectsanddiscusstheses。Logicismingledwithconvulsion，andthethreadofthesyllogismfloats，withoutbreaking，inthemournfulstormofthought。ThiswasthesituationofMarius’mind。
　　Ashemeditatedthus，dejectedbutresolute，hesitatingineverydirection，and，inshort，shudderingatwhathewasabouttodo，hisglancestrayedtotheinteriorofthebarricade。
　　Theinsurgentswerehereconversinginalowvoice，withoutmoving，andtherewasperceptiblethatquasi—silencewhichmarksthelaststageofexpectation。Overhead，atthesmallwindowinthethirdstoryMariusdescriedasortofspectatorwhoappearedtohimtobesingularlyattentive。ThiswastheporterwhohadbeenkilledbyLeCabuc。Below，bythelightsofthetorch，whichwasthrustbetweenthepaving—stones，thisheadcouldbevaguelydistinguished。
　　Nothingcouldbestranger，inthatsombreanduncertaingleam，thanthatlivid，motionless，astonishedface，withitsbristlinghair，itseyesfixedandstaring，anditsyawningmouth，bentoverthestreetinanattitudeofcuriosity。Onewouldhavesaidthatthemanwhowasdeadwassurveyingthosewhowereabouttodie。
　　Alongtrailofbloodwhichhadflowedfromthathead，descendedinreddishthreadsfromthewindowtotheheightofthefirstfloor，whereitstopped。
　　BOOKFOURTEENTH。——THEGRANDEURSOFDESPAIR
　　CHAPTERI
　　THEFLAG:ACTFIRST
　　Asyet，nothinghadcome。Teno’clockhadsoundedfromSaint—Merry。
　　EnjolrasandCombeferrehadgoneandseatedthemselves，carbinesinhand，neartheoutletofthegrandbarricade。
　　Theynolongeraddressedeachother，theylistened，seekingtocatcheventhefaintestandmostdistantsoundofmarching。
　　Suddenly，inthemidstofthedismalcalm，aclear，gay，youngvoice，whichseemedtocomefromtheRueSaint—Denis，roseandbegantosingdistinctly，totheoldpopularairof"BytheLightoftheMoon，"
　　thisbitofpoetry，terminatedbyacrylikethecrowofacock:——
　　Monnezestenlarmes，MonamiBugeaud，PretemoitesgendarmesPourleurdireunmot。
　　Encapotebleue，Lapouleaushako，Voicilabanlieue！
　　Co—cocorico！[54]
　　[54]Mynoseisintears，myfriendBugeaud，lendmethygendarmesthatImaysayawordtothem。Withabluecapoteandachickeninhisshako，here’sthebanlieue，co—cocorico。
　　Theypressedeachother’shands。
　　"ThatisGavroche，"saidEnjolras。
　　"Heiswarningus，"saidCombeferre。
　　Ahastyrushtroubledthedesertedstreet；theybeheldabeingmoreagilethanaclownclimbovertheomnibus，andGavrocheboundedintothebarricade，allbreathless，saying:——
　　"Mygun！Heretheyare！"
　　Anelectricquivershotthroughthewholebarricade，andthesoundofhandsseekingtheirgunsbecameaudible。
　　"Wouldyoulikemycarbine？"saidEnjolrastothelad。
　　"Iwantabiggun，"repliedGavroche。
　　AndheseizedJavert’sgun。
　　Twosentinelshadfallenback，andhadcomeinalmostatthesamemomentasGavroche。Theywerethesentinelsfromtheendofthestreet，andthevidetteoftheRuedelaPetite—Truanderie。
　　ThevidetteoftheLanedesPrecheurshadremainedathispost，whichindicatedthatnothingwasapproachingfromthedirectionofthebridgesandHalles。
　　TheRuedelaChanvrerie，ofwhichafewpaving—stonesaloneweredimlyvisibleinthereflectionofthelightprojectedontheflag，offeredtotheinsurgentstheaspectofavastblackdoorvaguelyopenedintoasmoke。
　　Eachmanhadtakenuphispositionfortheconflict。
　　Forty—threeinsurgents，amongwhomwereEnjolras，Combeferre，Courfeyrac，Bossuet，Joly，Bahorel，andGavroche，werekneelinginsidethelargebarricade，withtheirheadsonalevelwiththecrestofthebarrier，thebarrelsoftheirgunsandcarbinesaimedonthestonesasthoughatloop—holes，attentive，mute，readytofire。Six，commandedbyFeuilly，hadinstalledthemselves，withtheirgunslevelledattheirshoulders，atthewindowsofthetwostoriesofCorinthe。
