Page:The Wreck of a World - Grove - 1890.djvu/83

Rh yard further. I replied coolly, "Why, sir, I intended to take you first to see our fugitives, who would have told you the same tale as I. But if you are afraid of a trap we will go to the city first, then you will be amply satisfied. Pull up stream, men;" and I turned the boat's head and we proceeded towards the town. As we neared the wharves we passed the two vessels on which our engineers were hammering away at the machinery.

"So much for your story," said the officer; "why you told us just now there was not a man left in New Orleans, or in the United States, I think you said. And I hear workmen busy on board the first vessel we come to."

"Yes," said I, "we have sent them on board to get them ready for our flight. Would you like to ask them yourself?" So saying we drew alongside the ironclad, hailed it, and William Gell looked over the bulwarks.

"Gell" I cried in answer to his look of surprise, "this is Lieut. Danvers, commanding the U. S. sloop of war 'Roanoke.' I have told him of the deplorable condition of this city and the whole country. He