Your highness may be surprised, that being in the possession of wealth,
rank, and my charming Cerise, I should have again ventured upon the
treacherous ocean. Of course your highness has heard of the revolution
which took place in France, and all the horrors which attended it.
* * * * *
"France! Yes, I believe there is a country of that name; I can't say
that I ever heard of the revolution. Holy prophet! but these people have
strange ideas," continued the pacha to the vizier; "to imagine that we
must know or care about what is going on in their barbarous countries.
You may proceed, Huckaback."
* * * * *
It will be necessary to say a few words upon the subject, your
highness, but I will be as concise as possible. One day, a party of men
from my native city (Marseilles), dressed in red caps, their shirt
sleeves tucked up, and armed with various weapons, surrounded my
chateau, insisting upon my immediately informing them whether I was for
the summoning of the estates-general. I answered, most certainly, if
they wished it. They cheered me, and went away.
Shortly afterwards, they came to ascertain if I approved of the national
convention. I answered, that I approved of it excessively. They were
satisfied, and again disappeared. They came a third time, to inquire if
I was a republican, to which I gave the affirmative. A fourth, to know
whether I sided with the Girondists; I declared myself one of that
party, and hoped that I should be asked no more questions.
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