Page:The Wreck of a World - Grove - 1890.djvu/84

68 finds my story quite incredible. Please tell him the real state of things."

"The real state of things? Well first, there is not a man woman or child in the city of New Orleans. Secondly, excepting ourselves, there is not to the best of my belief a man woman or child in the whole of the States. Thirdly, by to-morrow night, if he chooses to stay here he will be the only human being left on this Continent. We have got the vessels ready, Sir, and propose to light the fires at once, with your approval."

"Right, William; you had best let the vessels drop down to the creek as soon as they can start, and we will get our folks on board the first thing to-morrow morning."

The Lieutenant was evidently staggered by the vigorous confirmation Gell had given to my story. But judging it best to let him see for himself I took the boat to the nearest wharf, where we landed and walked through street after street in perfect silence. I noticed that he seemed to be in search of some particular house, which he could not easily find. At last following him we turned into a quiet road which