party where both
are wrong. The whites are revengeful, and rebel against their king; and
the blacks are revengeful, and rebel against their masters."

"Did you hear anything on the coast of the arrival of the _Blonde_
frigate from Jamaica?"

"Yes; there again is more treason. The whites at Cap have implored the
English to take possession of the colony. First traitors to the king,
they would now join the enemies of their country. Fear not, Jean, that
I would defend the treason of such; but I would not murder them."

"What do you mean to do? this very night your estate will be attacked.
Your family is almost the only one remaining on it. Have you thought
what you will do?"

"I have; and your news only confirms my thought."

"You will not attempt to defend the plantation?"

"What would my single arm do? It would provoke revenge which might
otherwise sleep."

"True. Let the estate be deserted, and the gates and doors left wide,
and no mischief may be done. Will you join us then?"

"Join you! no! Not till your loyalty is free from stain. Not while you
fight for your king with a cruelty from which your king would recoil."

"You will wait," said Jean, sarcastically, "till we have conquered the
colony for the king. That done you will avow your loyalty."

"Such is not my purpose, Jean," replied Toussaint, quietly. "You have
called me your friend; but you understand me no more than if I were your
enemy. I will help to conquer the colony for the king; but it shall be
to restore to him its lands as the King of kings gave them to him--not
ravaged and soaked in blood, but redeemed with care, to be made fair and
fruitful, as held in trust for him. I shall join the Spaniards, and
fight for my king with my king's allies."

Jean was silent, evidently struck with the thought. If he had been
troubled with speculations as to what he should do with his
undisciplined, half-savage forces, after the whites should have been
driven to entrench themselves in the towns, it is possible that this
idea of crossing the Spanish line, and putting himself and his people
under the command of these allies, might be a welcome relief to his
perplexity.

"And your family," said he: "will the Spaniards receive our women and
children into their camp?"

"I shall not ask them. I have a refuge in view for my family."

"When will you go?"

"When you leave me. You will find the estate deserted this night, as
you wish. The few negr