It seemed that the stars in their courses fought for the South, or at least it seemed so to the youthful Harry and his comrades.
"Didn't I tell you everything would come as we wished it ?" said the sanguine Langdon.

"Abe Lincoln may be the best rail-splitter that ever was, but I fancy he isn't such a terrible fighter." "Let's wait and see," said Harry, with the impression of Shepard's warning words still strong upon him.
His caution was not in vain.

That day the rulers of Charleston received a message from Abraham Lincoln that Sumter would be revictualled, whether Charleston consented or not.

The news was spread instantly through the city and fire sprang up in the South Carolina heart.
The population, increased far beyond its normal numbers by the influx from the country, talked of nothing else.

Beauregard was everywhere giving quick, nervous orders, and always strengthening the already powerful batteries that threatened Sumter..