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 THE LIBRARY 
 
 OF 
 
 THE UNIVERSITY 
 
 OF CALIFORNIA 
 
 LOS ANGELES
 
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 With what pride he gazed upon the work of his hands ! I'ape 26.
 
 

 
 IWILLBEASAILOR 
 
 A BOOK FOR BOYS, 
 
 MRS. L. C. TUTHILL. 
 
 BOSTON: 
 CllOSBY AND NICHOLS 
 
 NEW YORK: . S . FELT. 
 1863.
 
 Entered according to Act of Congress, in the year 1863, by 
 
 CROSBY AND NICHOLS, 
 
 in the Clerk's Office of the District Court for the District of Massachusetts. 
 
 University Press: 
 
 Welch, Bigelow, and Company, 
 
 Cambridge.
 
 dc, 
 
 CONTENTS 
 
 SRLF 
 
 Chap. Paqe 
 
 I. The Ship-Builder 1 
 
 II. A Sea-Fight 6 
 
 III. Tom Brunt 19 
 
 IV. The Brooklyn Navy- Yard .... 31 
 V. Asking Consent 41 
 
 VI. Old Ocean 45 
 
 VII. The Mother's Prayer 51 
 
 VIII. Home 60 
 
 IX. Our English Cousin 66 
 
 X. The Sea-Chest 78 
 
 XI. Heroes 82 
 
 XII. Letter from Larry 89 
 
 Xin. Tom Brunt's Sister 93 
 
 XIV. Going Ashore 103 
 
 XV. A Surprise 109 
 
 XVI. Washington 113 
 
 XVIL "Dixie" 123 
 
 XVUI. Barefoot Travelling 138 
 
 622730
 
 IV CONTENTS. 
 
 XIX. Off, off and away 149 
 
 XX. The Byword 156 
 
 XXI. The wounded Sailor 164 
 
 XXII. New Orleans 175 
 
 XXIII. Farragut and Porter 180 
 
 XXIV. "Don't gia'e up the Ship" . . . .191
 
 I WILL BE A SAILOR. 
 
 CHAPTER I 
 
 THE Snir-BUILDER. 
 
 " Larky, put away your tools, and gather up 
 the chips. You ought to be at school by this 
 time." 
 
 "Why, mother, this ship is just now the most 
 important thing in tlie world to me. Tom Brunt 
 says I don't know a studdin'-sail from a mainsail, 
 nor a jib-boom from a bowsprit ; just let mc put 
 this jib-boom on to the bowsprit, for I want to 
 prove to him that I do know which from which." 
 
 The mother looked admiringly at the miniatui-e 
 ship her boy was making, but repeated her request 
 that he would hasten to school. 
 
 LaiTV, habitually obedient to the commands of 
 his mother, gave one longing, lingering look at his 
 ship, the pride of his heart, and then placed it in
 
 2 1 WILL BE A SAILOR. 
 
 a box with his tools. Hurriedly he gathered the 
 bits of wood from the carpet, for he had been 
 working in the dining-room, and then, after kissing 
 his mother, he started off, full speed, for school. 
 
 As soon as he had left the room, a gentleman 
 entered it, upon- whom sixty years had left but few 
 of the marks of time ; for his eyes were sparkling, 
 and only here and there gray hairs mingled with 
 locks of raven blackness. 
 
 The gentleman held a newspaper in his hand, 
 and, as he looked at it through his gold spectacles, 
 he exclaimed : " Squally times ! Breakers ahead, 
 my daughter ! They are disputing in Congress 
 about State rights and Slavery, and are as violent 
 and impudent as pickpockets. I am a citizen of the 
 United States, born in one State, educated in an- 
 other, and now a resident in this Keystone State, at 
 home in each and all, and I have taught my grand- 
 son Larry to love his whole country. There is a 
 disorganizing rabble in Congress, a complete nest 
 of traitors, and I wish there was a Cromwell there, 
 to drive them out of the Capitol and tell them, 
 ' the Lord has no need of them.' " 
 
 " You are excited, father, and needlessly alarmed, 
 I hope."
 
 THE SniP-BUILDER. 6 
 
 "JTo, my daughter, I am not alarmed without 
 reason. Civil war is coming upon us." 
 
 " Civil war ! O father ! don't prophesy such 
 dreadful evil ! It cannot be ! " 
 
 " It must come, for secession cannot be allowed ; 
 a nation cannot be broken up by the will of a few 
 ambitious demagogues. You might as weU behead 
 a man and call liim still a man, as to cut off any 
 part of our country and still call it the United 
 States. The thing is impossible, from the nature 
 of things. Our government is a Divine institution, 
 and must be sustained at all hazards." 
 
 ;Mr. j\Iiddlefield resumed the reading of his paper, 
 and Mrs. Lockwell, stooping to pick up some bits 
 of wood Larry had left on tlie carpet, said, partly 
 to herself: " I am too indulgent to that ho-f?, wliims ; 
 T have made the sails and the flags to his beloved 
 ship. Steamboats and ships occupy more of liis 
 time and thoughts than Greek and Latin." 
 
 "And they are a thousand times more important 
 to us just now than all the Greek and Romau 
 classics that ever were written," said Mr. !Middle- 
 field, warmly. 
 
 " But I would n't have my Lairy a ship-builder," 
 retorted the mother.
 
 4 I WILL BE A SAILOR. 
 
 " Why not ? It is an honorable and useful em- 
 ployment, demanding a high order of talent, nay, 
 mathematical and mechanical genius. Think what 
 Fulton, Stevens, and Ericsson have done for our 
 country! God grant our boy may do as much in 
 his day." 
 
 " But, father, surely you would not — " 
 
 " Please don't interrupt my reading again," said 
 Mr. Middlefield, with a flash of his dark eye, and 
 a curve of his mouth, expressive of displeasure. 
 
 That dark eye had quelled opponents in Con- 
 gress, and that deep voice had sounded through 
 both halls of the Capitol. But Mr. Middlefield, 
 disgusted with political strife, had declined a re- 
 election, and had retired to private life, and the 
 quiet occupation of a farmer, in beautiful Lancas- 
 ter County, Pennsylvania. 
 
 Mrs. Lockwell, his only daughter, had been a 
 widow ever since the birth of Larry, and resided 
 with her father. She was a graceful, quiet little 
 woman, with not a spark of the fiery ardor of the 
 ex-member of Congress. Traits of character, it is 
 well known, frequently pass over one generation, 
 to appear, intensified, in the next generation ; and 
 Larry's temperament was like his grandfather's,
 
 TOE SniP-BUILDER. 
 
 "only more so." This resemblance was by no 
 means displeasing, either t» the fond, gentle mother 
 or to the warm-hearted elder relative, who de- 
 lighted in calling Larry " a chip of the old block."
 
 I "WILL BE A SAILOR. 
 
 CHAPTER II. 
 
 A SEA-FIGHT. 
 
 When Larry returned from scliool, at noon, his 
 satchel, filled with books, was slung across his shoul- 
 der. "With his dark eyes flashing and his face a 
 glowing red, he entered the dining-room, where his 
 grandfather and mother were already seated at table. 
 Larry threw down his heavy satchel with real vim, 
 exclaiming, " Lie there ! I 've done with you." 
 
 « Wliat now ? " cried Iklr. Mddlefield ; " you look 
 like a fighting-cock; as 'mad as a March hare.'" 
 
 " So I am. See there ! " said Larry, showing 
 his right hand, the palm of which was swollen like 
 a puff-ball, and as red as his own burning face. 
 
 " I '11 tell you what it is ; I vow and declai-e — " 
 
 " Let us finish our dinner, and sit down and take 
 your own," said the grandfather; "afterwards we 
 will hear your story, Larry." 
 
 The mother, meantime, had started from the table, 
 and laid a handkerchief wet with iced water upon 
 the swollen hand.
 
 A SEA-FIGHT. 7 
 
 "I don't mind the hand a hit, but I've been 
 insulted ! " shrieked Larry, di-awing away the red 
 hand from his gentle mother. 
 
 " Come, come, boy ; sit doA\Ti and eat your dinner," 
 said Mr. Middlefield, soothingly. 
 
 Lariy found it difficult to swallow ; his anger 
 swelled up into his throat, and almost choked him. 
 
 "When IMr. Middlefield rose from table, he said : 
 ^'Now, Larry, your cause of complaint, what is 
 it?" 
 
 " I '11 tell the whole, — the whole," stammered 
 the boy. 
 
 " l^ow what you are going to say, and say it," 
 interrupted the grandfather. 
 
 Larry was a sturdy fellow, tall and muscular, 
 for a boy of twelve, with a handsome, expressive 
 face and a pleasing address. He stood up as though 
 about to " speak a piece," and, making a slight bow 
 to his grandfather went on fluently: "As I was 
 hurrying to school this morning, I met Tom Brunt. 
 *How comes on your ship?' says he." 
 
 *' Said he," interrupted the grandfather. 
 
 " Well, said he, then" (impatiently). " ' First rate,' 
 Baid I ; ' almost done.' ' Pooh ! ' said Tom ; ' you 
 never seed a ship in your life. What 's a fortobo-
 
 8 I AVILL BE A SAILOR. 
 
 Un ? ' ' There is no such thing,' says I. ' There is ; 
 have n't I had it in this hand many a time ? ' says he. 
 ' What sort of a thing is it, that you can hold it 
 in your hand ? ' I asked. ' You hindlubbers call it 
 a rope, we sailors call it a line,' says he, proud as 
 John of Gaunt, because he has been round the 
 world as cabin-boy. I was provoked, because he 
 called the foretoj^bowline by such an odd name 
 that I did n't know what he meant, and I said 
 some saucy things to the sailor, as I left him. Then 
 I ran to school as fast as I could, but I was an 
 hour too late. The master scolded me, and I, being 
 angry, was as saucy to liim as I had been to Tom 
 Brunt ; he said not a word, - but pointed to my 
 seat. I took it, and there I sat till school was 
 out, not being called up to recite or receiving the 
 slightest notice. When school was dismissed, and 
 I was about to leave with the rest, the master 
 bawled out to me, ' Stop, Lawrence Lockwell.' 
 He then beckoned to me to come to his desk. ' Hold 
 out your hand,' says he. 1 held it out, and Avhack, 
 whack, came the ruler upon it. ' Try it again,' says 
 I. ^Vhack, whack, came the ruler again. ' If you 're 
 not satisfied, I '11 take a few more,' says I. By 
 that time he was as angry as I was, and he laid
 
 A SEA-FIGHT. 9 
 
 it on tremendously; but I did n't flinch. 'Now you 
 may go,' says he, and took up his hat and left. 
 I packed up my books and came off, determined 
 never to go into that school-room again. lie knew 
 J disapproved of corporal punishment, for my last 
 composition was on that subject." 
 
 The grandfatlier smiled, but his face was flushed, 
 and he evidently sympathized witli the boy ; com- 
 manding himself, he requested Larry to be seated. 
 Mrs. Lockwell had her hand over her eyes, and 
 the tears rolled down her cheeks. 
 
 " Larry, when does the quarter end, at your 
 school?" gravely asked Mr. Middlefield. 
 
 " In two weeks." 
 
 "You must go back to school, and finish tlie 
 quarter. Furthermore, you must beg the master's 
 pardon." 
 
 " lie ought to beg mine for insulting me by 
 that feruling. It 's a disgrace, a mortal disgrace ; 
 I shall never get over it." 
 
 " By your own account, you committed three 
 erroi-s, nay, four; — first, stopping by the way; sec- 
 ond, being saucy and overbearing with poor Tom 
 Brunt; third, being rude to the master; fourth, 
 being in a violent passion. Now, my boy, you 
 1*
 
 »♦ 
 
 10 I WILL BE A SAIL OK. 
 
 must rule that spirit of yours, — subdue it while 
 you are young." 
 
 Larry cast a mischievous glance at his grand- 
 father, and murmured, " Excellent advice ! " 
 
 " Enough said ; now, Larry, show me your ship." 
 
 Larry, with whom the stonn of anger had com- 
 pletely passed, leaving bright sunshine, ran for his 
 box, and when the cloth was removed he placed 
 the ship upon the table. 
 
 It was really an extraordinaiy piece of work for 
 a boy who had never seen a ship. It was com- 
 pletely finished in every part excepting the jib- 
 boom, which he was wliittling to put on to the 
 bowsprit when his mother sent him to school that 
 morning. 
 
 " How did you learn to make this man-of-war ? " 
 asked ]\Ir. JMiddlefield, surprised to see the full- 
 rigged ship. 
 
 " I copied it from a picture of the Constitution." 
 
 " Ah ! the old Constitution ! How many hard 
 fig] its she has seen, brave old ship ! Commodore 
 Hull was one of her first commanders ; he passed 
 the Constitution over to Bainbridge. By the way, 
 I will read you a description of an engagement be- 
 tween the Constitution and the British frigate Java.
 
 A SEA-FIGHT. 11 
 
 You know the last Avar with England was declared 
 the 18th of June, 1812. I remember it well, for 
 I was a lad about the age you now are, Larry, 
 and I was as intensely interested in the war as 
 you now would be if we were to have another 
 war. Come with me to my library. Will you 
 go with us, daughter?" 
 
 " Thank you ; I cannot get up the least interest 
 in ships and sea-fights ; besides, I have another en- 
 gagement." 
 
 Mr. IMiddlefield and Larry adjourned to the libra- 
 ry. Larry placed his beloved ship on the library- 
 table, and Mr. Middlefield took down from an upper 
 shelf a volume, saying, " I will read you something 
 written by Fenimore Cooper, whose * Pioneer ' and 
 * Spy ' you have read." 
 
 " And * The Pilot,' too, I 've read, and like it 
 best of aU." 
 
 Mr. IMiddlefield seated himself, and read out 
 with animation the following passages. 
 
 " ' Hull came in with the Constitution, after per- 
 forming tAvo handsome exploits in her, and very 
 generously consented to give her up, in order that 
 some one else might have a chance. To this ship 
 Bainbridge Avas immediately transferred, and on
 
 12 I WILL BE A SAILOR. 
 
 board of her he hoisted his broad pennant on the 
 15th of September, 1812.'" 
 
 " There it is ! " shouted Larry, pointing to the 
 miniature silk flag that did not float, but was fast- 
 ened to the mainmast of the ship. There it is, 
 Stars and Stripes forever ! Thii-ty-three stars : O, 
 and another to be there when Kansas comes in." 
 
 " Hush ! Don't interrupt me," said the grand- 
 father. 
 
 '"The Essex 32, Captain Porter, and Hornet 
 18, Captain Lawrence, were joined to Bainbridge's 
 orders.' " 
 
 "The Constitution was a 44," cried Larry. 
 
 " I shall close the book, Larry, if you interrupt 
 me again. 
 
 " ' Bainbridge's instructions were to cruise for the 
 English East Lidia trade in the South Atlantic' 
 
 " Open that atlas to the map of South America, 
 and look out all the places named," said Mr. Mid- 
 dlefield. 
 
 " ' The Constitution and Hornet arrived off St. 
 Salvadoi-, on the 15th of December. There the 
 Hornet was left, and Bainbridge steered to the 
 southward. 
 
 " ' About 9 o'clock on the 20th, the ship then being
 
 A SF,A-FIf;iIT. 13 
 
 in 13° 6' South Latitude, and 3° 1' West Longitude, 
 or about thirty miles from land, she made two strange 
 sail, in shore and to windward. After a little ma- 
 nojuvring, one of the ships closing Avhile the other 
 stood in towards St. Salvador, Bainbridge was sat- 
 isfied he had an enemy's frigate fairly within his 
 reach. 
 
 " ' At a quarter past mei-idian the enemy showed 
 English colors. Soon after, the Constitution, which 
 had stood to the southward to draw the stranger 
 off the land, hauled up her mainsail, took in her 
 royals, and tacked towards the stranger. As the 
 wind was light, and the water smooth, the Consti- 
 tution kept everytlung aloft, ready for use, closing 
 with her enemy with royal yards across. 
 
 " ' At 2 P. M. the stranger was about half a mile 
 to windward of the Constitution, and showed no 
 colors except a jack. Bainbridge now ordered a 
 shot fired at him, to induce him to set an ensign. 
 This order, being misunderstood, produced a whole 
 broadside from the Constitution, when the stranger 
 showed English colors again, and returned the fire. 
 
 " ' This was the commencement of a furious can- 
 nonading, both ships manoeuvring to rake, and to 
 avoid being raked.
 
 14 I WILL BE A SAILOR. 
 
 " ' Very soon after the action commenced, Bain- 
 bridge was hit by a musket-ball in the liip, and a 
 minute or two later a shot came in, and carried 
 away the wheel, and drove a small bolt with con- 
 siderable violence into his thigh. Neither injury, 
 however, induced liim even to sit down. He kept 
 walking the quarter deck, and attending to the ship. 
 The last injury was received about twenty minutes 
 after the firing commenced, and was even of more 
 importance (that is, more injurious) to the ship than 
 the wound it produced was to her captain. The 
 wheel was knocked into splinters, and it became 
 necessary to steer below. 
 
 " ' This was a serious evil in the midst of a battle, 
 and more particularly in an action in which there was 
 an unusual amount of manoeuvrincr. The English 
 vessel, being very strongly manned, was actively 
 handled, and sailing better than the Constitution 
 in light winds, her efforts to rake produced a suc- 
 cession of evolutions, which caused both ships to 
 ware so often that the battle terminated several 
 miles to leeward of the point on the ocean Avhere 
 it commenced. 
 
 " ' After the action had lasted some time, Bain- 
 bridge determined to close with his enemy at every
 
 A SEA-FIOnx I'} 
 
 hazard. He set his coui-ses accordingly, and hiffed 
 up close to the wind. This brought matters to a 
 crisis, and the Englishman, finding the Constitu- 
 tion's fire too heavy, attempted to run her aboard. 
 His Jib-boom did get foul of the American frigate's 
 mizzen rigging, but the end of his bowsprit being 
 shot away, and his foremast soon after following, 
 the sliips passed clear of each other, making a 
 lucky escape for the assailants. The battle con- 
 tinued some time longer, the Constitution throwing 
 in several effective raking broadsides, and then 
 falling alongside of her enemy to leeward. At 
 length, finding her adversary's guns silenced and 
 his ensign down, Bainbridge boarded his tacks 
 again, luffed up athwart tlie Englishman's bows, 
 and got a position ahead and to windward, in 
 order to repair damages ; actually coming out of 
 the battle, as he had gone into it, with royal yards 
 across, and every spar, from the liighest to the 
 lowest, in its place ! ' " 
 
 " Hurrah ! " shouted Larry. 
 
 " ' The enemy presented a singular contrast. Stick 
 after stick had been shot out of him, as it might 
 be inch by inch, until nothing but a faw stumps 
 was left. All her masts were gone, the foremast
 
 16 I WILL BE A SAILOR. 
 
 having been shot away twice, once near the cat- 
 harpings, and again much nearer to the deck; the 
 maintopmast had come down some time before the 
 wainmast feU. The bowsprit, as has been said, was 
 shot away at the cap. After receiving these dam- 
 ages, the enemy did not wait for a new attack, but 
 as soon as the Constitution came round, with an in- 
 tention to cross her forefoot, he lowered a Jack which 
 had been flying at the stump of his mizzenmast.' " 
 
 " Hurrah ! hurrah ! " shouted Lariy ; " an Eng- 
 lish jack lowered to the Stars and Stripes ! How 
 many guns did the Java carry?" 
 
 " She mounted forty-nine carriage-guns, and had 
 over four hundred men on board. Of these, by the 
 English account, one hundred and twenty-four were 
 knied and wounded." 
 
 " And how many were killed on board the Con- 
 stitution?" eagerly demanded Larry. 
 
 " Only nine were killed, and twenty -five wounded. 
 But, Larry, did you understand aU the names of 
 the parts of the Constitution?" 
 
 " Every one, and pointed to them on my frigate 
 as you read them. I did n't understand all the 
 sea terms, such as ' luffing ' and ' boarded his tacks,' 
 but I '11 get Tom Brunt to explain them all to me."
 
 A SEA-FIGHT. 17 
 
 " Wtat do you admire most in this action, Larry ? " 
 
 " The bravery of Captain Bainbridge. Why, he 
 
 did n't mind those wounds any more than I did 
 
 the whacks on my hand. How it must have cheered 
 
 his men to see their commander so courageous ! " 
 
 " It has been said that Bainbiidge disregarded 
 his wounds until the irritation endangered his life. 
 His last injury must have been received about half 
 past two, and he remained actively engaged on 
 deck until 11 o'clock at night, thus adding the irri-, 
 tation of eight hours of exertion to the original in- 
 juries. The consequences were some exceedingly 
 threatening symptoms, but skilful treatment sub- 
 dued them, when his recovery was rapid. The 
 victor was not more esteemed for his courage and 
 skill than for the high and chivalrous courtesy and 
 liberality with which he treated his prisonci*s. He 
 landed them at St. Salvador, on parole." 
 " And what became of the Constitution ? " 
 " She retuiTied to Boston for repaii-s. Since 
 then she has been commanded by veiy many of 
 our best and bravest officers. There is hardly a 
 stick of her original timber in her, so frequently 
 has she been repaired. I hope all our country- 
 men will stand by the Constitution of the United
 
 18 I WILL BE A SAILOR. 
 
 States as nobly and as fii-mly as the various com- 
 manders have stood by the good old ship Consti- 
 tution." 
 
 Larry started up, stood erect, with a glow of 
 fervent enthusiasm on his fine countenance, and his 
 dark eyes glowing with the fire of his patriotic 
 spirit, as he repeated: — 
 
 " Thou, too, sail on, Ship of State! 
 Sail on, Union, strong and great ! 
 Humanity with all its fears. 
 With all the hopes of future years. 
 Is hanging breathless on thy fate ! 
 We know what master laid thy keel. 
 What workmen wrought thy ribs of steel, 
 Who made each mast and sail and rope. 
 What anvils rang, what hammers beat, 
 In what a forge, and what a heat. 
 Were shaped the anchors of thy hope ! 
 Fear not each sudden sound and shock ! 
 'Tis of the wave, and not the rock! 
 'T is but the flapping of the sail, 
 And not a rent made by the gale ! 
 In spite of rock and tempest roar. 
 In spite of false hghts on the shore. 
 Sail on, nor fear to breast the sea ! 
 Our hearts, our hopes, are all with thee ; 
 Our hearts, our hopes, our prayers, our tears, 
 Our faith triumphant o'er our fears, 
 Are all with thee, — are all with thee ! "
 
 TOM BRUNT. 19 
 
 CHAPTER III. 
 
 TOM BRUNT. 
 
 Larry, finding that he must return to school 
 and finish the quarter, did it with the best grace 
 he could. Meeting the master at the door of the 
 school-house, he said, " I did wrong yesterday ; I 
 was late at school, and afterwai'ds was saucy to 
 you, sir. I beg your pardon." 
 
 " It is readily granted, my boy ; and I have since 
 thought I was very severe. How is your hand ? " 
 
 " Lame, and swollen still ; but I don't mind a trifle 
 like that, only I can't write, nor whittle either." 
 
 " Well, let me shake your left hand, then, in 
 token of entire reconciliation," said the master. 
 
 Larry frankly gave him the left hand, which the 
 master took with a cordial grasp, saying, " I hope 
 henceforth we shall both be more careful not to 
 let anger get the control over us. Anger is like 
 fire, a dangerous element, ever to be watched with 
 vigilant care."
 
 20 I WILL BE A SAILOR. 
 
 On the way home from school, Larry stopped 
 to have a talk with Tom Brunt, whom he found 
 sawing wood in front of a small brown cottage. 
 Tom was a tall lad, whose eighteen summers had 
 bronzed his complexion, and given strength to 
 muscles and sinews. "With one foot on his saw- 
 horse and his elbow resting on his knee, he looked 
 inquiringly at Larry, waiting to hear what he had 
 to say. Larry seemed in quite a merry humor, for 
 he laughed as he said, "Tom, you got me a tre- 
 mendous feruHng yesterday." 
 
 " How 's that ? " 
 
 "I stayed disputing with you so long that the 
 master punished me severely." 
 
 " Served you right," bluntly responded Tom. 
 
 " I suppose he did, but now I can't use my fenife 
 to finish the bowsprit to my frigate Constitution." 
 
 " Frigates are going out of fashion," said Tom. 
 " Them plaguy steamboats have done it. There '11 
 be no more jolly fighting, such as there used to 
 was." 
 
 " But, Tom, it requires as much bravery to meet 
 the enemy in a steamship as in a saihng vessel." 
 
 " Teeth and tongue ! It 's another afiair ; it 's just 
 as difierent as reaping with a McCormick and
 
 TOM BRUNT. 21 
 
 swinging a scythe in your own hands. Teeth and 
 tongue ! Evei'ything goes by steam and 'chinery 
 in these days, and there 's no fun in it. Why, 
 they saw wood by steam ; I expect we shall soon 
 be too lazy to work our own jaws without steam." 
 *' Tom, what makes you say, ' Teeth and tongue ' ? " 
 Tom stuck his tarpaulin hat on one side of his 
 head, and said : " I '11 tell you. When I sailed in 
 the Shanghai, the sailors ripped out their swear- 
 ing awfully, and I got into their bad ways. Teeth 
 and tongue ! I could hardly open my mouth with- 
 out an oath. When I got home, it frightened my 
 sister half out of her five senses. She told me what 
 a sin it was, and made me say the third command- 
 ment, that my good mother, now in heaven, teached 
 me when I was a little boy. I just remember her, 
 for I was five year old when she died. Sister 
 Mercy said I must break myself of swearing, and 
 every time I said a bad word she said, ' Xeeth and 
 tongue,' till at last I catched it, and now I use 
 it. You can't think how nice it is, — it 's just as 
 good as anything else to help a fellow out when 
 he 's in arnest." 
 
 " I am sorry to heai' sailors are such sweai'ers," 
 said Larry.
 
 22 I WILL BE A SAILOR. 
 
 " Well, they be, — officers and men all swear ; 
 it 's a part of their calling ; they don't seem to 
 know it 's wrong." 
 
 " Tom, there are good men among them, — 
 good Christian men, — especially in our navy." 
 
 " Then, by teeth and tongue, next time I go to 
 sea, I '11 ship in one of the men-o'-war, though I 
 should hate to go by steam. It seems a mean way, 
 to go by just what boils your teakettle." 
 
 Larry laughed heartily, and slapped Tom on the 
 shoulder, saying : " You are a good fellow, Tom ; 
 you must come up to Chestnut Hill, and see my 
 Constitution. She 's full-rigged, and finished from 
 stem to stern, from keel to topgallantmast." 
 
 " The Constitution ! That 'minds me of what I 
 heam tother day. They 're getting up hot steam 
 down South to blow up our government. Constitu- 
 tion, people, everything North, sky-high. I seed 
 a man in Philadelphy who had just been down 
 to Caroliny. Teeth and tongue ! They are dead 
 set agin Yankees, — hate them worse than pison, 
 — a deal worse than they hate sin." 
 
 " Where will they find a better country ? How 
 can they make a better Constitution ? It 's like a 
 man's biting off his own nose to spite his face.
 
 T03I BRUNT. 23 
 
 No, no ; tliey will not be so silly, so short-sighted, 
 as to cut themselves off from these glorious United 
 States. They say, Tom, we Yankees are great 
 brags ; but we 've got a country worth bragging 
 about, though I confess I don't like bragging." 
 
