About the middle of the afternoon Sam sauntered along the shore to a large flat rock that stood just at the water's edge. He took a seat upon it, and with his eye stretched far over the beautiful bay, mused on his sad condition and hopeless prospects. Was life to be as it had ever been--a scene of idleness and want, a waste, with nothing to cheer or stimulate his youthful mind? without education (not being able even to read), without a trade, or the prospect of one, or any employment that offered the least inducement to exertion? His conscience sorely troubled him also on account of the disrespect he had shown to his father that morning; and as he mused, his excited feelings started the tears down his sunburnt face, and in the agony of the moment he exclaimed, 'I wish I was--' 'What do you wish?' said Ned Montjoy, as he stole up behind, and put his hands over Sam's eyes. 'But what is it, Sam?' you are in trouble; tell us right away. 'Can Jim and I help you?' Sam wiped away his tears as he best could, but was unable at once to make any reply. 'Come, Sam, tell us, has anything happened to day?' 'Oh, nothing particular, Ned; only sometimes I get tired of living as I do.' 'Oh well, Sam, if that is all, come cheer up; for Ned and I have a plan in view, and if you will join us, perhaps things will be better for us all.' 'I'll join you and Ned in any thing, but I don't see what use I can be to you.' 'So much use, that we can do nothing without you _do_ join us Sam. Can we, Jim?' 'No, I fear we cannot.' 'Well, what is it, boys? Come, I'm ready for any thing.' 'You tell him, Jim, all about it. I say, Sam, it's the best thing you ever heard of. I tell you _what_, won't it be nice though?' And Ned kicked up his heels, ran a few steps, caught up a smooth flat stone, and away it went skimming the surface of the water, and in plunged Jowler, as he had often done before, on a fruitless search after it. Jim took a seat alongside of Sam, and soon unfolded his scheme for adventure. Sam's countenance brightened as Jim went on, and he was too impatient to wait until the whole was regularly told. 'And you want me to manage the boat, and you will sell the things?' 'That is it, Sam.' 'I tell you what, Jim, who put all this in your head? I wonder why I never thought about taking clams and oysters there! I am sure they will buy them: I might try some, couldn't I?' 'Certainly--but how are we to get a boat? your father has none, has he?' 'No, not now, but I know where I can borrow one; it has a sail to it--it is old and leaky though, but a little calking will make all tight.' No sooner had Sam said this, than Ned started off again on another gallop; he took quite a circuit this time, and coming back caught Sam by the back of his collar, and pulled him over flat upon the rock. 'Didn't I tell you, Jim, that Sam Oakum was the fellow for us?' 'Don't, Ned, act so crazy; let Sam go.' 'Oh let him alone, Jim; he is so full, he must let out a little.'