diff options
Diffstat (limited to '42099-8.txt')
| -rw-r--r-- | 42099-8.txt | 6037 |
1 files changed, 0 insertions, 6037 deletions
diff --git a/42099-8.txt b/42099-8.txt deleted file mode 100644 index 6400f27..0000000 --- a/42099-8.txt +++ /dev/null @@ -1,6037 +0,0 @@ -The Project Gutenberg EBook of Frank Before Vicksburg, by Harry Castlemon - -This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with -almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or -re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included -with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org - - -Title: Frank Before Vicksburg - The Gun-Boat Series - -Author: Harry Castlemon - -Release Date: February 15, 2013 [EBook #42099] - -Language: English - -Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1 - -*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK FRANK BEFORE VICKSBURG *** - - - - -Produced by Matthias Grammel, Greg Bergquist and the Online -Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net (This -file was produced from images generously made available -by The Internet Archive/American Libraries.) - - - - - - - - - - [Illustration] - - - - - _THE GUN-BOAT SERIES._ - - - FRANK, THE YOUNG NATURALIST, - FRANK ON A GUN-BOAT, - FRANK IN THE WOODS, - FRANK BEFORE VICKSBURG, - FRANK ON THE LOWER MISSISSIPPI. - - - Price, $1.25 per volume, or $6.25 per set, in a neat box, - forming a most excellent and interesting - LIBRARY FOR YOUNG FOLKS. - - - - - _THE GUN-BOAT SERIES._ - - - Frank - - BEFORE VICKSBURG. - - - BY - H. C. CASTLEMON, - "THE GUN-BOAT BOY." - - - WITH ILLUSTRATIONS. - - - CINCINNATI: - R. W. CARROLL & CO., PUBLISHERS, - OPERA-HOUSE BUILDING, - _73 West Fourth Street_. - 1866. - - - - - Entered according to Act of Congress, in the year 1865, - BY R. W. CARROLL & CO., - In the Clerk's Office of the District Court of the United States for the - Southern District of Ohio. - - - STEREOTYPED AT THE - FRANKLIN TYPE FOUNDRY, - CINCINNATI, O. - - - - -Contents. - - - PAGE - CHAPTER I. - HOME AGAIN 7 - - CHAPTER II. - HARRY ON A SCOUT 23 - - CHAPTER III. - ON DUTY AGAIN 38 - - CHAPTER IV. - THE FIGHT IN THE WOODS 60 - - CHAPTER V. - IN THE HANDS OF THE "JOHNNIES" AGAIN 80 - - CHAPTER VI. - AN OLD ACQUAINTANCE 96 - - CHAPTER VII. - A CLOSE SHAVE 111 - - CHAPTER VIII. - TAKING DOWN THE CAPTAIN 126 - - CHAPTER IX. - A PRACTICAL JOKE 144 - - CHAPTER X. - NEW MESSMATES 153 - - CHAPTER XI. - A GOOD NIGHT'S WORK 162 - - CHAPTER XII. - IN THE TRENCHES 183 - - CHAPTER XIII. - THE SCOUT'S STORY 194 - - CHAPTER XIV. - RUNNING THE BATTERIES 206 - - CHAPTER XV. - A RACE FOR THE OLD FLAG 213 - - CHAPTER XVI. - THE RIVAL SHARP-SHOOTERS 227 - - CHAPTER XVII. - THE SMUGGLER'S CAVE--CONCLUSION 243 - - - - -FRANK BEFORE VICKSBURG. - - - - -CHAPTER I. - -Home Again. - - -After all the tragic adventures which Frank Nelson had passed through, -since entering the service of his country, which we have attempted to -describe in the preceding volume of this series, he found himself -surrounded by his relatives and friends, petted and fêted, enjoying all -the comforts of his old and well-beloved home. - -Only those who have been in similar circumstances can imagine how -pleasant that quiet little cottage seemed to Frank, after the scenes of -danger through which he had passed. He looked back to the memorable -struggle between the lines; the scene in the turret during the first -day's fight at Fort Pemberton; the privations he had undergone while -confined in the prison at Shreveport; his almost miraculous escape; and -they seemed to him like a dream. All his sufferings were forgotten in -the joy he felt at finding himself once more at home. But sorrow was -mingled with his joy when he looked upon the weeds which his mother -wore, and when he saw the look of sadness which had taken the place of -her once happy smile. She seemed ten years older than she looked on that -pleasant morning, just fifteen months before, when, standing in the -door, she had strained her son to her bosom, and uttered those words -which had rung in Frank's ears whenever he felt himself about to give -away to his feelings of terror: - -"Good-by, my son; I may never see you again, but I hope I shall never -hear that you shrank from your duty." - -Frank shuddered when he thought how intense must have been the suffering -that could work so great a change. But now that he was safe at home -again, there was no cause but for rejoicing. His presence there afforded -abundant proof that he had _not_ been shot while attempting to run the -guards at Shreveport, as had been reported. - -And how great must have been the joy which that mother felt at beholding -him once more! Although he did not move about the house in his -accustomed noisy, boyish way, and although his cheek had been paled by -his recent sickness, from which he had not yet wholly recovered, he was -still the same lively, generous Frank whom she had so freely given up to -the service of his country. During the short time that they had been -separated, he had been placed in situations where his courage and -determination had been severely tested, and had come safely through, -never forgetting his mother's advice; and that mother could not suppress -the emotions of pride that arose in her heart, for she knew that her son -had done his duty. - -Numerous were the questions that were asked and answered, on both sides. -Frank was obliged to relate, over and over again, the story of his -capture and escape, until Aunt Hannah thrust her head into the room, -with the announcement that supper was ready. - -When the meal was finished, Frank removed his trunk into his study. -Every thing there was just as he left it: the fore-and-aft schooner, and -the box inclosing the scene at sea, still stood upon the bureau; his -sporting cabinet hung on the frame at the foot of the bed; the little -clock on the mantel-piece ticked as musically as in days of yore; and -the limb of the rose-bush that covered his window flapped against the -house just as it did the night when it was broken off by the storm. - -After he had taken a fond, lingering look at each familiar object, he -went into the museum, accompanied by his mother and sister, while Brave -ran on before. Julia opened the door, and there stood the wild-cat, just -as he looked when the young naturalist had encountered him in the woods. -Frank remembered how the cold sweat had started out from every pore in -his body when he first found himself face to face with this "ugly -customer," and he could not help smiling when he thought how terrified -he was. As he walked slowly around the museum, examining all the -specimens, as though he had never seen them before, he thought over the -little history of each. There was the buck that he and Archie had -killed in the lake, when they lost their guns, and the latter had -wished they "had never seen the deer." Then came the owl, which Frank -had shot on that rainy morning when Archie had felt so certain of his -prize. Then there was the white buck, which the boys had rescued from -the wolves only to have him killed by a panther. Next came the moose -with which Frank had struggled so desperately in the woods, and from -which he had been rescued by the trapper and his dog. The skin of the -bear, which he had trapped, and followed to the cave, and that of the -panther that killed the white buck, still hung on a nail behind the -door, where he had left them after his return from the woods. - -After examining every thing to his satisfaction, he went into the shanty -behind the museum, where he kept his pets. The raccoons, which had -become so tame that Julia allowed them to run about, started away at his -approach; but the squirrels and otter recognized him at once; and while -one ran down into his pockets in search for nuts, the other came toward -him, uttering a faint whine, and looked up as if expecting the piece of -cracker which Frank, in former days, had always taken especial care to -provide for him. While Frank was caressing the little animal, the -king-birds and crow flew into the shanty. The former were now five in -number, the old birds having raised a nestful of young ones, which were -no less efficient in driving every bird from the orchard, or less -lenient to the crow, than their parents. The old king-birds lit on -Frank's shoulders, while Daw seemed to prefer his master's uniform cap, -and was about to take possession of it, when his enemies straightway -commenced a fight, and the poor crow, after a desperate resistance, was -driven from the shanty. - -Perhaps the reader would like to know what has become of the young moose -and the cubs which Frank captured during his visit at the trapper's -cabin. Well, they have good quarters, and are well provided for at Uncle -Mike's, the same who assisted the young naturalist on the morning when -we saw him trying to get his scow up to his work-shop. The moose has -about an acre of pasture allowed him. He is as tame and gentle as ever, -never attempting to escape. Uncle Mike has put this entirely out of his -power, for he is surrounded by a ten-rail fence. The animal more than -pays for his keeping, and many a load of wood has he drawn up to Mike's -door for the use of his family. - -The cubs, which are considerably larger than when we last saw them, are -a source of a great deal of annoyance to the honest Irishman. They are -still as playful as ever, and amuse themselves all day long in turning -somersaults and wrestling with each other; but Mike has learned to -"stand from under." He can generally defend himself against the attacks -of one of the cubs, but the other is always ready to lend assistance, -and the Irishman is invariably worsted. He keeps them confined in a -building that once served as a smoke-house; and not daring to trust -himself within reach of their paws, he gives them their food through the -window. - -It was dark before Frank had seen and heard enough to satisfy him to -return to the cottage. The evening was spent in listening to his stories -of gun-boat life on the Mississippi, and it was midnight before he -retired to his room. The Newfoundlander, which had been close at his -master's side ever since he returned, scarcely leaving him for a moment, -followed him into his study, and took possession of the rug before the -door. After winding up the clock that stood on the mantel, and setting -the alarm, Frank put out the light, and tumbled into bed. Although he -was pretty well tired-out, he did not hesitate a moment to answer the -summons of the little bell that rang at four o'clock, but was out on the -floor almost before the notes of the alarm had ceased. In a few moments -he was dressed; and taking his fish-pole and basket, which hung on the -rack at the foot of the bed, accompanied by Brave, set out with the -intention of paying a visit to the lake in the swamp, which had been the -scene of the fight with the buck. - -As he walked along up the road, the associations connected with each -locality were recalled to his mind. Here was the place where the black -fox, which had so long held possession of Reynard's Island, had crossed -the creek with Sport--"the dog that had never lost a fox"--following -close on his trail. There was the tree leaning out over the creek, -behind which Archie had crept for concealment when in pursuit of the -canvas-backs; and a little further on was the bridge which they had -crossed on that rainy morning that the geese had taken refuge in the -swamp. - -Frank feasted his eyes on each familiar object as he walked along, until -he arrived at the end of the road, where stood Uncle Mike's rustic -cottage. As he approached, that individual appeared at the door, shaded -his eyes with his hand, gazed at our hero for a moment, and then sprang -out, and greeted him with-- - -"Arrah, Master Frank! is this you, me boy?" - -"Yes, Uncle Mike, it's I," answered Frank, extending his hand to the -man, who shook it heartily, while tears of genuine joy rolled down his -cheeks. "I'm back again, safe and sound." - -"It's me ownsilf that's glad to see you," said Mike. "I heered you was -kilt intirely by the rebels; bad luck to the likes o' them. But come -with me, Master Frank; ye's been fightin' rebels, but I've been fighting -them varmints ye ketched in the woods." - -The Irishman led the way to the building in which the cubs were -confined, and opened the blind which protected the window, to allow -Frank to look in. He could scarcely recognize in the large, shaggy forms -that were tumbling about over the floor, the small, weak cubs which he -had carried for twenty miles in the pocket of his overcoat. - -As soon as the window was opened, they raised themselves on their -haunches, and endeavored to reach Uncle Mike's red-flannel cap, an -article he had worn ever since Frank could remember. - -"Aisy, aisy, there, you blackguards!" exclaimed Mike, endeavoring to -ward off the blows which the cubs aimed at him. "Can't yees be aisy, I -say? That's the way they always do, Master Frank; me old cap seems to -give 'em a deal of throuble." - -After amusing himself for some time in watching the motions of the -clumsy animals, Frank followed Uncle Mike to the pen in which the moose -was kept. He had grown finely, was nearly as large as a horse, and his -head was furnished with a pair of wide-spreading antlers, the sight of -which made Frank shudder, and recall to mind that desperate fight in the -woods, and his narrow escape from death. The moose was very gentle, and -allowed his young master to lead him about the yard, and would come at -his call as readily as a dog. - -After seeing the animal "shown off" to his best advantages, Frank got -into Uncle Mike's skiff, and pulled up the creek toward the lake. Half -an hour's rowing brought him to the point behind which he and his cousin -had captured the eider-ducks, and where they had first caught sight of -the buck. After making his skiff fast to a tree on the bank, he rigged -his pole, baited his hook, and dropped it into the water. Almost -instantly a sudden jerk showed him that the "old perch-hole" had still -plenty of occupants, and in a moment more a fish lay floundering in the -bottom of the boat. - -We need not say that Frank enjoyed himself hugely during the hour and a -half that he remained in the lake. The fish bit voraciously, and the -sport was exciting, especially as it had been so long since Frank had -had an opportunity to engage in his favorite recreation. But his -conscience would not allow him to "wantonly waste the good things of -God," and, when he had caught enough for his breakfast, he unfastened -his skiff and pulled toward home. - -Frank spent the forenoon in recounting some of his adventures to his -mother and Julia, of which they seemed never to grow weary. When Aunt -Hannah announced that dinner was ready, he lingered for a moment on the -portico to watch the movements of a flock of ducks, which, in company -with the old ones, the same that he and Archie had captured in the lake, -were swimming about in the creek in front of the house; but, as he was -about to follow his mother into the dining-room, he heard a loud scream, -which seemed to come from above him, and looked up just in time to see a -bald eagle swoop down upon the ducks. The old ones uttered their notes -of alarm, and, rising from the water, flew over the cottage toward the -barn, while the ducklings darted under the leaves of the lilies. But one -was too late; for, as the eagle arose in the air, he bore off his prize. - -Frank immediately ran into the house for his gun, determined that the -life of the eagle should pay for that of the duck; but on his return he -found that the robber was already being severely punished for the -mischief he had done. Daw and the king-birds, which seemed to have an -idea that something unusual was going on, had attacked him with a fury -that Frank had never before witnessed. The eagle was flying, zigzag, -through the air, but was met at every point by his tormentors. Frank, -who dared not fire for fear of wounding his pets, ran down the walk, -sprang over the fence, and awaited the issue of the fight, hoping that -the eagle would be compelled to take refuge in one of the trees that -grew on the bank of the creek. Nor was he mistaken; for the robber, -finding that he could not escape his enemies, settled down on a limb but -a short distance off, and, after deliberately folding his wings, snapped -his beak, as if defying them to keep up the contest. The king-birds -seated themselves on the branches above his head, and commenced their -angry twittering, and Daw joined in with a loud "caw, caw." - -This seemed to be the first intimation that the king-birds had received -of his presence, for they straightway flew at him, and Daw, although he -had lent effective assistance in fighting the eagle, did not stop to -resist, but beat a hasty retreat toward the cottage. This seemed a -favorable moment for the eagle; he leaped from his perch, and was flying -off with his booty, when the report of Frank's gun brought him to the -ground. The young naturalist shouldered his prize, and was starting -toward the house, when a voice called out: - -"Halloo, there! At your old tricks again so soon?" - -Frank looked up, and saw Harry Butler coming toward him. Neither had -dreamed of the presence of the other in the village, and the cordial -manner in which the two friends greeted each other proved that their -long separation had not lessened their affection. But Frank noticed at -once that his friend was greatly changed. He looked haggard and -careworn; he was no longer the wild, impetuous Harry; he had grown more -sedate; and his face, which had once beamed with a smile for every one, -now wore a look of sorrow, for which Frank could not account. It is true -that he noticed that Harry carried his arm in a sling, but he knew that -it was not bodily suffering that had caused that look of sadness. - -"Harry, what is the matter with you?" was his first question. "You look -completely worn out." - -"So I am," was the answer. "Let us sit down on this log, and I'll tell -you all about it. I've often been here to visit your folks," he -continued, "never expecting to see you again, as I learned that you had -been captured, and afterward shot, while trying to escape. You say I -look worn out; so would you if your only brother was a prisoner in the -hands of the rebels, held as a hostage, and every moment expecting to be -hung. George is in that situation, and I look upon his death, not only -as a possible, but a very probable thing. It has been a hard task for me -to convince myself that, if I should live to return home after the war, -I should be alone, as I certainly thought I should be when I heard that -you had been shot, and that George was not much better off. I had made -up my mind to pass my furlough in the house, for I didn't want to have -any one near me; but, now that you are here, I want to visit all our old -haunts again. Let us take a walk in the woods. Bring your dinner along -with you; I haven't had mine yet." - -In accordance with Harry's suggestion, a basket was filled with -eatables, and the boys bent their steps through the orchard toward the -meadow that lay between the cottage and the woods. As they walked along, -Frank related some of the interesting incidents of his life in the -service, and Harry finally began to recover his usual spirits. At length -they reached the cabin in the woods, that had been the scene of the camp -on the day of the raccoon hunt, and here they stopped to rest and eat -their dinner. - - - - -CHAPTER II. - -Harry on a Scout. - - -When they had finished every thing in the basket, the boys threw -themselves on the grass in front of the cabin, and Harry said: - -"I shall never forget the last time we made our camp here--on the day we -had that 'coon-hunt, and Archie fell into the creek. I've thought of it -a great many times since I left home to go into the service, and it -makes me feel sad to see how things have changed. From school-boys and -amateur hunters, who started and turned pale when we heard the howl of a -wolf or the hooting of an owl, you and I have grown pretty well on -toward manhood; have become experienced in scenes of danger, and have -had more narrow escapes than when we climbed up that tree to get out of -the reach of the wolves that were in pursuit of the white buck. But -there are some who have not been as fortunate as ourselves. There has -been a thinning out of our ranks, and two good fellows who have hunted -with us in these woods, and slept under the same blankets with us in -this cabin, we shall never see again; and the probabilities are, that, -if we live to return home again, after peace has been restored, and we -go tramping around through these woods, to visit all our old hunting and -fishing-grounds, we shall miss a third. Ben Lake and William Johnson are -dead; my brother is suffering in a rebel prison, and, from what I have -seen and heard of the manner in which Union prisoners are treated at the -South, I never expect to see him again, even if he is not executed. Ben -Lake, you know, was a quiet, good-natured fellow, scarcely ever saying -any thing unless he was first spoken to, and I had an idea that he would -be a little cowardly when he heard the bullets whistling around him; but -I was never more mistaken in my life, for he won his promotion in the -very first battle in which our regiment was engaged. When I was made -captain of our company, he received the appointment of first -lieutenant, and an excellent officer he made. He was a splendid rider, -and when mounted on his horse--'Thunderbolt' he called him--he made a -fine appearance. He was no band-box officer, however, for he never -shrank from his duty, and he was above ordering one of his men to do -what he was afraid to undertake himself. He and I were prisoners once -for about forty-eight hours, and the way it happened was this: - -"Our regiment, after the battle of Pittsburg Landing, was detached from -the Western army and ordered to the Potomac. We had scarcely been there -a week before we were sent out on a scout, with orders to capture Mosby, -who was constantly harassing us, and scatter his command. We were out -about ten days, without accomplishing our object. Not a single glimpse -did we get of a reb, and finally we turned our faces toward the camp. -Our horses, as well as ourselves, were nearly jaded, and the way we do -there, when a horse gives out, is to put a bullet through his head, -shoulder our saddles, and trudge along after the column on foot, until -we can find another animal to ride. I had command of the rear guard; -and when we had arrived within a day's march of camp, my horse suddenly -gave out--laid right down in the middle of the road, and couldn't go a -step further. I was in something of a fix, and my feelings were none of -the pleasantest when I found myself sprawling in the dusty road, and saw -that my horse was used up. It was something of an undertaking to find my -way back to camp, through a country infested with guerrillas, and with -which I was entirely unacquainted. It is true that I could have had a -horse, as several were at once offered me by my men; but I could not be -mean enough to save my own bacon by leaving one of those brave fellows -behind; so I told Ben to go ahead with the company, keeping a good -look-out for a horse, and if he could find one, to send it back to me. I -then shot my animal; and it was a job I hated to do, I tell you, for he -was as fine a horse as ever stepped; he had carried me many a long mile, -and being my constant companion for almost a year and a half, I had -become very much attached to him. But there was no help for it; our -orders were strict; and I shouldered my saddle, and marched after the -column, which was soon out of sight. - -"I walked along at a pretty lively pace, keeping a good look-out on each -side of the road for horses, and now and then looking behind, half -expecting to see a squad of Mosby's cavalry in pursuit, until I was -startled by the report of a pistol directly in front of me, and, coming -suddenly around a bend in the road, I found Ben sitting beside his -horse, which had also given out, waiting for me to come up. As I -approached, glad enough that I was not left to find my way back to camp -alone, Ben picked up his saddle, and glancing sorrowfully at the work he -had done, said: - -"'There's an end of poor Thunderbolt--the best horse in the regiment. It -has no doubt saved him many a long scout, but I never felt so sorry for -any thing in my life.' - -"It was hard work, walking along that dusty road, carrying our heavy -saddles, and we anxiously scanned every field which we passed, in hopes -that we should find some stray horse; but without success. About three -o'clock in the afternoon we reached a cross-road, and then we knew where -we were. We had frequently been there on short scouts; so, without -stopping to keep any further look-out for horses, we quickened our -pace, and about two miles further on, arrived at the house of a lady -with whom we were well acquainted, and who, as we had always considered -her loyal, had been allowed to remain in undisturbed possession of her -property, which our regiment had once defended against Mosby's men. Here -we halted, and asked the lady if she could furnish us with some dinner. -She replied in the affirmative, and we deposited our saddles in one -corner of the room, while the woman began to bustle about. In half an -hour as good a dinner as I ever tasted in that part of the country was -served up, and Ben and I sat down to it with most ravenous appetites. -Before sitting down, I should mention, we took off our belts, to which -were fastened our sabers and revolvers, and laid them in the corner with -our saddles; a very foolish trick, as it afterward proved; but, as we -were within fifteen miles of camp, we did not apprehend any danger. - -"After our hostess had seen us fairly started, she said: - -"'You will excuse me for a few moments, gentlemen, as I would like to -run over to see my sister, who is very sick. Will you keep an eye on -the baby?' she continued, pointing to the small specimen of humanity in -question, which lay fast asleep in the cradle. - -"'Yes,' answered Ben, 'I'll see to him;' and the woman started off, -leaving us to finish our dinner and attend to the child. - -"She hadn't been gone two minutes before the young one awoke, and, of -course, began to yell. We didn't know what to do, for it was new -business to us. After trying in vain to make it hush, Ben took it out of -the cradle, and began to trot it up and down on his knee. But it was no -use, and he finally put it back, determined to let it cry until it got -ready to stop, when I happened to think of the sugar-bowl. That was just -the thing. Ben took good care to keep its mouth so full of sugar that it -couldn't yell, and we succeeded in keeping it pretty still. - -"In about half an hour the woman returned, and, in reply to our -inquiries, informed us that her sister was considerably better, and she -hoped would be well in a few days. She then commenced talking on -indifferent subjects; and we finally finished every thing on the table, -and were thinking about starting for camp, when some one suddenly -called out: - -"'Here! here! Get up, you Yanks. Get up from that table.' - -"We looked up, and there, standing in the door-way, with their revolvers -leveled at our heads, were two rebels--Colonel Mosby and a corporal. - -"'I've fixed you!' exclaimed the woman, triumphantly. 'You didn't think -that while you were stealing my chickens, and abusing me, that I would -ever have the power on my side.' - -"The old hag had betrayed us. She had invented the story of her sick -sister, in order that her absence might not cause us any suspicions, and -had left the child for us to take care of, so that we should be obliged -to remain until she returned. The story of stealing her chickens, and -abusing her, was a mere pretext; for our orders to respect her property -were strict, and we had not dared to disobey them. - -"'There's only one thing that I am sorry for, madam,' said Ben, coolly, -'and that is, that I didn't choke that young one of yours.' - -"'Come, come, there!' interrupted the colonel. 'Get up from behind that -table at once, or you are dead men!' - -"'We're gobbled easy enough, Harry,' said Ben, in his usual careless -manner, as we arose from our chairs. 