Most articles of furniture were already, however, before our visit, gone from the plantation-house, which was now used only as a picket-station.

The only valuable article was a pianoforte, for which a regular packing-box lay invitingly ready outside.

I had made up my mind, in accordance with the orders given to naval commanders in that department,* to burn all picket-stations, and all villages from which I should be covertly attacked, and nothing else; and as this house was destined to the flames, I should have left the piano in it, but for the seductions of that box.

With such a receptacle all ready, even to the cover, it would have seemed like flying in the face of Providence not to put the piano in.

I ordered it removed, therefore, and afterwards presented it to the school for colored children at Fernandina.