r midshipmite soon became a favorite with all, from the gruff old
superintendent down to the littlest new-comer at the school. His
bright, cheery, and genial disposition, and frank, hearty ways, were
very winning, and if, in his studies, he did not take leading rank, nor
become enraptured over analytics, calculus, and binomials, he was
esteemed a spirited, heartsome lad of good stock and promise, bred to
honorable purpose and aspiration, with seemingly marked aptitude for the
noble profession, which, more than any other, calls for a heroism that
never hesitates, a courage that never falters; for, aside from its
special work of upholding and defending the flag, and all it symbolizes,
on the high seas to the uttermost parts of the globe, "they that go down
to sea in ships" come closer to the manifestations of the unspeakable
might and majesty of Almighty Power than any other. The seaman, with but
a plank separating him from eternity, never knows at what moment he may
be called upon to put forth all the skill and resource, the unflinching
effort and sacrifice, that his calling ever, in emergency, unstintedly
requires.

"Where'er the surge may sweep, the tempest's breath prevail,
He searches all its stormy deep, its dangers all unveil."

Of medium height, slight and trim of figure, clear complexion and
piercing gray eyes of peculiar brilliancy, softened by a merry twinkle
betokening latent mischief, young Perkins was a youth fair and
interesting to look upon. He walked with quick, elastic step, carried
his head a little on one side, and had a habit, when anything struck his
fancy pleasantly, of shrugging his shoulders and rubbing his hands
together in a vigorous way, that seemed to declare in unmistakable terms
that he was glad all over!

During one of the wonted summer cruises, he made himself somewhat famous
at great-gun practice, the details of which are given in one of his home
letters, as follows:--

"We had target practice one day, and it came my turn to shoot. There was
quite a swell on, which made it very difficult to get any kind of a
shot, but when I fired I hit the target, which was a barrel with a small
flag on it, set up about three quarters of a mile distant. Such a thing
as hitting a small target at sea, with the ship in motion, and a swell
on, is considered almost out of the question, so they all said it was
'luck.' But another target was put out, and I fired again and stove it
all to pieces. Then th