Clad in a full-skirted bottle-green coat, cocked hat, white leather
trousers, and polished Hessian boots, the Frenchman presented a gallant
figure. He wore no sword, but carried a sword-cane.
The general stared at him in astonished fascination. Ross appeared to be
seeing a ghost. Lafitte bowed, and spoke first.
“General,” he remarked, pleasantly, “you may possibly have heard of me.
My name is Jean Lafitte.”
Jackson suddenly came to life, his face red with anger.
“What the devil do you mean, sir,” he exploded, “by coming into my
presence so brazenly? Don’t you know—”
Jean bowed courteously.
“I trust you will pardon my intrusion, sir, at such a time,” he said,
with deep regret apparent in his voice, “but I felt it my duty to my
country to come.”
“Duty? How dare you mention duty and your country in the same breath! You
have overreached yourself this time, you damned pirate....” He proceeded
to overwhelm the Baratarian with abuse until he was exhausted by his
efforts. It was a noteworthy fact, however, that he did not call the
sentry to arrest his audacious visitor.
Lafitte stood silent, coldly aloof, his face only showing courteous
interest. Indeed, he appeared slightly bored.... Colonel Ross looked at
him with admiration, forced to pay tribute to his aplomb.
When the storm had somewhat subsided, Lafitte spoke.
“Pardon my interrupting you, General, but I came here to speak to you,
and I mean to do it if you order me hung in five minutes.” Jackson
quieted down and stared at Lafitte balefully. The Baratarian continued:
“I am a lawbreaker, I candidly admit, and have no defense to make. That
matter does not touch our business in any way. If you will remember,
General, I was approached by the British government with a most
flattering offer, of which I need not go into detail, for my aid in their
expected invasion, and, incidentally, was threatened with death if I
eventually refused. As you know, I refused; and not only did that, but
warned the authorities of the attack on New Orleans that is planned, and
even furnished them with important papers given me by Captain Lockyer.
“That alone, sir, is an impregnable proof of my patriotism and love of
my adopted country, for which, if I may say so, I should have been
thanked. But, on the contrary, as a reward for my good intentions and
information, which last has since been proved to be perfectly accurate,
the authorities sent a fleet to Grande Terre ... utterly destroyed our
homes ... looted our warehouses, and killed many of our men, and more of
the ‘black ivory.’ Many of those taken prisoners have since been hung.
I and my friends were forced to flee for our lives and hide for several
months in the swamps.
“_That_ is the kind of thanks I got for warning the authorities of the
great danger which still threatens New Orleans ... and _that_ was the
reward I got for offering to risk our lives in the defense of this city!
All we asked in return was a pardon for our past misdeeds and a chance to
reform and become law-abiding citizens.” Lafitte drew himself up proudly.
“I ask you, General Jackson, before God Himself, is that justice—or is
that honor?” he thundered. For the moment their rôles were reversed.
Jackson was silent, and stared hard at the speaker.... All the anger had
left his face. Ross watched the Baratarian in fascination.
“_But_, notwithstanding,” went on Jean, “the destruction of our homes and
the murder of our comrades—we still repeatedly offered our services, the
love of our country overcoming our personal animosity. You repeatedly
refused. Therefore, for the last time, General, we renew our offer. I
have come to you myself, this time, well aware of the fact that you will,
in all probability, imprison me, or perhaps even hang me outright. But I
have taken a chance, well knowing the actual need for my help, to speak
frankly.
“General, I have at my command a body of brave, well-armed, and highly
disciplined men who have been trained to fight ... and are more than
willing to do so. The decision rests with you....
“Does the state care to accept their services ... or _does it not_?”
Lafitte folded his arms and stared Jackson in the eye. For a moment their
gazes held ... and then the general suddenly drooped his chin on his
chest, looking down, thinking hard. There was a long pause.
Outside the window could be heard the renewed buzz of voices. Colonel
Ross stirred restlessly, his eager gaze on his superior.
Finally Andrew Jackson raised his head and slowly rose to his feet. He
had decided.
“The state accepts!” he replied, and held out his hand....