human
The second indigo-cutting is in August, you know, said Toussaint.
gpt
August will decide our freedom, if it is not decided before. August is the season when Nature comes in as our ally--comes in with her army of horrors, which we should not have the heart to invoke, but which will arrive, with or without our will; and which it will be the fault of the French themselves if they brave.
human
Foul airs and pestilence, you mean!
gpt
I mean foul airs and pestilence. All our plans, my son--(it is a comfort to make a counsellor of my own son!)--all the plans of my generals and myself are directed to provide for our defence till August, certain that then the French will be occupied in grappling with a deadlier foe than even men fighting for their liberties.
human
Till August! repeated Placide.
gpt
Nearly six months! I scarcely think the French could hold their footing so long, if--but that--
human
If what? Except for what?
gpt
If it were not for the tremendous reinforcements which I fear will be sent.
human
I thought so,
gpt
All France is eager to come, continued Placide.
human
The thousands who are here (about twelve thousand, I fancy; but they did what they could to prevent our knowing the numbers exactly)--the thousands who are here are looked upon with envy by those who are left behind. The jealousy was incredible--the clamour to gain appointments to the Saint Domingo expedition.
gpt
To be appointed to pestilence in the hospitals, and a grave in the sands! exclaimed Toussaint.
human
It is strange! Frenchmen enough have died here, in seasons of trouble, to convince all France that only in times of peace, leisure, stillness, and choice of residence, have Europeans a fair chance of life here, for a single year. It is strange that they do not foresee their own death-angels clustering on our shores.
gpt
The delusion is so strong, said Placide,
human
The madness of numbers is never without an open cause, said Toussaint.
gpt
What is the cause here?
human
Clear and plain enough. The representations of the emigrants coming in aid of the secret wishes of Bonaparte, have, under his encouragement, turned the heads of his family, his court, and after them, of his people.
gpt
The emigrants sigh for their country (and it is a country to sigh after), and they look back on their estates and their power, I suppose; while the interval of ten years dims in their memories all inconveniences from the climate, and from the degradation of their order.
human
They appear to forget that any form of evil but Oge and you, father, ever entered their paradise. They say that, but for you, they might have been all this while in paradise. They have boasted of its wealth and its pleasures, till there is not a lady in the court of France who does not long to come and dwell in palaces of perfumed woods, marbles, and gold and silver. They dream of passing the day in breezy shades, and of sipping the nectar of tropical fruits, from hour to hour. They think a good deal, too, of the plate and wines, and equipages, and trains of attendants, of which they have heard so much; and at the same time, of martial glory and laurel crowns.
gpt
So these are the ideas with which they have come to languish on Tortuga, and be buried in its sands! These emigrants have much to answer for.
human
So Isaac and I perpetually told them; but they would not listen to anything said by an Ouverture. Nor could we wonder at this, when persons of every colour were given to the same boastings; so that Isaac and I found ourselves tempted into a like strain upon occasion.
gpt
It appears as if the old days had returned, said Toussaint;
human
They do, from Lanville, the coffee-planter, to our Mars Plaisir. Mars Plaisir has brought orders for I do not know how many parrots; and for pearls, and perfumes, and spices, and variegated woods.
gpt
Is it possible? said Toussaint, smiling.
human
Does he really believe his own stories? If so, that accounts for his staying with you, instead of going with Isaac; which I wondered at. I thought he could not have condescended to us, after having lived in France.
gpt
He condescends to be wherever he finds most scope for boasting. On Tortuga, or among the ashes of Cap, he can boast no more. With us he can extol France, as there he extolled Saint Domingo. If August brings the destruction we look for, the poor fellow ought to die of remorse; but he has not head enough to suffer for the past. You can hold out till August, father?
human
If Maurepas joins us here with his force, I have no doubt of holding out till August. In these mornes, as many as will not yield might resist for life; but my own forces, aided by those of Maurepas, may effectually keep off the grasp of the French from all places but those in which they are actually quartered. A few actions may be needful,-- morally needful,--to show them that the blacks can fight. If this lesson will not suffice, August, alas! will exterminate the foe. What do I see stirring among the ferns there? Is it more game?
gpt
Too near us for game, he whispered; and then added aloud,
human
Shall we carry home another deer? Shall I fire?