aptured a
French schooner and a sloop in our seas; you have insulted our women;
and now you propose a treaty! If it were not for that banner, you would
have to treat for mercy."

"When shall I be permitted to speak?" asked Captain Reynolds.

"Now."

"The blame is mine. I appointed a prize-master, who, it now appears,
was not trustworthy. I was not aware of this; and I left in the cabin,
for the use of the ladies, all their own property, two cases of wine,
and such fruits as I could obtain for them. I lament to find that my
confidence was misplaced; and I pledge myself that the prize-master
shall be punished. After offering my apologies to the offended ladies,
I will retire to my ship, leaving this business of the treaty to appear
as unconnected as it really is with this mischance. Allow me to be
conducted to the presence of the ladies."

"I will charge myself with your apologies," said Toussaint, who knew
that any white stood a small chance of a good reception from Therese.
"I accept your acknowledgment of error, Captain Reynolds, and shall be
ready to proceed with the treaty, on proof of the punishment of the
prize-master. Gentlemen, I regard this treaty with satisfaction, and am
willing to enclose this small tract of peace in the midst of the dreary
wilderness of war. I am willing to see trade established between
Jamaica and Saint Domingo. There are days when your blue mountains are
seen from our shores. Let to-morrow be a bright day when no cloud shall
hide us from one another's friendship."

"To-morrow," the deputation from Jamaica agreed, as they bowed
themselves out of the presence of the Commander-in-chief.

"More English! more English!" was whispered round, when the name of
Gauthier was announced.

"No; not English," observed some, on seeing that the five who now
entered, though in the English uniform, were mulattoes.

"Not English," said Toussaint, aloud. "English soldiers are honourable,
whether as friends or foes. When we meet with the spying eye, and the
bribing hand, we do not believe them to be English. Such are the eyes
and hands of these men. They have the audacity to present themselves as
guests, when their own hearts should tell them they are prisoners."

"Prisoners!" exclaimed Gauthier and his companions.

"Yes, surely--prisoners. Your conduct has already been judged by a
military commission, and you are sentenced. If you have more to say
than you had to plead to me, say it