Frank on the Lower Mississippi | Page 6

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 have received instructions from the admiral to make you
the executive officer of this vessel. Mr. Kearney's resignation has been
accepted, and you will take his place. I am certain, from what I know
and have heard of your past history, that I shall have no cause to regret
the change."
After a few moments' conversation with the captain upon unimportant

matters, the cousins returned to the wardroom.
Frank's constant attention to his duties had again been rewarded, and he
was now the second in authority on board the vessel. All orders from
the captain must pass through him, and in the absence of that
gentleman he became commander. To say that Frank was delighted
would but feebly express his feelings; he was proud of the honor, and
determined that he would prove himself worthy of it. In fact, he had
now reached the height of his ambition, although he had little dreamed
that it would come so soon. He asked nothing more. He had worked
hard and faithfully ever since he had entered the service, but in
receiving the appointment of executive officer he felt amply rewarded.
He was young in years for so responsible a position, but he had no fears
of his ability to perform all the duties required of him, for the routine of
ship life had become as familiar to him as was the road from Lawrence
to his quiet little home on the banks of Glen's Creek. But his promotion
did not affect him as it does a great many who suddenly find
themselves possessed of power. He did not "stand upon his rank," nor
in his intercourse with his messmates endeavor to keep constantly
before their minds the fact that he was the second in command. Those
who have been in the service--especially in the navy--will recall to
mind incidents of this character; but our hero never forgot the respect
he owed to his superiors, and his conduct toward those under him was
marked by the same kindness he had always shown them.
Frank knew that he had something of a task before him. Although he
could now turn into his bunk at night without being called upon to
stand his regular watch, he had more difficult duties to perform. He was
responsible for the manner in which affairs were conducted about decks,
for the neat appearance of the vessel and of the men; and as the former
executive officer had been rather careless in this respect, Frank knew
that his first move must be made in that direction.
For the next two days, as the rebels did not trouble them, Frank worked
early and late, and the results of his labor were soon made apparent.
Every one remarked the improved appearance of the men, who, at the
Sunday morning muster, appeared on deck in spotless uniforms and

well-blacked shoes. After the roll had been called, and the captain, in
company with Frank, proceeded to inspect the vessel, the young officer
knew that his improvements had been appreciated when the former,
who was an old sailor, said, with a smile of satisfaction:
"Mr. Nelson, this begins to look something like a ship, sir. This really
looks like business. The admiral may come here now and inspect the
vessel as soon as he pleases."
The next morning, as Frank sat at the table in the wardroom, engaged
in answering the letters he had received by the dispatch-boat, and
Archie was in his office straightening out his books and papers, a bullet
came suddenly crashing through the cabin--a signal that the rebels had
again made their appearance. Frank, who had become accustomed to
such interruptions, deliberately wiped his pen, corked his ink-stand, and
was carefully putting away his letters, when there was a hurrying of
feet in the office; the door flew open, and Archie, divested of his coat,
bounded into the cabin, exclaiming:
"A fellow can't tell when he's safe in this country. I wish I was back in
the fleet-paymaster's office. I wouldn't mind a good