Sylvia knew that Mrs. Carleton was worried and unhappy. It was known in
Charleston that Fort Sumter was near the end of its food supplies, and
that unless the Government at Washington sent reinforcements and
provisions very soon by ships that the little garrison would be at the
mercy of the Confederates, who were daily growing in strength.
As Sylvia left Uncle Peter and walked back to the house she was thinking
of her promise to Mrs. Carleton.
"Perhaps she won't ask me. But if I could go and see Captain Carleton,
and tell him that she was going to Boston with us, and then bring her
back a message, I know she'd be happier," thought the little girl. And
she thought, too, of the pleasure it would be to once more sail the
Butterfly to Fort Sumter.
She sat down on the porch steps, and a moment later Estralla appeared
bringing a plate of freshly baked sugar cookies from Aunt Connie.
"Mammy says she made these 'special for you, Missy," declared Estralla
smilingly.
"I'll go and thank her myself," said Sylvia, taking the plate, and
offering one of the cookies to Estralla.
"Uncle Pete he say as de soldiers at Fort Sumter mus' be gettin'
hungry," said the little colored girl. "I wish you and I could take
Captain Carleton some of these cookies," responded Sylvia.
"If you was black like I is we could go a-sailin' right off to de fort
in plain daylight," said Estralla.
Sylvia sprang to her feet so quickly that she nearly upset the plate of
cookies.
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