use it was growing dark." He laughed, and suddenly became
solemn again. "There comes a time in every man's life when it grows
dark, Davy, and then the cowards are afraid. They have no friends whose
hands they can reach out and feel. But you are my friend. You remember
that you said you would always be my friend? It--it was in the fort at
Vincennes."

"I remember, General."

He rose from the steps, buttoned his waistcoat, and straightened himself
with an effort. He looked at me impressively.

"You have been a good friend indeed, Davy, a faithful friend," he said.
"You came to me when I was sick, you lent me money,"--he waved aside my
protest. "I am happy to say that I shall soon be in a position to repay
you, to reward you. My evil days are over, and I spurn that government
which spurned me, for the honor and glory of which I founded that
city,"--he pointed in the direction of Louisville,--"for the power and
wealth of which I conquered this Northwest territory. Listen! I am
now in the service of a republic where the people have rights, I
am Commander-in-chief of the French Revolutionary Legion on the
Mississippi. Despite the supineness of Washington, the American nation
will soon be at war with Spain. But my friends--and thank God they
are many--will follow me--they will follow me to Natchez and New
Orleans,--ay, even to Santa Fe and Mexico if I give the word. The West
is with me, and for the West I shall win the freedom of the Mississippi.
For France and Liberty I shall win back again Louisiana, and then I
shall be a Marechal de Camp."

I could not help thinking of a man who had not been wont to speak of his
intentions, who had kept his counsel for a year before Kaskaskia.

"I need my drummer boy, Davy," he said, his face lighting up, "but he
will not be a drummer boy now. He will be a trusted officer of high
rank, mind you. Come," he cried, seizing me by the arm, "I will write
the commission this instant. But hold! you read French,--I remember
the day Father Gibault gave you your first lesson." He fumbled in his
pocket, drew out a letter, and handed it to me. "This is from Citizen
Michaux, the famous naturalist, the political agent of the French
Republic. Read what he has written me."

I read, I fear in a faltering voice:--

"Citoyen General:

"Un homme qui a donne des preuves de son amour pour la Liberte et de sa
haine pour le despotisme ne devait pas s'adresser en vain au ministre de
la Republique francaise