　　Severalminutespassedthus，thenasoundoffootsteps，measured，heavy，andnumerous，becamedistinctlyaudibleinthedirectionofSaint—Leu。Thissound，faintatfirst，thenprecise，thenheavyandsonorous，approachedslowly，withouthalt，withoutintermission，withatranquilandterriblecontinuity。
　　Nothingwastobeheardbutthis。Itwasthatcombinedsilenceandsound，ofthestatueofthecommander，butthisstonystephadsomethingindescribablyenormousandmultipleaboutitwhichawakenedtheideaofathrong，and，atthesametime，theideaofaspectre。
　　OnethoughtoneheardtheterriblestatueLegionmarchingonward。
　　Thistreaddrewnear；itdrewstillnearer，andstopped。Itseemedasthoughthebreathingofmanymencouldbeheardattheendofthestreet。Nothingwastobeseen，however，butatthebottomofthatdenseobscuritytherecouldbedistinguishedamultitudeofmetallicthreads，asfineasneedlesandalmostimperceptible，whichmovedaboutlikethoseindescribablephosphoricnetworkswhichoneseesbeneathone’sclosedeyelids，inthefirstmistsofslumberatthemomentwhenoneisdroppingofftosleep。Thesewerebayonetsandgun—barrelsconfusedlyilluminatedbythedistantreflectionofthetorch。
　　Apauseensued，asthoughbothsideswerewaiting。Allatonce，fromthedepthsofthisdarkness，avoice，whichwasallthemoresinister，sincenoonewasvisible，andwhichappearedtobethegloomitselfspeaking，shouted:——
　　"Whogoesthere？"
　　Atthesametime，theclickofguns，astheywereloweredintoposition，washeard。
　　Enjolrasrepliedinahaughtyandvibratingtone:——
　　"TheFrenchRevolution！"
　　"Fire！"shoutedthevoice。
　　Aflashempurpledallthefacadesinthestreetasthoughthedoorofafurnacehadbeenflungopen，andhastilyclosedagain。
　　Afearfuldetonationburstforthonthebarricade。Theredflagfell。
　　Thedischargehadbeensoviolentandsodensethatithadcutthestaff，thatistosay，theverytipoftheomnibuspole。
　　Bulletswhichhadreboundedfromthecornicesofthehousespenetratedthebarricadeandwoundedseveralmen。
　　Theimpressionproducedbythisfirstdischargewasfreezing。
　　Theattackhadbeenrough，andofanaturetoinspirereflectionintheboldest。Itwasevidentthattheyhadtodealwithanentireregimentattheveryleast。
　　"Comrades！"shoutedCourfeyrac，"letusnotwasteourpowder。
　　Letuswaituntiltheyareinthestreetbeforereplying。"
　　"And，aboveall，"saidEnjolras，"letusraisetheflagagain。"
　　Hepickeduptheflag，whichhadfallenpreciselyathisfeet。
　　Outside，theclatteroftheramrodsinthegunscouldbeheard；
　　thetroopswerere—loadingtheirarms。
　　Enjolraswenton:——
　　"Whoisthereherewithaboldheart？Whowillplanttheflagonthebarricadeagain？"
　　Notamanresponded。Tomountonthebarricadeattheverymomentwhen，withoutanydoubt，itwasagaintheobjectoftheiraim，wassimplydeath。Thebravesthesitatedtopronouncehisowncondemnation。Enjolrashimselffeltathrill。Herepeated:——
　　"Doesnoonevolunteer？"
　　CHAPTERII
　　THEFLAG:ACTSECOND
　　SincetheyhadarrivedatCorinthe，andhadbeguntheconstructionofthebarricade，noattentionhadbeenpaidtoFatherMabeuf。
　　M。Mabeufhadnotquittedthemob，however；hehadenteredtheground—floorofthewine—shopandhadseatedhimselfbehindthecounter。Therehehad，sotospeak，retreatedintohimself。
　　Henolongerseemedtolookortothink。Courfeyracandothershadaccostedhimtwoorthreetimes，warninghimofhisperil，beseechinghimtowithdraw，buthedidnothearthem。Whentheywerenotspeakingtohim，hismouthmovedasthoughhewerereplyingtosomeone，andassoonashewasaddressed，hislipsbecamemotionlessandhiseyesnolongerhadtheappearanceofbeingalive。
