schools, and they educated their children with great care. 6. But, as they owned many slaves, they had not been accustomed to labor with their own hands; 7. And they had been in the habit of commanding and not of being commanded; 8. Hence, they resolved to collect a great army, and fight for the possession of their city. 9. And they sent to Jefferson to aid them; and Jefferson sent them a great many troops, and a great many mighty guns, and huge engines of war, and powder and balls an infinite quantity 10. And the rebels made stupenduous works of defence, and called Vicksburg the "Gibraltar of America." 11. When Farragut, commonly called "Commodore," heard of these things, and how the rebels were making preparations for defence, his wrath was kindled. against them. 12. And he said, who are these rebels that they should thus defy the forces of Uncle Sam? 13. And he swore in his wrath that he "would smite them in battle, and lay waste their city," before the ides of March. 14. And he collected a great many gunboats, and took many men, and hastened to Vicksburg, swearing that he would level the disloyal city with the dust. 15. And the Confederates heard of his coming, and got ready to receive him. 16. And when he had come near to the city, he threw a bombshell at it to get the range, and the rebels threw shells at the ships; 17. And the bombardment progressed many days, but as the forces were far apart, little damage was done. 18. And the Confederates continued to strengthen their fortifications by day and by night; 19. And Jefferson sent them military men, regular "West-Pointers," to command them, and to advise them, and to assist them in making their fortifications, the wonder of all mankind. 20. And when the Federal commanders saw that the rebels would make resistance so formidable, they hesitated to attack them in their stronghold. CHAPTER XLII. SIEGE OF VICKSBURG. 1. Now it came to pass, that word was brought to Abraham, that Vicksburg was strongly fortified, and that the rebels had a large army ready to fight. 2. And the matter vexed Abraham, and when food was set before him he refused to eat, and the spirit of sleep departed from him. 3. And William, his Prime Minister, came into his presence, and gave him a pomegranate, and a little parched corn, and a glass of lemonade. 4. And when Abraham was a little revived, William said, "O Abraham, live forever!" 5. And Abraham said, "Say on, William, for thou art my most faithful friend, and my wisest counsellor." 6. And Abraham fell on William's neck and kissed him. 7. And William lifted up his voice, and said unto Abraham, "Our army and our boats can be made to pass this cruel and wicked city without shedding blood; 8. For, if your excellency seeth fit, a canal can be dug from the river above Vicksburg to the river below, because the river bendeth in the shape of a horse-shoe. 9. And the water from the great river, will flow into this canal, and boats can pass along, and not have to come under the guns of the rebel fort. 10. And, moreover, William said, if the water is once let into the canal, it will by its own action, deepen the channel, and widen it banks; 11. And, as the ancient "Father of Waters" is famous for odd whims, he will forsake his wonted channel, and run in that prepared by Federal soldiers. 12. Then will the wicked, rebel city stand miles away from the river, and become a deserted town; 13. And grass will grow in its streets, and the wild owl will hoot from its housetops, and the stork will make her nest in the palaces of the rich. 14. And the thing pleased Abraham, and he com manded a gold chain to be put upon Williams neck, and his photograph to be taken. 15. And Abraham sent messengers to Vicksburg, and commanded the Generals to set the men to work to dig the canal. 16. And the canal was dug. 17. But the water would not flow into it so as to be deep enough to float the mighty ships. 18. And Vicksburg still remained with its frowning fortifications and mighty guns. |