"Are you alone?" he asked.
"No: Judge Clayton's widow and family accompany me to New Orleans. I wish from your captain transportation for us all to that point."
"I will speak to the commanding officer: wait for me here," he replied.
"One moment," exclaimed Helen: "what is the name of your commander? and where from?"
"Captain Belknap of New York," he answered.
In another moment the officer returned with orders to escort Miss Gerard on board. She was led into the presence of a gentleman six feet tall and of herculean frame, with light hair, blue eyes and a face that wore an expression as gentle as that of a woman. Glancing at the lady from head to foot, Captain Belknap asked how so young and interesting a woman could be so far from her mother.
"A sister's love carried me away, and a daughter's love takes me back," she replied.
"Are you travelling with the baggage of a Saratoga belle?" he asked.
"No. Such might be the case if I were the belle. My baggage consists of two trunks for four persons."
"I fear, my young miss, I can render you no assistance," he said. Then ensued a silence which carried despair to her heart. "I might consent to take you," he resumed, "but the taking of a Confederate family is another matter."