me way of
thinking. Besides, the consciousness of a good action is its own reward."

"Ye-es," said Jeanne, "I know that it ought to be. It says so in my
copy-book. But I thought that it would be so different."

"It would be a fine thing if all our acts would receive approbation,"
remarked General Butler. "Brass bands and calcium lights are things that
human nature craves for deeds well done, but they are seldom given. That
is, until one dies."

"Don't be cynical, General," laughed Farragut. "The child will find it
out soon enough."

"Yes; I suppose so," replied Butler. "Didn't you say something about an
uncle, Admiral?"

"Yes; that is the next thing in order. She is to stay with him until her
father tells her to return. Her uncle is Benjamin Vance."

"Whe-ew," whistled the General an expression of blank amazement on his
face. "Did you say Benjamin Vance?"

"Certainly. Do you know him?"

"I do," replied the General emphatically. "And this girl is his niece,
and she brings papers down here to Archer? It is about the boldest thing
I ever heard of!"

"Why! What do you mean?"

"I'll tell you presently. Come here, girl. Do you hear often from your
uncle?" he asked as Jeanne approached.

"No, sir. Father has not heard from him in years. He came South long
before I was born, but I remembered that he lived here when I was getting
father to let me bring the papers."

"Isn't it strange that you should have remembered it just at that time?"
questioned Butler sharply.

"Why, no," answered the girl regarding him with wide open eyes. "I have
heard my father speak of Uncle Ben all my life, and when New Orleans was
mentioned I always thought of him. So I said that I was coming to see
Uncle Ben when I was truly bringing the papers to Mr. Archer. Father
thought it was best."

"I see. What is in the papers?"

"I don't know, sir." Jeanne looked at him so innocently that he was
compelled to believe her.

"Well, you at least, are innocent, I do believe. Now, child, what else
did you bring? Anything for your uncle?"

"I brought him some quinine," answered Jeanne half laughing. "Father had
it fixed for me in my lunch basket. He said if I should fall in with the
rebels and they questioned me too closely I was to own up about it. See!
here is the basket. The quinine is right down in this place."

"I don't understand about the thing," said the General in a low tone to
the Admiral. "The girl is either the most innocent perso