"By scissors! that you would, Captain; you ha'n't an idee what a mighty
site our people can do if they're a mind to! All South Carolina wants
is her constitutional rights, which her great men fought for in
the Revolution. We want the freedom to protect our own rights and
institutions--not to be insulted and robbed by the General Government
and the abolitionists."

"Do you practice as a people upon the same principles that you ask of
the General Government!" inquired the Captain.

"Certainly, Captain, as far as it was intended for the judicious good of
all white citizens!"

"Then you claim a right for the whites, but withhold the right when it
touches on the dark side. You'll have to lick the Federal Government, as
you call it, for they won't cut the constitution up to suit your notions
of black and white." * * *

"That's just the thing, Cap, and we can do it just as easy as we
now protect our own laws, and exterminate the niggers what attempt
insurrections. South Carolina sets an example, sir, of honor and bravery
that can't be beat. Why, just look a-yonder, Cap: the Federal Government
owns this 'er Fort Sumpter, and they insulted us by building it right
in our teeth, so that they could command the harbor, block out our
commerce, and collect the duties down here. But, Cap, this don't scare
South Carolina nohow. We can show 'em two figures in war tactics that'd
blow 'em to thunder. Ye see yonder!" said he, with an earnest look of
satisfaction, pointing to the south, "That's Morris Island. We'd take
Fort Moultrie for a breakfast spell, and then we'd put it to 'em hot
and strong from both sides, until they'd surrender Fort Sumpter. They
couldn't stand it from both sides. Yes, sir, they shut Fort Moultrie
against us, and wouldn't let us have it to celebrate independence in.
There's a smouldering flame in South Carolina that'll burst forth one
of these days in a way that must teach the Federal Government some
astonishing and exciting lessons. There's old Castle Pinckney, sir; we
could keep it for a reserve, and with Generals Quattlebum and Commander,
from Georgetown and Santee Swamp, we could raise an army of Palmetto
regiments that would whip the Federal Government troop and gun-boat."

We have given this singular conversation of the pilot with a strange
Captain, which at the time was taken as an isolated case of gasconade
peculiar to the man; but which the Captain afterward found to harmonize
in sentiment, feeling