hoid
fever. My hair was dead, and rapidly falling out. A barber was
consulted, and he discovered that a new crop had commenced to grow. So
the old hair was cut off even with the new. Mrs. Hall's husband was then
next in order. Upon inquiry, I found that he was a cheap gambler, and
not in town just then, so I left his letter with some of his friends.

I arrived in New York on Sunday morning, and went to my wife's last
address. She had changed quarters to another locality. On going there, I
was informed that she was in a certain boarding-house in Brooklyn. At
that place I was directed to another boarding-house. Finally I found the
young lady. Our child had died three months previously. During our
conversation I said:

"Why, Annie, I only received two of your letters while I was in prison."

"That is all I wrote to you," she very innocently replied.

Before leaving Boston on the brig Perry, I had made an allotment of
fifty dollars per month to her, which she received from a naval agent on
the first of each month. Well, that frugal little wife, to use a slang
expression, was "dead broke," and in arrears for her board bill. I was
happy to be back with her, so I had no fault to find. Theatres and
pleasure trips were in order and my past miseries forgotten. In due time
I received all my back pay. My clothing had been sent home from the
Perry, and a sword and a few other articles were all I had to purchase
for my new outfit.

Orders were received for me to report to Commander John C. Hall, for
duty on board the United States steamer Nereus, at the Brooklyn Navy
Yard. The Nereus was a large screw steamer, with splendid accommodations
for sailors and officers. The captain and executive were regulars, the
other officers were volunteers. The acting master was a navigating
officer. Four ensigns were watch officers. Our quarters consisted of a
large ward-room, with state-rooms on each side. The latter were
furnished with single berths, and sets of drawers underneath, a
combination dressing-case and desk, and a stationary wash-stand.
Coloured ordinary seamen were detailed as ward-room boys, one for each
officer. Their duties were to take care of the state-rooms and wait on
the table, for which service they received nine dollars per month extra,
paid by the officers. The steward and cook were paid as petty officers
by the Government. One hundred dollars were paid by each of the officers
as initiation fee and mess fund on joining t