"Oh! I do wish I could send the news to Sumter. It would give them all
courage," said Mrs. Carleton.
Sylvia was for a moment tempted to tell her friend that she would carry
the message, but she kept silent, thinking to herself that here was
another reason for her to carry out her plan.
"If you could send a message to Captain Carleton what would you say?"
questioned Sylvia, and Mrs. Carleton smiled at Sylvia's serious voice.
"Why, if I could only let him know that I was safe and well and going to
Boston with you, in case Sumter really is attacked; I know that is what
he wants to hear."
Mrs. Carleton's smile vanished. Sylvia realized that this kind friend
was troubled, and wished with all her heart that she could say: "To-
morrow I will tell you all about Captain Carleton." But she knew that
she must keep silent until she had carried out her plan.
Sylvia was the first one at the breakfast table the next morning, and
was delighted when her mother said that she and Mrs. Carleton were
invited to luncheon at the house of a friend.
"Aunt Connie and Estralla will take good care of you," Mrs. Fulton
added, and Sylvia felt her face flush. But she made no reply, and soon
hurried to the cabin where Estralla was waiting for her.
It was still early in the forenoon when two little negro girls, one
carrying a large package wrapped in a newspaper, appeared at the wharf
where the Butterfly was moored. Uncle Peter was not to be seen. But he
had just left the boat, whose sail had not even been lowered, and the
two girls hurried on board.
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