CHAPTER XIII
MADAM FOUCHÈRE
THREE days later Dessalines sailed by the French line for New York. As he went aboard the steamer, followed by Jules, a rich voice accosted him in French and the conversation proceeded in that tongue.
"Holà, mon camarade! Aristide, mon brave! Oh, but I am charmed!" Dessalines turned quickly.
"Ah, mon cher docteur, it is really you! To my arms, comrade."
A tall man, tall as Dessalines, equally black but less massive in build, of a magnificent figure, rushed quickly toward him, clasped him in his arms, and kissed him on the lips.
"And we are to be companions on the voyage, my dear Fouchère?" cried Dessalines.
"Yes, my dear fellow; madam and I are returning early on account of the political situation." He glanced quickly at Dessalines. "You have heard the news?"
"Of the abdication? Yes, I received a cablegram, but that is all that I know; merely that the President has abdicated. Have you any further news?"
"But little; I learned further that President Sam has left the island, sailing on the steamship Olinde Rodriguez of the Campagnie Générale Transatlantique. The cable reached me but two days ago; hence, the im-
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