the Commodore off the weather bow.  As the sun peeped out from the watery horizon, two guns were discharged from the Commodore’s yacht, and so loud was the report that the major suddenly stopped his snoring, and springing to his feet in a state of great confusion, began to call out at the top of his voice that the sloop was sinking.  But he as suddenly regained his senses, and called to mind the honors that were to be paid him, he felt great alarm lest he had overslept himself, and besought Captain Luke Snider, who turned out of his berth at the same moment, to run upon deck and say he was not quite ready to receive them.  But as Captain Luke took no heed of his request, and thought only of getting into port, the major, in his great anxiety, ran himself upon deck in his shirt, and cut so sorry a figure that no man would have envied him.  All was as still and lonely as the Lybian coast-not a wail came over the sea.  Now only the dull stillness was broken by some forlorn robin whistling his song along the shore.

The major, satisfied that the cannon were fired only to welcome the rising sun, and not in honor of him, returned to the cabin, where he got into his breeches and boots.  He then drew from under a pile of rubbish in one of the berths, a pair of holsters, he declared were presented to him by General Jefferson Davis, for gallant deeds done during the Mexican War, though no sensible man would have given a dime for them.  With these, and his saddle and bridle, he again repaired upon deck, where, after no little exertion, he got old Battle upon his feet.

“It seems, my faithful horse, as if heaven lent thee to me for a mighty purpose,” said the major, addressing his horse, who gave himself a hearty shake, and stretched his head and neck to their utmost extent.  And after he had said many other encouraging things to his horse, he gave him such an excellent rubbing down that, had it not been for the immense size of his legs, which now appeared quite as short as the major’s, no one would have taken him for the same animal.  This done, he bridled and saddled him; and with the holsters secured (though they were without pistols,) he was in the major’s eye, as war-like a horse as could be desired.

The morning advanced, and breakfast was scarcely over, when a breeze sprung up, which, giving the squadron a leading wind, they began to trim their sails.  A port gun was then fired from the commodore’s yacht, which was followed by their colors being run up, and floating gayly in the wind.  A boat now put off, and being rowed by four men, with an officer in the stern sheets, soon reached the “Two Marys.”  The officer came on board, and with great courtesy of manner, inquired for Major Roger Potter, who now came forward dressed in the most wonderful uniform ever worn by military politician, inasmuch as there were two patches on his seat of honor, and his coat, which could boast of but one epaulette, had lost a portion of the tails.