ee the office bestowed on a black, or occupied by me, in the interim
they will feel themselves injured by Raymond's removal. You see the
advantages of your filling the office."

"I see yet more plainly the disadvantages, unfit as I am. I cannot
accept it."

"Very well. While you are writing, I will ascertain how the
provisioning of the ships goes on, and will give you as much time as
possible. But there is not a moment to lose. I will return presently
to sign."

Toussaint walked up and down the corridor, receiving reports, and
issuing orders every moment. He found that the harbour was covered with
boats carrying out hogs, fowls, vegetables, and water, according to his
orders: but no baggage had been sent down from the quarters of the
French officials, though porters had been waiting for two hours past.
Scouts had come in, with news of the approach of the insurgents. This
information was communicated to Hedouville, with a hint that the ships
were nearly provisioned; but no answer was returned. Moyse sent word
that the preparations in the town were nearly complete, and the spirit
of the inhabitants improving every hour, if only the Commissary would
make haste and be gone. Toussaint found the moment was coming for him
to give the word to fire the alarm gun.

"Are the despatches nearly ready?" he asked of Pascal, entering the
secretary's apartment.

"Quite ready for signature," replied Pascal, drying the ink of the last
sheet.

"Excellent!" cried Toussaint, when he had read them. "True and clear!"

He signed and sealed them, and introduced the officer who was to be
responsible for their delivery, assuring him that he would be welcome
back to the honours which would follow the faithful discharge of his
trust. He did not forget to request Monsieur Pascal to go to rest.
There might be no rest for either of them this night.

As Euphrosyne sat beside Monsieur Revel, who was sleeping on a couch,
after the fatigues of the morning, old Pierre beckoned her softly out,
sending in Euphrosyne's maid, and saying, as he shut the door, "She will
stay with my master fill he wakes. Mademoiselle Afra has sent for you,
mademoiselle, to see from the upper gallery what is going on. The
harbour is so crowded with boats, that they can hardly move; and it is
time they were moving pretty fast; for the battle is beginning at the
other end of the town; and the Commissary is not off yet, though the gun
was fired half-an-hour sin