end of the
island?"

"No."

"Then you do not know the news she brought. She has a royalist master,
who is in no hurry to tell his news to the revolutionary whites. The
king and all his family tried to escape from France in June. They were
overtaken on the road, and brought back prisoners to Paris."

Toussaint, who always uncovered his head at the name of the king, now
bent it low in genuine grief.

"Is it not true," said Jean, "that our masters are traitors? Do they
not insult and defy the king? Would there not have been one shout of
joy through all Cap last night, if this news had been brought to the
deputies after dinner with their wine?"

"It is true. But they would still have been less guilty than those who
add ravage and murder to rebellion."

"There was no stopping the people when the messengers from the _Calypso_
crossed the frontier, and sent the cry, `Vive le Roi! et l'ancien
regime,' through the negro quarters of every estate they reached. The
people were up on the Noe plantation at the word. Upon my honour, the
glare of the fire was the first I knew about it. Then the spirit spread
among our people, like the flames among our masters' canes. I like
murder no better than you, Toussaint; but when once slaves are up, with
knife and firebrand, those may keep revenge from kindling who can--I
cannot."

"At least, you need not join--you can oppose yourself to it."

"I have not joined. I have saved three or four whites this day by
giving them warning. I have hidden a family in the woods, and I will
die before I will tell where they are. I did what I could to persuade
Gallifet's people to let Odeluc and his soldiers turn back to Cap: and I
believe they would, but for Odeluc's obstinacy in coming among us. If
he would have kept his distance, he might have been alive now. As it
is--"

"And is he dead?--the good Odeluc?"

"There he lies; and half-a-dozen of the soldiers with him. I am sorry,
for he always thought well of us; but he thrust himself into the danger.
One reason of my coming here now is to say that this plantation and
Arabie will be attacked to-night, and Bayou had better roost in a tree
till morning."

"My master is safe."

"Safe? Where?"

"On the sea."

"You have saved him. Have you--I know your love of obedience is
strong--have you pledged yourself to our masters, to oppose the rising--
to fight on their side?"

"I give no pledges but to my conscience. And I have no