<pre style="white-space: pre-wrap">xt7prr1pgr4p https://exploreuk.uky.edu/dips/xt7prr1pgr4p/data/mets.xml Optic, Oliver, 1822-1897. 1886  books b92-166-30116588 English Lee and Shepard, : Boston : Contact the Special Collections Research Center for information regarding rights and use of this collection. Brave old salt, or, Life on the quarter-deck  : a story of the great rebellion / by Oliver Optic [pseud.]. text Brave old salt, or, Life on the quarter-deck  : a story of the great rebellion / by Oliver Optic [pseud.]. 1886 2002 true xt7prr1pgr4p section xt7prr1pgr4p 


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Somers and the Admiral. Pac 202.

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     BRAVE OLD SALT;


                    OR,


LIFE ON THE QUARTER DECK.


       51torT of the Q'et 5eetbn.


                     BY

            OLIVER OPTIC,
AVTHOR OF " THIE SOLDIER HBOY,` " TilEl SAILOR BOY," " THE TOrNxa LIEUTENANT,"
  iTHE YAIKEE MIDDY," " FIGHTING JOE,' " TiHE W(OOIVILLE STOEIES,"
         4'TILE IUVERDALE 50TV1Y BOOKS," ETC., STC.


                 BOSTON:
      LEIE AND SH EPARD,
          SUCCESSORS TO PHILLIPS, SAJIPSON  CO.
                   18 G C.

 
      Entered according to Act of Congress, in the year 1806, by

                    WILLIAM   T. ADAMS,

In the Clerks Office of the District Court of the District of Massachusetts.


                  ELECTROTYPED AT THE
              Boston Stereotype Fousndry,
                      No. 4 Spring Lane.

 
          TO


SAMUEL C. PERKINS, ESQ.,

       This ]loolk


IS RESPECTFULLY


D ED IC ATE D ,


fBY HIS FRIEND


    WILLIAM T. ADAMS.

 
  THE ARMY AND NAVY STORIES.

          In Six Volumes.


cd' OI'Draxy far U iDual  aull 041a.


BY OLIVER


OPTIC.


                I.
      TI-E SOIADIEI flOYw;
  Or, Torn Somers in the A-rxny.

                1I.


    Or, Jack Somers in the Navy.

               III.
  'rxIr YOUNG tIEUTENANT;
Or, The Adventures of an Arity Officer.
      A SEQUEL TO "TUE SOLDIER BOY."

               IV.
    TTIE YANJIEE MIDDY ;
Or, The Adventures of a Naval Officer.
      A SEQUEL TO "TUE SAILOR BOY."

                V.
        FIO irITNa JOE;
 Or, The Fortumnes of a Staff Officer.
   A SEQUEL TO "TILE YOUNG LIEUTENANT."

               VI.
      1fRA  ET OtID SA-Tr;
  Or, ILife on the Quarter Deck.
     A SEQUEL TO "1TI1E YANKEE XMIDY."
                           (4)

 
                     PIRE F ACE.


  THis volume, the sixth and last of (c"THE ARMY AND NAVY
STORIES," is a record of  Life on the Quarter Deck," mostly in
the squadron pf Vice Admiral Farragut, one of whose familiar
appellations, used in the ward-room and on the berth deck, has
furnished the leading title of the book. The terrible war which
devastated our country for four years has given to history two
generals, Grant and Sherman, and one admiral, Farragut, whose
achievements are unsurpassed, if they are equalled, in the annals
of military and naval warfare; but while the author, in this
work, has gratefully rendered his tribute of admiration to the
distinguished naval commander, he has not attempted to present
a complete biography of him.
  Those who have read the preceding volumes of this series need
hardly be told that this is a book of adventure-of personal
experience in the great struggle of the nineteenth century. Jack
Somers, "The Sailor Boy," Mr. Somers, "The Yankee Middy,"
and Captain Somers, Lieutenant Commanding, are the same
person; though often as he changes his official position, he is still
the same honest, true, and Christian young man.
  In our completed sixth volume we take leave of the Somers
              1                                  (5)