 " Only when it 's about your Constitution," said 
 Tom, waggishly. 
 
 Larry took the home-thrust good humoredly, and 
 replied: "You shall see her; come up to Chest- 
 nut Hill to-night, and see if she is n't all ship- 
 shape and Bristol fashion." 
 
 Tom touched his tarpaulin, and, with thanks, said 
 he would come. 
 
 As the boy was hurrying home, he was agitating 
 in his mind how he should communicate to liis 
 grandfather and his mother what he feared would 
 be unfavorably received. 
 
 " I must do it, and I will ! " he exclaimed, and, 
 as if fearful the resolution might cool, he started 
 full run, and reached home almost out of breath, 
 as if hotly pursuing his lately formed purpose. His 
 mother saw him racing up the long walk leading 
 to the front door, and hurried to meet Iiim. 
 
 " What is the matter now ? " cried Mrs. Lock- 
 well.
 
 24 I WILL BE .A SAILOK. 
 
 "I 'm going to sea. I will — I ivill be a sailor: 
 so there now!" 
 
 " Do you intend to sail in your own ship on the 
 fish-pond ? " asked the mother, with a merry laugh. 
 
 '' Mother, it 's no joke. I am in dead earnest. 
 I was named after the brave Lawrence, and I 
 mean to be as brave as he was." 
 
 " Come in, my son ; we are just ready for dinner." 
 
 Larry was quite surprised to find his intention so 
 calmly received. 
 
 " Go to your room, and cool off before you come 
 to table," said Mrs. Lockwell. " The last notion 
 you had was to be a ship-builder." 
 
 Lawrence came to dinner quite calm and col- 
 lected, and was very silent during the meal, but, as 
 soon as it was over, he gravely requested an m- 
 terview with his grandfather in the library. 
 
 He there, in a veiy decided manner, announced 
 to him that he wished to enter the navy. 
 
 Mr. JVIiddlefield inquired whether this resolution 
 was formed in consequence of the trouble he had 
 had with the schoolmaster. 
 
 " By no means, grandpa ! I have been thinking 
 about it ever since you read to me the description 
 of the fight between the Constitution and the Java ;
 
 TOM BRUNT. 25 
 
 but I was afraid mother and you would not give 
 consent." 
 
 " We are to have stii-ring times. War may 
 come on, and then you will be exposed to danger 
 and death. You are our all, Larry. I had three 
 sons ; now I have none, and only one grandson ; 
 you are the only son of your mother, and she a 
 widow." 
 
 Tears, unwonted visitants, filled the eyes of the 
 strong man of sixty. 
 
 " But, my dear grandpa, you admire heroism 
 and have taught me to admire it. You yourself 
 gave me the name of Lawrence, and you have 
 promised to tell me all about him." 
 
 " I will. Suppose you let tliis matter regarding 
 your choice of a profession rest awhile. Don't 
 tell your mother." 
 
 " I have told her already, but she did n't think 
 I was in earnest. She turned it oflf with a joke ; 
 but it 's no joke with me at all, at all. I am in 
 dead earnest." 
 
 " Living earnest would be more correct. Take 
 time for consideration, my boy ; wait till your 
 school-quarter is out before you mention this hasty 
 decision again to your mother or to me." 
 2
 
 26 I WILL BE A SAILOR. 
 
 "Excuse me, grandpa; I remember you spoke 
 the other day of ' a turning point ' in every man's 
 life, when his future career was decided; I sup- 
 pose I came to that turning point when I decided 
 to be a sailor." 
 
 Mr. Middlefield shook his head, with a very 
 grave expression of countenance, which seemed to 
 indicate that he did not intend to have Larry make 
 just this personal application of his remark, but 
 made no other reply. 
 
 In the evening, Tom Brunt came up to the "big 
 white house," as he called it. Tom was dressed 
 in his best sailor suit, and wore a bright new tar- 
 paulin, with a "fathom of black ribbon" dangling 
 over his left eye. 
 
 Larry exhibited his ship in his own room, where 
 he generally kept it, and where he had passed all his 
 leisure hours for months in bringing it to its present 
 condition. With what pride he gazed upon the work 
 of his hands ! Yet he submitted it to the criticism 
 of the sailor with as much hesitation as a young 
 author would place his first book in the hands of a 
 keen reviewer. The frigate was about a foot and a 
 half from stem to stem, and every way proportioned 
 to that dimension.
 
 TOM BRUNT. 27 
 
 " Don't say ' teeth and tongue ' to it, Tom," said 
 Larry. 
 
 " Blood and tliundcr ! It 's first-rate ! Can't you 
 take her out of that block, so I can see her keel ? " 
 
 " Yes ; I had to fix her into that block to keep her 
 steady while I was working on the ui)per part. I 
 don't know that the keel is right, for it was n't in the 
 picture ; it was under water." 
 
 *' Keels ginerally be," said Tom, laughing, as 
 Larry lifted up the ship. 
 
 Tom closed one eye as he gave the keel a knowing 
 look, and then said, in an oracular manner, " Tliere 's 
 rather too much timber in her keel for the size of her 
 hull." 
 
 " I can whittle it down to the proper size," said 
 Larry, taking out his jackknifo. 
 
 " No, no ! " exclaimed Tom ; " now she 's painted 
 80 nicely, I would n't do it. It 's but a small mistake. 
 Sister .-ays, ' Let well enough alone.' I suppose you 
 mean to be a ship-builder. Master Larry, — a very 
 good business ; you '11 make a deal of money by 
 it." 
 
 " No, Tom, I don't expect ever to build another 
 ship ; I intend to be a sailor." 
 
 " You a sailor ! Teeth and tongue ! you a sailor !
 
 28 I WILL BE A SAILOR. 
 
 Wliy, you 're a mammy-calf too tender for the 
 sea ! " 
 
 " What do you mean by a mammy-calf, Tom ? I 
 don't like the sound of that name." 
 
 " Don't be offended, Master Larry ; you have 
 always been with your mother just as a calf stays 
 by the mulley-cow till it 's a big calf." 
 
 " Anything but that ! I am ready to go from my 
 mother, and mean to go very soon. I tell you, I am 
 going to sea, — ' the bright blue sea.' " 
 
 " You don't know what that means ; you have 
 never seen the big ocean. Wlien it's mad, right 
 mad, it tosses about the ship like a bluebird's egg 
 that you could crush with your fingers ; and the aw- 
 ful waves come pouncing do^vn on the deck, and dash 
 over her, sweeping off everything loose, and many a 
 poor sailor too. O Master Larry ! I have n't told 
 you half. You would be frightened out of your wits 
 in a gale." 
 
 " No, indeed I should not. I should love to see a 
 tremendous gale. Wliy do i/ou go to sea, Tom, if it 
 is so di-eadful ? " 
 
 Tom hesitated a moment at this home-question, 
 and then replied, " Just because I like it." 
 
 " For the very same reason I am going. I don't
 
 TOM BRUNT. 29 
 
 intend to sail in a merchant vessel. I want to be in 
 the navy." 
 
 " But there 's fighting to be done there, or will be 
 before long." 
 
 " All the better, if I can fight for tlie Union. I 
 sliould like above everything to be in an engagement. 
 Hurrah for the Stars and Stripes ! " 
 
 Tom swung his tarpauUn, and joined heartily in the 
 « hurrah ! " 
 
 " I 've been home only a month," said Tom ; "just 
 long enough to get my sister all snug ; everything 
 comfortable for the winter ; and now I 'm going to 
 ship again from New York. I '11 try one of our 
 new steam men-o'-war, tlinugli I do think they are as 
 awkward on the water as a big turkey would be. 
 They talk about their being cased in iron, too "NVcll, 
 I mean to go with a temperance commander, for 1 'ni 
 a teetotaler." 
 
 " All the better sailor for that ; water is your ele- 
 ment." said Larry. " Tom, can you write ? I know 
 you can. Let me hear how you make out. I must 
 go to^ my Latin and Greek now, and bid you good 
 night." 
 
 " Good niglit, and good by," said Tom ; " I go to- 
 morrow moruing early."
 
 80 I WILL BE A SAILOR. 
 
 " Indeed ! good by, then," said Larry, grasping 
 the rough hand of the young tar. " I 'm glad our 
 navy will have so stanch a sailor and firm a patriot 
 as you are. Good by."
 
 THE BROOKLYN NAVY-TARD. 31 
 
 CHATTER IV. 
 
 THE BROOKLYN NAVY- YARD. 
 
 Nothing more was said about going to sea by 
 Larry till the quarter at school was ended. Larry 
 came off finely at the school examination, receiving 
 the first prize for mathematics and natural philosophy. 
 The day succeeding the examination, he renewed the 
 subject with his grandfather. 
 
 " I can give you up to my country's service as the 
 best gift I have to offer," said Mr. Mddlefield ; "but 
 your mother, your mother, Larry, — how can she 
 spare you ? " 
 
 " She would have to spare me to go to college, 
 and then to study for a profession. I should not be 
 any more with her in that case than I shall be when 
 I am home from sea ; and I shall be as safe on sea 
 as on land." 
 
 The grandfather was surprised to find how per- 
 sistent the boy was, and could not but admire his 
 spirit.
 
 32 I WILL BE A SAILOR. 
 
 " You would not go to sea, Larry, without your 
 mother's consent," suggested he. 
 
 " No indeed, grandpa ; I should he very sorry to 
 give her pain ; but I might, even if I stayed at home, 
 give her trouble. I am not all that I ought to be." 
 
 " The temptations are greater for a boy like you 
 in the navy than in many other situations." 
 
 " Now, gi'andpa, I Ve often heard you tell about 
 college scrapes quite as bad as any I can imagine on 
 board ship." 
 
 " Well, well ; I '11 talk over the matter with your 
 mother." 
 
 The next day Mr. Middlefield told Larry his 
 mother had agreed to let him go to the Brooklyn 
 Navy- Yard, and see the various vessels there, and 
 perhaps he would change his mind, and be, after all, 
 a ship-builder. 
 
 " Thank you, grandpa, thank you a thousand times ; 
 but why to the Brooklyn Navy- Yard ? " 
 
 " Because I have an old friend there, to whom I 
 will give you a letter of introduction." 
 
 " And who will go with me ? " 
 
 " You are to go alone. A boy who talks of going 
 to sea ought to know how to take cai'e of himself on 
 a land voyage."
 
 THE BROOKLYN NAVY-YAUD. 33 
 
 Every preparation needed was speedily made, and 
 Larry, with his valise in hand, skipped down the 
 path to the gate, as joyous as a bird let loose from its 
 cage, while his mother watched him from a window, 
 her eyes half blinded wth tears. 
 
 LaiTy met with no adventures by the way, and 
 ai'rivcd safely, after two days' journey, at the Brook- 
 lyn Navy Yard. He was directed to the house occu- 
 j)ied by tlic officer in command of the yard. There 
 he presented his letter of introduction. 
 
 The Commodore, to whom he handed it, was seated 
 at a table covered with maps and paper's, and was 
 employed in writing a letter. 
 
 His full, dark eyes declared absolute rule. They 
 might flash under excitement, but their usual expres- 
 sion was mild and benevolent. The broad chin and 
 firmly closed mouth indicated promptness and de- 
 cision. In person, he was not tall, but strongly built, 
 Avilh the air of the gentleman and the sailor blended 
 in harmonious union. Although there was in his 
 bearing evidence that the Commodore was accus- 
 tomed to command, there was not the slightest token 
 of arrogance or haughtiness. 
 
 Larry did not analyze the character of the oflicer, 
 but it inspired immediate confidence and respect. 
 2*
 
 34 I WILL BE A SAILOR. 
 
 " Take a seat, my boy," said the Commodore, as 
 soon as he had looked at the signature of the letter. 
 " Your grandfather is an old friend of mine : we were 
 at school together." 
 
 After he had perused Mr. Middlefield's letter, he 
 said, "You want to see the Navy- Yard, Master 
 Lawrence Lockwell." 
 
 " Yes, sir ; and I want to be a sailor," was the 
 quick reply. 
 
 " Your grandfather does not mention that ; he 
 only requests that you shall have a good oppor- 
 tunity — " 
 
 Here the Commodore was interrupted by the en- 
 trance of an officer, whom we shall call Captain 
 Ringbolt. 
 
 " How are you,. Captain ; right glad to see you," 
 said the Commander of the Brooklyn Navy- Yard. 
 " Take a seat." 
 
 " Thank you," said Captain Eingbolt. " Glad to 
 see you alive and well." 
 
 There was a striking contrast in the appearance 
 of these two officers. Captain Ringbolt was rather 
 below the middle size, but carried his well-formed 
 person so erect, and with such an air of dignity, that 
 he seemed taller than he really was. His mild blue
 
 THE BROOKLYN NAVT-TAKD. 35 
 
 eyes, his aquiline nose, and handsome mouth foi-med 
 a set of features that no one coukl look upon without 
 admiration ; while his fine, soft gray hair, arranged 
 with tasteful neatness, set off the dehcate complexion 
 to great advantage. 
 
 " Excuse me a moment, Ringbolt, I was just copy- 
 ing a letter to send by the next mail. But here, 
 boy, can you copy it for me, while I talk with Cap- 
 tain Ringbolt ? " 
 
 " With pleasure," said Larry, taking the offered 
 seat by the table. 
 
 " Where are you boimd, Captain Ringbolt ? " said 
 the Commodore. 
 
 " I am ordered to the Juniata, but where I am to 
 be sent you know as well as I. Wliat tempts the 
 Secretary of the Navy to despatch us, and scatter us 
 to the ends of the earth ? Why, our vessels are in 
 every port on the globe, I was going'to say, except- 
 ing our own ports." 
 
 " The Jmiiata ! Orders have been received to put 
 her in saihng trim ; she will be ready in a fortnight. 
 We are going to have stin-ing times. Captain." 
 
 " Stirring times indeed," replied Captain Ring- 
 bolt. " Every fort belonging to the United States 
 ought to be reinforced, put in complete order, and
 
 36 I WILL BE A SAILOR. 
 
 supplied with ai'ms and ammumtion ; and it ought to 
 be done at once, or it will be too late." 
 
 " But who is to order it ? " was the reply. " The 
 Administration, — what is it but a nest of traitors ? I 
 dread those ominous clouds at the South. Alas for 
 our country ! a wild tornado will soon sweep over 
 it!" 
 
 By this time Larry had finished copying the letter, 
 and handed it, with a graceful bow, to the Com- 
 modore. 
 
 " It is well done, very well done ; you -write a fine, 
 clear hand. This is Lawrence Lockwell, the grand- 
 son of the Honorable Mr. Middlefield, of Pennsyl- 
 vania." 
 
 " Glad to see you, my lad ; I knew your father." 
 
 " Did you, sir, indeed ! " said Larry, looking 
 directly into the eyes of Captain Eingbolt, with 
 that frank, bright expression so pleasing in a young 
 person. 
 
 " And I like your name, too," said Captain Ring- 
 bolt ; " I made my first cruise with Captain Law- 
 rence, and was on board the Chesapeake when he 
 uttered those memorable words, ' Don't give up the 
 ship ! ' He was as brave a man as ever sailed on 
 salt water."
 
 THE BROOKLYN NAVT-TARD. 37 
 
 " Are you going on board the Juniata, Captain ? " 
 inquired the Commodore. 
 
 " It is my intention ; and, as you seem to be en- 
 gaged, I '11 leave you now." 
 
 " Come back and dine witli me, and you too, IMas- 
 ter Lawrence " ; and the Commander added, " Please 
 take this young gentleman with you; he wants to 
 look about the yard, and means to be a sailor. He 
 is land-bred, and, I suppose, don't know a halyard 
 from a hand-spike, begging his pardon." 
 
 Larry smiled at this comment upon his supposed 
 ignorance, and thought lovmgly of his own little 
 frigate. 
 
 Captain Ringbolt found his young companion very 
 inquisitive, but wisely so ; the questions Larry asked 
 showed so much previous knowledge of nautical 
 terms, that the Captain was quite surprised, and 
 gave him the information lie required witli pleas- 
 ure. 
 
 After going over the frigate with him, the Captain 
 showed him about the Navy-Yard, the big guns, the 
 pyramids of cannon-balls, and various other objects 
 of interest, while Larry manifested such intense en- 
 thusiasm, and responded so warmly to Captain Ring- 
 bolt's patriotic conversation, that the gallant officer
 
 38 I "WILL BE A SAILOR. 
 
 was prepossessed in his favor, and inquired when and 
 how he was going to sea, and suggested that of 
 course he meant to go into the navj. 
 
 Larry said such was his wish, if he could obtain 
 the consent of his mother and his grandfather. 
 
 " I expect to sail in a fortnight from this time," 
 said the Captain. " How would you like to make 
 your first cruise with me, as my clerk ? " 
 
 Larry was quite startled by this unexpected pro- 
 posal, but he replied, promptly, " I should like it 
 right well, sir." 
 
 " Could you go home, get ready, and return by 
 that time?" 
 
 " Yes, sir, and sooner, if necessary. "Will you 
 please write to my grandfather, and ask him to let 
 >me go with you." 
 
 " I will do so after consulting my friend the Com- 
 modore of the yard. I am rather quick, and perhaps 
 hasty, in my decisions, and sometimes need his 
 cooler judgment. We will learn what he thinks of 
 the proposal." 
 
 This was a damper to Larry's ardor ; he thought 
 the decision was already made. 
 
 The two officers consulted together about the mat- 
 ter, and the conclusion was that Captain Ringbolt
 
 THE BROOKLYN NAVY-YARD. 39 
 
 should write to Mr. IVIiddlefield, and the Commodore 
 would do the same. 
 
 After dinner, the two oflicers, with Larry, ad- 
 journed to the Commodore's office, and wrote the 
 letters. 
 
 " These must go by tliis evening's mail," said Cap- 
 tain Ringbolt. 
 
 " I '11 take them myself, if you please," said Larry. 
 
 " To the post-office ? " asked Captain Ringbolt. 
 
 " No, sir, I '11 take them home with me ; they will 
 reach grandpa by me just as soon as by mail, for I 
 shall go by the mail train." 
 
 " I judge by the date of your gi'andfather's letter 
 that you came directly from home, and did not stop 
 at all in New York or Philadelphia. Probably you 
 would prefer to stay a few days in the city, if you 
 have never been in New York before," said the 
 Commodore. 
 
 " It is my first visit, but I can't stop now, when I 
 have so important an object in view. If you will 
 excuse me, I will leave immediately, for fear I should 
 miss the evening train." 
 
 " I am sorry to part with you so soon, but I like 
 your promptness," said the Commodore. 
 
 " And so do I," said the Captain, as he gi-asped 
 the hand of Larry, and bade him " good by."
 
 40 I WILL BE A SAILOR. 
 
 " There 's pluck," said the Commodore, as soon as 
 Larry was out of hearing. 
 
 " He is the right stuflf to make a fii'st-rate sailor," 
 replied Captain Ringbolt.
 
 ASKING CONSENT. 41 
 
 CHAPTER V, 
 
 ASKING CONSENT. 
 
 As swiftly as the train could carry him, but not 
 swift enough for his impatience, was Larry conveyed 
 home. 
 
 After reatling the lettcra of the two officers, Mr. 
 Middlefield's mind was made up in LaiTy's favor. 
 The difficulty now was to induce the mother to give 
 her consent to part with her son. At first she could 
 answer to the proposition only with tears. 
 
 " My daughter, we ought not to complain th:it the 
 All-wise Disposer has bestowed different gifts upon 
 different individuals. Some have talents for one 
 thing, and some for another. This is a self-evident 
 proposition. Now to the application. Hei-e is our 
 Larry, possessing all. those gifts and qualities lliat 
 would fit him for a naval officer, and, moreover, he 
 has an enthusiastic desire to serve his country. You 
 love your country, and would be willing to make 
 almost any sacrifice for her good. Now what better,
 
 42 I WILL BE A SAILOR. 
 
 what greater, sacrifice could you make than to give 
 up Larry to her service ? The way is providentially 
 opened for him, — a way the most eligible you could 
 desire. Captain Ringbolt is a perfect gentleman, 
 and an excellent officer ; one who has seen a great 
 deal of service, and commands a fine vessel. Larry 
 wiU have an opportunity to see foreign countries, — 
 a great advantage to a boy with his quick observa- 
 tion. Could he go under more favorable auspices ? " 
 
 Mrs. Lockwell still made no reply. 
 
 " If you cross the boy in tliis matter," continued 
 Mr. IVIiddlefield, earnestly, " it may prove a serious 
 injury to him." 
 
 " Do you thmk so, father ? Alas ! alas ! what can 
 I do?" 
 
 " If you refuse this favorable ofier he may run 
 away, and go to sea before the mast ; boys have done 
 such things, as you well know. Besides, he may try 
 the experiment, and not like the ocean as well as he 
 now thinks he shall. It may prove only a boyish 
 fancy, though I doubt it, for he seems to start with 
 the right motives." 
 
 The mother at last sobbed out her consent. It 
 was like teai'ing away her heart-strings. 
 
 She now employed herself in making the needful 
 preparations for his voyage.
 
 ASKING CONSENT. 43 
 
 Larry amused himself meantime in constructing 
 his own sea-chest, and arranging it with as many- 
 partitions and odd nooks as could be found in the 
 most complicated patent travelling-trunk. 
 
 At the end of ten days, Ije w^as all ready for de- 
 parture. 
 
 It was Larry's last hour at home. IMrs. Lockwell 
 led him to her own room, and to the very spot where 
 he, as a little child, had knelt at her knee to say his 
 prayers, morning and evening. 
 
 Once more they knelt together. The mother 
 prayed fervently that her boy might be kept from 
 danger and death, but, above all, from sin and its 
 fearful consequences. She commended him to the 
 care and guidance of her God and Saviour, and 
 ended with the Lord's Prayer, in wliich Larry joined 
 as well as his trembling voice and his tears would 
 pei-mit. 
 
 When he rose from his knees, he threw his arms 
 around his mother's neck, and kissed her again and 
 again. She held him close to her aching heart. 
 
 " Here, my son, is your spiritual chart and com- 
 pass," said she, giving him a beautiful little Bildc. in 
 which she had marked several passages, particuhiily 
 appliciible to one who had not yet commenced the
 
 44 I WILL BE A SAILOK. 
 
 Christian life. " Read some part of tliis blessed 
 book every day, with faith in its holy teachings. 
 Make Christ your friend, and then, though we meet 
 not again on earth, we shall meet in that better world 
 where pai'tings shall be no more." 
 
 The grandfather now called Larry, saying the car- 
 riage was at the door. Larry tore liimself from the 
 arms of his mother, and was hurried away to the 
 railroad station. There he bade " Farewell " to his 
 grandfather. 
 
 Swiftly as the " lightning train " dashed over the 
 railway, it was not swift enough for Larry, so great 
 was his fear that the Juniata might have sailed with- 
 out him. But he arrived in time, and hastened over 
 to Brooklyn. 
 
 It was the first day of November, a dreary day, 
 but such was the glowing enthusiasm of the boy that 
 it was to him like a bright day in Jime.
 
 OLD OCEAN. 45 
 
 CHAPTER VI. 
 
 OLD OCEAN. 
 
 The Captain's cabin was luxuriously furnished. 
 The chairs, sofas, and tables were of carved oak, and 
 80 was the panelling, in which were several bright 
 min-ors. The covering of the chairs and sofas was a 
 gay brocatclle. Suspended around the cabin were 
 several fine engravings, and two beautiful landscapes 
 in oil representing scenes on the Hudson River, as 
 though the sailor did not mean to lose sight of his 
 native land, wherever he might be. 
 
 Larry, on liis arrival on board the Juniata, went 
 directly to this cabin, and there was Captam Ringbolt 
 seated by the centre-table, over which hung a bronze 
 chandeUer. However cheerful the cabin miglit oth- 
 erwise have been to the Captain, it certainly became 
 more so when the bright, high-spirited boy entered, 
 and saluted his commander \v\i\x a most respectful 
 bow. It was like a beautiful beam of sunlight glint- 
 ing into that paitially dai-keued apailmcnt.
 
 46 I "VriLL BE A SAILOR. 
 
 " Glad to see you, Larry," said Captain Ringbolt. 
 *' You are to be in my cabin generally, but you mess 
 elsewhere, excepting when I invite you to my ta- 
 ble which, if you behave yourself, will be pretty 
 often." 
 
 " Thank you, sir, I hope to do my duty," was the 
 prompt reply. 
 
 " You know I have neither son nor daughter, but I 
 can imagine what it must be for your mother and 
 grandfather to part with you." 
 
 Larry's lip quivered, and his dai'k eye glittered 
 with an unshed tear. 
 
 '' You are my clerk, Larry, just as a son would be 
 if I had one, and I hope you will confide in me as if 
 I were your father. Come, dash away that tear, and 
 go on deck ; we shall soon be off." 
 
 Glad was Larry that the Juniata was a fiigate 
 much after the fashion of his beloved Constitution, 
 with modem improvements. 
 
 A pilot sprang from the wharf to the quarter-deck 
 of the Juniata, and cried, " Are you all ready ? " 
 
 " AU ready, sir," was the reply of the officer on 
 deck. 
 
 The command was then given, " Stand by the 
 head braces ! Cast off your head fast, and stand by
 
 OLD OCEAN. 47 
 
 aft there, to let go that stem-line ! Let go ! Man 
 the topsail halyards. Run 'em up, boys ! run 'cm. 
 up ! " 
 
 Larry was quite delighted to find himself perfectly 
 fi\miliar with the names of sails, yards, lines, &c., 
 and excited by the noise and hurry of departure. 
 
 " Haul over that starboard sheet ! " 
 
 « What 's the matter ? What 's fast there ? Star- 
 board the helm ! Starboard ! " shouted the pilot. 
 
 " What holds her ? Is there anytliing foul aft 
 there ? " 
 
 " Look at that stem-line. Heave it off the timber- 
 head ! " 
 
 " It 's foul ashore," cried a sailor. 
 
 " Cut it ! cut it ! never mind the hawser ! " 
 
 The sailor drew his sheath-knife across the big 
 hawser, and it parted. The Juniala was free, the 
 sails were set and trimmed to the breeze, and soon 
 the Juniata was moving majestically down the harbor- 
 Larry stood upon the quarter-deck neai* the Cap- 
 tain." 
 
 " What a magnificent harbor ! " exclaimed Captain 
 Ringbolt. This bay beats the bay of Naples, boy. 
 Strange I have forgotten your name at this moment : 
 I always forget names."
 
 48 I WILL BE A SAILOR. 
 
 " Lawrence, if you please, sir. I was named after 
 the brave Captain Lawrence, but I am called Larry 
 at home." 
 
 That word " home " still called a tear to the eye 
 of the boy, but he brushed it quickly away. 
 
 " A glorious name ! Ever remember, boy, his 
 dying words, ' Don't give up the ship ! ' They ring 
 in my ears at this moment, as they did when I heard 
 them from the lips of the dying hero." 
 
 On, on went the Juniata, sending the dashing 
 waves before her in sparkling spray. 
 
 Strange to say, Larry was not sea-sick. Not so 
 with the Captain himself. For twenty-four hours 
 after sailing, he said he always felt " rather qualm- 
 ish." 
 
 As he lay on a sofa the second day out, he said to 
 Larry, " Do you think you could write from dic- 
 tation." 
 
 " I can try ; though I may not make out veiy 
 well, as it seems a rather rough place to write in." 
 
