When, two years later, Captain Porter entered the Mexican navy he appointed his son a midshipman.

He acquitted himself gallantly in more than one fight with the Spanish cruisers.

While still a mere boy he was made a midshipman in the United States navy.

As a lieutenant he saw plenty of active service in the war with Mexico, and, at the beginning of the Civil War, was one of our most trusted officers.

In command of the _Powhatan_ he covered the landing of the reinforcements for Fort Pickens just in time to save its capture by Confederates.
[Illustration: DAVID DIXON PORTER.] One of the most important captures of the war was that of New Orleans, in the spring of 1862.