I now learned that St. Louis, with sixty men, had been placed in the most advanced post, on the very summit of the mountain, where they were crowded together on the point of a rock. In this disadvantageous position, they had been attacked by the negroes; forty men were killed; and the troops of the line, who were a little lower down, had offered them no assistance. It being the first time that the guarde nationale had been placed before the troops of the line the common opinion is, that it was the general's intention to have St. Louis destroyed, as it was by his order that he was so stationed, and kept there all night, though the other posts had been relieved at midnight. St. Louis forgot his rage and his sufferings in the assurance that Clara had not been faithless. He went to the room in which he had confined her, threw himself at her feet, and burst into tears. Clara, affected by his pain, or ashamed of having so tormented him,--or fatigued with their eternal broils, leaned over him, and mingled her tears with his. When the violence of her emotion subsided, she entreated him to forgive the inconsiderateness of her conduct, and vowed that she would never again offend him.--But you have destroyed yourself, she continued, the general will never pardon you: let us leave this hated country, where tranquillity is unknown. After much debate, it was agreed that he should send us to Philadelphia, and that he would follow himself as soon as he had arranged his affairs. Clara keeps her room and sees nobody, her husband is in despair at parting with her, but proposes following her immediately. We embark in ten days. What power shall I invoke to grant us favourable winds? Whose protection solicit to conduct me speedily to my native shores, and to the society of my friends? LETTER VIII. _Cape Francois._ We are still here, my dear friend, and my disappointment and vexation have been so great, that ten days have passed since I have written a single line. The general, thinking Clara was sent away against her will, and determined to thwart the intentions of her husband, laid an embargo on all the vessels in the port. St. Louis raved, and swore she should not leave her room till he conducted her on board. To prevent all intercourse from without, he keeps her locked up in a small room, adjoining her chamber.--Nobody, not even myself, can see her, except in his presence; and thus all confidence is at an end between them. She weeps continually, and I am afraid the torments she suffers will destroy her health. St. Louis is unworthy of her: he thinks it possible to force her to love him:--How much more would a generous confidence influence a heart like her's!