 
6  PREFACE.


family with many regrets. If our young friends in the army and
navy had been less true, noble, and Christian, we could have
parted with less sorrow.   Yet the army and navy, as they
crushed the Rebellion, have given us many young men just as
true, just as noble and Christian. Let us gratefully cherish these
living heroes, and they will not pass away from us " like a tale
that is told."
  To the readers, young and old, who have perseveringly fol-
lowed my heroes through the two thousand pages of this series,
I am even more than grateful; for I feel that they have sym-
pathized with me in my desire to present a lofty ideal to the
young man of to-day - one who will be true to God, true to
himself, and true to his country, in whatever sphere his lot may
be cast, whether on the forecastle or the quarter deck; as a
private or an officer, in the great army which must ever battle
with life's trials and temptations till the crown immortal be won.

                                   WILLIAM T. ADAMS.


HARRISON SQUARE, MAss., March 13, 1866.


6


CONTENTS.


CHAPTER
    I. LIEUTENANT PILLORI)I.

    II. WAITING FOR THIE SUIP.

    III. TiE WOUNDED SXILOR.

    IV. THE FRONT CHAMBISER.

    V. SO'MERS COMES TO HIS SENSES.

    VI. LIEUTENANT WYNKOOP, R. N.

  VII. LANGDON'S LETTERS,

  VIII. TilE UNITED STATES STEA3MER

  IX. IN THE STATE-ROOM.. .

    X. TE1 CHIEF CONSPIRATOR,

    XI. AFTER GENERAL QUARTERS.

  XII. THE BEN NEVIS.
  XIII. A CONFLICT OF AUTHORITY.

  XIV. TIIE PRIZE STEA.MER.. .

  XV. TiE PRISONER IN TIHE CABIN.

  XVI. CAPTAIN WALM1SLEY.

XVII. OF'F MOBILE BiAY.
XVIII. BRAVE OLD SALT.

XIX. TILE BOAT EXPlEDmITION.

  XX. TilE PICKET BOAT.  .

  XXI. T1im BEN LomOND.


                    PAGE
 ....  .  .  .  1

 . .  .  .  .  ..    23

 ...  .  ..    .  33

 ...  .  .  .  .  44


 ..  .  .  .  .  . 77

 .  . .   . .  .  .  77

CHIATAL'QUAt..  .  . 87

  ...  .97

  . .  .  .  .  . 108

    ...  .  .  . 119

  .  . .  .  .  . 130

  .  . .  .  .  . 140
      .130

  . .  .  .  .  . 160
    ...  .  .   I. 160

  ..  .  .  .  .  . I1.0

  .  .  .  . .  . 190

  .  . .  .  .  . 20

  2...  .  .  .  11


        (7)

 
8                      CONTEXTS.


  XXIL. RUNNING THE BLOCKADE. .   .  .  .  .  .  .  . 233
  XXIII. A YANKEE TRICK.  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  . 244
  XXIV. PILLGRIM1 AND LANOGDON. .  .  .  .  .  .  .  . 254
  XXV. TiE BATTLE OF MOBILE BAY .    ,  .  .  .  .  . 264
  XXVI. IN THE HOSPITAL.  .  .  .  .  .     .  .  .  . 274
X2XVII. MiSS POR.TINGTON NOT AT 11031E...  .  . .   . 284
XXVIII. THE BEN LDiu..   .  .  .  .  .  .             2...  . 94
XXIX. A LoNcG CHASF..   . . . . . . . . . . 303
  XXX. TIlE END OF TIlE REBELLION   .  .  .  .  .  .. 318


BRAVE OLD SALT.

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        BRAVE OLD SALT;

                       OR,

 LIFE ON THlE QUARTER DECK.


                CHAPTER L.

              LIEUTENANT PILLGRIM.

