'You will excuse me, Mr. Oakum, for requesting you to call upon me, or for the inquiries I may put to you; as I have a plan in view, which I should think would be more congenial to a young man of your abilities, than dodging back and forth in that little sloop.' 'I am very happy, sir, to wait upon you, and will very thankfully listen to any views you may please to communicate.' 'First, then, I wish you to state what are your plans for the future. I have heard through Peter--I give you my authority--that you design to leave your present business. If you have no objections, my young friend, make a clean breast to me; I want to hear all about you.' Sam smiled. 'Why, sir, to tell you the truth, I am really tired, as you say, of "dodging about in the sloop;" but hitherto duty has kept me at the helm very much against my inclination.' 'Glad to hear you say so. Duty, sir, is a glorious master, although sometimes he drives us sadly against our wills. Then you have resolved to start upon a new course?' 'I have, sir.' 'But the sea will be a new business for you. Your cruise along shore cannot have fitted you for what you will meet with there.' 'I have anticipated that, sir; and have already made three short voyages.' Sam saw that the Commodore appeared much pleased with this information. 'Since you have so kindly requested me, sir, to tell you my past doings and present plans, I will presume upon the permission, and do so.' 'That is just what I wish, sir.' 'The sloop, which seems of late to have been a trouble to many of my good friends, besides the kind-hearted old Peter (Major Morris had not been backward to drop some broad hints in reference to it), was once the object of my highest ambition; but like many objects when attained, seemed only as a stepping-stone to something after which my imagination panted, and for which, I must confess, I have been at times too restless. But an end I had in view, and which I saw I could accomplish by retaining my situation in the sloop, has enabled me to continue at my post, although I must say against my fancy.' 'Yes, yes; and let me tell you, my young friend, it was a noble end, and you will be a gainer, a great gainer by it in the long-run; but'--seeing that Sam was blushing very much, and apparently getting into a state of confusion--'pardon me for interrupting you; please go on, and tell me the whole story.'