oes who are here will doubtless go with me; and
we shall have crossed the river before morning."

"You would not object," said Jean, "to be joined on the road by some of
our negro force; on my pledge, you understand, that they will not ravage
the country."

"Some too good for your present command?" said Toussaint, smiling. "I
will command them on one other condition--that they will treat well any
white who may happen to be with me."

"I said nothing about your commanding them," said Jean. "If I send men
I shall send officers. But whites! what whites? Did you not say Bayou
was on the sea?"

"I did; but there may be other whites whom I choose to protect, as you
say you are doing. If, instead of hiding whites in the woods, I carry
them across the frontier, what treatment may I expect for my party on
the road?"

"I will go with you myself, and that is promising everything," said
Jean, making a virtue of what was before a strong inclination. "Set out
in two hours from this time. I will put the command of the plain into
Biasson's hands, and make a camp near the Spanish lines. The posts in
that direction are weak, and the whites panic-struck, if indeed they
have not all fled to the fort. Well, well," he continued, "keep to your
time, and I will join you at the cross of the four roads, three miles
south of Fort Dauphin. All will be safe that far, at least."

"If not, we have some strong arms among us," replied Toussaint. "I
believe my girls (or one of them at least) would bear arms where my
honour is at stake. So our king is a prisoner! and we are free! Such
are the changes which Heaven sends!"

"Ay, how do you feel, now you are free?" said Jean. "Did you not put
your horse to a gallop when you turned your back on your old master?"

"Not a word of that, Jean. Let us not think of ourselves. There is
work to do for our king. He is our task-master now."

"You are in a hurry for another master," said Jean. "I am not tired of
being my own master yet."

"I wish you would make your people masters of themselves, Jean. They
are not fit for power. Heaven take it from us, by putting all power
into the hand of the king!"

"We meet by starlight," said Jean. "I have the business of five
thousand men to arrange first; so, more of the king another time."

He leaped the nearest fence and was gone. Toussaint rose and walked
away, with a countenance so serious, that Margot asked if there was bad
news of Monsie