to make application for the position. He immediately wrote to his
father, informing him of his intention, procured his letters of
recommendation, and a month afterward received the appointment.

Hearing, through Frank, that the Boxer was without a paymaster, he
succeeded in getting ordered to her, and, as he had not written to his
cousin of his good fortune, the latter, as may be supposed, was taken
completely by surprise.

Archie was speedily introduced to the officers of the vessel, who were
pleased with his off-hand, easy manners, and delighted with the looks of
a small safe which he had brought with him, for they knew, by the very
particular orders he gave concerning it, that there was money in it.

At the end of an hour the rebels seemed to grow weary of the fight, for
they drew off their forces; then, as soon as it was safe on deck, the
cousins seated themselves on the guard, to "talk over old times." Frank
gave descriptions of the fights in which he had engaged since they last
met, and also related stories of mess-room life, with which Archie was
entirely unacquainted; and to show him how things were conducted, told
him of the jokes the officers frequently played upon each other.

"Speaking of jokes," said Archie, "reminds me of a little affair I had a
hand in at Cairo.

"While the commandant of the station was absent on a leave, his place
was supplied by a gentleman whom, for short, I will call Captain Smith.
He was a regular officer, had grown gray in the service, and was one of
the most eccentric men I ever saw. He was extremely nervous, too, and if
a steamer happened to whistle while passing the wharf-boat, it would