THE PENSIONERS [_pointing to the People_]. To save them! [_Among themselves, scornfully._] They don't understand a thing! [BÉQUART _advances to the gate.--The Pensioners shout to him_.] How will you give it to them? BÉQUART [_pointing to his pike_]. On the end of this spit. VINTIMILLE [_turning toward the towers_]. Hoist the white flag! THE PENSIONERS [_shouting_]. Up there, hey! The flag! [_The gate opens._ BÉQUART _goes up toward the opening in the wall, right of the draw-bridge._] BÉQUART [_waving his arms and crying_]. Capitulation! [_He is received by a veritable tempest of shouts and musket-shots. He totters, and shouts out in fury as he shakes his fist at the crowd._] Pigs! It's for your sake! For you! THE PENSIONERS [_crowding about the draw-bridge, and shouting outside_]. Don't fire! Don't fire! [_Outside the people are heard shouting,_ "_Don't fire!_" _then,_ "_Surrender!" This cry increases, and finally voices are heard in heated discussion. After a moment, there is silence._] Hoche and Hulin are making them put down their muskets. They understand. They are stopping. They are coming up to the moat. BÉQUART [_leaning out far over the wall, with the letter at the end of his pike_]. Hurry! I haven't time to wait. THE PENSIONERS [_still looking outside_]. Hulin's bringing a plank. He's throwing it across the moat. Some one's crossing--he's lost his balance! He's falling! No, he's safe now. BÉQUART [_panting for breath_]. Hurry up! Hurry! THE PENSIONERS. He's touching the pike. He has the paper. BÉQUART [_standing upright_]. There! [_Looking at the People_.] Pigs! [_He raises his arms and shouts._] Long live the Nation! [_He falls back, struck by a bullet_.] THE PENSIONERS. Pigs! They've killed him! [_Two of them go to_ BÉQUART'S _body, and bring it down to the center of the stage, laying it at_ VINTIMILLE'S _feet._] VINTIMILLE [_looking at the body with a mixture of irony and sympathy_]. Honor? To what end? THE PENSIONERS. Listen! [_Outside is heard the shout of the People accepting the conditions, and the Pensioners repeat:_] Accepted! VINTIMILLE [_with indifference_]. Inform Monsieur le Gouverneur. THE PENSIONERS. Monseigneur, he's gone crazy: he's broken all the furniture in his room. He cries like a baby.