Ignorant as he was, the "years that bring the philosophic mind" had yet been his, and most of my young officers seemed boys beside him.

He was a Florida man, and had been chiefly employed in lumbering and piloting on the St.Mary's River, which divides Florida from Georgia.

Down this stream he had escaped in a "dug-out," and after thus finding the way, had returned (as had not a few of my men in other cases) to bring away wife and child.

"I wouldn't have left my child, Cunnel," he said, with an emphasis that sounded the depths of his strong nature.

And up this same river he was always imploring to be allowed to guide an expedition.
Many other men had rival propositions to urge, for they gained self-confidence from drill and guard-duty, and were growing impatient of inaction.