out?--how long has she leaked in that way?"
and a strain of such questions, which it would be impossible to trace,
such was the rapidity with which he put them. The Captain answered him
in accordance with the circumstances; and supposing him clothed with
authority, inquired where he should find some hands to work his pumps,
in order to relieve his men. "By-Je-w-hu! Captain, you must a' had a
piping time, old feller. Oh! yes, you want help to work your pumps. Get
niggers, Captain, there's lots on 'em about here. They're as thick as
grasshoppers in a cotton-patch."

"Yes, but I want 'em now, my men are worn out; I must get some Irishmen,
if I can't get others at once," said the Captain, viewing his man again
from head to foot.

"Oh! don't employ Paddies, Captain; 'ta'n't popular; they don't belong
to the secession party; Charleston's overrun with them and the Dutch!
Why, she won't hurt to lay till to-morrow morning, and there'll be lots
o' niggers down; they can't be out after bell-ring without a pass, and
its difficult to find their masters after dark. Haul her up 'till she
grounds, and she won't leak when the tide leaves her. We can go to
the theatre and have a right good supper after, at Baker's or the St.
Charles's. It's the way our folks live. We live to enjoy ourselves in
South Carolina. Let the old wreck go to-night." The little fellow seemed
so extremely polite, and so anxious to "do the genteel attention,"
that the Captain entirely forgot the tenor of his conversation with the
pilot, while his feelings changed with the prospect of such respectful
attention; and yet he seemed at a loss how to analyze the peculiar
character of his little, pedantic friend.

"You must not think me intrusive, Captain," said he, pulling out his
segar-pouch and presenting it with at Chesterfieldian politeness. "It's
a pleasure we Carolinians take in being hospitable and attentive to
strangers. My name, sir, is--! My niggers call me Master George. Yes,
sir! our family!--you have heard of my father probably--he belongs to
one of the best stocks in Carolina--owns a large interest in this wharf,
and is an extensive cotton-broker, factors, we call them here--and
he owns a large plantation of niggers on Pee-Dee; you must visit our
plantation. Captain, certain! before you leave the city. But you mustn't
pay much attention to the gossip you'll hear about the city. I pledge
you my honor, sir, it don't amount to any thing, nor has it any
promi