The door was opened, and the red flag seized and forced into my hands.

I was then dragged down into the courtyard, and from thence to the square.
"It was all in vain to tell them that they ought first to get authority, and to represent to them that I was no suitable standard-bearer on account of my profession; but they would not listen to any objection, saying that my life depended upon my obedience, and that my profession would overawe the disturbers of the public peace.

So I went on, followed by a detachment of the Guienne regiment, part of the first company of the legion, and several dragoons; a young man with fixed bayonet kept always at my side.

Rage was depicted on the faces of all those who accompanied me, and they indulged in oaths and threats, to which I paid no attention.
"In passing through the rue des Greffes they complained that I did not carry the red flag high enough nor unfurl it fully.

When we got to the guardhouse at the Crown Gate, the guard turned out, and the officer was commanded to follow us with his men.