Soon the searchers entered the tent and commenced.
"Hello there!"
"Who in hell are you?" responded the "old man."
"Beg pardon, Commodore, but there has been an attempt to escape here, and we want the parties."
"Well, what do you want here? Do you think I can fly?"
"No. But this attempt was by mining under the wall."
"Well, do you suppose I am a woodchuck? It is bad enough to sleep here on the ground, without being disturbed in my first sleep. Get out of this!"
And with a grunt the "old man" settled himself again as if for sleep.
"See here," said the inquisitive official, "this won't do; we must search the tent for form's sake, if for nothing more."