Many days were passed on the river-bank watching vainly for a steamboat. Helen decided that a dormer-window in the attic of the hotel would be a better point of observation, and with field-glass in hand spent many weary days before she saw the smoke of a steamer puffing down the river. While it was making the bend in the river our anxious heroine hastened to the bank and once more floated her white handkerchief in the air. In her simple dress of homespun and palmetto hat she was indeed an object to gratify the eye of an artist or a poet. The signal was seen, and this time the gunboat herself bore down and came alongside the bank. After the plank had been thrown out an officer stepped on shore and inquired what was wanted. Helen replied, "A New Yorker desires to return to her home after an absence of some years. Family matters alone make it imperative she should do so."
"No: Judge Clayton's widow and family accompany me to New Orleans. I wish from your captain transportation for us all to that point."
"I will speak to the commanding officer: wait for me here," he replied.
"One moment," exclaimed Helen: "what is the name of your commander? and where from?"
"Captain Belknap of New York," he answered.
In another moment the officer returned with orders to escort Miss Gerard on board. She was led into the presence of a gentleman six feet tall and of herculean frame, with light hair, blue eyes and a face that wore an expression as gentle as that of a woman. Glancing at the lady from head to foot, Captain Belknap asked how so young and interesting a woman could be so far from her mother.
"A sister's love carried me away, and a daughter's love takes me back," she replied.
"Are you travelling with the baggage of a Saratoga belle?" he asked.
"No. Such might be the case if I were the belle. My baggage consists of two trunks for four persons."
"I fear, my young miss, I can render you no assistance," he said. Then ensued a silence which carried despair to her heart. "I might consent to take you," he resumed, "but the taking of a Confederate family is another matter."
"Unless they can accompany me I refuse any such offer," said Helen.
She turned to leave him, when he said, looking at his watch at the same time, "In fifteen minutes my plank will be taken in and my boat headed up the river: if you and your friends are here within that time I will take you on board."