8 THE VOYAGE OF THE JEANNETTE. 



« That 's right! " they said. " The thing should be at- 

 tended to. Just speak to the admiral positively about 

 it, and you '11 get what you want." 



The young midshipman was shown into the office of 

 Admiral Stringham, an erect gentleman with white 

 hair, and sharp black eyes, who sat at his desk writ- 

 ing. His visitor advanced toward him, cap in hand, 

 and said : — 



" Admiral, I am Midshipman De Long of the U. S. 

 Steamer Canandaigua. Sir, I have been inspecting my 

 quarters on board, and I find only two bunks in the 

 steerage for four midshipmen. I came, sir, to ask you 

 to have two more berths put in before we start for 

 sea." 



The admiral looked up quickly and said : " So 3^ou 

 are Midshipman De Long of the U. S. Steamer Canan- 

 daigua? " 



''Yes, sir." 



" Well, Midshipman De Long of the U. S. Steamer 

 Canandaigua, I advise you to return on board the U. S. 

 Steamer Canandaigua, and consider yourself very happy 

 that you have any bunks at all in the steerage." 



The admiral was better than his word, however. His 

 amusement was greater than his amazement, and he 

 ordered the additional bunks to be made. Years after- 

 ward he met again, the innocent and resolute midship- 

 man and laughed heartily over their first encounter. 



The cruise of the Canandaigua was along the western 

 coast of Europe and Africa and in the Mediterranean, 

 and was a little over three years in duration. Mr. De 

 Long was promoted successively to be ensign and mas- 

 ter, and, shortly after his return to New York, to be 

 lieutenant. After a short leave of absence, he was or- 

 dered to the U. S. Steamer Lancaster, then at Norfolk, 



