about ten o'clock
This was his position when the captain found him . He proceeded to Charleston , and laid his case before James L. Petigru , Esq. , United States District Attorney , and , upon his advice , returned to the scene of `` war on the banks of the Edisto , '' to arrange his business ; but no sooner had he made his appearance than he was thrown into prison , and there remained when we last heard of him . This is one of the many cases which afford matter for exciting comment for the editors of the Charleston Mercury and the Courier , and which reflect no honor on a people who thus set law and order at defiance . IT was about ten o'clock on the night of the fifteenth of April when the schooner `` Three Sisters '' lay anchored close alongside of a dark jungle of clustering brakes that hung their luxuriant foliage upon the bosom of the stream . The captain sat upon a little box near the quarter , apparently contemplating the scene , for there was a fairy-like beauty in its dark windings , mellowed by the shadowing foliage that skirted its borders in mournful grandeur , while stars twinkled on the sombre surface . The tide had just turned , and little Tommy , who had rolled himself up in a blanket and laid down close to the captain , suddenly arose . `` Captain , did you hear that ? ''