“Yes,” repeated Biassou, quickly; “do you understand Latin?”
“La—Latin?” stammered the astonished negro.
“Yes, yes, yes, Latin; do you understand Latin?” said the cunning chief, and unfolding a banner upon which was embroidered the verse from the Psalms, “In exitu Israël de Egypto,” he added, “Explain the meaning of these words.”
The negro, in complete ignorance of what was meant, remained silent and motionless, fumbling with the waistband of his trousers, whilst his astonished eyes wandered from the banner to the general, and from the general back again to the banner.
“Come, go on,” exclaimed Biassou, impatiently.
The negro opened and shut his mouth several times, scratched his head, and at last said slowly—
“I don’t understand it, general.”
“How, scoundrel!” cried Biassou; “you wish to become an officer, and you do not understand Latin!”
“But, general,” stammered the puzzled negro.
“Silence,” roared Biassou, whose anger appeared to increase; “I do not know what prevents me from having you shot at once. Did you ever hear such a thing, Rigaud? he wants to be an officer, and does not understand Latin. Well then, idiot, as you do not understand, I will explain what is written on this banner: In exitu—every soldier, Israël—who does not understand Latin, de Egypto—cannot be made an officer. Is not that the translation, reverend sir?”