"I come," said he, "directly from Colonel George Rogers Clark, a
noble and brave officer of the American army, who told me the news
that I have brought to you. He sent me here to say to you that if
you will give allegiance to his government you shall be protected
against all enemies and have the full freedom of citizens. I think
you should do this without a moment's hesitation, as I and my
people at Kaskaskia have already done. But perhaps you would like
to have a word from your distinguished fellow-citizen, Monsieur
Gaspard Roussillon. Speak to your friends, my son, they will be
glad to take counsel of your wisdom."
There was a stir and a craning of necks. M. Roussillon presently
appeared near the little chancel, his great form towering
majestically. He bowed and waved his hand with the air of one who
accepts distinction as a matter of course; then he took his big
silver watch and looked at it. He was the only man in Vincennes
who owned a watch, and so the incident was impressive. Father
Gibault looked pleased, and already a murmur of applause went
through the audience. M. Roussillon stroked the bulging crystal of
the time-piece with a circular motion of his thumb and bowed
again, clearing his throat resonantly, his face growing purplish
above his beard.
"Good friends," he said, "what France does all high-class
Frenchmen applaud.
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