CHAPTER XXVIII.
THE STORY OF BRAS-COUPE "A very little more than eight years ago," began Honore--but not only Honore, but Raoul also; and not only they, but another, earlier on the same day,--Honore, the f.m.c.But we shall not exactly follow the words of any one of these.
Bras-Coupe, they said, had been, in Africa and under another name, a prince among his people.

In a certain war of conquest, to which he had been driven by _ennui_, he was captured, stripped of his royalty, marched down upon the beach of the Atlantic, and, attired as a true son of Adam, with two goodly arms intact, became a commodity.

Passing out of first hands in barter for a looking-glass, he was shipped in good order and condition on board the good schooner _Egalite_, whereof Blank was master, to be delivered without delay at the port of Nouvelle Orleans (the dangers of fire and navigation excepted), unto Blank Blank.

In witness whereof, He that made men's skins of different colors, but all blood of one, hath entered the same upon His book, and sealed it to the day of judgment.
Of the voyage little is recorded--here below; the less the better.

Part of the living merchandise failed to keep; the weather was rough, the cargo large, the vessel small.