CHAPTER XXXVII.
ANOTHER SIGNATURE.—THE STORY OF AUVERGNE SANS TACHE.
Some years ago I stood on the battlements of Metz, once a French but now a German town. Below the town, with its grand esplanade, on which is a heroic statue of Marshal Ney, rolls the narrow Moselle, and around it are the remains of fortifications that are old in legend, song, and story.
It was here, near one of these old halls, that a young Frenchman saw, as it were, a vision, and the impression of that hour was never lost, but became a turning point in American history.
There had come a report to the English court that Washington had been driven across the Jerseys, and that the American cause was lost.
There was given at this time a military banquet at Metz. The Duke of Gloucester, brother of George III, was present, and among the French officers there was a marquis, lately married, who was a favorite of the French court. He had been brought up in one of the heroic provinces of Auvergne, and he had been associated with the heroes of Gatinais, whose motto was Auvergne sans tache. The Auvergnese were a pastoral people, distinguished for their courage and honor. In this mountainous district was the native place of many eminent men, among them Polignac.
The young French marquis who was conspicuous at the banquet on this occasion was named Lafayette.
The Duke of Gloucester was in high spirits over his cups on this festal night.
"Our arms are triumphant in America!" he exclaimed. "Washington is retreating across the Jerseys."
A shout went up with glittering wine-cups: "So ever flee the enemies of George III!"