es. The line of cleavage between North and South was
widening into a gulf. But his spirits rose when he enlisted in the
Palmetto Guards, and began to see active service. His quickness and
zeal caused him to be used as a messenger, and he was continually
passing back and forth among the Confederate leaders in Charleston.
He also came into contact with the Union officers in Fort Sumter.

The relations of the town and the garrison were yet on a friendly basis.
Men were allowed to come ashore and to buy fresh meat, vegetables,
and other provisions. Strict orders kept anyone from offering violence
or insult to them. Harry saw Anderson once, but he did not give him his
name, deeming it best, because of the stand that he had taken, that no
talk should pass between them.

He picked up a copy of the Mercury one morning and saw that a steamer,
the Star of the West, was on its way to Charleston from a northern
port with supplies for the garrison in Fort Sumter. He read the brief
account, threw down the paper and rushed out for his friend, St. Clair.
He knew that the coming of this vessel would fire the Charleston heart,
and he was eager to be upon the scene.

CHAPTER IV

THE FIRST CAPITAL

Harry and Arthur stood two days later upon the sea wall of Charleston.
Sumter rose up black and menacing in the clear wintry air. The muzzles
of the cannon seemed to point into the very heart of the city, and over
it, as ever, flew the defiant flag, the red and blue burning in vivid
colors in the thin January sunshine. The heart of Charleston, that most
intense of all Southern cities, had given forth a great throb. The Star
of the West was coming from the North with provisions for the garrison
of beleaguered Sumter. They would see her hull on the horizon in
another hour.

Both Harry and Arthur were trembling with excitement. They were not on
duty themselves, but they knew that all the South Carolina earthworks
and batteries were manned. What would happen? It still seemed almost
incredible to Harry that the people of the Union--at least of the Union
that was--should fire upon one another, and his pulse beat hard and
strong, while he waited with his comrade.

As they stood there gazing out to sea, looking for the black speck
that should mark the first smoke of the Star of the West, Harry became
conscious that another man was standing almost at his elbow. He glanced
up and saw Shepard, who nodded to him.

"I did not