He did not know whether the
gunners were firing directly at the vessel or merely meant to warn her
that she came nearer at her peril, but in any event, the effect was
the same. South Carolina with her cannon was warning a foreign ship,
the ship of an enemy, to keep away.
The Star of the West slowed down and stopped. Then another shout,
more tremendous than ever, a shout of triumph, came from the crowd,
but Harry felt a chill strike to his heart. Young St. Clair, too,
was silent and Harry saw a shadow on his face. He looked for Shepard,
but he was gone and the boy had not heard him go.
"It is all over," said St. Clair, with the certainty of prophecy.
"The cannon have spoken and it is war. Why, where is Shepard?"
"I don't know. He seems to have slipped away after the first two or
three shots."
"I suppose he considered the two or three enough. Look, Harry! The
ship is turning! The cannon have driven her off!"
He was right. The Star of the West, a small steamer, unable to face
heavy guns, had curved about and was making for the open sea. There was
another tremendous shout from the crowd, and then silence. Smoke from
the cannon drifted lazily over the town, and, caught by a contrary
breeze, was blown out over the sea in the track of the retreating
steamer, where it met the black trail left by that vessel's own funnel.
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