“True, for you, my boy,” said Colonel Peyton joining them with Bob on his arm. “We are fortunate in having so chivalrous a foe. There have been but few cheers and no exultation over our poor unsuccessful fellows. Not a jeer, nor a taunt from a Federal soldier.”
“And the river flows on as calmly as ever, and the sun still shines, yet Vicksburg has fallen,” said Bob bitterly.
“Bear up, daughter. A soldier must learn to accept defeat as heroically as victory,” said her father. “Look, what a grand sight it is to see those transports round the bend. See how serenely they draw up in the very teeth of those grim batteries that were dealing death but yesterday. Now they are silent, and their Conqueror comes boldly to their very sides.”
“What are all those people running down there for?” asked Bob. “Surely they are not welcoming their victors!”
“Bread, daughter. The Federal transports are full of supplies which are brought for the starving people. It is a magnanimous foe!”
“Transports,” cried Jeanne eagerly. “I wonder–where is Snowball?’”
“Hyar, missy,” cried the girl, running forward. “Oh, missy, Massa Linkum’s men done say we all’s free. Dat Fader Abe done set us niggas free way long las’ Jan’wry.”
“It may be so,” cried Jeanne delightedly. “I don’t know, but come and let us see if the transport that your mother is on is down there.”
With a howl of delight Snowball went scampering down the hill toward the boats, Jeanne following after her. The Gem City lay at anchor close to the shore. Captain Leathers was dealing out supplies to the starving people that surrounded the boat.
“Captain Leathers,” cried Jeanne breathlessly as they reached his side.