of front windows shone with particular
illumination for a meeting of Chamilly's supporters, and as Chrysler
entered with Haviland and Zotique, they caught from De La Lande the
fragmentary assertion, "It is France that must be preached!"

"Aux armes, citoyens!" roared Zotique, entering like a captain on the
stage. "Give me my battalion! Write me my letters of marque:" Then
throwing one hand in air: "Allons! what has been done?"

The audience sitting around on tables and windowsills, as well as on
groups of chairs, laughed boisterously and thumped the floor, and
recalled to the proper work of the meeting, commenced a cry of
"l'Honorable!"

"The Honorable presides!" intoned Benoit, like a crier; and Genest,
accustomed to understand their wishes, seated himself in the chair,
while a momentary lull fell over the noisiness.

"A Secretary!"

"De La Lande!"

"Calixte Lefebvre!"

"Le Brun, Le Brun, Le Brun, Le Brun!"

"I nominate our good friend Descarries," smilingly spoke the Chairman.
"Does the meeting agree?"

"Yes!" "Yes!" "Maitre Descarries for Secretary!" "Maitre Descarries!"
"Carried!" were the responses shouted together from all sides.

"We have to consider this evening," continued the Chairman, after the
white-wigged official had seated himself in his place as Secretary, "our
general organization and appointment of districts. The aim is to work
hard for Monsieur during the times coming. The people's meeting to take
place to-morrow, is to be addressed for Libergent by Grandmoulin
himself, and Picault will be in the county with them till the election.
So you see our task is not less than to defeat the whole strength of
the Cave. As we fight with men of stature, there is need of valor and
address."

"We'll have to pull the devil by the tail!" cried one. The words were
those of a common proverb referring to "close shaving."

The Chairman added: "Mr. De La Lande, the floor seems to be already
yours."

"I have heard," began De La Lande, "that Grandmoulin has commenced to
raise the issue of French patriotism."

"You are right," said Zotique.

"Well, then, why can we not use a like word, that shall go to the heart
of the people? Give us a national cry! Let the struggle rest on our
fundamental emotions of race! Why can we not"--The face of the impetuous
schoolmaster began to flame into eagerness and fire.

"Because," interrupted Haviland, firmly, "we are in this particular
country. Would you have us enter