human
Oh, you are come to take us home!
gpt
I wish you could tell us when it would come, said Dessalines.
human
It is all very well gathering these things, and calling them grapes, for want of better; but give me the grapes that yield one wine. I wonder who has been gathering the grapes from my trellis all this time, while, the whole rainy season through, not a drop did I taste? I wish you had left your revolutions and nonsense till after my time, that I might have sat under my own vine and my own fig-tree, as the priest says, till the end of my days.
gpt
Indeed I wish so too, Dessalines. But you shall have some wine.
human
Ay, send us some. Jacques will tell you what I like. Don't forget, Toussaint Breda. They talk of palm wine in the season; but I do not believe we shall get any worth drinking from the palms hereabouts.
gpt
What is the matter with our palms? cried Moyse, firing up for the honour of the northern coast.
human
I will get you a cabbage for dinner every day for a month to come, he added, moderating his tone under his uncle's eye--
gpt
No, let me--let me cut the cabbage! cried Denis.
human
I can climb as quick as a monkey now--a hundred feet in two minutes. Let me climb the palmetto, Moyse.
gpt
First take back my horse to those soldiers, my boy, said his father, setting Denis upon his horse,
human
All those horses, said Margot, anxiously:
gpt
They will return presently, replied her husband.
human
I am not going to stay with you to-day. And, Margot, I shall take the lads with me, if they are disposed to go.
gpt
The lads! my boys!
human
Yes, said Toussaint, throwing himself down in the shade.
gpt
Our country and its people are orphaned; and the youngest of us must now make himself a soldier, that he may be ready for any turn of affairs which Providences may appoint. Do you hear, my boys?
human
Yes, father,
gpt
They have then murdered the king? asked Margot;
human
They brought him to trial, and executed him. The apes plucked down the evening star, and quenched it. We have no king. We and our country are orphaned.
gpt
It is enough to make one leave one's fishing, and take up a gun.
human
I rejoice to hear you say so, brother,
gpt
Then, father, you will let me go, cried Moyse.
human
You will give me your gun, and let me go to the camp.
gpt
Yes, Moyse: rather you than I. You are a stout lad now, and I know nothing of camps. You shall take the gun, and I will stay and fish.
human
Leave your father his gun, if he chooses to remain, Moyse. We will find arms for you. Placide! Isaac!
gpt
And Denis,
human
Yes, my boy, by-and-bye, when you are as strong as Placide. You shall come to the camp when we want you.
gpt
I will go to-day, father,
human
What to do? said Isaac.
gpt
I do not understand.
human
I do not know, my son, what we are to do next. When the parent of a nation dies, it may take some time to decide what is the duty of those who feel themselves bereaved. All I now am sure of is, that it cannot but be right for my children to be fitted to serve their country in any way that they may find to be appointed. I wish to train you to arms, and the time has come. Do not you think so?