 " I always keep a journal for my good wife, and 
 I must begin to-day." 
 
 Writing materials were on the table. 
 
 " All ready ? " said the Captain. 
 
 " All ready, sir."
 
 OLD OCEAN. 49 
 
 The Captain begun his dictation. 
 
 " IMy deak "Wife : Again on the water, and too 
 top-heavy to hold a pen. My new clerk takes to 
 the water like a duck ; he is no chicken. The right 
 sort for me." 
 
 " Thank you, sir," said Larry, laughing at this 
 odd besinninjr. 
 
 The Cajjtain went on with the dictation for about 
 an hour; then he said, "It's getting rough; how 
 she pitches ! don't you feel it, boy ? " 
 
 "I do ; it is fine. I hardly realized before 
 that I wiis on the great ocean, and out of sight of 
 land." 
 
 " Fine ! don't you hear the wind ? "We are going 
 to have a gale. Put up everything snug in the Avrit- 
 ing-desk. I hope everything is as snug in the 
 Juniata. The oflScer on deck is a capital sailor. 
 You may go up, but don't be frightened." 
 
 The gale increased. The waves came leaping like 
 living mountains, and sent the dashing waters over 
 the deck. Larry lashed himself to the bulwarks of 
 the quarter-deck. The gale eveiy moment became 
 more fierce. The frigate seemed contending like a 
 pygmy with a giant, as she went up over the waves, 
 trembling and quivering as the foaming waters rushed 
 
 3 D
 
 50 I WILL BE A SAILOR. 
 
 over her from stem to stern. Then down again she 
 •went into the trough, only to climb up the next huge, 
 threatening wave. 
 
 " We must put her in stays," said the sailing-mas- 
 ter to an old tar. 
 
 " Stays ! " thought Larry ; " what can that 
 mean ? " 
 
 Through a speaking-trumpet came a distinct cry, 
 " All ready ! " • 
 
 Silence throughout the ship signifying " All 
 ready." 
 
 "Hard a-lee ! " 
 
 The bows swept round. 
 
 " Foresheet, there ! " 
 
 " Tacks and sheets." 
 
 " Maintop-sail haul ! " 
 
 " Let go and haul ! " 
 
 " Haul taut the weather-brace." 
 
 " Aft the main-sheet ! All right ! " 
 
 The gale continued. The night was dark as pitch, 
 — not a star to be seen. A driving sleet came 
 sweeping over. Soon decks were slippery, and lines 
 stiff with ice. The main-topsail must keep the ship 
 steady. 
 
 All at once came the cry, " Main-topsail gone ! "
 
 OLD OCEAN. 51 
 
 The ship is l<aid-to, and must wait till morning to 
 repair the damage. 
 
 Completely drenched and shivering with cold, 
 Larry, with the aid of one of the sailors, made 
 his way over the icy deck, and took refuge below. 
 In spite of the heavy tread of the men on deck, 
 the howling of the wind, the shrieking timbers, and 
 the battlmg waves, Larry was soon as soundly asleep 
 as an infant in its cradle. As soon as it was day- 
 light he went upon deck. The storm had abated, 
 but tlie vessel was pitching violently. Men were 
 ordered to the main-top, with the main-topsails. 
 What was Larry's astonishment to see Tom Brunt 
 climbing up the shrouds like a squirrel, till he was 
 almost out of sight. Larry was right glad to find 
 his old friend on board the Juniata. 
 
 A small line was wanted aloft by the sailors, who 
 were repairing the damage. 
 
 " Here, boy, take this line (a small coil of i*ope) 
 up to the main-top." 
 
 This was addressed to a young sailor, a ciibin- 
 boy. 
 
 " I am afraid, sir," said the boy, whimpering. 
 
 " Let me take it," said Larry. 
 
 "But you've never been up."
 
 52 I AVILL BE A SAILOR. 
 
 "Yes, I have, three or four times, when I first 
 came on board at Brooklyn, and once since." 
 
 " Then up with you ! " 
 
 Larry swung the coil of line on his left arm, and, 
 in spite of the pitching of the ship, made his way to 
 the fore-top. 
 
 " Hurrah ! teeth and tongue ! Bully for you ! " 
 shouted Tom Brunt, while the other sailors looked 
 on with admiration. 
 
 "A first-rate sailor that boy will make," said a 
 lieutenant. " Captain Ringbolt tells me he shall 
 get him a midshipman's warrant one of these 
 days." 
 
 As Larry was coming from his elevated position, 
 he cast his eyes below, and began to feel quite 
 dizzy. 
 
 " Look aloft ! " shouted Tom Brunt. 
 
 Larry did so, and was safe. 
 
 Li many a storm and many a fight Larry remem- 
 bered the cry, " Look aloft ! " He looked to God for 
 aid and support. 
 
 " Up with the starry sign, 
 
 The red stripes and the white ! 
 Where'er its glories shine, 
 In peace or iu the fight,
 
 OLD OCEAN. 53 
 
 We own its high command; 
 For the flag our fathers gave 
 O'er our children's head shall wave, 
 And their children's children's grave: 
 
 God for our native land ! " * 
 
 * Rev. G. W. B(ithune.
 
 54 I WIXL BE A SAILOR. 
 
 CHAPTER VII. 
 
 THE mother's prater. 
 
 The Juniata was ordered to the Mediterranean, 
 and the first port she reached was Spezzia. Among 
 the various foreign vessels there, it was delightful to 
 Larry to discover several United States flags. Noth- 
 ing, not even the sound of a bell, so stirs the heai-t 
 of a wanderer from home as the flag of the Union. 
 Its stars seem clearer to him than all the stars that 
 glitter in the heavens. During the voyage Captain 
 Ringbolt had taken pleasure in 'preparing Larry for 
 the navy, by teaching him what he would otherwise 
 have learned in the Naval School. 
 
 One morning, soon after their arrival at Spezzia, 
 Lany found the Captain in a gloomy mood. Larry 
 was at the table writing : the Captain sat opposite to 
 bim. 
 
 " Larry," said the Captain, in a voice so sad and 
 solemn that Larry started from his seat, and threw 
 down his pen, exclaiming, " What is it, su- ? "
 
 THE mother's prayer. 55 
 
 " A fearful blow has been struck against our be- 
 loved country. Blood will follow. South Carolina 
 has seceded from the Union ! " 
 
 " I don't understand you, sir." 
 
 " That is not strange, for secession is an impossi- 
 bility, from the very nature of our Union. We are 
 one nation. Well 'do I remember the wise saying of 
 one of South Carolina's patriots : ' Let us consider all 
 attempts to weaken this Union, by maintaining that 
 each State is separately and individually indepen- 
 dent, as a political heresy, which can never benefit 
 us, and may bring on the most serious distresses.' 
 The distress has come, and here are some of our 
 best sliips cooped up in the Mediterranean, for no 
 other purpose than to keep us out of the way. 
 When the new President comes into office, and we 
 get a new Secretary of the Navy, we shall be re- 
 called." 
 
 " I thought, sir, you were a South Carolinian," 
 said Larry. 
 
 " I disown the rebellious State, I am a citizen of 
 the United States of America. Under tlic flag of 
 my country have I sailed ever since I was a boy of 
 your age ; and do you think I know any difference 
 between North and South, East and West, only as
 
 56 I WILL BE A SAILOR. 
 
 the wind sets towards one quarter or the other, or 
 the compass points to them ? No, my boy ; I go for 
 the Union and the Constitution as long as the breath 
 of hfe is in me." 
 
 " And what will be done with these Carohna 
 traitors ? " 
 
 '• More fools and madmen will follow them in 
 rebellion. Better for our country if the leaders were 
 hung up as high as Haman, that old traitor." 
 
 " And what will now be done ? " eagerly asked 
 Larry. 
 
 " I will answer you in the words of Jefferson : 
 ' When two parties make a compact, there results to 
 each the power of compelling the other to execute it.' 
 We have got to use compulsion with this rebel State, 
 and I wish the Juniata were now in Charleston har- 
 bor. O if we only had Jackson to order the ring- 
 leaders to be strung up, as he did Arbuthnot and 
 Ambrister. Hanging is the only remedy just now 
 to prevent the evil from spreading." 
 
 " How long do you suppose we shall have to stay 
 here, sir ? " eagerly asked Larry. 
 
 " I must wait for orders ; but we will cruise about, 
 and, if possible, I '11 give you an opportunity to see 
 Eome."
 
 THE mother's rRAYKR. ,57 
 
 " I pliall be very glad to see Rome," said 
 Larry ; " but just now I would rather see New 
 York." 
 
 " That 's right. You have the true Yankee 
 spirit." 
 
 " I glory in the name of Yankee," cried Lany. 
 
 " All the world has learned to respect it. I will 
 never sail under another flag than such a one as 
 now floats on the Juniata. Not a star less, not a 
 stripe less : more stai-s there may be on our flag, 
 but never, never less, — God help us, never less than 
 thii-ty-three ! " 
 
 A fearful excitement prevailed among the officers 
 and crew of the Juniata. They swore against the 
 President, but curses loudest and deepest were 
 heaped upon the Secretary of the Navy, who had 
 sent them to the Mediterranean, seemingly for no 
 purpose but to get them out of the way. 
 
 On one occasion Larry was mingling with some of 
 the midshipmen, and, under the excitement of the 
 occasion, was as profane as the worst of them. Tom 
 Brunt happened to be within hearing of Larry, and 
 was shocked at the oaths that poured volubly ironi 
 the lips of the Captain's clerk. 
 
 The first opportunity Tom had for a 'talk with 
 3*
 
 58 I WILL BE A SAILOR. 
 
 Larry, he said to him that he was sorry to find he 
 had fallen into the bad habit of swearing. 
 
 " Master Larry, how would you like to have your 
 good mother hear you take God's name in vain ? " 
 asked Tom, seriously. 
 
 " Not at all," replied Larry ; " but, Tom, I can't 
 say ' teeth and tongue,' as you do, for I should be 
 ridiculed by every officer on board." 
 
 " So was I laughed at and tormented by my mess- 
 mates, but I did n't mind it. They mocked me, and 
 said ' teeth and tongue,' till finally some of them use 
 it instead of worse words. I have left it off, and find 
 I can do very well without either. Master Larry, 
 when you fii-st came aboard, you showed me the 
 pretty Bible your mother gave you. I hope you 
 read it." 
 
 Larry's face crimsoned with shame, but he was 
 honest and truthful in his reply. 
 
 " I am sorry to say, Tom, that I have n't looked 
 into it for a month or more." 
 
 " And what if you should die before you see her 
 again, would it be a pleasant thought to you that 
 you had learned to swear, and had forgotten her 
 good advice ? Excuse me. Master Larry, but railly 
 now it makes my very heart ache to think what
 
 THE mother's prater. 59 
 
 Borrow you are bringing on your good mother, and 
 what certain destruction to your own soul." 
 
 Tom was called away, leaving Larry to his own 
 reflections, and tliey were fiir from agreeable. lie 
 remembered his mother's prayer ; every word of 
 it seemed to come to liim in letters of fire, burn- 
 ing into his soul. Ilia conscience was thoroughly 
 awakened. Was he then going to destruction ? 
 Was tliere no hojie for him ? lie went to his 
 chest, knelt before it, and took out the neglected 
 Bible. On opening it, one marked passage met his 
 eye : " God be merciful to me a sinner." 
 
 Larry dropped liis head upon his sea-chest, and 
 the prayer came from the depth of liis heart, " God 
 be merciful to me a sinner." 
 
 To no mortal eye was the change in Larry imme- 
 diately evident, l)ut to the All-seeing Eye there was 
 a change, and the good resolutions then and tliere 
 formed were sustiuned and strengthened by God's 
 Holy Spii'it.
 
 60 I WILL BE A SAILOR. 
 
 CHAPTER VIII, 
 
 HOME. 
 
 The Captain paced his cabin with rapid strides. 
 "..State after State secedes, LaiTy," said Captain 
 Ringbolt. " I have this day received files of news- 
 ])apers from America. Abraham Lincoln of Illinois is 
 President of the United States, and Jefferson Davis 
 President of the so-called Southern Confederacy." 
 
 The Captain walked to and fro in his cabin like a 
 caged tiger. 
 
 " Shall we be ordered home soon ? " asked Larry. 
 
 " Home ! I have no longer a home. Dishonored, 
 disgraced ! Scorned we shall be by the whole civil- 
 ized world. A government the best that existed on 
 earth, where every citizen was protected by a Con- 
 stitution made by the wisest of statesmen, — a gov- 
 ernment so mild, and yet so strong, that it was, like 
 the air we breathe, almost unperceived, — such a 
 nation as ours to be rent in pieces by these abomi- 
 nable traitors ! Larry, my boy, we 've got to fight for 
 our country, or we shall have no country at all."
 
 HOME. 01 
 
 " I am ready," said Larry, drawing his stout little 
 person up to its full height, and looking the very im- 
 personation of courage. The Captain smiled, slapped 
 him on the back, and conthuicd : " There is one 
 name we of the navy must ever remember with 
 honor, — John A. Dix, now Secretary Dix, who 
 sent a desjjatch to Hemphill Jones, ' Shoot on the 
 spot any one who attempts to haul down the Ameri- 
 can flag.'" 
 
 " Hurrah for Dix ! " shouted LaiTy. 
 
 " Shame, everlasting shame, to the commanders of 
 vessels who have surrendered themselves and their 
 vessels to this sham Confederacy ! Some of them 
 were my old comrades. My advices are as late as 
 February fii-st ; the whole country is in a ferment, 
 as violent as the sea in a hurricane, and nobody at 
 the helm of state but a weak, irresolute, vacillating 
 old politician, who never was a statesman. I have 
 half a mind to sail without orders. But no; on 
 second thought, now is the time when orders should 
 be obeyed ; we must stiuid by the government. Tliis 
 administration does not hist a mouth longer." 
 
 Before the end of that memorable month the Juni- 
 ata was ordered home, and great was the joy of all 
 on board at the welcome order.
 
 62 I WILL BE A SAILOR. 
 
 The voyage was prosperous, and the Jiiiilata 
 reached Sandy Hook on the morning of the 15th 
 of April, 1861. It was Larry's thirteenth birth- 
 day. 
 
 The pilot who came on board at the Hook brought 
 the startling news of the attack upon Fort Sumter 
 on the 12th, and its surrender to the rebels on the 
 13 th. Captain Ringbolt read out, among other ex- 
 tracts from the " New York Times," the following 
 passage : — 
 
 " The attack upon Fort Smnter and its surrender, 
 instead of depressing, fires and animates all patriotic 
 hearts. One deep, strong, overpowering sentiment 
 now sweeps over the whole community, — a senti*- 
 ment of determined, devoted, active loyalty. The day 
 for the toleration of treason — treason to the Con- 
 stitution, defiance to the laws we have made — has 
 gone by." 
 
 The consternation and excitement on board the 
 Juniata was absolutely terrific, — a whirlmnd of in- 
 tense, passionate emotion. Never did the stars and 
 stripes floating above them seem half as precious 
 or half as defiant. 
 
 Captain Ringbolt summoned to his cabin all the 
 officers of the Juniata, and offered strong resolutions
 
 HOME. 63 
 
 to sustain the Constitution and Government of the 
 United States. 
 
 Eveiy officer but one signed these rcsohitions ; he 
 shmk away, looking, Tom Ilrunt said, when he saw 
 liini on deck, " like a dog who had been beaten for 
 stealing beefsteak from a gridiron." 
 
 " Come, boy, you may put your name to these 
 resolutions, for you deserve to be an officer, and no 
 man aboard is a truer patriot," said the Captain, 
 placing a pen in Larry's liand. 
 
 With much pride, and in Jis bold a handwriting as 
 that of John Iltmcock on the Declaration of Inde- 
 pendence, he wrote, " Lawrence Lockwell." 
 
 Captain Ringbolt, as soon as he landed, ha.stened 
 to the Navy-Yard, tsiking Lai'ry with liim. There 
 they met the Commodore, still in command of the 
 yard. The meeting between these two devoted 
 lovei-s of their country, attached as they both were 
 to the navy, was so touching that Larry was obliged 
 to hide his face behind his cap. He need not ha\ o 
 been ashamed of the tears that he thus attempted to 
 conceal. 
 
 After some animated conversation on the fearful 
 state of the country, the Commodore inijuired of 
 Larry how he liked the sea and the service.
 
 64 I WILL BE A SAILOR. 
 
 Larry replied : " I like them, even better than 
 I expected. I hope never to leave the navy till I 
 am too old to be of service to my country." 
 
 " You will sail with me again," said Captain Ring- 
 bolt. " I find orders waiting here for me to take com- 
 mand of the Cherokee." 
 
 " Ready to sail in two weeks," cried the Commo- 
 dore, in his usual prompt way. 
 
 "It was my intention to procure you a midship- 
 man's warrant, Larry, but you will go again with me 
 as my clerk. Can you go home and return in time 
 to report yourself on board the Cherokee two weeks 
 from this time ? " 
 
 " I can, sir. I have only one favor to ask." 
 
 " And what is that ? " 
 
 " That Tom Brunt, a sailor on board the Juniata, 
 may be in the Cherokee. He is one of the best 
 sailors, and the best fellow 1 know. He is a temper- 
 ance man, and as loyal as yourself, sir." 
 
 " I wUl speak to the sailing-master to see that he 
 sliips on board the Cherokee." 
 
 « Thank you, sir." 
 
 Captain Ringbolt placed a number of gold pieces 
 in Larry's hand, and bade him " Good by." The 
 Commodore sent friendly messages to Mr. Middle-
 
 HOME. 65 
 
 field, and, laying liis hand on the boy's shoulder, said, 
 "Your recommendation of Tom Brunt, the temper- 
 ance man, tells a good story for you. Many a fair 
 ship has gone to the bottom because the sailoi-s were 
 not temperance men."
 
 66 I WILL BE A SAILOR. 
 
 CHAPTER IX 
 
 OUR ENGLISH COUSIN. 
 
 Larry remained in New York but a single day. 
 It was a day of intense excitement. Major An- 
 derson, from Fort Sumter, was received on that 
 memorable day by the people of New York, with 
 fiery enthusiasm. 
 
 The Stars and Stripes were floating from private 
 dwellings, warehouses, and churches, and were 
 cheered by the assembled crowds as they had 
 never been before. 
 
 The enthusiasm of Larry was raised to the highest 
 pitch, when the glorious Massachusetts Sixth Regi- 
 ment marched through the city on its way to 
 Washington. 
 
 " The country is in danger! 
 But swift the answer comes, 
 With the hum of many voices, 
 
 And the distant beat of drums ; 
 Ere the proclamation's echo 
 Has died along her shore,
 
 OUR ENGLISH COUSIN. 67 
 
 The Bay State men are ready 
 To march to Baltimore. 
 
 " Thej' come with steady faces, 
 
 With hearts both warm and stern, 
 Wherein the old patriot fires 
 
 Have never ceased to burn ; 
 And the women said, ' God speed you ! 
 
 We give you up this day,' — 
 And wiped the bitter tear-drops, 
 
 And remained at home to pray. 
 
 " See the plough left in the furrow, 
 
 As by Putnam long ago ! 
 And the hammer on the anvil 
 
 Deals out no ringing blow; 
 And the mountain streamlets murmur 
 
 To many an idle mill. 
 And the women all are praying, 
 
 In the valley, on the hill. 
 
 " To Baltimore! false city! 
 
 They that founded her were true; 
 But this perjured generation 
 
 Found other work to do. 
 The blood of Massachusetts 
 
 Hath dignified the street, 
 Which should else bear down in story 
 
 But the marks of traitor's feet. 
 
 " And now, lift tliem gently 1 
 And tenderly bear home,
 
 bo I WILL BE A SAILOR. 
 
 Till within the loved old Bay State 
 
 Her martyred sons have come. 
 Ye Boston men uncover, 
 
 As the conquerors pass by! 
 Grand and silent is their triumph, 
 
 Who for Liberty can die. 
 
 " Now out with all the bunting, 
 
 The red and white and blue, 
 And show the eyes of nations 
 
 What freedom's wind can do : 
 Show the strength of a Republic 
 
 Before the pride of kings ; 
 And in this stormy weather 
 
 Let the Eagle try her wings. 
 
 " The flagstaffs will not sunder, 
 
 Though they sway and creak and heiul; 
 They will stand up all the straighter. 
 
 When the blast is at an end. 
 Up ! up ! with every banner, 
 
 From ridgepole and from height ! 
 God for our native country, 
 
 The Lord defend the right ! " 
 
 Larry followed the Massachusetts Sixth in the 
 next train but one to Philadelphia. The news of 
 the Baltimore riot had reached the city of brotherly 
 love by telegraph, and the streets were swarming 
 with a maddened crowd. Scarcely could the boy
 
 OUR ENGLISH cousm. 69 
 
 make his way tlirongli tlie tumultuous throngs to the 
 Pennsylvania Railroad. 
 
 " Oh ! if I were only a man," thought he, " I 
 would be the standard-bearer for the very next regi- 
 ment that goes to the defence of our Washington." 
 
 The train rushed over the railway, and soon Larry 
 reached Lancaster. Ilis grandfather's place was not 
 many miles from that city. A Ciirriage in waiting 
 soon brought Larry to Chestnut Hill. 
 
 Already the lawn in front of the house was car- 
 peted with bright green, and the trees were throwing 
 out their buds and blossoms. 
 
 As he was hurrying up the strait path leading to 
 the house, he heard a cry, " Hulloa ! sliipmate ! " 
 Looking up to a tall chestnut-tree not far distant, he 
 spied sometliing blue ; what it was he could not 
 imagine. Surely no bird was ever of that size. 
 " "Welcome home ! " again sounded out a shi-ill cry 
 from the top of the tree. 
 
 By this time mother and grandfather were at the 
 door, and Larry hastened to receive their cordial 
 greeting. 
 
 " "What is that yonder in the big chestnut-tree ? " 
 asked Larry. 
 
 " Our blue bird," replied Mr. Middlelield, laugh-
 
 70 I WILL BE A SAILOR. 
 
 ing, "or, in other words, our English cousin. But 
 come in ; where 's your luggage ? " 
 
 " Only the valise I have in hand ; I left my sea- 
 chest to come by the canal. It 's heavy with lots of 
 pretty things from Italy." 
 
 Larry's curiosity was soon gratified. 
 
 Blanche Mowbray was a cousin of Mrs. LockweU. 
 Their mothers were sisters. The younger sister of 
 Mr. Middlefield married an Englishman, and went to 
 England, where she had passed the remainder of her 
 life. Blanche was left an orphan, and Mi'S. LockweU 
 had asked to have her sent to her, — a request 
 which met with a ready compliance. 
 
 Blanche had, meantime, come down from her ele- 
 vated position, and entered the parlor, where Larry 
 was seated between his mother and grandfather, 
 each holding a hand of the beloved sailor-boy. 
 
 The long, light hair of the Enghsh girl had been 
 blown by the wind into wild confusion ; her jilump 
 cheeks might well be called " cherry-cheeks," so deep 
 was their hue. Her dark-blue eyes were fairly 
 dancing with the joyousuess of healthy, hoj'denish 
 girlhood. 
 
 " Your cousin, Blanche Mowbray, Larry," said 
 ]VIr. Middlefield rising and bowing, as he thus pre- 
 sented his niece to his grandson.
 
 OUR ENGLISH COUSIN. 71 
 
 " Your mamma's cousin, only your second cousin ; 
 but I am your elder and superior in height," said 
 Blanche, pretending to look down upon Larry, with 
 a meiTy laugh. 
 
 " My elder and superior, welcome to Chestnut Ilill, 
 and to the very tip-top of the chestnut-trees." So 
 saying, he offered liis hand for a friendly sliake. But 
 to his surprise, Blanche put hoth hands hehind her, 
 saying, with real or affected contempt, " I don't ac- 
 knowledge Yankee sailors for cousins." 
 
 Larry, who had seen few specimens of girlhood, 
 and had been accustomed to the gentleness and quiet 
 dignity of his mother, did not know what to make of 
 this remarkable specimen. He muttered, half audibly, 
 « She 's a real John Bull." 
 
 " My dear, go and put yourself in order for din- 
 ner," said ]\L-s. Lockwell to Blanche. 
 
 The girl left the room with a hop, skip, and jump, 
 strongly resembling that of a young calf 
 
 "Isn't she too funny for anything!" exclaimed 
 Larry, throwing himself mto a chair, and bursting 
 into a ringing laugh. 
 
 " She has been much neglected," remarked Mrs. 
 Lockwell, mildly. 
 
 " "\Yhat a tiill, awkward thing slie is ! " continued
 
 72 I AVILL BE A SAILOR. 
 
 Larry, who did not like the idea of being looked 
 down upon by a girl. " Is she really older than I 
 am ? " he asked. 
 
 " Only one month older, and very tall of her age," 
 replied his grandfather, and added, " Go and change 
 your dress, Larry, for dinner. DofF your sailor rig." 
 
 " I have n't another suit with me, sir, and I must 
 have outgrown all I left at home. But I '11 go and 
 make my toilet as well as I can." 
 
 At the dinner-table Larry gave an account of liis 
 adventures on the journey home. He described in 
 glowing colors the appearance of the Massachusetts 
 regiment as it marched through Broadway, and his 
 fine eyes flashed with indignation as he spoke of its 
 reception by the Baltimore mob. 
 
 " Served them right,-" muttered Blanche. 
 
 Larry was too indignant to speak a woi'd in 
 reply. 
 
 « Blanche," said IVIr. Middlefield, sternly, " it does 
 not become you to speak your English sentiments 
 here, where we are all attached to our excellent 
 government. You understand and feel the senti- 
 ment of loyalty to your Queen : why cannot yoa 
 understand and admire our loyalty to the govern- 
 ment and Constitution of our native country ? "
 
 OUR ENGLISH COUSIN. 73 
 
 *' I can't understand why those Southern people 
 have n't a right to a country of tlieir own." 
 
 " You can understand why tlie L-ish and the 
 Scotch can't have a country of their own ; tlicy 
 belong to Great Britain. Sup{x>se Ireland or Scot- 
 land were in rebellion ajiainst the government, 
 would not the English put them down, — fight bravely 
 for their rights ? " 
 
 " To be sure they would," proudly replied 
 Blanche. 
 
 " Yes, indeed ; let Leland attempt to secede, and 
 English cannon and English bayonets would soon 
 teach her that secession was high treason," said Mr. 
 JMiddlefield, warmly. 
 
 " Yes, but you know the Irish are savage boors, 
 and so, I suppose, are the Nortliern people ; and the 
 English and Southerners are gentlemen." 
 
 " Who taught you that false notion, Blanclie? " 
 
 " My uncle Mowbray ; he is descended from a 
 noble family, but has lost his estates, and is now too 
 poor to live in England. When be went to tho 
 Continent, he sent me over here." 
 
 " To despise your American relations," blurted 
 out Larry, indignantly. 
 
 " Come, come, childi'en, don't quarrel the very 
 4
 
 74 I WILL BE A SAILOR. 
 
 first day of your acquaintance," said IVIrs. Lockwell, 
 gently ; " we will change the subject ; Larry, tell us 
 what you saw in Italy." 
 
 " Another time, mother dear, I am too much agi- 
 tated just now to speak cahnly of anything." 
 
 The remainder of the dinner passed off quietly, till 
 Mr. Middlefield filled his wine-glass and that of 
 Blanche, and placed the decanter before Larry. 
 