　　Severalhoursbeforethebarricadewasattacked，hehadassumedanattitudewhichhedidnotafterwardsabandon，withbothfistsplantedonhiskneesandhisheadthrustforwardasthoughheweregazingoveraprecipice。Nothinghadbeenabletomovehimfromthisattitude；
　　itdidnotseemasthoughhismindwereinthebarricade。
　　Wheneachhadgonetotakeuphispositionforthecombat，thereremainedinthetap—roomwhereJavertwasboundtothepost，onlyasingleinsurgentwithanakedsword，watchingoverJavert，andhimself，Mabeuf。Atthemomentoftheattack，atthedetonation，thephysicalshockhadreachedhimandhad，asitwere，awakenedhim；
　　hestartedupabruptly，crossedtheroom，andattheinstantwhenEnjolrasrepeatedhisappeal:"Doesnoonevolunteer？"theoldmanwasseentomakehisappearanceonthethresholdofthewine—shop。
　　Hispresenceproducedasortofcommotioninthedifferentgroups。
　　Ashoutwentup:——
　　"Itisthevoter！ItisthememberoftheConvention！
　　Itistherepresentativeofthepeople！"
　　Itisprobablethathedidnothearthem。
　　HestrodestraightuptoEnjolras，theinsurgentswithdrawingbeforehimwithareligiousfear；hetoretheflagfromEnjolras，whorecoiledinamazementandthen，sincenoonedaredtostoportoassisthim，thisoldmanofeighty，withshakingheadbutfirmfoot，beganslowlytoascendthestaircaseofpaving—stonesarrangedinthebarricade。Thiswassomelancholyandsograndthatallaroundhimcried:"Offwithyourhats！"Ateverystepthathemounted，itwasafrightfulspectacle；hiswhitelocks，hisdecrepitface，hislofty，bald，andwrinkledbrow，hisamazedandopenmouth，hisagedarmupholdingtheredbanner，rosethroughthegloomandwereenlargedinthebloodylightofthetorch，andthebystandersthoughtthattheybeheldthespectreof’93emergingfromtheearth，withtheflagofterrorinhishand。
　　Whenhehadreachedthelaststep，whenthistremblingandterriblephantom，erectonthatpileofrubbishinthepresenceoftwelvehundredinvisibleguns，drewhimselfupinthefaceofdeathandasthoughheweremorepowerfulthanit，thewholebarricadeassumedamidthedarkness，asupernaturalandcolossalform。
　　Thereensuedoneofthosesilenceswhichoccuronlyinthepresenceofprodigies。Inthemidstofthissilence，theoldmanwavedtheredflagandshouted:——
　　"LonglivetheRevolution！LonglivetheRepublic！Fraternity！
　　Equality！andDeath！"
　　Thoseinthebarricadeheardalowandrapidwhisper，likethemurmurofapriestwhoisdespatchingaprayerinhaste。
　　Itwasprobablythecommissaryofpolicewhowasmakingthelegalsummonsattheotherendofthestreet。
　　Thenthesamepiercingvoicewhichhadshouted:"Whogoesthere？"
　　shouted:——
　　"Retire！"
　　M。Mabeuf，pale，haggard，hiseyeslightedupwiththemournfulflameofaberration，raisedtheflagabovehisheadandrepeated:——
　　"LonglivetheRepublic！"
　　"Fire！"saidthevoice。
　　Aseconddischarge，similartothefirst，raineddownuponthebarricade。
　　Theoldmanfellonhisknees，thenroseagain，droppedtheflagandfellbackwardsonthepavement，likealog，atfulllength，withoutstretchedarms。
　　Rivuletsofbloodflowedbeneathhim。Hisagedhead，paleandsad，seemedtobegazingatthesky。
　　Oneofthoseemotionswhicharesuperiortoman，whichmakehimforgeteventodefendhimself，seizedupontheinsurgents，andtheyapproachedthebodywithrespectfulawe。
　　"Whatmentheseregicideswere！"saidEnjolras。
　　CourfeyracbentdowntoEnjolras’ear:——
　　"Thisisforyourselfalone，Idonotwishtodampentheenthusiasm。
