"Well, my basket shall not go at any rate," cried Jeanne and she caught it up to throw it overboard. But the darky seized her arm in a strong grip and took the basket from her.
"Be quiet, missy," she said, "er I'll hab ter settle yer. An' missus won't keer nuther. She done laik yer nohow."
Jeanne could do nothing in the woman's powerful clasp, and was compelled to relinquish her hold on the basket. Placing it behind her the negress took the oars again and resumed her rowing. Silence fell between the two and steadily they drew nearer to the farther shore. At last after what seemed hours to Jeanne the keel of the boat grated upon the sand and the woman sprang out and drew the skiff upon the bank.
"Come," she said to Jeanne and the girl mechanically followed her.
"Halt! who goes there?" came the challenge.
"A frien'," responded Feliciane. "Done yer know me, sah?"
"Feliciane," exclaimed a voice joyfully. "You are a jewel. Have you anything for us? Who is with you?"
"Yes, sah; heah in dis basket missus sent. It's all erbout a 'tack what de Yanks is a-gwine ter make on you folks. Missus kum moughty nigh bein' kotched de las' time, an' so she sent de lill' missy with me."
"Well, here are some letters. You won't be more than able to get back by daylight. Are you too tired to make it to-night, Feliciane?"
"Well, good-bye. Thank your mistress for us, and tell her the boys in gray will soon drive the Yankees out of the city, and she won't have this to do much longer."
Jeanne still silent went back to the boat. Every hope that she had held that there was really a wounded brother of Madame's had died during the interview, and the lady was meeting with that fierce arraignment in the mind of the girl that youth always gives when for the first time the mask of hypocrisy is torn from a loved face.
The dawn was streaking the gray sky with crimson when they reached the city again. The rain had ceased and the stormy night was to be succeeded by a fair day. Jeanne's face showed white and stern in the gray of the morning as she walked slowly by the black's side. Her lips were compressed together in a straight line for she had determined that Madame Vance should render an account of her duplicity to her.