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!
