"I am making a new flag for Fort Sumter," she said. "Perhaps
you will help me sew on the stars, one for each State, you know."
"Is there one for South Carolina?" asked Grace, as Mrs. Carleton found
two small thimbles, which she said she had used when she was no older
than Sylvia, and showed the girls how to sew the white stars securely on
the blue.
"Yes, indeed! One of the first stars on the flag was for South
Carolina," replied Mrs. Carleton, "and this very fort was named for a
defender of America's rights."
While Grace and Sylvia were so pleasantly occupied Estralla had wandered
out, crossed the bridge which connected the officers' quarters with the
fort, and now found herself near the landing-place, so that when Mrs.
Carleton made the girls a cup of hot chocolate and looked about to give
Estralla her share, the little colored girl was not to be seen.
"I'll call her," said Sylvia, and ran out on the veranda.
No response came to her calls, so she went down the steps and along the
walk which led to the sand-bars, past the houses and barracks on
Sullivan's island. No one was in sight whom she could ask if Estralla
had passed that way. She climbed a small sand-hill covered with stunted
little trees and looked about, but could see no trace of the little
darky. It had not occurred to Sylvia that Estralla would go back to the
fort.
"Oh, dear! I wonder where she can be," thought Sylvia, calling
"Estralla! Estralla!" and sure that if she was within hearing Estralla
would instantly appear.
Pages:
90
91
92
93
94
95
96
97
98
99
100
101
102
103
104
105
106
107
108
109
110
111
112
113
114