_Feb. 4._ Sunday morning I met the whole female population on the
road, coming to church. It was baptism day, and the women had all put
on their best dresses, their summer muslins and turbans, making a fine
show. On arriving at the Captain John Fripp gate, by the avenue, I
found a knot of young men seated there, with one of their number
reading to the rest from the Testament. I asked them why they didn't
go to church with the women! They said they had heard that "soldiers
had come to catch we," and "we were scary." Poor fellows, what a
strange life of suspense they are leading! General Gillmore has
ordered a complete census of the islands, black and white men
included, for enrollment on the militia lists, and no white citizen is
allowed to leave the Department until after it is found whether he is
wanted for military service, _i. e._, after a draft.
Having got the cotton all shipped, Mr. Philbrick prepared to
go home, but he was not to leave without receiving from his
employees more than one expression of their growing
consciousness of power.