wo minutes. Let me climb the
palmetto, Moyse."

"First take back my horse to those soldiers, my boy," said his father,
setting Denis upon his horse, "and then let us all sit down here in the
shade."

"All those horses," said Margot, anxiously: "what is to be done with
them to-day? There are so many!"

"They will return presently," replied her husband. "I am not going to
stay with you to-day. And, Margot, I shall take the lads with me, if
they are disposed to go."

"The lads! my boys!"

"Yes," said Toussaint, throwing himself down in the shade. "Our country
and its people are orphaned; and the youngest of us must now make
himself a soldier, that he may be ready for any turn of affairs which
Providences may appoint. Do you hear, my boys?"

"Yes, father," answered Placide in an earnest tone.

"They have then murdered the king?" asked Margot; "or did he die of his
imprisonment?"

"They brought him to trial, and executed him. The apes plucked down the
evening star, and quenched it. We have no king. We and our country are
orphaned."

After a pause, Paul said--

"It is enough to make one leave one's fishing, and take up a gun."

"I rejoice to hear you say so, brother," said Toussaint.

"Then, father, you will let me go," cried Moyse. "You will give me your
gun, and let me go to the camp."

"Yes, Moyse: rather you than I. You are a stout lad now, and I know
nothing of camps. You shall take the gun, and I will stay and fish."

"Leave your father his gun, if he chooses to remain, Moyse. We will
find arms for you. Placide! Isaac!" he continued, looking from one to
the other of his sons.

"And Denis," cried the boy, placing himself directly in his father's
eye, as he returned breathless from the discharge of his errand.

"Yes, my boy, by-and-bye, when you are as strong as Placide. You shall
come to the camp when we want you."

"I will go to-day, father," said Placide.

"What to do?" said Isaac. "I do not understand."

Other eyes besides Aimee's were fixed on Toussaint's face, in anxiety
for his reply.

"I do not know, my son, what we are to do next. When the parent of a
nation dies, it may take some time to decide what is the duty of those
who feel themselves bereaved. All I now am sure of is, that it cannot
but be right for my children to be fitted to serve their country in any
way that they may find to be appointed. I wish to train you to arms,
and the time has come. Do not you thin