"To me?" exclaimed Jeanne bewildered. "Why, what in the world will I do with you all?"
"Dunno. Yer'll hab ter take keer ob us, I reckon," and Snowball seated herself on the floor in happy unconsciousness of the fact that taking care of them implied any responsibility. "You won't whip us nohow. Will yer, lill' missy?"
"I certainly won't do that," answered Jeanne, "but it will be a problem to feed you."
And so it proved. Supplies were running very low in the city. Starvation stared the inhabitants in the face. And yet, despite the privations and the constant play of artillery and musketry through every minute of the day, when Minie balls were accompanied by Parrott, Canister, solid shot and shrapnel shells, and projectiles of all kinds, the soldiers became almost indifferent to them, and frequently sang amid the pattering of the balls.
One evening as they sat in front of the cave a young officer passed them singing words to the air of the "Mocking Bird." He seemed more concerned about the melody than he did about the shots that were flying through the air, and they watched him admiringly.
"''Twas at the siege of Vicksburg, Of Vicksburg, of Vicksburg, 'Twas at the siege of Vicksburg, When the Parrott shells were whistling thro' the air. Listen to the Parrott shells, Listen to the Parrott shells; The Parrott shells are whistling thro' the air.
"'Oh! well will we remember, Remember, remember, Tough mule meat June sans November, And the Minie balls that whistled thro' the air Listen to the Minie balls, Listen to the Minie balls; The Minie balls are singing in the air.'"
"Jeanne," said Bob, "do you hear that? Do you think you have any Yankees that are as brave as our people?"
"As brave perhaps," replied Jeanne, "but no braver, Bob. I think no people could be more courageous than your people have shown themselves through this siege. I am proud of them as Americans, but I am sorry that their courage is shown for such a cause."
"Ah, we'll win yet," said Bob, her eyes shining, "and then we will show you that we can be as generous as we are brave."
It was the morning of the Fourth of July. Jeanne awoke from a deep sleep. Generally about four o'clock the shrapnel shells were thrown more furiously than at any other time of the day. She listened for a few moments and then turned to Bob excitedly.