“New Switzerland.”

“That gentleman is very curious,” observed Jack.

Here a silence of some minutes ensued; the officer seemed at fault in his geography.

“Where away?” at last resounded from the trumpet.

“Bound for Europe,” replied Fritz.

This reply elicited an expression of doubt, accompanied with such a tremendous exjurgation as made both Fritz and Jack almost shrink into the hold.

A few minutes after the Yankee in command stepped on board, and explanations were entered into that perfectly satisfied the republican officer.  He continued, however, to eye Willis curiously.

The Hoboken, for that was the name of the strange ship, was an American cruiser, carrying twelve ship guns and a long paixhan.  She was attached to the Chinese station, but had recently obtained information that war had been declared between England and the States.  She was now making her way to the west by a circuitous route to avoid the British squadron, and, at the same time, with a view to pick up an English merchantman or two.

Fritz and Jack being citizens of a sister republic, and subjects of a neutral power, were received on board with a hearty welcome, and with the hospitality due to their interesting position.  Willis also received some attention, and was treated with all the courtesy that could be shown to the native of an enemy’s country.

The pinnace was taken in tow till the young men made up their minds as to the course they would adopt.  A free passage to the States was kindly offered to them, and even pressed upon their acceptance; but the captain left the matter entirely to their own option.

Fritz and Jack were delighted with the warmth of their reception; and, after being so long cooped up in the narrow quarters of the pinnace, looked upon the Yankee cruiser, with its men and officers in uniform, as a sort of floating palace.  The Nelson having been only a despatch-boat, it had given them but an indifferent idea of a man-of-war.  On board the Yankee every thing was kept in apple-pie order.  Discipline was maintained with martinet strictness.  The fittings shone like a mirror.  The brass cappings glistened in the sun.  Complicated rolls of cable were profusely scattered about, but without confusion.  The deck always seemed as fresh as if it had been planked the day before.  The sails overhead seemed to obey the word of command of their own accord.  The boatswain’s whistle seemed to act upon the men like electricity.  The seamen’s cabins, six feet long by six feet broad, in which a hammock, locker, and lashing apparatus were conveniently stowed, were something very different from the accommodation on board the pinnace.  These things were regarded by Fritz and Jack with great interest; and nowhere is the genius of man so brilliantly displayed as on board a well-appointed ship of war.