for the good of France."

"Burden!" exclaimed all.

"Yes," replied Toussaint: "where is there a heavier burden? Do you
suppose that men choose their own office in life? If so, should I have
chosen such a one as mine? Was the pleasure of Heaven ever more clearly
revealed than in my case? Ask the First Consul whether it was possible
for me to be other than I am. The revolution of Saint Domingo proceeded
without any interference from me--a negro slave. I saw that the
dominion of the whites could not last, divided as they were among
themselves, and lost in the numbers of their foes. I was glad that I
was a black. The time came when I was compelled to act. I associated
myself with the Spaniards, who were the allies of my king, and who had
extended protection to the loyal troops of my colour. But this
protection served no end. The republic proclaimed the general liberty
of the blacks. An unerring voice told me that my allegiance was
thenceforward due to the republic. The blacks in their new condition
wanted a leader. They chose me to lead them--to be the chief predicted
by Raynal, as General Laveaux declared. Inspired by this call, I
entered into the service of France. The services that I have rendered
prove that it was indeed the voice of God that called me. Why do I tell
you this?--Because I owe an account of my life to you? No, indeed!--I
tell you all this that you may render my account to the First Consul,
whom, it appears, I cannot reach by letter. I charge you, by your
fidelity to the mother-country, to repeat to Bonaparte what I have
said."

"You could do it more accurately and forcibly yourself," observed
Hedouville. "Let me advise that you go instead of me."

"You know," replied Toussaint, "who it was that said that I am the
Bonaparte of Saint Domingo, and that the colony could not exist without
me. It was your brother functionaries who said it; and never did they
say anything more true."

The naval captain, Meronet, observed that his ship, now in the roads,
happened to be that which had conveyed the Commissary; and that it would
greatly flatter him, after having brought out Commissary Hedouville, to
carry back General Toussaint L'Ouverture.

"Your ship, sir," replied Toussaint, "will not contain a man like me--a
man laden with the destinies of a race."

"But you speak of the burden of your office," observed one of the aides.
"It must be great; and all men need occasional repose. Suppose