          AELL, Prodigy, I congratulate you on your
          promotion. I even agree with your enthu-
          siastic admirers, who say that no young
man better deserves his advancement than you," said
Miss Kate Portington, standing in the entry of her
father's house at Newport, holding Mr. Ensign John
Somers by the hand.
  "Thank you, Miss Portington," replied the young offi-
cer, with a blush caused as much by the excitement of
that happy moment, as by the handsome compliment paid
by the fair girl, who, 'we are compelled to acknowledge,
had formed no inconsiderable portion of the young man's
thoughts, hopes, and aspirations during the preceding
year.
                                       (11)

 
2BRAV E OLD SALT, OR


  John Somers had been examined by the board of
naval officers appointed for the purpose, had been tri-
umphantly passed, and promoted to the rank he now
held. A short furlotugrh had been granted to him, and
he had just come from Pinchbrook, where lie had spent a
week. A visit to Newport was now almost as indispen-
sable as one to the home of his childhood, and on his
way to join the ship to which he had been ordered, he
paused to discharge this pleasing duity.
  Ensign Somers was dressed in a new uniform, and a
certain boyish look, for which lie was partly indebted to
the short jacket he had worn as a midshipman, had van-
ished. Perhaps Miss Portington felt that the pertness,
not to say impudence, with which she had formerly
treated him, though allowable, under a liberal toleration,
towards a boy, would hardly be justifiable in her inter-
course with a young man. Though, from the force of
habit, she called him "Prodigy," there was a certain
maidenly. reserve in her manner, which rather puzzled
Somers, and he could not help asking himself what he
had done to cause this slight chill in her tones and
actions.
  U ndoubtedly it -was the frock coat which produced this
refrigerating effect; but it was a very elegant and well-
fashioned garment, having the shoulder straps on which
glistened the "foul anchor," indicating his new rank,
andl cach sleexe being adorned with a single gold band on


k2

 
LIFE ON THE QUARTER DECK.


the cuff, also indicative of his new position. The cap,
which he now held in his laud, was decorated with a
band of gold lace, and bore on its front the appropriate
naval emblem. In strict accordance with the traditions
of the navy, lie wore kid gloves, without which a naval
officer, on a ceremonial occasion, would be as incomplete
as a ship without a rudder.
  We have no means of knowing what Mr. Ensign
Somers thougght of himself in his " new rig," which cer-
tainly fitted with admirable nicety, and gave him an ap-
pearance of maturity which he did not possess when we
last saw him on the quarter deck of the Rosalie. We
will venture to assert, however, that he felt like a man,
and fully believed that he was one - a commendable
scutimcet in a person of his years, inasmuch as, if he
feels like a man, he is the more likely to act like one.
As we can hardly suppose he soared above all the vani-
ties of his impressible period of life, it is more than
probable that he regarded himself as a very good looking
young fellow; which brilliant suggestion was, no doubt,
wholly or in part due to the new uniform he wore.
  If not wholly above the weakness of a young man of
twenty, possibly he had a great deal of confidence in his
own knowledge and ability, regarded some of the vet-
crans of the navy as " old fogies," and looked upon his
own father as " a slow coach." But we must do Mr.
Somers the justice to say that he tried to be humble in
               2


13

 
BRAVE OLD SALT, OR


his estimate of himself, and to bear the honors he had
won with meekness; that he endeavored to crush down
and mortify that overweening self-sufficiency which dis-
torts and disfigures the character of many estimable
young men. His native bashfulness had, in some meas-
ure, been overcome by his intercourse with the world,
and the humility of his nature, though occasionally as-
saulted by the accident of a new coat and an extra sup-
ply of gold lace, or by the hearty commendations of his
superiors, was genuine, and, in the main, saved him from
the besetting sin of his years.
  Standing in the presence of Miss Kate Portington,
after an absence of several months, wearing a new coat
glittering with the laurels he had won on the blood-
stained decks of the nation's ships, he would have been
more than human if he had not felt proud of what he
was, and what he had done - proud, not vain. Ile was
happy, holding the hand of her who had occupied so
large a place in his thoughts, and whose image had
fringed with roseate hues his brightest hopes and strong-
est aspirations.
  Kate was not so free with him as she had been, and
her reserve annoyed and perplexed him. He had antici-
pated a much warmer welcome than that which greeted
him on his arrival. He was slightly disappointed,
though there was nothing in her manner for which he
could have reproached her, even if their relations had


