He was left almost alone now, for many of the boys of his acquaintance had shouldered their muskets and gone off with the others; and that very day he had met Harry Butler, who had enlisted as a private, wearing the uniform of a lieutenant, which he had won by his bravery at Fort Donelson. He had never said one word to his mother about enlisting, for he was an only son, and he dreaded to ask her permission. But that mother's quick eye easily read what was going on in her son's mind. She had Puritan blood in her veins; her ancestors had fought in the war of the Revolution, and she had resolved that, if Frank wished to go, she would give her full consent. A mother's heart alone can tell the struggle it had cost her to come to this determination. "I've got a letter from Archie, also," said Frank. His mother took it from his hand, and read as follows: Portland, _March_ 18, 1862. Dear Cousin: I am about to tell you something which you will call strange news. Father has at last given his consent to my going to war, provided you will go too. He says that if I go, I must have you with me, to take care of me, and keep me straight. I suppose he thinks I will never go if I am obliged to wait for you, for he says your mother will not consent to your going. You can ask her, any way. You know you always wanted to have a hand in putting down this rebellion. If we go at all, I think the best plan is to enter the navy. It is a much better branch of the service than the army--the discipline is better; there are no long marches to endure; and, wherever you go, your house goes with you. Now, be sure and do your best, for now is our chance, if ever. Please write immediately, for I am afraid father will change his mind. Yours, in haste, Archibald Winters. When Mrs. Nelson had read the letter, she handed it back to her son without saying a word. "Well, mother, what do you think of it?" inquired Frank. "The matter rests entirely with you, my son," answered Mrs. Nelson, dropping her sewing into her lap. "Do just as you think best." "Do you say I may go?" inquired Frank, joyfully. "Certainly. You have my full consent to go, if you wish to." "Oh, mother," exclaimed Frank, springing up and throwing his arms around her neck, "I wish I had known, long ago, that you were willing to have me go." "Where are you going, Frank?" inquired Julia, who had a vague suspicion of what was going on. "I'm off to the war," answered her brother. "I am going into the navy with Archie." "Oh, Frank," she exclaimed, bursting into tears, "you must not go. There's enough in the army without you. You will certainly get shot." "I'll never be shot in the back," said Frank; "you may rely on that. But you don't suppose that every one who goes to war gets shot, do you? I may be one of the lucky ones; so don't cry any more."