ent the message to Darius.

When there was nothing before me but shells, and one of the officers
asked if my father was going to send more aboard, I thought it would
be more in keeping with my part to act like a lad who was eager to
receive money for his cargo, therefore I replied that we would send
the whole load aboard at the rate of eight cents a bushel.

To this proposition the gentleman agreed, and I called out for the
others to begin slinging the baskets up, counting on lending a hand to
take them over the rail; but I was not allowed to abandon my job of
oyster-opener.

I worked as lively as I ever did in my life, and it surely seemed as
if I would not be allowed to go on board the Avenger until the entire
cargo had been eaten, therefore I called for Jerry to help me, after
our small lot had been dumped on the ship's hold.

Darius did not come out of the hold. He had good excuse for remaining
there while we were unloading; but once the pungy was empty I greatly
feared suspicions might be aroused by his remaining hidden from view.

Not until Jerry and I had opened a full two bushels, and given one of
the cooks a few lessons in the manner of holding a knife to the best
advantage while shucking, were we allowed to cease the tiresome labor,
for it must be known that we did not claim to be experts at such work.

One of the officers paid us for the cargo, and agreed to take as many
every other day while they remained at that station.

As if eager to know how long we might find a ready market thereabouts,
I asked if he could tell me when there was a possibility of the ship's
being moved; but he shut his mouth as close as any of our oysters,
saying that it was enough for us to know that they would patronize us
while they remained there, consequently I did not succeed in getting
any information for Commodore Barney.

I explained my reasons for asking such a question, by saying that it
would be a waste of time for us to sail down the bay when the fleets
were not there, because our only other market was at Annapolis or
Baltimore, and he said with a laugh:

"When we're not here you can look for us further north, and we will
take your oysters wherever we go."

I observed that we were on board the Narcissus, and thus understood
that Darius had made no mistake when he gave that name to the ship,
therefore my admiration for the old man's knowledge of nautical
matters increased, for only an experienced seaman could have