The officers' quarters were all below decks; and, although it was then the middle of winter, Frank found it rather uncomfortable in his bunk. During the two weeks that elapsed before the ship was ready to sail, the time was employed in getting every thing in order--in drilling at the great guns, and with muskets and broad-swords. Most of the crew were old seamen, who understood their duty; and by the time their sailing orders came, every thing moved like clock-work. In the mean time Frank had been assigned his station, which--being the youngest officer on board the ship--was to command the magazine. He learned very rapidly, and, as he was always attentive to his duties, he grew in favor with both officers and men. At length, one afternoon, the anchor was weighed, and the Ticonderoga steamed down the river. Her orders were to report to the Admiral, who had sailed from Cairo about a week previous. They found him at Arkansas Post, where they arrived too late to take part in the fight. In a few days a station was assigned to her in the Mississippi River; and the Ticonderoga immediately set sail, in obedience to orders. CHAPTER VIII. The Struggle Between the Lines. One day, about two weeks after they came out of Arkansas River, the Ticonderoga stopped at Smith's Landing to take on wood, as her supply of coal had run short. The vessel was made fast to the bank, and, while the seamen were bringing in the wood, the paymaster's steward called Frank's attention to some cattle which were feeding on the bank, and remarked: "I wish we could go out and shoot one of them." "So do I," said Frank; "I've eaten salt pork until I am tired of it. Let's go and ask the captain." "I'm agreed," said the steward.