'Well, I suppose there's no help -for it, seeing that we have no weapons. What do you intend to do with a -fellow, Johnny?' - -"'Take you direct to Richmond,' was the encouraging answer, made by the -corporal, as he walked across the room and took possession of our arms. -'Come out here!' - -"We had no other alternative; so we marched out in front of the house, -our captors mounted their horses, and we trudged along before them on -foot toward Centerville. - -"You have been a prisoner, and can easily imagine the thoughts that -passed through our minds. We saw before us a long, fatiguing march, with -hard fare, and harder treatment, and the dreaded Libby looming up in the -background. But we were not allowed much time to commune with our own -thoughts, for Mosby immediately began to question us in relation to the -forces we had in different parts of the country. Of course we told him -some of the most outrageous stories, but he seemed to put some faith in -them; and when we reached the cross-road he left us, after ordering the -corporal to take us to Culpepper. - -"As soon as the colonel had got out of sight, the corporal began to -abuse us in the worst kind of a manner, swearing at us, and calling us -Abolitionists and the like; and said that if he could have his own way -he would hang us on the nearest tree. We told him that it was a mean -trick to treat prisoners in that way, and advised him to keep a civil -tongue in his head, as the tables might be turned on him some day; but -he paid no attention to us, and kept on jawing, until finally, just -before night, we reached Centerville. - -"We stopped at a house near the middle of the town, where we were -treated very kindly by the people, who gave us plenty to eat, but told -us that we were fighting on the wrong side. After supper, the corporal -took us out to the barn, where he proceeded to 'go through' us pretty -thoroughly. He robbed me of twenty dollars in greenbacks, a watch, comb, -several letters--in short, he did not leave me any thing. After -overhauling Ben's pockets, he ordered him to 'come out of his coat,' -which he did without a grumble; and after cutting off the -shoulder-straps--because Ben 'wouldn't need 'em any more,' he said--he -put the coat on his own back, locked the barn, and left us to our -meditations. As soon as the sound of his footsteps had died away, I -said: - -"'Ben, I'm going to get out of here, if I can.' - -"'All right,' said he; 'feel around on the floor and see if you can't -find something to force that door open with. How I wish I had that young -one here! I wouldn't feed it with sugar, I tell you.' - -"We commenced groping about in the darkness, but not a thing in the -shape of a club could be found. Then we placed our shoulders against the -door, and pressed with all our strength; but it was too strong to be -forced from its hinges, and the floor was so securely fastened down, -that it could not be pulled up; so, after working until we were -completely exhausted, we sat down on the floor to rest. - -"'We're in for it,' said Ben. - -"'But I'm not going to Libby, now I tell you,' I answered. 'To-morrow we -shall probably start for Culpepper, under guard of that corporal; and -the very first chance, I'm going to mizzle.' - -"Ben made no reply, but I well knew what he was thinking about. After a -few more ineffectual attempts, we then lay down on the hard boards, and -tried to go to sleep; but that was, for a long time, out of the -question. - -"Our situation was not one calculated to quiet our feelings much, and as -we rolled about the floor, trying to find a comfortable position, I -could hear Ben venting his spite against 'that brat.' He did not seem to -think of the woman who had betrayed us. - -"We passed a most miserable night, and at daylight were awakened with: - -"'Come out here, you Yanks. It's high time you were moving toward -Libby.' - -"That rascally corporal seemed to delight in tormenting us; but there -was only one thing we could do, and that was to 'grin and bear it.' -After a hasty breakfast, we again set out, the corporal following close -behind us on his horse, with a revolver in his hand, ready to shoot the -first one that made an attempt at escape. We kept on, stopping only once -or twice for water, until we reached the Bull Run bridge. Here the -corporal stopped, and called out: - -"'Come here, one of you fellers, and hold my horse.' - -"I did as he ordered, and the rebel dismounted, bent down on one knee, -and commenced fixing his spur. My mind was made up in an instant. It was -now or never. Giving a yell to attract Ben's attention, I sprang at the -rebel, caught him around the neck, and rolled him over on his back. He -kicked and swore furiously, and if I had been alone, he would most -likely have got the better of me; but Ben, being close at hand, caught -up the revolver, which the rebel had laid on the ground beside him, and -in a moment more I had secured his saber. He saw that further resistance -was useless, and bawled out: - -"'Don't shoot, Yank. Don't shoot me, for mercy's sake!' - -"'Nobody's going to hurt you if you behave yourself,' said Ben. 'Get -up.' - -"The rebel raised himself to his feet, and I at once began to 'sound' -him, as we call it. I got back my watch, money, and every thing else he -had taken from us the night before. We then ordered him to travel on -ahead of us, and, as Ben's feet were so badly swollen that he could -scarcely move, I told him to get on the horse, while I walked along by -his side. We passed back through Centerville, keeping a good look-out -for rebel scouts, which we knew were in the vicinity, but we did not -meet with any of them until along toward night, when we heard a yell, -and, looking up, saw half a dozen cavalry charging across the field -toward us. - -"'I guess we're gobbled again, captain,' said Ben. - -"'Not if our legs hold out,' I answered. 'Get down off that horse, -quick. We must foot it, now.' - -"Ben hastily dismounted, and, catching our prisoner by the arm, we -pulled him over a fence, through the woods, and into a swamp, where we -fastened him to a tree. We then tied a handkerchief over his mouth, to -prevent him from making his whereabouts known to his friends, and made -the best of our way to the camp, which we reached about daylight. We at -once reported to the colonel, who sent us back with our company after -the prisoner; but he was gone. His friends had doubtless discovered -him, and released him from his unpleasant situation. The woman who -betrayed us paid the penalty of her treachery. Her house was burned over -her head, and her husband, whom she had reported to us as dead, but who -was found concealed in the barn, was taken back to the camp a -prisoner." - - - - -CHAPTER III. - -On Duty Again. - - -By the time Harry had finished his story, it was almost sundown. Putting -the cabin in order, and fastening the door, the boys then started for -home. After a hearty supper at the cottage, different plans for their -amusement were discussed and determined upon. If time would allow, we -might relate many interesting incidents that transpired during the month -they spent together; how, one day, the young moose ran away with Uncle -Mike's wood wagon and upset the boys in the road. We might, among -others, tell of the hunting and fishing expeditions that came off, and -the trials of speed that took place on the river, when the Speedwell -showed that she had lost none of her sailing qualities during the year -and a half that she had remained idle in the shop; but one incident -that happened will suffice. - -It was on the morning of the last day that they were to pass together, -as Frank's sick-leave had expired, and he must soon bid adieu to home -and friends again, perhaps forever. This day had been set apart for a -fishing excursion; and, bright and early, Frank was at Captain Butler's -boat-house, where he found Harry waiting for him. When the bait and -every thing else necessary for the trip had been stowed away in the -skiff, the boys pulled into the river, and after spending an hour in -rowing about the bass-ground, during which time they secured half a -dozen fine fish, they started toward the perch-bed, and anchored outside -the weeds. - -Although they were remarkably successful, they did not seem to enjoy the -sport. Frank's thoughts were constantly dwelling on the parting that -must come on the morrow. It could not be avoided, for duty called him; -and although the idea of disregarding the summons never once entered -into his head, he could not help condemning the circumstances that -rendered that call necessary. Harry, on the other hand, was impatient to -recover his health, as he wished to rejoin his command. While he was -free, and enjoying the delights of home, his brother was languishing in -a Southern dungeon--held as a hostage for a notorious guerrilla, who had -been sentenced to death--not knowing at what moment he might be led -forth to execution. Often, during the time that he and Frank had been -together, living over the scenes of their school-days, had Harry's -thoughts wandered to that brother, and it had done much to mar the -pleasure he would otherwise have enjoyed. He imagined he could see him, -seated in his loathsome cell, loaded with chains, pale and weak, (in -consequence of the systematic plan of starvation adopted by the brutal -authorities at Richmond to render our brave fellows unfit for further -service, if they should chance to live until they were exchanged,) but -firm in the belief that he had done his duty, and ready at any -moment--for George was far from being a coward--to be sacrificed. -Harry's thoughts, we repeat, often wandered to the dreaded Libby, and -especially did they on this morning. And as he pictured to himself the -treatment that his brother was daily receiving at the hands of the -enemies of the government, is it to be wondered if he indulged in -feelings of the deepest malice toward the inhuman wretches who could be -guilty of such barbarity? - -"There's only this about it, Frank," he said, suddenly breaking the -silence that had continued for half an hour; "there's only this about -it: if one hair of George's head is injured, Company 'M' of our regiment -never takes any more prisoners; and if I have no friendship for a -traitor, neither have I for such men as these who are now approaching." - -Frank looked up, and saw Charles Morgan and William Gage rowing toward -them. - -"Here is the very spot," continued Harry, "where we met Morgan when you -first became acquainted with him, on the morning when he told such -outrageous stories about the fishing there was in New York harbor, and -about his fighting Indians in the Adirondack Mountains, in the northern -part of Michigan. William Gage, you know, used to be first lieutenant of -the "Midnight Rangers." - -"Yes, I remember them both," answered Frank. "But it seems to me that I -heard some one say that Mr. Morgan is a rebel sympathizer; and Charley, -of course, not having brains enough to think for himself, is following -in his father's lead." - -"So I have heard; but he has never said a word against the government, -and he'd better not, for I feel just like choking somebody this morning; -and if I hate a rebel, I hold a domestic traitor in the most profound -abhorrence." - -"Hullo, boys!" exclaimed Charles, at this moment, coming alongside and -stretching out a hand to each of them, "how are you? I'm glad to see you -back again, Frank. But why haven't you been around to see a fellow? -You've kept yourselves very close since your return." - -"Yes, Harry and I have spent most of our time in the woods," answered -Frank. "But we part again to-morrow." - -"Going back to your ship, eh? Well, when do you suppose you will be home -again for good?" - -"I don't know. If I live, however, I'm going to see this war settled -before I come back to civil life again." - -"You've had some pretty hard times since you have been in the service, -from what I hear." - -"Rather tough," answered Harry. - -"Well now, you see Bill and I were too sharp to go into any such -business as that," said Charles, knowingly. "The old man said, from the -start, that you never could whip the South." - -"Well, your father was never more mistaken in his life," answered Frank. -"We _are_ going to bring back the seceded States, if it takes every man -and every dollar at the North. But I don't see why you don't volunteer. -How can you stay at home?" - -"O, it is the easiest thing in the world," answered Charles, with a -laugh. "In the first place, I think too much of my life; and then again, -I don't care a snap which whips. I am not interested either way--I'm -neutral." - -"You're no such thing," answered Harry, angrily. "You never saw two dogs -fight in the street, without wanting one or the other of them to whip, -and your sympathies are either one way or the other. There's no such -thing as a neutral in this war." - -"Besides," said Frank, "if I were in your place, I should be ashamed to -say that I was neutral. But I hope that you will be compelled to go into -the army. Since you have neither the intelligence to determine which -side is in the right, nor the courage to fight for that side, I hope -that you will be drafted, and that you can't find a substitute." - -"Thank you," replied Charles, sneeringly. "You are very kind. But I, of -course, know that this is a free country, and a man has a right to talk -as he pleases." - -"You have no right to utter treasonable sentiments," said Harry; "and -another thing, I am not going to sit here and listen to them." - -"You are not, indeed! I don't see how you can hinder it," replied -Charles. "I say now, and it makes no difference who hears me, that I -hope the South will whip, unless the North will allow her to go out of -the Union peaceably. I haven't any thing against the South." - -"Well, _I_ have," answered Harry, scarcely able to control himself. "My -brother is now starving in a rebel prison." - -"I can't help it. I have not the least sympathy for him. The South said, -at the commencement, that they only wanted to be let alone; and if -George hasn't any more sense than to meddle with them, I say, let him -take the consequences;" and, as Charles ceased speaking, he dropped the -oars into the water, and was about to row off, when Frank seized the -gunwale of his boat. - -"Avast heaving, there, for a moment," he said, quietly. "Charley, take -back what you have said." - -"No, sir; I sha'n't do it. I mean what I have said, and I won't take -back any thing. Let go of that boat, or I'll hit you," and he raised his -oar as if about to strike Frank. - -But Harry was too quick for him. Springing lightly into Charles's skiff, -he easily wrested the oar from him, and then, seizing him by the collar, -exclaimed: - -"Take back every word you have said, or I'll wash some of the vile rebel -sentiment out of you. I'll dump you overboard. Come, take it all -back--quick." - -"Help! help! Bill," whined Charles, writhing like an eel in Harry's -strong grasp, "are you going to sit there and see me abused in this -manner? Help, I tell you." - -William looked first at Harry, then at Frank, who had grown exceedingly -tall and muscular since the last time he had measured strength with him -in friendly contest, and made no reply. - -"Come, take it back," urged Harry. - -"No, I won't," replied Charles, who, finding that he was left to fight -his own battles alone, now began to struggle desperately. "I tell you I -won't take back any thing." - -"Then overboard you go," said Harry. "I'll see what effect cold water -will have on you;" and, easily lifting Charles from his feet, in spite -of his struggles, he threw him headlong into the water. - -"How is it now?" he coolly inquired, as Charles appeared at the surface, -looking very forlorn, indeed. "Any more rebel sentiment in you that -wants washing out? Come in here, you young traitor;" and, as he spoke, -he again seized him by the collar, and drew him into the boat. - -"Unhand me," shouted Charles, as soon as he could regain his feet; "I'll -fix you for this." - -"Are you ready to take back what you said?" demanded Harry, tightening -his grasp. - -"No; nor shall I ever be," was the stubborn answer. - -"Well, then, down you go again." - -"No, no! don't," screamed Charles, who now began to be really -frightened; "I take it all back." - -"What do you take back?" asked Harry. - -"I don't want to see the Northern prisoners all starved." - -"Well, what else?" - -"I don't want to see the Union destroyed." - -"Go on; what next?" - -"But I _do_ wish the South could be whipped to-morrow, and be made to -stay in the Union." - -"Well, now you are talking sense," said Harry, releasing his hold of -Charles's collar. "Of course, I know you don't mean what you say, but I -was bound to make you say a good word for the Union before I let you -off. I have one more favor to ask of you, and then I am done. Will you -oblige me by giving three cheers for the boys who are fighting our -battles--every day risking their lives in defense of the old flag?" - -Charles hesitated. - -"I sha'n't ask you but once more, then," and here Harry pointed to the -water, in a very significant manner. - -Charles, knowing that he was in earnest, and that there was no escape, -gave the required cheers with as good a grace as he could command. - -"That's right," said Harry, approvingly. "Now I have done with you, and -you can thank your lucky stars that you have got off so easily. If you -had been in the army when you said what you did a few moments since, the -boys would have hung you to the very first tree they could have found. -Now, take my advice, and don't let me hear of your uttering any more -such sentiments as long as I remain in the village; if you do, I'll duck -you as often as I can get my hands on you." - -Harry then sprang into his own skiff, and Charles sullenly picked up his -oars, and pulled toward home. - -"There," exclaimed Harry, "I feel better now. I worked off a little of -my indignation on that fellow. The rascal! to tell us that George ought -to be starved for helping to maintain the government, and that he didn't -care whether the Union went to ruin or not. Now that I think of it, I'm -sorry that I let him off so easily." - -"He was pretty well punished, after all," said Frank. "It will have the -effect of making him a little more careful." - -At noon, the fish stopped biting, and the boys started for home. They -parted at the boat-house, after Frank had promised to call and say -"good-by" before he left in the morning. - -When the latter reached home he found his trunk packed, and every thing -in readiness for the start, so that he had nothing to do but roam about -the premises, and take a last look at every thing, as he had done on a -former occasion. His mother and sister tried to look cheerful, but it -was a sorry failure, for Frank could easily read what was passing in -their minds. - -Morning came at length, and at eight o'clock, to Frank's great -relief--for he wished the parting over as soon as possible--he saw the -carriage approaching which was to take him to the steamer. A few -embraces and hastily-spoken farewells, and Frank was whirling away from -his home. At Captain Butler's he stopped for Harry, who met him at the -gate with an open letter in his hand; and, as he sprang into the -carriage, he exclaimed, joyfully: - -"It's all right, Frank. Here's a letter from George. He has been -exchanged, and is now in the hospital at Washington. The rebels, he -says, tried to starve him to death, but couldn't make it. He is only -waiting until he gets strong enough to travel, and then he's coming -home. He's pretty well used up. When I get back to the army, with -Company 'M' to back me up, I'll make somebody smart for it." - -By the time Harry had finished venting his anger against the enemies of -the government, the carriage reached the wharf, as the steamer was -moving out into the river. Frank had just time to get on board, and a -few moments afterward the Julia Burton carried him out of sight of the -village. He stopped only a short time at Portland; and, four days after -leaving that place, found Archie waiting for him as he sprang off the -train at Cairo. He reported to the fleet captain, who ordered him to -"take passage down the river on the United States dispatch steamer -General Lyon," which was to sail at four o'clock that afternoon. The -cousins passed the day together. When four o'clock came, Archie returned -to his high stool with a sorrowful countenance, and Frank waived his -adieu from the steamer that was to carry him back--to what? It is well -that the future is hidden from us, for Frank would not have trod that -deck with so light a heart had he known what was in store for him. - -In a few days he arrived at his vessel, which he found anchored at White -River. Time makes changes in every thing, and Frank saw many new faces -among the ship's company. The old mate was still on board, and greeted -him in his hearty sailor style as he came over the side. After he had -reported to the captain, and had seen his luggage taken to his room, he -was joined by one of his old messmates, whose name was Keys; and who, in -answer to Frank's inquiry, "How is every thing?" proceeded to give him a -statement of the condition of affairs. - -"The ship still floats on an even keel," said he, pulling off his boots, -and taking possession of Frank's bed. "The old man is as eccentric and -good-natured as ever, sometimes flying off into one of his double-reefed -topsail hurricanes, which don't mean any thing. All goes right about -decks, but you will find some things changed in the steerage. There are -only five officers left in our mess that were here when you went away, -and we have three new Johnny master's mates. They all came down in the -same box; and the express man must have left them out in the damp over -night, for they are the softest fellows I ever saw. They must have been -brought up in some country where such a thing as a steamboat is unknown, -for they don't know the starboard from the port side of the ship, call -on deck 'up stairs,' and the captain's cabin goes by the name of the -'parlor.' It wouldn't be so bad if they would only try to learn -something, but they are very indignant if any one undertakes to -volunteer advice; and, besides, they stand on their rank." - -At this moment supper was announced, and Frank and his friend repaired -to the steerage, where they found the mates of whom the latter had -spoken. While they were eating, the whistle of a steamer was heard, and -one of the new mates (whose name was French, but who was known as -"Extra," from the fact that he was perfectly useless as an officer,) -ordered the waiter to "go up stairs and see what boat it was." The boy -did not move, for it was a regulation of the mess that when there was -only one waiter in the room to attend to the table, he was not to be -sent away. Besides, the mate had no right to give such an order without -first obtaining the permission of the caterer. - -"Do you hear what I tell you?" he inquired, in a rage. - -"Mr. French," said the caterer, quietly, "you can find out the name of -that boat after supper, by asking the officer of the deck, or the -quarter-master on watch." - -"But I choose to send this boy to find out for me," replied Mr. French. -"Come, go on, there, and do as I tell you, or I will see if you can not -be made to obey the orders of your superiors." - -"Stay where you are," said the caterer, addressing the waiter, "and -don't start until I tell you to." Then, turning to the mate, he -continued, "You have no right to order him to do any thing in this -mess-room without first consulting me." - -"I haven't, eh? I wonder if this darkey ranks me? My appointment reads -that I 'am to be obeyed by all persons under me in this squadron.'" - -"That boy is not subject to your orders, as long as I am in the -mess-room." - -"Well, I shall take pains to inform myself on that point. I'll ask the -captain." - -"Do so," said the caterer, quietly; "and if you don't get the worst -raking-down that you have had since you have been on board this vessel, -then I am greatly mistaken." - -The mate made no reply, but, after he had finished his supper, went on -deck. - -"Now, Frank," whispered Keys, "just come with me, and I will show you -some fun." - -Frank, always ready for any mischief, followed his companion on deck, -where they found Mr. French in animated conversation with his two -friends. - -"See here, French," said Keys, approaching the latter in a confidential -manner, "are you going to put up with such abuse as you received from -that caterer?" - -"I'd see, if I were in your place, whether or not I had authority to -command my inferiors," chimed in Frank. - -"Certainly, so would I," said Keys. "Go and report the matter to the old -man." - -"That caterer ought to be brought down a peg or two," said Frank. - -"Well," said the mate, "I know that I have got the right on my side; but -I'm afraid, if I report the matter, the captain will give me a blowing -up." - -"O, that's only one of that caterer's stories," said Keys, -contemptuously. "You see he's afraid you will report him, and he told -you what he did to frighten you. Every body on board the ship is trying -to run down us mates; they don't seem to care a fig for our orders; even -the men laugh at us, and the sooner they find out that we have some -authority here, the better it will be for us. I wish I had as good a -chance as you have; I'd report the whole matter." - -"I believe I will report it," said the mate, encouraged by the sincere -manner in which Mr. Keys and Frank spoke. "I can't have a man trample on -my authority, when it comes from the admiral. Is the captain in the -parlor?" - -"Yes," answered Frank, making use of his handkerchief to conceal his -laughter; "I saw him go in there just a moment since." - -The mate accordingly walked aft, and without waiting to speak to the -orderly, who stood at the gangway, he opened the door without knocking, -and entered the cabin. - -As soon as he had disappeared, Frank and his companion ran on to the -quarter-deck, and took a position at a grating directly over the -captain's cabin, where they could hear all that went on below. - -"My eyes!" whispered Keys; "I wouldn't be in Extra's boots for the whole -squadron. Won't he get his rations stuffed into him?" - -The captain, who was at supper, looked up in surprise, as Mr. French -entered unannounced; and, after regarding him sharply for a moment, -said: - -"Well, sir!" - -"I came here, sir," began the mate, "to tell you"---- - -"Take off your cap, sir!" vociferated the captain. - -The mate, not in the least embarrassed, did as he was ordered, and again -commenced: - -"I came here, sir"---- - -"Do you know what that marine is standing out there for?" again -interrupted the captain. "If you don't, your first hard work will be to -go to the executive officer and find out. Now, don't you again ever come -into my cabin in this abrupt manner. Always send in your name by the -orderly. It seems impossible to teach you any thing. But what were you -going to say?" - -"I came here, sir," began the mate again, "to see if I have any -authority to command my inferiors in rank. My appointment says"---- - -"O, hang your appointment!" shouted the captain. "Come to the point at -once." - -"Well, sir, while at supper, I ordered our steward to go up stairs and -execute a commission for me, and he wouldn't go." - -"Are you caterer of your mess?" - -"No, sir." - -"Then sir, allow me to inform you that you have no more authority over -those waiters in that mess-room than you have to break open my trunk and -take out my money. If you should need the services of one of the boys, -go to the caterer and get his consent. But I wish you would try and -learn something. You have been on board this ship now three weeks, and -are of no more use than an extra boiler. Go to somebody else in future -with your foolish complaints. You may go, sir." - -The mate left the cabin, feeling very cheap, and wondering what was the -use of having any rank, if he couldn't use it, and more than half -inclined to believe that the captain had no right to address him in so -rude a manner. - -"Well, what did the old man say?" inquired Keys, who, with Frank, had -hurried forward to meet him at the gangway. - -"He says he will fix it all right," replied Mr. French, averting his -face, for he knew that he was uttering a falsehood. "I knew I would get -satisfaction." - -So saying, he walked off, shaking his head in a very knowing manner, -while the two friends retreated to the steerage, where they gave full -vent to their feelings. The circumstance was related to the caterer, who -came in a few moments afterward, and after enjoying a hearty laugh at -the mate's expense, Frank retired to his room and turned in. - -About two o'clock in the morning a steamer came down and reported that a -regiment of rebels had posted themselves behind the levee at Cypress -Bend, and were holding the position in spite of the efforts of three -gun-boats to dislodge them, rendering navigation impossible. The matter -was reported to the captain, who, after making himself acquainted with -the facts, ordered the Ticonderoga to be got under way and headed up the -river. - - - - -CHAPTER IV. - -The Fight in the Woods. - - -On the next day they arrived at Cypress Bend, where they found three -"tin-clads" anchored, paying no attention to the perfect storm of -bullets which the concealed rebels rained upon their decks from behind -the levee. As soon as the Ticonderoga came within range, the guerrillas -directed a volley against her; but, although her decks were crowded with -men, the fire was without effect. The boatswain's whistle, and the -order, "All hands under cover," rang sharply through the ship, and the -decks were instantly deserted. The second division--the one which Frank -commanded--was at once called to quarters, and as soon as the gun could -be cast loose and pointed, an eleven-inch shell went shrieking into the -woods. It burst far beyond the levee. The rebels sent back a taunting -laugh, and their bullets fell faster than ever. - -The levee which lines both banks of the Mississippi forms a most -excellent breastwork; and behind this, a party of determined men can -easily hold twice their number at bay, unless a position can be obtained -where they can be brought under