CHAPTER II.
Learning the Ropes.
As they came on board the receiving-ship they were all drawn up in a line, the roll was called, and they were divided off into messes.

The mess to which Frank and his cousin belonged was called "Number Twenty-five." As they were about to be dismissed, the officer who had called the roll said to Archie: "You will be cook of this mess." "Sir ?" said Archie, in surprise.
"You will be cook of this mess," repeated the officer, in a louder tone.
"But what is the matter with you?
Are you hard of hearing ?" "No, sir; but I can't cook." "Never mind; you can try.

You may go below, lads." The men did as they were ordered, and our heroes seated themselves on one of the broadside guns, and Archie said: "I'm in a nice fix, ain't I?
I don't know any more about cooking than a hog does about gunpowder." "I will assist you all I can," said Frank; "but I wonder what we shall have for dinner?
I hope it will be something good, for I'm as hungry as a bear." At this moment the whistle of the boatswain's mate sounded through the ship, and that personage passed them and called out, in a low voice: "Mess cook Number Twenty-five!" "He means me, don't he ?" inquired Archie, turning to his cousin.
"I don't know, I'm sure.

Ask him." "Mess cook Number Twenty-five," again shouted the mate.
"Here I am," said Archie.
"Well, you ought to be somewhere else," said the mate, sharply.

"Why don't you go and draw your rations ?" "I don't know where I should go," answered Archie.
"Then fly around and find out;" and the mate turned on his heel and walked away.
"Now, that's provoking," exclaimed Archie.