“Your brother is in the Union army?” queried the General.
“Yes, sir.”
“That is easily verified,” said the General, making a note of the fact. “Now how did you come to be sent down here?”
Jeanne recounted the circumstances of the affair rapidly not even omitting her mother’s parting words of counsel. Both men listened with close attention.
“And you knew nothing whatever of your Uncle Ben?” asked Butler when she had finished.
“No, sir; father has not heard from him in many years. He will be grieved to learn that he is a rebel,” and her eyes filled with tears.
“I have no doubt of it. Now, my little girl, I am going to send you to your uncle until I can look up the truth of your story.”
“Couldn’t you send me home?” asked the girl wistfully, a sudden yearning possessing her for the refuge of her mother’s arms.
“I will soon. There are dangers by land and by sea, and, as your father told you to wait until you heard from him, I think that it would be wise to do so. It will be best for you to see for yourself what manner of man your uncle is so that you can tell your father. Good-bye,” and he held out his hand. “Come in to see me sometimes while you are here.”
“Good-bye,” said Jeanne, shaking hands with him as in duty bound. She gave him a look of reproach and then turned to Farragut.