a cross-fire. The formation of the river -rendered it impossible for such a position to be taken, and it was -evident that to anchor before the levee and attempt to dislodge them -with big guns, was worse than useless; neither could they be beaten back -with their own weapons, for the rebels were very expert in -"bushwhacking," exposing but a very small portion of their persons, and -the best marksman would stand but a poor chance of hitting one of them. -Some more decisive steps must be taken. - -So thought the captain of the Ticonderoga, as he paced up and down the -turret, while Frank, divested of his coat, was issuing his commands with -his usual coolness, now and then catching hold of a rope and giving a -pull at the gun, all the while sending the shells into the levee, making -the dirt fly in every direction. - -"Cease firing, Mr. Nelson," said the captain, at length. "It is useless -to think of driving them off in this manner." - -"Cease firing, sir," repeated Frank, showing that he understood the -order. "Run the gun in, lads, and close those ports." - -The captain then ordered his vessel to be run alongside of the Rover, -(one of the tin-clads,) and, after a few moments' consultation with her -commander, some plan seemed to have been determined upon, for Frank was -again ordered to open a hot fire on the levee. Under cover of this, -signal was made for the other two vessels to get under way, and proceed -down the river. - -"Mr. Nelson," said the captain, as soon as he had seen the signal -obeyed, "give the command of your division to the executive officer, and -come down into the cabin for orders." - -As soon as the executive could be found, Frank gave up the command to -him, and as he entered the cabin, the captain said to him: - -"I have ordered the tin-clads to go down the river and land as many men -as they can spare, to get around in the rear of those rebels, and get -them out from behind that levee. They must be got out of that, if -possible, for navigation is virtually closed as long as they remain -there. I shall also send our two howitzers and forty men, of which you -will take command. I need not tell you to do your best." - -The captain then went on deck, selected the men, and Frank succeeded in -getting them and the howitzers safely on board the Rover, which still -lay alongside. The smoke from the gun of the Ticonderoga completely -concealed their movements, and the rebels were entirely ignorant of what -was going on. As soon as the men were all on board, the Rover steamed -down the river and joined the other vessels, which were waiting for her -to come up. - -About five miles below was a point which completely concealed them from -the view of the rebels, and behind this point the vessels landed; the -crews disembarked, and commenced marching through the woods toward the -place where the rebels were posted. They numbered two hundred and fifty -men, and were commanded by the captain of the Rover, who, although a -very brave man and an excellent sailor, knew nothing of infantry -tactics. The second in command was Mr. Howe, an ensign belonging to the -same vessel. He had never been in a fight; and when he first entered -the navy he knew no more about a vessel than he did about the moon. His -appointment had been obtained through some influential friends at home. -He had served in a company of state militia, however, before the -breaking out of the war, and considered himself quite a military genius. - -The sailors marched in line of battle--with skirmishers in front and on -each flank, and Frank, with his battery, was in the center. In this -manner they marched for about an hour, and then a halt was ordered, and -the captain, with several of his officers, went forward to reconnoiter, -while Mr. Howe, who was left in command, ordered the men to "stack -arms." Frank was astounded when he heard this command, and, approaching -the officer, saluted him, and said: - -"I object to this, Mr. Howe. I think it would be much better, sir, to -keep the men under arms; for it is by no means certain that all the -rebels we shall be obliged to fight, are in front of us." - -"I believe you were put in command of that battery, sir," replied Mr. -Howe, haughtily, "while I was left in charge of these men. I would -thank you, then, to attend to your own business, and to let me alone." - -"Very good, sir," answered Frank. "I did not intend to give any offense, -sir, but merely to offer a suggestion. But if I command that battery, I -intend to have it in readiness for any emergency. Cut loose those guns, -lads, and stand to your quarters!" - -The reports of muskets in their front proved that the rebels were yet -keeping a hot fire directed against the Ticonderoga. But still Frank was -not deceived; he knew that all the fighting would not be done at the -front. Scarcely had these thoughts passed through his mind, when there -was a rapid discharge of fire-arms in their rear, and two of the men -fell. As Frank had expected, the rebels had been informed of what was -going on, and had sent part of their force to cut the sailors off from -the river. For a moment the greatest confusion prevailed. The men, who -had been lying about in the shade of the trees, made a general rush for -their weapons, and after delivering a straggling and ineffectual fire, -hastily retreated, with the exception of Frank's men, and a few of the -more courageous of the infantry. The latter concealed themselves behind -trees and logs, and deliberately returned the fire of the rebels, while -the former, who were old seamen, and had long been accustomed to the -discipline of the service, stood at their guns awaiting orders. Mr. -Howe, for a moment, stood pale and trembling, and then, without waiting -to give any orders, disappeared in the bushes. Frank, who was left alone -with but sixty men, was astounded when he witnessed this cowardly -conduct of his superior, and he had hardly time to recover from his -surprise, when the rebels, after firing another volley, broke from their -concealments, with loud yells, and charged toward the guns. This brought -Frank to his senses. With the handful of men he had left, he could at -least cover the retreat of his timid support. - -"Steady there, lads!" he shouted. "Aim low--fire!" - -The howitzers belched forth their contents, and, as Frank had taken the -precaution to have them loaded with canister, the slaughter was awful. -The muskets had also done considerable execution, and the rebels -recoiled when they witnessed the havoc made in their ranks. Frank, who -was always ready to take advantage of such an opportunity, immediately -ordered a counter-charge. The sailors sprang at the word, with a yell, -and, led by Frank, who fixed his bayonet as he ran, threw themselves -upon the rebels, who at once fled precipitately, leaving their dead and -wounded on the field. - -"Back to your guns, lads," shouted Frank, "and give 'em a shot before -they get out of range." - -The men worked with a yell, sending the shells rapidly in the direction -in which the rebels had retreated, until a loud roar of musketry at the -front told them that they had other enemies with which to deal. - -While this fight at the rear had been going on, the sailors who had -retreated had been met by the captain and his officers, who were -returning from their reconnoissance, and, as soon as order could be -restored, an attack had been made on the rebels who were still posted -behind the levee. In a few moments Mr. Howe came running up, and -addressing himself to Frank, exclaimed: - -"What are you doing here, sir--shooting into the woods where there are -no rebels? Why are you not at the front, where you belong? If you are -afraid to go there, you had better give up the command of that battery." - -Frank thought this was a nice way for Mr. Howe to talk, after the manner -in which he had behaved a few moments before, but, without stopping to -reply, he ordered the guns to be secured, and the men, catching up the -trail-ropes, commenced dragging the battery toward the place where the -fight was raging, while Mr. Howe again suddenly disappeared. - -When Frank arrived at the front, he found the rebels were still behind -the levee, where they were exposed to a galling fire from the sailors -who were concealed among the trees, evidently preferring to run the risk -of being driven out by the musketry than to brave the shells from the -Ticonderoga, which now began to fall into the woods just behind them, -and bursting, threw dirt and branches in every direction. Without -waiting for orders, Frank immediately took up a sheltered position, and -straightway opened upon the rebels a hot fire of canister. By the -exertions of the officers, the stragglers were all collected, and, while -the line was being formed for a charge, Frank was ordered to move his -battery out of the woods, into the open field. The young officer's blood -ran cold when he heard this command, for the rebels, who greatly -outnumbered the sailors, and who were deterred from making a charge and -overpowering them only through fear of the shells from the Ticonderoga, -were sending a perfect shower of bullets into the bushes where the -howitzers were stationed. Even in his present protected position, Frank -had lost five of his men, and when he thought what a slaughter there -would be when he should move out of his concealment, it made him -shudder. But he had always been taught that the success of the navy was -owing to "strict discipline;" and once, when he had been reported to the -captain for disobeying an order which he had considered as unjust, that -gentleman had told him--"Always obey whatever orders you may receive -from your superiors, and, if you are aggrieved, you can seek redress -afterward." In the present instance, this seemed very poor policy; for -what good would it do to make objections to the order after his men had -been sacrificed? He had no alternative, however, but to obey. The men, -too, were well aware of the danger they were about to incur, but -hesitated not a moment when Frank repeated the order to advance. They at -once pushed the guns out into the open ground, and the effect was as -they had expected. The whole fire of the rebels was directed against -them, and every volley left Frank with less men to handle his battery. -In fact, it soon became impossible to load the guns; for, as fast as the -men picked up a rammer or sponge, they were shot down. It was evident -that they could not remain there. - -"Jack," said Frank at length, turning to the old boatswain's mate, "go -and ask the captain if I can't be allowed to move back to my old -position. I can do more execution there. Besides, we'll all be dead men -in less than five minutes, if we remain here." - -The man bounded off to execute the order, and just then the captain of -one of the guns was killed. Frank immediately seized the priming-wire -which had fallen from his hand, and worked with the rest. His fear had -given place to a reckless determination to do his duty, for, let the -consequences be what they might, no blame could be attached to him. -Impatiently, however, he waited for the return of the mate, and his -impatience increased when word was brought him that the ammunition was -failing. At length, after a delay which seemed extraordinary, a charge -was ordered. - -The rebels seemed to have an idea of what was going on, for, a few -moments before the order was given, their fire slackened considerably; -but, as soon as the sailors, in obedience to the command, issued from -the woods, they were met with a terrific fire, which threw them into -confusion. In vain their officers urged and commanded; the men refused -to advance, but remained standing in full view of the rebels, while -every moment their comrades were falling around them. At length the -enemy made a counter-charge, and the sailors, without waiting to resist, -broke and fled in every direction. Frank and his men remained at their -posts until the last moment; but they soon found themselves completely -deserted, and were obliged to fall back into the woods. - -By the exertions of the officers, a few of the men were rallied in the -edge of the timber, and, bravely standing their ground, the rebels were -met with a murderous fire, and the shells from the Ticonderoga, which -now began to burst in their very midst, completed their confusion, and -they, in turn, were compelled to retreat. - -In an instant, Frank and several of his men sprang out and attempted to -recover the howitzers, which had been left between the lines, but the -rebels were on the watch, and, after the loss of three of his men, he -was obliged to order a retreat. For two hours a severe a fight was -maintained, the rebels making several charges, which were easily -repulsed by the sailors; and each time Frank made unsuccessful attempts -to recover his battery, but was as often compelled to retreat, leaving -some of his men dead on the field, or prisoners in the hands of the -enemy. - -The left of the line rested on the bank of the river, where a full view -of the Ticonderoga could be obtained. After the fight had raged nearly -three hours, without any advantage being gained on either side, one of -the men reported that the ship was making signals. The commander of the -expedition hurried along the line, calling out-- - -"Mr. Howe! Where's the signal officer, Mr. Howe?" But he received no -answer. No one had seen Mr. Howe since he had so ingloriously retreated -at the commencement of the fight. - -"Pass the word along the line for Mr. Howe!" shouted the captain. - -The order was obeyed, and finally a faint voice, some distance in the -rear, replied, "Here, sir." - -"What are you doing there, sir?" demanded the captain, in a voice of -thunder. "Why are you not at your post? Get out there with your flag, -and answer the Ticonderoga's signals." And the captain began to consult -his signal-book. - -Mr. Howe looked first at the rebels, then at the captain, then down at -the flag which he held in his hand, but he did not move. It was a -dangerous undertaking; for, in answering the signals, he would be -obliged to stand on the bank of the river, where there was nothing but -bushes to protect him, and where the rebels would be certain to see him; -but the rattling of the musketry, the sharp whistle of the bullets as -they flew thickly about among the trees, and the roar of the -Ticonderoga's guns--sounds which he had never before heard--so worked -upon the imagination of the terrified man, that the danger seemed -tenfold worse than it really was. - -In a few moments the captain had made out the signal, which was, "How do -you succeed?" and exclaimed: - -"Mr. Howe, make the answer that we don't succeed at all--no advantage on -either side; that our ammunition is getting scarce; and that----. Why -don't you start, sir?" he shouted, seeing that Mr. Howe did not move. - -"Captain," faltered the man, in a scarcely audible voice, "I should be -very happy, sir; very glad, indeed, sir; but--, but--" - -"No remarks, sir, but do as you are ordered, instantly." - -"Really, captain, I--, I--" - -The man could go no further, but stood trembling like a leaf, with the -utmost terror depicted in every feature. - -"You're a coward, sir!" shouted the captain, in a terrible rage--"a -mean, contemptible coward." - -"I know it, sir," replied the man, so terrified that he scarcely knew -what he was saying; "but the fact is"---- - -[Illustration] - -"Go to rear!" shouted the captain, "and stay there. Here, sir," he -continued, turning to Frank, who happened to be the nearest officer, -"can you make those signals?" - -"Yes, sir," answered Frank, promptly. His face was very pale, for, -accustomed as he was to the noise and confusion of battle, he well knew -there was danger in the step he was about to take. But his features -expressed determination instead of betraying terror. His duty must be -done, whatever the consequences might be; and hastily picking up the -flag which Mr. Howe, in his fright, had dropped, he sprang out in view -of the Ticonderoga, made the required signals, and retreated in safety. -The rebels had seen the flag waving above the bushes, and had directed a -hot fire against it, but, although his frail protection was riddled with -bullets, Frank escaped unhurt. - -In a quarter of an hour, during which time the fire was warmly sustained -by both parties, the Ticonderoga again made signals, ordering the -captain of the expedition to make the best of his way back to his -vessels. Frank answered the signal, and again retreated in safety. - -The word had already been passed along the line to fall back slowly, -when Frank, approaching the captain, said: - -"I do not wish to go back to the ship without my battery, sir. Will you -give me men enough to recover it?" - -"No, sir; I can't send any one out there to be shot at. It is certain -death, sir." - -Frank, who thought that the captain had suddenly grown very careful of -his men, made no reply, but hastened back to the spot where he had left -his battery. To his joy and surprise he found one of the howitzers safe -in the hands of his men; and, as he came up, a shell went crashing -toward the rebel line, followed by a triumphant shout from the sailors. -The boatswain's mate, who had managed to secure the gun, by throwing a -rope around the trail-wheel, was endeavoring, in the same manner, to -obtain possession of the other. After a few ineffectual attempts, he -succeeded, and the gun was pulled back safely into the bushes. When they -had secured the remainder of the ammunition, the men caught up the -trail-ropes, and, without delay, Frank took his old position in the -center of the retreating line. The rebels followed them so closely that -the sailors were frequently compelled to halt and drive them back. -During one of these halts, the captain of the expedition was killed. As -if by magic, Mr. Howe appeared on the scene, and, without waiting to -recover the body of his officer, gave the command to fall back more -rapidly. At length, just before they reached the bank where they had -disembarked, the ammunition for the howitzers being exhausted, Frank -requested permission to retreat still more rapidly, and get his guns on -board the nearest vessel. - -"That request is in perfect keeping with your conduct during the fight," -returned Mr. Howe, sneeringly. "The plea of saving your battery is a -very handy one; but if you are afraid to remain here with us, you may -run as fast as you wish. I'd be ashamed to hold up my head after this, -if I were in your place." - -"I am not afraid to remain here, sir," answered Frank, with a good deal -of spirit; "and if you say that I have acted the part of a coward during -this fight, I defy you to prove the charge. The idea that I am afraid, -because I wish to retreat in order to save my battery, is absurd. Run -those guns along lively, lads." - -Frank succeeded in getting his howitzers on board one of the tin-clads, -which still lay alongside of the bank, without the loss of another man. -A moment afterward the sailors came pouring down the bank. As soon as -they were all on board, the vessels moved out into the stream, and -commenced shelling the woods. While thus engaged, the Ticonderoga came -down the river, and, after dropping her anchor, signaled for the officer -in command of the expedition to repair on board. Mr. Howe at once put -off in a boat to obey the order, while the vessel in which Frank had -taken refuge ran alongside of the Ticonderoga, and as soon as the -battery had been taken off, the men, covered with dust and blood, and -their faces begrimed with powder, stood silently around the guns, while -the remainder of the crew gathered on the opposite side of the deck, and -regarded their comrades with sorrow depicted in every feature of their -sun-burnt faces. Frank knew that the fight had been a most desperate -one, and that he had lost many of his men; but he could scarcely believe -his eyes, when he found that out of the forty brave fellows who had -started out with him in the morning, but _fifteen remained_--more than -half had been left dead on the field, or prisoners in the hands of the -rebels. - -In a scarcely audible voice he called the roll, and his emotion -increased when, at almost every third name, some one answered: - -"Not here, sir." - -In a few moments the captain appeared on deck. The report of the -commander of the expedition had, of course, been unfavorable, and the -captain's face wore a look of trouble. Hastily running his eye over the -line of dusty, bleeding men that stood before him, he said, in a low -voice, as if talking to himself: - -"Only fifteen left. I could ill afford to lose so many men. You may go -below, lads. Doctor, see that the very best care is taken of the -wounded." - -After delivering this order, the captain, who was evidently ill at ease, -turned and walked down into his cabin. - - - - -CHAPTER V. - -In the Hands of the "Johnnies" Again. - - -As soon as the men had disappeared, Frank, with a heavy heart, repaired -to his room to dress for supper. He thought over all the little -incidents of the day, and frequently detected himself in saying: "Only -fifteen men left; fifteen out of forty!" - -What a slaughter--a useless slaughter--there had been! And all had been -occasioned by the ignorance of the commanding officer of the expedition. -Had Frank been allowed to retain the sheltered position which he had at -first taken up, the result would have been far different. And how had he -escaped without even a scratch? He had stood beside his men during the -whole of the fight--freely exposing himself, and, rendered conspicuous -by his uniform, had signaled the vessel twice; and each time the flag -had been riddled by bullets, but not a shot had touched him! It seemed -but little short of a miracle that he had come off unscathed, when so -many men had fallen around him. - -He was interrupted in his meditations by the entrance of the orderly, -who informed him that his presence was wanted in the cabin. Frank -hastily pulled on his coat and repaired thither. As he entered, the -captain said: - -"Take a chair, Mr. Nelson. I wish to have a few moments' serious -conversation with you." - -Frank, surprised at the captain's tone and manner, seated himself, and -the latter continued: - -"Are you aware, sir, that you have this day destroyed all the confidence -I have hitherto placed in you, and have rendered yourself liable to -severe punishment?" - -The effect of this question, so abruptly put, was astounding, and Frank -could only falter-- - -"Sir? I--I--don't understand you, sir." - -"Mr. Nelson, I am surprised at you, sir," said the captain, sternly. "I -shall have to refresh your memory, then. You have this day been guilty -of misdemeanors, any one of which renders you liable to a -court-martial, and to a disgraceful dismissal from the service. In the -first place, you have shown gross disrespect to your superior officer, -and"---- - -"I guilty of disrespect, sir!" repeated Frank, scarcely believing his -ears. "There must be some mistake, sir, for"---- - -"Don't interrupt me, sir. I repeat, you have been guilty of disrespect -to your superior officer, and of cowardice, having been found with your -battery far in the rear at a time when your services were very much -needed at the front; and then, after the fight had fairly commenced, as -if waking up to a sense of your duty, and, no doubt, wishing to make -amends for what you had done, you, contrary to orders, recklessly -exposed your men, and, as a consequence, out of forty of the bravest -fellows that ever trod a ship's deck--which were placed under your -command this morning--you had but fifteen left when you returned on -board. The energy displayed by you in working your battery, and the -manner in which you obtained possession of it, after you moved out from -your sheltered position, and had been compelled to retreat, were feats -of which any officer might be justly proud, and which I should have -been most happy to reward with your promotion, had you not spoiled every -thing by your infamous conduct at the commencement of the fight. -Hitherto, since you have been on board this ship, you have been a good -officer, have always attended to your duties, and it pains me to be -obliged to talk to you in this manner. I never thought that you, after -what you did at Cypress Bend, while you were on board of the Milwaukee, -would ever have been guilty of such misdemeanors. However, as your -conduct heretofore has always been such as I could approve, I shall see -that no charges are made against you; and I sincerely hope that what you -have learned to-day will be a lesson that you will never forget. I shall -give you sufficient opportunities to make amends for what you have done, -and I shall commence by sending you ashore with a flag of truce, to ask -permission of the rebels to bury our dead. You may start at once, sir." - -This was a hint that his presence in the cabin was no longer desirable, -and Frank, who, in his confusion and bewilderment scarcely knew what he -was doing, made his best bow and retired. - -What his feelings were as he listened to this reprimand, administered -by the captain, who never before had spoken a harsh word to him, it is -impossible to describe. He again thought over every thing he had done -during the fight; how he had, at the commencement of the action, beaten -back the rebels, with a mere handful of men; how he had, in obedience to -orders, taken the exposed position where he had lost so many of his -gun's crew, and which he had held in spite of the storm of bullets that -rained around him, until the whole line had been compelled to retreat, -and he was left unsupported; how he had twice risked his life in -signaling the ship; and how, when the retreat was ordered he had brought -back his guns in safety: he thought of all these things, and wondered -where the charge of cowardice could be brought in. And then, when and -how had he been guilty of disrespect to his superior officer? Certainly -not in remonstrating against ordering the men to stack their arms, for -that was a privilege to which he, as one of the commanding officers of -the expedition, was entitled. In regard to recklessly exposing his men, -the case was not quite so clear. It was true that, in the beginning of -the fight, he had ordered a charge upon the rebels, who greatly -outnumbered his own men, and had easily driven them, without loss to -himself: perhaps it was there that the third charge had been brought in. -But although he was conscious that he had endeavored to do his whole -duty, the words of the captain had cut him to the quick. It had been an -unlucky day for him. The expedition had proved a failure, and he had -been accused of misdemeanors of which he had never dreamed. It seemed as -if fate was against him. - -"I believe, as Archie used to say," he soliloquized, "that I am the -unluckiest dog in existence. Troubles never come singly." - -"The captain wishes to see you, sir," said one of the men, stepping up -and interrupting his meditations. - -"All right," answered Frank, who was so completely absorbed in his -reverie that he was entirely unconscious of what was going on around -him; "call all hands to quarters immediately." - -"Sir--I--I don't mean--sir--the captain wishes to speak with you, sir," -repeated the sailor, half inclined to believe that Frank was getting -crazy. This aroused the young officer to a sense of his situation; as he -approached the quarter-deck, where the captain was standing, the latter -said: - -"Mr. Nelson, do you intend to go ashore with that flag of truce, sir?" - -"I beg your pardon, sir," faltered Frank, "I forgot all about that. Will -you have the kindness to call away the first cutter?" he continued, -approaching the quarter-master, and saluting him as the officer of the -deck. - -"Mr. Nelson," shouted the captain, "what are you doing? Are you crazy, -sir?" - -"I believe I am, captain, or pretty near it," answered Frank. "The -charges that have been brought against me have well-nigh upset me. They -are false, sir, and I don't deserve the reprimand I have received." - -In his next attempt to find the officer of the deck Frank met with more -success. While the cutter was being manned, he ran down into the -steerage, and seizing a pen, hastily dashed off the following: - - UNITED STATES STEAMER TICONDEROGA, } - OFF CYPRESS BEND, _Oct. 30, 1863_. } - - SIR: - - Having been reported, by the officer in command of an - expedition--sent ashore this day for the purpose of dislodging - a body of rebels posted behind the levee--for cowardice, disrespect - to my superior officer, and for recklessly exposing my men to the - fire of the rebels, and knowing, sir, that these charges are - utterly groundless, I respectfully request that a Court of Inquiry - may be convened to examine into my behavior while under the enemy's - fire. - - I am, sir, very respectfully - Your obedient servant, - FRANK NELSON, - _Acting Master's Mate_. - - Acting Rear-Admiral D. D. PORTER, U. S. N., - _Commanding Miss. Squadron_. - -While he was sealing the envelope the messenger boy entered and reported -the cutter ready. Frank ran on deck, and, after giving the communication -to the captain, with a request that it might be approved and forwarded -to the Admiral, he sprang into the boat, and gave the order to shove -off. - -The old boatswain's mate, who was acting as the