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American cause. That end must be followed by a treaty of peace between
Great Britain and the United States. Would he sign that treaty some day
and again honor the old Boston schoolmaster? We shall see.

But how did young Lafayette meet his duties in the dark days of
America--he whose motto was "Auvergne without a stain?"

The day of his test came again at a banquet. It was at York. Let us
picture this pivotal scene of his life and of American history.

After the triumphs of Gates at Saratoga, Washington became unpopular,
and Congress appointed a Board of War, whose object it became to place
Lafayette at the head of the Northern army, and thus give him a chance
to supersede his chief.

The young Frenchman was loyal to Washington, and the motto _Auvergne
sans tache_ governed his life.

Let us suppose him to meet his trusty old friend Baron de Kalb, the
German temperance general, at this critical hour.

"Baron de Kalb, we stood together side by side at Metz, and we knelt
down together that midsummer night when we first landed on Carolina's
sands, and then we rode together across the provinces. These are events
that I shall ever love to recall. To-night we stand together again in
brotherhood of soul. Baron, the times are dark and grow more perilous,
and it may be I now confide in thee for the last time."

"Yes, Lafayette," answered De Kalb, "I myself feel 'tis so. You may live
and rise, but I may fall. But wherever I may go I shall draw this sword
that I consecrated with thine to liberty. It may be ours to meet by
chance again, but, Lafayette, we shall never be as we are now. Thou well
hast said the hour is dark. Open thy soul, then, Lafayette, to me."

"Baron, it burns my brain and shrinks my heart to say that the hour is
dark not only for the cause but for our chief, for Washington. In halls
of state, in popular applause, the rising star is Gates. Factions arise,
cabals combine, and this new Board of War has sent for me. In some
provincial room that flattery decorates they are to make for me a feast.
What means the feast? 'Tis this: to offer me the Northern field. And
why? To separate my sword from Washington. 'If thy right hand offend
thee, cut it off!' I'm loyal to the cause, and must obey this new-made
Board of War; but on that night, if so it be that I have the
opportunity, I shall arise, and, against all flatteries, take my stand.
I then and there will proclaim in clear-cut words my loyalty to
Washington.