All the way down we were besought to hold something back for this point. At Hermitage we found the one business man, owner of the boat which plied the thirty miles of river, its warehouse and all. He, of course, was the only man who could take charge of and distribute relief around the island; and Captain Trudeau was sought. He was a young, active man, full of business, just pulling out of his own disaster, and did not know how to attend to it. "Guessed the trouble was most over up there; hadn't heard much about it lately." We knew better and felt discouraged that persons could not be found of sufficient humanity to distribute relief when brought to them. I was sitting heart sore and perplexed in my stateroom trying to think out a way when two rather young women of prepossessing appearance entered with a bouquet of early flowers for me, introducing themselves as Mrs. and Miss Trudeau, wife and sister of the captain. I scarcely felt gracious, but those fair womanly faces were strong to win, and I entered into conversation asking Mrs. Trudeau what she thought of the condition of the people of the island. Her face grew sad as she said in touching tones, "Indeed, I cannot say, Miss Barton; my husband's boat runs around twice a week and I tried to go on it for a while, but the sight of such destitution and those starving cattle, mules, cows, horses and sheep were beyond my endurance. I had nothing to give them, and I could not see it, and so left off going." "Would you ladies take the agency of the Red Cross to deliver supplies to these people?" I shall not forget the appropriate and womanly manner in which this delicate lady received the abrupt proposition--no hesitation, no surprise, no self-depreciation, no simpering, but the straightforward reply, "We would, most willingly and gladly, and do our best. Our warehouse could store them, our boat take and we distribute them." The customary official document was at once drawn up and signed. An hour later the busy captain rushed in to see how much was really expected of him. "Captain," I said, "I have found agents to distribute our relief, and very satisfactorily, I think, and shall be able to release you from all responsibility." His fine face fell; he had not expected this and in spite of all did not relish being quite relieved from duty. I went on: "You will have some share in it, captain. For instance, you will supply storage in your warehouse; your boat will take supplies on any day when demanded. Your men will handle and load all material. You will, in short, provide all accommodations, do all the work, meet all the cost, obey orders implicitly, but have none of the credit! Mrs. and Miss Trudeau are my agents." The good fellow fairly threw up his hat. "Good! That's just what I'm used to. It shall be done." And it was done; but how well it was done I could not describe to you--not only wisely and well, but elegantly.