At an unexpectedly early hour, some of the guests of General Hatch returned to the boat. Upon being asked the reason, they replied that their hearts were not there, that they had been disturbed throughout the evening, by certain strange presentiments and foreshadowings of evil." How little recked they of that cloud of cimmerian darkness, in which a more northern sun had but just gone down; of the scene transpiring in the nation's Capital, at the very hour when the buoyant ones in the saloons of Rebel chiefs, were "chasing the glowing hours with flying feet?" But we would not lift the curtain a moment too soon. The wearied dancers returned to the steamer, at the spectral hours; the lights burned low; the cabins were still; and all, in "sleep's serene oblivion," were waiting for the morrow. to see CHAPTER VI. 66 IT had been announced that the "Oceanus" would sail Saturday morning, at 10 o'clock, but a universal desire more of the city, and attend the Freedmen's meeting," at Zion's Church, secured a postponement of the hour to 5 o'clock P. M., precisely. The day was therefore at the disposal of the company. Glad of this extension of time, they were scattered, after breakfast, in every direction about the city, to finish their explorations. A few, whose tastes led them in that direction, went up to the mansion of Gov. Aiken, which notorious individual they found quite hospitable and communicative. As it would be impossible to describe all that was seen by our curious party of two hundred, we shall give the results of our own explorations, and the additional matter which has been kindly transmitted for our use in this volume. Entering first the old "State Bank of South Carolina," we found it utterly ruined by fire, and the effect of shells. The rooms were wholly denuded; the charred rafters and sleepers everywhere protruding; the floors strewed with bank papers of every description, half burned and covered with dust and cinders. A glance at one room was sufficient, for all were in like condition. The Bank of Charleston, which we next visited, is much less injured and ravaged. Originally it was a much finer structure. The marble-topped desks and counters remain, and are occupied by our officers, who make the bank a business dépôt. A gentlemanly official, lighting a candle, conducted our party into the vault, a room about 10 by 15 feet, lined on three sides, with pigeon holes, and carpeted now with worthless paper rubbish. The "Director's Room," handsomely frescoed and furnished, was in the possession of a U. S. officer. The rooms upon the second floor, were piled knee-deep with old bank accounts, notes, bills of exchange, papers of every description, and of the least possible intrinsic value. Here the mania for "relics" ran high. Dozens of curiosityhunters were bending over them on hands and knees, untying old yellow and dusty bundles, selecting ancient and curious documents, and duly bestowing them in the voluminous depths of coat pockets, or carrying them off tenderly under the arm. Occasionally could be heard, "ah! here's a prize! only look! 1730, 1776," etc. Enough of these valuable acquisitions were brought home to comfortably stock "No. 25 Ann St." The old City Hall we found to be the rendezvous of the regiments which are now on guard in the city. Muskets were stacked before it and within it; patrols walked measuredly back and forth, while the "boys" off duty were asleep upon the benches and floors |