that, although secession was only a few days old, the work
of offense and defense was already far advanced. The planters were
pouring into Charleston, bringing their slaves with them, and white
and black labored together at the earthworks. Rich men, who had never
soiled their hands with toil before now, wielded pick and spade by the
side of their black slaves. And it was rumored that Toutant Beauregard,
a great engineer officer, now commander at the West Point Military
Academy, would speedily resign, and come south to take command of the
forces in Charleston.

Strong works were going up along the mainland. The South Carolina
forces had also seized Sullivan's Island, Morris Island, and James
Island and were mounting guns upon them all. Circling batteries would
soon threaten Sumter, and, however defiantly the flag there might snap
in the breeze, it must come down.

As they were leaving the last of the batteries Harry noticed the broad,
strong back and erect figure of a young man who stood with his hands in
his pockets. He knew by his rigid attitude that he was looking intently
at the battery and he knew, moreover, that it was Shepard. He wished
to avoid him, and he wished also that his companion would not see him.
He started to draw Colonel Talbot away, but it was too late. Shepard
turned at that moment, and the colonel caught sight of his face.

"That man here among our batteries!" he exclaimed in a menacing tone.

"Come away, colonel!" said Harry hastily. "We don't know anything
against him!"

But Shepard himself acted first. He came forward quickly, his hand
extended, and his eyes expressing pleasure.

"I missed you this morning, Mr. Kenton," he said. "You were too early
for me, but we meet, nevertheless, in a place of the greatest interest.
And here is Colonel Talbot, too!"

Harry took the outstretched hand--he could not keep from liking
Shepard--but Colonel Talbot, by turning slightly, avoided it without
giving the appearance of brusqueness. His courtesy, concerning which
the South Carolinians of his type were so particular, would not fail him,
and, while he avoided the hand, he promptly introduced Shepard and
St. Clair.

"I did not expect to find events so far advanced in Charleston," said
Shepard. "With the Federal garrison concentrated in Sumter and the
batteries going up everywhere, matters begin to look dangerous."

"I suppose that you have made a careful examination of all the
batteries