14

 LIFE ON THE QUARTER DECK.


been more intimate than they were.  She was less
stormy, but still gentle and kind; a little more distant
in manner, though her looks and words assured him
she regarded him with undiminished interest. Had he
known that the elegant frock coat he wore produced the
cbill in the lady which so vexed and disconcerted him,
lie would willingly have exichanged it for the short jacket
in which he had won his promotion.
  They were standing in the entry. When the servant
admitted M1r. Somers, Kate had heard his voice, and
perhaps from prudential motives - for there was a visitor
in the parlor - she had preferred to meet him in the hall.
  "Y You have been very fortunate, Mr. Somers," added
site, gently releasing her hand from that of the ensign.
  Mr. Somers, instead of "1 Prodigy"!
  "I have. I don't deserve my promotion, I know;
but I could not help taking it when it was within my
reach," replied Somers; and her words, though so
slighltly chilled that the frigid tone could not have been
noticed by any one who did not expect an unreasonable
wiarmnth, took half the conceit out of him, and let him
dlown a long reach from the high hopes and brilliant
expectations with which hie had looked forward tW this
meeCtingo.
  "On the contrary, Mr. Somers, I think you deserve
even more titan you have received."
  "Thank you, Miss Portington ; you were always more
lavish of kind words than I deserved."


15

 
BRA VE OLD SALT, OR


  "Why, Prodigy-"
  She suddenly checked herself.  It was evident to
Somers that she intended to say something pert or saucy.
Perhaps she choked down the impertinent words from
the fear that the honorable secretary of the navy,
if such wild and wayward young ladies as herself were
permitted to contaminate the plushy air of Newport so-
ciety, would remove the Naval Academy back to Annap-
olis, where it is better to be "s proper " than to be loyal.
  4" You were about to say something, Miss Portington,"
said Somers.
  "I was, but it was saucy."
  "I am sorry you did not say it."
  'I am glad I did not, for you must know, Mr. Somers,
that mother has scolded me so much for being saucy,
that I have solemnly resolved to be proper in all things
hcnceforth and forevermore."
  " I am sorry for it," answered Somers, with unaffected
earnestness.
  "I Sorry, you wretch"
  Somers laugghed.
  " There's another slip. I have done my best to re-
form my life. I am afraid I shall never succeed. Now,
Prodigy -"
  Somers laughed again.
  "Again !" exclaimed Kate.
  "I wish to ask one favor of you, Miss Portington."


16

 LIFE ON THE QUARTER DECK.


  "s It would afford me more pleasure to grant it, than it
does you to ask it. Name it."
  " That you will never call me Prodigy again."
  "I had firmly resolved before you came never to do
it," laughed she.
  "5NWell, I only asked it in order to help along your
good resolutions."
  "Then you are making fun of me"
  "Like yourself, I am very serious."
  "But I am in earnest, Mr. Somers; I mean to re-
form. Now, father and mother will be very glad to see
you, M1r. Somers."
  "Your father "
  11e, was temporarily relieved to attend a court mar-
tial. He is going away again to-morrow."
  "You have other visitors"
  "Only Lieutenant Pillgrim,"
  "I have not the pleasure of his acquaintance."
  ise is a Virginian, I believe; at any rate he is from
the South, and has just been restored to his rank in the
navy."t
  Kate led the way into the parlor, where lie was first
welcomed by her mother.
  "Mr. Somers, I am glad to see you, and to congratu-
late you on your promotion," said the commodore, as he
gras)ed the hand of the young officer.
  lTiank you, sir," replied Somers. 4' The only ingrat-
               2 