coxswain of the cutter, -had rigged up a flag of truce. As they pulled toward the shore, Frank -waved this above his head until he elicited a similar response from the -bank; then, throwing down the flag, he seated himself in the stern -sheets, and covered his face with his hands. The old mate, mistaking his -emotion for sorrow at the death of so many of his men, said: - -"Yes, it is a hard case. Not a few of us are left without our chums; but -we all know it wasn't your fault. There would have been more of us left -if you had been allowed to have your own way." - -"Then I did not expose you needlessly, did I, Jack?" - -"Why, bless you, no, sir. Who says you did, sir?" inquired one of the -crew. - -"But tell me one thing, Jack," said Frank, his face still covered with -his hands, "Am I a coward?" - -"No, sir," answered the mate, indignantly; "'cause if you was, you -wouldn't have held on to them guns as long as you did, and you would not -have pitched into that rebel atween the lines, as you did about a year -ago, at this very place. In course you ain't no coward." - -This was some consolation. The men whom he commanded, and who had always -cheerfully followed where he had dared to lead, thought very differently -from the man who had retreated almost before the fight had commenced, -and who, to screen himself, had brought those charges against one whose -conduct had always been above reproach. - -"Yes, as you say, it is a hard case, Jack," said Frank, uncovering his -face, and glancing toward the rebels who thronged the levee. "It is a -hard case, indeed, but I will come out at the top of the heap yet." - -"What's the matter, sir?" inquired the mate. "Any one been wrongin' you, -sir? He'd better not show his ugly figure-head when what's left of the -first division has shore liberty. We'll douse his top-lights for him." - -By this time the cutter had reached the shore, and Frank, taking the -flag of truce, sprang out, and walked up the bank to where a group of -officers was standing. - -"Wal, Yank, what do you want now?" inquired a man dressed in the uniform -of a colonel. - -How Frank started when he heard that voice. Could he be mistaken? He had -certainly heard it before, and he remembered the time when it had given -an order which still rang in his ears: "Stiles, you stay here until this -man dies." He looked at the men, some of whom were lying on the ground -about the levee, and others standing at a little distance, waiting to -hear what was going to be the result of the interview, and what had at -first appeared a vague suspicion, now forced itself upon Frank as a -dread reality. He was in the presence of _Colonel Harrison and the -Louisiana Wild-cats_. Nothing but a bold front could save him, for he -knew that these men paid very little respect to a flag of truce, unless -it was likely to further their own interests; and if he should be -recognized, his recapture was certain, and then, what would be his fate? -Would not summary vengeance be taken upon him, in retaliation for the -manner in which he had treated the sentinel on the night of his escape, -and the way he had served the man who had overtaken him in the woods? -Brave as Frank was, and accustomed as he had become to look danger in -the face, he could not but regard his situation as critical in the -extreme. - -"What did you say your business was, Yank?" inquired the colonel again. - -"I wish to see the commanding officer," said Frank, steadily meeting the -rebel's searching glance. "I wish permission to bury our dead." - -"Well, that's a fair request," said the colonel, carelessly. "I don't -know as I have any objection to it. Want your prisoners also?" - -"Yes, sir," answered Frank, with a smile. "I should like to take them -back to the ship with me. But you know that I have none to exchange for -them." - -"That's what I thought. I couldn't afford to give your men back for -nothing." - -"I didn't suppose you would. But have we your permission to come ashore -and bury our dead?" inquired Frank, who was anxious to bring the -interview to an end. - -"Yes," answered the colonel, "and we will leave the field in your -possession. You will send that message by one of your men, for I don't -think, youngster, that you can go back. If I am not very much mistaken, -I've got a better right to you than any one else." - -"Yes, colonel," shouted one of the men, "I'll be dog-gone if I didn't -think he was the chap that give us the slip at Shreveport." - -"I didn't think I could be mistaken," said the colonel. "So, youngster, -just consider yourself a prisoner." - -"What do you mean, sir? You have no claim whatever upon me, and never -had!" exclaimed Frank, indignantly. "I am acting in obedience to -orders, and am under the protection of this flag of truce." - -"Very well spoken. But what do you suppose we care for that dish-rag? -Besides, I say we _have_ a good claim upon you, for you have never been -exchanged. Here, Jim!" he shouted to one of his men, "put this little -Yank with the rest, and don't give him a chance to get away this time." - -The man advanced to obey the order, and when he came up to the place -where Frank was standing, he seized him by the hair and shook him until -every tooth in his head rattled. - -"Avast heavin' there, you land-lubber!" shouted the mate, who until this -time had remained in the boat with the crew; and, springing ashore, he -ran up the bank, and with one blow of his fist felled the rebel to the -ground. - -"Here we have it," said the colonel, who, instead of defending Frank, -seemed to consider the manner in which he was treated a good joke. -"Boys, secure this blue-jacket also." - -"No you don't, Johnny!" exclaimed the mate, as one of the men sprang -forward to seize him. "If you think that one of you is as good as five -Yankee sailors, now is your chance to try it on. It'll take more'n one -of you to put the bracelets on me;" and, as he spoke, he planted another -of his tremendous blows in the face of the advancing rebel, which lifted -him completely off his feet. But before he had time to repeat it, he was -overpowered by half a dozen rebels, who had run to the assistance of -their comrade. After a hard struggle, he was secured, and his hands were -bound behind his back. - -"Now, you fellows," said the colonel, addressing himself to the men in -the boat, "get back to your vessel; tell the captain how matters stand, -and also that he may come ashore and bury his dead as soon as he -chooses." - -"Tell the first division," said the mate, "that the next time they go -into action they must give one shot for Jack Waters. If you fellers -don't pay for this," he continued, turning to the rebels, "then blast my -to'-gallant top-lights." - -"Tell the captain," chimed in Frank, "that he had better not trust these -men again, for they are not sufficiently civilized to know what a flag -of truce is." - -"You are very complimentary, young man, to say the least," said a -rebel, who was standing near the colonel. - -"I am telling the plain truth," answered Frank, "and you will find that -your barbarous mode of warfare will never succeed; and that the crew of -that vessel will never allow the mean action of which you have been -guilty to pass unnoticed." - -"Douse my top-lights but that's the truth," said the mate, making an -effort with his confined hands to salute his officer. - -"See that these prisoners are well secured," said the colonel, "and be -sure and take special care of that youngster, for if you allow him the -least chance, he'll escape," and the colonel turned on his heel and -walked away. - -In obedience to these instructions, Frank and the mate were delivered -into the charge of a sergeant, who at once conducted them toward the -place where the prisoners which had been taken during the fight were -confined under guard. As they passed along through the rebels, they were -insulted at every step, and finally a man drew his ramrod out of his -gun, and seizing Frank by the collar, proceeded to give him a severe -thrashing. Frank immediately appealed to the sergeant, who, instead of -offering to defend him, stood at a little distance, watching the -operation, as if not at all concerned. The mate was fairly beside -himself with rage, and struggled desperately to free his hands, all the -while venting his anger by "dousing" his "top-lights" and "shivering" -his own "timbers." The rebel continued his punishment amid the cheers of -his companions, and at every stroke of his ramrod he exclaimed: "Shot -the best blood-hound in Louisiana, did ye! Stick a bayonet into young -Davis, won't ye!" until Frank, smarting with the pain, determined to -defend himself. - -"Unhand me, you scoundrel!" he shouted; "I've had just about enough of -this." Turning fiercely upon his persecutor, he snatched the ramrod from -his hand, and commenced laying it over his head and shoulders. The -rebel, after trying in vain to defend himself, retreated precipitately, -amid the jeers of his comrades, and shouts of derision from the mate. -The sergeant here thought it time to interfere, and Frank and the mate -were not again molested. - - - - -CHAPTER VI. - -An Old Acquaintance. - - -They found that the rebels had captured nearly twenty of their men, -several of them badly wounded, and, as there was no surgeon with the -enemy, the poor fellows were suffering intensely. Frank shuddered when -he thought of the inhuman treatment to which his wounded companions had -been subjected by the very men in whose power they now were, on the -march from Vicksburg to Shreveport; and he knew, from the scenes through -which he had just passed, that the Wild-cats had not grown more lenient -in their treatment of those who were so unfortunate as to fall into -their power. As soon as they were placed under guard, Jack's hands were -unbound, and he seated himself on the ground beside his officer, in no -very amiable mood. - -"It isn't for myself that I care, sir," said he; "but I am afraid that -the treatment you will receive will be a heap worse nor keel-haulin' on -a cold winter's mornin'." - -"Don't talk so loud, Jack," whispered Frank, glancing toward the guard, -who was walking his beat but a short distance from them. "I've been in -just such scrapes as this before, and I'm not going to be strung up. If -they give me the least chance for life, I'm going to take advantage of -it." - -"There comes a boat from the ship, sir," said the mate. "If we could -only give them the slip now." - -"No, sit still; we are watched too closely; wait until to-night." - -In a short time the cutter reached the shore, and an officer, whom they -recognized as the gunner, sprang out with a flag of truce in his hand. -He walked straight up to Colonel Harrison. After a short conversation -with that individual, he handed him a letter, and, accompanied by a -rebel officer, approached the place where Frank was sitting. - -"Well, old fellow," he said, as he came up, "I'm sorry to see you in -this fix. But I've got good news for you. The colonel has given me -permission to inform you that you will be well treated as long as you -remain a prisoner. You see, we happen to have a prisoner who belongs to -this regiment on board the flag-ship, and the captain is going to ask -the admiral to exchange him for you. So keep a stiff upper lip. Don't -think of trying to escape, and we shall see you on board of the ship -again in less than a week. Good-by." - -Frank and the mate shook hands with the gunner, who walked back to the -place where he had left his men, and set them to work collecting and -burying the dead. - -After considerable trouble, an agreement was entered into between -Captain Wilson and the colonel, and all the prisoners, with the -exception of Frank and the mate, were paroled and allowed to return on -board the vessel, after which the Wild-cats mounted their horses and -commenced marching back into the country. While the fight had been -raging, their horses were safely hidden in the woods, out of range of -the Ticonderoga's guns; and when they were brought out, Frank, although -he had not seen either a dead or wounded rebel, was able to judge -pretty accurately of the number that had been disabled in the struggle, -by counting the empty saddles. What had been done with the dead and -wounded he could not ascertain; but the probability was, that the latter -had been carried on in advance of the main body of the regiment, and the -former hastily buried on the field. The prisoners were each given a -horse, and Frank was a good deal surprised to find that although the -mate was closely watched, scarcely any attention was paid to himself; -his captors, no doubt, thinking that he would prefer waiting to be -exchanged, rather than run the risk of the punishment that had been -threatened in case he was detected in any attempt at escape. He was -given to understand that it was useless to think of flight, for he would -certainly be recaptured, even if he succeeded in getting outside of the -pickets, and that he would be shot down without mercy. But Frank, who -well knew that the rebels would not willingly lose an opportunity of -regaining one of their officers, was not at all intimidated by these -threats; and, as he had not bound himself to remain a passive prisoner, -he commenced laying his plans for escape, intending to put them into -operation at the very first opportunity which offered. - -Just before dark the column halted in front of a plantation, and -commenced making its camp on each side of the road. While the men were -making their preparations for the night, the colonel, who evidently -preferred more comfortable quarters than could be found in the open air, -repaired to the house, where he was cordially greeted by its inmates. - -Frank and the mate lay down on the ground by the side of the road, and -were talking over the incidents of the day, when a dashing young -lieutenant stepped up, and inquired: - -"Yanks, don't you want something to eat? Come into our mess; we want to -talk to you. I'll hold myself responsible for their safe return," he -continued, turning to the guard. - -This individual, after a few moments' consideration, concluded that the -"Yanks could pass," and the prisoners followed the lieutenant to the -place where the members of the mess to which he belonged were seated on -the ground, eating their suppers. - -"Sit down, Yanks, at the very first good place you can find," said -their host. "Our chairs have been sent on board one of your gun-boats to -be repaired, and the sofa hasn't come in yet. Do you ever have as good a -supper as this on board your men-o'-war?" - -"O yes," replied Frank, glancing at the different dishes that were -scattered about over the ground, which contained corn-bread just raked -out from the ashes, salt pork, onions, and boiled chicken, the latter -evidently the fruits of a raid on some well-stocked hen-roost. "O yes, -we live very well on board our boats. There is nothing to hinder us, if -we have a caterer worth a cent." - -"Where do you get your grub?" asked the lieutenant. "We steal every -thing along the shore that we can lay our hands on, just to keep it away -from you, and there are no provisions at the North." - -"Well, you need not believe any such story as that," answered Frank, who -could not help laughing outright at the idea of the people at the North -having no provisions to spare. "I never knew a gun-boat to be short of -rations, except down the Yazoo Pass." - -"Well, then, some of our folks tell what is not the truth," said one of -the officers, who had not yet spoken. "But, to change the subject, how -many men did you lose in the action to-day?" - -"I am not able to tell," replied Frank. "I see that you have taken good -care to hide your loss. I haven't seen a single wounded man since I have -been with you, and I know I saw several drop during the fight." - -"Yes, we did lose a few men," said the lieutenant; "how many, you will -never know. But, to change the subject again, what did you come down -here to fight us for?" - -"Now, see here," said Frank, setting down his plate, which had been -plentifully supplied by the lieutenant, "you were kind enough to ask me -here to get some supper, and I don't want to spoil a good meal by -entering into a political discussion; for, if I answer your question, I -shall tell you some pretty plain things, and I know you will get -provoked at me." - -"O no, we are not as unreasonable as that," replied the man. "Answer my -question." - -"Well, then," said Frank, "I will make the same reply as I once did to -that question in the prison at Shreveport. It is this: I believe that -if ever there was a lot of men in the world who need a good, sound -thrashing, you rebels do." - -"That's the truth, sir," said Jack, talking as plainly as a mouthful of -salt pork would permit. "Stand up for the old flag, sir." - -The discussion thus commenced was maintained for an hour, the rebels -evincing the utmost ignorance in regard to the principles for which they -were fighting; and the manner in which Frank knocked their flimsy -arguments right and left, and the fearlessness with which he upheld the -course the government has pursued, and predicted the speedy overthrow of -the rebellion, excited their respect and admiration. - -At length bedtime came, and, just as Frank and the mate were about to be -conducted back to the guard, Colonel Harrison, accompanied by two ladies -and a strange officer, walked up. - -"Here, Yank," he exclaimed, addressing Frank, "here's an old -acquaintance of yours. Come here." - -As Frank obeyed the order, the strange officer advanced to meet him, and -he recognized Lieutenant Somers. He was not at all pleased to see him, -for the lieutenant, doubtless, had not forgotten the circumstances -connected with his capture, and although he could not remember of ever -having treated him badly, still he feared he might harbor some feelings -of malice, and might see fit to take a summary revenge upon him. To his -surprise, however, the rebel eagerly advanced to meet him, and, -extending his hand, greeted him with: - -"How are you, Nelson? You're in a fix, I see. I am the free man now, and -you the prisoner." - -"Yes," answered Frank, "I'm in for it again. Although I was captured in -violation of all the rules of war, I suppose I must submit to it for -awhile." - -The lieutenant passed nearly an hour in conversation with him, talking -over all the little incidents that had happened while he was a prisoner -in the hands of Frank and his fellow-fugitives, and was compelled to -pilot them through the country, and ended by saying: - -"Although you were sometimes obliged to use me rather roughly, you did -the best you could under the circumstances, and I shall let you see that -I don't forget favors. I'll speak to the colonel, and get him to -furnish you with quarters at the plantation to-night." - -The lieutenant then left them, and shortly afterward a corporal and his -guard came up, and conducted Frank and the mate to the plantation, where -they were confined in a deserted negro cabin. A few blankets had been -spread out on the floor to serve as a bed, and, had they been among -friends, they could have passed a very comfortable night. - -As soon as the corporal had locked the door and retired, the mate, who -had been examining their quarters, said: - -"I wish, sir, that lieutenant hadn't taken so much interest in you, -'cause we're in Darby now, sure." - -"We are much better off than we would be out in the camp," answered -Frank. "Try that window-shutter--carefully, now." - -The mate did as he was ordered, and, to Frank's joy, reported that it -was unfastened. - -"Now," said the latter, "the next thing is to ascertain where the -sentries are posted." - -"There's one out aft here," replied the mate, "'cause I can see him; and -there's one at the gangway for'ard, 'cause I heered the corporal tell -him to keep a good look-out." - -"We must wait until the camp is still," said Frank, "and then we will -make the attempt." - -For two long hours the prisoners sat on their rough bed--the mate, in -accordance with the discipline to which he had been accustomed from -boyhood, waiting for his officer to speak, and Frank listening for the -advent of that silence which should proclaim that the time for action -had arrived. - -Eleven o'clock came at length, when, just after the sentry's cry of -"All's well," Frank arose to his feet, and cautiously approaching the -window, pushed open the shutter and looked out. The sentry was seated on -the ground at the corner of the cabin, holding his musket across his -knees, now and then stretching his arms, and yawning. Jack remained -seated on the bed, while Frank debated long and earnestly with himself -as to what course it was best to pursue. Should they spring out and -overpower the sentry where he sat? This could not be accomplished -without a fight, for the sentry was a large, powerful-looking man, and, -without doubt, possessed of great strength; besides, if a struggle did -ensue, the noise would attract the attention of the guard at the other -side of the cabin, who would lend prompt assistance, and, with these two -men opposed to them, escape would be impossible. Still, there seemed to -be no other course for them to pursue, and Frank had already proposed -the plan to the mate, and was about to push open the shutter and make -the attempt, when he noticed that the sentinel had leaned his head -against the cabin, and was sleeping soundly. - -"Jack," he whispered, "get out of this window quickly, and make the best -of your way into those bushes," pointing to a thicket that stood about -twenty feet from the cabin. "As soon as I see you safe, I will follow. -Don't make any noise now." - -The mate touched his cap, lingered for an instant to press Frank's hand, -then mounted lightly into the window, reached the ground without -arousing the rebel, and, in a moment more, disappeared in the bushes. -Frank was about to follow when the sentry suddenly awakened, rubbed his -eyes, gazed vacantly about him, and then sank back to his former -position. As soon as Frank felt certain that he was asleep, he again -opened the shutter, descended noiselessly to the ground, and, after -carefully closing the window, sprang into the bushes. - -"Shiver my timbers, sir," whispered Jack, seizing his officer's hand, -"that was well done. Won't the Johnnies be surprised when they call all -hands in the morning, and find us missin'?" - -But the fugitives were by no means safe, neither had their escape been -accomplished. They were still inside of the lines, and might, at any -moment, stumble upon a picket. But it was necessary that they should get -as far away from the camp as possible before their escape became -discovered, and Frank, without waiting to receive the congratulations of -the mate, who now looked upon their escape as a certain thing, threw -himself on his hands and knees, and moved slowly across a field that -extended a mile back of the cabin, and which must be crossed before they -could reach the woods. Their progress was slow and laborious, and it was -two hours before they reached a road which ran in the direction in which -they supposed the river to lie. Not having seen any pickets, and now -feeling quite certain that they were outside of the lines, they arose -to their feet, and commenced running at the top of their speed. The road -ran through a thick woods, but they had no difficulty in following it, -as the moon was shining brightly. Just before daylight, they arrived at -the Mississippi. It was a pleasant sight to their eyes, and both uttered -a shout of joy when they found themselves standing on its banks. But -their spirits fell again, when, on glancing up and down the river as far -as their eyes could reach, they could not see a vessel of any kind in -sight. They were not yet at their journey's end. There might be a -gun-boat close by, hid behind one of the numerous points that stretched -out into the river, or there might not be one within a hundred miles. -They must not linger, however, for they were not free from pursuit until -they were safe on board some vessel. - -Sorrowfully they bent their steps down the river, listening for sounds -of pursuit, and eagerly watching for signs of an approaching steamer; -but the day wore away, and the fugitives, who began to feel the effects -of hunger, halted, and were debating upon the means to be used in -procuring food, when, to their joy, they discovered smoke around a bend, -and, in half an hour, a transport, loaded with soldiers, appeared in -sight. They at once commenced waving their hats, to attract the -attention of those on board, who evidently saw them, but being -suspicious that it was a plan of the rebels to decoy them into shore, -turned off toward the opposite bank. - -"I should think they ought to see us," said Frank, and he commenced -shouting at the top of his lungs. A moment afterward a puff of smoke -arose from the forecastle, and a twelve-pounder shot plowed through the -water, and lodged in the bank at their very feet. It was then evident to -them that they had been taken for rebels. After watching the boat until -it disappeared, they again turned their faces down the river. Night -overtaking them without bringing any relief, the fugitives, hungry and -foot-sore, lay down in the woods and slept. - - - - -CHAPTER VII. - -A CLOSE SHAVE. - - -When the morning came they bent their steps down the bank, keeping in -the edge of the woods to prevent surprise, but not far enough from the -river to allow any boat that might chance to pass to escape their -observation. They again began to feel the fierce pangs of hunger, which -they endeavored to alleviate by chewing twigs and roots. But this -affording them no relief, the mate finally proposed that they should -turn back into the country and ask for food at the first house they -could find. Recapture was preferable to starving to death. Frank easily -turned him from his purpose by assuring him that they would certainly be -picked up during the afternoon, or on the following morning. But night -came, without bringing them any relief, and the tired and hungry -fugitives again lay down in the woods and slept. - -About noon, on the next day, they found themselves on the banks of a -wide and deep ravine, that ran across their path. To climb up and down -those steep banks was impossible; their wasted strength was not equal to -the task. Their only course was to follow the ravine back into the woods -until they could find some means of crossing it. After wearily dragging -themselves for two hours over fallen logs, and through thick, tangled -bushes and cane-brakes that lay in their path, they emerged from the -woods, and found before them a small log-hut, standing close to a bridge -that spanned the ravine. Hastily drawing back into the bushes, they -closely examined the premises, which seemed to be deserted, with the -exception of a negro, whom they saw hitching a mule to a tree at the -back of the cabin. - -"I don't see any white men there, Jack," said Frank. "I think we may -safely ask that negro for something to eat. I hardly think there is any -danger, for, if he should attempt mischief, we could soon overpower -him. What do you say? Shall we go up?" - -"Just as you say, sir," answered the mate. "But let us first get -something to use as a belaying-pin, in case any body should run foul of -our hawse." - -The fugitives procured two short clubs, and moved out of the woods -toward the cabin. The negro immediately discovered them. At first, he -rolled up his eyes in surprise, and acted very much as if he was about -to retreat; but, after finding that the two sailors were alone, his face -assumed a broad grin, which the fugitives took for a smile of welcome. - -When they had approached within speaking distance, Frank inquired: - -"Well, uncle, is there any chance for a hungry man to get any thing to -eat in here?" - -"Plenty ob it, massa," answered the negro. "Go right in de house." - -The fugitives, far from suspecting any treachery, were about to comply; -but Frank, who was in advance, had scarcely put his foot on the -threshold, when two rebel soldiers sprang out of the cabin, and one of -them, seizing him by the collar, flourished a huge bowie-knife above -his head and demanded his surrender. So sudden was the assault that -Frank, for a moment, was deprived of all power of action. But not so -with the mate, who, retaining his presence of mind, swung his club about -him with a dexterity truly surprising, and brought it down with all the -force of his sturdy arms upon the head of the rebel, who, instantly -releasing his hold, sank to the ground with a low groan. But before he -could repeat the blow, three more soldiers sprang from the cabin, and, -in spite of their struggles, overpowered them; not, however, until the -mate had been stunned by a blow from the butt of a pistol. - -"Wal, I'll be dog-gone!" exclaimed one of the rebels, "but this is a -lucky haul of Yankees. Tom, get some water and throw it into the -captain's face," pointing to their prostrate companion, "an' fetch him -to. The rest of you, get some ropes an' tie these fellers' hands behind -them." - -While the men were executing these orders, Frank had time to scan the -countenances of his captors. They evidently did not belong to the -Wild-cats, for, although that regiment was composed of most -ferocious-looking men, they appeared like gentlemen compared with those -in whose power