"Yet I remember," responded Betsy's mother, "that you would not take your head from my lap until eight bells had sounded. For some reason the nearness of breakfast made you believe that danger was over."
"But you can't say that I made much fuss when I really was in the power of a negro," rejoined Betsy; "for I can well remember how strange it seemed when I was lifted in a basket, and told that a big negro was to carry me out to The Briars. At first I was a little frightened, for I had never seen a black man before, but he spoke so pleasantly when he put me down to rest, even though grinning from ear to ear, that I decided he would not harm me."
"You saw at once that he was good natured."
"Yes, and he asked me so kindly if I were comfortable in my little nest, that I trusted him. I was as proud as a peacock when he said he was honored in being allowed to carry me, because usually he had nothing but vegetables in his basket. When we reached The Briars I told father I had had a delightful ride, and so he gave the negro a little present that made him grin more than ever, and he went off singing merrily at the top of his voice."
Thus Betsy recalled her first impression of St. Helena.
If Mr. Balcombe and the rest of the family at The Briars were surprised at the news of Napoleon's approach, people on the island in general were equally astonished. No communication had reached Governor Wilks, no letter of instructions as to what should be done with the illustrious prisoner.
The captain of the Icarus could only tell the residents of St. Helena that Napoleon was near and that the Second Battalion of the Fifty-third Regiment had embarked with the squadron. Even in those days, when there were no cables to flash the news of coming events, when there were no swift steamboats to act as heralds, it seems strange that in more than seven months no news of the escape from Elba had reached the little island.
Now, when the people of St. Helena heard the news, they were greatly disturbed. They were afraid that the coming of Napoleon might cause changes in their government, and they were so fond of the Governor that they did not wish to lose him.
Their fears were well grounded, for when Sir George Cockburn landed it was found that he had received an appointment that gave him the chief civil and military power on the island, while Governor Wilks took secondary rank. Later it was learned that on account of the distinction of the prisoner, a governor of higher rank than Colonel Wilks would be sent from England to supersede him, a governor who held his appointment directly from the Crown.
Two or three days after the visit of the officer to The Briars, Betsy and her brothers and sister were in a state of great excitement.