　　Butthismanwasanythingratherthanaregicide。Iknewhim。
　　HisnamewasFatherMabeuf。Idonotknowwhatwasthematterwithhimto—day。Buthewasabraveblockhead。Justlookathishead。"
　　"TheheadofablockheadandtheheartofaBrutus，"repliedEnjolras。
　　Thenheraisedhisvoice:——
　　"Citizens！Thisistheexamplewhichtheoldgivetotheyoung。
　　Wehesitated，hecame！Weweredrawingback，headvanced！Thisiswhatthosewhoaretremblingwithageteachtothosewhotremblewithfear！Thisagedmanisaugustintheeyesofhiscountry。
　　Hehashadalonglifeandamagnificentdeath！Now，letusplacethebodyundercover，thateachoneofusmaydefendthisoldmandeadashewouldhisfatherliving，andmayhispresenceinourmidstrenderthebarricadeimpregnable！"
　　Amurmurofgloomyandenergeticassentfollowedthesewords。
　　Enjolrasbentdown，raisedtheoldman’shead，andfierceashewas，hekissedhimonthebrow，then，throwingwidehisarms，andhandlingthisdeadmanwithtenderprecaution，asthoughhefearedtohurtit，heremovedhiscoat，showedthebloodyholesinittoall，andsaid:——
　　"Thisisourflagnow。"
　　CHAPTERIII
　　GAVROCHEWOULDHAVEDONEBETTERTOACCEPTENJOLRAS’CARBINE
　　TheythrewalongblackshawlofWidowHucheloup’soverFatherMabeuf。
　　Sixmenmadealitteroftheirguns；onthistheylaidthebody，andboreit，withbaredheads，withsolemnslowness，tothelargetableinthetap—room。
　　Thesemen，whollyabsorbedinthegraveandsacredtaskinwhichtheywereengaged，thoughtnomoreoftheperiloussituationinwhichtheystood。
　　WhenthecorpsepassednearJavert，whowasstillimpassive，Enjolrassaidtothespy:——
　　"Itwillbeyourturnpresently！"
　　Duringallthistime，LittleGavroche，whoalonehadnotquittedhispost，buthadremainedonguard，thoughtheespiedsomemenstealthilyapproachingthebarricade。Allatonceheshouted:——
　　"Lookout！"
　　Courfeyrac，Enjolras，JeanProuvaire，Combeferre，Joly，Bahorel，Bossuet，andalltherestrantumultuouslyfromthewine—shop。Itwasalmosttoolate。Theysawaglisteningdensityofbayonetsundulatingabovethebarricade。Municipalguardsofloftystatureweremakingtheirwayin，somestridingovertheomnibus，othersthroughthecut，thrustingbeforethemtheurchin，whoretreated，butdidnotflee。
　　Themomentwascritical。Itwasthatfirst，redoubtablemomentofinundation，whenthestreamrisestotheleveloftheleveeandwhenthewaterbeginstofilterthroughthefissuresofdike。
　　Asecondmoreandthebarricadewouldhavebeentaken。
　　Bahoreldasheduponthefirstmunicipalguardwhowasentering，andkilledhimonthespotwithablowfromhisgun；thesecondkilledBahorelwithablowfromhisbayonet。AnotherhadalreadyoverthrownCourfeyrac，whowasshouting:"Followme！"Thelargestofall，asortofcolossus，marchedonGavrochewithhisbayonetfixed。
　　TheurchintookinhisarmsJavert’simmensegun，levelleditresolutelyatthegiant，andfired。Nodischargefollowed。
　　Javert’sgunwasnotloaded。Themunicipalguardburstintoalaughandraisedhisbayonetatthechild。
　　BeforethebayonethadtouchedGavroche，thegunslippedfromthesoldier’sgrasp，abullethadstruckthemunicipalguardsmaninthecentreoftheforehead，andhefelloveronhisback。
　　Asecondbulletstrucktheotherguard，whohadassaultedCourfeyracinthebreast，andlaidhimlowonthepavement。
　　ThiswastheworkofMarius，whohadjustenteredthebarricade。
　　CHAPTERIV
　　THEBARRELOFPOWDER
