CHAPTER IX
JEANNE MEETS THE HERO OF NEW ORLEANS
It was late before Jeanne awoke the next morning. The sun was shiningbrightly and she lay idly watching the dancing of the sunbeams upon thewall scarcely realizing where she was. Presently it all came back to her,and a convulsive shudder shook her frame as she seemed to hear again thewhistle of shot and shell, the cries of the wounded and the shrieks ofthe unhappy crew of the gunboat as it blew to atoms.
"How can the sun shine after all that has happened?" asked the girl withthat wonder that comes to all of us when, after some great calamity,nature presents the same undisturbed aspect. "Oh, how can I ever laughagain!"
"Is you 'wake, honey?" queried old Tenny peering in at the door. "MassaCap'n say when it's 'venient fer yer he laik ter hab yer kum ter see'Miral Farragut."
"What! have we reached Commodore Farragut? He said 'Commodore' didn't he,Tenny?" inquired Jeanne, who did not know that Farragut had been recentlymade a rear admiral.
"No, honey; he said 'Miral, I'se suah," returned the negress.
Jeanne dressed quickly and then hastened to Captain Leathers.
"How are you this morning, Jeanne?" was the Captain's salutation. "Prettythankful to be on earth, aren't you? Admiral," turning to a slight, modestlooking middle aged man with gray hair, "this is the girl I was tellingyou about. She stood fire last night like a veteran."
"You have shown yourself to be a true heroine," said Admiral Farraguttaking her hand. "It is not often that we meet such courage in one soyoung."
"I never heard that you were deficient in this quality," said the Captain."Seems to me that I've heard of a number of your exploits when you were alad."
"I was a boy, Captain. One expects such things from a lad but a tender,delicate little girl,"--and he smiled such a winning smile at Jeanne thatshe involuntarily drew closer to him,--"that is decidedly different. Boystake to such things naturally unless they are molly coddles. Were you notafraid, little girl?"
"Not until it was over," answered Jeanne shyly. "But it was a dreadfultime. I can't help thinking of those poor men on the gunboat----" Hervoice faltered and her eyes filled with tears.
"Yes, child." The Admiral pressed her hand warmly. "That is the worst partof it. To lose such gallant fellows is one of the hard things of war. Andyet--there is no nobler death than to fall in defense of one's country.But the Captain tells me that you have a message for me."
"Yes, sir. I have a letter from my father to Commodore Porter, and GeneralWallace added a few lines for you. I will get it."
She ran to her stateroom and soon returned with the letter. "It is for anyone on our side to read," she said, as Farragut hesitated slightly.
"In that case," smiled the Admiral. "I will read it. So, my little one,it is very necessary for you to get to New Orleans? You are young to besent on business for the government. Tell me what led you to undertakesuch a thing."
"Because I love my country and wished to do something for her," repliedJeanne so fervently that Farragut's face kindled in response.
"Well said," he exclaimed enthusiastically. "That's the stuff I wish thatall Americans were made of. But have you no mother?"
"I have a dear mother," answered Jeanne quickly. "She was quite willingfor me to come as it was necessary. She made me this flag," drawing itfrom her bosom, "and told me that not even for life itself must I betrayit. I have kissed it every night," continued the girl caressing its foldsfondly, "and I keep it right over my heart that no traitorous thoughtmay enter there."
"My dear child," a tear glistened in the Admiral's eye, "you are a bravegirl and have a noble mother. So long as America can produce such womenthere will be no fear for the Union. You shall get to New Orleans asquickly as possible. If it were needful I would clear a passage withmy guns. But that will not be necessary. You will soon see the end ofyour journey. Would that all messengers were as brave as you have shownyourself."
"Perhaps they would be if they could meet with such treatment as I have,sir. Some of them are very bold and daring, and run fearful risks. I haveheard my father tell of their narrow escapes. And some of them," and hereyes grew sorrowful, "never get back. I have done nothing compared withwhat many of them have done."
