Part 3 (1/2)
”For how long?” in derision. ”The British will be back again in no time.”
”Are there any more conquerors to come? We turn our coats at every one's bidding it seems.”
The detachment was from General Wayne's command and great was the disappointment that the hero himself was not on hand to celebrate the occasion; but he had given orders that possession of the place should be signalized without him. Indeed, he did not reach Detroit until a month later.
On July 11, 1796, the American flag was raised above Detroit, and many who had never seen it gazed stupidly at it, as its red and white stripes waved on the summer air, and its blue field and white stars shone proudly from the flag staff, blown about triumphantly on the radiant air s.h.i.+mmering with golden suns.h.i.+ne.
Shouts went up like volleys. All the Michigan settlements were now a part of the United Colonies, that had so bravely won their freedom and were extending their borders over the cherished possessions of France and England.
The post was formally delivered up to the governor of the territory.
Another flag was raised on the Citadel, which was for the accommodation of the general and his suite at present and whoever was commandant. It was quite s.p.a.cious, with an esplanade in front, now filled by soldiers.
There were the almost deafening salutes and the blare of the band.
”Why it looks like heaven at night!” cried Jeanne rapturously. ”I shall be an American,--I like the stars better than the lilies of France, and the red cross is hateful. For stars _are_ of heaven, you know, you cannot make them grow on earth.”
A kindly, smiling, elderly man turned and caught sight of the eager, rosy face.
”And which, I wonder, is the brave General Wayne?”
”He is not here to-day unfortunately and cannot taste the sweets of his many victories. But he is well worth seeing, and quite as sorry not to be here as you are to miss him. But he is coming presently.”
”Then it is not the man who is making a speech?--and see what a beautiful horse he has!”
”That is the governor, Major General St. Clair.”
”And General Wayne, is he an American?”
The man gave an encouraging smile to the child's eager inquiry.
”An American? yes. But look you, child. The only proper Americans would be the Indians.”
She frowned and looked puzzled.
”A little way back we came from England and France and Holland and Spain and Italy. We are so diverse that it is a wonder we can be harmonized.
Only there seems something in this grand air, these mighty forests, these immense lakes and rivers, that nurtures liberty and independence and breadth of thought and action. Who would have dreamed that clas.h.i.+ng interests could have been united in that one aim, liberty, and that it could spread itself from the little nucleus, north, south, east, and west! The young generation will see a great country. And I suppose we will always be Americans.”
He turned to the young man beside him, who seemed amused at the enthusiasm that rang in his voice and shone in his eyes of light, clear blue as he had smiled down on the child who scarcely understood, but took in the general trend and was moved by the warmth and glow.
”Monsieur, there are many countries beside England and France,” she said thoughtfully.
”O yes, a world full of them. Countries on the other side of the globe of which we know very little.”
”The other side?” Her eyes opened wide in surprise, and a little crease deepened in the sunny brow as she flung the curls aside. She wore no hat of any kind in summer.
”Yes, it is a round world with seas and oceans and land on both sides.
And it keeps going round.”
”But, Monsieur,” as he made a motion with his hand to describe it, ”why does not the water spill out and the ground slide off? What makes it--oh, how can it stick?” with a laugh of incredulity.