 " Come, Blanche, we will make peace with you : 
 here 's to the Queen of England, Scotland, L-eland, 
 "Wales, &c., &c. Larry, you don't fill your glass." 
 
 "No, sir." 
 
 « He 's a muff. Well, Uncle Middlefield, we will 
 drink the health of Victoria, — God bless the 
 Queen ! " So saying, Blanche emptied her glass. 
 
 " Now, Larry, fill your glass. "We will have the 
 Union and the Constitution." 
 
 " Excuse me, sir ; I don't take wine," said 
 Larry. 
 
 " Not take wine ! How is that ? " exclaimed Mr. 
 3Iiddlefield, much surprised, and not altogether 
 pleased. 
 
 " Because, grandpa, I was exposed to so much 
 temptation among the ofiicers of our ship, and 
 especially when on shore, that there was no other
 
 OUR ENGLISH COUSIN. 75 
 
 way to avoid being occasionally drunk (#\liich T am 
 sorry to say did happen to me more than once) 
 than to give up all intoxicating drinks. I followed 
 Tom Brunt's example in this as in other things. 
 Mother dear, you don't how much you are indebted 
 to that noble fellow. He was the very best sailor on 
 board the Juniata." 
 
 " It 's well enough for him to give up grog," said 
 ]VIr. Middlefield ; " but as a gentleman, and a gentle- 
 man's son, it seems strange that you should not drink 
 wine. Have you signed a temperance pledge ? " 
 
 " I have not with my hand, but I have with my 
 heart and conscience. ^Hiy, sir, one of the most 
 generous-hearted men in our ship has fnllcn into 
 such habits of intemperance that he is not fit for the 
 service. He has ruined himself, and must either 
 resign or be dismissed. I found there was no other 
 safety for me but teetotalism, for I really like vawQ 
 exceedingly." 
 
 " You are my brave son, my own noble Larry ! " 
 exclaimed the mother, with tears of joy rolling 
 over her cheeks. " The greatest conquest you could 
 make is a conquest over yourself." 
 
 " Teetotalism ! A real Yankee notion ! " cried 
 Blanche, laughing scornfully. I have seen gentle-
 
 76 I WILL BE A SAILOR. 
 
 men at my, uncle's table so drunk they could not 
 speak, even before the ladies left the table, and no- 
 body thought the worse of them for that." 
 
 " I am glad, then, that I am not an English gen- 
 tleman ; a drunken gentleman is no better for the 
 time being than a drunken beggar," exclaimed 
 Larry, indignantly. 
 
 " I see we shall never agree in anything," said 
 Blanche. " You out- Yankee all the specimens I 
 have seen on the stage." 
 
 " I shall hope to convince you of some of your 
 errors, even during the short time that I remain 
 at home. You never will make me despise the 
 name of Yankee. In time, you will honor it." 
 
 " Never, never ! " mterrupted Blanche, with her 
 red lips pouting and her eyes darting a fierce glance 
 at Larry. " I heard, before I came to this horrid 
 country, that the men were half savage, and the 
 women white squaws." 
 
 Poor and dependent upon her uncle for the shelter 
 of his hospitable roof, the English prejudices of 
 Blanche were continually obtruding themselves upon 
 her kind relations. Mr. lliddlefield, out of pity, had 
 so far borne with the young girl's contemptuous 
 speeches, and so had the gentle Mrs. Lockwell ; but 
 this was too much.
 
 OUR ENGLISH COUSIN. 77 
 
 " Blanche Mowbray ! do you know wliore you 
 are ? Do you know who you are ? *Your mother 
 was a Yankee, — a Boston Yankee, — and a fairer, 
 more beautiful woman never crossed the ocean. 
 The greatest crime she ever committed was marry- 
 iu<i: an Englishman, who has taught his daughter to 
 desj>ise her own kith and kin. Let me hear no more 
 from you on this subject. I will have no traitors in 
 my house, foreign or domestic." 
 
 Blanche was overawed by the vehemence of ]\Ir. 
 Middlefield ; still she pouted, and cast defiant glances 
 at Larry.
 
 78 I WILL BE A SAIL OK. 
 
 CHAPTER X, 
 
 THE SEA-CHEST. 
 
 With what pride and pleasure Larry opened his 
 favorite chest ! 
 
 He had been allowed by his kind Captain to visit 
 many places of interest, and had joined a party who 
 were gomg from Naples to Rome. 
 
 Mrs. Lockwell had the chest brought into the 
 dining-room, to gratify Larry, and she, with Blanche, 
 were present to see its contents. 
 
 " There, mother, that picture of the Bay of Naples 
 is for you. It is a very good view of the city, and 
 Vesuvius in the background," said Larry, handing 
 his mother a fine oil-painting. 
 
 " Naples ! " said Blanche, contem^ituously ; " it is 
 not half as large as London, nor half as rich, nor 
 half as handsome." 
 
 " You don't agree, then, with the favorite Italian 
 proverb, ' See Naples, and then die,' because you 
 can see nothing finer."
 
 THE SEA-CHEST. 79 
 
 "After London, every place must look small," 
 replied Blanche. 
 
 " But there • you have no such beautiful bay as 
 that, with its crescent of splendid buildings, the sea 
 in the distance, and that magnificent mountain in the 
 backgi-ound." 
 
 " But we have the Thames, that beautiful, far- 
 famed river ! " 
 
 " River ! what is that insignificant Thames to our 
 Hudson, our Ohio, our Mississippi ! " 
 
 " Come, LaiTy, you must not join in a game of 
 brag," said ]\Irs. Lockwell. " I am very much 
 pleased with your gift ; it is very beautiful." 
 
 " And here are a number of curiosities from Pom- 
 peii and Herculaneum, for gnmdpa. Look at that 
 bronze stork standing on one slender leg, with a 
 snake in her mouth ; is n't she a fine bird ? " 
 
 " 0, they make prettier things in bronze at 
 Brummagem, — a thousand times prettier," said 
 Blanche, proudly. 
 
 Larry could not help laughing merrily at this out- 
 and-out English notion. 
 
 " Well, here is something they don't make at 
 Brummagem ; a set of pink coral, — necklace, brace- 
 lets, ear-rings, comb, and brooch. Mother, I forgot
 
 80 I WILL BE A SAILOR. 
 
 that you never wore coral ornaments ; I was so 
 much pleased with their beauty that I bought them. 
 Blanche, I did not know then that I had a cousin 
 whom they would become. Will you do me the 
 favor to accept these corals ? " 
 
 Blanche was quite taken by surprise ; her face 
 and neck became of a deeper red than the corals. 
 She hesitated, with her hands held behind her, while 
 Larry offered her the pretty box in which the orna- 
 ments lay on shining white satin. 
 
 " "What ! not accept my simple gift ? ' Why, then 
 I am indeed unblest,' " quoted Larry, in mock-heroic 
 style. 
 
 " You are too generous ; I never had as valuable 
 a present in my life," replied Blanche, dropping her 
 hands by her side, while her haughty nature was 
 struggling with the desii'e to possess the corals. 
 
 " Take the box, Blanche," said Mi'S. Lockwell ; 
 " you know I cannot wear corals." 
 
 Blanche took it, and muttered her thanks so indis- 
 tinctly that they did not reach the ear of the donor. 
 
 " But, mother, you do wear jet, and here is a jet- 
 cross I brought you from Rome. You will wear 
 that for my sake." 
 
 " Certainly, my dear boy, I do not reject the
 
 THE SEA-CHEST. 81 
 
 sacred symbol, and shall wear it reverentially. I am 
 afraid, Larry, you spent too miicli money al)road i\n- 
 your small means." 
 
 " All my own, mother ; Captain Ringbolt paid his 
 clerk liberally." 
 
 Blanche dissappearcd for a few moments, and re- 
 turned bringing in her hand a book bound in green 
 morocco, entitled " A Picture of London." It was a 
 guide-book for that city and its environs, witli views 
 of all the principal edifices, squares, and monuments, 
 and a fine map. It seemed to have been much used, 
 and indeed it had been by Blanche, for she had never 
 been in London herself It was her most precii)us 
 possession, and she felt relieved from too burdensome 
 A weight of obligation when she had given it to 
 Larry. He accepted it graciously. 
 
 Larry liad remembered every servant in the fam- 
 ily, and enjoyed their surprise and pleasure at the 
 proofs of his kind remembrance and In's generosity. 
 
 4*
 
 82 I WILL BE A SAILOR. 
 
 CHAPTER XI. 
 
 HEROES. 
 
 The miniature frigate Constitution had been care- 
 fully put away by Mrs. Lockwell. On examination, 
 Larry found that he had made but few mistakes in 
 the hull or in the rigging ; these mistakes he could 
 not rectify without taking the whole ship to pieces. 
 He therefore wisely determined to let it alone. 
 
 About a week after Larry's return home, a large 
 parcel arrived for him by express from New York. 
 
 " My Captain says I may wear the navy blue and 
 the buttons too, for he considers me the same as in a 
 naval school, and it is the best school I could have 
 preparatory to being a midshipman. Mother, would 
 you like to see your sailor-boy hi his new sea-rig ? " 
 
 " I should ; go and prepare yourself for exhibition 
 while we adjourn to the parlor," was the reply. 
 
 Larry had gained in height during his absence. 
 His round jacket set off his well-formed person ;
 
 HEROES. 83 
 
 his face, though browned by exposure, glowed with 
 health and high spirits, and his line eyes sparkled 
 with mingled fun and exultation as he came into tlie 
 paiior, making a low bow ; then, drawing himself u]), 
 he exclaimed, "I intend never to disgrace these 
 buttons ! " 
 
 Blanche could not help admiring the sailor-boy, 
 but her lip curled contemptuously as she whispered, 
 " The buttons disgrace you." 
 
 Had she not been a girl, his quick temper might 
 have led him to resent this insult to the navy with a 
 blow ; a hand-to-hand fight would have ensued, for 
 Blanche was a "tom-boy," and could use firits as 
 effectually as she did her tongue. 
 
 As it was, Larry partiiUly swallowed down his 
 resentment, and exclaimed, " Blanche ! you make 
 me almost hate the English, who ever ought to be 
 our truest and best friends ! " 
 
 " Yes indeed," said Mr. Middlefield, warmly ; 
 " according to their own i)rinc"ii)les, noble princii>les, 
 upon which they have heretofore acted, they ought 
 earnestly to espouse the cause of the North ; and I 
 believe it is for their interest too." 
 
 " Then they sacrifice for us both interest and jirin- 
 cipal (principle)," said Larry. " How generous 1 "
 
 84 I WILL BE A SAILOR. 
 
 " There goes the bell for dinner ; let us discuss 
 that, and let England and the English alone for the 
 present." So saying, Mr. Middlefield led the way to 
 the dining-room. 
 
 " Yankees would find England too strong and 
 tough for their digestion, if they were to meddle with 
 her," whispered Blanche to Larry, as they walked 
 side by side. 
 
 " Our Northwestern States would swallow the 
 little island for a single mouthful ; they would n't 
 mind it any more than I would mind swallowing a 
 cheiTy." 
 
 " You mean they are big enough for that ; but a 
 big bully may be beaten by a scientific boxer." 
 
 " Good for you, Blanche ; but suppose the big bully 
 gains skill as well as strength." 
 
 Soon after they were seated at table, a Philadel- 
 phia daily was brought in. 
 
 " "Washington is safe ! " exclaimed ]\Ir. Middlefield. 
 " Our brave volunteers have marched to its defence 
 from all parts of the North. The glorious New 
 York Seventh can no more be called a dandy regi- 
 ment. Their march to the capital will make a 
 grand incident in the future liistory of our country." 
 
 *' Yes ; how they helped those brave Massachu-
 
 HEROES. 85 
 
 setts men to food, who were half starving, and who 
 had worked day and night on the railroad. What a 
 glorious tiling it is to be soldier or sailor, and to tight 
 in a good cause! I should like to have been with 
 the Scots at Bannockburn." 
 
 " Now you say that, Larry, just to provoke me," 
 said Blanche ; " and uncle speaks of the march of the 
 Seventh Regiment to Washington as though it were 
 as grand an achievement as tlie retreat of Xenophon 
 with his ten thousand." 
 
 " And why not, Blanche ? can you have no admi- 
 ration, no enthusiasm, for those brave men who ai'C 
 acting in the living present?" 
 
 " Yes, I admire the daring of the noble * six hun- 
 dred ' at Sevastopol. You never can match that ! " 
 
 " Indeed, we can overmatch it. When the history 
 of this war comes to be written, deeds of n<»l)le daring 
 will then excite your most glowing admiration. You 
 can appreciate magnanimity and true heroism : you 
 ought to see my Commodore ; he is every inch a 
 hero." 
 
 " But, Larry, this is a civU war, such as we do not 
 have in England." 
 
 " Not just at present ; but what were the wai-s 
 between Cavaliers and Roundheads, between York
 
 86 I "WILL BE A SAILOR. 
 
 and Lancaster, the '45, and many others, but 
 civil wars ? You speak as though such a thing as 
 civil war had never been heard of in England, and 
 bitterly condemn us for putting down a rebellion far 
 worse than the Irish rebellion." 
 
 " Well, well, you may talk till you are gray, 
 Larry, and you never will convince me that there 
 is anything heroic in Yankee character." 
 
 " I hope to prove it by deeds, and not words," 
 replied Larry, with strong emotion. 
 
 Two weeks had passed rapidly away. The time 
 had come for Larry to leave his hoine again to 
 embark on the uncertain ocean. His good mother 
 earnestly and trustfully commended her boy to the 
 care of Him who " ruleth the raging of the sea, and 
 stilleth the waves thereof when they arise." 
 
 " When I plead the cause of sailors," said the 
 eloquent Melville, "it seems to me as though the 
 hun-icane and the battle, the ocean with its crested 
 billows, and war with its magnificently stem retinue, 
 met and mingled to give force to the appeal. It 
 seems as though stranded navies, the thousands who 
 have gone down with the waves for their winding- 
 ,«heet, and who await in unfathomable caverns the 
 shrill ti'umpet-peal of the archangel, rose to admonish
 
 iiiiuoKS. 87 
 
 us of the vast debt we owe those brave fellows who 
 are contmually jeoparding their lives in our service. 
 And then there comes before me the imagery of a 
 mother, who has parted with many tears and many 
 forebodings from lier sailor-boy ; whose thoughts 
 have accompanied him as none but those of ti mother 
 can, in liis long wanderings over the deep ; and who 
 would rejoice with all a mother's gladness to know 
 ' that he had fled for refuge to lay hold upon the 
 hope set before him, which hope we have as an 
 anchor of the soul, both sure and steadfast, and whicli 
 entereth into that within the veil.' " 
 
 Thus did Mrs. Lockwell part with her sailor-boy. 
 
 Larry went to seek Blanche, to bid her " fiire- 
 well." He found her in the parlor, seated at the 
 piano, and stopped in mute astonishment to hear 
 her singing the following, from Drake's " American 
 Flag": — 
 
 " Flag of the seas ! on ocean's wave, 
 Thy stars shall glitter o'er the brave; 
 When death, careering on the gale, 
 Sweeps darkly round the bellied sail, 
 And frighted waves rush wildly back 
 Before the broadside's reeling rack, 
 Each dying wanderer of the sea 
 Shall look at once to heaven and thee,
 
 88 I WILT. BE A SAILOR. 
 
 And smile to see thy splendors fly 
 In triumph o'er his closing eye ! 
 
 Flag of the free heart's hope and home, 
 By angel hands to valor given ; 
 
 Thy stars have lit the welkin dome, 
 And all thy hues were bom in heaven. 
 
 Forever float that standard sheet 
 Where breathes the foe that falls before us, 
 
 With Freedom's soil beneath our feet. 
 And Freedom's banner streaming o'er us." 
 
 It was Larry's favorite song ! 
 
 The voice of Blanche trembled as she sang the 
 last line, and when she had touched the last note 
 she covered her face, and unbidden tears came to 
 her eyes. 
 
 Larry stepped lightly to her side, touched his lips 
 gently to her forehead, and, without speaking a word, 
 left the room ; a few moments after he was hux'rying 
 away from Chestnut Hill.
 
 LETTER FROM LARRY. 89 
 
 CHAPTER XII. 
 
 LETTER FROM LARRY. 
 
 On board the Clierokee, Potomac River. 
 
 Dear Folks at Home : I have seen figliting ; 
 I have heard for the first time the firing of sheila. 
 
 it is awful, tremendous, but exciting beyond every- 
 thing ! 
 
 We went to find out what the Rebels were doing 
 on shore, — a party of soldiers and sailors in boats, 
 — and I was allowed to go with thcni. They — the 
 Rebels — were as busy as ants on an ant-hill, erecting 
 batteries. But we made them scamper ; that is, the 
 shells of the Cherokee being thrown among them, they 
 were glad to skedaddle, and left us to destroy the 
 battery they had begun. 
 
 You would have been amused to see Tom Brunt 
 riding off with a horse that he found all equipped. 
 Tom got a wound in his hand from a revolver, which, 
 
 1 suppose, was fired at him by the owner of tlic 
 horse. I bound it up immediately with my hand-
 
 90 1 WILL BE A SAILOR. 
 
 kerchief. After this, I mean to have two or three 
 extra handkerchiefs in my pockets. 
 
 The enemy soon began to muster in great numbers, 
 and we, having accomplished the purpose for which 
 we landed, hastened to our boats. But we were 
 obhged to put off before all the men had reached 
 the boats, and one of our officers swam to the boat I 
 was in, with a soldier on his back, who held fast to 
 his musket. We helped them into the boat. Though 
 balls were whizzing about them like hail, they 
 escaped without harm. One ball went through the 
 cap of the soldier. Tom Brunt's horse was sent to 
 "Washington as a prize, and the good fellow was 
 highly delighted with the praise he received from 
 the officer in command of the boat-expedition. 
 
 I hope Cousin Blanche is quite Americanized by 
 this time. I could not understand why she was so 
 deeply affected while singing Drake's "American 
 Flag." I have pondered much and often upon it, 
 and cannot solve the mystery. She was so fiercely 
 English that I cannot believe in her sudden conver- 
 sion. I thank my dear mother for sparing me from 
 our home. I try to remember her good advice. I 
 know I have her prayers. Grandpa will receive 
 with this a note from Captain Eingbolt. Our Cap-
 
 LETTER FROM LARRY. 91 
 
 tain is as brave as Lawrence, as fearless as Bain- 
 bridge, and as patriotic as grandpa himself. 
 
 With undying love for all of you, my dear ones at 
 Chestnut Hill, 
 
 Yours, 
 
 Larry Lockwell. 
 
 note from capt^un ringbolt. 
 
 On board the Cherokee, Potomac River, 1861. 
 
 Hon. Stark Middlefield : 
 Dear Sir : It gives me gi-eat pleasure to in- 
 form you that your grandson Lawrence Lockwell 
 has shown himself one of the bravest of the 
 brave, during a recent raid upon tlie Rebels. 
 His courage is of the right sort, not rashness or 
 foolhardiness. You have reason to be proud of 
 the boy. I, as liis adopted fiither, glory in him, 
 and trust he may be spared to command one of 
 the best ships tliat ever sailed under the Hag 
 of the Union. 
 
 With great regai'd, truly yours. 
 
 Hector Ringbolt. 
 
 "Americanized! no indeed!" exclaimed Bhuichc, 
 after she had heard Mr. Middlelield read out
 
 92 I WILL BE A SAILOR. 
 
 tlie letter and note. " I cried to think Larry- 
 might be killed, but I am English still to the 
 heart's core. I am glad, however, that Larry was 
 brave, for I hate cowards." 
 
 "It is the most unexpected thing in the world 
 to us, next to the rebellion itself, that the Eng- 
 lish people, any of them, high or low, rich or 
 poor, should have taken part with seceding States, 
 when they were unwilling to give up a foot of 
 their o^vn territory, even were it a desolate rock 
 in the midst of the ocean." 
 
 '' Do you mean St. Helena, where we shut up 
 Bonaparte to keep him from mischief?" 
 
 " I had not St. Helena in mind. But, Blanche, 
 we will not agitate that question ; I only wisli 
 the leaders of rebellion were as closely confined 
 as Bonaparte was at Longwood, and had a Sir 
 Hudson Lowe for their jailer."
 
 TOM uuuxt's sistkr. 93 
 
 C II AFTER XIII. 
 
 TOM BUUNTS SISTER. 
 
 The summer months had passed away, and tlie 
 blasts of autumn were already sprinkling the lawu 
 at Chestnut Hill mth yellou', crimson, luul brown 
 from the old trees, but no news came from Larry. 
 Of course there was great anxiety felt by the ti-io 
 at the Hill. 
 
 One moiTiing, after breakfast, Blanche was 
 missing. She had taken her sun-bonnet in hand, 
 had run dovra tiie lawn and out of the gate, as 
 swiftly as a deer with the hunters in full chase. 
 
 She kept up this rapid pace till she reached 
 the cottage of Tom Brunt's sister, Mercy Brunt. 
 
 Now Blanche was an entire stranger to ]\Ior<-y, 
 but she had not a particle of bashl'ulncss in her 
 composition ; so she knocked at the cottage-door 
 without the last hesitation. She was going to 
 see a poor person, as she thought, and there- 
 fore assumed a condescending, patronizing air.
 
 94 I WILL BE A SAILOR. 
 
 Mercy opened the door, which led directly into 
 the front room. 
 
 " I am INIiss Blanche Mowbray, and I have 
 come to inquire if you have heard lately from 
 your sailor-brother," said she. 
 
 " Please walk in. Miss Mowbray, and take a 
 seat ; you seem quite out of breath." So saying, 
 Mei'cy handed a chair. 
 
 " I am sorry to say I have n't heard from Tom 
 since he left home." 
 
 " Then you have not heard how brave he was 
 on a certain occasion ? " 
 
 "Not a word." 
 
 Blanche told what Larry had written in his 
 letter from on board the Cherokee, and received 
 many thanks from Mercy for the good news. 
 
 Mercy seated herself by her sewing-machine, 
 and continued her work, with an apology for the 
 noise the machine made. It was a novelty to 
 Blanche, and she had many questions to ask about 
 it. They were answered clearly and intelli- 
 gently. 
 
 Blanche looked ai'ound the neat apartment. The 
 floor was covered with a bright-striped home-made 
 carpet. In the fireplace were branches of white
 
 TOM nUUNX's SISTER, 95 
 
 coral and beautiful sea-shells, brought from the 
 Indian Ocean by Tom. Tlie chairs were cush- 
 ioned, the covers of the cushions being pieced 
 out of small bits of brilliant-colored woollen stuffi. 
 In the centre of the room, on an old-fashioned 
 mahogany table, were a number of books, a large 
 family Bible, " Pai'adise Lost," Cowper's Poems, 
 several volumes of sennons, Longfellow's Poems, 
 and several other books by English and Ameri- 
 can authoi-s. Blanche examined them with in- 
 terest and curiosity. She thought she was going 
 to visit a poor person, and associated ignorance 
 with poverty as a matter of course. 
 
 "I suppose you are quite familiar with ;ill 
 those works," said Mercy Blunt, as Bknche was 
 turning them over. 
 
 " Whose ai'e they ? " demanded Blanche, ab- 
 ruptly. 
 
 "They have the author's names, I believe, 
 all of them," replied Mercy. 
 
 " I mean, — that is," said Blanche, sliglitly 
 embarrassed, " who reads them here ? " 
 
 " I read them ; reading is my great resource ; 
 I should be very lonely without books," was tho 
 reply.
 
 96 I WILL BE A SAILOR. 
 
 " And do you live all alone ? " 
 
 " Not entirely ; I have a faithful colored wo- 
 man, who has been in our family many years, and 
 Tom is at home every now and then. I wish 
 I could know where he is now ; but he is in 
 God's own good keeping, and I have reason to 
 beheve he is safe, living or dying. When he 
 was home the last time he made me a birth- 
 day present of this sewing-machine ; it was my 
 twenty-ninth birthday ; I am ten yeai'S older 
 than Tom. My poor brother was left to my 
 care when he was very young." 
 
 " But how can you find so much sewing to 
 do for yourself, when that thing works as fast 
 as a windmill in a gale ? " 
 
 " I have very little to do for myself ; I sew 
 for my living." 
 
 This was said so simply and so unreservedly 
 that Blanche was quite taken by surprise. She 
 never before had felt such respect for a person 
 who " worked for her hving." Just as if every- 
 body in this world did not work in some way 
 for a living ! The idlers being generally the 
 hardest workers to "kill time." 
 
 "You are looking quite earnestly at that en-
 
 TOM bkuxt's sister. 97 
 
 graving of Longfellow," said Mercy. " Are }(>u 
 a lover of his poetry ? " 
 
 " I never heard his name before ; it is a jolly 
 one." 
 
 "Jolly!" said Mercy, with a smile; "he is not 
 a jolly poet, but a fine, moral poet^ quite equal 
 to Cowper, if not superior. His poetry is a real 
 tonic, — so strengthening." 
 
 " An American poet ? " questioned Blanche, 
 superciliously. 
 
 " Yes, one of our very best poets ; please take 
 the two volumes home with you to read, Mha 
 Mowbray, if you don't hajjpen to have them in 
 the library at Chestnut Hill." 
 
 Scarcely anytliing could have surprised Blanche 
 more than this oflTer to lend her, Aliss BLmche 
 ]\Iowbray, — to lend lier liooks, — the books of 
 a poor seamstress ! She, however, declined the 
 offer Avith some degi'cc of civilif}', and INIercy, 
 who was occupied with her sewing-machine, did 
 not see the haughty toss of IMiss Blanche's liead. 
 
 As she was yet standing by the contro-falih', 
 
 an inner d<x)r was ojiened, and a strange figure 
 
 appeared with a plate, upon which was a glass 
 
 of water. Milly, the old servant of whom Mercy 
 
 5 a
 
 98 I WILL BE A SAILOR. 
 
 had spoken, was a dumpy little body. Her hair, 
 almost "white, stood out upon her head in all 
 directions, forming a strange contrast to her very 
 dark face. 
 
 She approached Blanche, and, dropping a low 
 courtesy, said^ " Have a glass of cold water, 
 Missy ? " 
 
 Blanche was terrified at this novel sight, and, 
 snatching the glass, threw it directly in the face 
 of the old negress ; then, opening the door, the 
 frightened girl fled from the cottage, and ran, with- 
 out slackening her pace, till she reached Chest- 
 nut Hill. 
 
 " Oh dear ! " she exclaimed, throwing hereelf 
 upon a sofa in the parlor, where Mrs. Lockwell 
 •was sitting. " Oh dear ! " 
 
 " What is the matter, Blanche ? " asked INIrs. 
 Lockwell, alarmed. 
 
 " Oh ! I have seen the most frightful Ameri- 
 can savage." 
 
 " Savage ! Wliere ? " exclaimed Mrs. Lockwell. 
 
 " At Mercy Brunt's. I never was so friglit- 
 ened in my life. I had heard and read of 
 savages before, but I never conceived of anything 
 60 perfectly diabolical."
 
 TOM brunt's sister. 99 
 
 " It must have been poor old Milly ; as harmless 
 a creature as ever breathed," said Mrs. Lockwell, 
 laughing heartily. " And what did she do or say to 
 you, Blanche?" 
 
 " She came towards me with a glass of water, and 
 I was so terrified that I threw it in her face, glass 
 and all, and then ran home for dear life." 
 