"It is a great deal," said Farragut kindly. "More than most girls coulddo."
And so petted and made much of by officers and men the girl made therest of her journey down the river without incident. The entire fleet ofFarragut was brought to New Orleans because the Admiral realized thefutility of taking Vicksburg without troops to hold it. General Butlerat New Orleans had none to send him, and Halleck dawdled at Corinth mostinexplicably. Many of the men were prostrated by fever and rest was anecessity.
Into the crescent shaped harbor upon which the city stood the fleet cameto anchor, and Jeanne, full of anticipation at the thought of seeing heruncle and the successful termination of her mission, stood ready to goashore. Captain Leathers came to her side.
"You are to go with Admiral Farragut," he said. "He will take you toGeneral Butler who will know just where to find your uncle."
"Thank you," said Jeanne gratefully. "How kind you have been to me,Captain Leathers. I will never forget you."
"And I will never forget you," said the Captain heartily. "When peoplebrave death together it always makes them feel a sort of kinship, don'tyou think? And at any time you want to go back I'll carry you if I amhere."
"Thank you," said the girl again. They shook hands and the Captain startedto lead her ashore when Tenny ran after them.
"Shorely you ain't gwine ter leab without tellin' ole Tenny good-bye, isyer?" she panted.
"No, no, Tenny. I hope to see you soon again," said Jeanne warmly for shehad conceived a real regard for the faithful creature. "And I won't forgetabout Snowball."
"Bress yer haht, I knows yer won't. Ole Tenny nebber cease ter gib thanksdat she hab met yer. Good-bye, honey."
"Good-bye," said Jeanne again and then she followed the Captain down thecotton platform, which was raised above the levee for the convenientloading of cotton, to the levee itself, and along the banks to DeLordStreet where they were joined by Admiral Farragut. Jeanne bade the Captainadieu and then walked slowly by the Admiral's side through the busystreets en route for the St. Charles Hotel where General Butler hadhis headquarters. The city had recovered something of its former activity,and wore its accustomed garb of careless gaiety and business bustle.
The markets were bright once more with red bandannas and noisy with themany-tongued chatter of the hucksters: Creole, Spanish, French, Germanand English. A perfect babel of tongues, and louder, more obstreperousand broader mouthed than all others rose the gleeful negro laughter.
The day was warm and bright, and the mulatto women with baskets of cakes,figs, pomegranates, bananas, crape myrtles and oleanders, filled theair with their musical negro cries as they vended their wares. Nurseswith children wearing Madras kerchiefs of bright colors, wrinkled negromammies, Creoles with French or Spanish descent plainly delineated upontheir features and soldiers, clad in the United States uniform, throngedthe banquettes and streets.
Jeanne looked about her with curiosity, for the quaint old city presenteda thoroughly different aspect to the cities of the North. Many of thepeople were of sullen countenance, some of them taking no pains toconceal their dislike to their conquerors. The stars and stripes hungeverywhere. Hundreds of flags hung over the banquettes and in someplaces ropes of them were stretched across the streets. To her amazementJeanne saw a well dressed woman go out into the street to avoid walkingunder a flag which hung over the banquette. A soldier seized herunceremoniously and forced her to pass under the emblem. With freezinghauteur the woman raised her parasol and interposed its shelter betweenher and the offending flag.
"Verily, Butler hath his hands full," quoth the Admiral, and then headded: "You wished to find your uncle, did you not?"
"Yes, sir," replied Jeanne, trying to overcome her astonishment at whatshe saw. "And yet I don't k
now whether I should find him first or not."
"Why?" asked the Admiral in surprise.
"You know, sir, that I came down here on business," and as he noddedassent she continued. "My father sent some papers to be given to a manhere in the service of the government. I have always said that I wasgoing to Uncle Ben, but he is not the man. Father told me not to mentionthe name until I reached New Orleans and then only to some one I couldtrust. The man's name is John Archer. Now do you think I should go tohim or to Uncle Ben first? I suppose Uncle Ben would help me find him."
