noon
Similar bands of men came from other alleys , and from every street they poured impetuously into the Square . No place had been assigned to Ellerey , no duty had devolved upon him , and as the forward rush was made , he contrived to keep at the side of the street , so that he might not be forced to the front of the crowd . Once in the Square he stepped aside , sheltering himself in the angle of a wall , and no one noticed his movements as they rushed past him . There were comparatively few soldiers in the Grande Place , and for them the striking of noon had had no warning . The sharp rattle of musketry came swiftly , but in a moment the soldiers were swept back or beaten down . There was a triumphant shout at this success , but the men were well in hand . They did not attempt to follow the enemy into the side streets into which they were driven , but , having in the first onslaught seized every entrance to the square , took up their positions to hold them .