Virginia gazette. [volume] (Williamsburg, Va.) 1893-192?, 1903-08-15
CHAPTER XIX.

THE SHADOWS o. DARK DAYS.
When Lieutenant Ballanche re-
turned from his reconnaissance IN tho !
direction Of the mouth Of Bayou Bien
venu. be brought a report which
caused General Jackson 20 issue or
ders Immediately for the doubling OF
all the outpost pickets and for all the
troops 10 hold themselves ready 20
march at the tap OF the drum.
As yet the reinforcements SO long
aud so anxiously waited for had not
arrived. aud the situation was most
perulexing. From hundred sources
came the infof nation. doubtless exag-
rerated and over-cOlOred, that the
creoles OF the city were connecting an
uprising IN favor of the English.
Thus 20 the commanding general IL
appeared that with an overwhelming
alien enemy before him. be should
have 10 move his little army down the
river aud leave behind him a horde OF
traitors. who we're but waiting for an
opportunity 90 fall upon the supplies
+ in the rcar and SO render defeat inev-
liable.
/ - It was at this point that Mr.. Vernon
came 60 his aid with three hundred
men well armed and equipped. They
were not soldierly looking battalion,
measured by the ordinary standard Of
military taste. but there was fight in
them. and Jackson. who read men at
a glance. felt their efficiency. as he
looked them over in a hasty review.
Mr. Vernon had acted with amazing
energy in the matter. sending out
runners 20 call meeting ia one OF the
public squares Singulariy enough
these couriers did not seem 30 notify
the better class of people, hut entered
the gambling deus. the low cafes. the
I hauuts OF the Chats Haunts, the hut'
} OF the river rats and the garrets o
Z the Quadroon quarters. And ont OF
p these places poured men aud youths
7 az an coiors, speaking q half-dozcr
e languages. strangely picturesque
ready for anything. and especial,
S ready aud willing 90 go aud do what
p ever Jules Vernon might ask of them
e Their coming together was rcporte,
q 30 Jackson. who. no first supposin.
4 them mob og his enemies, though
y of marching force TO dispense them
/. but he was restrained after much per
v suasion by Claiborne, Edward Living
81 ston aud Commodore Patterson.
" Upon SO small an event hung th
fate Of New Orleans. Had that mee
" ing of the lawless ones been intel
Il fcrred with in the slightest 10y ia
n military, the city would have bee
T. burned 10 the ground, with result
n a fatal panic in the already suheriu
II American army.
Mr.. Vernon had caused q sma
ly platform 10 be erected an the sluar
1t from this he addressed his motley a
10 sembly in English, in French.
ne Spanish aud in German. He kue
lg Just what 20 say to them and Just hc
he 60 say il. His huge frame and powe
es July magnetic face were strong aux
iaries TO his eloquent words and ric
al lv sonorous voice. Almost imme'
of aselv the vast crowd beneath him W
ne Wild with enthusiasm; their shou
se we're heard az Jackson 3 headquartel
INA whittier word was quickly brOug
ire that popular movement was bel
IL successfully agitated IN his favor
ed Mr.. Vernon.
oil The iron chieftain's face lit mp "
hope and pleasure. Ordering
to- horse, he at once rode TO the seeI
Sc coming up at the time when
ne crowd was at its highest pitch Of
element.
ley Mr. Vernon took quick advanta
be- of the incident. Pointing 10 the g
J TO eral as he sat like a grim statue IN
saddle, he Numbered forth:
YES Behold, citizens, YOnder ri'
on. your leader-your unconquerable 8
~ cralw
-ful Every face was turned, and ev
TO eye was riveted upon the gannt f.
and implacable face Of Jackson.
the lifted his hat and waved it with a S
ght sweep around his head. For a
line ment they saw the shock of bristl
hey hair, the stern brows and the
led; lips-shey saw the steely eyes gl'
x Of as with q vision of victory.
Live the Repubhci" roared
sell Vernon, with the voice of i
half live tae brave general who
it's come TO save New Orleans aud 10
way iana,"
Aud re spoke in French, and his W.
light we're the signal for very temPe'
vehement applause. The exclt
rhbble took up the cry:
that (ro BE coSTISUED.l