Page:Works of Jules Verne - Parke - Vol 7.djvu/155

Rh "And have you many?"

"About a hundred."

"Free in the town?"

"They were until I discovered a plot formed by them; their chief succeeded in establishing a communication with the besiegers, who were thus informed of the situation of affairs in the town. I was then obliged to lock up these dangerous guests, and several of them will only leave their prisons to ascend the slope of the citadel, where ten Confederate balls will reward them for their Federalism."

"What! to be shot!" cried the young man.

"Yes, and their chief first of all. He is a very dangerous man to have in a besieged town. I have sent his letters to the president at Richmond, and before a week is passed his sentence will be irrevocably passed."

"Who is this man you speak of," asked James Playfair.

"A journalist from Boston, a violent Abolitionist with the confounded spirit of Lincoln."

"And his name?"

"Jonathan Halliburtt."

"Poor wretch!" exclaimed James, suppressing his emotion; "whatever he may have done one cannot help pitying him. And you think that he will be shot?"

"I am sure of it," replied Beauregard. "What can you expect? War is war, one must defend oneself."

"Well, it is nothing to me," said the captain; "I shall be far enough away when this execution takes place."

"What! you are thinking of going away already?"

"Yes, General, business must be attended to; as soon as my cargo of cotton is on board I shall be out to sea again. I was fortunate enough to enter the bay, but the difficulty is in getting out again. The Dolphin is a good ship; she can beat any of the Federal ships for speed, but she does not pretend to distance cannon balls, and a shell in her hull or engine would seriously affect my enterprise."

"As you please, captain," replied Beauregard; "I have no advice to give you under such circumstances. You are doing your business, and you are right. I should act in the same manner were I in your place; besides a stay at Charleston is not very pleasant, and a harbor where shells are falling three days out of four is not a safe shelter for your ship; so you will set sail when you please; but can you tell