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Odeluc took the brief opportunity to state his confidence that all doubts of the fidelity of the negroes were groundless. He agreed with Monsieur Papalier that the present was not the time and place for entering at large into the subject. He would only just say that he was now an old man, that he had spent his life among the people alluded to, and knew them well, if any man did.
The poor fellows have been carried away, while I was not there to stand by them but making speeches here, like a holiday fool! I will bring them to their senses presently. Make way, friends make way." And Odeluc stepped out among the blacks on the piazza, that being the shortest way to Government-House. "I hope he is not too confident," whispered a town deputy to a friend from the south.
"No one more heartily admires the spirit and good-humour of our friend, Monsieur Odeluc, than myself: no one more enjoys being animated by the hilarity of his temper, and carried away by the hopeful enthusiasm which makes him the dispenser of happiness that he is. But I cannot always sympathise in his bright anticipations. I own I cannot to-day. He may be right. God grant he be so!
"You are in danger, from the determination of the Spaniards to deliver up the enemies of the late king to " "Rather say to deliver up the masters to their revolted slaves. They make politics the pretence; but they would not be sorry to see us all cut to pieces, like poor Odeluc and Clement, and fifty more." "However that may be, your immediate danger is from the Spaniards is it?"
They instantly stopped, and departed. "There! you have sent them out to tell what you have done," observed a deputy. "I will defend my deed," Proteau repeated, when he had swallowed the wine, "I am confident the negroes have risen. I am confident the fellow came with bad intent." "No fear but the negroes will rise, anywhere in the world, where they have such as you for masters," said Odeluc.
Every man showed his terror in his own way; but one act was universal. Each one produced arms of one sort or another. Even Odeluc, it appeared, had not come unarmed. While they were yet standing in groups about the table, the door burst open, and a negro, covered with dust and panting with haste, ran in and made for the head of the table, thrusting himself freely through the parties of gentlemen.
"My fellow-citizens," said Monsieur Brelle, beginning in a very loud voice, "agreeing as I do in my hopes for this colony with Monsieur Odeluc, and, like him, trusting in the protection and blessing of a just Providence, which will preserve our rights, and chastise those who would infringe them feeling thus, and thus trusting, there is a duty for me to perform.
I felt that, even while Odeluc, was holding forth about the age of security which we were now entering upon I felt at the moment that there must be something wrong; that all could not be right, when a man feels glad that he has only himself to take care of. Our negroes are better off than we, so far. Hey, Toussaint?" "I think so, sir."
If we open our jalousies wide enough, and give the honours loudly enough, perhaps our voices may reach his ears, as the loyal greeting that he deserves." "Do not you smell smoke?" asked Bayou of his neighbour, as the blinds were thrown open. "What a smell of burning!" observed the chairman to Odeluc at the same moment. "They are burning field-trash outside the town, no doubt," Odeluc answered.
They would be firm if the world were crushed flat. Why, they love me as if I were their father!" "Nevertheless, sir, you owe your safety to being my guest," said the landlord, with a bow as polite as on the most festive occasion. "I am happy that my roof should " "Who brought this report?" cried Odeluc. "Who can give news of Gallifet's negroes?"
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