The county record. [volume] (Kingstree, S.C.) 1885-1975, 1903-10-08
CHAPTER XVII.
son.
THE JACKSoNIAN TEMPER.

TIE JAcKsoNIAN TEMPER.
The plantation to which Mrs. Yer
uon and Pauline were sent lay near
the Mississippi River, few miles be-
low New Orleans. 1t was a lonely
place, and the house, very plain and
simple structure, stood close to the
edge of dreary swamp. Hard by
ran q narrow ditch or canal. which
was now bankful of muddly.looEing
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
the 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 so in
fact, although Mr.. Vernon did not for
moment suppose that the final ad-
vance could be from any other direc.
tom than Lake Pontchartrain, which
lies north of New Orleans.
Lieutenant Ballanche has not yet
returned from his reconnaissance Of
the Bayou -Bienyenu region, nor had
there come any definite report of .he
enemy's movements on Borgne or up
the Rigolets when Mr.. Vernon took
his long ride and reported to General
Jackson, desiring to fight as an lnde'
pendent private.
1t is always 50 in the case OF al i'm
pending advance OF all army upon a
city wholly unprepared for defense.
The want of sufficient force to keep
all the avenues of approach we'll under
observation results, generally speak
ing, in total ignorance of just what
is most needful to know. Doubtless
General Jackson was in possession of
more facts regarding the whereabouts
and purposes of the English than the
circumstances seem to indicate; still
the lack of troops and munitions and
tie confusing number and intricacy
OF the waterways and the laudways
by which it was quite possible for
his foes to reach him made everything
like regular military preparation and
action Oh his part we'll nigh impossl-
bic. His memory was good, and
when Mr. Vernon presented himself
and asked to be assigned at once to
duty, he recollected everything IN
connection with their past interviews.
Secretly he was glad 10 make amends
for the brusa mess OF those occa-
sions, aud he was quick to under
stand that here was chance for him
to secure, perhaps, the adhesion OF
class of malcontents who he under
stood would accept Mr.. Vernon as
their leader. He grasped the burly
old mans baud with diplomatic
warmth tfor Jackson, despite his will
iuluess, was born politician) and
pressed it.
II am glad you have come, Mr..
Vernon" he said, with straight,
strong gaze OF confidence aud pleas
ure, "for need you. You can serve
me and the country to great advan-
tage just now, sir-to great advan.
tage, indeed. ! want a company of
volunteers armed with rides, or, for
shat matter, with guns of whatever
i:ind eau be had. You are just the
mn, 20 raise and lead such a com-
pauy."
rhe general was magnetic man,
cnl he knew how to direct his great
persona! power; but i'll an instant he
lett the counter thrust of an invnlner-
Lule individuality. Mr.. Vernon's i'm
mensc physical proportions seemed
Just then to ding out spiritual and
moral spell which, if it did not en-
langle Jackson's agile mini, wrought
| singular efec. upon his imagination.
The two men stood facing each
,ther in silence for moment.
"Sit down, SIR" said Jackson,
presently, pushing chair toward his
risitor,
The room was large, plain one,
md simply furnished in the main.
The gaunt frame OF the general as
roughly clad as if he had just arrived
from the farm, brist!ed with angles,