CHAPTER V.
SECESSION.
While Vincent had been occupied with the affairs of Tony and his wife, public events had moved forward rapidly.

The South Carolina Convention met in the third week in December, and on the 20th of that month the Ordinance of Secession was passed.

On the 10th of January, three days after Vincent returned home from his expedition, Florida followed the example of South Carolina and seceded.

Alabama and Mississippi passed the Ordinance of Secession on the following day; Georgia on the 18th, Louisiana on the 23d, and Texas on the 1st of February.
In all these States the Ordinance of Secession was received with great rejoicings: bonfires were lit, the towns illuminated, and the militia paraded the streets, and in many cases the Federal arsenals were seized and the Federal forts occupied by the State troops.

In the meantime the Northern slave States--Virginia, North Carolina, Tennessee, Kentucky, and Missouri--remained irresolute.