 " Blanche, I am jushamed of you ! So, then, you 
 have made the acquaintance of Mercy Brunt. A 
 very valuable woman she is ; and, though she keeps 
 herself quietly at home generally, she is known to 
 everybody in the village. What will she think of 
 
 you?" 
 
 " Cousin, one thing surprised me, — not one tln'ng 
 alone, — but what surprised me most was lier lan- 
 guage. Why, she speaks as good English as I 
 dof" 
 
 " And is that so very strange ? " 
 
 " Yes, uideed ; I thought poor i)eople here would 
 speak a sort of American language, as diificult to 
 understand as the Yorkshire wth its, — I mean the 
 educated classes, in England." 
 
 " And we thought our English cousin would say, 
 * 'Am hand heggs, Hingland and llamerica, and 'Ow 
 hare you?'"
 
 100 I "WILL BE A SAILOR. 
 
 " I am not a Cockney," said Blanche, proudly ; 
 " my relations were all well born and well bred." 
 
 " Mercy Brunt is a Yankee from Down-East, as 
 we sometimes term a part of New England. She 
 may have worked in a Lowell factory for aught I 
 know. At any rate, she has had the advantage of 
 common schools, and is a great reader. Her brother 
 Tom, having come to this part of the country when 
 quite young, and being obliged to work hard, has not 
 had the same advantages as his sister ; but he is a 
 good fellow, and has been of infinite service to my 
 Larry. See how influence extends. Mercy's in- 
 fluence over her brother has been most beneficial, 
 and has thus extended to another, and wUl extend in 
 a widening circle, like that when a pebble is di'opped 
 in the water." 
 
 " This seems veiy strange. I thought influence 
 was downward, from the rich and high in station to 
 the poor and low-born," said Blanche. 
 
 " Ah, my dear child, you have many things yet to 
 learn. Well is our humble friend named Mercy, for 
 she is a general benefactress, — first, by her lovely 
 example, and then by going about doing good, like 
 her blessed Master. If any one is dangerously ill in 
 our village, Mercy is sent for ; she is a tender, gen-
 
 TOM brunt's sister. 101 
 
 tie, and judicious nurse. AVlien licr poor neighbors 
 want advice about their worklly affairs, or their spir- 
 itual interests, they ask it of Mercy Brunt ; and no 
 one is better able to give the, advice they need. 
 She is universally known and respected." 
 
 " You surprise me ; I never heard of a person 
 working for her daily bread, who could hold such a 
 position. She could not do it in England." 
 
 " Position ! Mercy never thinks of position ! She 
 does the duty that lies nearest to her from day to 
 dny, and is contented and cheerful in tlie station 
 Providence allots to her." 
 
 " I should not think she could be cheerful, living 
 in the house with that frightful negro woman. I 
 would not sleep in the same house with that horrible 
 wretch for millions." 
 
 " Horrible wretch ! she is one of the kindest crea- 
 tures in the world. She had nothing to give you but 
 a ' cuji of cold water,' and you threw it in her face. 
 Now wliich showed the most genume jKilitcness, you 
 or poor old black Milly ? " 
 
 " Politeness ! cousin, you can't call anything 
 such a creature does, politeness ; I should sooner 
 think of calling a horse or a dog polite." 
 
 " Christian politeness, or charity, is confined to no
 
 102 I WILL BE A SAILOR. 
 
 station, age, sex, or color. Milly is polite after her 
 fashion ; her manners are better than those of many 
 persons I could name." 
 
 " This is a strange country ! I can't understand 
 its ways at all. A woman who earns her living by 
 sewing, influential and respectable ! — a horrible, old 
 negro, a pattern of politeness ! " And Blanche fell 
 into a fit of immoderate laughter, while Mrs. Lock- 
 well regarded her with as much sternness as her 
 gentle nature would allow.
 
 GOING ASHORE. 103 
 
 CHAPTER XIV. 
 
 GOING ASHOUE. 
 
 LETTER FROM TOM BRUNT TO HIS SISTER. 
 
 On board the Cherokee, Potomac River. 
 
 My dear Sister: The Chaplain of our ship 
 is so kind as to write this letter for me, my right 
 hand not serving me at present. I lost a fuiger some 
 months ago; you may have heard of it through 
 Master Lawrence Lockwell. I \\dsh I could tell you 
 where that brave boy is now. lie bound up my 
 hand when it was shot, and he was always doing me 
 some kindness. O how I miss him ! I pray for him 
 every day, — many times a day, — for he is among 
 the Rebels! 
 
 We went ashore in a boat, about a dozen of us, 
 in what seemed a safe place, just to make wliat they 
 call a reconnoissance. Larry begged to go with us, 
 an(^ our Captain gave him leave, somewhat unwill- 
 ingly- 
 
 No sooner had we landed than out flashed from a
 
 104 I WILL BE A SAILOR. 
 
 sand bank, that looked for all the world as harmless 
 as the hill behind our house, — out flashed big guns, 
 and balls fell all round us, knocking over one man at 
 the very first fire. I tell you what ! those masked 
 battei'ics are not to be sneezed at ; they are like 
 wolves in sheep's clothing. 
 
 When we found that the Rebels were there by hun- 
 dreds, we were ordered to our boat, and ran for it, 
 for there was a tremendous firing upon us ; and what 
 could men do, with only muskets and revolvers 
 against those big guns ? So we all got on board, as 
 we thought, but the man that was killed, as we sup- 
 posed, and, I am sorry to add, Master Larry. 
 
 I begged the boatswain to put back for him ; we 
 could see him kneeling by the side of the man who 
 had fallen ; but the sailors were rowing as fast as 
 possible, and would not stop. 
 
 " The boy will be taken prisoner ; the sailor is 
 killed." That was all the midshipman in command 
 would say, and we pushed for the Cherokee, that was 
 about a mile below. 
 
 When we reported to the Captain, he ordered 
 shells to be fired into the battery, and even without 
 glasses, from the maintop, we could see the Rebels 
 scattering. What became of Master Larry we don't
 
 GOING ASHORE. 105 
 
 know. We do know, however, a little more about 
 hira. 
 
 The sailor by whom Larry was kneeling was 
 badly wounded in the leg. You know how skil- 
 fully Larry bound up my hand when my finger Avas 
 shot off. Just so he was doing now, tying a hand- 
 kerchief above the wound to keep the blood from 
 flownig, otherwise the sailor would have bled to death. 
 I had the account of it from Amos Molius, the sailor 
 liimself. Amos told me that Master Lan-y saw the 
 boat putting off, but would not leave him to die. 
 Just as he had stopped the bleeding, a Rebel came 
 very near, and pointed his rifie at the two. Larry 
 cried out, " Don't shoot a wounded man." " I II 
 shoot you," bawled out the KcIk'I, witli an awful 
 oath. Quick as a flash, the boy drew his revolver, 
 a six-shooter. Amos heard the report of a musket 
 and a pistol, and then he supposes that he fainted, 
 for he heard no more. Loss of blood and terror li.id 
 deprived him of consciousness. The sailor thinks 
 he was left for dead by the Rebels. " Ah ! " said 
 Amos to me, " I should n't have been alive to tell 
 the story, if it liail n't been for that brave lad, 
 who tied the two silk handkerchiefs a.s skilfully as 
 any surgeon. The wound wa^ just in the flesh, and 
 
 5*
 
 106 I WILL BE A SAILOR. 
 
 the only clanger was from the bleeding.' When 
 Amos came to himself, he was lying in- the same 
 spot, with a pool of blood by him. He was 
 aroused by shells that came boom, boom, over him, 
 from our ship. He expected to be hit by them, for 
 they fell quite near him. The Rebels were scattered, 
 and their battery destroyed. Amos crept near the 
 river, and sheltered himself under a shelving bank. 
 There he slept till early the next morning, when, 
 being a capital swimmer, he swam down to our ship, 
 and we took him on board. What became of the 
 brave boy who saved his life, he cannot tell. May 
 God have him in his holy keeping, says your brother. 
 My dear Mercy, my heart cHngs to that lad as the 
 heai't of Jonathan did to David ; and, by the way, I 
 think Lawrence Lockwell is more like David than 
 any one else I ever read of. He is as brave as a 
 lion, and was the Captain's darling. They say this 
 fine old man cried like a child when he heard that 
 Master Larry was left among the Rebels, and blamed 
 the officer in command of the boat for not bring- 
 ing him off. 
 
 And now, my dear sister, I am thankful to tell 
 you that I am well and hearty ; as much devoted to 
 the good cause as ever, and not a bit discouraged.
 
 GOING ASnORE. 107 
 
 Keep up good heart yourself; all will come right at 
 last. I think our Chaplain has put my poor ideas 
 into the right words, and I am much obliged to him. 
 May God bless you and keep you under the 
 shadow of his wings, is the constant prayer Oi 
 Your affectionate brother, 
 
 Tom Brunt. 
 
 The Chaplain added the following postscript : — 
 
 "It gives the Chaplain great pleasure to inform 
 the sister of Tom Brunt that he is one of the best 
 sailors in the world, a true Christian, and a gi-eat aid 
 to the Chaplain in liis endeavors to do good to the 
 otlier sailors on board the Cherokee." 
 
 Unwilling to be a witness of the giief and anxiety 
 Tom's letter would occasion, Mercy Brunt put it in 
 an envelope, and sent it to Mrs. Lockwell by Milly. 
 
 "When Blanche saw the old black woman coming 
 up to the house, she fled precipitately to her own 
 room, and locked hereelf within. 
 
 Mi-s. Lockwell went to the door herself, and in the 
 kindest way possible told the poor woman she must 
 excuse Miss Mowbray's rudeness, when that young 
 lady was at the cottage, for she had never seen 
 colored people in England.
 
 108 I WILL BE A SAILOR. 
 
 " ma'am ! I thought she was one of them South- 
 ern Rebels they tell so much about, and was used to 
 throwmg things at nigger's heads. The glass was 
 strong, or my wool was thick, for the glass did n't 
 break, and I like cold water ; so the young IMissy 
 need n't be troubled. I don't think she can be a lady, 
 but I hopes, ma'am, she '11 learn, now she 's got such 
 a sample before her as Mi-s. Lockwell." So saying, 
 Milly made one of her bobbing courtesies, and hob- 
 bled off.
 
 A SURPRISE. 109 
 
 CHAPTER XV 
 
 A S U K r U I S E . 
 
 A PARK doud of sadness rested upon the once 
 cheerful habitation at Chestnut Hill. How was it to 
 be dispelled ? No news came from Larry ; but his 
 chest, containing his clotliing, watch, and money, was 
 sent home by Captain Ringbolt. 
 
 ]Mrs. Lockwell set herself to work to prepare a box 
 of warm garments, and of dehcacies for sick soldiei*3 
 in the hospitals at Washington. She found some 
 solace in this occupation. But day after day she 
 worked alone, for Blanche took long walks, and tlien 
 shut herself within her own room. Knowing her 
 prejudices, Mrs. Lockwell did not ask her assistance 
 in the benevolent work. 
 
 Mr. JMiddlefield wrote to Captain Ringbolt, in- 
 quu-ing about Larry. No answer came, for the 
 Captiim had been ordered to the Gulf of INIexico. 
 The sorrowful grandfatlier's in(piiries in other direc- 
 tions were entirely unsatisfactory.
 
 110 I WILL BE A SAILOR. 
 
 When Mrs. Lockwell was packing her box to send 
 off by express, Blanche opened the door of the room 
 where Mrs. Lockwell was busy, and thi-ew in two 
 red-flannel shirts, and a pair of gray yam stockings. 
 Blanche closed the door hastily, and went to her own 
 room. ^ 
 
 IVIi'S. Lockwell was puzzled. Wlio could have 
 sent tliis contribution to her box? She at length 
 conjectured that it must have come from Mercy 
 Brunt. 
 
 Mercy Brunt was just then shown in, with a large 
 parcel in her hands, containing a dozen pair of carpet 
 slippers. 
 
 Mrs. Lockwell thanked her for them, and for the 
 other articles. 
 
 " Your thanks must be given to Miss Blanche 
 Mowbray for the shirts and stockings. She learned 
 to knit for the purpose. She gave me the money, 
 and I bought the materials for her and cut out the 
 shirts, but she made every stitch of them her- 
 self, and she supplied me with the carpet for the 
 slippers." 
 
 " How did she overcome her fear of Milly ? " ex- 
 claimed Mrs. LockweU. 
 
 " It required resolution ; but the object in view was
 
 A SURPRISE. Ill 
 
 such that she overcame her repugnance, and now she 
 quite fancies Milly." 
 
 " This is astonishing ! It accounts for her long 
 walks, and her seclusion. How pleased my father 
 will he, and my poor Larry, too, if he only knew it ! 
 Alas ! he may he needmg warm clothing at this very 
 moment." 
 
 " God tempers the blast to the shorn lamb," re- 
 plied Mercy, devoutly; then, after a few moments' 
 pause, she continued, " I have n't told you that Miss 
 Blanche parted with a ring, which I disposed of at 
 the jeweller's, to obtain the money for her {purchases. 
 She did not wish to keep the ring, because it was 
 given her by a relation from whom she had mainly 
 imbibed her prejudices against this country." 
 
 " This is indeed a triumph. I shall leave it for 
 Blanche to speak of the change in her opinions and 
 feelings ; she has showT» tlie change by deeds, and I 
 will not wound her pride by compelling any other 
 acknowledgment." 
 
 " That is wise and kind," said Mercy ; " but I 
 must say good by to you, Mrs. Lockwcll, for I am 
 going to Washington." 
 
 « To Washington ! " 
 
 "I am going to be a nurse in a hospital there.
 
 112 I WILL BE A SAILOR. 
 
 Mr. MidcUefield lias given me letters which will be 
 sure to gain me admittance. Milly will take care of 
 my little place till I return." 
 
 " God bless you and keep you from sickness, and 
 from all harm." So saying, Mrs. Lockwell shook 
 hands cordially with Mercy ; then she added, " You 
 shall take charge of the box, and have the pleasure 
 of distributing the articles to the poor fellows your- 
 self." 
 
 As Mercy passed out of the house, suddenly some 
 one threw a pair of plump arms about her neck, and 
 a voice whispered, " Take this from Blanche," and an 
 English Book of Common Prayer was thrust into 
 Mercy's hand. 
 
 The impetuous, warm-hearted, but haughty Blanche 
 had been completely won by the humble, intelligent, 
 excellent Mercy Brunt. No despising of Yan- 
 kees after this ! No more odious comjiarisons be- 
 tween England and America from Blanche Mowbray, 
 though she could not help making comparisons con- 
 tinually.
 
 WASHINGTON. 113 
 
 ClIATTER XVI. 
 
 WASHINGTON. 
 
 It was now the last of November ; the weather 
 was cold and disagreeable, when Mercy arrived in 
 Wasliington. She went to a-'quiet hotel, to which 
 Mr. IVIiddleficld had directed her. There she had 
 the box left till she should know what use to make 
 of its contents. With the calm energy that charac- 
 terized her, she went straight forward to the accom- 
 plishment of her benevolent purpose. 
 
 As she was on her way through Pennsylvania 
 Avenue, to deliver her credentials to the projier per- 
 sons for gaining admission to a hospital, suddenly 
 she heard her name uttered, in a feeble but expres- 
 sive tone. 
 
 " Mercy Brunt ! " 
 
 A girl, very meanly dressed, with an old sun-bon- 
 net over her face, and a thin shawl wrajijied about 
 her, stood before her.
 
 114 I WILL BE A SAILOR. 
 
 " How do you happen to know me ? " asked 
 ]Mercy. 
 
 " How could I help knowing you, Mercy ? It is 
 not strange that you do not know me in this dis- 
 guise." 
 
 " Lawrence Lockwell ! Is it possible ? " 
 
 " Yes, Mercy ; and I am sick and weary." 
 
 " Come with me, and explain after you are in my 
 lodgings. Here, take my arm." 
 
 Larry did so, and limped along on his bare feet, — 
 bare feet, and bleeding too, this wintry day. 
 
 They were soon at the hotel, and Mercy im- 
 mediately made known to the hotel-keeper who the 
 stranger was, and asked for a room for him adjoining 
 her own. 
 
 Larry was soon in a comfortable bed, wearing one 
 of those red flannel shirts. 
 
 Mercy had taken the precaution to bring a night- 
 lamp with her, and before her patient slept, she had 
 made a nice gruel for him. 
 
 All tlrrough the long night, Mercy watched by his 
 bedside, and when morning came, still he was soundly 
 asleep. 
 
 She bathed his poor bleeding feet, and he did not 
 awake. She was profuse in her application of
 
 WASHINGTON. 115 
 
 cologne-water to his thin, pale face, and his hands, 
 that looked like bird's claws. Even a brush applied 
 to liis hair did not awalcen him, so deathly was the 
 sleep into which ho had fallen. IMercy was alarmed, 
 and sent for a physician. lie felt Larry's pulse, 
 and watched his breathing. 
 
 " Exhaustion," said he ; " entire exhaustion, from 
 cold and fatigue, but in no danger. Waken him in 
 about an hour, and give him more of the warm gruel ; 
 then let him sleep again as long as he will." 
 
 At the time ordered, Mercy awakened Larry. He 
 did not appear to know where he was, or who was 
 with him, but swallowed the gruel with avidity, and 
 tlien fell back into a quiet sleep, from which he did 
 not awaken till noon, l^King slej)! twenty-four houre 
 with only the one interruption. 
 
 The physician came in soon after, and said careful 
 nursing was all the boy needed. Tliis he was sure 
 to have from Mercy Brunt. 
 
 Li the quietness of his room, for Mercy asked 
 Larry no questions, sh© wrote to Mrs. Lockwell, 
 simply to inform her that her sailor-boy was safe in 
 "Wasliington, and would probably be at Chestnut 
 Hill before long. She added, he might, however, bo 
 detained a week or more. He was lodging at tUo
 
 116 I WILL BE A SAILOR. 
 
 same hotel to which Mr. Middlefield had recom- 
 mended her. Mercy added, that she had not yet 
 gone to the hospital, but some of the contents of the 
 box were already in use. She suggested that if 
 Larry had any garments at home, it would be well 
 to send them on to Washington, for his clothing was 
 nearly worn out. " He had," she said, " lately ar- 
 rived at the capital, an,d was too much fatigued to 
 write himself." She very carefully worded her let- 
 ter, not to give alarm, yet, when it reached Mrs. 
 LockweU, how could she, that tender mother, fail to 
 be alarmed and agitated, even with all Mercy's 
 caution ? 
 
 Hunger, fatigue, and cold had assailed Larry, and 
 brought him to the very portals of the grave. 
 
 " What is that you are reading so attentively ? " 
 asked Larry, as he saw Mercy with a small book 
 in her hand. It was the first question he had asked 
 of Mercy, though he had then been two days at the 
 hotel. 
 
 "It is a Prayer-Book Miss Blanche Mowbray 
 gave me." 
 
 This aroused the almost dormant memory of Larry, 
 and he inquired after all at Chestnut Hill, while a 
 faint color spread over his pale face.
 
 WASHINGTOX. 1 17 
 
 Mercy gently answered the inquiry, assuring him 
 that they were all well. And then she asked if she 
 should read out to him what was then before her 
 eyes. He assented, and she read as follows : — 
 
 " O God, who art the Giver of life, of health, and of 
 safety, we bless thy name that thou hast been pleased 
 to deliver from his bodily sickness this thy servant, 
 who now desireth to return thanks unto thee. Gra- 
 cious ai-t thou, Lord, and full of compassion to the 
 children of men. May his heart be duly impressed 
 with a sense of thy merciful goodness, and may he 
 devote the residue of his days to an humble, holy, 
 and obedient walking before thee, tkrough Jesus 
 Christ our Lord. Amen." 
 
 Larry fervently joined in the " Amen." 
 
 He lay quiet awhile, and then said, " Did Blanche 
 give you that book ? " 
 
 " She did, and it has been a great comfort to me. 
 I never saw a prayer-book before. The English 
 ought to be a good people, a very good people, with 
 such prayers and lessons from the Bible as they hear 
 every Sunday at church." 
 
 "And Blanche gave it to you, — how strange ! I 
 think, iMercy, I am ahnost strong enough to go 
 home."
 
 118 I WILL BE A SAILOR. 
 
 " I thinli you will be in a few days longer. You 
 must not agitate yourself. By to-morrow we shall 
 hear from your friends." 
 
 Letters came, — warm, loving letters, — enclosing 
 money. Mr. Middlefield would have come on to 
 Washington, and Mrs. Lockwell with him, but both 
 were suffering with colds. 
 
 A letter to Mercy was overflowdng with grateful 
 thanks for her nursing, care, and kindness, which 
 were well understood, though no mention had been 
 made of them by herself. 
 
 The next day, the trunk of clotliing arrived, and 
 Larry was able to be dressed. He still wore the 
 red flannels, saying he chose to look for once like a 
 soldier. The carpet slippers were just the thing 
 for him, and those yarn stockings, — never were 
 stockings so soft and comfortable ! 
 
 Two days after the receipt of the letter, Mr. Mid- 
 dlefield knocked at the door of Larry's room. The 
 grandfather could not restrain his impatience, and, in 
 spite of his cold, had come on to Wasliington. 
 
 Larry had so far recovered that he was about to 
 take a drive. He was standing before a mirror try- 
 ing on a cap that Mercy had bought for him. The 
 door was opened so gently that he did not per- 
 ceive it.
 
 WASHINGTON. 119 
 
 " I should n't know myself," said Larry. 
 
 " But I know you, my dear boy ! " exclaimed the 
 grandfather, holding Larry tight to his throbbing 
 heart. 
 
 Mercy came, with her bonnet and wrappings on, 
 to say the carriage was ready, and received the most 
 cordial greeting from Mr. Middlefield. 
 
 " Come, Larry, I '11 carry you down-stairs, and take 
 a drive with you," said Air. Middlefield. 
 
 " I can walk down myself; I grow stronger every 
 minute ; I think I can go home to-morrow." 
 
 " "We wSl see about that," So saying, the grand- 
 father on one side, and Mercy on tlie other, led the 
 boy down-stairs and helped him into the can-iage. 
 The keen air was refreshing, and Larry, quite re- 
 vived by it, began to tell the story of his being taken 
 prisoner ; but Mercy stopped him at once, saying, 
 " Dismiss all painful reminiscences, and enjoy the 
 present." 
 
 " How can I, when I see these streets filled with 
 soldiers ? what a dreadful thing war is ! " 
 
 " I must second Mercy's motion," said the grand- 
 father ; " you must wait till you have other auditors 
 to listeh to your story." 
 
 As they were alighting from the carriage, after a
 
 120 I WILL BE A SAILOR. 
 
 short drive, who should they meet but Captain Ring- 
 bolt. 
 
 " Is it possible ! Larry, my dear boy, I thought 
 you were in heaven," said the Captain, gi-asping 
 Larry's hand so violently that the boy, if he had not 
 been a real Spartan, would have shrieked. Then, 
 seeing Sir. Middlefield, he gave him one of those 
 hearty gi'ips, expi-essive of his pleasure at this unex- 
 pected meeting. The Captain entered the hotel with 
 them, and, while Larry went to liis room, Captain 
 Ringbolt waited below for an interview with Mr. 
 Middlefield. 
 
 The Captain had been appointed to the command 
 of another ship, and had come on to Washington for 
 further orders from the Seci'etary of the Navy. He 
 begged to have Larry with liim. But Mr. Middle- 
 field was obdurate in his refusal. 
 
 When Mr. Middlefield returned to Larry's room, 
 he was surprised at Larry's question. 
 
 " Did Captain Ringbolt say he would take me to 
 sea again as his clerk ? " 
 
 '' Had you not better wait till you 'are well before 
 you think of venturing ag:un on board ship ? " 
 
 " I am well enough now to think about it," replied 
 Larry.
 
 WASHINGTON. 121 
 
 The grandfather was astounded. After suffering 
 80 much, was he ready so soon to risk life again? 
 was the boy really m his right mind ? 
 
 " Grandpa, when you had a bad case in court, did 
 you give it up because it was a bad one ? Wlien 
 you had a good case, and powerful lawyers opposed 
 to you, did you give it up ? Say, now, grandpa." 
 
 Grandpa did not say, but he bade the boy be quiet, 
 and wait till he got home, before he broached the 
 subject again. 
 
 '' Good by, Mercy," said Larry, two days after this 
 conversation had passed. " Good by ; I shall never 
 forget your kindness." 
 
 " And never forget the duty you owe to God and 
 your country," said Mercy ; " but show pity to the 
 wounded and dying Rebels. I know you will, Larry, 
 even though they be Rebels. They are still our 
 brethren, as was the prodigal son who seceded from 
 his father's house. He was brother to the one who 
 stayed with his father. Let us hope for the return 
 of this prodigal, and be ready to receive him when- 
 ever he shall say he has sinned and done evil. CJod 
 keep you, Larry ; farewell." 
 
 Mercy went to one of the Washington hospitals to 
 nurse wounded soldiers, as tenderly as she had nursed 
 6
 
 122 I WILL BE A SAILOK. 
 
 the sailor-boy, and many a dying eye was turned 
 towards her for devout prayers and words of holy 
 consolation. 
 
 The travellers sped rapidly homeward. It was 
 evening when they reached Chestnut Hill. The 
 ground was covered with snow ; but a warm light 
 glowed through the windows of the house, and warm 
 hearts were ready to give an intensely cordial wel- 
 come to the returning invalid. 
 
 How Larry wondered at the tears that would come 
 to his eyes ! Boys always think it unmanly to weep. 
 Larry brushed away his tears disdainfully, though 
 they were tears of joy, — delicious tears.
 
 "DIXIE." 123 
 
 CHAPTER XVII, 
 
 Two days subsequent to Larry's return, he re- 
 clined on a sofa, supported by cushions, though he 
 called himself perfectly well in body and mind. He 
 was thus carefully arranged to tell his adventures in 
 Dixie, not a word of which he had hitherto been able 
 to relate. 
 
 Mrs. LockweU and Blanche were knitting soldiers' 
 gray yarn stockings, and Mr. Middlefield sat before 
 the glowing grate, in liis large arm-chair. Three 
 more interested listeners could not have been gath- 
 ered for the occasion. 
 
 " I shall be compelled to be very egotistical," said 
 Larry. 
 
 " Certainly ; ego fomis the subject of your story," 
 said Mr. Middlefield, " Go on without further pref- 
 ace or apology." 
 
 Thus encouraged, Larry continued : — 
 
 " You have heard how I stayed by the sailor,
 
 124 I WILL BE A SAILOR. 
 
 Amos Melius. He was bleeding to death, and I 
 would not leave him. I thought the worst would 
 be that I should be taken prisoner, and not be very 
 harshly treated. I had scarcely bound up the poor 
 sailor's wound when a Rebel soldier came running 
 towards me, and, when only a few yards from me, 
 pointed his rifle directly at the head of the wounded 
 sailor. ' Coward ! ' cried I, ' would you shoot a dy- 
 ing man ? ' ' I '11 shoot you,' yelled the Rebel, with 
 an awful oath, and pointed his rifle at me. I drew 
 my revolver, and fi.red at the same instant that 
 he did. He fell, never to rise again. Plis bullet 
 whizzed through my cap." 
 
 Mrs. Lockwell drew a long breath, and whispered, 
 " Thank God ! " then said aloud, " But it was a 
 di-eadful alternative." 
 
