“That’s so,” said Archie; “I did not think of that; I believe I’ll take it;” and he hurried on deck again.

“Well, what conclusion have you come to?” inquired the captain.  “Will you take it?”

“Yes, sir, with many thanks for your kindness.”

“What is your cousin’s name?”

Archie told him, and the captain continued: 

“I’ll keep an eye open for him.  I don’t forget that I was young once myself; and I know that a sailor’s life is rather tough for one who is not accustomed to it; and when I find a deserving young man, I like to help him along.  Mr. Tyler,” he continued, turning to the officer of the deck; “please send this young man over to the fleet paymaster’s office in the first boat that leaves the ship.  You need not take your donnage,” he said, turning to Archie again; “if you suit the paymaster, you can come over for it at any time.”

“Very good, sir,” answered Archie; and he went below again.

When the ten o’clock boat was called away, Archie, in obedience to the captain’s order, was sent over to the paymaster’s office; and Frank was left alone.  He watched the boat until it reached the landing, and he saw his cousin spring out.  He then walked aft, and seated himself on the mess-chest, and commenced writing a letter to his mother.  While he was thus engaged, he heard the order passed, in a loud voice:  “All you men that belonged to the Illinois, muster on the forecastle with your bags and hammocks.”

As Frank hastened to obey the order, he met Simpson, who exclaimed: 

“We’re off again, my hearty; and I’m glad of it.  I don’t like to lay around here.”

“Where are we going?” inquired Frank.

“I don’t know for certain; but I suspect we are to be the crew of the store-ship Milwaukee, now lying alongside the wharf-boat.”

Simpson’s surmise proved to be correct.  The entire crew of the Illinois, with the exception of Archie, was mustered around the capstan; and after answering to their names, they were crowded into a cutter that lay alongside, and, in a few moments, were landed on board the Milwaukee.

She had steam up; her stores were on board, and she was all ready to sail; and the crew had scarcely time to stow away their bags and hammocks, when the order was passed:  “All hands stand by to get ship under way.”

The gang-planks were quickly hauled in; the line with which she was made fast to the wharf-boat was cast off, and the Milwaukee was soon steaming down the river, and Cairo was rapidly receding from view.

The Milwaukee, which was now dignified by the name of “store-ship,” was an old river packet.  She was loaded with clothing, provisions, and small stores, with which she was to supply the fleet.  It was not, of course, intended that she should go into action; but, in order that she might be able to defend herself against the guerrillas, which infested the river between Cairo and Helena, she mounted a twelve-pound howitzer on her boiler-deck, and was well supplied with muskets.  Her destination was Helena.