cause, he said to the commodore "he is entirely
destitute of the aids of fortune and the influence of friends, other
than those whom his character may attach to him," and the request was
granted.

Farragut spent nine delightful and valuable months with his old friend,
who gave the boy every opportunity, not only for study, but to gain
such polish and worldly experience as he would need in later life and
David eagerly profited by every advantage given him. Then the Danish
consul, who was also an admirer of the bright sturdy boy, invited him
to visit him. Farragut was now sixteen years old, and it was at that
time that the first real hardship of his life came to him, when as the
result of a sunstroke, his eyes were weakened, and never entirely
recovered.

Soon it was time for him to go on duty on the _Washington_ again, and
Mr. Folsom, tearful with regret at being obliged to part from the boy,
took him in his arms and gave him his blessing and their paths in life
parted, although forty years later, when Farragut had become a famous
Admiral he sent a token of respect and love to Mr. Folsom, showing that
he had never forgotten his old friend.

When Farragut was eighteen years old, he was called to America to take
his examination for a lieutenancy, which he took and passed
successfully, but as there was no vacancy just then in the navy, he was
obliged to wait, and although he spent the time happily with the
Porters in their Virginia home, he was glad indeed when the chance came
to cruise again, for he was a thorough sailor, and the love of the sea
ran hot in his veins.

For years both the American and English had been waging war against
bands of pirates who infested the coast of the West Indies. These
robbers had small fast ships, and would attack unarmed merchantmen,
seize all the valuables they could carry away or destroy, and sometimes
kill the crew or put them ashore on some desert island. Ever since
peace with England had been declared, Captain Porter had been a
commissioner of the navy, and made no sea voyages, but now he offered
to resign this position and attempt to drive the pirates away, only
demanding that the government should give him a fleet of small vessels
which could follow the pirates into their retreats.

The government accepted his offer, and gave him orders to fit out such
a fleet as he chose, and he bought eight small schooners, similar to
those used by the pirates, and also five large row-boats o