human
You have stopped our wheel, said Toussaint, pointing to the reeking water-mill.
gpt
It will be cracked in the sun before you can set it going again.
human
Yes, we have stopped all the mills, replied Jean.
gpt
Every stream in the colony has a holiday to-day, and may frolic as it likes. I am afraid I made you wait supper last night?
human
You gave me poison, Jean. You have poisoned my trust in my friends. I watched for you as for a friend; and what were you doing the while? You were rebelling, ravaging, and murdering!
gpt
Go on, said Jean.
human
Tell me how it appears to you; and then I will tell you how it appears to me.
gpt
It appears to me, then, that if the whites are to blame towards those who are in their power--if they have been cruel to the Oges, and their party--if they have oppressed their negroes, as they too often have, our duty is clear--to bear and forbear, to do them good in return for their evil. To rise against them cunningly, to burn their plantations, and murder them--to do this is to throw back the gospel in the face of Him who gave it!
human
But you do not understand this rising. It is not for revenge.
gpt
Why do I not understand it. Because you knew that I should disapprove it, and kept me at home by a false appointment, that I might be out of the way. Do you say all this is not for revenge? I look at the hell you have made of this colony between night and morning, and I say that if this be not from revenge, there must be something viler than revenge in the hearts of devils and of men.
human
And now, hear me, said Jean,
gpt
No.
human
Then you do not know the news she brought. She has a royalist master, who is in no hurry to tell his news to the revolutionary whites. The king and all his family tried to escape from France in June. They were overtaken on the road, and brought back prisoners to Paris.
gpt
Is it not true, said Jean,
human
It is true. But they would still have been less guilty than those who add ravage and murder to rebellion.
gpt
There was no stopping the people when the messengers from the _Calypso_ crossed the frontier, and sent the cry, `Vive le Roi! et l'ancien regime,' through the negro quarters of every estate they reached. The people were up on the Noe plantation at the word. Upon my honour, the glare of the fire was the first I knew about it. Then the spirit spread among our people, like the flames among our masters' canes. I like murder no better than you, Toussaint; but when once slaves are up, with knife and firebrand, those may keep revenge from kindling who can--I cannot.
human
At least, you need not join--you can oppose yourself to it.
gpt
I have not joined. I have saved three or four whites this day by giving them warning. I have hidden a family in the woods, and I will die before I will tell where they are. I did what I could to persuade Gallifet's people to let Odeluc and his soldiers turn back to Cap: and I believe they would, but for Odeluc's obstinacy in coming among us. If he would have kept his distance, he might have been alive now. As it is--
human
And is he dead?--the good Odeluc?
gpt
There he lies; and half-a-dozen of the soldiers with him. I am sorry, for he always thought well of us; but he thrust himself into the danger. One reason of my coming here now is to say that this plantation and Arabie will be attacked to-night, and Bayou had better roost in a tree till morning.
human
My master is safe.
gpt
Safe? Where?
human
On the sea.
gpt
You have saved him. Have you--I know your love of obedience is strong--have you pledged yourself to our masters, to oppose the rising-- to fight on their side?
human
I give no pledges but to my conscience. And I have no party where both are wrong. The whites are revengeful, and rebel against their king; and the blacks are revengeful, and rebel against their masters.
gpt
Did you hear anything on the coast of the arrival of the _Blonde_ frigate from Jamaica?
human
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.
gpt
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?
human
I have; and your news only confirms my thought.
gpt
You will not attempt to defend the plantation?
human
What would my single arm do? It would provoke revenge which might otherwise sleep.
gpt
True. Let the estate be deserted, and the gates and doors left wide, and no mischief may be done. Will you join us then?
human
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.
gpt
You will wait, said Jean, sarcastically,
human
Such is not my purpose, Jean, replied Toussaint, quietly.
gpt
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.