The North seemed supine, and Sumter, grim and dark though she might be, was alone.

The flag of the Stars and Stripes still floated above it.

Everywhere else the Palmetto flag waved defiance.
But there was still no passage of arms between Sumter and its hostile neighbors.

Small boats passed between the fort and the city, carrying provisions to the garrison, and also the news.

The Charlestonians told Major Anderson of the states that went out, one by one, and the brave Kentuckian, eating his heart out, looked vainly toward the open sea for the help that never came.
Exultation still rose in Charleston.