I learned the deaf and dumb alphabet when I was a schoolmaster, as a pastime, and I had some practice with it in the house where I boarded." "Then you can talk in that way with Mulgrum." "Not a bit of it; he knows nothing at all about the deaf and dumb alphabet, and could not spell out a single word I gave him." "That is very odd," added the captain musing.
"So I thought; but he explained it by saying that at the school they were changing this method of communication for that of actually speaking and understanding what was said by observing the vocal organs.

He had not remained long enough to master this method; in fact he had done all his talking with his tablets." "It is a little strange that he should not have learned either method of communication." "I thought so myself, and said as much to him; but he told me that he had inherited considerable property at the death of his father, and he was not inclined to learn new tricks," said Flint.

"He is intensely patriotic, and said that he was willing to give himself and all his property for the salvation of his country.

He had endeavored to obtain a position as captain's clerk, or something of that sort, in the navy; but failing of this, he had been willing to go to the war as a scullion.
He says he shall fight, whatever his situation, when he has the opportunity; and that is all I know about him." Christy looked on the floor, and seemed to be considering the facts he had just learned.

He had twice discovered Mulgrum at the door of his cabin, though his presence there had been satisfactorily explained; or at least a reason had been given.