flag on a tiny staff.

At the sight of their State flag both the boys arose from their seats
and saluted.

"That's the flag to fly over Charleston's forts!" declared Ralph as he
sat down.

After luncheon was over Mrs. Hayes advised the girls to lie down for a
little rest before starting for their ride. But they all declared they
were not tired, and there were so many things to see and enjoy at the
plantation that Sylvia and Grace were delighted when Flora suggested
that first of all they should go out through the garden to the negro
quarters, stopping at the stables on their way for a look at the ponies.

Sylvia was ready before the other girls and stood on the piazza waiting.
She was leaning against one of the vine-covered pillars that supported
the piazza, and Ralph and Philip, who were sitting just around the
corner, did not know she was there and could not see her. Sylvia could
hear their voices, but did not at first notice what they were saying
until the word "Yankee" caught her ear.

"The first thing you know those northern Yankees will take our forts,"
she heard Philip say, and heard Ralph laugh scornfully as he responed:
"They can't do it, or free our slaves, either. Say, did you know Father
was going to sell Dinkie; she's making such a fuss that I reckon she'll
get a lashing; says she don't want to leave her children."

There was a little silence, and then the younger boy spoke.