I'll come and see you as soon as I get my work done." Frank went on board his vessel, where he was received by the officer of the deck, who showed him the way into the cabin.

After the captain had indorsed his orders, he strolled leisurely about the ship, examining into every thing, for as yet he knew nothing of gun-boat life.
The Ticonderoga was a queer-looking craft.

She was not exactly a Monitor; but she had a turret forward, and mounted two eleven-inch guns and four twelve-pounder howitzers.

She had a heavy iron ram on her bow, and the turret was protected by three inches of iron, and the deck with two inches.

It did not seem possible that a cannon-ball could make any impression on her thick armor.
The officers' quarters were all below decks; and, although it was then the middle of winter, Frank found it rather uncomfortable in his bunk.
During the two weeks that elapsed before the ship was ready to sail, the time was employed in getting every thing in order--in drilling at the great guns, and with muskets and broad-swords.
Most of the crew were old seamen, who understood their duty; and by the time their sailing orders came, every thing moved like clock-work.
In the mean time Frank had been assigned his station, which--being the youngest officer on board the ship--was to command the magazine.