To the readers, young and old, who have perseveringly followed my heroes through the two thousand pages of this series, I am even more than grateful; for I feel that they have sympathized with me in my desire to present a lofty ideal to the young man of to-day--one who will be true to God, true to himself, and true to his country, in whatever sphere his lot may be cast, whether on the forecastle or the quarter deck; as a private or an officer, in the great army which must ever battle with life's trials and temptations till the crown immortal be won. WILLIAM T. ADAMS. HARRISON SQUARE, MASS., March 13, 1866. CONTENTS. CHAPTER I. LIEUTENANT PILLGRIM. II. WAITING FOR THE SHIP. III. THE WOUNDED SAILOR. IV. THE FRONT CHAMBER. V. SOMERS COMES TO HIS SENSES. VI. LIEUTENANT WYNKOOP, R. N. VII. LANGDON'S LETTERS. VIII. THE UNITED STATES STEAMER CHATAUQUA. IX. IN THE STATE-ROOM. X. THE CHIEF CONSPIRATOR. XI. AFTER GENERAL QUARTERS. XII. THE BEN NEVIS. XIII. A CONFLICT OF AUTHORITY. XIV. THE PRIZE STEAMER. XV. THE PRISONER IN THE CABIN. XVI. CAPTAIN WALMSLEY. XVII. OFF MOBILE BAY. XVIII. BRAVE OLD SALT. XIX. THE BOAT EXPEDITION. XX. THE PICKET BOAT. XXI. THE BEN LOMOND. XXII. RUNNING THE BLOCKADE. XXIII. A YANKEE TRICK. XXIV. PILLGRIM AND LANGDON. XXV. THE BATTLE OF MOBILE BAY. XXVI. IN THE HOSPITAL. XXVII. MISS PORTINGTON NOT AT HOME. XXVIII. THE BEN LEDI. XXIX. A LONG CHASE. XXX. THE END OF THE REBELLION. BRAVE OLD SALT. BRAVE OLD SALT; OR, LIFE ON THE QUARTER DECK. CHAPTER I. LIEUTENANT PILLGRIM. "Well, Prodigy, I congratulate you on your promotion. I even agree with your enthusiastic admirers, who say that no young man better deserves his advancement than you," said Miss Kate Portington, standing in the entry of her father's house at Newport, holding Mr. Ensign John Somers by the hand. "Thank you, Miss Portington," replied the young officer, with a blush caused as much by the excitement of that happy moment, as by the handsome compliment paid by the fair girl, who, we are compelled to acknowledge, had formed no inconsiderable portion of the young man's thoughts, hopes, and aspirations during the preceding year. John Somers had been examined by the board of naval officers appointed for the purpose, had been triumphantly passed, and promoted to the rank he now held. A short furlough had been granted to him, and he had just come from Pinchbrook, where he had spent a week. A visit to Newport was now almost as indispensable as one to the home of his childhood, and on his way to join the ship to which he had been ordered, he paused to discharge this pleasing duty.