he now found himself. These were a dirty, ragged, -blood-thirsty looking set of men, and, unless their countenances belied -them, they were capable of any atrocity. - -Presently, the men who had gone into the cabin returned with some pieces -of cord, with which they proceeded to confine the hands of their -prisoners, who offered no resistance. By the time this was accomplished, -the man whom the mate had handled so roughly had been restored to -consciousness, and supported himself against the cabin to collect his -thoughts, while the others stood silently by, as if awaiting his orders. - -"Get every thing ready," he said, at length, "and let the job be done at -once. It needs no judge or jury to decide the fate of these men, -knowing, as we do, what has befallen those of our number who were so -unfortunate as to fall into the hands of the Federals." - -The rebels, in obedience to the order, brought out of the cabin two -pieces of rope, which they took to a tree that stood close by, and, -coiling them up in their hands, threw one end over a limb that -stretched out about six feet from the ground, and fastened them there. - -"Douse my top-lights," exclaimed the mate, as he witnessed these -proceedings, "but it is all up with us, sir. They're going to swing us -to the yard-arm." - -The horrid truth was too apparent, and Frank was so completely unnerved -that he was compelled to lean against the cabin for support. He was soon -aroused by the voice of the leader of the rebels, who said: - -"This is to be done in retaliation for an order issued by Admiral -Porter, stating that he would hang all 'guerrillas,' as he termed them, -who might be caught firing into transports along the river. You can see -the effect of that order right here. Out of a company of a hundred of us -who entered the army at the commencement of the war, you see all that -are left. The remainder have been killed or captured by you gun-boat -men. Those captured have suffered the penalty of that order. They were -no more guerrillas, however, than you are, but were regularly sworn into -the service, and were detailed to harass the enemy in every possible -manner; and, for obeying our orders, some of us have been strung up like -dogs. We shall continue to retaliate on you until our government -receives notice that the order has been countermanded. I will give you -an hour, and at the end of that time you must swing." - -"If you must execute us," said Frank, in a husky voice, "why not let us -die like men, and not like criminals?" - -"My men would have preferred to be shot," said the rebel, "but were not -allowed the privilege of choosing." So saying, the captain turned on his -heel and walked away, while Frank seated himself on the threshold of the -cabin, and repeated his sentence with a calmness that made him think his -senses were leaving him. Could it be possible that he had heard aright, -and that he was in reality a condemned man? When he had entered the -service, the thought that he should be killed had never once occurred to -him. He had fully and confidently expected that he would be permitted to -live to see the end of the war, and to return home to enjoy the society -of his friends once more. Could it be possible, then, that, after -indulging in such bright anticipations, he must end his life in that -desolate place, away from home and friends, in so terrible a manner? He -could not convince himself that it was a reality. But there was the -tree, with the ropes, and the fatal noose at the end, dangling from the -limb; and there were those blood-thirsty looking men lounging in the -shade, and only waiting until the hour granted by their leader should -expire to begin their horrid work. O, the agony of that moment, when he -could look forward and count the very seconds he had to live! An hour! -How often and how lightly had he spoken of it! For an hour in the life -of one moving about at freedom in the world, not knowing when death will -come, and, as is too often the case, scarcely giving the matter a -moment's thought, is a space of time of very little importance; is -carelessly spoken of, and, when passed, no notice is taken of its -flight. But an hour to a person condemned to die, who has heard his -sentence, and who is bound, and watched over by armed men, that he may -not escape from that sentence; who is in the full possession of all his -faculties; who can look abroad upon the beauties of nature, and feel the -soft breeze of heaven fanning his cheek, but who knows that, at the end -of that time, he will be deprived of all these faculties; that his life -will be suddenly and terribly terminated--in the case of such a person, -who can describe the thoughts that "make up the sum of his heart's -fevered existence?" - -It seemed to Frank that scarcely five minutes of the allotted time had -passed, when the leader of the guerrillas arose from the ground where he -had been sitting. The signal was understood by his men, two of whom -approached the prisoners, and conducted them toward the scaffold. The -mate had been encouraged by the example set him by his officer, and both -walked with firm steps; their faces, although pale as death itself, -being as expressionless as marble, and bearing not the slightest trace -of the struggle that was going on within them. Without the least -hesitation they took their stand on a log under the tree, and the fatal -ropes were adjusted. Their farewells had been said, and the leader of -the rebels had made a signal for the log to be removed from under their -feet, when suddenly there was a sound of approaching horsemen, and the -next moment a party of the Wild-cats galloped up, headed by Colonel -Harrison and Lieutenant Somers. A few harshly-spoken orders rung in -Frank's ears; he saw the leader of the guerrillas fall, pierced by a -dozen bullets, and then all was blank to him. - - * * * * * - -Let us now return to the Wild-cats, whom Frank and the mate had so -unceremoniously deserted. - -The escape was not discovered until morning, when the orderly sergeant -went to the cabin to call them. It was scarcely daylight, and quite dark -inside of the cabin, and as the sergeant opened the door, he -vociferated: - -"Come, Yanks! get out of this and get your grub!" - -The echo of his own voice was the only reply he received. After waiting -a moment, he repeated the summons in a louder tone, and still received -no answer. - -"I'll be dog-gone if them ar Yanks don't sleep at the rate of more'n -forty miles an hour," said the sergeant to himself, as he entered the -cabin and commenced feeling around in the dark to find his prisoners. -"Come now, Yanks!" he exclaimed, "none of your tricks. I know you -heered me. Get up, I say, and get your grub, for it is high time we were -movin'." - -Still no answer. The rebel finally threw open the window-shutter, and by -the straggling rays of light that came in, he found, to his utter -amazement, that his prisoners were gone. With one bound he reached the -open air, and without paying any attention to the inquiries of the guard -as to what was the cause of his strange behavior, he started for the -house, where he hurriedly asked for the colonel. - -"What's the matter now, sergeant?" inquired that gentleman, appearing at -the door with his boots in his hand. - -"The prisoners, sir," began the sergeant---- - -"Well, what's the trouble with them?" asked the colonel, who was very -far from guessing the facts of the case. "Won't the lazy Yankees get up? -Punch 'em with your bayonet a little if they get unruly; that will put -life into them, and keep them civil at the same time." - -"I could manage them easy enough, sir, if they were here," answered the -sergeant; "but, sir, they"---- - -"If they were _here_," repeated the colonel, who now began to suspect -the truth. "If they were here! Have you allowed them to escape?" - -"No, sir, we didn't _let_ them; they went without asking us!" - -"A plague on you lazy scoundrels," shouted the colonel, in a rage. "Let -loose that blood-hound at once, and pursue them. No; stop! Tell the -officer of the day that I want to see him." - -The sergeant started off to execute the order; and the colonel, after -pulling on his boots, entered the house, where Lieutenant Somers and the -people of the plantation were assembled, awaiting breakfast. - -"What's the matter, colonel?" inquired the lieutenant. "Any thing -wrong?" - -"Don't bother me with your foolish questions now," replied the colonel -roughly, pacing up and down the floor with angry strides. "It's enough -to upset any one's patience. That little Yankee has escaped again." - -"Escaped!" repeated all in the room, holding up their hands in -astonishment. - -"Yes; escaped--gone--mizzled--cleared out," said the colonel, -frantically flourishing his arms above his head; "and unless I catch -him, which I don't expect to do, I'm short a captain, for he was to have -been exchanged for one of my officers." - -At this moment the officer of the day entered, and the colonel, turning -to him, continued: - -"That rascally little Yankee has escaped again. I thought I had him safe -this time, but he has succeeded in giving me the slip when I least -expected it. That sailor that we captured with him has gone too. Send a -squad in pursuit of them at once. Use the blood-hound, but hold him in -the leash, and don't injure either of the prisoners if you can avoid -it." - -The officer bowed, and left the room; and the colonel, after giving -orders that the case should be investigated, in order to see who was to -blame in allowing the prisoners to escape, mounted his horse, and, -accompanied by Lieutenant Somers, set out in pursuit of the squad, which -had already started and was following the trail of the fugitives, led by -a large blood-hound, which was kept in check by a chain held by one of -the men. In a couple of hours they arrived at the place where Frank and -the mate had been fired upon by the steamer, and here the trail was -lost. After several hours spent in unavailing search, the squad -separated, and, for two days, scoured the country every-where, looking -in vain for traces of the fugitives. - -At the end of that time, the colonel, completely disheartened, collected -his forces, and was returning to the plantation, when they were met by a -negro, in a great state of excitement, who anxiously inquired for the -commanding officer. - -"Get away from me, boy," shouted the colonel, impatiently, "and don't -bother me now." - -"But, sar," persisted the negro, "Massa Thorne done kotched two white -gemman, an' be gwine to kill 'em, shore." - -"Bill Thorne in this part of the country again!" said the colonel. "He'd -better keep clear of me. He and his pack of horse-thieves are more -injury to us than a Yankee gun-boat;" and the colonel, without waiting -to hear any more, put spurs to his horse, and galloped off. - -"These two white men he caught," said Lieutenant Somers, "what were -they? Yankees?" - -The negro replied in the affirmative, and then proceeded to give a full -and complete description of the prisoners, so that the lieutenant knew -in a moment that they were Frank and the mate. After questioning him as -to the locality where the execution was to take place, he galloped down -the road, and soon overtook the colonel, to whom he related the -circumstance. The latter at once ordered part of his men to follow him, -(directing the others to keep on the trail, so that, in case the negro -was misleading them, no time would be lost.) As we have seen, he arrived -just in time to save his prisoners; one moment more, and he would have -been too late. - -The guerrillas were so completely surprised at the approach of the -cavalry, and so dismayed at the death of their leader, that they did not -think of retreat until it was too late. The Wild-cats had surrounded -them, and the sight of half a dozen revolvers leveled at their heads -caused them to throw down their weapons and cry for quarter. - - - - -CHAPTER VIII. - -Taking Down the Captain. - - -When Frank's consciousness returned, he found himself lying on the floor -of the cabin, where the fight had taken place which resulted in his -capture by the guerrillas, his head supported by a dirty blanket, rolled -up to serve as a pillow, and the mate sitting on a three-legged chair -beside him. Through the open door could be seen a squad of the -Wild-cats, lounging under the shade of the trees. - -Slowly the recollection of the scenes through which he had passed, the -sentence he had heard pronounced, the preparations he had seen made for -his execution, came to his mind, and he instinctively put his hand to -his throat, as if expecting to find it encircled by the fatal rope. - -"Are you on an even keel now, my hearty?" asked the mate. - -"Where are the guerrillas, Jack?" asked Frank. "Are we safe?" - -"O yes, we're safe from them, but we are still prisoners." - -At this moment a shaggy head, nearly covered up with a slouch hat, was -thrust in at the door, and a voice inquired: - -"Are you all right now, Yank? If you are, come out here, for we must be -off." - -Frank, although very weak, was able, with the assistance of the mate, to -walk out of the cabin, where they found several of the rebels mounted, -and waiting for them. They were each given a horse, after which the -Wild-cats closed about their prisoners, as if to put all further -attempts at escape out of the question, and conducted them down the road -at a rapid gallop. - -As soon as Frank's ideas had fairly returned, he began to make inquiries -in regard to the singular manner in which he and the mate had been -rescued, and learned that the men by whom they had been captured were -guerrillas, in spite of what they had said to the contrary; that they -made war on rebel as well as Union people, and being especially -obnoxious to Colonel Harrison--from whom they had stolen several -horses--they had been summarily disposed of. At first Frank could -scarcely credit the statement that they had been rescued through the -agency of the very negro to whom they owed their capture; but, after -being assured that such was the case, it occurred to them that their -approach had first been discovered by the rebels in the cabin, and that -the negro, to save his own life, had acted in obedience to their orders; -and then, to make amends for what had at first appeared to be an act of -treachery, he had conveyed the news of their capture to Colonel -Harrison. - -As soon as they had fairly started, the orderly sergeant galloped up -beside Frank, and inquired: - -"Yank, how did you get out of that cabin that night? Nobody don't seem -to know nothing about it." - -"I have already told him, sir," said the mate, "that we walked by the -sentinel when he was asleep; but he don't believe it." - -Frank then proceeded to give an account of the manner in which their -escape had been effected, and as it corresponded with the mate's story, -the sergeant was compelled to believe it. - -"Purty well done," said he. "But, mind you, don't go to tryin' it on -agin, 'cause, if you do, it's the colonel's orders that you both go in -double irons." - -Having delivered this piece of information, the sergeant rode up to the -head of the column. The prisoners did not again attempt to escape, for -they knew that it would be an impossibility. They were closely watched, -not a single movement escaping observation. Wherever they went, two -stalwart rebels were at their heels; and when they slept, their guards -stood over them with loaded muskets. That same evening they overtook the -main body of the regiment, and on the sixth day after their rescue from -the guerrillas, they arrived opposite the village of Napoleon, where the -exchange was to take place. The Ticonderoga was not there, but two days -afterward she made her appearance; and, as soon as she had dropped her -anchor, a boat was seen approaching the shore with a flag of truce -flying in the bow. The colonel waved his handkerchief in reply. As the -boat drew near, Frank saw two men in rebel uniform seated in the -stern-sheets, and he knew, from the remarks made by the Wild-cats, that -one of them was the officer for whom he was to be exchanged. - -As soon as the boat touched the shore, the executive officer sprang out, -followed by the two rebels. After a moment's conversation with the -colonel, the former advanced toward Frank and the mate, and, after -greeting them cordially, exclaimed: - -"Come aboard the ship, boys; you belong to Uncle Sam once more." - -The mate could scarcely believe that he, too, was exchanged. He had -expected nothing less than a long confinement in Vicksburg, or perhaps a -march to Shreveport; but, as it happened, the captain of the Ticonderoga -had found a rebel soldier on board the flag-ship, and had obtained -permission from the admiral to exchange him for the mate. - -"Yes, Yanks," said the colonel, "you are at liberty to make yourselves -scarce as soon as you choose." - -The prisoners lingered only to shake hands with Lieutenant Somers, who -had treated them very kindly, and had often found means to procure them -many little privileges and comforts, and then ran down the bank and -sprang into the boat, which at once pushed from the shore and started -toward the Ticonderoga. As Frank came over the side, the officers -crowded around him, asking innumerable questions in relation to the -treatment he had received while in the hands of the rebels; but he was -scarcely allowed time to answer one-half of their inquiries before he -was summoned into the presence of the captain. - -That gentleman greeted him in the most cordial manner, requesting him to -be seated and relate his adventures. Frank gave a minute description of -the manner in which he had transacted the business intrusted to him with -the flag of truce, his recapture by the Wild-cats, and the circumstances -that had led to the retention of the boatswain's mate; recounted the -plans he had laid for their escape, their reception by the guerrillas, -and, finally, the rescue from a horrible death, to all of which the -captain listened attentively. After Frank had finished, the captain -said: - -"It is, of course, needless to say that I am overjoyed to see you safe -on board the ship again, Mr. Nelson, and that you have returned none -the worse for your sojourn among the rebels. I am especially glad, -because I wish to make you an explanation. You have been misrepresented -to me, and I was very hasty in reprimanding you as I did on the day that -you behaved so gallantly in the fight at Cypress Bend. It was on account -of the report of Mr. Howe, who assumed command of the expedition after -the captain had been killed. His report showed that we had been severely -whipped; and when I learned what a slaughter there had been of the men I -placed under your command, and which I find, upon inquiry, was caused by -the ignorance of your superior officer, and not by any fault of your -own--I say, when I heard of this, I was so completely disheartened that -I scarcely knew what I was about. It was the first time that ever an -expedition that I had planned failed, and also the first time in my life -that I ever gave the order to retreat; and as I had every reason to hope -for success, you can have some idea of how I felt. After you had gone, -many facts came to light, of which no mention was made in Mr. Howe's -report, and with which I was, of course, unacquainted, and I find that -I have done you a great injustice. If ever a man earned a -shoulder-strap, you did at that fight. I have, however, sent in your -application for a court of inquiry, and have also represented the case -to the admiral. As soon as we arrive at the flag-ship, you will report -to him, and he will investigate the case." - -Frank, as can easily be imagined, listened to this statement with a much -lighter heart than when he had received that unjust reprimand. After the -captain had finished questioning him in relation to incidents that had -transpired during his captivity, he left the cabin, and went forward -into the steerage, where he found his mess just sitting down to dinner. - -"Well, Frank," exclaimed Keys, as the former entered and took his place -at the table, "was the captain glad to see you?" - -"Yes, he appeared to be," replied Frank. - -"I thought as much. He has been as uneasy as a fish out of water ever -since you were captured. He told the executive officer that if there was -any thing he had ever done that he regretted, it was that he had given -you that blowing up. He said that he had no right to talk to you as he -did, and that he would make amends for it at the very first -opportunity." - -"Did he?" inquired Mr. French, eagerly. "I was certain that the navy -regulations state distinctly that the captain of a vessel has no right -to reprimand an officer, and that, if he does do it, he can be made to -apologize. He once gave me a blowing up, and said that I was of no more -account on this ship than an extra boiler; and, if he has apologized to -Mr. Nelson, he must do the same by me. I'll go and see him immediately -after dinner." - -The effect of this speech on the older members of the mess can be easily -imagined. They looked at Mr. French for a moment, to see if he was -really in earnest, and then burst into a fit of the most uproarious -laughter. The idea of forcing the captain of a gun-boat to apologize to -one of his subordinate officers for administering a reprimand that he -really deserved, was ludicrous in the extreme. Mr. Keys was the only one -who could keep a straight face. He, with his ready wit, at once saw that -here was a capital chance to satisfy his love of mischief. He dropped -his knife and fork, looked first at one, then at another, and, when the -noise had subsided, said, quietly: - -"I don't see where the laugh comes in. Perhaps some of you gentlemen -think that an officer has no right to demand an apology from a superior! -Then I can tell you that you are very much mistaken, for I have got the -whole thing in black and white, copied from the navy regulations; and, -if I was in Mr. French's place, I would make the captain take back what -he said, or I would report him." - -We must pause here, for a moment, to say that the result of Mr. French's -interview with the captain, when the former had complained that his rank -was not respected, had become known. Mr. Keys, who had overheard every -word of it, and who was one of those uneasy, mischief-loving fellows who -always liked to see some one in hot water, considered the joke as too -good to be kept, and had told it, confidentially of course, first to -this officer, then to that one, until every person on board the ship had -become acquainted with the particulars; and thus far Mr. French had been -compelled to bear the jokes of his messmates without any chance of -obtaining redress. However, he had discovered it at last. The captain -had apologized to Frank, and he must do the same by him, if he wished to -keep out of trouble. He was certain that he should succeed this time, -for he knew that Keys had been in the service long enough to become well -acquainted with its rules and regulations, and there was such apparent -truthfulness and sincerity in what he said, that Mr. French was certain -of bringing the captain to terms. - -"Yes, sir," repeated Keys; "if my superior officer abuses me, I shall -seek redress. Because a man wears three or four stripes of gold lace -around his arms, he has no right to impose upon me." - -"I shall see the captain about it as soon as I have finished my dinner," -said Mr. French, decidedly. - -"You had better let that job out," said the caterer, who, being a very -quiet, staid sort of a person, did not wish to see any disturbance. "You -will remember that you got a blowing up once for not taking my advice. I -have been in the navy longer than you, and you had better listen to -me." - -"I know that you have more experience than myself," answered French; -"but that experience doesn't tell you that a captain can use me as he -pleases. I have rank as well as he has. Besides, you see, I have the -advantage this time." - -"Yes, sir," chimed in Keys, winking at Frank, who struggled hard to -suppress a laugh, "and, if you will only push the matter, you will see -some fun on this ship." - -Here the subject was dropped. Immediately after dinner was finished, as -usual, the officers all congregated under the awning on the main-deck. -Mr. French walked up and down the deck, conversing earnestly with his -two friends, who, entirely ignorant of what might be the consequences of -such a step, were urging him to seek an interview with the captain, to -demand an apology, which would certainly be given, and would show the -ship's company that they _had_ rank, and that it must be respected. - -Frank had for some time missed Keys, and was wondering what had become -of him, when he discovered that individual on his hands and knees behind -the pilot-house, beckoning eagerly. Frank walked toward him carelessly, -so as not to attract the attention of Mr. French and his friends, and, -as he came up, Keys said, in a hurried whisper: - -"See here, Nelson; you know I told French that I had the rules and -regulations all copied down in my order-book. Now, it has just occurred -to me that he might want to see them; so I want to write something to -show him. I can't get to my room without his seeing me, so I wish you -would lend me your key." - -Frank accordingly produced it; but his conscience reproved him when he -thought in what an unpleasant position his friend was endeavoring to -place Mr. French. - -"Look here, Keys," said he, "I propose that you don't carry this joke -any further. It will get the poor greenhorn in a bad fix." - -"I can't help it," returned Keys. "I have often volunteered to give him -advice, and have tried to convince him that if he ever wants to -understand his business he must make use of somebody's experience -besides his own. But he has always snapped me up very short. Now, if he -wants to learn by experience, I'll help him all I can." - -So saying, Keys crawled off on his hands and knees toward Frank's room, -where he locked himself in, and the latter returned to the main-deck. -About an hour afterward Keys made his appearance, walking rapidly across -the deck, as if searching for something that he was in a great hurry to -find, and thus attracted the attention of Mr. French and his two -friends, who took him familiarly by the arm and led him forward, out of -ear-shot of the other officers, who were still seated on the main-deck. - -"See here, Keys," said French, "I understood you to say that you had the -regulations in relation to the treatment of subordinate officers, copied -in your order-book. Will you allow me to look at them?" - -"Ah, yes," said Keys, "I remember. Here's something that relates to it;" -and he produced his memorandum-book, and pointed to an article hastily -written in lead pencil, which ran as follows: - - "_And be it further enacted_: That, as in the maintenance of his - authority over his officers on shipboard, it is rendered necessary - that the commanding officer should, in all cases, treat his - subordinates as gentlemen, all harsh words from a commanding - officer to an officer of lower grade are hereby strictly - prohibited; and in all cases where the commander is guilty of a - violation of this act, the person aggrieved shall be, and is - hereby, authorized to seek redress." - -"There, gentlemen," exclaimed Mr. French, after he had carefully read -the article, "is an act of the American Congress, which authorizes me to -seek redress. All harsh words in the navy are strictly forbidden; and if -the captain does not apologize for what he said to me, I'll report him." - -"You will please excuse me, gentlemen, for the present," said Keys, who -was finding it exceedingly difficult to control himself. "The turret -must be got ready for inspection at sundown;" and, thrusting the book in -his pocket, he walked rapidly below. - -Mr. French immediately moved aft, and, drawing himself up very stiffly, -said to the orderly: - -"Tell the captain that I have business with him." - -The marine disappeared, and soon returned with a request that he would -walk into the cabin. The captain was seated at his table, writing; but, -as the mate entered, he dropped his pen, turned in his chair, and -waited for him to make known his wants. - -"Captain," began Mr. French, hesitatingly, for he scarcely knew how to -commence the conversation, "I--I--I--have been reading the navy -regulations, and I find that I have been abused." - -"Who has abused you, sir?" - -"Well, you see, sir," began the mate---- - -"I asked you who had been abusing you, sir," interrupted the captain. -"Answer my question, and make your explanations afterward." - -"Well, sir, to come to the point, you have abused me, sir." - -The captain started back in surprise, and looked at the mate for several -moments, as if to make sure that he was in his right mind, and then -quietly asked: - -"How have I abused you, sir?" - -"In reprimanding me, sir. The navy regulations distinctly state that a -commanding officer has no right to use harsh words to his subordinates; -and I demand an apology." - -"Can you furnish me with a copy of those regulations?" - -"Yes, sir; Mr. Keys has them," replied the mate; and he left the cabin, -and commenced searching for that individual. - -We should remark that Mr. Keys was pretty well aware that he would be -likely