As the tug had just come in, doubtless he had been on duty the whole or a portion of the night, which may have explained his exhausted condition.
"Good-morning, Captain Pecklar," said the sentinel on duty at the wharf.
"Good morning, Tubbs.

Where is Major Pierson ?" asked the captain of the Leopard, in a very faint voice.
"He is still asleep, and he has his bed at the foot of that tree yonder," replied the sentinel, pointing at it.

"How do you find yourself this morning?
Any better ?" "About the same; I am about used up for this world," replied Captain Pecklar, continuing his painful walk towards the tree indicated.
"Is that the captain of the Leopard ?" asked Christy.
"Yes, poor fellow! He came down here two years ago from somewhere North, almost gone in consumption.

He got a little better; but he is worse again, and I don't believe he will last much longer," replied the sentry.
"Has he been out all night on the steamer ?" inquired Christy, who felt that it was his duty to obtain all the information he could in regard to this steamer, as it was in the service of the commander of Fort Gaines.
"I don't know where he has been; but I suppose he has been on duty all night, and that don't agree with him at all.

We came up here yesterday afternoon--Well, never mind what we have been about.