down the river by this time."

It was evident that he was fast becoming disgusted with his first
attempt at "steamboating," but was too proud to ask advice. At length he
turned and walked into the cabin, muttering, "I guess they will get it
untied before night." But Frank was unwilling to wait so long. The delay
was entirely unnecessary, and he had begun to get impatient.

"Men," said he, addressing himself to the cutter's crew, who were
convulsed with laughter, "some of you run out that gang-plank, and
another slack up that line."

These orders were promptly obeyed, and the difficulty was easily
overcome.

"All gone, sir," shouted Frank to the pilot, meaning that the line was
cast off, and in a few moments the transport swung off from the bank,
and was plowing her way down the river. Frank leaned over the railing,
and wondered how a man so utterly ignorant of the management of a
steamer, as was the lieutenant, came to be put in command, and at a
time, too, when they might be placed in situations that would call into
requisition all the skill and judgment of experienced men. He did not at
all like the appearance of the young commander, for he was of the type
of officers known as "upstarts," who like to show their authority, but
are without the ability to successfully fill even the post of corporal.
What if the transport should be fired upon and disabled? It was evident
that in such an emergency nothing could be expected of a man who could
not cast off a line. Frank's commission was too important to be
intrusted to the care of such a man, and the young officer felt that he
would much rather step into the cutter, and trust to the skill and