But little had been said in their walk from the river to Webb’s. Arriving there, Walter entered and seated the Captain in the parlor, while he went to notify Webb. Ah, boy, back so soon? I did not think that you would meet the boat until after the firing of the sun-down gun. Walter explained how he met the boat as it landed—the delivery of the letter—that one of the gentlemen that came on the boat had accompanied him home, and was now in the parlor waiting. Did you learn his name? No, but I learned he was the Captain of the ship. That is Captain Davis himself. To him I expect to trust my ward. You remain here until I call you. Then Webb went to the parlor. Good day Captain, ahead of time, but always welcome. No, I am just in time. I had to come now or never—at least not until my return from England. England! exclaimed Webb, I thought you were going into winter quarters. So I supposed, but this morning I received orders to sail to-morrow. Then I have no time to accomplish the object I had in view in sending for you. State your object, and if possible, I will help you accomplish it. I sent for you in relation to the young man you have often heard me speak of, that I found in the Minisink wilderness. Is that the young man that handed me the letter? Yes. The fellow that killed the panther, and fell in love with the cat? Precisely. Only the cat is the namesake or representative of the girl he fell in love with. Oh, I remember it all, replied Davis. In what way can I assist either you or him? I wish to procure a situation for him on your ship. In what capacity? I will leave that to you. Of course that will depend on his qualifications. He could not have learned any of the duties of a seaman in the wilderness you found him. Not all the duties, Captain, certainly not. Yet there are many things that are indispensable to a seaman that has been learned on land—yes even in the howling wilderness. But we will call him. You can examine him and then decide. Walter was waiting on the stoop, when he was addressed by Sambo. Massa Walt—Massa Webb want you in de parlor. Too bad Walt—too bad. They are going to take you off in big ship. Sambo never see Walt any more. Walt get drowned. Walt never come back to see Sambo or cat any more. I shall take the cat with me, replied Walter. Dey won’t let you do dat. Mighty ’ticular on ship. Dey kill Amy and throw her overboard in the sea, an’ if Massa say boo, dey whip him wid a cat ob nine tails, put irons on his feet and stow him down in de hole wid de rats. Have no fears, Sambo, if I go, the cat will go with me. That is a condition the Captain must agree to before I put my foot on board.