Maximilien righted the craft, and got in again; but the little chabin twice fell back in trying to raise himself upon his arms. He had become almost helplessly feeble. Maximilien, attempting to aid him, again overturned the unsteady little boat; and this time it required all his skill and his utmost strength to get Stéphane out of the water. Evidently Stéphane could be of no more assistance;—the boy was so weak he could not even sit up straight.
—"Aïe! ou kê jété nou encò," panted Maximilien,—"metté ou toutt longue."
Stéphane slowly let himself down, so as to lie nearly all his length in the canoe,—one foot on either side of Maximilien's hips. Then he lay very still for a long time,—so still that Maximilien became uneasy.
—"Ou ben malade?" he asked.... Stéphane did not seem to hear: his eyes remained closed.
—"Stéphane!" cried Maximilien, in alarm,—"Stéphane!"
—"C'est lò, papoute," murmured Stéphane, without lifting his eyelids,—"ça c'est lò!—ou pa janmain cuè yon bel pièce conm ça?" (It is gold, little father.... Didst thou ever see a pretty piece like that?... No, thou wilt not beat me, little father?—no, papoute!)
—"Ou ka dòmi, Stéphane?"—queried Maximilien, wondering,—"art asleep?"
But Stéphane opened his eyes and looked at him so strangely! Never had he seen Stéphane look that way before.
—"Ça ou ni, Stéphane?—what ails thee?—aïe! Bon-Dié, Bon-Dié?"
—"Bon-Dié!"—muttered Stéphane, closing his eyes again at the sound of the great Name,—"He has no color;—He is like the Wind."...