to get himself into hot water. Wishing to delay the interview -between himself and the captain as long as possible, he had retreated to -the hold, where he appeared to be very busily engaged; but, as soon as -Mr. French made known his errand, he readily produced his book, glad -indeed that he was to be let off without seeing the captain. The mate -carried it into the cabin. The captain read over the article several -times, and then arose from his seat, and, going to one of the -after-ports, appeared to be busily engaged with his own thoughts. Mr. -French stood watching him with a smile of triumph, certain that the -captain had been worsted, and that he would soon receive the required -apology; but, had he been a keen observer, he would have seen that the -captain was convulsed with laughter, which he was vainly endeavoring to -conceal. He easily saw through the trick, and it reminded him of the -days when he was a midshipman, and had been implicated in similar -jokes. - -"Mr. French," said he, at length, "you may retire for a few moments. I -will send for you presently. Orderly, tell Mr. Keys that I wish to see -him." - - - - -CHAPTER IX. - -A Practical Joke. - - -Mr. Keys, who began to be really afraid that the plan he had adopted for -assisting his green messmate to "learn by experience" was about to -rebound with redoubled force on his own head, was found by the orderly -in earnest conversation with Frank, to whom he always went for advice. - -"It's getting hot, Nelson," said he. "What shall I do? I'm in for my -share of the rations this time, sure." - -"Make a clean breast of it," replied Frank. "You will only get yourself -in trouble if you do not, for the captain knows exactly how the matter -stands." - -The mate had already determined to make a full confession; but, -nevertheless, his feelings, as he entered the cabin, were not of the -most pleasant nature. His reception, however, was far different from -what he had expected. The captain, as we have seen, was one of the most -reasonable men in the world, if approached in the proper manner, and if -he saw that an officer endeavored to do his duty, he was very patient -with him; if he found that a reprimand was necessary, it was -administered in the most friendly manner; but if he once took it into -his head that an officer had willfully, or through negligence, omitted a -portion of his duty, then, as the ship's company used to remark, it was -"stand from under." Mr. Keys was a great favorite with the captain, as -he was with all his brother officers, who admired his dashing style and -his good-natured disposition. He was never idle, but was always hurrying -about the ship, as if the well-being of every person on board depended -upon himself, and, as a consequence, his duty was always done, and the -deck of which he had charge was kept in the nicest order. - -As he entered the cabin the captain greeted him with a smile. Pointing -to a chair, he inquired, as he commenced turning over the leaves of the -memorandum-book: - -"Mr. Keys, is this some of your work?" - -"Yes, sir," answered the mate. - -"Well, what in the world possessed you to hoodwink Mr. French in this -manner?" - -"Because, sir, he has often informed me, when I have undertaken to -instruct him, that he wishes to learn every thing by experience, sir. I -have been assisting him." - -"Do you think he has improved any with your help?" - -"Yes, sir; he has learned that his authority in the mess-room is not -equal to that of the caterer." - -"Well, I thought you had a hand in that affair," said the captain, "and -now I wish to give you a piece of advice. I, myself, have often been in -such scrapes as this, and have been brought up with a round turn. This -reminds me of a little incident that happened while I was a midshipman -on the Colorado. The story has grown old by this time, but it will be -considered a good one as long as the navy shall exist. There were eight -of us in the mess, and while we were lying at the navy-yard we had -nothing to do but to play tricks upon each other, and upon every one who -came in our way. Our ship was commanded by a commodore who never -bothered his head about us so long as we remained within bounds. As is -always the case, we abused our privileges, grow's bolder by degrees, -until finally the commodore taught us a lesson that we never forgot. - -"One pleasant afternoon, as we were lounging about the decks, waiting -for something to turn up, we saw a green-looking specimen of humanity -come over the side, and, in an instant, were on the alert. He, probably, -had never been on board of a man-o'-war before, for he stared with open -mouth at every thing he saw. Here was a chance for us, and as soon as -the officer of the deck had walked aft, out of sight, we collared the -countryman, and led him back to our mess-room. - -"'By gum, but you have got every thing nice here,' said he. 'I'd like -this better than workin' on a farm.' - -"'Ah, you ought to go up in the commodore's cabin if you want to see -something nice,' said a midshipman, who was our leader in all sorts of -mischief. 'But, look here, my friend, if you wish to remain with us, you -must have on a uniform. No civilians are allowed to stay here.' - -"We all took this as a hint, and commenced rigging the Yankee out in -our clothes. One furnished him with a coat, another a pair of pants, -another a cap, and I gave him a sword that had just been presented to -me. - -"'Now,' said our leader, 'do you want a good dinner--one of the very -best?' - -"'Sartin,' replied the countryman. 'Got any?' - -"'No; but the commodore has, and it is just about his dinner time.' - -"We then explained to him that he must go up to the cabin and tell the -commodore that he had just been ordered to the ship; and, in accordance -with his usual custom, the old gentleman would be certain to invite him -to dinner. - -"'He is very cross sometimes,' said we, 'but don't be at all afraid of -him--he doesn't mean any thing. Talk to him as though he was your -father.' - -"'By gum, I kin do that,' said the Yankee, and off he walked, while we -took up a position where we could hear and see all that passed. - -"The commodore was seated at his desk, writing, and the countryman at -once walked up to him, slapped him familiarly on the shoulder, and -shouted: - -"'Hullo, ole hoss! how de do? Shake hands with a feller, won't ye?' - -"The commodore looked up in surprise, and ejaculated: - -"'Eh! What do you want here? Get out of this. Away you go.' - -"'O no, ole hoss, not by a long shot,' replied the Yankee, coolly -seating himself in the nearest chair. 'Them ar young fellers down stairs -told me to come up here and git some dinner; and, by gravy, I ain't -goin' till I git it; so fetch it on.' - -"Of course, it was as plain as daylight to the commodore that we were at -the bottom of the whole affair, for the countryman never would have had -the audacity to act in such a manner, unless some one had put him up to -it, and he determined to punish us in a manner that we had not thought -of. - -"'Look here, my man,' said he, 'do you see that soldier out there?' -pointing to a marine that was pacing back and forth before the gangway. -'Well, he has got a loaded musket, and unless you get off this ship -instantly, he will shoot you. Now, away you go, you land-lubber, and -don't stop to talk to any body.' - -"We saw our victim moving off, and were convulsed with laughter at what -we considered to be the best joke we had ever perpetrated. We supposed, -of course, that he would return with our clothes, but you can imagine -our astonishment when we saw him walk down the gang-plank and out on to -the wharf. We held a hurried consultation, and then I started for the -cabin, and, making my best bow, asked permission to step ashore for a -moment. - -"'No, sir,' replied the commodore; 'no shore liberty is to be granted -to-day.' - -"In short, we all lost our clothing--every thing that we had loaned the -countryman--and a more crest-fallen set of midshipmen one never saw. We -endeavored to keep the affair a secret, but the commodore told it to the -first lieutenant, and from him it soon spread, until the entire ship's -company were acquainted with the particulars. We were very careful after -that, and never undertook to play any more jokes on the commodore. There -are many things objectionable in this custom--for I can call it nothing -else--which is so general among young officers, of playing off tricks -upon each other; and your jokes are getting a little too practical. If -you must indulge in them, I wish you would endeavor to keep them out of -the cabin, for I don't like to be bothered. That will do, sir." - -Mr. Keys retired, highly pleased with the result of his interview with -the captain, and went straight to Frank, to whom he related every thing, -and showed him the sham "regulation" in his memorandum-book, which had -been the cause of so much merriment. - -Mr. French was soon afterward seen to emerge from the cabin, where he -had listened to a lengthy lecture, containing advice which, if followed, -would in future prevent all difficulty. Of course, all the officers were -soon made acquainted with the affair, and many were the inquiries, in -Mr. French's hearing, as to what kind of an apology the captain had -made. It is needless to say that he was fully convinced that "experience -is a hard taskmaster," and that it is well enough, especially on -shipboard, to take advice. - -A few days after the events which we have just been relating transpired, -the Ticonderoga arrived at Yazoo River. In obedience to his orders, -Frank reported on board the flag-ship. Owing to a press of business, it -was nearly a week before the court of inquiry was convened. Scarcely an -hour was passed in the examination of the witnesses, during which time -the main facts of the case were developed, Frank completely vindicated, -and Mr. Howe, who had reported him, was sent on board of ship in -disgrace. The same evening the former received his promotion as acting -ensign, accompanied by orders to report on board of the Trenton for -duty. - -"I am very glad, for your sake, Mr. Nelson," said the captain, "to be -able to give you this promotion, but very sorry for my own. I regret -exceedingly that you are detached from this vessel, but it is something -over which I have no control. I am perfectly satisfied with your conduct -since you have been with me. If you will attend to your duties in future -as well as you have since you have been here, I will answer for your -rapid advancement." - - - - -CHAPTER X. - -New Messmates. - - -The next morning, immediately after quarters, the second cutter was -called away; and Frank, after seeing his luggage safely stowed away in -her, shook hands with his brother officers, who had gathered on the -quarter-deck to see him off, and started toward his new vessel. - -The cutter had made, perhaps, a dozen yards from the Ticonderoga, when -Frank observed a commotion among the crew assembled on the main-deck, -and the old mate, mounting one of the boat-davits, shouted: - -"Three cheers for Mr. Nelson!" - -The cheers were given with a will, and Frank answered them by taking off -his cap. It was one of the happiest moments of his life. He knew that -while attached to the Ticonderoga he had endeavored to do his whole -duty. The shoulder-straps which he wore showed that his services had -been appreciated by the captain, and the hearty expression of good -feeling which had just been exhibited by the men, afforded abundant -proof that he had left no enemies among them. - -When he arrived alongside of the Rover, he found the officer of the -deck, boatswain's mate, and side-boys standing on the after-guard, and -Frank was "piped over the side" with all the ceremony due his rank. It -made him feel a little embarrassed at first, for never before had so -much respect been shown him. But he knew that he had won the uniform he -wore by hard knocks, and was more entitled to this honor than those who -sported ensign's shoulder-straps which had been obtained, not by any -skill or bravery of their own, but by the influence of friends at home. - -Frank made known his business, and was immediately shown down into the -cabin. The captain, who had often met him on board of the Ticonderoga, -and who had heard of his exploits, greeted him cordially, and was glad -to learn that he had received such an acquisition to his crew. When he -had endorsed Frank's orders, he sent for the chief engineer, to whom he -introduced him, with a request that he might be made acquainted with the -other officers of his mess; after which Frank was shown to his room, -whither his luggage was soon conveyed. - -Just before supper he was introduced to the officers belonging to the -ward-room mess; but when he had seated himself at the table, and -listened a few moments to the conversation that followed, he found that -some of his new messmates went by names very different from those by -which they had been introduced. One of the ensigns, whose name was -Andrews, was known as Count Timbertoes, from the very dignified manner -in which he always conducted himself, and from his wooden-leg style of -progression. - -The executive officer, whose name was Short, answered to its -opposite--Long; and sometimes, behind his back, he was called "Windy." -Frank was not long in discovering why it was that such a name had been -given him, for he was certainly the most talkative man he had ever met; -and when asked the most simple question, instead of answering it by a -plain Yes or No, he would "beat about the bush," and deliver a regular -oration on the subject. He had a great command of language, and seemed -desirous of making every one whom he met acquainted with the fact. - -The paymaster went by the name of Young Methuselah. He was a man about -twenty-seven years of age, but the account kept by one of the engineers, -who messed in the steerage, made him about two hundred and eighty years -old. There was scarcely a trade or profession in the world that, -according to his own account, he had not followed for five or ten years. -He had been a shoemaker, a painter, a grocer, a horse-jockey, and an -editor; had practiced medicine, traveled in Europe, and, when a mere -boy, had been master of as fine a vessel as ever sailed out of Boston. -He was a "self-made man," he said, and early in life had started out -with the intention of seeing the world. This was the reason he gave for -following so many different occupations. - -Unlike the rest of the officers, he disliked very much the name they had -given him, and had often complained to the caterer of the mess, and -finally to the captain. The former took no measures to correct it, and -the latter "didn't want to be troubled with mess affairs," and so the -paymaster was compelled to bear his troubles, which he did with a very -bad grace, that only made matters tenfold worse. It was a noticeable -fact, however, that, whenever any of the officers were in need of money, -he was always addressed as _Mr._ Harris, but as soon as the money had -been obtained, or the safe was empty, he was plain Methuselah again. - -The chief-engineer's name was Cobbs, but he went by the name of -Gentleman Cobbs, from the fact that he was always dressed in the height -of fashion, sported his gold-headed cane and patent-leather boots about -decks, and had never been known to "do a stitch of work" since he had -been on board the vessel. - -These names were, of course, applied only in the mess-room, for the -captain was a regular naval officer, a very strict disciplinarian, and -any such familiarity on deck would have brought certain and speedy -punishment on the offender. On the whole, Frank was very well pleased -with his new messmates; they seemed to be a set of generous, -good-natured men, and, aside from the grumbling of the paymaster, which -was kept up without intermission from morning until night, but which -received no attention from the other members of the mess, every thing -passed off smoothly. The ward-room was kept scrupulously clean and neat, -and the manner in which all the delicacies of the season were served up -bore testimony to the fact that, although Gentleman Cobbs was very much -averse to work, he well understood the business of catering, and was -fond of good living. - -After dinner, the officers belonging to both the steerage and ward-room -messes congregated on the main-deck, under the awning, to smoke. During -the conversation the carpenter, who went by the name of "Chips," -remarked, as he wiped the big drops of perspiration from his forehead: - -"This boat is intolerable. I would like to be where I was six years ago -this summer." - -"Where was that?" - -"I was in a whale-ship, off the coast of Greenland. I was tired enough -of it then, but now I'd like to have just one breath of air off those -icebergs." - -"So would I," said the paymaster. "It would be so refreshing." - -At this, a little, dumpy man, who had sat lolling back in his chair, -with his hat pushed down over his eyes, and his cigar, which he had -allowed to go out, pointing upward toward his left cheek, started up, -and carelessly inquired: - -"Were you ever there, sir?" - -"Yes, when I was a youngster. I went up there just to see the country. I -spent five years on the voyage." - -The dumpy man made no answer, but there was a roguish twinkle in his -eye, as he drew a little memorandum-book from his pocket, and, after -deliberately placing it on his knee, proceeded to make the following -entry, on a page which was headed "Chronological Tables," and which was -covered on one side with writing, and on the other by a long column of -figures: - - Paymaster spent on voyage to Greenland 5 years. - -After adding up the column of figures, he closed the book and returned -it to his pocket. Then, turning to the paymaster, he quietly remarked: - -"Four hundred and eighty-five years old! That's doing well-extremely -well. You don't look as old as that, sir. You won't find one man in five -hundred hold his age as well as you do." - -The effect of this speech on the officers sitting around was ludicrous -in the extreme, and had the party been in the mess-room the dumpy man -might possibly have been obliged to "run a race" with a boot-jack, or -any other missile that came handy to the paymaster; but as it was, the -latter was compelled to choke down his wrath, and leave the deck. - -Frank also found that these strange cognomens were common in the -steerage; one, in particular, he noticed. It was a master's mate, who -went by the name of "Nuisance." He was as "green" as he could possibly -be, and, although he seemed to try hard to learn his duty, was -continually getting himself into trouble. He had a room off the -quarter-deck, (the same that Frank was to occupy,) but seemed to prefer -any other room than his own; for, when off watch, he would take -possession of the first bunk that suited his fancy; and, not -unfrequently, boots, neck-ties, collars, etc., which had been missed, -were found upon his person. It was not his intention to _steal_ them, -for the articles were always returned after he had worn them to his -satisfaction. If an officer went into his room to write, or to engage in -any other business at which he did not wish to be disturbed, the mate -was sure to be on hand, and hints were of no avail; nothing but a direct -"Clear out--I don't want you in here," would have the desired effect. It -was this habit that had given him the name he bore. One would suppose -that after receiving so many rebuffs he would cease to trouble his -brother officers; but he seemed to be very dull of comprehension. The -executive officer scolded him continually. Finding that it did no good, -the officers were obliged, as a last resort, to keep their rooms locked. -Had the mate been of a surly, unaccommodating disposition, he would not -have got off so easily; but no one could have the heart to report him, -for every one liked him. He was always cheerful, ready to do any one a -favor, and was generous to a fault. Frank at once took a liking to his -new room-mate, but, having been duly instructed by the others, he took -particular pains to keep all his wearing apparel, when not in use, -safely locked in his trunk. - - - - -CHAPTER XI. - -A Good Night's Work. - - -Frank's past history soon became known to every one on board the -Trenton, for several of the crew had acquaintances on board of the -Ticonderoga, and when they were allowed liberty, had taken pains to -inquire into the character of their new officer. He was scarcely allowed -time to become settled down in his new quarters, before he was given an -opportunity to establish his reputation among his messmates. Information -was received that the rebels were intending to cross a large body of -cavalry about twenty miles above the Yazoo River, and the Trenton was -ordered up the Mississippi to prevent it, if possible. - -For several days they patrolled the river near the suspected point, but -nothing unusual was seen; neither could any intelligence of the -contemplated move be obtained from the people on shore. There were -several houses on the beat, and in one of them lived a Frenchman, who, -as he said, having claimed the protection of his own country, was not -compelled to bear arms; neither was he at all interested in the war. It -was near his house, however, that the crossing of the cavalry was to -take place, and the captain of the Trenton thought that this neutral -Frenchman would bear watching. - -Although there were several white women on the premises, he was the only -man who had been seen; and he seemed to be in constant anxiety lest the -rebels should confiscate a large drove of cattle he had at a pasture -back in the country, and was in the habit of riding out twice each week -to "see to them," as he said. There was something suspicious in this, -for persons as much in want of provisions as the rebels were reported to -be--as they had gathered up all the stock in the country for miles -around Vicksburg--would not be likely to respect such property, although -it did belong to a neutral. - -The captain and his officers mingled freely with the people, who -appeared to be eager to communicate all the plans of the rebels with -which they had become acquainted. Frank, as usual, was on the watch; and -if he sometimes paid a visit to the house, he was more frequently seen -questioning the negroes--of whom there were about half a dozen on the -plantation, the others having been compelled to leave their master to -work on the fortifications--who were either profoundly ignorant of what -was going on, or else were true rebels. There was one negro, in -particular, in whom the young officer was interested. He was a tall, -muscular fellow, black as midnight, about whom there was a kind of -sneaking, hangdog look that Frank did not like. He always accompanied -his master on his trips to attend his cattle, and Frank felt confident -that if any one about the plantation knew of any thing suspicious going -on, it was this negro; but, in spite of his efforts, he could not find -an opportunity to talk with him, for the negro was generally in the -company of his master, and, when alone, seemed to take particular pains -to avoid the young officer. This was enough to arouse his suspicions, -and he determined to watch him closely. He reported the matter to the -captain, who readily granted his request that he might be allowed to -spend his time, when off watch, on shore. - -A week passed, but nothing had been developed. At length, one morning -the Frenchman prepared to pay his usual visit to the country. The negro -was to accompany him, and as Frank saw them about to move off, he -inquired, carelessly: - -"Haven't you got another horse? If you have, I should like to go with -you." - -"O, no," answered the man, quickly, "I have no other horse; and if I -had, it wouldn't do for you to go, for you would certainly get -captured." - -This set Frank to thinking. The Frenchman had often told him that there -were no rebels in that section of the country, and now his excuse for -not wanting company was that Frank would be captured. There was -something suspicious in this. After seeing the man depart, he hailed the -ship for a boat, and as soon as he arrived on board, sought an interview -with the captain. - -"I do not believe, sir," said he, "that this Frenchman owns any stock in -the country. It is my opinion that he goes out there to hold -communication with the rebels. He's a sort of spy and messenger-boy, -and relies on his nationality to protect him from suspicion." - -Frank then related the particulars of what had transpired at the house, -and the captain readily agreed with him. But the question was, how to -proceed, in order to ascertain what was going on, and what kind of -information was furnished the rebels. It was impossible to follow the -men on their trips without being discovered; neither was it policy to -seize the man, accuse him of treachery, and compel him to confess the -truth, for the plot, whatever it was, might not be completed, and it -might be necessary to keep the Frenchman in ignorance of the fact that -his complicity with the rebels had become known, in order that, when the -work was completed, it might be finished up entirely. - -"Well, to tell the truth," said the captain, rising from his chair and -pacing up and down the cabin, "I really don't know how to act. That -something is wrong, I have long been satisfied; but I don't know how to -go to work to find out what it is." - -"I believe I can find it out, sir," said Frank, who, with his usual -promptness, had determined upon a plan. "They will return this afternoon -about three o'clock, and, with your permission, I'll see what I can do." - -"Very well," replied the captain, in a tone which showed that he did not -anticipate his success. "Go ahead; but be careful not to excite their -suspicions." - -Such a commission as this--something requiring skill and judgment--was -just what suited Frank, and, having laid his plans, he felt confident of -success. At half-past two a boat was called away, and he, in company -with the mate--both armed with revolvers--went on shore. Frank walked up -to the house and seated himself on the portico, while the mate, -previously instructed, strolled off toward the barn. - -There were two officers in the house belonging to the vessel, and Frank -had spent but a few moments in conversation with them, when the -Frenchman and the negro rode up. The former dismounted and greeted the -officers with apparent cordiality, but Frank scarcely noticed him, for -his eyes were upon the negro, who rode off toward the barn to put up the -horses. Frank arose from his seat and followed slowly after him. As the -officers were accustomed to roam wherever they pleased about the -plantation, no notice was taken of his movements. When he reached the -barn where the negro was unsaddling the horses, he entered and closed -the door behind him. The negro became terrified when he found himself -thus confronted, for suspicions that he and his master had been -discovered instantly flashed across his mind. - -"Ah, I know that you are guilty, you rascal," said Frank, triumphantly, -as he noticed the man's trepidation. "Come here; I want to have a few -moments' conversation with you on a very important subject. Come here." - -The negro dropped the saddle which he had just taken from one of the -horses, and stood for a moment undecided how to act; then springing -forward like a tiger, he thrust the officer aside, and endeavored to -open the door. Quick as thought, Frank grappled with him, but the negro -was a most powerful fellow, and would no doubt have succeeded in -escaping, had not the mate sprang from a manger, where he had lain -concealed, and felled him to the floor with a blow from the butt of his -revolver. For some time he lay insensible, in spite of the buckets of -water which were dashed over him; but at length he began to recover. -When he was able to sit up, the mate stationed himself at the door to -guard against surprise, and Frank proceeded to interrogate the negro. - -"In the first place," said he, "I guess you have found that we are in -earnest, haven't you?" - -The negro felt of his head, but made no reply. - -"Now," continued Frank, "unless you answer every question I ask you, -I'll take you on board the ship as a prisoner. What do you and your -master go out into the country for, twice every week?" - -The negro still remained silent, and Frank, finally growing impatient, -exclaimed, "Here, Jack, take this scoundrel on board the ship; I guess -we can find means to make him open his mouth." - -"O, my master will kill me," whimpered the negro, trembling violently. -"If I don't tell you every thing, you will kill me; and if I do, my -master will kill me, too; so I shall die any way." - -"No you won't; just tell me the truth, and I'll see that no one harms -you. Your master need know nothing about it; we shall not be likely to -tell him. Now, what is there out in the country that you go to see so -often?" - -"Torpedoes," replied the negro, in a low voice, gazing about the barn -with a frightened air, as if he expected to see his master appear before -him in some magical manner. - -"Torpedoes!" repeated Frank. "Where are they?" - -"In a little creek about six miles from here." - -"Who is making them? Are there any rebels there?" - -"Yes; there is a colonel, major, and