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CHAPTER XI
THE SHOT WHICH
MISSES NOTHING
AND KILLS NO ONE
The assailants’ fire continued. Musketry and grape-shot
alternated, but without committing great ravages, to tell the
truth. The top alone of the Corinthe facade suffered; the win-
dow on the first floor, and the attic window in the roof, riddled
with buck-shot and biscaiens, were slowly losing their shape.
The combatants who had been posted there had been obliged
to withdraw. However, this is according to the tactics of barri-
cades; to fire for a long while, in order to exhaust the insurgents’
ammunition, if they commit the mistake of replying. When it
is perceived, from the slackening of their fire, that they have no
more powder and ball, the assault is made. Enjolras had not fall-
en into this trap; the barricade did not reply.
At every discharge by platoons, Gavroche puffed out his
cheek with his tongue, a sign of supreme disdain.
‘Good for you,’ said he, ‘rip up the cloth. We want some
lint.’