 " Indeed, mother, it was. I felt horribly shocked 
 when I saw what I had done ; but it was either to 
 shoot or be shot." 
 
 " Self-preservation is the first law of nature ; it 
 was well you had the revolver, and well that you 
 had presence of mind enough to use it. Besides," 
 added Mr. Middlefield, " you had to protect the man 
 for whom you had risked your own life. Providen- 
 tially, you were thus the means of saving two lives, 
 though one was necessarily sacrificed."
 
 
 Cowiirfl ! ■' iTii'iI T, ■■ woiiM vou sliixit ,'i flyitii,' HKin .■' " I'm^jp 1','4.
 
 "DIXIE." 125 
 
 " And yet, as my mother remarked, it was a dread- 
 ful alternative. At that very moment, as I drew the 
 revolver, strange as it may seem, I thought of my 
 mother." 
 
 There was a pause for an instant, and then Larry 
 went on. 
 
 " A lieutenant of the Rebel army immediately came 
 to me, and cursed me, oath after oath, for kilUng the 
 soldier, and led me off as his prisoner. 
 
 " ' Ai'e you not going to take care of the wounded 
 sailor there ? ' said I, pointing to Molius, 
 
 " lie stepped back, gave the body a kick, and 
 
 said, ' lie is taken care of as I wish every 
 
 Yankee in the world was, — the best care for 
 them.' 
 
 " I supposed of course that the sjiilor was dead, 
 
 " The lieutenant placed me under the charge of a 
 soldier, who took from me my revolver, the little 
 money I had about me, and neai-ly all my clothitig. 
 Fortunately, I had left my watch and my purse in 
 my chest. 
 
 " It was a whole day before I had a morsel to eaf , 
 for the firing from the Cherokee sent the shells into 
 then- masked battery, and right among the soldiers. 
 The Rebels skedaddled, and hurried off with me, — 
 poor little me, their only prisoner.
 
 126 I WILL BE A SAILOR. 
 
 " We marclied about ten miles that day, to an en- 
 campment where there were a number of other pris- 
 oners ready to start for Richmond. I was sent on 
 with them, and when we reached the place of our 
 imprisonment, I was half dead with fatigue and hun- 
 ger. Our prison was a tobacco-warehouse, not far 
 from Richmond. O how odious, how disgusting, the 
 smell of that house was ! You cannot imagine any- 
 thing so filthy, so horribly offensive. I will not pain 
 you by giving particulars. It was a second Black 
 Hole. We had hardly room to lie down or to stand 
 up. 
 
 " The hog and hominy with which they fed us were 
 not much diminished by my eating. I loathed the 
 food, though as hungry as a starved wolf 
 
 " I formed many plans for escaping, but in vain, 
 till I became acquainted with a soldier of the guard, 
 who constantly watched us. He seemed to take pity 
 on me, and sometimes whispered to me at a small 
 opening, — a window without glass or shutter, to let 
 in light and air, — a precious little of either, by the 
 way, did we get. 
 
 " One day, this Rebel soldier handed me a small 
 roll of paper, that looked like a piece of pipe-stem. 
 On carefully um'olling it, I found it was addressed
 
 "DIXIE." 127 
 
 to * General Tom Thumb,' and contained this sin- 
 gular liint, evidently meant for me : — 
 
 " ' Do you suppose, General, your miglity little- 
 ness could creep through a hole not less than six 
 inches square ? If he should attempt it, would it 
 be on a dark night ? Is the General too big a baby 
 to creep ? Could he creep a mile on all fours ? If 
 he could n't, he deserves to be kept in a Dixie cradle, 
 and fed on pap.' 
 
 " I pondered over this strange note, and consulted 
 a Massachusetts soldier, who was my greatest friend. 
 We made out at last that the hint was to creep 
 through that small window, which, by the way, 
 was within just as high as my head, and without 
 nearly six feet from the ground. About the creep- 
 ing we had some doubt, but at last concluded that 
 I must creep away after I found myself on the 
 ground. There was nothing more to guide me ; but 
 I had n't a doubt that the friendly soldier I have 
 mentioned would be on guard that night, and that 
 the liint came from liim. 
 
 " I might be shot in making the attempt to escape ; 
 at any rate, I would try, for I could not live much 
 longer in that abominable prison. The poor fellows 
 were dying daily by dozens, and all looked like the
 
 128 I WILL BE A SAILOR. 
 
 most miserable wretches that you can conceive of. 
 I knew I was so thin that I could crawl through that 
 square opening. My Massachusetts friend promised 
 to help me, and kept awake till midnight for the pur- 
 pose. He lifted me up, and put me through, feet 
 foremost, — a queer missile to be shot at Rebels ! 
 I came safely to the ground, and fell upon ' all 
 fours.' The 'guard was near, stiff and motionless 
 as a cedar post. I crept along on the ground as 
 nimbly as I could, not knowing what direction to 
 take. Suddenly I came upon a sentinel leaning 
 against a tree. 'Now, I am done for,' thought I. 
 The soldier must have taken me in the darkness 
 for some wild animal, for he cried, ' Who goes 
 there ? ' and then laughed out, thinking he had 
 challenged something not human. I scrabbled off, 
 the dead leaves rustling as I fled, for I. was now 
 among trees and bushes. Over stones and briers 
 I crept, till I found myself in a thick wood. So 
 tired was I, that I fell asleep, like Jacob of old, 
 with a stone for a pillow; but no angels came to 
 comfort me, but a horrible di'eam of being hanged 
 on a gallows, such as I have seen in old pictures. 
 The rope was around my neck, and the platform 
 was about to di'op, when I received a sudden
 
 « DIXIE." 129 
 
 punch in the side, and awoke in an a;;ony of ter- 
 ror. It was broad daylight, and a little girl, I 
 should say about nine years old, had thus uncere- 
 moniously disturbed me, or rather relieved me 
 from my hideous dream. JNIy appearance was any- 
 tliing but interesting. My pantaloons were torn at 
 the knees, and so was the skin they had once cov- 
 ered, by the stones and bi'iers I had crept over. 
 My h:iir was long and tangled, my face and hands 
 were of a rusty b^o^vn ; altogethei*, I must have 
 been frightful to behold. 
 
 "The little girl looked at me wonderingly, wjiile I 
 was trying to collect my thoughts and realize where 
 I was. 
 
 " ' What are you doing here ? ' asked the little girl, 
 stooping over me, and staring into my face. 
 
 " ' Sleeping I was ; I 'm wide awake now.' 
 
 "' What 's your name, and where are you going? ' 
 said she. 
 
 " ' You must be a Yankee, I think, for Yankees ask 
 questions,' said I, raising myself on my feet slowly, 
 for every limb was as stiff as a jib-boom. ' You 
 must be a Yankee, and so am I, and I must ask you 
 some questions.' 
 
 " The child looked frightened, and put her forc-fm- 
 6* I
 
 130 I WILL BE A SAILOR. 
 
 ger on lier lips, as a hint that I had better not men- 
 tion that fact. 
 
 " ' Where do you live, and why do you come here ? ' 
 said I. 
 
 " ' I live in that brown house yonder, and I 
 am here looking for our cow. She ran away last 
 night.' 
 
 " ' Are you a Yankee soldier ? ' whispered the girl, 
 looking all around, as if afraid she should be heard. 
 
 " ' No ; I am not a soldier ; I am a sailor-boy, and 
 am tired and hungry and thirsty. Shall I help you 
 look for your cow ? ' 
 
 " ' 0, there she is ! ' cried the child, joyfully. 
 ' Come home with me, sailor-boy ; I never saw a 
 sailor before.' 
 
 " ' I don't think you would ever care to see another,' 
 said I, as I hurried after her towards the brown 
 house. 
 
 " A yoimg woman, with a good, honest face, stood 
 in the doorway, gazing at me as we di*ew near. 
 
 " ' Mammy,' said the child, ' I 've found our cow 
 and a sailor-boy ; did you ever see one before ? ' 
 
 " I smiled, but the woman looked gravely at me, 
 and asked me where I came from. I thought it best 
 to tell the truth, and said I had escaped from prison,
 
 "DIXIE." 131 
 
 at which she seemed much alarmed, and begged me 
 to come in at once. 
 
 " I sat down by the kitchen fire. The woman went 
 out, closed and locked the door after her, leaving the 
 girl, I thought, to watch me while she was absent. 
 I supposed she had gone to make my escape known 
 to the soldiers, and gave myself up to despair. .The 
 little girl sat by the fireside, stirring some boiling 
 mush, every now and then wiping her tearful eyes 
 with a corner of licr apron. 
 
 " After about half an hour of fearful anxiety, I was 
 relieved by the return of the woman. Instead of the 
 soldiei-s I dreaded to see, she had a pail of warni 
 milk in her hand. Soon she poured out a bowlful, 
 and, adding some mush, handed it to me. Never was 
 anything more delicious to a poor starved creature 
 than that mush and milk was to me. After I had 
 taken a few spoonfuls, she said, ' The soldiers often 
 come here, but I can hide you from them till they 
 have done looking for you. I think they are on the 
 search now.' I was enjoying the mush and milk too 
 eagerly to mind what she was saying. Alter I bad 
 finished my charming breakfast, she said, ' You may 
 go into that small room and wash yourself, then I 
 will come and cut your hair.' She showed me into
 
 132 I WILL BE A SAILOR. 
 
 the room, a kind of wash-room, and there was a tub 
 of soap-suds. What a luxury ! not the most splendid 
 bath-room ever gave a king such delight as I enjoyed 
 in that wash-tub. I ought to mention that she told 
 me I must put on the clothes she had provided for 
 me. I looked for them, and there were none, except- 
 ing a full suit of woman's clothes. While I was 
 hesitating what to do, I heard a little voice outside 
 the door, ' Mammy says you must put on the things 
 she put there, her own clothes ; then the soldiers, if 
 they should come, won't know you.' Much against 
 my wiU, I put on the calico gown and its accompany- 
 ing toggery. Soon after I was thus rigged out, tlie 
 woman, — her name, by the vvay, was Keener, — 
 she came in with a big pair of shears in her hand, 
 and, putting a sheet round me, she clipped off my 
 hair close to my head, and put on me the funniest 
 old cap, with a wide border, just like those you have 
 seen some of our Irish neighbors wear. 
 
 " ' You are a Pennsylvanian and a Union woman,' 
 said I, while she was performing the barherous opera- 
 tion. ' Don't say that ! ' she said, with a st^irtled, 
 terrified expression. ' My husband has had to leave 
 his little farm and go a-soldiering down to New Or- 
 leans. They somehow doubted whether he was true
 
 "DIXIK." 133 
 
 to President Jefferson Davis, and sent hira down 
 South with some others that they thought were not 
 quite right. I have nobody with me but little An- 
 nie, but the soldiers about here don't molest us. 
 They sometimes come for a drink of milk, and I 
 believe keep a watch over me, as if they thought I 
 had Yankee blood in me.' 
 
 " Wlien I went into the kitchen, I walked up to a 
 small looking-glass, and almost killed myself with 
 laughing. I was very weak, and really could not 
 stop laughing. I never saw anything so ridiculous. 
 I seemed so tall, too. Mrs. Keener's gown was just 
 the right length, but fitted me as it might fit a rifle, I 
 was so slim. 
 
 " Annie laughed, too, and even the good woman, 
 anxious and troubled as she was, could not keep her 
 countenance. 
 
 " ' I am sure the soldiers will hunt for you here,' 
 said she, * and you are so completely disguised they 
 Avill never know you. But you must learn to 
 knit.' 
 
 " ' Knit ! I know how already ; my mother taught 
 me when I was a little boy, to keep me out of mis- 
 chief.' 
 
 " Nothing is ever learnt in vain. She gave me a
 
 134 I -VriLL BE A SAILOK. 
 
 coarse cotton stocking, and placed me in a rocking- 
 cbair by the fireside. I was too weary to knit, and 
 soon fell asleep. I was aroused from a clianning 
 nap by IMrs. Keener, who whispered in my ear, 
 ' The soldiers.' 
 
 " ' What of them ? ' I inquired, starting up. 
 
 " ' Keep your seat,' she said ; ' shut up your eyes ; 
 can you knit without seeing ? ' 
 
 " ' I could once,' said I ; ' and I can try.' 
 
 " ' On no account open your eyes.' 
 
 " By this time, the soldiers, three of them, were at 
 the door, and loudly knocking. 
 
 " 'Mis. Keener opened it, and they came in. I 
 heard their rifles as they slammed them but-end 
 down on the floor. One of them said, ' We 're 
 hunting a runaway.' 
 
 " ' What, a slave ? ' said Mrs. Keener. 
 
 " ' No, a prisoner, — a Yankee prisoner, who some- 
 how got off last night. He 's a sharp 'un, a sailor- 
 boy, who shot one of our men.' 
 
 " ' Will you have a drink of milk this morning ? ' 
 asked Mrs. Keener. 
 
 " ' Yes, and some whiskey m it, woman,' replied 
 the other. 
 
 " * What queer body have you here ? ' said the 
 first speaker.
 
 « DIXIE." 135 
 
 " * A poor friend of mine,' steadily replied she. 
 
 " ' Blind and dumb, too ! ' said the third, laying his 
 hand on my shoulder. 
 
 " I thought I recognized the voice of the guard, 
 and was sure of it, as he gave me a grip and said 
 again, very expressively, * Blind and dumb ! that 's 
 worse than being small as Tom Thumb.' 
 
 " Then I knew this was my friendly guard, and 
 was more assured. 
 
 " ' How can she knit, if she 's blind ? ' said the 
 other soldier. * Let me look at your stocking,' and 
 he pulled it out of my hand. * Pretty well done ; 
 let me see you knit.' 
 
 " If it had not been for the guard who stood 
 near me, I should not have been able to make the 
 attempt. Though my hands trembled so that I could 
 hardly hold the needles, I had succeeded in taking 
 off two or three stitches, when Annie came in with 
 the whiskey and milk, and the soldiei's, having en- 
 joyed the draught, took up their rifles, and, as they 
 left, my Rebel friend said, ' Good by, Mrs. Keener, 
 good by. "Wliat shall I call your blind friend?' 
 
 " Mrs. Keener did not happen to be quite ready 
 with a name, so, as the other soldiers were outside 
 the door, he, with a merry laugh, said, ' Good l)y, 
 Mrs. Humbu":.'
 
 136 1 WILL BE A SAILOR. 
 
 " Mrs. Keener was much alarmed lest he should 
 betray me, and she would then have to suffer for it ; 
 but I assured her that I had no fear, for that soldier 
 was my time friend. 
 
 " ' You did bravely, not to open your eyes,' said 
 she. ' I don't know how you could help it, when 
 that soldier's hand was on your shoulder.' 
 
 " ' I knew it was a friendly grasp ; but when the 
 knitting was taken from me and returned, I came 
 near, very near, opening my eyes, and should have 
 done so if the guard had not touched my foot with 
 his as a hint.' 
 
 " Well, to make a long story shorter, I will pass 
 over the three days I passed at that good woman's 
 house. By that time, I was thoroughly recruited, 
 and my own garments (I had only two, such as they 
 wei-e, torn and filthy) had been thrown away. Mrs. 
 Keener had no male clothing to give me. I was 
 obliged to retain the disguise. I had nothing to 
 give the poor woman ; but if ever Virginia is re- 
 stored to the Union, I will go to that place again, 
 and she shall be well paid." 
 
 " Indeed she shall ! " exclaimed Mrs. Lockwell. 
 "But now, Larry, you are tired, and we will wait 
 for the rest of your narrative till another day."
 
 "DIXIE." 137 
 
 " How funny you must have looked, Larry ! " said 
 Blanche. " I hope you brought the woman's cap 
 home with you." 
 
 " No ; I left it with Mrs. Keener ; changed it for 
 quite as funny a sun-bonnet, made of pasteboard, and 
 covered with dark blue gingham. If you think it 
 worth while, you can send on to Mercy Brunt for it. 
 She has it in Washington, — actually kept the bonnet 
 as a memento of my departed womanhood. I felt 
 anytliing but funny, as I walked off, trii)ping my 
 feet at every step with the gown, which would, 
 someliow, entangle them." 
 
 " Come, come, Larry, you must rest now," said 
 the mother.
 
 138 I WILL BE A SAILOK. 
 
 CHAPTER XVIII. 
 
 BAREFOOT TRAVELLING. 
 
 The next morning, after breakfast was over, anti 
 the dining-room in order, Mrs. Lockwell and Blauclie 
 resumed their work, and Larry his story. 
 
 " Annie Keener was to lead me to the next town, 
 so that if we met any of the sokliers, I was stiU to be 
 the blind friend going home. Fortunately, however, 
 we did not meet any of them, and I had the comfort 
 of keeping my eyes open, and my ears too, for I was 
 in constant dread of such a meeting. I thought my 
 awkward way of managing my new clotliing would 
 certainly betray me. In addition to the sun-bonnet 
 I have mentioned, I wore an old cotton shawl, which 
 I fear the good woman could not very well spare. 
 Annie chatted all the way along, as though she 
 really enjoyed the walk, and when we came in sight 
 •of the town, we had walked four miles. The httle 
 girl then said, sorrowfully, she must leave me, and, 
 as she did so, she held out a quarter of a dollar. I 've
 
 BATIEFOOT TRAVELLIXG. 139 
 
 no doubt it was all the money the child had in the 
 world. You sec, I did meet with angels by the way, 
 though I did not dream of them. I refused the 
 quarter positively ; but Annie threw it on the ground, 
 and scampered off at full speed towards home. An- 
 nie told me in confidence that she was a strong Union 
 7nan, and she believed her mother was too, though 
 her mother never said so. I don't doubt ]\Irs. Keener 
 iss a true Yankee, like many othere, who are com- 
 l)elled to keep it to themselves. 
 
 " When I entered wliat they called a town, I was 
 surprised to find only a few houses, a tavern, a black- 
 smitli's shop, and a country store ; but neither a 
 church nor a school-house. There were a few old 
 men lounging about, and plenty of idle boys, who 
 saw something ridiculous in my appearance, and 
 cried after me, 'What makes you look so sluiky? 
 Here 's some barrel-hoops for you.' 
 
 " I hurried on as fast as my dress would allow, 
 and they followed, throwing mud and stones at 
 me, till I could bear it no longer; then I took up 
 stones and threw at them. One of the biggest 
 of them cried out, ' She throws like a boy ' ; then 
 I threw no more, I assure you, but fled from the 
 rascals, and was soon out of their reach, they standing
 
 140 I AVILL BE A SAILOR. 
 
 still and hooting after me, ' You 'd do for a scare- 
 crow.' 
 
 " When I was fairly out of the town, I sat do^\ni 
 by the wayside and enjoyed a lunch of cold sausage 
 and corn bread, which Mrs. Keener had put in my 
 pocket. That sausage, mother, — I am sure we in 
 Pennsylvania cannot make sausages so relishing, so 
 perfectly delicious." 
 
 " Your appetite was keen," said Mrs. Lockwell, 
 laughing. 
 
 " Indeed, mother, that Dixie sausage I shall never 
 forget; it was most remarkable, I began to feel 
 quite courageous after it, and started again on my 
 journey, following a ' pike,' as they call a turapike- 
 road, not knowing where it would lead. I walked 
 on and on till simset, when I saw a fine house, about 
 a quarter of a mile distant from the road, with a 
 beautiful avenue of trees leading to the handsome 
 mansion, 
 
 " I had heard much of Southern hospitahty, and 
 when I saw a gentleman sitting in the front piazza, 
 ■ quite forgetting iny forlorn appearance, I approached, 
 and was going to make a bow, when suddenly I re- 
 membered that it ought to be a courtesy ; so I dropped 
 down quite low, and himibly asked for shelter for the
 
 BAREFOOT TRAVELLING. 141 
 
 niglit. The gentleman took his cigar from his mouth, 
 and eyed me suspiciously ; then, pointing to th(! road, 
 he said, ' Keep on your way there ; you 'U come to a 
 tavern after a mile or two.' 
 
 " * But I am very tired, and night is coming on ; 
 can't I sleep in some outhouse ? ' 
 
 " ' Here, Patsy, drive away that white trash,' said 
 he to a negro woman who was just within the door. 
 
 " A woman, wearing an enormous turban of many 
 bright colors, came out with a long feather-brush in 
 her hand, with which she had probably been driving 
 flies from the tea-table. 
 
 " Patsy came down the steps flourishing the brush, 
 and began scolding me in her queer lingo, ' G' way, 
 aint you gwine,' and seemingly in a great rage. So 
 she drove me down to the great gate, all the way 
 flourishing the brush over my hea<l, and bawling 
 after me, at the top of her voice, ' White trash, sure 
 'aough.' 
 
 " As she let me out of the gate, she rolled her eyes 
 in the most astonishing manner towards her master, 
 and then towards me, grinning rather than huighing, 
 though it was meant for a laugh, for there came a 
 low yaw, yaw, yaw. Then she walked a few steps 
 with me, tiU we came to a high stone wall. There
 
 142 I WILL BE A SAILOR. 
 
 she stopped. ' Now, poor young critter, you aint 
 gwine no furder dis night ; you jis stay here, close- 
 by dis stone wall, till Patsy, that 's I, come for ye. 
 Don' ye be 'fraid ; de good Lord, he take care of ye. 
 
 " So she left me, and went back to the house. I 
 lay do-vvn by the stone-wall, and passed three mortal 
 hours or more in a state of intense anxiety. While 
 there, a troop of Rebel cavalry dashed by, and 
 almost blinded me with the dust they raised, but no 
 one saw me, rolled as I was close by the wall. The 
 tliin shawl I wore was but a poor protection from 
 the coolness of the night, and I was shivering and 
 in a sort of stupid doze, when the good negro- 
 woman came cautiously out of the gate, and stole 
 softly along by the stone-wall till she very nearly 
 stepped on my head. I started up, and she said in a 
 low voice, ' here ye be ! Don' ye speak a word, 
 but come offer me.' 
 
 " I followed her as cautiously as she could desire 
 to an outhouse or cabin, which was her own liunible 
 home, if home it might be called, where she slejjt 
 and kept the few goods and chattels which she, a 
 chattel herself, called her own. 
 
 " Patsy was a house servant, and her hut was tol- 
 erably comfortable. She asked me my name, and
 
 BAREFOOT TRAVELLING. 143 
 
 I answered ' Laury,' — as near my own name as pos- 
 sible. 
 
 " She brought me a bowl of coffee and some bis- 
 cuit. As I was taking this most acceptable supper, 
 Patsy said, ' Take oif bonnet, Laiu-y,' and before I 
 had time to stop her, slie untied it and took it off. 
 She stared at me for a moment ; the hut was dimly 
 lighted with what they call a tallow dip, but it was 
 light enough for the keen eyes of the woman, who ex- 
 claimed, ' She 's a boy ! she 's a runaway white boy ! ' 
 
 " You know my hair had been cut close to my 
 head. I said not a word, but put down the bowl of 
 coffee, and began to cry like a baby. 
 
 " ' Now don' ye cry ; ye 's a Yankee, I sure o' dat. 
 Yankees be friends to poor niggers. I 'se gwine to 
 take care of ye ; I reckon ye may trust Patsy, and 
 ye must trust de good Lord too. Now take de cof- 
 fee and de biscuit, and den sleep till I calls ye, while 
 de birds are singing deir first mornin' song." 
 
 Then she left me, and I diil sleep soundly till slio 
 awoke me at an early hour. Slie brought my break- 
 fast, and would not take my poor quarter-dollar after 
 all the trouble I had given her. I knew slie would 
 be punished severely if her master knew slie had 
 sheltered a Yankee, and said something about my
 
 144 I WILL BE A SAILOR. 
 
 anxiety on her account. She simply told me she 
 served ' de good Lord,' and what she had given me 
 for supper and breakfast she had not taken from 
 Massa ; young IVIissy had given the ' tings ' to her 
 for herself. 
 
 " There now, did n't I meet with another good 
 angel ; a pure Christian spirit, — a bright jewel in a 
 dark casket?" 
 
 " A real black diamond ! " said Blanche. 
 
 " On the strength of my good breakfast and com- 
 fortable night, I travelled all day without eatuig a 
 morsel, and just as night was coming on I reached 
 Fredericksbui'g. The town was full of Rebel sol- 
 diers ; so for fear of them I crept into a stable and 
 slept on the hay ; and before it was light the next 
 morning, I got out of the place as fast as I could, and 
 made my way to the small town of Stafford. There 
 I asked at a baker's for a small loaf of bread, at the 
 same time sho^aug my money. He handed me a 
 very small loaf, and took my quarter, but gave back 
 no change. By tliis time, my poor old shoes were 
 so worn out that they would no longer hold on my 
 feet. I shall never forget the feelings I had when I 
 thi'ew those slioes away ; it was like parting with the 
 only friends I had left, for they came from my own
 
 BAREFOOT TRAVELLING. 145 
 
 dear home. That was one of my hardest days. It 
 had rained during the night, and my bare feet stuck at 
 every step deep in the mud. The sensation of going 
 barefoot was one of the most disagreeable that can 
 be imagined. I never before had felt so utterly for- 
 lorn. My gown was flounced with mud, or rather 
 had a border several inches deep. I did not wonder 
 at the scornful looks that were bestowed upon me. 
 One well-dressed young girl, as she passed me, said 
 to her companion, ' Does n't she look like the last of 
 pea-time ! ' which, I suppose, must be a Virginia 
 comparison. Ko one offered me either pity or insult 
 that dreadful day, and I dragged myself on till I 
 reached a small creek, and slept under a bridge. 
 
 " The next morning, a wagoner, who was going 
 to Aquia Creek, took compassion on me, and carried 
 me to that place, where he belonged. He was kind 
 to me after a fashion. I told him I had friends in 
 Washington, and must get to them. He gave me 
 some coarse corn-bread for my supper when he fed 
 his horses, and let mc sleep in a hay-loft. 
 
 " In the morning, he took me to a kind of sheltered 
 
 tiny bay,. or bend in the creek, where there was a 
 
 small schooner, and persuaded the Captain, who, I 
 
 suspect, was some kind of a smuggler, — persuaded 
 
 7 J
 
 146 I WILL BE A SAILOR. 
 
 Tii'm to land me somewhere near Alexandria. The 
 schooner kept close by the land, and only sailed at 
 night, so that we were many hours going from 
 Aquia Creek to the place where I was landed. 
 When I reached Alexandria, I did not know a per- 
 son there, and feared, if I told my pitiful story to any 
 one, I should not be believed; so I pushed on for 
 Washington as fast as my tired limbs would carry 
 me, determined to make myself known to the Presi- 
 dent or the Secretary of the Navy, — how, I could not 
 tell. All this time I had not begged; whatever I 
 received had been given ; like the man in the 
 Bible, to beg I was ashamed. I sat down very often 
 during that day, but at last reached the long bridge, 
 and went over it, leaving tracks of blood from my 
 feet, as many a poor fellow has done before and 
 since. 
 
