passage in the receipt of letters from home, and in the joyous meetings
with old friends. All admired the fine climate, and, as that part of
South America is the greatest country in the world for horses, the young
sailing-master rejoiced in the opportunity offered to indulge in his
favorite pastime of riding. He also showed his prowess as a devotee of
the chase in the fine sport afforded on the pampas that enabled him to
run down and shoot a South American tiger.

Meanwhile Commodore Shubrick, in command of the expedition, had
completed his preparations for ascending the Parana, and the fleet soon
moved up to a convenient point, the Commodore himself continuing on up
the river in a small vessel to Corrientes to meet Lopez and convey to
him the ultimatum of the United States. After some "backing and
filling," as an old salt would characterize diplomacy, Lopez concluded
"discretion to be the better part of valor," and making a satisfactory
_amende_, the Paraguayan war came to a bloodless end, and the hopes of
expectant heroes with visions of promotion dissolved like summer clouds.

Young Perkins was now, August, 1858, transferred to the frigate Sabine
for passage home to his examination for the grade of passed midshipman.
Passing that ordeal satisfactorily, aided by handsome commendatory
letters from his commanding officers, he spent three happy months at
home, and then received orders for duty on board the steamer Sumter, as
acting master, the destination of that vessel being the west coast of
Africa, where, in accordance with the provisions of Article 8 of the
Webster-Ashburton treaty (1842), the United States maintained a
squadron, carrying not less than eighty guns, in co-operation with the
British government, for the suppression of the slave trade. That article
continued in active observance nineteen years, when the United States,
having a little question of slavery to settle at home, gave the