They knew that, even deducting those who had set forth, there would still be an amply sufficient force in the city to defeat and crush their band; but they thought that, by a quick stroke, they might succeed in inflicting a heavy blow upon them.

Each of the bands therefore had instructions, after doing its allotted share of incendiarism, to make for the town, and to meet at a certain point outside it.

Then, quietly and noiselessly, they had entered.

One party fell upon the armory, and another attacked with fury the governor's house.

The guards there were, as had happened with his residence in the country, cut down.