Part 10 (2/2)

Therefore Davis will retire to Helena and Farragut to New Orleans until they can have the cooperation of the army.”

”But----” began Jeanne.

”You see the thing is to get you to Farragut,” interrupted the Captain.

”Davis and I have decided that some of these supplies ought to be carried to the Commodore directly. He knows his need; so that I am going to him with the transport. Davis will send a gunboat with me for protection. It is fair to tell you that there will be great danger. The ram Arkansas is anch.o.r.ed just below the city and will do all she can to injure us. Now the question is, what will you do? The best thing to my way of thinking would be for you to stay right here with old Tenny either on one of the gunboats, fever stricken though they be, or to land somewhere until my return.”

”There is no question at all about it,” said Jeanne decidedly. ”I will go with you.”

”But you understand that there is danger, child? Great danger! We may all of us be killed.”

”Yes; I know,” replied Jeanne quietly, ”but I started for New Orleans, Captain, and I am going if I can get there.”

”Then there is nothing more to be said,” and the Captain heaved a sigh.

”I will not attempt to combat your decision, child, but I wish you would not go. However I must see the men now, and place the matter before them.

You may go with me if you like.”

Jeanne followed him and stood by his side as he called all hands aft.

”My men,” said the captain in clear tones, ”I have called you together to put a plain statement of facts before you. You know that we were sent here with supplies for the two fleets of Commodores Farragut and Davis.

Both squadrons have many cases of fever which has seriously depleted their strength. Farragut needs the drugs that we have immediately. Of course he can get supplies by the outside route, but that takes too long. The poor fellows are in urgent want of what we have. Now, men, it was not the intention to go farther when we started than Davis's flotilla, but my heart bleeds for those suffering sailors. I want to run by Vicksburg to-night in the darkness. I will not disguise the danger.

The ram Arkansas lies at anchor under the city as a further menace besides the batteries. I want no man to accompany the expedition who does not go willingly. All who wish to remain with the fleet may do so without the least stigma of cowardice attaching to them. Who will go with me?”

There was dead silence. Jeanne looked with surprise at the grave faces before her. She had thought that men were always ready to lay down their lives in a good cause. She had not dreamed that any one would hesitate for a moment. Her amazed look gave place to one of scorn as the time pa.s.sed and no one spoke. Stepping close to the Captain's side she slipped her little hand into his and said clearly:

”I will go with you, Captain.”

CHAPTER VIII

THROUGH SHOT AND Sh.e.l.l

A ringing cheer went up from the men and they stepped forward with one accord.

”I'll go with you, Captain,” cried one. ”With you and the little girl to the death.”

”Ay! to the death,” shouted the others in chorus.

The Captain smiled down into Jeanne's face.

”You see what you have done,” he said. ”They did not care to follow me, but will go anywhere with you. I believe that we shall have to turn over the boat to your charge.”

”I think they would have gone,” said Jeanne, rather abashed at so much notice. ”Perhaps they were just thinking it over.”

”True for you, my beauty,” cried the first mate. ”That's what we were doing, Captain. We'd a gone all right.”

”Now, men,” said the Captain seriously, still retaining Jeanne's hand, ”you fully realize what you are doing, do you? Think well, because there can be no backing out when we have started. Any one who does not wish to join us may go forward. We have no means of fighting and must take whatever the 'rebs' choose to give us. You see that I am not mincing matters with you, boys. Move forward any of you who do not wish to go.”

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