Lafayette’s heart turned home to the heroic mountaineers.
“If it can be done,” he said to the military department, “let there be sent to America the soldiers of Auvergne, they of the banners of ‘Auvergne sans tache.’”
Two hundred young noblemen offered their services to Lafayette.
He left France for America. Banquet-halls vied with each other in farewells.
But the night glitter of the palaces were as nothing to the words of the young King: “You can not better serve your King than by serving the cause of America!”
He left France in tears, to be welcomed by shouts of joy in America.
He brought back the news to Washington that henceforth the cause of America and France were one, and that he hoped soon to welcome here the grenadiers of Auvergne—“Auvergne sans tache!”—the bugles of Auvergne!
Peter brought the message that announced this great news to the war office.
The Governor’s face lighted when the boy appeared at the door.
“What is it now?” he asked. “You always bring joy to my heart!”