and pretty soon an interpreter came, one of the Chinese professors,
who was educated abroad, and we talked and drank tea. He said I
had done well, that he had the authority of the Viceroy to take me
there as 'Professor' of seamanship and gunnery; in addition I might
be required to teach navigation or nautical astronomy, or drill the
cadets in infantry, artillery, and fencing. For this I was to receive
what would be in our money $1,800 per annum, as near as we can
compare it, paid in gold each month. Besides, I will have a house
furnished for my use, and it is their intention, as soon as I _show_
that I _know_ something, to considerably increase my pay. They
asked the Viceroy to give me 130 T per month (about $186) and
house, but the Viceroy said I was _but a boy_; that I had seen no
years and had only come here a week ago with no one to vouch for
me, and that I might turn out an impostor. But he would risk 100 T
on me anyhow, and as soon as I was reported favorably on by the
college I would be raised--the agreement is to be for three years.
For a few months I am to command a training ship--an ironclad
that is in dry dock at present, until a captain in the English Navy
comes out, who has been sent for to command her.

"_So Here I am_--twenty-four years old and captain of a
man-of-war--a better one than any in our own navy--only for a
short time, of course, but I would be a pretty long time before I
would command one at home. Well--I accepted and will enter on
my duties in a week, as soon as my house is put in order. I saw
it--it has a long veranda, very broad; with flower garden, apricot
trees, etc., just covered with blossoms; a wide hall on the front, a
room about 18x15, with a 13-foot ceiling; then back another rather
larger, with a cupola skylight in the centre, where I am going to
put a shelf with flowers. The Government is to furnish the house