regard to him. 51 At this stage of the war, that is to say in the earlier years of it, the government was obliged to accept such men as it could obtain for officers, for the number in demand greatly exceeded the supply of regularly educated naval officers. There were 52 a great many applicants for positions, and candidates were examined in regard to their professional qualifications rather than their motives for entering the service. If a man desired to enter the army or the navy, the simple wish was regarded as a sufficient guaranty of his patriotism, especially in connection with his oath of allegiance. With the deaf mute's leaf in his hand Christy was thinking over this matter of the motives of officers. He was not satisfied in regard to either Lillyworth or Mulgrum, and besides the regular quota of officers and seamen permanently attached to the Bronx, there were eighteen seamen and petty officers berthed forward, who were really passengers, though they were doing duty. 52 "Where did you say this man Mulgrum was born, Mr. Flint?" asked the captain, after he had mused for quite a time. "In Cherryfield, Maine," replied the first lieutenant; and he could not help feeling that the commander had not been silent so long for nothing. "You are a Maine man, Flint: were you ever in this town?" "I have been; I taught school there for six 53 months; and it was the last place I filled before I went to sea." 53 "I am glad to hear it, for it will save me from looking any further for the man I want just now. If this deaf mute was born and brought up in Cherryfield, he must know something about the place," added Christy as he touched a bell on his table, to which Dave instantly responded. "Do you know Mulgrum, Dave?" asked the captain. "No, sir; never heard of him before," replied the steward. "You don't know him! The man who has been cleaning the brass work on the doors?" exclaimed Christy. "Oh! Pink, we all call him," said the steward.
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