I explained to Folsom the object of my visit, and learned from him that he had no boat in which to send me to Sonoma, and that the only, chance to get there was to borrow a boat from the navy.

The line-of-battle-ship Columbus was then lying at anchor off the town, and he said if I would get up early the next morning I could go off to her in one of the market-boats.
Accordingly, I was up bright and early, down at the wharf, found a boat, and went off to the Columbus to see Commodore Biddle.

On reaching the ship and stating to the officer of the deck my business, I was shown into the commodore's cabin, and soon made known to him my object.

Biddle was a small-sized man, but vivacious in the extreme.

He had a perfect contempt for all humbug, and at once entered into the business with extreme alacrity.