e always
agreed that freedom is safe. I bequeath the charge of it to him, with
my blessing."

"He shall know this, if he lives, before the moon rises."

"If he does not live, let Dessalines hear what was my message to
Christophe. He will know how much to take to himself."

It was well that this message was given without further delay.
Toussaint was summoned to speak with some officers of Leclerc's council,
in the cabin below. At the clank of his chains upon the deck all eyes
were upon him, except those of his own family, which were turned away in
grief.

"Before your departure," said one of the officers, in the small cabin to
which Toussaint was conducted, "we would urge you to do a service to the
colony which yet remains in your power. You must not refuse this last
service."

"I have never refused to serve the colony; and I am as willing to-day as
ever."

"No doubt. Reveal to us, then, the spot in the Mornes du Chaos, in
which your treasures lie buried, and state their amount."

"I have before said that I have buried no treasures. Do you disbelieve
my word?"

"We are sorry to do so; but facts are against you. You cannot deceive
us. We know that you caused certain of your dependents to bury treasure
near the Plateaux de la Ravine; and that you afterwards shot these
servants, to secure your secret."

"Is it possible?"

"You see we have penetrated your counsels. The time for concealment is
past. You take your family with you; and none of you will ever return.
Your friends are, most of them, disposed of. A new order of things has
commenced. You boast of your patriotism. Show it now by giving up the
treasure of the colony to the uses of the colony."

"I have already devoted my all to the colony. I reply once more that I
leave behind me no treasure but that which you cannot appreciate--the
grateful hearts of my people."

The investigation was pressed--the inquiry made, under every form of
appeal that could be devised; and in vain. Toussaint disdained to
repeat his reply; and he spoke no more. The officers left him with
threats on their lips. The door was locked and barred behind them, and
Toussaint found himself a solitary prisoner.

During the night the vessel got under weigh. What at that hour were the
secrets which lay hid in the mountain-passes, the forest-shades, and the
sad homes of the island whose true ruler was now borne away from its
shores?

Pongaudin was already deserted. Mo