Part 96 (1/2)
”But you cannot expect,” Gilmore said, ”with only four and one half millions to hold out forever against twenty?”
Mr. Davis smiled:
”Do you think there are twenty millions at the North determined to crush us? I do not so read the returns of your elections or the temper of your people.”
”If I understand you, then,” Jaquess continued, ”the dispute with your government is narrowed to this, union or disunion?”
”Or, in other words, independence or subjugation. We will be free. We will govern ourselves. We will do it if we have to see every Southern plantation sacked and every Southern city in flames.”
The visitors rose, and after a few pleasant remarks, took their leave.
Mr. Davis was particularly cordial to Colonel Jaquess, whom he knew to have been a clergyman.
John was surprised to see him repeat the habit of Abraham Lincoln, of taking the hand of his visitor in both his in exactly the same cordial way.
He had forgotten for the moment that both Lincoln and Davis were Southerners, born in the same State and reared in precisely the same school of thought and social usage.
”Colonel,” the thin Southerner said in his musical voice, ”I respect your character and your motives and I wish you well--every good wish possible consistent with the interests of the Confederacy.”
As they were pa.s.sing through the door, he added:
”Say to Mr. Lincoln that I shall at any time be pleased to receive proposals for peace on the basis of our independence. It will be useless to approach me with any other.”
Next morning the visitors waited in vain for the appearance of Judge Ould to convey them once more into the Union lines. Visions of a long term in prison, to say nothing of a possible hang-man's noose, began to float before their excited fancy. They had expected the Judge at eight o'clock. It was three in the afternoon when he entered with the laconic remark:
”Well, gentlemen, if you are ready, we'll walk around to Libby Prison.”
Certain of their doom, the two men rose and spoke in concert:
”We are ready.”
They followed the Judge downstairs and found the same coal black driver with the rickety team that had brought them into Richmond.
Gilmore smiled into the Judge's face:
”Why were you so long coming?”
Ould hesitated and laughed:
”I'll tell you when the war's over. Now I'll take you through the Libby and the hospitals, if you'd like to go.”
When they had visited the prison and hospitals, Gilmore again turned to the Judge:
”Now, explain to us, please, your delay this morning--we're curious.”
Ould smiled:
”I suppose I'd as well tell you. When I called on Mr. Davis for your permit, Mr. Benjamin was there impressing on the President of the Confederate States the absolute necessity of placing you two gentlemen in Castle Thunder until the Northern elections are over. Mr. Benjamin is a very eloquent advocate, and Mr. Davis hesitated. I took issue with the Secretary of State and we had a very exciting argument. The President finally reserved decision until two o'clock and asked me to call and get it. He handed me your pa.s.s with this remark: