She did not know when the schooner
was towed out into the channel, nor when the sails were hoisted and they
went sailing down the bay.
For Captain Carleton had entirely forgotten his little guest. When he
hurried back to the wharf he discovered a little group of Charleston
citizens, one of whom was Elinor Mayhew's father, disputing the right of
the United States officers to take guns from the Charleston Arsenal to
Fort Sumter; and when the matter was settled he had hurried the
departure of the vessel. Not until they were ready to land at the fort
did he remember his little friend. He went down to the cabin, and found
Sylvia fast asleep.
"Poor little Yankee! I wonder what will happen to her if South Carolina
really leaves the Union," he thought, and then his face grew troubled as
he remembered that Mr. and Mrs. Fulton must be in great trouble and
anxiety over the disappearance of their little daughter. But first of
all he must see the schooner's cargo safely unloaded at Fort Sumter, and
send his men back to Fort Moultrie; then he would take Sylvia home, or
find some way to notify her parents that she was safe and well cared
for.
CHAPTER IV
AN UNEXPECTED JOURNEY
When Sylvia did not come in with the other girls Miss Patten sent a maid
in search of her. But she did not search very carefully. She called
Sylvia's name a few times, sauntered about the garden, and then
reported: "Can't find Missy Sylvia."
She was then told to go straight to Mrs.
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