" He paused for a shout of approbation, and was
not disappointed. "The other name for France is glory," he added,
"and all true Frenchmen love both names. I am a true Frenchman!"
and he struck his breast a resounding blow with the hand that
still held the watch. A huge horn button on his buckskin jerkin
came iu contact with the crystal, and there was a smash, followed
by a scattered tinkling of glass fragments.
All Vincennes stood breathless, contemplating the irreparable
accident. M. Roussillon had lost the effect of a great period in
his speech, but he was quick. Lifting the watch to his ear, he
listened a moment with superb dignity, then slowly elevating his
head and spreading his free hand over his heart he said:
"The faithful time-piece still tells off the seconds, and the
loyal heart of its owner still throbs with patriotism."
Oncle Jazon, who stood in front of the speaker, swung his
shapeless cap as high as he could and yelled like a savage. Then
the crowd went wild for a time.
"Vive la France! A bas l' Angleterre!" Everybody shouted at the
top of his voice.
"What France does we all do," continued M. Roussillon, when the
noise subsided. "France has clasped hands with George Washington
and his brave compatriots; so do we."
"Vive Zhorzh Vasinton!" shrieked Oncle Jazon in a piercing treble,
tiptoeing and shaking his cap recklessly under M.
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