17

 
i8


BRA VE OLD SALt OR


ified wish I had was that I might be appointed to your
ship."
  "My ship!"
  "1 I should have been glad to serve under so able and
distinguished a commander."
  wI wouldn't have you in ny ship,' promptly returned
the commodore, shaking his head energetically.
  Somers looked abashed, and Kate wore a troubled
expression.
  " I should endeavor to do my duty," lie added.
  " I have no doubt of it, but I wouldn't have you in
my ship."
  "Y Your remark is not very complimentary," said Som-
ers, his face beginning to flush with indignation at what
seemed to be an assault upon his professional character.
  "It is the most complimentary thing I could say to
you. And I mean what I say: I wouldn't have you in
my ship."
  "Why not, father " demanded Kate.
  "Because I like the young dog, and because I believe
in discipline. I never indulge in partiality on board my
ship, and it is better to keep out of temptation. I am
under obligations to you, Mr. Somers; I am happy to
acknowledge them, but thley must not come between me
and duty. Mr. Somers, Lieutenant Pillgrim," continued
Commodore Portington, turning to the visitor.
  Somers looked at the officer thus indicated, and as his

 
LIFE ON THlE QUARTER DECK.


eyes rested upon him, lhe started back with a momentary
astonishment, for the face had a strange look of familiar-
ity to him.
   " Mr. Somers, I am happy to meet and to know you.
Your name and reputation are already familiar to me."
   "I am glad to know you, sir," replied Somers, with
some confusion. "Y Your face looks so familiar to me,
that I think we must have met before."
  " Never, to my knowledge," answered the lieutenant,
with easy self-possession.
   "I was quite sure I had seen you before."
   "Possibly; I do not remember it, however."
   "If I had met you without the favor of an introdud-
tion, I should certainly have claimed the honor of your
acquaintance."
  " I should have been proud to be so claimed, but I
must confess you would have had the advantage of me."
  "Of course, I must be mistaken, as you suggest."
  "It is not unlikely that we have met in some ante-
room where we were dancing attendance on the powers
that be, in search of employment; but I am quite sure,
Mr. Somers, that I should have been proud and happy
to number you among my friends."
  " It is not too late now," said the commodore.
  " Certainly not. I should be but too happy to have
as my friend one who has served his country so faith-
fully," added Mr. Piligrim, as he bowed gracefully to


19

 
BRA VE OLD SALT, 0R


Somers, " especially as I understand we are appointed
to the same ship."
  "Indeed! "
  "I am ordered to the Chatauqua.Y
  "So am I."
  "Then, Mr. Pillgrim, you will take care of our Prod-
igy; you will be excellent friends, I trust," said Kate,
beginning very impulsively in her old way, and suddenly
checking herself when her resolution to be " proper"
interposed itself.
  "What is the matter, Kate Have you and Mr.
Somers had a falling out" demanded the commodore.
  "0, no, father."
  "You talk as though you had had a quarrel, and for
a moment had forgotten to be savage."
  "We have had no quarrel, pa," replied Kate, blush-
ing. " I was going to be saucy, but ma says I must not
be saucy, and I shalt not be saucy any more. I only
hoped the two gentlemen who are going to live together
in the same ship would be good friends."
  "Of course they will. Officers never quarrel."
  "Perhaps they don't; but they are not always as good
friends as I hope these gentlemen will be," laughed Kate.
  " Perhaps he will be my friend for your sake, if he is
not for mine," added Pillgrim.
  "I do not wish that. I don't like to have anybody
do anything for my sakc, unless it be to take paregoric
when I am sick."


20

 
LIFE ON THE QUARTER DECK.


