To make the acquaintance of a lieutenant in the navy was a piece of good fortune which he had not anticipated, and he was convinced that he should make a favorable impression upon the mind of his passenger before they returned from the fort. It was, as his mother had remarked, an awful night to go upon the sea; but he had weathered some heavy gales in a fore-and-aft schooner, and he was satisfied that he could keep Captain Barney’s little yacht right side up in anything short of a West-Indian hurricane. As they walked down to the harbor, Lieutenant Bankhead questioned his young skipper in regard to the boat in which they were to venture upon the stormy bay, and the dangers they would encounter on the passage. These inquiries, however, were only intended to “bring out” the young salt, and develop his knowledge of the business he had undertaken. His replies were so satisfactory, that the officer soon became as confident as his skipper; and, moreover, he began to entertain a very high respect for the character and ability of his new companion. “You’ll do, Jack,” said Mr. Bankhead, after he had fully tested the knowledge of the boy, and the peculiar seamanship necessary for the safe management of a sail-boat; “you’ll do. I can handle a ship: but I never attempted to work a boat under sail; that is, I never made a business of it. If you put me through all right, I’ll give you a ten-dollar bill, and be much obliged to you besides.” “I’ll do the best I can; but it blows pretty heavy, and there’s an ugly sea running.” “I know it, my boy; and so much the more credit to you if you take me through handsomely.” “I don’t think there’ll be any trouble about it, sir. Captain Barney’s boat’s as stiff as oak and iron can make her, and she works like a lady in a sea. Here is the wharf. I don’t know your name sir.” “Lieutenant Bankhead, of the navy. Yours is Jack Somers; at least, everybody calls you so.” “Yes, sir; and it’s a good name enough for me. I wish it was written on the shipping-papers in the navy.” “Perhaps it may be yet. We want all the likely lads of your build and spirit that we can get.” “I should like to go in,” added Jack, as he cast off the painter of a small dory, in which they were to pull out to the moorings of the sail-boat. “Why don’t you, then?” “My mother don’t want me to leave home. If you will step into this dory, sir, I will pull you off to the Dashaway.” “Dashaway! is that the name of the captain’s boat?” “Yes, sir: he christened her himself.” “Well, it’s a smashing name. By the by, I will speak to your mother about your going into the navy, if you wish,” added Mr. Bankhead, as he stepped into the dory, and seated himself at the stern. “Thank you sir; but I don’t think she will let me go.” “Perhaps she will. I am ordered to the Harrisburg, and very likely I can induce your mother to let you ship in her. Well, this comes heavy,” added Mr. Bankhead, as a wave dashed its spray all over him.