Brave Old Salt; or, Life on the Quarter Deck: A Story of the Great Rebellion Read online

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  Somers and the Admiral.]

  BRAVE OLD SALT. OLIVER OPTIC. LEE & SHEPARD. BOSTON.]

  BRAVE OLD SALT;

  OR,

  LIFE ON THE QUARTER DECK.

  A Story of the Great Rebellion.

  BY

  OLIVER OPTIC,

  Author of "THE SOLDIER BOY," "THE SAILOR BOY," "THE YOUNG LIEUTENANT," "THE YANKEE MIDDY," "FIGHTING JOE," "THE WOODVILLE STORIES," "THE RIVERDALE STORY BOOKS," ETC., ETC.

  BOSTON: LEE AND SHEPARD, SUCCESSORS TO PHILLIPS, SAMPSON & CO. 1866.

  Entered according to Act of Congress, in the year 1866, by WILLIAM T. ADAMS, In the Clerk's Office of the District Court of the District of Massachusetts.

  ELECTROTYPED AT THE _Boston Stereotype Foundry_, No. 4 Spring Lane.

  TO

  SAMUEL C. PERKINS, ESQ.,

  This Book

  IS RESPECTFULLY DEDICATED,

  BY HIS FRIEND

  WILLIAM T. ADAMS.

  PREFACE.

  This volume, the sixth and last of "THE ARMY AND NAVY STORIES," is arecord of "Life on the Quarter Deck," mostly in the squadron of ViceAdmiral Farragut, one of whose familiar appellations, used in theward-room and on the berth deck, has furnished the leading title of thebook. The terrible war which devastated our country for four years hasgiven to history two generals, Grant and Sherman, and one admiral,Farragut, whose achievements are unsurpassed, if they are equalled, inthe annals of military and naval warfare; but while the author, in thiswork, has gratefully rendered his tribute of admiration to thedistinguished naval commander, he has not attempted to present acomplete biography of him.

  Those who have read the preceding volumes of this series need hardly betold that this is a book of adventure--of personal experience in thegreat struggle of the nineteenth century. Jack Somers, "The Sailor Boy,"Mr. Somers, "The Yankee Middy," and Captain Somers, LieutenantCommanding, are the same person; though often as he changes his officialposition, he is still the same honest, true, and Christian young man.

  In our completed sixth volume we take leave of the Somers family withmany regrets. If our young friends in the army and navy had been lesstrue, noble, and Christian, we could have parted with less sorrow. Yetthe army and navy, as they crushed the Rebellion, have given us manyyoung men just as true, just as noble and Christian. Let us gratefullycherish these living heroes, and they will not pass away from us "like atale that is told."

  To the readers, young and old, who have perseveringly followed my heroesthrough the two thousand pages of this series, I am even more thangrateful; for I feel that they have sympathized with me in my desire topresent a lofty ideal to the young man of to-day--one who will be trueto God, true to himself, and true to his country, in whatever sphere hislot may be cast, whether on the forecastle or the quarter deck; as aprivate or an officer, in the great army which must ever battle withlife's trials and temptations till the crown immortal be won.

  WILLIAM T. ADAMS.

  HARRISON SQUARE, MASS., March 13, 1866.

  CONTENTS.

  CHAPTER

  I. LIEUTENANT PILLGRIM. II. WAITING FOR THE SHIP. III. THE WOUNDED SAILOR. IV. THE FRONT CHAMBER. V. SOMERS COMES TO HIS SENSES. VI. LIEUTENANT WYNKOOP, R. N. VII. LANGDON'S LETTERS. VIII. THE UNITED STATES STEAMER CHATAUQUA. IX. IN THE STATE-ROOM. X. THE CHIEF CONSPIRATOR. XI. AFTER GENERAL QUARTERS. XII. THE BEN NEVIS. XIII. A CONFLICT OF AUTHORITY. XIV. THE PRIZE STEAMER. XV. THE PRISONER IN THE CABIN. XVI. CAPTAIN WALMSLEY. XVII. OFF MOBILE BAY. XVIII. BRAVE OLD SALT. XIX. THE BOAT EXPEDITION. XX. THE PICKET BOAT. XXI. THE BEN LOMOND. XXII. RUNNING THE BLOCKADE. XXIII. A YANKEE TRICK. XXIV. PILLGRIM AND LANGDON. XXV. THE BATTLE OF MOBILE BAY. XXVI. IN THE HOSPITAL. XXVII. MISS PORTINGTON NOT AT HOME. XXVIII. THE BEN LEDI. XXIX. A LONG CHASE. XXX. THE END OF THE REBELLION.

  BRAVE OLD SALT.

  BRAVE OLD SALT; OR, LIFE ON THE QUARTER DECK.