Perkins gave earnest of those qualities which in his young manhood the
rude tests of the sea and the grim crises of war developed to the full.
"No matter" was his first plainly spoken phrase, a hint of childish
obstinacy that foreshadowed the persistence of maturer years. Among
other feats of his boyish daring, it is told that when a mere child,
hardly into his first trousers, he went one day to catch a colt in one
of his father's fields bordering on the Contoocook. The colt declined to
be caught and after a sharp scamper took to the river and swam across.
Nothing daunted, the plucky little urchin threw off his jacket, plunged
into the swift current, and safely breasting it, was soon in hot pursuit
on the other side; and after a long chase and hard tussle made out to
catch the spirited animal and bring him home in triumph. Always
passionately fond of animals and prematurely expert in all out-door
sports, he thus early began to master that noblest of beasts, the horse.

When eight years old, his father removed with his family to Boston, and,
investing his means in shipping, engaged for a time in trade with the
west coast of Africa. The son was apt to run about the wharves with his
father, and the sight of the ships and contact with "Jack" doubtless
awoke the taste for the sea, that was to be gratified later on.

Returning to the old homestead on the Contoocook after the lapse of two
years or more, the old, quiet, yet for young boyhood, frolicsome
out-door life was resumed, and the lad grew apace amid the rural scenes
and ample belongings of that generous home; not over studious, perhaps,
and chafing, as boys will, at the restraint imposed by the study of
daily lessons and their recital to his mother.

At twelve years of age, he was sent to the Hopkinton Academy, and
afterwards to the academy at Gilmanton. While at Gilmanton, General