to the
Charleston talk. Other names, too, began to grow familiar in Harry's
ears. Much was said about the bluff Bob Toombs of Georgia, who feared
no man and who would call the roll of his slaves at the foot of Bunker
Hill monument. And there was little weazened Stephens, also of Georgia,
a great intellect in a shrunken frame, and Benjamin of the oldest race,
who had inherited the wisdom of ages. There would be no lack of numbers
and courage and penetration when the great gathering met at Montgomery.

These were busy and on the whole happy days for Harry and St. Clair.
Harry drilled with his comrade in the Palmetto Guards now, and, in due
time, they were going to Montgomery to assist at the inauguration of the
new president, whoever he might be. No vessel had come in place of the
Star of the West. The North seemed supine, and Sumter, grim and dark
though she might be, was alone. The flag of the Stars and Stripes still
floated above it. Everywhere else the Palmetto flag waved defiance.
But there was still no passage of arms between Sumter and its hostile
neighbors. Small boats passed between the fort and the city, carrying
provisions to the garrison, and also the news. The Charlestonians told
Major Anderson of the states that went out, one by one, and the brave
Kentuckian, eating his heart out, looked vainly toward the open sea for
the help that never came.

Exultation still rose in Charleston. The ball was rolling finely.
It was even gathering more speed and force than the most sanguine had
expected. Every day brought the news of some new accession to the cause,
some new triumph. The Alabama militia had seized the forts, Morgan and
Gaines; Georgia had occupied Pulaski and Jackson; North Carolina troops
had taken possession of the arsenal at Fayetteville, and those of
Florida on the same day had taken the one at Chattahoochee. Everywhere
the South was accumulating arms, ammunition and supplies for use--if
they should be needed. The leaders had good cause for rejoicing.
They were disappointed in nothing, save that northern tier of border
states which still hesitated or refused.

Harry in these days wondered that so little seemed to happen in the
North. His strong connections and his own good manners had made him a
favorite in Charleston. He went everywhere, perhaps most often to the
office of the Mercury, controlled by the powerful Rhett family, among
the most fiery of the Southern leaders. Exchanges st