   " I trust I shall not be paregoric to him," said Pill-
grim.
   "Then he will not take you for my sake."
   "As Lieutenant Pillirim, is my superior officer, I
should be likely to court his good will, and prize his
friendship very highly. If we are not friends, I am
sure it will not be my fault."
  At this moment the dinner bell rang; and although
Somers did not feel intimate enougll with the family to
invite himself to dine, lie was easily prevailed upon to
remain, and gallantly gave his arm to Mrs. Portington,
as Kate, for some wayward reason of her own, had
already seized upon that of Lieutenant PillgTim.
  At the table Somers sat opposite the lieutenant, and
he found it impossible to avoid looking upon him with a
strange and undefinable interest. Since his first glance
at the commodore's visitor, who seemed to be on the best
of terms with the family, he had been perplexed by some
strange misgivings. He could not banish from his mind
an assurance that he had seen him before; that he had
talked with him, and even been, to some extent, intimate
with him.
  The thought that Kate was somewhat changed in her
demeanor towards him did not contribute to increase his
satisfaction. She had contrived to take the lieutenant's
arm instead of his own, and perhaps he had come as the
successor of Phil Kennedy, who had been reputed to


21

 
22             BRA VE OLD SALT, OR

be high in her good graces. But Mr. Pillgrim was a
gentleman of thirty-five, at least, and this was not proba-
ble, in his view of the matter. Somers, being disinter-
ested, was more worried to know when, where, and
under what circumstances he had met the lieutenant.


LIFE ON THE QUAR`TE'R DEACK.


                CHAPTER XI.

                WAITING FOR TILE SHIP.

       J3IERS was utterly unable to satisfy himself in
        regard to Lieutenant Pillgrim. The face was
        certainly familiar to him, not as a combination
of remembered features, but rather as an expression. To
him the eye seemed to be the whole of the man, and its
gaze would haunt him, though his memory refused to
identify it with any time, place, or circumstances.
Though his reason compelled him to believe that lie was
mistaken, and that Mr. Piligrim. was actually a stranger,
his consciousness of having seen, and even of having been
intimate with, the gentleman, most obstinately refused to
be shaken.
  "O of course, gentlemen, you have no idea to what point
the Chatauqua has been ordered" said the commodore.
  "I have not," replied Mr. Pillgrim.
  "I have heard it said that she was going to the Gulf,"
added Somers.
  " Very likely; there are two points where extensive
naval operations are likely to be undertaken - at Mobile


23

 
BRAVE OLD SALT, OR


and at Wilmington. The rebellion has had so many
hard knocks that the bottom must drop out before many
months."
  " I am afraid the end is farther off than most people at
the North are willing to believe," said Mr. Pillgrim.
  "Every thing looks hopeful. If we can contrive to
batter down Fort Fisher, and open Mobile Bay, the
rebels may count the mouths of their Confederacy on
their fingers.""
  " I think there is greater power of resistance left in
the South, than we give it the credit for."
  "The rebels have fought well; what of it " continued
the commodore, who did not seem to be pleased with the
style of the lieutenant's remarks.
  " As fighting men, we can hardly fail to respect those
who have fought so bravely as the people of the South."
  "People of the South!" sneered the commodore.
"Why don't you call them rebels"
  "Of course that is what I mean," answered Mr. Pill-
grim, a slight flush visible on his cheek.
  " If you mean it, why don't you say it Call things
by their right names. The people of the South are not
all rebels. Why, confound it, Farragut is a Southerner;
so is General Anderson; so are a hundred men, who have
distinguished themselves in putting down treason. It's
an insult to these men to talk about the people of the
South as rebels."


24

 
LIFE ON THE QUARTER DECK.


