Page:Rowland--In the shadow.djvu/224

 "But, yes; my dear Calisthène!" cried Dessalines. "I was so unfortunate as to miss the Hollandia, but was lucky enough to secure a passage by this vessel the very next day. She is bound for Curaçao, but I prevailed upon our captain to set me ashore here; he was unwilling to go to Port au Prince for fear of complications."

"You have come at a critical time, my dear fellow. One hardly dares to speak; we are in frightful confusion. There is some one here now who will rejoice to see you." He watched Dessalines narrowly. "Your old friend General Miragoâne."

"I am charmed!" exclaimed Dessalines. "But come below, my dear Calisthène; I have some excellent champagne and this vessel makes ice. I am starving for the news."

He led his friend below, where Jules served them with champagne. Rosenthal, of course, did not appear.

"Is your captain then not anxious to proceed at once?" inquired Calisthène, and again his chocolate-colored eyes examined Dessalines covertly. The latter, was, however, diplomatic. Though finding it difficult to keep traces of real emotion from his mobile features he possessed the animal cunning requisite to disguise the cause of this emotion.

"He is first anxious to see if it will not be possible to secure a little coffee or cacao now that he is here; also, they must land my horse."

"Your horse!"

"Yes, an American horse, a beautiful animal. But tell me," he exclaimed, "what is the news? The political situation?"

The mulatto exhibited some nervousness. "One can 214