The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1900-11-14
CHAPTER XVII.
THE JACKsoNIAE TEMPER.

The plantation to which Mrs. Ver'
non and Pauline were sent lay near
the Mississippi River, few miles be-
low New Orleans. 1t was lonely
place, and the house, a very plain and
simple structure, stood close to the
edge of a dreary swamp. Hard by
ran a narrow ditch or canal, which
was now bankful of muddly-looking
water. -.
Mademoiselle de Sezannes, at the
urgent request of the Vernons, &C.
companied them, although her own
parents decided to remain in the city.
One who is in the least familiar
with the topography of the region
round about New Orleans and with
tie plan of attack determined upon
by the British general will suspect
that the refugees, in going to the
plantation, were running almost dl-
rectly toward the enemy instead of
fleeing from him.. This was 80 in
fact, although Mr.. Vernon did not for
moment suppose that the final ad-
vance could be from any other direc-
tion than Lake Pontohartrain, which
lies north of New Orleans. )
Lieutenant Ballanche has not yet
returned from his reconnaissance of
the Bayou -Bienvenu region, mol, had
there come any definite report Of the
enemy's movements on Borgne or up
the Rigolets when Mr.. Vernon took
his long rifle and reported to General
Jackson, desiring to fight as an inde.
pendent private. ,~.
It is always so in the case of an i'm
pending advance of an army upon Q
city wholly unprepared for defense.
The want of a..suficient force to keep
all the avenues of approach well under
observation results, generally speak
ing, in total ignorance of just what
is most needful to know. Doubtless
General Jackson was in possession, 9S
more facts regarding the whereabouts
and purposes of the English thanfhe
circumstances seem to indicate st;lI
the lack of troops and munitXSns and
the confusing number ands;ntricacv
of the waterwayH and tx landways
by which it Jas Sanal5e possible for
his foes to raj rsssSh him made everything
llke regniEg military preparation and
actlon % his part well nigh impossi.
pie. dis memory was good, and
wnsa 5sa Mr.. Vernon presented himself
ad asked to be assigned .!at sonce TT II
aaty, he recollected everything, r.
Connection with their past interview.
Secretly he was glad to make amen no
for the brusaueness of those ogorr
sions, and be was quick to un hin
stand that here was chance for l,f .
to secure, perhaps, the adhesion dar
class of malcontents who he un 2, 40
stood would accept MIR. Vernoiir
their leader. He grasped the R,at;,
old mans hand with diplo4 OH "
warm'n \ior 'a.Ason' .oIit;o;onI and
pressed it. T.. K Mr.,
- am ., slau g ~ ~" u;tb va' q % strs sight,
strong gaze of confidence and Easrno 100
ure, "for I need you. You can 1v dvan
me and the country to great a. van.
tage just now, sir-to great e., -
tage, indeed. I want compSan' ~ y.
volunteers armed with rifles, i, VI, atonsrt .or
that matter, with guns Of W.. w/ ~
kind can be had. You are 1us' the
man to raise and lead suck ICON
pany."
The general was magnetic man,
and he knew how to direct his great
personal power; but in an instant he
felt the counter thrust of m invulner-
able individuality. Mr.. Vernon's i'm
mense physical propol tions seemed
just then to fling out spiritual and
moral spell which, if it did not en-
tangle Jackson's agile mind. wrought
singular effect upon his imagination.
The two men stood facing each
other in silence for moment.
"Sit down, SIR said Jackson,
presently, pushing chair toward his
visitor,
The room was large, plain one,
and simply furnished in the maln.'
The gaunt frame Of the general, as
roughly clad as if he had just arrived
from the farm, brlstled with angles,
and q stubble of wiry beard stood out
stifiy on his grim. sunburnt face.
81 prefer to fight as private indi-
rvidual attached to any company that
| you may choose to assign me to-"
said Mr.. Vernon, without appearing
to notice the proffered seat. II nm
not seeking az Office, general. l."
"Of course, yoa are rot. But the
office seeks you, slr.'
"No, there are officers. and to spare
as you said the other Gay; and, be-
sides, am not a military mAsr"
"You are leader of citizens; IN;
that's better"
Jackson could not help admiring
the old man, standing there like a
Hercules, grown gray in doingmiracles
o. powess. What limbs he had, whns
shoulders, what o largs head and
what bulging muscles! Some rumor
of his past life, vague but fascinat
ing story Of wanderings on the seas
and OF stormy but successful e1psSii
ences in the wars of many lenat, had
come to the generals ears from this
or that accidental source. Veiy few
imacinations are proof against such
q film of romance lowering DYER m
individual who emphasizes itsh hllure-
ment with q personal Isppsayhce al
j lAo,..tl, o., az tra ord u aru 49,.