IN THE SHADOW
promising candidate was Cincinnatus Le Conte, a man from the north, Cape Haitien. As soon as his election seemed assured, members of the adverse party began firing from the gallery and in the midst of the uproar President Sam sprang to his feet and cried: 'Gentlemen, I pray of you not to delay with your voting as we have need of haste!' The shooting became more general, and the different members of the Senate began to fly in all directions. At this the old rascal cried out: 'Gentlemen, let us remember our duty to our country!' Then, as a bullet struck the leg of his chair, he howled 'and to ourselves!' With this he fled from the Chamber with the Cabinet after him, like so many kittens behind the old cat. This was the way the revolution commenced. He fled on May 14th, assisted by the consuls of the different Powers."
Dessalines laughed at the Jew's account, but his face was troubled with the effort of concentrated thought.
"There is now much confusion?" he asked. Rosenthal threw out both hands. "It is laughable! They are coming from all sides, like kites to a dead donkey. This red-haired Killik who is in command of the Crête-à-Pierrot has run the red flag to his truck and declared himself a pirate."
"Admiral Killik!" exclaimed Dessalines.
"Yes. The fellow who stole the white girl and carried her off to his villa at La Coupe. The Chamber meanwhile has elected Boisrund Canal as President of the Provisional Government and Nord Alexis as Minister of War."
"A dangerous man," commented Dessalines.
"Yes, and clever. Personally I consider him the
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