Page:Rowland--In the shadow.djvu/270

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IN THE SHADOW



ning, too. I say, jolly place, this,—what? Went out last Saturday and each of us got a turkey; magnificent birds, turkeys,—what?"

Leyden laughed. "They are the true American birds and far more admirable than the eagle. And so you like Carolina! I cannot blame you, considering the conditions of your visit."

They lunched together. As they were sitting down Leyden exclaimed:

"By the way, I dislike intensely to be the bearer of bad news, but our friend Dessalines has met with serious reverses. In fact I am not sure that he is at liberty—or alive, for that matter."

"No!" exclaimed Giles, startled. "What has happened to him?"

"I will tell you all I know. There is a curious hostelry in New York, much frequented by South Americans and West Indians. I usually call there when in town, to look up old acquaintances. There are a great many people south of the tropic in both hemispheres to whom I am under obligation, and one wishes to pay one's debts, both good and ill. The day before sailing for Charleston I dropped in there and among others, whom should I meet but my old acquaintance, Rosenthal; a Jew, a man whose talents and qualities I respect. I know that he is courageous; I believe that he is as honest as most of us. When I saw him last, eight years ago, he was selling supplies to the Cuban Insurrectos and transporting refugees to Jamaica.

"‘And where are you from now?' I inquired, when we had exchanged greetings.

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