"I should find the man, child. In every case when performing a duty finishthat first before doing anything else. You have shown great prudence innot mentioning the name before. General Butler will of course know thisArcher, and will see that you see him. Then I know that he will gladlyfind your uncle for you."
"I will do just as you say for you know best. How glad father will be whenhe learns how you have helped me."
"Ought you not to send him some word?"
"I will just as soon as I can say that I have delivered the papers to Mr.Archer. He will be so pleased. Then I will visit Uncle Ben until fathersays for me to come home. Isn't it queer, Admiral, I have never seen myuncle?"
"You have not? But you have heard from him?"
"No, sir; he came South years ago. Long before I was born, but my fatheralways thought so much of him that I will be glad to see him."
"In that case the very wisest thing to do is to find John Archer," saidFarragut emphatically. "This is the St. Charles, child."
They paused before the famous structure. A broad piazza supported bypillars overarched with stone ran along the front, making an imposingentrance. The building was a handsome one, and famed at one time as thefinest hotel in the States.
Admiral Farragut and his charge were soon admitted to General Butler'spresence. The General had chosen the ladies' parlor as his officialheadquarters. The room was filled with orderlies and sergeants each intentupon the performance of some duty. In the midst of them sat GeneralButler. He received his visitors courteously. His name familiar to everyAmerican, spoken of by some in terms of highest praise, and by otherswith opprobrium, made Jeanne shrink a little closer to Farragut's sideas the General greeted them. He was of imposing presence. Not tall, but ofwell-developed form and fine massive head; not graceful in movement butof firm solid aspect; self-possessed and slow of speech.
"This is a great pleasure, Admiral," he exclaimed with heartiness."Welcome back to New Orleans."
"Thank you, General," returned Farragut. "I should be glad to be herecould I feel that I have not left unfinished my work behind me."
"Vicksburg then is still untaken?"
"I regret to answer, yes. But you are making progress here. You have beguna good work. I notice that the streets are being cleaned."
"The condition of things demanded it," returned Butler. "The quality ofthe climate is pernicious and wasting enough without having to brave theterror of yellow fever. It has been in self-defense."
"It takes a strong hand to rule the city, does it not?"
"A strong hand? Yes. I am subjected to all sorts of abuse for my tyranny,as they call it; but this one measure the strongest rebel among them mustapprove. In time perhaps they will see the need of all. My administrationmay be vigorous, but of one thing rest assured: So long as Benjamin F.Butler stays in New Orleans the city shall acknowledge the absolute andunquestioned supremacy of the United States."
"There is no doubt but that she will with you at the helm," said theAdmiral. "General, do you know a man by the name of Archer?"
"John Archer?" asked the General, giving a quick glance at him. "Well,to any one else, Admiral, I should dissemble; but to you I will say, yes.Why?"
"This girl," pushing Jeanne forward, "has brought messages, papers, orsomething of that nature for him from New York City: I thought thatperhaps you could arrange a meeting with him for her. After that she hasan uncle in the city whom she wishes to find."
"This girl?" General Butler eyed Jeanne keenly. "Rather young for amessenger, isn't she?"
"In years, perhaps; but she ran the fire of the Vicksburg batteries inorder to reach here."
"Indeed!" General Butler looked at her more closely. "Do you know JohnArcher, child?"
"No, sir."
"Orderly, bring in the man Archer," commanded the General.
A look of surprise passed over Farragut's face, but he made no remark.Presently the orderly returned with a man.
"Archer," said the General quietly, "this girl has brought some papersfor you."
There was a startled expression on the man's face, and he looked at Jeannewith something like apprehension. General Butler turned his attention toAdmiral Farragut, and Jeanne was left face to face with the man whom shehad come so far to see.