   " I agree with you, Commodore Portington, and what
 I said was only a form of expression."
   4c Icas a very bad form of expression. Why, man, you
 are a Southerner yourself."
   "I am; and I suppose that is what makes me so
 proud of the good fighting the people of the South - I
 mean the rebels - have done. We can't help respecting
 men who have behaved with so much gallantry."
   " Can't we " exclaimed the cormmodore, with a sneer
so wholesome and honest, that Lieutenant Pillrim with-
cred under it. s" I can help it. I have no respect for
rebels and traitors under any circumstances."
  "'Nor I, as rebels and traitors," replied Pillgrim,
mildly.
  " As rebels and traitors! I don't like these fine-spun
distinctions. If a man is a traitor, call him so, and
swing him up on the fore-yard arm, where lie belongs."
  "You are willing to acknowledge that the rebels have
fought well in this war" added the lieutenant.
  "They have fought well: I don't deny it."
  "And you appreciate gallant conduct"
  "That depends on the cause. No, sir! I don't appre-
ciate gallant conduct on the part of rebels and traitors.
It is not gallant conduct; and the better they fight, the
mnore wicked they are."
    I can hardly take your view of the case."
  "Can't you The best fighting I ever saw in my life
                    3


25

 
26  BRAVE OLD SALT, OR


was en the deck of a pirate ship. The black-hearted
villains fought like demons. Not a man of them would
yield the breadth of a hair. We had to cut them down
like dogs.  Is piracy respectable because these men
fought well"
  "Certainly not; but the bravery of such men -
  "Nonsense! I know what you are going to say; but
you can't separate the pirate. from his piracy, nor the
traitor from his treason," replied the commodore, warm-
ly. " The other day I saw a little dirty urchin fighting
with his mother. The young cub had run away, I sup-
pose, and the woman was dragging him back to the
house. Ile was not more than six years old, but he
displayed a power of resistance which rather astonished
me. He kicked, bit, scratched, and yelled like a young
tiger.  He called his mother everything but a lady.
The poor woman tugged at him with all her strength,
but the little rascal was almost a match for her.  I
wanted to take him by the nape of the neck, and shake
the ugly out of him: nothing but my fixed principles of
neutrality prevented me from doing so. I suppose, Mr.
Pillgrim, you would leave sympathized with the brat,
because he fought bravely."
  "hardly," replied the lieutenant, laughing at the simile.
  "But he fought like a tiger, and displayed no mean
strategy in his rebellious warfare. Of course lie was
worthy of your admiration" sneered the commodore.


26

 
LIFE ON THE QUARTER DECK.


   "That's hardly a fair comparison."
   " The fairest in the world. The rebels have insulted
their own mother - the parent that fostered, protected,
and loved them. They undertook to run away from her;
and when she attempts to bring them back to their duty,
they kick, and scratch, and bite; and you admire them
because they fight well."
  "I stand convicted, Commodore Portington. I never
took this view of the matter; I acknowledge that you
are right," said Mr. Pillgrim.
  Somers, who had been an attentive listener to the con-
versation, thought the lieutenant yielded very gracefully,
and much more readily than could have been expected;
but then the logician was a commodore, and perhaps it
was prudence and politeness on his part to agree with
his powerful superior.
  After dinner the party took a ride to the beach and to
the Glen; and after an early tea, Somers and Pillgrim,,
who were to be fellow-passengers to Philadelphia, where
the Chatauqua was fitting out, began to demionstrate in
the direction of their departure. hate, though she. had
been tolerably playful during the afternoon, had, in the
main, carried out her good resolution to be proper. She
had not been impudent -hardly pert; and deprived of
this convenient inask for whatever kindness she might
have entertained towards the young ensign, she seemed
to be very cold and indifferent to hinm. She was more


27

 
28  BRAVE OLD SALT, OR


thoughtful, serious, and earnest than when they had met
on former occasions. IHle could not help asking himself
what he had done to produce this marked change in her
conduct.
  "1 Good by, Miss Portington," said he, when he had
taken leave of her father and mother.
  "1 Good by, Mr. Somers. Shall I hear from you when
you reach your station  " she asked, presenting her hand.
  "If you desire it."
  "If I desire it! Why, Mr. Somers, you forget that I
am deeply interested in your success."
  "Perhaps, if I do anything of which you would care to
learn, the newspapers may inform you of the fact," re-
plied Somers, with a kind of grim smile, which seemed
actually to alarm poor Kate.
  " I would rather hear it from you."
  "I judge that you are more interested in my suc-
cess than you are in me."
  " Ah, M1r. Somers, you cannot separate the pirate
from his piracy, pa said; nor the hero from his heroism,
let me add."
  "Thank you, Mliss Portington."
  "I cannot forget how deeply indebted we are to you,
Mr. Somers."
  " I wish you could."
  "Why do you wish so" demanded the astonished
maiden; more astonished at his manner than his words.


