Jack sprang to his place at the capstan, buoyant with hope that the day of action had again arrived. Every man at Ship Island knew that some stupendous enterprise was about to be undertaken; though none but a few of the higher officers of the army and navy knew what it was. “Where do you suppose we are going now, Tom?” asked Jack when the ship was fairly under way. “Don’t know, my bantling; but you may be sure, if there’s any big thing to be done, this ship will be there,” replied Tom. “We’re headed to the south’ard.” “Perhaps we are going down to the Mississippi.” “Maybe we be, Jack.” That evening, the Harrisburg arrived at Pass à l’Outre; and, on the two following days, she made several attempts to cross the bar, and enter the Mississippi, but without success. She then went round to the South-west Pass; where she crossed the bar, and proceeded up the river to Pilot Town. At this place, Jack learned that the seamen in the navy have something to do besides drawing their pay and eating their “grub.” The topmasts were sent down, and the ship stripped for action. Everything not required for immediate service was sent on shore, and a guard of marines stationed there to protect the property. It was a hard day’s work; and Jack’s hammock never felt so good as it did that night when he was permitted to “turn in.” The guns were all shotted, in readiness for an attack; for the rebels had a fleet of rams and ironclads up the river, with which they had already made one demonstration against the blockading-fleet. After these preparations were completed, the Harrisburg steamed up to the head of the Passes. But here she again mocked the eager expectations of the seamen; for no forward movement was made for a month. There was occasionally an incident to vary the monotony of the scene. The arrival of the mortar-fleet, the discovery and destruction of a telegraph-wire extending across the river, afforded brief periods of excitement; but all were anxious to pour a few broadsides into Forts Jackson and St. Philip; for there was no longer any doubt that the reduction of these fortifications was the object of the expedition. On the 16th of April, another fever of expectation was produced by the ship getting under way again, and going up to the head of the fleet, consisting of fifty-one men-of-war; where she anchored, much to the disappointment of the gallant tars. But the next week realized all their anticipations, and immortalized every man of them. CHAPTER XVIII. FORTS JACKSON AND ST. PHILIP.