odore himself continuing on up
the river in a small vessel to Corrientes to meet Lopez and convey to
him the ultimatum of the United States. After some "backing and
filling," as an old salt would characterize diplomacy, Lopez concluded
"discretion to be the better part of valor," and making a satisfactory
_amende_, the Paraguayan war came to a bloodless end, and the hopes of
expectant heroes with visions of promotion dissolved like summer clouds.

Young Perkins was now, August, 1858, transferred to the frigate Sabine
for passage home to his examination for the grade of passed midshipman.
Passing that ordeal satisfactorily, aided by handsome commendatory
letters from his commanding officers, he spent three happy months at
home, and then received orders for duty on board the steamer Sumter, as
acting master, the destination of that vessel being the west coast of
Africa, where, in accordance with the provisions of Article 8 of the
Webster-Ashburton treaty (1842), the United States maintained a
squadron, carrying not less than eighty guns, in co-operation with the
British government, for the suppression of the slave trade. That article
continued in active observance nineteen years, when the United States,
having a little question of slavery to settle at home, gave the
stipulated preliminary notice and recalled the ships.

The Sumter arrived on the coast in October, 1859, making her first
anchorage in the lovely harbor on the west side of Prince's Island. That
island, in about 1