lieutenant there; but my master's -black men are doing the work." - -By adroit questioning--for the negro was very careful to answer no -further than he was asked--Frank finally gleaned the whole particulars. -One piece of information troubled him not a little, and that was, an -attempt was soon to be made to blow up the Trenton. He also learned the -number of the torpedoes, the manner of operating with them, and other -particulars that will soon appear. He was then as much puzzled as ever, -and paced the floor of the barn, undecided how to act. The time set for -the sinking of the Trenton was Friday night, (it was then Thursday), and -as information of her movements was every day conveyed to the rebels, -the question was, how to keep them in ignorance that their plot had been -discovered, so that the work might be carried on as usual. There was, -apparently, but one way, and that was to hold out inducements to the -negro. - -"See here," Frank suddenly exclaimed, "you are between two fires now." - -"I know that," replied the negro, well aware that he was in a most -precarious situation; "I know that. But what am I to do?" - -"Well, this is what you must do," answered Frank; "go off and attend to -your business, just as you did before. Of course you won't be foolish -enough to say a word about this meeting to any one around the -plantation; but if every thing does not transpire to-morrow night just -as you said it would, I shall think that you have been telling some one, -and that the plot is discovered, and then you're a goner. But if you -will assist me, I will take care of you; I will take you on board the -ship, and make a free man of you." - -The negro, who had been worked up to the highest pitch of terror at the -turn affairs were taking, brightened up when the words "free man" struck -his ear, and Frank, who was a pretty good judge of human nature, could -easily read what was passing in his mind, and knew that in the negro he -had a faithful coadjutor. - -"Now, if you are certain that you understand what I mean," said he, "be -off. Go out the back door, so that no one will see you from the house; -and remember that your freedom depends upon the manner in which you -behave yourself." - -The negro arose from the floor, and speedily made his exit. After -waiting long enough to allow him to reach the house, Frank and the mate -slipped out of the front door. Giving the negro quarters a wide berth, -they approached the house in a different direction from that in which -they had left it. - -The mate had been instructed to keep the affair a profound secret, for, -now that they had succeeded in working out so much of the plot, they -wished to have the honor of completing it. - -After a few moments' conversation with the Frenchman at the house, they -repaired on board the vessel. - -"I have returned, sir," said Frank, as he entered the cabin. - -"So I see," replied the captain, good-humoredly, "and have, I suppose, -accomplished nothing." - -"No, sir; I can't say that," answered Frank, guardedly. "I HAVE -accomplished considerable. I know that the Frenchman is a spy; that he -has daily communication with the rebels, and that his story of visiting -his stock in the country is nonsense. He has about as many cattle there -as I have." - -"Have you indeed succeeded?" inquired the captain, in surprise. - -"Well, no, sir, not entirely," replied Frank, who did not know how much -it was best to tell the captain. "I have learned more than that, but it -takes time to complete the work. Before I go further, sir, I should like -authority to manage the affair myself. After I have gone as far as I -have, I shouldn't like to be superseded." - -"That was not my intention. No one shall be placed over you. If you can -accomplish any thing more, do it. But what else did you hear?" - -Frank then related the result of the interview between himself and the -negro, and then left the cabin, with repeated assurances that his plans -for capturing the rebels should not be interfered with. - -The next day, it seemed to Frank, moved on laggard wings; but afternoon -came at length. He then went on shore, and after having learned from the -negro that every thing was working as nicely as could be wished, -returned, and commenced making his preparations for the night's work. At -eight o'clock he again left the vessel in a small skiff, with two -negroes for a crew, and the mate shortly followed in the cutter, with -twenty men, all well armed. The former held up the river, and the cutter -pulled in an opposite direction. The officers of the ship were, of -course, very much surprised at these movements. As they had not been -informed of what was going on, they thronged the forward part of the -deck, watching the expedition as long as it remained in sight. - -The night was dark as pitch, but it could not have been better for their -purpose; and Frank was highly delighted at the handsome manner in which -all his plans were working, and which promised complete success. He held -his course up the river until he arrived at a small creek whose mouth -was almost concealed by thick bushes and trees. He boldly entered this -creek, but had not proceeded far when a voice hailed: - -"Who comes there?" - -"Death to the Yankees," promptly replied Frank. - -"Why, you're half an hour ahead of time," said the voice. "Didn't the -Yanks see you as you came up?" - -"I'll wager a good deal they did," said another voice. "It would be just -our luck to have the whole affair knocked in the head. But we'll make -the attempt, any way. Come up here." - -It was so dark in the creek that Frank could scarcely see his hand -before him; but he knew pretty well who it was addressing him. Pulling -up the creek, in obedience to the order, he came in sight of a boat -lying close to the bank, in the shade of the bushes that hung out over -the water. In this boat were seated three men, two of whom were holding -in their hands several ropes that led to a dark object that lay in the -water astern of the skiff. - -"Here's the torpedo," said one of the men, as Frank came alongside, and -as he spoke he passed the ropes over to the young officer. "Just drop -silently down the river as far as you can without being discovered, and -then cast off the torpedo, and let it float down on to the Trenton. -We'll go up on the bank and watch the experiment." - -"Gentlemen," said Frank, suddenly pulling a brace of revolvers from his -pocket, "you are my prisoners." - -As he spoke, the negroes threw down their oars and sprang into the -skiff. Before the rebels could draw a weapon, they were powerless in the -strong grasp of Frank's sable coadjutors. The prisoners were the colonel -and major of whom the negro at the plantation had spoken. The third -person in the boat was one of the Frenchman's slaves, who had rowed the -boat down the creek for the rebels. He had jumped to his feet as if -about to escape, but had been collared by one of Frank's negroes, and -thrown into the bottom of the boat, where the fear of the revolvers kept -him quiet. - -"What's the meaning of all this?" asked the colonel, as he struggled -furiously to free himself. - -[Illustration] - -"It means," replied Frank, coolly, "that you are prisoners in the hands -of those you sought to destroy. So surrender yourselves without any more -fuss. Make their hands fast, boys." - -The negroes, who seemed to be well prepared, drew from their pockets -several pieces of stout cord, with which they proceeded to tie the arms -of the rebels, who, finding that escape was impossible, submitted to the -operation without any further resistance. As soon as they were secured, -Frank made the torpedo fast to the bank, after which he and his men, -with the prisoners, disembarked, and commenced marching toward the -house. They had proceeded but a short distance when they received a -challenge, to which Frank replied, when they were joined by three of the -crew, who had been stationed on the bank by the mate, to capture the -rebels, in case they should escape from his officer. The prisoners were -given into their charge, and Frank continued his march toward the house, -congratulating himself that, although his work was but half done, he had -succeeded beyond his expectations. - -The field about the house was silent as death, but he knew that the mate -had neglected none of his instructions, and that trusty men were hidden -all around him, ready at any moment to lend effective assistance. -Arriving at the door, he pounded loudly upon it with the butt of his -revolver. The summons was answered by the Frenchman, who gazed upon our -hero with surprise, not unmingled with a feeling of alarm. - -"I'm glad to see you," said Frank. "You're just the chap I want." - -The Frenchman comprehended at once that he had been betrayed. Drawing a -pistol, he leveled it full at Frank's head, but before he had time to -fire, a blow from a saber in the hands of one of the negroes, who had -followed close behind Frank, knocked the weapon from his grasp. The next -moment the back door of the room was suddenly opened, and the Frenchman -was clasped in the sturdy arms of the mate. - -"Give him to some of the men, Jack," said Frank, "and then follow me -quick, or we may be too late." - -The order was obeyed, and the mate, accompanied by the two negroes, -followed Frank, who led the way back to the creek where the torpedo had -been captured. They were just in the "nick of time," for, as they -approached, they distinctly heard a voice inquire: - -"Where's the colonel? Here's the torpedo, made fast to the bank. I -wonder if there is any thing wrong?" - -Frank and the mate at once became more cautious in their movements, but -their approach had already been discovered, for the lieutenant called -out: - -"Who goes there?" - -"Yankees," replied Frank, stepping out from the bushes, with a revolver -in each hand. "Come out here, and surrender!" - -The rebel was taken so completely by surprise that he seemed deprived of -all power of action. He could hardly realize that he was a prisoner, -until Frank repeated his order in a more decided manner, adding, "I'm a -good shot at that distance." The lieutenant evidently did not doubt -this, for he arose to his feet, and sprang out upon the bank. The -prisoners having now all been secured, Frank collected his men and -returned on board his vessel. - -We will now pause to explain. Frank, as we have seen, had learned from -the negro that one of the torpedoes would be finished by Friday night; -that it was to be towed down the creek to the river by the colonel and -major, who were to put it in working order, and deliver it to the -lieutenant, who, with two negroes to row his boat, was to leave the -plantation at half-past eight o'clock, to note the exact position of the -Trenton, so that, after getting the torpedo into position, he could -allow it to float down upon the vessel. The Frenchman was to be on -board, and, with the assistance of the negroes, was to capture any who -might escape the explosion. Frank had laid his plans to capture the -lieutenant first; but, through fear of creating a disturbance, or being -seen from the house, he had been compelled to abandon the idea, and had -started half an hour earlier, that he might secure the lieutenant after -the capture of the others had been effected, and before he would have -time to discover that any thing was wrong. His plans had all worked so -admirably, that he was not a little elated with his success. It was a -happy moment for him when he brought his prisoners over the side of the -vessel, and conducted them to the quarter-deck, where the captain and -all the officers were waiting to receive them. The necessary -explanations were soon given, after which the prisoners were ordered -below, and Frank retired to his room, well satisfied with his night's -work. - -The next morning an expedition went ashore, accompanied by the captain. -After destroying the torpedo which had been captured the night before, -they were conducted by the negro to the place where several more were in -process of completion. These also were demolished. While thus engaged, -one of the sentinels, which Frank had posted a short distance up the -road, fired his gun, and commenced retreating. Frank at once formed his -men in line, in readiness for an attack. Shortly afterward a company of -cavalry came galloping around a bend in the road, and fired their -carbines at the sentinel, who ran for dear life. They halted, however, -on seeing the preparations made to receive them, and the captain, taking -advantage of this, ordered Frank to fire. The muskets cracked in rapid -succession, and, when the smoke cleared away, the sailors saw several -riderless horses galloping about, showing that their fire had been -effective. - -The rebels scattered in all directions, and, dismounting, concealed -themselves behind logs and bushes, and commenced fighting in their -regular Indian fashion. The captain, knowing that such an action would -not result advantageously to him, and having accomplished the work for -which he had set out, ordered the sailors to fall back slowly. As they -obeyed, the rebels commenced pursuing; but the expedition reached the -river without the loss of a single man. The officer in command of the -vessel, hearing the firing, commenced shelling the woods, and under -cover of this fire the sailors reached the ship in safety. - -The work which had been assigned the Trenton had not been accomplished, -but as the time allotted for her stay had expired, she started the next -morning to join the fleet at Yazoo River. The prisoners were delivered -over to the commanding naval officer--the admiral being below the -batteries--to whom a flattering mention was made of Frank, and the -skillful manner in which he had performed his work. The young officer -received the assurance that his gallant exploit should not be -overlooked. - - - - -CHAPTER XII. - -In the Trenches. - - -The day after their arrival at Yazoo River an officer from the flag-ship -came on board. After holding a short consultation with the captain, the -order was given to get the ship under way, when, as soon as the anchor -was weighed, they steamed down the river. - -What could be the meaning of this new move? Were their services needed -below Vicksburg, and were they about to imitate the Queen of the West, -and run by the batteries in broad daylight? That hardly seemed to be the -case, for the men were not called to quarters, and the officers were -allowed to remain on deck. Every one was excited, and many were the -speculations indulged in as to what was to be the next duty the Trenton -would be called on to perform. To the impatient men, the seven miles -that lay between Yazoo River and Vicksburg seemed lengthened into a -hundred; but at length they rounded the point above the mouth of the -canal, and saw before them the Sebastopol of the Rebellion. It was the -first time Frank had ever seen the city, and it was a sight that he -would not have missed for a good deal. On the heights above the city, -and even in the streets, the little mounds of earth thrown up showed -where rebel cannon were mounted, and now and then a puff of smoke would -rise from one of these mounds, and a shell would go shrieking toward the -solid lines of the besiegers, which now completely inclosed the rebels, -while an occasional roar of heavy guns told them that the iron-clads -still kept close watch on the movements of the enemy below. - -The right of the army rested on the river, above the city, and here the -Trenton landed, just out of range of the batteries. Preparations were at -once made to move some of the guns on shore. The ones selected were -those belonging to Frank's division, and they were to be mounted in the -batteries above the city, and about a quarter of a mile from the river. -It was something of a task to move the battery that distance, but Frank -and his men worked incessantly, and on the second night the guns were -brought to the place where it was proposed to mount them. The sailors, -although almost exhausted, at once commenced throwing up a battery; but -as soon as the day dawned, a couple of shells, whistling over their -heads, admonished them that it was time to cease. After a hearty -breakfast on the rations they had brought with them, the men lay down in -the trenches, and, wearied with their night's work, slept soundly, in -spite of the roar of cannon and the rattling of musketry that had -commenced as soon as it became light enough for the combatants to -distinguish each other. But life in the trenches was a new thing to -Frank, and he walked through the rifle-pits, every-where cordially -greeted by the soldiers, who liked the looks of these big guns, with -which they knew he had something to do, and who made their boasts that, -as soon as the "beauties" were mounted and in position, they would -"square accounts" with the rebels. There was one gun in particular that -annoyed the soldiers exceedingly, and prevented them from working on the -trenches. Every time a shell flew over their heads, they would exclaim, -"Shoot away there, for this is your last day;" and Frank was obliged to -promise, over and over again, that his first care should be to dismount -that gun. - -Frank found that, the further he went, the nearer the rifle-pits -approached to the city; and finally he came to a group of soldiers who -appeared to be conversing with some invisible persons. As he approached, -he heard a voice, which seemed to come from the ground, almost at his -side, exclaim: - -"I say, Yank, throw over your plug of tobacco, won't you?" - -"Can't see it, Johnny," replied one of the soldiers. "You wouldn't throw -it back again." - -"Yes, I will, honor bright," answered the rebel. - -"Why," exclaimed Frank, in surprise, "I didn't know that you had pushed -your lines so close to the enemy's works!" - -"Yes," said a lieutenant, who at this moment came up, "there's a rebel -rifle-pit not four feet from you." - -"Here," said a soldier, handing Frank his gun, "put your cap on this -bayonet and hold it up, and you'll soon see how far off they are." - -Frank did as the soldier suggested. The moment he raised his cap above -the rifle-pit, a bayonet was suddenly thrust out, and when it was drawn -in, his cap went with it. - -"Now, look at that!" exclaimed Frank. "It's very provoking!" - -"Aha, Yank! you're minus that head-piece," shouted a voice, which was -followed by a roar of laughter from the rebels, and from all the -soldiers in the rifle-pit who had witnessed the performance. - -"I'm sorry, sir," said the soldier. "I did not want you to lose your -cap." Then, raising his voice, he shouted--"Johnny, throw that cap back -here!" - -"O, no," answered the rebel; "but I'll trade with you. A fair exchange -is no robbery, you know," and as he spoke a hat came sailing through the -air, and fell into the rifle-pit. It was a very dilapidated looking -affair, bearing unmistakable proofs of long service and hard usage. - -"Say, Yank," continued the rebel, "do you see a hole in the crown of -that hat?" - -"Do you call this thing a hat?" asked Frank, lifting the article in -question on the point of his sword, and holding it up to the view of the -soldiers. "It bears about as much resemblance to a hat as it does to a -coffee-pot." - -"I don't care what you call it," returned the rebel; "I know it has seen -two years' hard service. That hole you see in the crown was made by one -of your bullets, and my head was in the hat at the time, too." - -"Well, throw me my cap," said Frank; "I don't want to trade." - -"What will you give?" - -"We will return your hat, and give you a big chew of tobacco to boot," -said the lieutenant. - -"That's a bargain," said the rebel. "Let's have it." - -"We are not doing a credit business on this side of the house," answered -Frank. "You throw over my cap first." - -"You're sure you don't intend to swindle a fellow? Upon your honor, -now." - -"Try me and see," replied Frank, with a laugh. - -"Here you are, then;" and the missing cap was thrown into the rifle-pit, -and a soldier restored it to its owner. It was rather the worse for its -short sojourn in the rebel hands, for there was a bayonet hole clear -through it. - -"Say, you rebel," exclaimed Frank, "why didn't you tell me that you had -stuck a bayonet into my cap?" - -"Couldn't help it, Yank," was the answer. "Come now, I've filled my part -of the contract, so live up to your promise. Remember, you said honor -bright." - -"Well here's your hat," replied Frank; and he threw the article in -question over to its rebel owner. - -"And here's your tobacco, Johnny," chimed in a soldier, who cut off a -huge piece of the weed, and threw it after the hat. - -"Yank, you're a gentleman," said the rebel, speaking in a thick tone, -which showed that the much coveted article had already found its way -into his mouth. "If I've got any thing you want, just say so, and you -can have it; any thing except my weapons." - -Frank, who was so much amused at what had just taken place that he -laughed until his jaws ached, returned his mutilated cap to his head, -and, in company with the lieutenant, continued his ramble among the -rifle-pits, the latter explaining the operations of the siege, and the -various incidents that had transpired since it commenced. The -rifle-pits, the entire length of General Sherman's command, were close -upon those of the rebels, and the soldiers of both sides were compelled -to suspend operations almost entirely. If a man raised his head to -select a mark for his rifle, he would find a rebel, almost within reach, -on the watch for him. The soldiers were very communicative, and all -along the line Frank saw groups of men holding conversation with their -invisible enemies. - -After viewing the works to his satisfaction, Frank accompanied the -lieutenant to his quarters--a rude hut, which had been hastily built of -logs and branches, situated in a deep hollow, out of reach of the -enemy's shells. Here he ate an excellent dinner, and then retraced his -steps, through the rifle-pits, back to the place where his battery was -to be mounted. Throwing himself upon a blanket, he slept soundly until -night. - -As soon as it became dark, the work of mounting the guns commenced, and -was completed in time to allow the weary men two hours' rest before -daylight. Frank had charge of one of the guns, and an ensign attached to -one of the iron-clads commanded the other. The whole was under the -command of the captain of the Trenton. As soon as the enemy's lines -could be discerned, Frank, in accordance with the promises made the day -before, prepared to commence the work of dismounting the battery which -had given the soldiers so much trouble. He pointed his gun himself, and -gave the order to fire. With the exception of now and then a -musket-shot, or the occasional shriek of a shell as it went whistling -into the rebel lines, the night had been remarkably quiet, and the roar -that followed Frank's order awoke the echoes far and near, causing many -a soldier to start from his blanket in alarm. A shell from the other gun -quickly followed, and the soldiers, as soon as they learned that the -"gun-boat battery" had opened upon the rebel works, broke out into -deafening cheers. They had great confidence in the "beauties," as they -called the monster guns, for they had often witnessed the effect of -their shells, and knew that those who worked them well understood their -business. Frank had opened the ball, and in less than half an hour the -firing became general all along the line. The gun against which their -fire was directed replied briskly; but after a few rounds the battery -got its exact range--an eight-inch shell struck it, and it disappeared -from sight. Cheers, or, rather, regular "soldier-yells"--a noise that is -different from every other sound, and which can not be uttered except by -those who have "served their time" in the army--arose the whole length -of the line, as the soldiers witnessed the effect of the shot, and knew -that their old enemy would trouble them no more. - -In obedience to the captain's order, the fire of the battery was then -directed toward different parts of the rebel works. The "beauties" -performed all that the soldiers had expected of them, for they were well -handled, and the huge shells always went straight to the mark. At dark -the firing ceased, and Frank, tired with his day's work, ate a hearty -supper, and threw himself upon his blanket to obtain a few moments' -rest. - -The soldiers from all parts of the line at length began to crowd into -the battery, examining every part of the guns, and listening to the -explanations given by the old quarter-gunner, who, although almost -tired out, was busy cleaning the guns, and could not think of rest until -the battery had been put in readiness for use on the morrow. At length a -man approached the spot where Frank was reposing, and, seating himself -at his side, commenced an interesting conversation. Frank soon learned -that his visitor was one of the most noted scouts in the Union army. He -was a tall, broad-shouldered man, straight as an arrow, and evidently -possessed a great deal of muscular power. Though ragged and dirty, like -his companions, there was something about him that at once attracted -Frank. His actions were easy and graceful, and he had an air of -refinement, which was observed by every one with whom he came in -contact. He was serving as a private in his regiment, and, although -frequently urged to accept a command, always declined, for he despised -the inactivity of camp life, and delighted in any thing in which there -was danger and excitement. It was hinted that he had seen some hard -times during his career as a scout. At length, when the conversation -began to flag, one of the soldiers asked for a story, and the scout, -after lighting his pipe, settled back on his elbow, and began as -follows: - - - - -CHAPTER XIII. - -The Scout's Story. - - -"Boys, the life of a scout is the most fascinating, as well as the most -dangerous one that I know of. It is a responsible one, too, for not -unfrequently the safety and well-being of the entire army depends upon -our reports. If, while we are roaming about the enemy's camp, we are -deceived in regard to their numbers and position, and our commanding -officer, judging by our reports, thinks himself able to surprise and -defeat them, and if, upon making the attack, he finds that he has been -misled, we are responsible; at least that is the way I have always -looked at the matter; and many a time I have misrepresented cases, and -have, no doubt, been the cause of allowing the rebels to escape, when -they might easily have been beaten, knowing that our hot-headed -commander would order an attack, no matter how small the chance for -success might be. - -"Just before we started on the campaign that resulted in the capture of -Fort Donelson, I was detailed to scout for head-quarters; and one day, -while lying in my tent, heartily wishing that a move would be made which -would put an end to the lazy life I was compelled to lead, one of the -general's staff-officers entered, accompanied by a youth, whom he -introduced to me as Mr. Henderson, and informed me that he was to be my -'partner.' - -"'He my partner!' I ejaculated. 'Is he a scout? What does he know about -soldiering?' - -"The new-comer was rather below the medium height, very slimly built, -with soft, white hands, that looked as though they had never been -accustomed to hard work, and a smooth, beardless face. He seemed very -much out of place among our rough soldiers. - -"'I don't know much about scouting, that's a fact,' said he, with a -laugh. 'But I know every inch of the country, and can use a rifle. I -have been knocked about considerably since the war commenced, and my -father was hanged in Tennessee for being a Union man, and I suffered all -sorts of hardships before I succeeded in making my escape.' - -"The officer left us together, and, in spite of the chagrin I felt that -a mere stripling had been sent to me for an associate, I was soon deeply -interested in him, for with his almost childlike simplicity there was -mingled an air of confidence in his own powers which drew me -irresistibly toward him. He told me his history, and when he dwelt on -the cruelty with which the rebels had treated Union men in Tennessee, -and related, in a subdued voice, the particulars of his father's death, -his slight frame quivered with excitement, and his fingers twitched -convulsively, as if he felt the perpetrators of the deed in his grasp. -He seemed to have the real grit in him, and I finally came to the -conclusion that I had mistaken my man. I soon learned it was so, for, -the very first time we got on a scout together, I found that he was made -of the right stuff, and I began to have a great deal of confidence in my -youthful companion. I don't believe he knew what fear was. He was a -splendid shot and an excellent rider; in fact, he seemed to be out of -his element unless he was in the saddle. - -"The first time that Sam (for that was my companion's name) had a chance -to show his qualities was after the battle of Pittsburg Landing. One -night, just after dark, we set out on horseback to watch the movements -of the enemy. We were dressed in our rebel uniform, and provided with -passes which would carry us through our lines. The night was dark and -cloudy, but Sam, who knew the road like a book, took the lead. We had -proceeded in this manner about four miles, scarcely saying a word to -each other, when suddenly, as we came around a bend in the road, we -found ourselves close upon a picket station. Several men were lying -around a fire, eating their supper; and the reason why we had not -discovered them sooner was on account of the thick trees and bushes, -which completely concealed the glare of the fire from any one coming -down the road. How we had succeeded in passing the sentries, which were -posted some distance from the station, is still a mystery to me. Either -our advance had been so still that they had not heard us, or else the -sentries were asleep; at any rate, we were in the enemy's lines before -we knew it, and in something of a scrape. If we undertook to retreat, -besides running the risk of being shot by the men at the fire, we should -be obliged to pass the sentries, and we might not succeed, for the -clatter of our horses' hoofs would certainly alarm them. The only way -was to ride up to the fire and put a bold face on the matter, which we -did, the rebels supposing that, as we had passed the sentries, we were -all right. They at once took us for some of their scouts, and one of -them inquired: - -"'How are the Yanks?' - -"'They're there,' I replied. 