28

 
LIFE ON THE QUARTER DECK.


   "I am sorry to have you burdened with such a weight
of obligation."
   "I think you mean to quarrel with me, Mr. Somers.
I beg you will not be so savage just as you are going
away," laughed Kate, though there was a troubled ex-
pression on her fair face. "I asked you if I should hear
from you, Mr. Somers."
  "Certainly, if you desire."
  "Why do you qualify your words I should be just
as glad to hear from you as I ever was."
  "Then you shall, at every opportunity."
  "Thank you, Mr. Somers. 'That sounds hearty and
honest, as father would say."
  " I do not wish you to feel an interest in me from a
sense of duty. I shall not write any letters from a sense
of duty, or even because I have promised to do so. I
shall write to you because - because I can't help it,"
stammered Somers, almost overcome by the violence of
his exertions.
  " I thank you, Mr. Somers, and I am sure your letters
will be all the more welcome from my knowledge of the
fact."
  "Good by," said he, gently pressing the little hand he
held.
  " Good by," she replied; and to his great satisfaction
and delihlit, the pressure was returned -- a kind of tele-


29

 
BRAVE OLD SALT OR


graphic signal, infinitely more expressive than all the
words in the spelling-book, strung into sentences, could
have been to a young man in his desperate condition.
  Mr. Ensign Somers was now entirely satisfied. That
gentle pressure of the hand had atoned for all her reserve
and coldness, real or imaginary, and made the future
bright and pleasant to look upon. Undoubtedly Mr.
Somers was a silly young fellow; but there is some con-
solation in believing that he was just like all young men
under similar circumstances.
  Mr. Pillgrim followed him out of the house, and they
hastened down to the wharf to take the steamer for New
York. On the passage the two officers treated each
other with courtesy and consideration, but there appeared
to be no strong sympathy of thought or feeling between
them, and they were not drawn so closely together as
they might have been under similar circumstances, if
there had been move of opinion and sentiment common
between them.
  On their arrival at Philadelphia, they found the Cha-
tauqua was still in the bands of the workmen, and would
not go into commission for a week or ten days. They
reported to the commandant of the navy yard, and took
up their quarters at the " Continental," where Somers
found his old friend Mr. Waldron, who had been de-
tached from the Roialie at his own request, and ordered to
the Chatauqua, in which he was to serve as executive


30

 
LIFE ON THE QUARTER DECK.


officer. -This was splendid news to Somers, for he re-
garded Mr. Waldron as a true and trusty friend, in
whom he could with safety confide.
   "' Do you know Lieutenant Pillgrim " asked Somers,
 after they had discussed their joint information in regard
 to the new ship.
   " I am not personally acquainted with him, though I
have heard his name mentioned. He is a Virginian, I
think."
   "Yes."
   "If I mistake not, there were some doubts about his
loyalty, though he never tendered his resignation; he has
been kept in the background."
  "lIe seems to be a loyal and true man."
  "No doubt of it, or he would not have been appointed
to the Chatauqua."
  "lIe h as some respect for the rebels, but no sympathy."
  "I think he has frequently applied for employment,
but has not obtained it until the present time. I have no
doubt lie is a good fellow and a good officer. He ranks
next to me. Blut, Somers, I leave town in half an hour,"
continued Mr. Waldron, consulting his watch. " I am
going to run home for a few days, till the ship goes into
commission. I will see you, here on my return."
  Somers walked to the railroad station with his late
commander, and parted with him as the train started.
During the t</pre>