Frank on the Lower Mississippi | Page 5

and finally went out.
"The next evening, just as I was locking up my desk, he came in again, and I repeated what I had told him the night before, that he must come at nine o'clock in the _morning_--not at night--if he wished to see the captain, and he went out, after making noise enough with his squeaking boots to set a nervous man's teeth on edge. Now, would you believe it, that evening, after I had finished my work, and was starting out for supper, I saw this man coming up the stairs. He met me with the usual question, 'Is the captain in?' and I suddenly hit upon a plan to get rid of him, for I had made up my mind that the man didn't know what he was about; so I replied:
"'What do you want? Why don't you come here during our office hours, if you want to see me?'
"I spoke in a gruff voice, and I was so bundled up--for the night was very cold--that I knew he wouldn't recognize me.
"'I've been busy all day, cap'in,' said he; 'but the fact is'--
"I was afraid that I would be obliged to stand there in the cold and listen to a long, uninteresting yarn, so I interrupted him.
"'Speak quick, and don't keep me waiting.'
"'Wal, cap'in,' said he, 'I heerd you are in want of officers, an' I come to get a place for my son; I hear the wages are purty good.'
"'Yes,' I replied, 'we do want officers; but does your son know anything about a ship?'
"'Oh, yes? He's run the river as deck-hand for goin' nigh on to three year.'
"'Then he ought to know something, certainly. Come around tomorrow morning, at nine o'clock exactly, and I'll see what can be done for you. Now, mind, I say nine o'clock in the morning.'
"Well, the next morning, at the appointed time, to my utter astonishment, the man was on hand, and, as usual, commenced walking up and down the floor with his squeaking boots. The noise disturbed everyone within hearing, and presently the captain, who was in his office, and so busy that he hardly knew what he was about, spoke in a sharp tone:
"'Orderly, pull off those squeaking boots!'
"'It isn't me, sir.' said the orderly; 'it's a gentleman out here waiting to see you, sir.'
"'Then send him in--send him in at once, so that I can get rid of that noise.'
"The man was accordingly shown into the presence of the captain, while I listened with both ears to hear what was said.
"'Mornin', cap'in,' he began; 'I reckon I'm here on time.'
"'Time! what time? What do you want?' inquired the captain, who always spoke very fast, as though he were in a hurry to get through with what he had to say. 'What do you want, my good man. Be lively now.'
"'Why, cap'in, I come here to get that appointment for my son in this ere navy.'
"'Appointment! For your son!' repeated the captain. 'Who is he? I never heard of him.'
"'Wal, really now, cap'in, I'll be shot if you didn't tell me last night that you would make my son an officer. The wages are good, I hear, an' as I've a debt to pay off on the farm'--
"'Don't bother me!' interrupted the captain, beginning to get impatient.
"'But, cap'in,' urged the man, 'you can't bluff me off this 'ere way. You told me last night that you wanted officers; you know I met you on the stairs, and you promised, honor bright.'
"'Eh!' ejaculated the captain, in surprise,'my good man, allow me to know what I'm about, will you? Will you allow me to know myself? Orderly,' he continued, turning to that individual, who had stood by, convulsed with laughter, which he was vainly endeavoring to conceal, 'orderly, do you think this man is in his right mind?'
"The orderly said he didn't know; but, taking the man by the arm, showed him out of the office, telling him to come again, when the captain was not quite so busy.
"The conversation had been carried on in a loud tone, and all the occupants of the different offices had heard it, and were highly amused, for they knew that somebody had been playing a joke on the countryman; but it was a long time before I told anyone of the share I had had in the affair."

CHAPTER II.
A Night Expedition.
"The captain wishes to see you, gentlemen!" said the orderly, stepping up and saluting.
The cousins repaired to the cabin, and after Archie had been introduced to the captain (for being utterly ignorant of the manner in which things were conducted on shipboard, he had not yet reported his arrival), his orders were indorsed, and the captain, turning to his desk, ran his eye hastily over an official document, and said:
"Mr. Nelson, I