　　Marius，stillconcealedintheturnoftheRueMondetour，hadwitnessed，shudderingandirresolute，thefirstphaseofthecombat。Buthehadnotlongbeenabletoresistthatmysteriousandsovereignvertigowhichmaybedesignatedasthecalloftheabyss。Inthepresenceoftheimminenceoftheperil，inthepresenceofthedeathofM。Mabeuf，thatmelancholyenigma，inthepresenceofBahorelkilled，andCourfeyracshouting:"Followme！"ofthatchildthreatened，ofhisfriendstosuccorortoavenge，allhesitationhadvanished，andhehadflunghimselfintotheconflict，histwopistolsinhand。
　　WithhisfirstshothehadsavedGavroche，andwiththeseconddeliveredCourfeyrac。
　　Amidthesoundoftheshots，amidthecriesoftheassaultedguards，theassailantshadclimbedtheentrenchment，onwhosesummitMunicipalGuards，soldiersofthelineandNationalGuardsfromthesuburbscouldnowbeseen，guninhand，rearingthemselvestomorethanhalftheheightoftheirbodies。
　　Theyalreadycoveredmorethantwo—thirdsofthebarrier，buttheydidnotleapintotheenclosure，asthoughwaveringinthefearofsometrap。Theygazedintothedarkbarricadeasonewouldgazeintoalion’sden。Thelightofthetorchilluminatedonlytheirbayonets，theirbear—skincaps，andtheupperpartoftheiruneasyandangryfaces。
　　Mariushadnolongeranyweapons；hehadflungawayhisdischargedpistolsafterfiringthem；buthehadcaughtsightofthebarrelofpowderinthetap—room，nearthedoor。
　　Asheturnedhalfround，gazinginthatdirection，asoldiertookaimathim。AtthemomentwhenthesoldierwassightingMarius，ahandwaslaidonthemuzzleofthegunandobstructedit。
　　Thiswasdonebysomeonewhohaddartedforward，——theyoungworkmaninvelvettrousers。Theshotsped，traversedthehandandpossibly，also，theworkman，sincehefell，buttheballdidnotstrikeMarius。
　　Allthis，whichwasrathertobeapprehendedthanseenthroughthesmoke，Marius，whowasenteringthetap—room，hardlynoticed。
　　Still，hehad，inaconfusedway，perceivedthatgun—barrelaimedathim，andthehandwhichhadblockedit，andhehadheardthedischarge。
　　Butinmomentslikethis，thethingswhichoneseesvacillateandareprecipitated，andonepausesfornothing。Onefeelsobscurelyimpelledtowardsmoredarknessstill，andalliscloud。
　　Theinsurgents，surprisedbutnotterrified，hadrallied。
　　Enjolrashadshouted:"Wait！Don’tfireatrandom！"
　　Inthefirstconfusion，theymight，infact，woundeachother。
　　Themajorityofthemhadascendedtothewindowonthefirststoryandtotheatticwindows，whencetheycommandedtheassailants。
　　Themostdetermined，withEnjolras，Courfeyrac，JeanProuvaire，andCombeferre，hadproudlyplacedthemselveswiththeirbacksagainstthehousesattherear，unshelteredandfacingtheranksofsoldiersandguardswhocrownedthebarricade。
　　Allthiswasaccomplishedwithouthaste，withthatstrangeandthreateninggravitywhichprecedesengagements。Theytookaim，pointblank，onbothsides:theyweresoclosethattheycouldtalktogetherwithoutraisingtheirvoices。
　　Whentheyhadreachedthispointwherethesparkisonthebrinkofdartingforth，anofficerinagorgetextendedhisswordandsaid:——
　　"Laydownyourarms！"
　　"Fire！"repliedEnjolras。
　　Thetwodischargestookplaceatthesamemoment，andalldisappearedinsmoke。
　　Anacridandstiflingsmokeinwhichdyingandwoundedlaywithweak，dullgroans。Whenthesmokeclearedaway，thecombatantsonbothsidescouldbeseentobethinnedout，butstillinthesamepositions，reloadinginsilence。Allatonce，athunderingvoicewasheard，shouting:——
　　"Beoffwithyou，orI’llblowupthebarricade！"
　　Allturnedinthedirectionwhencethevoiceproceeded。
　　Mariushadenteredthetap—room，andhadseizedthebarrelofpowder，thenhehadtakenadvantageofthesmoke，andthesortofobscuremistwhichfilledtheentrenchedenclosure，toglidealongthebarricadeasfarasthatcageofpaving—stoneswherethetorchwasfixed。
