Sam immediately turned the skiff toward the shore, and they were soon in close contact with the stranger. He was sitting on the rock, with one leg swinging backwards and forwards, and the stump of the other sticking straight out. His dress was a true sailor's rig, of blue originally, but now much soiled, and of many colors. Spots of tar were pretty well sprinkled over both, coat and trousers; vest he had none; but instead thereof, a dark blue shirt, trimmed around the collar and bosom with something that had once been white. On his head sat (for the crown was too low to permit much of any thing to enter into it) a glazed hat, which, from its bright appearance, had lately received a fresh coat of tar; large bushy locks of sandy-colored hair stood out from beneath, based by a thick mat of whiskers, extending under his chin, and covering his whole neck; while down his back hung a queue of enormous size, reaching nearly to the rock on which he sat. His features, what could be seen of them, were not forbidding, although very much doubled and twisted by the wear and tear of time and rough weather. 'We were going to the fort,' said Jim; 'and can you tell us, good man, if they will let us in!' 'That's accordin' as to what your business is--if you got an arr'nd to the major or his lady, or any of his folks, or to the lieutenant and his lady, or so on--why the case is, they'll have to pass you right in; but if it's only one of the privates you see, that's another thing.' 'But we have no particular errand to anybody; we have got a few things to sell, and would be glad to dispose of them at the fort.' 'Ay, ay, that's a new case--things to sell, ha! I guess it will depend upon what things you've got. If it's contraband goods, and you're thinking to git the better of Uncle Sam, you've come to the wrong market; the major'll make short work with you.' 'I don't know what you mean by contraband goods or trying to get the better of anybody,' said Jim; 'we only thought they might be in want of a few fresh vegetables and some strawberries.' 'Ay, ay, that's clean another case, there's no contraband in them; but where under the blessed heaven have you come from? these things can't grow nowheres round here.' 'I shouldn't think they could,' said Jim, looking significantly at the dreary waste of sand and stunted pine that spread as far as he could see; 'strawberries might grow up in the pines there, but I guess not such as these.' With that Jim stopped, and taking up a basket, pulled off the covering of green leaves, and held them out for the old man to look at. 'Of all sights my eyes ever looked at!----' 'I think you'll find them as good as they look,' taking a double handful, and holding them out towards the old man. 'No, no,' shaking his weather-beaten face, 'I've no money to buy 'em; you must go to the major.' 'Take them and welcome, sir; I had no thought of asking you for pay; you're very welcome to them.'