In Darkness Chapter 18 Summary

Then

  • Toussaint notices that more French troops are on their way to Haiti.
  • Sure, they defeated the British, but now the French have rallied and sent more troops.
  • He sends Jean-Christophe out to meet the French at the shore. They are lead by General Leclerc, who claims they are there to declare a peace treaty.
  • Um, no—Jean-Christopher and Toussaint know that's a bunch of hooey.
  • The troops are there to take back the land, and the slaves to boot.
  • Time has gone by slowly since we last caught up with Toussaint, and he spends most of his time writing letters about the war now.
  • The first part of the war was about fighting; now it's all about writing.
  • His son, Isaac, is in Paris, France, as a gesture of goodwill toward the French. When they joined forces and struck a peace deal, Toussaint figured it was safe.
  • Now, though, the French have a new leader and want to take back Haiti.
  • Another month passes. Toussaint looks outside his tent one day and sees Isaac standing there with a letter.
  • It's a message from the new French General Brunet.
  • He apologizes for Leclerc's rudeness and says he wants to make things right.
  • As a show of good faith, he's sent Isaac over to Toussaint so they can put the war behind them.
  • Toussaint asks his son whether Brunet is a good guy, and Isaac assures his dad that the guy can be trusted. He's really honorable.
  • Phew. That settles it then: They can finally have peace in Haiti.