Page 1868 - les-miserables

CHAPTER VII

THE MAN RECRUITED IN

THE RUE DES BILLETTES

Night was fully come, nothing made its appearance. All
that they heard was confused noises, and at intervals, fusil-
lades; but these were rare, badly sustained and distant. This
respite, which was thus prolonged, was a sign that the Gov-
ernment was taking its time, and collecting its forces. These
fifty men were waiting for sixty thousand.
Enjolras felt attacked by that impatience which seizes on
strong souls on the threshold of redoubtable events. He went
in search of Gavroche, who had set to making cartridges in
the tap-room, by the dubious light of two candles placed on
the counter by way of precaution, on account of the powder
which was scattered on the tables. These two candles cast no
gleam outside. The insurgents had, moreover, taken pains
not to have any light in the upper stories.
Gavroche was deeply preoccupied at that moment, but
not precisely with his cartridges. The man of the Rue des
Billettes had just entered the tap-room and had seated him-
self at the table which was the least lighted. A musket of

1868 Les Miserables