opened his eyes. The line of cleavage between North and South was
widening into a gulf. But his spirits rose when he enlisted in the
Palmetto Guards, and began to see active service. His quickness and
zeal caused him to be used as a messenger, and he was continually
passing back and forth among the Confederate leaders in Charleston.
He also came into contact with the Union officers in Fort Sumter.

The relations of the town and the garrison were yet on a friendly basis.
Men were allowed to come ashore and to buy fresh meat, vegetables,
and other provisions. Strict orders kept anyone from offering violence
or insult to them. Harry saw Anderson once, but he did not give him his
name, deeming it best, because of the stand that he had taken, that no
talk should pass between them.

He picked up a copy of the Mercury one morning and saw that a steamer,
the Star of the West, was on its way to Charleston from a northern
port with supplies for the garrison in Fort Sumter. He read the brief
account, threw down the paper and rushed out for his friend, St. Clair.
He knew that the coming of this vessel would fire the Charleston heart,
and he was eager to be upon the scene.



CHAPTER IV

THE FIRST CAPITAL


Harry and Arthur stood two days later upon the sea wall of Charleston.
Sumter rose up black and menacing in the clear wintry air. The muzzles