"I know not. Take his chance, I suppose."

"Here, take you it," said he, thrusting it into my pocket "He may be
glad of it at the end."

It was a sad day. Mothers were weeping over their new-born infants; men
were talking to one another in anger and sorrow. The Catholics were
already carrying their heads high, and smiling scornfully as we passed
them. I thought, "Oh that we were in a desert, all to ourselves, with
none to impugn our faith!" But then I called to mind that without
needing to be in a desert, people might dwell in happy countries where
each man's faith is respected and tolerated. I hoped my uncle would
safely reach one of these happy countries; but yet one's native land is
very dear after all!

Twilight came; the parting took place amid tears and embraces and
benedictions; and soon I was driving my good uncle and aunt towards the
coast. We had gone some miles, when a man, scarcely distinguishable in
the dark, emerged from a corner and said, "Who goes there?"

I was greatly alarmed, but my uncle, recognizing the voice, said, "Oh,
Joseph, is it thou? Whither art thou bound?"

"Fleeing for my life," said Joseph, "as I take it you are doing. It is
well you have escaped, though I cannot make out how you come to be so
far on the road. I have just left your neighborhood; the dragoons are
turning your house out of window."

"Give him a lift, Jacques," said my uncle to me; "the poor man is