 " Washington ! Soldiers everywhere ! Every- 
 body strange ! Nobody taking notice of the miser- 
 able beggar-girl ! Hungry, cold, despairing at last ; 
 my courage had somehow kept up till then, but now 
 it gave way. I could not make myself known to 
 any person in such a disgraceful disguise, as it now 
 seemed to me. Nobody would believe me. Utterly 
 helpless and forlorn, I wandered on, shrinking from
 
 BAREFOOT TRAVELLING. 147 
 
 observation, when suddenly I saw before me an 
 angel of mercy, — another angel, Blanche, — the flesh- 
 and-blood angel, IMercy Brunt. I laid my hand on 
 her shoulder; she recoiled from it with a look of 
 blank astonishment, which, for some reason I cannot 
 explain, was exceedhigly ludicrous, and I smiled for 
 the first time in many weeks, and said INliss Mercy 
 Brunt ought to know Master Lawrence LockweU. 
 The smile and the voice were familial'. You know 
 the rest. Hurrah for Mercy Brunt ! three cheers for 
 Mercy Brunt ! " 
 
 " JNIy son ! " exclaimed Mrs. Lockwell, with a 
 violent effort to restrain her tears ; " you have n't 
 expressed your gratitude to God for having brought 
 you safely home at last, and for raising up those 
 ministering angels for you in a time of need. I trust 
 the severe trials through which you have passed will 
 wean you from your love of the sea and of adven- 
 ture." 
 
 " They have not weaned me from my love of 
 country any more than they have from my dear 
 mother and my pleasant home. If they but make 
 me wiser and better, you will be thankful for them, I 
 am sure. I mean, with God's help, to be a good 
 sailor, and, in time, I trust, an honor to the navy."
 
 148 I WILL BE A SAILOR. 
 
 Mra. Lockwell held up her hands in astonishment, 
 and sighed deeply ; Blanche cried, " Bravo ! I call 
 that genuine j)luck, — real John Bull pluck ! " 
 
 " Real Yankee pluck ! " said Mr. Mddlefield ; " a 
 thrifty shoot from the old Anglo-Saxon tree."
 
 OFF, OFF AND AWAT. 149 
 
 CHAPTER XIX. 
 
 OFF, OFF AND AWAT. 
 
 Larry had been home for a couple of weeks, when 
 one clear, cold morning, Blanche said, " Fine skating 
 on the pond to-day; are you weU enough to try it, 
 Larry ? " 
 
 " That I am ! I saw my skates yesterday, and will 
 run and get them this very moment. You put on 
 your wrappings, and we '11 be off." 
 
 Half an hour after, they were keenly enjoying the 
 enlivening exercise. 
 
 " Who taught you to skate, Blanche ? " 
 
 " I taught myself, excepting one or two directions 
 uncle gave me. lie has been very kind to me, and 
 several times has kept walking to and fro on the 
 edge of the pond, while I was enjoying the fun. Do 
 you know I think he is a real brick." 
 
 " Where did you pick up that slang expression, 
 Blanche ? "
 
 150 I WILL BE A SAILOR. 
 
 " In England, to be sure. I have n't caught any- 
 Yankee slang yet, and trust I never shall." 
 
 " One kind of slang is just as good as another, for 
 all I can see." 
 
 " It helps one when strong terms are needed, but 
 I suppose you tliink it is n't lady-like. I am no milk- 
 and-water girl, and like strong terms. If I were a 
 man, I think I should swear." 
 
 " Blanche, don't say that ; you shock me." 
 
 " I said it on purpose. Candidly, I achnire the 
 way you have kept yourself from swearing among 
 sailors and aU sorts of people." 
 
 They Avent home after a while, promising them- 
 selves the pleasure of skating again the next day. 
 
 On their return, Mr. JVIiddlefield handed Larry 
 the following letter from Captain Ringbolt : — 
 
 New York, January, 1862. 
 Dear Larrt : I have been detained here longer 
 than I expected. The delay has been unavoidable, 
 yet these delays in ai'my and navy operations are 
 trying beyond all expression. K the epitaph on our 
 country is to be written (which God forbid), it will 
 be in two words, — Too late. But let us not yield 
 to the weakness of despair. Hope gives courage, and
 
 OFF, OFF AND AWAY. 151 
 
 prompts to action. "We must conquer, — we must 
 put down this rebellion, — or we shall have no 
 country ; our nationality will be lost, and we shall 
 become a byword to all other nations. 
 
 I shall be ready to sail in four days from this 
 
 time, in command of the new iron-clad , to 
 
 which I have lately been appointed. Persuade your 
 grandfather and your good mother to let you come 
 to me again as my clerk. I need you, and before 
 many months you shall have the warrant I have 
 promised you. I will give you a state-room opening 
 into my cabin. 
 
 I write in great haste, and depend upon seeing you 
 on board the , sea-chest and self in prime or- 
 der, two days from the receipt of tliis. Be punctual. 
 
 With profound respect for the Hon. Mr. Middle- 
 field, the true patriot, and kind regard to IVIrs. Lock- 
 well, 
 
 Your friend, 
 
 Hector Ringbolt. 
 
 Mr. Lawrence Lockwell. 
 
 Larry went to his mother with tlie Ictfer, Wlu-n 
 she had read it, he was not surprised at the mournful 
 expression of her countenance.
 
 152 I WILL BE A SAILOR. 
 
 " Deal- mother," said he, " you have devoted rae 
 to the service of our country : do you repent the 
 sacrifice ? I have chosen the navy, and I must stick 
 to my choice through thick and thin, fire and water, 
 for better, for worse." 
 
 The mother could make no reply, but a sorrowful 
 shake of the head. 
 
 " Suppose everybody who has suffered in this war 
 should give up," continued Larry, " what would be- 
 come of us ? Soldiers and sailors all give up because 
 we have now and then met with defeat, or been 
 wounded and taken prisoners ! Would n't you call 
 them arrant cowards ? yes, indeed you Avould de- 
 spise such detestable meanness. Don't look so 
 sorrowful, mother dear; you cannot think how it 
 pains me to see you so reluctant to have me leave 
 you again." 
 
 " But, my precious, my only son, you came so near 
 losing your life ! " exclaimed Mrs. Lockwell. 
 
 " I did n't lose it, mother, and the same kind Prov- 
 idenee will, I trust, watch over me again. What 
 says grandpa ? " 
 
 " His pride as a man is gratified, and he consents 
 to your going again ; but my affection is stronger 
 than my pride. He admires your heroism, and
 
 OFF, OFF AND ATVAT. 153 
 
 looks forward to the time when you will distinguish 
 yourself in the navy. I only see what you may 
 suffer, and the awful probability of your losing your 
 life." 
 
 " I might suffer by sickness at home ; I might fall 
 into the skating-pond and be drowned ; I might be 
 tlu'own from my horse and killed or lamed for life." 
 
 " My dear boy, must I yield ? It is like sacrificing 
 the poor man's one ewe-lamb ! God help me ! " 
 
 " He will, dear mother, he will. Trust me to his 
 care and keeping." 
 
 Larry's preparations for departure were promptly 
 made. It is needless to dwell upon the parting scene. 
 It required all the boy's resolution to tear himself 
 from his weeping mother. He need not have been 
 ashamed of the tears that streamed down his owu 
 cheeks ; they were for her, and not for himself. It 
 was no proof of want of manliness to weep at such 
 a parting. Blanche kept herself out of sight; but 
 when Larry reached the gate, and turned for a last 
 look, a white Jiandkerchief was waved from an upper 
 window. 
 
 ]\Ir. MiddlefieW accompanied Larry as far as Pliil- 
 adelphia. 
 
 7*
 
 154 I WILL BE A SAILOR. 
 
 Larry reached New York before the vessel was 
 ready to sail, and was warmly welcomed by Captain 
 Ringbolt. 
 
 Larry was much pleased to find his shipmate, Tom 
 Brunt. That good fellow had won the esteem of the 
 Captain, and had been promoted from a common 
 sailor to be a sergeant in the marines. 
 
 " Sealed orders," said the Captain. " We shall 
 not know our destination till we are under way and 
 outside the Hook. I think, however, it is safe to 
 say we shall soon be in a warmer latitude, and 
 have warm work to do." 
 
 LETTER FROM LARRY. 
 
 Steamer , Sandy Hook. 
 
 Dear Mother : We are under way, steaming 
 down the harbor, and as I may not have a chance 
 to write to you again for some time to come, I must 
 send you a line by the pilot. 
 
 The is a fine steamer; but I am strongly 
 
 attached to frigates, and like to go by the wind, like 
 Tom Brunt, who, however, has become^ so weU rec- 
 onciled to steam, that he is now on board. He is 
 occupied just now, and cannot write to his sister, and 
 wishes you to do him the favor of writing to Mercy,
 
 OFF, OFF AND AWAY. 155 
 
 to tell her how and where he is. I do not feel a 
 single regret, dear mother, at having again ventured 
 to sea. I know all the dangers now, and some of 
 the suflfering, that may be endured. The same dan- 
 gers are encountered on the ocean by thousands and 
 thousands wlio leave home for pleasure or for profit. 
 "Why, then, should not perUs by sea be encountered 
 by others where such vast interests are at stake as 
 those now involved in this war for the Union ? 
 
 But how absurd it is, my dear mother, for me to 
 attempt to reason with you ! It is hardly respectful. 
 Forgive me. I trust you are now quite reconciled 
 that I should peril Ufe itself in such a cause. Wher- 
 ever I may be, and under whatever circumstances, it 
 is a sweet consolation to know that you constantly 
 remember in your prayers your LaiTy. 
 
 P. S. Best love to grandpa and Blanche.
 
 156 I WILL BE A SAILOR. 
 
 CHAPTER XX 
 
 THE BYWORD. 
 
 Nothing had been heard from Larry in a long 
 time, and May, with all its greenness and beauty, 
 had once more clad the rejoicing earth. 
 
 " Blanche, what are you reading ? You seem 
 much interested," said Mrs. Lockwell, "and I see 
 a smile on your face." 
 
 They were sitting together at a centre-table, with 
 a bright lamp between them. 
 
 " I am reading an article in Fraser's Magazine, 
 written by an Englishwoman. I will read out the 
 passage that caused the smile. She says : — 
 
 " ' I know not whether the experience of a single 
 traveller may be of much avail ; but in these days, 
 wheii so much blind prejudice is suffered to grow in 
 England against the Northern Americans and in 
 favor of the South, I would fain record the testi- 
 mony of a woman, who, having travelled over a 
 large part of Europe and the East, has, perhaps,
 
 THE BYWORD. 0)7 
 
 more opportunities than most men or women of 
 judging of" the standtird of courtesy of different na- 
 tions. The result of my experience has been tliis : 
 If at any time I needed to find a gentleman who 
 should aid me in any little difficulty of travel, or 
 show me kindness, with that consideration for wo- 
 man, as a woman, which is the true tone of manly 
 courtesy, then I should desire to find a North 
 American gentleman. And if I wished to find a 
 lady who should join company for any voyage or 
 excursion, and who should be sure to show unvary- 
 ing good-temper, cheerfulness, and liberality, then 
 I sliould wish for a Nortli American lady. I do 
 not speak of defects which English travellers often 
 lay at the door of the whole nation, because tliey 
 meet in Europe Americans of a social rank below 
 any which attempts to travel and sit at taliles- 
 d'hote of our own population. I speak of wh;it a 
 genuine Yankee is to a fellow-traveller, — to a 
 lady without companion or escort, wealth or rank. 
 They are simply the most kind and courteous of any 
 people. Let Englishmen be pleased to run their 
 ])reiiidices where they like, it behooves at least an 
 Englishwoman, whom they have never failed to 
 treat with kindness, to speak of the ford as she 
 found it
 
 158 I WILL BE A SAILOR. 
 
 " ' As to the Southern Americans, it must be 
 confessed that their chivahy partakes a good deal 
 too much of a quaUty which doubtless colored all 
 the supposed romantic manners of the Middle 
 Ages, and must reappear when society is divided 
 between despots and serfs. 
 
 " ' I happened once to be dining alone at the 
 convent at Ramleh, the Franciscan lay-brother and 
 my Piedmontese dragoman conversing together mean- 
 while. The talk ran on the travellers to Pales- 
 tine, and both agreed that the Americans were 
 the most numerous of any, but singulai'ly diverse in 
 character. " Some of them," said the monk, " are 
 buomssime gente, but some others, — oh ! they or- 
 dered me about, and never said a word of thanks, 
 as if I were then* servant." "Worse than that," 
 said the Piedmontese, Abnego; "I twice served 
 them as dragoman, and they treated me Hke a dog. 
 I left them, though they paid me well ; for I could 
 not endure it. They came from the Southern 
 States, where they have slaves." " Ah ! si ! " said 
 the Franciscan, " qu'est'orrible schiavitu ! " ' 
 
 " What do you think of that, cousin ? " exclaimed 
 Blanche. 
 
 " I think there are gentlemen at the South as well
 
 THE BYWORD. 159 
 
 as at the North ; but I take the testimony of your 
 countrywoman to be candid and true." 
 
 " And so do I," warmly responded Blanche. " My 
 Uncle INliddlefield is a more perfect gentleman, ac- 
 cording to my idea, than Uncle Mowbray, who is 
 one of the proudest Englishmen in the world, and he 
 despises a Yankee as he does a baboon. And you, 
 cousin," continued Blanche, springing up and throw- 
 ing her arms around the neck of Mrs. Lockwell, to 
 the detriment of her nice linen collar, — " you, cousin, 
 are the most complete lady I have ever seen, — 
 excepting, always, old black ISIilly," she added, with 
 a merry laugh. 
 
 " If it had n't been for that exception, your com- 
 pliment would have been oveqiowering, as well as 
 your embrace," said lyii's. Lockwell, joining in the 
 laugh. 
 
 " Cousin, I did n't read what the Englishwoman 
 said about some Southern ladies whom she met in 
 travelling, because it reminded me so much of what 
 I said about London and England when I first came 
 to this country." 
 
 " ^\aiat was it, Blanche ? " 
 
 " They poured the ISIississippi domi the English- 
 woman's throat. There was nothin" on earth to
 
 160 I WILL BE A SAILOR. 
 
 be compared to a IMississippi steamboat in splendor ; 
 the Nile was just like the JMississippi ; Jerusalem 
 was not near so fine as New Orleans. Even when 
 they reached the River Jordan, and the English- 
 woman's enthusiasm was raised to the highest pitch 
 at the sight of the sacred old river, the Southern 
 woman exclaimed, * Interesting, is n't it. Miss C. ? 
 It reminds me so much, you can't think, of the Mis- 
 sissippi.' 'And so, from Elijah and the Baptist,' 
 said INIiss C, 'I was conveyed down a torrent of 
 eloquence to New Orleans.'" 
 
 " Apropos of New Ox'leans," exclaimed IMr. IVIid- 
 dlefield, entering the room with a newspaper in his 
 hand. " News, glorious news ! The bombardment 
 of Forts Jackson and St. Philip, and their surrender." 
 
 " And do you think my Lany was there ? " asked 
 the agitated ]^Ii'S. Lockwell. 
 
 " I think there is no doubt of it," was the reply. 
 
 " Let me get an atlas, uncle, and see where these 
 forts are, for I have n't the slightest notion of where 
 the IMississippi is. I don't know anything about 
 American geography." 
 
 While Blanche went for the atlas, Mr. Middle- 
 field continued, " I have no doubt that Captain Ring- 
 bolt's vessel was one attached to the Gulf Squadron
 
 THE BYWORD. 161 
 
 that rendezvoused at Key "West and Ship Island, and, 
 my dear daughter, you must bear up bravely till you 
 hear from Larry." 
 
 " Here is the grand IMississippi," said Blanche, as 
 she returned with the atlas. " I don't wonder that 
 those Southern Avnniou felt pi'oud of it." 
 
 " But it don't belolig to the South any more than 
 to the North ; you might as well talk of an artery as 
 belonging to the heart, when it is sent over the whole 
 body, and you might a.s well cut off tliat same artery 
 as to cut off the Mississippi from the Northwestern 
 States." 
 
 " Here are the forts, near the mouth of the river, 
 or one of its mouths ; now, uncle, please tell us 
 something more about the bombardment." 
 
 " The bombardment lasted six days." 
 
 " Fearful ! " exclaimed the mother, shuddering at 
 the thought of her boy's danger. 
 
 " Uncle, I suppose you say, like old Caspar in the 
 ballad, ' But it was a glorious victory ! ' " 
 
 " It was indeed ! Captain Porter, from his mortar- 
 fleet, rained upon those forts an awful storm of shells, 
 and the enemy was at last obliged to suiTcnder. 
 INIeanthne, Farragut ran his fleet right between the 
 forts." 
 
 s
 
 162 I WILL BE A SAILOR. 
 
 " And we must wait ever so long, I suppose, be- 
 fore we can hear from our sailor-boy," said Blanche. 
 
 " here is something that may relate to Larry 
 himself. It is an extract from a private letter from 
 New Orleans in this comer of the paper : '■ — 
 
 " ' A gunner was shot doTVTi while firing one of the 
 
 big guns on the steamer ■', and a boy, not 
 
 more than fourteen or fifteen years old, a gallant boy, 
 actually took command of the gun, and that gun did 
 execution, wonderful execution ; several men were 
 shot down beside the boy, but he kept his place, and 
 escaped without a wound.' " 
 
 " Hurrah for Larry!" shouted Blanche ; "just like 
 him." 
 
 IVIrs. Lockwell was silent, but neither she nor the 
 grandfather doubted that the boy was Larry, and the 
 mother's thanksgiving for his spared life was most 
 heartfelt. 
 
 " I hate those nasty Rebels ! " exclaimed Blanche, 
 striking her fist upon the table as violently as though 
 the blow were intended for one of them. 
 
 " Do not use that disagreeable word, Blanche ; it 
 is too vulgar to come from a young girl's mouth," 
 remonstrated ]\Ir. JMiddlefield. 
 
 " What, nasty ! It is a good English word, and
 
 THE BYWORD. 1G3 
 
 just fit to apply to those homd traitors at the South 
 that I used to think were such perfect gentlemen." 
 
 " It is not a word used among people of education 
 and refinement," replied Mr. Middlefield, in his most 
 dignified manner, 
 
 " I have heard it used by the best bred and best 
 educated ladies and gentlemen in England, and I 
 suppose it is universally acknowledged that the Eng- 
 lish are the most refined people on the face of the 
 earth, and use the purest language." 
 
 Mr. Middlefield and Mrs. Lockwell were much 
 amused by this assumption, and the latter replied, 
 laughingly, " Blanche, don't forget Mississippi ! 
 Whenever you use braggadocio about England, I 
 shall remind you of it by saying, ' Mississippi, IMis- 
 sissippi ! ' "
 
 164 I WILL BE A SAILOR. 
 
 CHAPTER XXI. 
 
 THE "WOUNDED SAILOR. 
 
 Day after day passed, aiid no news came from 
 Larry. Ah, how many hearts were wrung with 
 anxiety for the absent ones ! How many sought 
 with half-blinded eyes among the lists of the killed 
 and womided for some beloved name, with a mortal 
 dread of finding it there ! 
 
 It was a bright morning in the middle of May. 
 Blanche was at the gate, waiting for the morning 
 paper, which was daily dropped there by the post- 
 man. As she looked intently down the road leading 
 to Lancaster, she saw some one coming slowly, 
 slowly on crutches, — some one in a sailor's blue. 
 It must be Larry ! Slowly and feebly he came for- 
 ward, but Blanche was too anxious to stay at the 
 gate, and ran forward to meet him. 
 
 A pale, thin face met her eye, but it was not 
 Larry's.
 
 
 " Poor fellow '. " cried r.l;in<-lio, " you've been woundcfl ; where 
 did you come from r " Pasje Kir).
 
 THE -ROUNDED SAILOR. 1G5 
 
 " Poor fellow ! " cried Blanche, " you 've been 
 ■vronnded. Where did you come from ? " 
 
 " Straight from New Orleans ! " was the reply. 
 
 " From New Orleans ! " They were now at the 
 gate. " Come m and rest yourself." 
 
 " Thank you, INIiss ; I am rather tired, and should 
 be glad to stop awhile." 
 
 Blanche opened the gate for the stranger, and then 
 ran to the house to say that a poor, wounded sailor, 
 from New Orleans, was coming, and perhaps might 
 tell them something about Larry. Mr. IVIiddlefield 
 and Mrs. Lockwell tliought it very doubtful ; but 
 hastened to the door, there to meet Tom Bi'unt. 
 Tom Brunt indeed, but alas ! how changed from the 
 hale, hearty fellow of other days. He stood, leaning 
 on his crutches, but made out to touch his blue sailor- 
 cap in the most respectful manner, and the first words 
 he spoke were, " How 's sister Mercy ? " 
 
 " Come in, come in, and we will tell you all about 
 her," said Mrs. Lockwell. 
 
 " Right glad to see you, Tom ! " exclaimed Mr. 
 JMiddlefield, with warmth, as he laid his hand on 
 Tom's shoulder. 
 
 Tom was placed on a sofa, and no questions asked, 
 till Mrs. Lockwell had ordered some refreshments.
 
 166 I WILL BE A SAILOR. 
 
 " I 've got into a snug harbor," said Tom, while 
 Blanche took his crutches and laid them aside, as 
 tendei'ly as though they were wounded limbs. " I 've 
 got into a safe harbor, I say," continued Tom ; " but 
 I must go to my sister." 
 
 " Your sister is in a hospital at Washington, taking 
 care of the sick and wounded soldiers," replied Mrs. 
 Lockwell. 
 
 " Just like her ! God bless her ! " exclaimed Tom. 
 
 A black face, with a frizze of gray hair around it, 
 was thrust in at the parlor-door, and then a shout, 
 " Lor' a' massy, it 's our Tom," and then an apron 
 was thrown over the gray head, and heart-breaking 
 sobs followed. 
 
 " Milly, Milly, come, don't cry ; I 've come home 
 alive, and I 'm right glad to see you." 
 
 " Poor fellow, you ain't half aliie. You 're white 
 as a sheet, and as slim as a bean-pole," sobbed out 
 Milly, letting her apron fall, and looldng at Tom with 
 a most pitiful expression on her dark face. 
 
 " How came you here so soon, Milly ? " asked 
 Tom. 
 
 " I lives here now Missy Mercy 's away ; but I '11 
 go right home and get ready for you to come, and 
 I '11 have your Sunday clothes all laid out for you."
 
 TnE -WOUNDED SAILOR. 167 
 
 " All right, IMilly. I '11 be coming along soon." 
 
 " But you have to go on all foui-s," said INIilly, 
 pointing to the ci'utches. 
 
 " Yea, just now ; but I have n't lost a leg, as many 
 a better man has in this wai*." 
 
 " I '11 go and cook up something for your dinner, 
 may n't I, Missy Lockwell ? He looks like a starved 
 chicken." 
 
 " But here 's a cliicken that was n't starved, Milly," 
 said Tom, as a servant brouglit in a tray, on which 
 was a fried chicken and other things, for a nice break- 
 fast. 
 
 Milly hastened to the brown cottage. 
 
 " You don't ask about Master Larry," said Tom, 
 before tasting of the nice breakrast. 
 
 *' Do you bring news of him ? " timidly asked the 
 mother. 
 
 " The best of news. I left him alive and flourish- 
 ing." 
 
 " That is enough for the present," said Mr. Middle- 
 field. " I will leave you to take breakfast, and como 
 back to hear more." 
 
 Blanche seated herself by a window, and ke])t her 
 eyes upon whatever met them witliout, from a delicate 
 consideration for the awkwardness the sailor Showed
 
 168 I -WILL BE A SAILOR. 
 
 about taking his breakfast before ladies. Mrs. Lock- 
 well plied her needle as though it were a matter of 
 the greatest consequence that the garment she was 
 making should be finished immediately. 
 
 " You have reason to be very proud of Larry," 
 said Tom, before he had half finished the bountiful 
 meal. ' 
 
 " We can wait till you have done," said Mrs. Lock- 
 well. 
 
 " I am as impatient to tell as you are to hear," said 
 Tom. « Will Mr. Middlefield please to come in ? " 
 the sailor asked, after he had fully partaken of the 
 relisliing meal. " I am rested, and feel like another 
 man. I said you had reason to be proud of Law- 
 rence Lockwell, for everybody in our vessel was 
 proud of him, from captain down to cabin-boy." 
 
 " There ! I thought the boy mentioned in the 
 paper in such flattering terms must have been our 
 Larry. Go on, Tom," said the grandfather. 
 
 " You 've read all about the taking of the Forts 
 Jackson, St. Philip, and the rest of them ? " 
 
 " Yes, yes ; but we want to hear more about them 
 from one who was in the action," said Mr. Middle- 
 field. 
 
 " It lasted six days, the bombardment did, — and
 
 THE •WOUNDED SAILOR. 1C9 
 
 such a bombardment ! it seems to be still roaring in 
 my ears. You know Ca]>tain David D. Porter, as 
 brave a man as ever breathed, had command of the 
 mortar fleet. The Rebels fired into that fleet for six 
 days, almost continually ; but tlie mortars gave back 
 more shells than the Rebels sent, — poured it in like 
 hail ; but Porter could n't make the Reliels give up 
 the forts. So our brave Commodore Farragut deter- 
 mined to drive our seventeen or eighteen vessels right 
 by them forts. And he did it, while Porter let them 
 have shells all the while, just to make a diversion till 
 we in the other fleet got safely by the forts. You 
 know that the Forts Jackson and St. Philip did after 
 a while surrender to Captain Porter. I was n't there 
 at the time. I '11 tell you where I was, Larry and I. 
 Our vessel steered right up stream, and when we got 
 near them two forts, I tell you they sent their shot at 
 us, and hit us from stem to stern. You know, sir, I 
 belong to the marines, and had conmiand of a gun. 
 My powder-boy was knocked over early in the action, 
 and Larry was allowed to take his place. lie told 
 the Captain he must have somethmg to do. The ram 
 Manassas and the twenty-gun iron battery bore down 
 upon us. * Larry,' said I, ' we 've got hot work be- 
 fore us,' * Yes,' said lie, ' fire away.' They tried to 
 8
 
 170 I WILL BE A SAILOR. 
 
 but US with the ram ; but we got clear of it, and 
 sunk three of their small steamers. Ah, sir, then it 
 was that we saw the Varima, with that brave officer, 
 Captain Boggs, commanding. Did n't he fight like 
 a bull-dog ? Two of them horrid rams were at the 
 Varuna at the same time, one at her bow, and the 
 other struck her in the port gangway. It was as 
 much as we could do to hold our own, or we should 
 have gone to her aid. The Varuna dragged the 
 iron-clad round, and then, while close to the crea- 
 ture, gave her some shells, that settled the matter 
 for her. We saw the Rebel vessel go ashore all 
 of a blaze. The Varuna began to sink ; but Cap- 
 tain Boggs got her near the shore, and tied her 
 to a tree ; but she went do^vn, and the last that 
 was seen of her was her topgallantmast, just above 
 water. 
 
 " I did n't see the whole of this, for I had enough 
 to do where I was ; for, after a while, the Rebels 
 tried to board us, and it was as much as we could 
 do to keep them off, — three of them at once. Aljout 
 this time, two of the men at my gun (you know I 
 was captain of the gun), — two of my men were 
 killed; and I got this wound in my neck from 
 a piece of shell, and then I was knocked down
 
 THE WOUNDED SAILOR. 171 
 
 by another, that tore ofF the calf of my leg. I 
 was carried below, and the surgeon sewed up the 
 wound in my neck, and did up my leg first-rate. 
 As soon as I could, I crawled on deck, and there 
 was Lai-ry in command of my gun, — firing away, 
 as if he had been a marine all his life, — a.s cool 
 as a cucumber. He 's fit for an admiral, or will 
 be, when he's old enough. 
 
