When he arrived on board the flag-ship, he was met by the officer of the deck, who inquired his business.

“I wish to see the Admiral, sir” answered Frank; “I am ordered to report to him.”

The officer immediately led the way aft, and showed Frank a marine standing at the door of the cabin, who took his name and disappeared.  In a moment he returned, and informed Frank that the Admiral was waiting to see him.

He entered the cabin, and handed his appointment to the Admiral, who, after reading it, said: 

“So, you are the young man that saved the Milwaukee, are you?  Take a chair, sir.”

In a few moments his orders to report, without delay, on board the Ticonderoga, were ready; and as the Admiral handed them to him, he said: 

“Now, young man, you will be on a ship where you will have a chance to distinguish yourself.  I shall expect to hear a good account of you.”

“I shall always endeavor to do my duty, sir,” answered Frank; and he made his best bow and retired.

When he returned to the Milwaukee, his accounts had all been made out.  After the paymaster paid him up in full, Frank started for the nearest clothing-store, and when he came out, he was changed into a fine-looking officer.

He immediately directed his steps toward the naval wharf-boat, where he found a lively little fellow, who seemed full of business, superintending the loading of a vessel with provisions.  It was Archie Winters; but it was plain that he did not recognize his cousin in his new uniform, for Frank stood close behind him, several moments, and Archie even brushed against him, as he passed.

“Can you tell me, sir, where I can find Mr. Winters?” inquired Frank, at length.

“Yes, sir,” answered Archie, promptly, looking his cousin full in the face; “I’m the—­why, Frank, how are you?” and he seized his cousin’s hand, and shook it heartily.  “I’ve been on board the Milwaukee twice this morning, but you were off somewhere.  I heard you had a fight down the river, with the rebels.  But what are you doing?  What boat are you ordered to?”

“I am not doing any thing at present,” answered Frank; “but I am ordered to report on board the Ticonderoga.”

“There she is,” said Archie, pointing to a long, low, black vessel that lay alongside of the wharf boat.  “I am just putting provisions on board of her.  I’ll come and see you as soon as I get my work done.”

Frank went on board his vessel, where he was received by the officer of the deck, who showed him the way into the cabin.  After the captain had indorsed his orders, he strolled leisurely about the ship, examining into every thing, for as yet he knew nothing of gun-boat life.

The Ticonderoga was a queer-looking craft.  She was not exactly a Monitor; but she had a turret forward, and mounted two eleven-inch guns and four twelve-pounder howitzers.  She had a heavy iron ram on her bow, and the turret was protected by three inches of iron, and the deck with two inches.  It did not seem possible that a cannon-ball could make any impression on her thick armor.