The story takes place from the point of view of the soldiers firing on the barricade when the students start to run out of ammunition.
James was in the company of soldiers who were there to fight the rebels who had put up the barricade. The fighting had stopped for a moment because a thick fog had rolled in. There were sounds of quiet scuffling coming from the barricade. Five minutes later the fog was started to lift, there was the figure of a small boy running from one body to the next.
"He's gathering ammunition for them!" yelled one of his comrades
"You, James shoot him." Said his commanding officer.
"Why me?"
"Because you have the best aim now don't talk back to you superior officer!"
"No."
"Now I'm going to pretend I did not hear that. I will not ask you again." By now the entire company was watching the argument.
"I will not shoot that boy."
"Why not! He's helping them! He is as bad as they are!"
"I will not shoot that little boy because; I do not want the death of a child on my conscience, neither will I permit a child to die while I am standing by!"
"Fine I'll shoot him myself!" He raised his musket, but the child was once again behind the barricade.
That little boy was Gavroche, his safe return gave the Students new hope. Although they did not win the fight little Gavroche survived the night.