 " I have n't given you a very ship-shape account ; 
 but you will underetand how we destroyed a whole 
 fleet of Rebel steamers, rams, and iron-clads. While 
 Captain Porter was with some of the Rebel officers 
 on board the Harriet Lane, and flags of truce flying 
 on three of our steamers, the Rebels set fire to the 
 Louisiana, and sent her down stream, expecting her 
 to blow up the greater part of our fleet. The guns 
 were shotted, and kept going off, and, finally, she ex- 
 ploded with a thundering noise. "We heard it, with- 
 out knowing, at the time, what it was ; for we, you 
 know, were fighting our way up to Orleans. 
 
 " I must tell you one thing more. In the midst 
 of the firing, at one time, it was necessary to send a 
 message to another steamer, al)out half a mile dis- 
 tant. Larry offered to go with the message, and our 
 Captain consented, rather against his own will. So
 
 172 I WILL BE A SAILOR. 
 
 a boat was manned with four sailors, and Larry stood 
 up in the boat, holding the flag with the stars and 
 stripes. You ought to have seen how cheerful he 
 looked, and how beautiful. Why, you might have 
 thought he was going to a wedding. Shot and shell 
 fell all round him ; but he did n't mind them any 
 more than if they 'd been snow-balls. He got back 
 safe and sound. Now, I 've told my story, and must 
 go to my home." 
 
 " But tell us how you came home." 
 
 " I was among the wounded who came in the ves- 
 sel with Captain Bailey. I thank you all for listen 
 ing so kindly to my poor way of telling a yarn. 
 Good day, ladies, — good day, Mr. Middlefield. O, 
 I must tell you that Larry was as kind to me as if 
 I had been his own brother. He looked after me 
 every day, for I was obhged to give up entirely, my 
 wounds got so bad. It was through him that I got a 
 chance to come home. Just as I was coming off I 
 saw Larry ; he gave my hand a squeeze, and said 
 one word, ' Mother,' then he kinder clicked up, and he 
 could n't say any more. He 's but a boy yet, for all 
 he 's so brave and cute. When he let go my hand, 
 he left in it this big gold piece, — this American 
 eagrle."
 
 THE WOUNDED SAILOR. 173 
 
 Tom tossed up the precious piece, and caught 
 it, saying, " I mean to keep it as long as I live," and 
 then hobbled off. 
 
 As soon as he had left the room, Blanche said, 
 
 " That reminds me of the British sailor our poet 
 
 Campbell has so beautifully described. He Avas 
 
 taken prisoner by the French, and built a miserable 
 
 little boat to go across the Straits of Dover to dear 
 
 England. The sailor was brought before Bonaparte, 
 
 who questioned him, and suggested that he wished to 
 
 go home to his sweetheart. 
 
 " ' I have no sweetheart,' said the lad, 
 ' But absent long from one another, 
 Great was the longing that I had 
 To see my mother ! ' 
 
 "'And so thou shalt,' Napoleon said; 
 * You 've both my favor won; 
 A noble mother must have bred 
 So brave a son.' 
 
 " He gave the tar a piece of gold, 
 
 And with a flag of truce commanded 
 He should be shipped to England old, 
 And safely landed. 
 
 " Our sailor oft could scarcely shift 
 To find a dinner plain and hearty, 
 But never changed the coin and gift 
 Of Bonaparte."
 
 174 I WILL BE A SAILOR. 
 
 Mrs. Lockwell could not find it in her heart to say 
 " Mississippi " to Blanche this time ; besides, the 
 association was natural and almost unavoidable. 
 The mischievous girl, with an arch look at her cousin, 
 shouted, " Mississippi, Mississippi ! " 
 
 Tom, not understanding the meaning of the shout, 
 as he was about to put his blue cap on his head, 
 swung it round, and in his turn shouted, " Our Mis- 
 sissippi and our Union forever ! "
 
 NEW ORLEANS. 175 
 
 CHAPTER XXII. 
 
 NEW ORLEANS. 
 
 LETTER FROM LARRY TO MR. MIDDLEFIELD. 
 
 New Orleans, April 30, 1862. 
 
 Dear Grandpa : The 8th of January is out- 
 done ! General Jackson defended New Orleans, 
 and saved it from the paw of the British Lion, but 
 FaiTagut and Porter have snatched it from the 
 Southern rattlesnake, and Butler wiU keep it ! 
 
 You have probably heard before this of the terrific 
 bombardment frOra our fleets, and the taking of Forts 
 Jackson, St Philip, Livingston, and Pike, all the 
 batteries below and above New Orleans, and the 
 total destruction of the enemy's gunboats, steam-rams, 
 floating-batteries, fire-rafts, obstructions, booms, and 
 chains, — everything that the enemy had constructed 
 to defend the city, — and here we are. Glorious ! 
 is n't it ? 
 
 Through the good providence of God, we have 
 triumphed in a juat cause, and I ti-ust I am truly
 
 176 I WILL BE A SAILOK. 
 
 grateful, especially as I have escaped without the 
 slightest wound. My escape, however, was marvel- 
 lous, for before I had anything special to do, early in 
 the action, I went up to the main-top, when we were 
 near the bank, and first one bullet went through the 
 left sleeve of my jacket, and then another through 
 the jacket itself by my right side. The coxswain 
 ordered me down forthwith. 
 
 When we were quite near the city, our Commo- 
 dore sent a very pohte note to Mayor Monroe to 
 surrender, for he did n't wish to fire on helpless 
 women and childi-en or peaceable ciu'zens. The 
 Commodore said they must pull down their false 
 Confederate flag, and run up the true-blue Stars and 
 Stripes, and they must do it before noon, or risk the 
 consequences. What else could the Mayor do but 
 surrender, for General LoveU, who was its defender, 
 had evacuated it with his troops ? 
 
 As soon as the Mayor's answer was received, sur- 
 rendering the city, Commodore Farragut sent Captain 
 Morris to hoist our flag on the New Orleans Mint, 
 and when the old Union flag, that we all love so 
 dearly, threw out its thirty -four stars to the gazers' 
 eyes, there went up cheers long and loud. The 26th 
 of April is a day to be marked as a grand one in 
 American history.
 
 NEW ORLEANS. 177 
 
 At eleven o'clock that day, a signal was made to 
 the fleet for divine service. As you may not have 
 seen Commodore Fai'ragut's order on that occasion, 
 I will copy it, just as it was sent to oiu- steamer. 
 
 " United States Flag-Ship Barlford, 
 Off" the Citj' of New Orleans, April 26, 1862. 
 (Genkral Order.) 
 
 " Eleven o'clock this morning is the hour ap- 
 pointed for all the officers and crews of the fleet to 
 return tlianks to Almighty God, for his great good- 
 ness and mercy in permitting us to pass through the 
 events of the last two days with so little loss of life 
 and blood. At that hour the church pennant will l)e 
 hoisted on every vessel of the fleet ; and. their crews 
 assembled will, in humiliation and prayer, make 
 their acknowledgments therefor, to the Great Dis- 
 penser of all human events. 
 
 "D. G. Farragut, 
 
 Flag Officer Western Gulf 
 
 lUoekadlng S<jnailron." 
 
 "Isn't that sublime?" said my Captain, when he 
 read the order. " Not a word of triumph ! Humili- 
 ation and prayer ! Thanksgiving for our si)ar(.'d 
 lives! Larry, my boy," he continued, " thougli I 
 have said not a word to you till now about your own 
 
 8* L
 
 178 I WILL BE A SAILOR. 
 
 conduct during these many days, you may be sure it 
 has not been unnoticed, and shall be mentioned when 
 it wUl be of service to you." 
 
 I thanked him, and could n't help sa}ang that 1 
 tried to follow the example of my Captain, for in- 
 deed he had managed our vessel with wonderful skill 
 and courage. I hope Tom Brunt has told you all 
 about it. 
 
 ]My dear mother would have been tenderly moved 
 could she have heard the ser\dces on board our ves- 
 sels. Officei-s and crews were assembled, and there 
 went up, as incense to Heaven, the prayers and 
 .praises of thousands of grateful hearts. 
 
 With best love to her, and to Blanche, I am, my 
 dear grandfather, your own 
 
 Larry. 
 
 P. S. I shall write again very soon. 
 
 " The boy does not boast of his own daring deeds. 
 He seems as modest as he is brave," remarked the 
 grandfather. " "We must have his frigate Constitu- 
 tion handsomely mounted and placed on a bracket ia 
 the parlor. It was an early indication of his taste 
 for a seafaring life." 
 
 " Napoleon, no doubt, had cannons for playthings
 
 NEW ORLEANS. 179 
 
 when he was a boy. I wish I had not mdulged my 
 Larry in his fancy for ships ; we ought to watch 
 these early tendencies, that we may change them," 
 said ]\lrs. LockwelL 
 
 " No, my daughter ; varieties in tastes and ten- 
 dencies are wisely ordered, and we must not go 
 against them, unless they tend to evil. No boy 
 should follow the extunple of Larry, unless he is 
 sure of possessing the qualifications for a steady, 
 faithful, courageous sailor." 
 
 " I would bet a guinea that our Nelson was a 
 sailor in fancy by the time he was four years old ; 
 and our Wellington was a soldier, with a sword by 
 his side, when he was not more than five." 
 
 «Ah, Blanche! — " 
 
 " Please, cousin," interrupted Blanche, " do not 
 throw that word at me ; I am too much interested in 
 tliat splendid river to hear it named as a byword."
 
 180 I WILL BE A SAILOR. 
 
 CHAPTER XXIII. 
 
 FARRAGUT AND PORTER. 
 
 "Worn out by constant care, and watching day 
 and night by the sick and dying soldiers, Mercy 
 Brunt was obliged to return home. 
 
 It was well that Tom had rapidly recovered, for 
 now his sister needed the most tender nursing. INIrs. 
 Lockwell and Blanche by turns assisted IMilly in 
 that task. 
 
 Mrs. Lockwell was sitting with Mercy one morn- 
 ing in the early part of June, — lovely, " leafy 
 June," — and Tom was enjoying the fragrant air 
 in an ai-m-chaii- by the cottage door. 
 
 MiUy was weeding in the small garden in front of 
 the cottage, among Mercy's flowers. 
 
 " It 's perfectly 'stonishing how that furren gal has 
 changed sin' she 's been here. She was so all-fired 
 proud at fust, and sassy too ; now, she 's as gentle as 
 a lamb with our Marcy, and as good a nuss as Missy 
 Lockwell, and most as good as I be."
 
 FARRAGUT AND PORTER. 181 
 
 " Toil have a good opinion of yourself," said Tom, 
 lauirliing. 
 
 " I has a riglit to it when I talks of nussin'. That 
 word nussin' makes me think of cussin' ; and Rebble 
 aUus makes me think of Debbie ! " 
 
 " I am sorry, Milly, that such bad words come into 
 your head." 
 
 " "Well, Massa Tom, I puts 'em out quick as I can, 
 but the Debbie tempts me to cuss them Southern 
 Rebbles. I knows 'em, I knows 'em ! " 
 
 " But we should not curse any one ; the Good 
 Book forbids it." 
 
 " It 's di-efFul hard to get rid of old ways ; when I 
 was a little pickaninny, my old massa made mo 
 swear, 'cause he said it sounded so funny. You 
 know I was a born slave, and heard awful cussin' 
 and swearin' down South." 
 
 '* That 's no reason why you should do so wickedly 
 now, when you hear nothing of that sort." 
 
 " It 's old Milly's temptation, IMassa Tom. I '3 
 trpn' to be a Christian, but it 's drefful hard work to 
 lub my enemies." 
 
 " It is, indeed, Milly ; but we can try not to hate 
 them. I am sorry for them. Yes, jNIilly, I pity the 
 Rebels, and glad enough I should be for peace, if we
 
 182 I "WILL BE A SAILOR. 
 
 could have it ; but I see, as plain as you see that 
 weed you are rooting out, that we can't have it till 
 they are conquered. Suppose you should let all 
 them weeds grow, what would become of your gar- 
 den ? " 
 
 " Come of it ! why, Massa Tom, we should n't 
 have no garden ; they 'd root out ebbryting, I 've 
 got to fight 'em out just as you do the Rebbles." 
 
 " You don't hate the weeds, Milly, though you 're 
 obliged to root them out to save your garden ; so 
 we 've got to conquer the Rebels, or be conquered 
 by them." 
 
 " I does hate the weeds, and I does hate the 
 Rebbles like pison ! " exclaimed Milly, giving a 
 stout pull at a burdock-root. 
 
 " No, Milly, you must n't hate them ; you must 
 pray for them, that they may see the error of their 
 ways, their awful sin in bringing aU this evil on our 
 country. My sister Mercy has been just as kind to 
 the wounded Rebels in the hospitals as to our own 
 men." 
 
 " I knows it ; she 's the Christianest woman in 
 this world, and would if she died go straight up to 
 the New Jerusalem ; but she ain't gwine to die this 
 time ; she 's powerful better to-day. But there 
 comes that English gal, lickety spick."
 
 FARUAGUT AND PORTER. 183 
 
 Tliere indeed was Blanche, quite out of breath 
 with her rapid flight from Chestnut Hill to the 
 brown cottage. 
 
 " Where is Mrs. Lockwell ? " she cried ; " here is 
 a letter from my cousin Larry." 
 
 Mrs, Lockwell heard the words, and hastened to 
 meet Blanche, saying Mercy was so much better that 
 she did not need any one with her that morning ; and 
 telling Tom he should have the news from Larry 
 when she had read the letter, she hastened home, 
 and called her father to hear 
 
 LARRY'S LETTER. 
 
 New Orleans, May 4, 1862., 
 
 My own dear Mother: I have so much to 
 tell you, and so short a time before the mail closes, 
 tliat I scarcely know where to begin. 
 
 We have had a glorious INIay-day. General But- 
 ler issued his proclamation to the people of this city 
 on that day. He is a strong man, an earnest 
 patriot, and will protect the citizens in all their 
 rights. 
 
 There we were on the first of May, walking the 
 streets of New Orleans, treading on burnt cotton. 
 They burnt King Cotton. Is it an omen of the 
 final destruction of Cotton-power ? Who knows I
 
 184 I "WILL BE A SAILOR. 
 
 This is a fine city, but not half as handsome as 
 Philadelphia, nor half as large as New York ; but 
 Captain Ringbolt says, as the second commercial city 
 in the Union, it is of vast importance. 
 
 The St. Charles is a magnificent hotel, and General 
 Butler will make it his head-quarters. 
 
 Heaps of oranges are piled up in the streets, — 
 delicious oranges ; we have no idea at home how 
 luscious the oranges and other Southern fmits are 
 when gathered ripe from the trees. 
 
 I wish you, mother dear, and Blanche, could see 
 the magnificent magnolias and the splendid live-oaks, 
 with their drapery of moss. The flowers, too, would 
 enchant you. 
 
 As for the mhabitants, they are yet rather tur- 
 bulent. They remiud me of the waves of the sea 
 after a storm. You know the waves continue to 
 dash and foam after the gale is past. 
 
 There is occasionally an outbreak here, but it does 
 not amount to much, and is soon put down by the 
 energy of General Butler. All well-disposed persons 
 are protected by our army. 
 
 As I was passing along near the Custom-House, 
 on the top of which the Union flag is floating tri- 
 umphantly, I came upon a crowd of people who were
 
 FARPtAGUT AND PORTER. 185 
 
 hooting, and tlu'eatening to teai' dowTi the Stars and 
 Stripes. Above their hooting and yelling, I heard 
 di'ums beating, and soon a company of soldiers were 
 marching, to the tune of Yankee Doodle, right up to 
 the ci'owd, with fixed bayonets ! The mob soon dis- 
 pereed. I believe no one was killed, but several 
 may have been slightly wounded. 
 
 Among this crowd were a number of women, 
 hooting and jeering as loudly as the men. 
 
 As I stood at a short distance, looking on, one of 
 these women threw a rotten orange at my face. I 
 caught the du-ty missile in my hand, and as it crushed 
 it spattered in the face of another Avom;in, who was 
 standing quite near me. She gave me a smart blow 
 on the back, and swore at me like a trooper. They 
 were both well dressed, though in a very showy 
 style. 
 
 I was walking another time, with a tall, handsome 
 midshipman, and we met two of these New Orleans 
 ladies (?), and, it is too bad to tell, these ladies, as 
 if they had agreed upon it beforehand, spit, spat, 
 spit, m the midshipman's face, or I'atlier attemjited 
 to do so, but, happening to raise his handkerchief 
 at the moment, it I'cceived the contents irom their 
 delicate mouths. " Just what I should have ex-
 
 186 I WILL BE A SAILOR. 
 
 pected from your ugly looks," said he, throwing 
 away the handkerchief. 
 
 They are not all of this stamp ; I saw two very 
 pretty girls waving their handkerchiefs at our flag 
 with real enthusiasm. While they were thus waving 
 them, a rough-looking woman came along, snatched 
 one of the handkercliiefs, and tore it to pieces, and 
 then, stamping it under her feet, swore at those 
 pretty girls till they were glad to hurry away. 
 
 The ladies wave secession flags from their win- 
 dows ; they pour water on the heads of our soldiers 
 as they pass ; they parade their secession badges in 
 the most conspicuous places, even upon their bonnets. 
 My dear mother, did you ever hear of such women, 
 excepting the French Poissardes ? , They are so 
 provoking that one almost forgets they are women, 
 and yet they pretend to be ladies. They ought to 
 be punished severely. If they only behave them- 
 selves, they will be protected and treated like ladies. 
 
 I have just heard that Commodore Farragut is 
 going farther up the IVIississippi, and our steamer is 
 to be one of the fleet. So that I cannot write much 
 more. 
 
 Please remember me kindly and gratefully to 
 good Mercy Brunt, and affectionately to Tom ; I
 
 FARRAGUT AND PORTER. 187 
 
 am strongly attached to that noble sailor. He is 
 a true Christian, and his consistent example has had 
 great influence on board our vessel. I hope he is 
 by this time with you. I have no doubt you will 
 pay him the kindest attention. I shall never forget 
 how very much I am indebted to him and to his 
 excellent sister. 
 
 Do Blanche's English prejudices subside ? Is 
 she still swayed secessionward ? I have copied 
 some doggerel for her on the taking of New Or- 
 leans. 
 
 I am afraid grandpa will not remember the origi- 
 nal ballad of which it is a j)arody, and pcrhai)S he 
 will think it silly ; but it amused me, and I think 
 it will amuse Blanche, wlio sings the old balhid of 
 "Lord Lovell and Miss Nancy." Please tell her 
 the Lord Lovell in this ballad is the General Lovell 
 who was to have defended New Orleans. 
 
 " Lord Lovell he sat in St. Charles Hotel, 
 In St. Charles Hotel sat he; 
 As fine a ca.se of a Rebel swell 
 As ever you 'd wish to see, — see, — .see. 
 
 " Lord Lovell the town had vowed to defend, 
 A-waving his sword on high; 
 He swore that his last ounce of lead he 'd spend. 
 And in the last ditch he 'd die.
 
 188 I WILL BE A SAILOR. 
 
 " He swore by black, and he swore by blue, 
 He swore by the stars and bars, 
 That never he 'd fly from a Yankee crew, 
 While he was a son of Mars. 
 
 " He had forts that no Yankee alive could take, 
 He had iron-clad boats a score ; 
 And batteries all around the lake. 
 And along the river shore. 
 
 " Sir Farragut came with a mighty fleet. 
 With a mighty fleet came he, 
 And Lord LoveU instanter began to retreat 
 Before the first boat lie could see. 
 
 " ' O, tarry, Lord Lovell,' Sir Farragut said, 
 0, tarry. Lord Lovell,' said he; 
 ' I rather think not,' Lord Lovell replied. 
 For 1 'm in a great hurry ! 
 
 " ' I like the drinks at St. Charles Hotel, 
 But I never could bear strong Porter, 
 Especially when its served in a shell, 
 Or mixed in an iron mortar.^ 
 
 " ' I reckon you 're right,' Sir Farragut said, 
 ' I reckon you 're right,' said he,- 
 ' For if my Porter should fly at j-our head, 
 A terrible smash there 'd be.' 
 
 " 0, a wonder it was to see them run, 
 A wonderful thing to see ; 
 And the Yankees sailed near, without firing a gun, 
 And captured the great city.
 
 FARRAGUT AND PORTER. 189 
 
 " Lord Lovell kept running all clay and all night, 
 Lord Lovell a-running kept he; 
 For the world he could n't abide the sight 
 Of the gun of a live Yankee. 
 
 " When Lord Lovell's life was brought to a close, 
 By a sharp-shooting Yankee gunner, 
 From his head there sprouted a red, red nose, 
 From his feet, — a scarlet runner." 
 
 I can't say much for the measure and rhythm of 
 the ballad. I suppose the occasion Avarranted un- 
 limited poetical license. I am afraid, my dear 
 mother, you will think me very trifling after the 
 serious and dreadful affairs of the last weeks ; but 
 indeed we cannot but feel exultation and exhil- 
 aration at our success. It is a great conquest, 
 and one of the most brilliant acliicvements of our 
 navy. 
 
 I fancy I hear Blanche say, " Nelson and Trafal- 
 gar ! England expects every man to do his duty ! " 
 
 Just so ; our country, the faithful and true United 
 States, expects every man, woman, and child to do 
 their duty, — sailor, soldier, and citizen. 
 
 Is it not delightful, my dear mother, that we have 
 now direct open mail communication with our friends 
 at the North?
 
 190 I WILL BE A SAILOR. 
 
 That reminds me that it is time for my letter to be 
 posted, and to say farewell. 
 
 With devoted attachment, your 
 
 Larry. 
 
 " Please lend me the letter," said Blanche, as soon 
 as Mrs Lockwell had read it out to her and to Mr. 
 ]VIiddlefield. 
 
 Blanche seated herself at the piano, and sang the 
 new ballad of Lord Lovell with such ludicrous ex- 
 pression that Ml'. Middlefield laughed heartily, and 
 even Mrs. Lockwell was compelled to join in the 
 merriment.
 
 don't give up tue suip. 191 
 
 CHAPTER XXIV. 
 
 don't give up the ship. 
 
 • 
 
 Two months passed on, and nothing more was 
 lieard from Lany. 
 
 It was the Fourth of July. Mr. INIiddlefield had a 
 large Union flag floating on the top of his house, and 
 a number of his neighbors were assembled on the 
 la\\'n, and were forming a procession. 
 
 WTiat could it mean ? 
 
 A company of soldiers, fully equipped, were in 
 marching order on the road in front of the house. 
 Tom Brunt, no longer needing crutches, was acting 
 as drummer. 
 
 Soon Mr. Middlefield appeared, and, having been 
 joined by the clergyman of the village, headed the 
 procession. Tljpy walked down the broad path of 
 the lawn to the road ; then the company of soldiers 
 marched in front, to the tune of " Hail Columbia." 
 Mr. Lliddlefield's cai'riage then drove up to the
 
 192 I WILL BE A SAILOR. 
 
 door, and Mrs. Lockwell and Blanche stepped in 
 and took their seats. 
 
 Just as the coachman was about to close the door, 
 some one sprang at a bound into the carriage, — a 
 midshipman, in bright, new uniform, " blue and 
 gold." 
 
 " larry ! Larrj ! " -exclaimed Mrs. Lockwell, 
 thro,wing her arms about the neck of her sailor- 
 boy. 
 
 " Larry ! Larry ! " shrieked Blanche, " you fright- 
 ened me half out of my wits ; I thought it a Rebel 
 raid ! How tall you are ! " 
 
 " Good ! I 've taken you by surprise. But, what 
 does all this parade mean ? " 
 
 " It is Lidependence Day, and your grandfather 
 is going to dehver an oration at Penn Hall, in the 
 village," replied Mrs. Lockwell. 
 
 " Grandpa a Fourth of July orator ! That is too 
 funny. And you, Blanche, going to hear the Decla- 
 ration of Independence ; how your British blood will 
 boil ! " 
 
 " Ah ! I ^m the Yankee-est of Yankees now ; and 
 glory in my adopted country," said Blanche, warmly 
 and earnestly. 
 
 " You wonder, Larry, at my father's coming out
 
 don't give up the ship. 193 
 
 on tliis occasion, when he has n't spoken in pubhc 
 since he was in Congress ; but those speak now who 
 always speak, and those too who never spoke before. 
 But how came you home and into the house, my son, 
 %vithout being observed ? " 
 
 " Seeing a crowd in front, I stole around to the 
 back door, and came through the hall to the front 
 door just as you got into the carriage." 
 
 All this time the carriage had kept its station, 
 and Blanche, laughing, said, " I thought we were 
 going to hear the Oration." 
 
 " And so we are ; Larry, tell James to drive on. 
 We shall be there quite in time." 
 
 On the way, Larry had to tell how Captain Ring- 
 bolt obtained the midsliipman's warrant for him, and 
 to relate his adventures on the jouniey home. He 
 said he had leave of absence for only two weeks, and 
 
 then he should return to the same steamer, the , 
 
 that had become so famous. 
 
 " But here we are at Pemi Hall," said Mrs. 
 Lockwell. " I hope they will not make a fuss when 
 we go in." 
 
 They were shown to reserved seats on one side of 
 the platform. The orator of the day was engaged in 
 conversation with the clergjiuan, and did not notice 
 
 9 M
 
 194 I WILL BE A SAILOR. 
 
 the entrance of the party from Chestnut Hill, though 
 there was a stir and a loud whispering among the 
 audience. 
 
 After a prayer from the clergyman, and the read- 
 ing of the Declaration of Independence, Mr. Middle- 
 field delivered an eloquent oration, intensely patri- 
 otic, which was greeted with enthusiastic cheers. 
 
 No sooner was the orator seated than some one in 
 the crowd called out, " Midshipman Lawrence Lock- 
 •well, to the platform ! " 
 
 " Lawi-ence Lockwell, Lawrence LockweU ! " 
 shouted the men ; " Larry, Larry ! " shrieked the 
 boys ; and Tom Brunt, not knowing how to ex- 
 press his delight, beat his di-um furiously. 
 
 The grandfather turned his eyes to the spot where 
 all eyes were directed, and there stood Larry, his 
 fine face glowing with emotion, waving his gold- 
 banded cap towards the audience. 
 
 " The platform ! the platform ! " shouted the crowd ; 
 and LaiTy was borne along without his will to the 
 platform. He sprang lightly up the steps, and 
 bowed to the orator of the day, who stood up to 
 receive him. But Larry's feelmgs overcame him ; 
 he flung down his cap, and, throwing his arms 
 around his grandfather's neck, gave him a hearty 
 kiss.
 
 don't give up the ship. 195 
 
 Touched by this natural act, the audience cheei*ed 
 vociferously, and Tom Brunt beat " Yankee Doodle " 
 with all his might. 
 
 "VVTien the noise had subsided, Larry surveyed the 
 audience, recognizing many familiar faces, and bow- 
 ing gracefully said : 
 
 " My friends, I am no orator, as my grandfather 
 is ; but, as an officer of the navy, I am pledged to 
 defend our country, and to fight her battles." 
 
 Cheers, cheers ! Deafening applause ! 
 
 " I can't make a speech ; I will only offer you a 
 sentiment, — The Union, the whole Union, North, 
 South, East, and West ; we are in an awful storm, 
 but ' Don't give up the ship ! ' " 
 
 THE END. 
 
 Cambridge : Stereotyped and Printed by Welch, Bigclow, ft Co.
 
 This book is DUE on the last 
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