help the
colonists soon came to be his greatest wish. Beneath his reserved manner
and his silent habits there lay the greatest enthusiasm, and the most
determined character.

He soon had concluded that there was little hope of winning laurels in
the regiment of Black Musketeers, and he cast his eyes longingly across
the seas to where real fighting was taking place; but when he told his
wish to his friends they all opposed him. He went to an old general who
had long been a friend of his family, and urged him to help him in his
plan to go to America.

"Ah, my boy!" said the general, "I have seen your uncle die in the
Italian wars. I saw your father killed at Minden. I will not help in the
ruin of the last member of your family. You would only risk life and
fortune over there without any chance of reward."

That was exactly what Lafayette was anxious to do, and he would not give
up his plan. He crossed the Channel to London, and there met some of the
men who were interested in the colonial cause. He went to a secret
meeting, and heard them discuss plans to help the Americans. They, on
their part, at first looked askance at the tall, slender, reddish-haired
young Frenchman, who had so little to say himself, and who seemed so
easily embarrassed. But when they learned that he had a great fortune,
and that if he should aid their cause other young noblemen would follow
him, they did their best to win his help. They little knew how
invaluable his rare spirit would prove in winning freedom for their
land.

As he was an officer in the French army, the young Marquis found it very
difficult to leave France without the consent of the government, and
this he could not gain. He and a friend, named Baron de Kalb, made their
plans to escape secretly from Paris to Bordeaux. When he reached the
port he found that his ship was not ready, and before he could sail two
officers arrived from court, bearing peremptory orders forbidding him to
go to America or to assist the colonists.

[Illustration: LAFAYETTE TELLS OF HIS WISH TO AID AMERICA]

He would not give up his great desire, and so although he pretended
that he was willing to obey the command, he planned secretly to escape
across the Spanish border and sail from a Spanish port. He and a friend
left Bordeaux in a post-chaise, announcing that they were on their way
to the French city of Marseilles. As soon as their carriage reached the
open country the young Marquis stepped out, and,