"May I steer?" asked Sylvia, and Mr. Fulton smilingly agreed. He was
very proud of his little daughter's ability to sail a boat, and although
he watched her shape the boat's course, and was ready to give her any
needed assistance, he was sure that he could trust her.
As they sailed past Fort Sumter Sylvia could see men at work repairing
the fortifications. Over both forts waved the Stars and Stripes.
She made a skilful landing at Fort Moultrie, greatly to the admiration
of the sentry on guard. Mr. Fulton and Sylvia went directly to the
officer's quarters, which were in the rear of the fort, and where Mrs.
Carleton gave Sylvia a warm welcome. She asked the little girl about her
school and Sylvia told her what had happened that morning.
"I am not surprised," said Captain Carleton. "I expect any day that
Charleston men will take Fort Sumter, and fly the palmetto flag, instead
of the Stars and Stripes. If Major Anderson had his way we would have a
stronger force in Fort Sumter, and that is greatly needed."
Major Anderson was the officer in command at Fort Moultrie. He was a
southern man, but a true and loyal officer of the United States.
When Captain Carleton and Mr. Fulton went out Mrs. Carleton asked Sylvia
if she was sorry to leave the school, and if she liked her schoolmates.
Sylvia was eager to tell her of all the good times she had enjoyed with
Grace and Flora, and declared that they were her true friends. Then she
told Mrs. Carleton about Estralla, and of her resolve that the little
darky girl should not be separated from Aunt Connie.
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