The county record. [volume] (Kingstree, S.C.) 1885-1975, 1903-10-22
CHAPTER XIX.
Pierre Eameau!"
THE SHADOWS OF DARK DAYS.

Shal LIZ -At<N.
THE SHADOWS OF DARK DAYS.
When Lieutenant Ballanche re.
tnrned from his reconnaissance i'll tho
direction of the mouth of Bayou Bien-
venu, he brought report which
caused General Jackson to issue Or
ders Immediately for the doubling Of
all the outpost pickets and for all the
troops to hold themselves ready to
march at the tap of the drum.
AS yet the reinforcements so long
and so anxiously waited for had not
arrived, and the situation was most
perplexing. From hundred sources
came the infoi nation, doubtless etag-
gerated aud over-eolorsd, that the
creoles OF the city were concocting an
uprising in favor of the English.
Thus to the commanding general it
appeared that with an overwhelming
alien enemy before him, he should
have to move his little army down tho
river and leave behind him horde of
traitors, who were but waiting for an
opportunity to fall upon the supplies
in the rear and 30 reader defeat inev-
liable.
1T was at this point that Mr.. Vernon
came to his aid with three hundred
men well armed and equipped. They
were not q 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 hasty review.
Mr.. Vernon had acted with amazing
energy in the matter. sending ont
runners to call meeting in one OF the
public squares. Singularly enough
these couriers did not seem to notify
the better class of people, hut entered
the gambling deus. the low cafes, the
haunts of the Chats Haunts, the huts
of the river rats aud the garrets Of
the quadroon quarters. And out OF
these places poured men and youths
of all colors, speaking a half-dozen
languages, strangely picturesque,
ready for anything, aud especially
ready and willing to 80 and do what
ever Jules Vernon might ask of them.
Their coming together was reported
to Jackson, who, at first suppos!ng
them a mob OF his enemies, thought
of mar ching force to disperse them;
but he was restrained after much per.
suasion by Claiborne, Edward Living
ston and Commodore Patterson.
Upon SO smell all event hung the
fate Of Now Orleans. Had that meet
ing Of the lawless ones been inter.
ferrcd with in the slightest hy the
military, the city would have been
burned to the ground, with result OF
fatal panic in the already suffering
American army.
Mr.. Vernon had caused small
platform to be erected in the square;
from this he addressed his motley as
sembly in English, i'll French, IN
Spanish aud in German. He knew
Just what to say to them and Just how
to say it. His huge frame and power.
fully magnetic face were strong auxil-
iaries to his eloquent words and rich
ly sonorous voice. Almost immedi-
ately the vast crowd beneath him was
wild with enthusiasm; their shouts
were heard at Jackson's headquarters,
whittier word was quickly brought
that popular movement was being
successfully agitated in his favor by
Mr.. Vernon.
The iron chieftain's face lit up with
hope and pleasure. Ordering his
horse, he at once rode to tho scene,
coming up at the time when the
crowd was at its highest pitch OF e1-
element.
Mr.. Vernon took quick advantage
of the incident Pointing to the gem
eral as he sat like grim statue in his
saddle, he thundered forth:
"Behold, citizens! Youder rides
your leader-your unconquerable gen.
eral"
Every face was turned, and every
eye was riveted upon the gaunt form
and implacable face of Jackson. He
lifted his hat and waved it with slow
sweep around his head. For mo-
ment they saw the shock OF bristlinS
hair, the stern brows and the firm
lips-they saw the steely eyes CLEAN
| as with q vision OF victory.
"Live the Eepublic!" rosred Mr..
Vern1n, with the voice OF a lion.
Live Toe brave general who has
,ome to save New Orleans and Louis.
lana"
lie spoke in French, and his words
were the sigual for very tempest OF
vehement applause. The. e1citable
rabbie took up the cry: