Edgar Hyde Carby admits he had a little trouble explaining to his friends at Louisiana State University why he is serving as a pageant king.

&uot;They all thought I was some kind of debutante,&uot; he said with a laugh. &uot;I had to tell him that, no, I have a sword and everything.&uot;

But no matter what his friends think, Carby is honored to serve as the Pilgrimage Garden Club king for the 2001 Historic Natchez Pageant.

&uot;I’m very excited and honored,&uot; he said. &uot;I hope that I serve well and make the garden club proud of its choice. It’s an honor to help the whole town through the tourism aspect.&uot;

And as for his friends’ reaction, once they found out about the parties they could attend with Carby, they didn’t mind at all about his title.

Carby reigns with Queen Anna Catesby McGehee, who is also his cousin.

Carby is the son of Mr. and Mrs. Phillip E. Carby. His grandparents are Mr. and Mrs. Hyde D. Jenkins of Natchez and E.E. Carby of Natchez and the late Mrs. Carby.

He is a 1998 graduate of Cathedral High School, where he was voted Most Likely to Succeed. He also competed frequently in math and science competitions and was a member of the National Honor Society and the Retreat Team.

He is also a member of Trinity Episcopal Church, where he served as an acolyte from the sixth through 12th grades.

Carby is attending Louisiana State University, where he majors in English and business. He plans to attend law school after graduation. He received four academic scholarships to attend LSU, where he is a member of the honors college. He is a member of Kappa Alpha Order and the Golden Key National Honor Society.

He enjoys competing in triathlons, kayaking, reading, attending football games at Tiger Stadium and turkey hunting with Sonny Jenkins, his grandfather.

Carby’s previous pageant experience includes Little Maypole, Big Maypole, Picnic, Polka, Soiree and The Wedding.

The uniform he will wear as king was designed by Janis E. Schreiber Inc. of New Orleans. It follows the clothing of the Confederate uniform for a brigadier general. The uniform includes a tunic, or coat, of gray wool cloth, with four rows of sleeve markings in gold braid. Civil War slang called the gold braid design &uot;chicken guts.&uot;

The collar is a wreath with three stars enclosed, embroidered in gold, the sash is buff-gold.

He is carrying a replica of a sword carried by Gen. &uot;Jo&uot; Shelby, who never surrendered. The sword has a 33-inch carbon steel blade with &uot;CSA&uot; and other ornamental designs. The metal scabbard is black with brass furniture. The brass handguard is engraved and initialed &uot;CS,&uot; and the leather handle is wrapped with twisted brass wire.