could not long exist without some one to take charge of it; but for
himself he was not at all concerned. He had paid no initiation fee,
because no one had asked him for it, and he knew that as long as there
were provisions in the paymaster's store-rooms, there was no danger but
that he would get plenty to eat. He found three or four officers in the
pantry making their dinner on hard-tack, pickles, and raw bacon. They
were all grumbling over the hard fare, but not one of them appeared
willing to assume the office of caterer.

Things went on in this way for nearly a week, (during which time they
had arrived at their station,) and the doctor, who was fond of good
living, could stand it no longer. He went to the caterer who had
resigned, and, after considerable urging, and a solemn promise that
politics should not again be discussed in the mess, the latter was
persuaded to resume the management of affairs. The change from hard
crackers and pickles to nice warm meals was a most agreeable one, and
the jolly doctor, according to promise, was very careful what questions
were brought up before the mess for discussion.

By this time, as we have before remarked, the Boxer had arrived at her
station. Her crew thought they were now about to lead a life of idleness
and inactivity, for not a rebel had they seen since leaving Vicksburg.
But one morning, while the men were engaged in washing off the
forecastle, they were startled by a roar of musketry, and three of the
sailors fell dead upon the deck.

The fight that followed continued for two hours, the rebels finally
retiring, not because they had been worsted, but for the reason that
they had grown weary of the engagement. This was the commencement of a
series of attacks which proved to be the source of great annoyance to