IN THE SHADOW
so appalls me, and—" his voice grew sepulchral—"the profound depths from which they must be raised. I could tell you things of Hayti, Miss Moultrie, which would appall you; which you would find difficult to believe." The thin note of despondency was creeping again into his voice.
"It is always more difficult to save a people from themselves than from another, but that is why you are so wonderfully chosen for this work. You are one of them; you understand them; you love them!"
"Ah, yes, I love them! They are my people!" The black face was radiant. "They must be saved—and," the face grew stern again, "they must be purged of their iniquities!"
"But you have also the strength."
"Yes!" cried Dessalines, "you are right; I have the strength. My men are ready and waiting; my arms are by this time aboard my vessel; the work goes on under the management of a shrewd and honest man, my agent, a Jew."
In eager, voluble words he began to sketch his campaign. Virginia leaned forward, both hands on the chains of her swinging chair, listened fascinated, enthralled, held with parted lips and sparkling eyes, drinking his words thirstily.
"There is Nord Alexis at Cape Haitien, an able man, but unable to pass through Gonaives because Jean Jumeau, delegate at that place, who is acting in the interest of Firmin, will not permit it. The other men who cherish ambitions for the presidency are Pierre and Fouchard, both coming from the South, and each pulling against the other; they are all pulling against each
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