　　Totearitfromthetorch，toreplaceitbythebarrelofpowder，tothrustthepileofstonesunderthebarrel，whichwasinstantlystavedin，withasortofhorribleobedience，——allthishadcostMariusbutthetimenecessarytostoopandriseagain；andnowall，NationalGuards，MunicipalGuards，officers，soldiers，huddledattheotherextremityofthebarricade，gazedstupidlyathim，ashestoodwithhisfootonthestones，historchinhishand，hishaughtyfaceilluminatedbyafatalresolution，droopingtheflameofthetorchtowardsthatredoubtablepilewheretheycouldmakeoutthebrokenbarrelofpowder，andgivingventtothatstartlingcry:——
　　"Beoffwithyou，orI’llblowupthebarricade！"
　　Mariusonthatbarricadeaftertheoctogenarianwasthevisionoftheyoungrevolutionaftertheapparitionoftheold。
　　"Blowupthebarricade！"saidasergeant，"andyourselfwithit！"
　　Mariusretorted:"Andmyselfalso。"
　　Andhedroppedthetorchtowardsthebarrelofpowder。
　　Buttherewasnolongeranyoneonthebarrier。Theassailants，abandoningtheirdeadandwounded，flowedbackpell—mellandindisordertowardstheextremityofthestreet，andtherewereagainlostinthenight。Itwasaheadlongflight。
　　Thebarricadewasfree。
　　CHAPTERV
　　ENDOFTHEVERSESOFJEANPROUVAIRE
　　AllflockedaroundMarius。Courfeyracflunghimselfonhisneck。
　　"Hereyouare！"
　　"Whatluck！"saidCombeferre。
　　"Youcameinopportunely！"ejaculatedBossuet。
　　"Ifithadnotbeenforyou，Ishouldhavebeendead！"
　　beganCourfeyracagain。
　　"Ifithadnotbeenforyou，Ishouldhavebeengobbledup！"
　　addedGavroche。
　　Mariusasked:——
　　"Whereisthechief？"
　　"Youarehe！"saidEnjolras。
　　Mariushadhadafurnaceinhisbrainalldaylong；nowitwasawhirlwind。Thiswhirlwindwhichwaswithinhim，producedonhimtheeffectofbeingoutsideofhimandofbearinghimaway。
　　Itseemedtohimthathewasalreadyatanimmensedistancefromlife。
　　Histwoluminousmonthsofjoyandlove，endingabruptlyatthatfrightfulprecipice，Cosettelosttohim，thatbarricade，M。MabeufgettinghimselfkilledfortheRepublic，himselftheleaderoftheinsurgents，——
　　allthesethingsappearedtohimlikeatremendousnightmare。
　　Hewasobligedtomakeamentalefforttorecallthefactthatallthatsurroundedhimwasreal。Mariushadalreadyseentoomuchoflifenottoknowthatnothingismoreimminentthantheimpossible，andthatwhatitisalwaysnecessarytoforeseeistheunforeseen。Hehadlookedonathisowndramaasapiecewhichonedoesnotunderstand。
　　Inthemistswhichenvelopedhisthoughts，hedidnotrecognizeJavert，who，boundtohispost，hadnotsomuchasmovedhisheadduringthewholeoftheattackonthebarricade，andwhohadgazedontherevoltseethingaroundhimwiththeresignationofamartyrandthemajestyofajudge。Mariushadnotevenseenhim。
　　Inthemeanwhile，theassailantsdidnotstir，theycouldbeheardmarchingandswarmingthroughattheendofthestreetbuttheydidnotventureintoit，eitherbecausetheywereawaitingordersorbecausetheywereawaitingreinforcementsbeforehurlingthemselvesafreshonthisimpregnableredoubt。Theinsurgentshadpostedsentinels，andsomeofthem，whoweremedicalstudents，setaboutcaringforthewounded。
　　Theyhadthrownthetablesoutofthewine—shop，withtheexceptionofthetwotablesreservedforlintandcartridges，andoftheoneonwhichlayFatherMabeuf；theyhadaddedthemtothebarricade，andhadreplacedtheminthetap—roomwithmattressesfromthebedofthewidowHucheloupandherservants。Onthesemattressestheyhadlaidthewounded。AsforthethreepoorcreatureswhoinhabitedCorinthe，nooneknewwhathadbecomeofthem。
　　Theywerefinallyfound，however，hiddeninthecellar。