'And you'll have to haul in these picket -posts before long, or I am mistaken.' - -"'How is that sentry out there?' asked the lieutenant in command. - -"'O, he's all right,' I answered, and seating myself at the fire, began -to pitch into the eatables. Sam followed my example, and we enjoyed a -very good meal, after which we smoked a pipe, and talked with our -companions about the probability of soon thrashing the Yankees soundly, -and wishing that we were in the Eastern army, that we might have the -honor of carrying the secesh rag into Philadelphia and all the other -large cities at the North. We also received some very valuable -information in regard to the rebels and their intended movements; and -finally, concluding that the general must be looking for us, we bade the -pickets good-by, mounted our horses, and galloped down the road toward -the rebel camp. As soon as we thought we had gone far enough to deceive -the pickets, we turned off from the road and started through the woods, -intending to take a wide circuit, pass the pickets, and start back for -our own camp. We stumbled about through the woods for nearly an hour, -and finally struck a road that appeared to run at right angles with the -one we had just left. This we followed at a rapid gallop for about a -mile, when Sam pointed out a light that appeared to be shining in the -window of a house ahead of us. We at once determined to reconnoiter, and -rode slowly forward for that purpose, walking our horses on the grass at -the side of the road, so that our advance would be noiseless. We had -gone but a short distance when we were halted. To the challenge, 'Who -comes there?' Sam replied, 'Scouts,' and throwing me his rein, he swung -himself from his saddle, whispering: - -"'Hold on a minute, Bill! Let me manage that fellow;' and before I could -say a word he had disappeared in the darkness. - -"Several moments passed, when I again heard his voice, and riding -forward, wondering how he had 'managed' the sentinel, I was surprised to -see him with a musket in his hand, pacing back and forth across the -road. I instantly understood what had transpired, and leading the horses -cautiously into the bushes at the side of the road, I fastened them -there, and then returned to Sam. - -"'I couldn't help it, Bill,' he whispered, as I came up. 'I meant to -capture him, and compel him to give us some information; but he fought -so desperately that I had to settle him to save myself.' - -"'It can't be helped; such things are not uncommon in war times. Now you -play the part of sentry here until some one passes, and you can find out -what the countersign is. Then I'll go up to the house and reconnoiter.' - -"I then lay down by the side of the road, and in a few moments Sam -whispered: - -"'Bill, I wonder what's the number of this post?' - -"'I'm sure I don't know,' I replied. - -"'Well, how am I going to find out?' he inquired. 'If some one should -happen to come along without the countersign, and I should want to call -the corporal, I would be in a nice fix, wouldn't I?' - -"Sam said this in such a perfectly cool and unconcerned manner, that I -could not help admiring him. - -"Just then I heard a faint shout: - -"'Twelve o'clock! Number one. All's well.' - -"'There,' I whispered; 'the sentries are passing the call. Now look -sharp.' - -"The call passed the round of the sentinels, until number eight was -called, but a short distance from us. Then came a pause. - -"'Sam, you're number nine,' I hurriedly whispered. - -"'Number nine; and all's well!' shouted Sam at the top of his lungs. 'So -far, so good,' he continued, in a low voice. 'Now I guess we're all -right. Halt!' he shouted, hearing the sound of horses' hoofs rapidly -advancing. The horseman at once drew rein, and at Sam's challenge, -answered: - -"'Colonel Peckham.' - -"'Dismount, Colonel Peckham, and give the countersign.' - -"'Look here, my man, just let me pass, will you? Don't detain me, for I -am on important business, and am in a great hurry.' - -"'Halt,' shouted Sam again; 'dismount.' - -"'I tell you I am Colonel Peckham, commanding----' - -"'I don't care what you command. Just climb down off that horse -instantly, or I'll fire on you. You shouldn't go by me if you were -President Davis himself.' - -"The colonel, seeing that entreaty was in vain, reluctantly dismounted -and gave the countersign, 'Virginia.' - -"'The countersign is correct. Pass, Colonel Peckham,' said Sam, bringing -his musket promptly to a shoulder arms. - -"After the rebel had mounted and disappeared, I whispered: - -"'Now, Sam, I'm going up to that house. Keep a sharp look-out.' - -"After shaking his hand I started toward the place where I had seen the -light. Walking carelessly up toward a group of soldiers who were -lounging about on the ground, I glanced in at the window, and saw -several officers seated around a table, apparently engaged in earnest -debate. I listened for a few moments to the conversation of the men, and -found that I was two miles inside of the rebel lines. This knowledge was -something that would not have pleased me had I been alone, for I was -wholly unacquainted with the country, but, knowing that I had a friend -on whom I could rely, I looked upon it as merely a little difficulty, -from which I could extricate myself as soon and as easily as I pleased. - -"I lounged about, picking up a good deal of information, until I heard -the relief called, and knowing that, unless we beat a hasty retreat, we -would be discovered, I hastened back to the place where I had left Sam, -and found him industriously pacing his beat. I was about to bring out -the horses, when we heard the clatter of hoofs coming up the road from -toward the house, and I at once concealed myself. The answer to the -challenge was Colonel Peckham, who was returning to his command. As he -was about to pass, I, thinking that it would not look well to go back to -the camp empty-handed, sprang out of my concealment and seized his -reins, while Sam, who instantly comprehended what was going on, placed -his bayonet against his breast. - -"'What means this?' asked the colonel. - -"'Don't talk so much,' replied Sam. 'A blind man could see that you are -a prisoner. So hand over your weapons, and don't make any fuss.' - -"As Sam spoke, he proceeded to 'sound' the colonel, and the search -resulted in the transfer of two revolvers to his belt. Then, throwing -away his musket and cartridge-box, he sprang upon his horse, which I had -by this time brought out, and, seizing the colonel's reins, we started -down the road at a full gallop. - -"We had proceeded scarcely a quarter of a mile when we heard several -musket-shots behind us, and we knew that the relief had found No. 9 post -vacant, and were alarming the camp. Sam, still holding fast to the -colonel's horse, at once turned off into the woods, through which we -with difficulty worked our way. At length, however, we reached an open -field, which we crossed at a gallop, and, leaping our horses over the -fence, found ourselves in the road again. We had struck it just outside -of the rebel pickets, who, hearing us gallop away, fired at us; but the -bullets all went wide of the mark, and in less than an hour we reached -our own camp, and the prisoner was delivered over to the general." - - * * * * * - -"I could relate many other adventures to you, but, as I have to go on -guard at midnight, I must bid you good-night." - -So saying, he arose from the ground, where he had been lying, and walked -off toward his quarters. One by one the soldiers, who had gathered about -to listen to his story, followed his example, and finally Frank and the -ensign who had assisted him in managing the battery, were left alone. -Although they had been together but two days, they were on excellent -terms with each other; and as Frank had learned that his companion had -run by the batteries at Vicksburg, he was naturally anxious to hear the -details. The ensign, at his urgent solicitation, then told the story of -his thrilling adventures, which here follows. - - - - -CHAPTER XIV. - -Running the Batteries. - - -"In obedience to orders from the admiral," began the ensign, "the -Concord, with the iron-clads, commenced making preparations to run the -batteries, by greasing the casemates to glance shot, and by protecting -the machinery with heavy timbers and bales of hay. When every thing was -ready, the long-looked-for signal was made. The vessels took their -stations in accordance with a general order that had been issued a few -days previous--the Concord, with a coal-barge in tow, being the fourth -in advance. - -"As soon as the anchors were weighed, all hands were called to quarters, -the ports closed, and every light on board the ship, except those in the -magazine and shell-rooms, was extinguished. I took my station beside my -men, who stood at their guns as motionless as so many statues, and in -that darkness awaited the issue of events, with feelings that can not be -described. The moment I had so long been dreading was fast approaching. -Would I survive the experiment? - -"As soon as the vessels were fairly under way, the engines were stopped, -and we drifted along with the current. Not a sound was heard, except the -creaking of the wheel as the pilot guided the vessel down stream. I -became more and more excited each moment, until finally my suspense -seemed greater than I could bear. That awful silence was worse than the -fight itself. I became impatient, and strode up and down the deck, -anxiously waiting for the first roar of a gun that should announce that -our approach had been discovered. How I longed to look out and see what -progress we were making! But the ports had been closed, with imperative -orders that they must not be opened without the captain's command, and I -was obliged to remain in ignorance of what was going on outside. - -"At length, after remaining at our quarters for nearly an hour--to me it -seemed an age--the loud roar of a gun burst upon our ears. The pilot at -once rang the bell to 'go ahead strong,' and the puffing of the engines -told us that we were rapidly nearing the city. Soon, from another -direction, came a second report, accompanied by a shell from 'Whistling -Dick,' which went directly over our heads, and exploded far behind us. -This was followed, not by the report of a single cannon, but by a crash, -as if all the artillery of heaven had been let loose at once, and shells -and solid shot, with a noise that was almost deafening. It did not seem -possible that we could succeed in running by the batteries; besides, I -was very much averse to being shut up in that manner, without the -privilege of returning shot for shot. The idea of allowing my vessel to -be made a target of, when so many brave hearts were waiting impatiently -to give as good as they received, did not at all suit me. - -"Until we reached the city, the Concord escaped unhurt, and I began to -think that our danger was not so great as I had at first supposed, when, -just as we arrived opposite the upper batteries, a shot came crashing -through the sides of the vessel. The deck was lighted up for an instant -with a flash, and the groans and shrieks that followed told that it had -been too well directed. Confined as the men were, in total darkness, -where it was impossible for a person to distinguish those who stood next -to him, such an occurrence was well calculated to throw them into -confusion. I believe that every one on deck was frightened, but the -order, 'Stand to your guns, lads!' delivered in a firm voice by the -executive officer, at once put an end to the confusion. - -"'On deck, there!' came thundering through the trumpet. 'Open the ports, -and return their fire!' - -"How my heart bounded when I heard that order! And the men, too, anxious -to be on more equal terms with the enemy, sprang at the word, the -port-shutters flew open with a crash, and the city of Vicksburg burst -upon our astonished view. - -"The rebels had profited by their experience, and instead of finding the -city shrouded in total darkness, as I had expected, a glare equal to the -noonday sun lighted up both the river and the city, the latter seeming -one blaze of fire. The vessels in advance of us were rapidly answering -the fire of the batteries, and the waters of the river, usually so -quiet and smooth, were plowed in every direction by the shrieking, -hissing shells. It was a magnificent sight, one upon which I could have -gazed with rapture, had I been a disinterested person; but, as it was, I -had no time to dwell upon it. - -"'Out with those guns--lively!' shouted the captain. 'Give the rascals -as good as they send.' - -"For half an hour the fight continued, the rebels sending their shells -thick and fast about our devoted vessel, and we directing our fire -against the water-batteries, which lined the shore as far as the eye -could reach, when suddenly the pilot rung the bell to stop, which was -followed by a command shouted down through the trumpet to 'Back -her--quick!' I scarcely noticed the circumstance, until one of my men -exclaimed, in a frightened voice, 'We are drifting into the bank, sir, -right under the batteries!' - -"The appalling fact was too evident. We were fast approaching the shore, -and the engines appeared to be working in vain against the strong -current. A cry of horror burst from the lips of the men, who deserted -their guns, and made a general rush for the after part of the vessel. I -was astounded. Had the Concord been disabled, and was the captain about -to run her ashore and surrender? But I was not allowed much time to ask -questions. The conduct of the men recalled me to my senses, and, after -considerable difficulty, I succeeded in bringing them all back to their -quarters. - -"'The vessel must have been surrendered, sir,' said one of the men. - -"'I can't help that. I've received no orders to cease firing. Let them -have it. Powder-boy, bring two eight-inch canister as soon as possible. -Run away lively, now.' - -"The vessel still continued to approach the bank, and several of the -nearest batteries ceased firing, while the rebels, supposing that she -was about to surrender, came running down the bank in crowds, calling -out: - -"'Have you struck your flag?' - -"'No!' came the answer, in a clear, ringing voice, which I knew belonged -to the captain. 'That flag floats as long as one plank of this vessel -remains above water!' - -"This reply was followed by a shell from one of our broadside guns, -which burst in the very midst of a crowd that was preparing to board -the vessel the moment we touched the bank; and by this time the Concord -began to mind her helm, and commenced moving from the bank. The -astonished rebels hastily retreated to the cover of their breastworks, -and I succeeded in getting my guns loaded in time to use the canister -upon them. The vessel soon got headed down the river again, and at two -o'clock in the morning we rounded to, out of reach of the batteries. The -passage had been effected without material damage to us, and it was with -a light heart that I repeated the order, 'Secure your guns, lads!' The -battle was over, and after the decks had been cleared, and the wounded -taken care of, the dead were laid out in the engine-room, and covered -with the flag in defense of which they had delivered up their lives. The -weary sailors then gladly answered to the order, 'All hands stand by -your hammocks,' and I retired to my room almost exhausted, but highly -elated at our glorious success." - - - - -CHAPTER XV. - -A Race for the Old Flag. - - -"The next day," continued the ensign, "the squadron again got under way -and steamed down the river, and came to anchor above, and almost within -range of, the heights of Grand Gulf. A casual observer would hardly have -thought that the bluffs which arose so majestically, like grim sentinels -watching over the lesser heights around them, were bristling with -hostile batteries, ready to dispute the further advance of the Union -fleet; for, so carefully had they been concealed, that nothing -suspicious could be discovered. But we were not deceived. We knew that -the trees which covered the bluffs, and waved so gently back and forth -in the breeze, concealed fortifications of the most formidable kind, and -that Union blood must be shed before they could be wrested from the -traitorous hands that had constructed them. - -"During the week of inactivity that followed, many an impatient eye was -directed toward the heights which, now so quiet, were soon to be -disturbed by the noise and confusion of battle. At length the flag-ship -was seen approaching, and every one was on the alert. Two more days of -inactivity passed, however; but on the third morning, just after the -crews had finished their breakfast, signal was made to commence the -attack. The anchors were weighed, the men called to quarters, and the -fleet bore down upon the rebel stronghold, which was soon enveloped in -the smoke of battle. - -"The Concord led the advance. For two hours the battle raged with great -fury on both sides, the rebels stubbornly holding their ground, in spite -of the storm of shells that thinned their ranks and tore up the ground -about them. During this time the Concord had again become unmanageable, -on account of the strong eddies in the river, and had worked into a -position scarcely two hundred yards from the batteries, from which she -could not be extricated. It was impossible either to advance or retreat -without running into the bank, and if she attempted to round-to, her -destruction was certain. Of course, we below, being busy fighting our -guns, knew nothing of our danger; but the captain, although as brave a -man as ever trod a ship's deck, was not a little dismayed when he found -himself in this perilous situation. He did not expect to bring his -vessel safely out of the action, but he stood in the pilot-house and -issued his orders with as much coolness as though he were going through -the regular daily exercise, instead of being under the hottest fire the -enemy could rain upon his vessel. - -"In the mean time, I had been sending my shells as rapidly as possible -toward the rebel gunners, whom I could see moving about in the -batteries. Up to this time not one of my men had been injured; but, just -as I was in the act of sighting one of my guns, there was a stunning -crash, and a vivid light shone for an instant in my eyes, accompanied by -a terrific explosion. I saw the air filled with smoke and splinters, -heard appalling cries of terror and anguish, and then all was blank. A -shell had entered the casemate above the port, killing and wounding -several of my crew, and a piece of heavy timber, which had been -detached from the bulk-head by the explosion, struck me on the head, and -laid me out senseless on the deck. - -"When I was restored to consciousness I was lying on a mattress in the -engine-room, and anxious faces were bending over me. I remember of -mistaking the doctor and his attendants for the men belonging to my -gun's crew, and imagining myself still in battle, I gave the order to -'Train that No. 2 gun a little further to the left, and fire;' then I -became insensible again. - -"About the middle of the afternoon I awoke from a refreshing slumber, -but, of course, could not imagine how I came to be in that situation. I -felt of my head, which was covered with bandages, and of my arm, which -was done up in a sling, and finally the remembrance of the scenes -through which I had passed came back to me like a dream. - -"While I was wondering how the fight had terminated, and who had come -out victorious, a sailor, who had been appointed to act as my nurse, -entered the engine-room, and approached the bed on tip-toe. From him I -learned that the Concord had been under fire for five hours and -thirty-five minutes; that we had been only partially successful, not -having silenced all the batteries; that the fleet, with the exception of -one vessel, which was lying a short distance above the bluff, and -occasionally sending a shell into the batteries to prevent the rebels -from repairing the damage which they had suffered, were at their old -anchorage again; that the Concord had been struck thirty-five times by -heavy shot, but, although quite badly cut up, was not permanently -injured; and that our vessel would soon be ready for action again, the -entire crew being busily engaged in repairing the damages she had -sustained. - -"My head and arm pained me considerably; but, being under the influence -of some powerful medicine which the doctor had administered, I soon fell -asleep, from which I was awakened by the rolling of a drum. Hastily -starting up, I found the engineers at their stations, and I knew, by the -tramping of feet on the deck above me, that the men were hurrying to -their quarters. The 'ruling passion' was strong with me. I had grown so -accustomed to yield prompt obedience to the call to quarters, that I -quite forgot I was wounded. Springing up, I at once pulled on my -clothes--an operation which I found rather difficult on account of my -wounded arm--seized my sword, which lay at the head of the bed, sprang -up the stairs that led to the main-deck, and ran forward to take command -of my division. As I passed the door of the dispensatory, I was -confronted by the surgeon, who, holding up his hands in dismay, -exclaimed: - -"'Mr. Morton! Do you know what you are about? Where are you going?' - -"'Going to quarters, doctor. Didn't you hear that drum?' - -"'Get below, sir, instantly,' was the doctor's answer. 'Get below! and -don't let me catch you on deck again until I give you permission. Get -below, I tell you, sir!' he continued, in a louder tone, seeing that I -hesitated. 'Haven't you got sense enough to know that you are -dangerously wounded? I am surgeon of this ship, and have authority to -enforce my commands.' - -"Of this I was well aware, and I was obliged to retrace my steps to the -engine-room, where I lay down upon the bed. - -"The morning's fight having convinced the admiral that, although the -batteries had been partially silenced, they could not be completely -reduced, without the co-operation of the land forces, he returned to his -old anchorage, for the purpose of convoying the transports which were to -run by the batteries and ferry the troops across the river below. The -latter followed close in the wake of the gun-boats, on which the -batteries opened quite as briskly as in the morning. The iron-clads -replied, and under cover of their fire the transports passed the -batteries in safety, after which the gun-boats also ran by, and assisted -in carrying the troops across the river. In this fight the Concord was -struck but twice, and no one was injured. As soon as she had been -brought to an anchor, the doctor entered the engine-room, and, after -regarding me for a moment with an expression that I could not -understand, said: - -"'You're a nice one, ain't you?' - -"'Why, doctor, what's the matter?' I asked. - -"'You don't wish to get well, I guess.' - -"'O, yes, I do! But I am not badly hurt; there was nothing to hinder me -from taking my station.' - -"'You will allow me to be the judge of that, if you please,' returned -the doctor. 'But I have got a room fixed up for you on deck. Do you feel -able to walk up there?' - -"'Certainly. I am not hurt, I tell you, doctor,' I repeated. 'I can -outrun, outjump, or outlift you; and yet you take as much care of me as -though I was badly wounded.' - -"'Well, you've got a big hole in your head anyhow,' said the doctor, as -he took my arm, and assisted me up the stairs, in spite of my assertions -that I was 'able to walk alone.' 'It's an ugly-looking wound. Just take -my advice now; let me put you on the sick-list for a day or two, and you -will be all right.' - -"'Well, don't keep me on the list any longer than is necessary,' I -answered, knowing that I would be compelled to submit to the doctor's -requirements, whether I wanted to or not. 'I do detest a life of -inactivity. I want to be doing something.' - -"I was furnished with a bed in the ward-room, for my own quarters had -been almost demolished during the late fights, and during the two days -that followed, I passed the time miserably enough. Every able-bodied man -on board the ship was engaged in repairing damages, while I, being -closely watched by the doctor, was obliged to remain quiet. My wounds -troubled me very little. On the third day after the fight, to my immense -relief, my name was taken off the sick-list, and I was allowed to return -to duty. - -"The next morning after this, signal was made from the flag-ship to get -under way, and resume the attack upon the batteries at Grand Gulf. As we -approached the heights, a column of smoke, which was seen arising over -the trees, told us that the rebels had abandoned their fortifications. -The gun-boats touched the bank at the foot of the hill at about the same -moment; and, as the Concord's bows touched the shore, the captain thrust -his head from the pilot-house, and shouted: - -"'Get ashore there, you sea-cooks! Get ashore there, and hoist the -Concord's flag over that fort on the top of the hill! Off you go--run -like quarter horses!' - -"The sailors did not need a second bidding, but, leaving their quarters, -they made a general rush for the place where the boat-ensigns were -stowed, and if one of the men succeeded in securing a flag, he was -instantly seized by half a dozen others, who desperately struggled to -wrest it from him, that they might have the honor of planting it upon -the rebel heights, while he struggled as furiously to retain it. All -discipline was at an end. The sailors, wild with excitement, were -struggling and shouting below, while the captain stood on the -quarter-deck, almost beside himself, for fear that his men would be -behind, for the crews of each vessel were jumping ashore, bearing in -their hands the flags which they had determined to plant upon the -deserted fortifications. - -"I stood at the hatchway, looking down upon the struggling crew beneath, -regretting that my wounded arm--which still continued to pain me at -intervals--prevented me from entering as a competitor, when I was -aroused by: - -"'Mr. Morton! I know you want this, sir.' - -"I turned, and found one of the quarter-masters holding out a flag to -me. - -"'Certainly I want it,' I answered. 'Thank you;' and seizing the flag, I -sprang upon the hammock-nettings. At this moment the doctor discovered -me, and shouted: - -"'Mr. Morton, what are you about, sir? Remember, I only put you on light -duty. It will be the death of you, if you attempt to run up that hill.' - -"But I was excited, and, without waiting to answer, sprang overboard. I -was so anxious to be first, that I could not waste time to go below, and -leave the ship in a proper manner. The moment I touched the water, I -struck out for the shore, and as I clambered up the bank, I found crowds -of men from each vessel running at the top of their speed toward the -hill, all bent on planting the glorious old flag on the pinnacle, for -the possession of which they had fought so long and desperately. But far -in advance of all of them I saw one of the engineers of the Concord. I -was both pleased and annoyed at this--pleased that the ship to which I -belonged should have the honor of hoisting the Stars and Stripes over -the rebel stronghold, and annoyed that I could not be the person who was -to raise it. But it was not my disposition to be discouraged. As I had -few equals in running, I determined to overtake the engineer, and, if -possible, to beat him. - -"As soon as I reached the top of the bank, I commenced running, and was -soon ahead of many of those who were far in advance of me when I -started. The engineer, in the mean time, also proved that he was no mean -runner; and the little flag which he carried over his shoulder moved far -up the mountain, dancing about among the rocks and bushes like a -will-o'-the-wisp, seeming to recede as I advanced. Soon I had passed all -of my competitors with the exception of this one, and the race was now -between us. Up, up we ran. I soon discovered that I was gaining at every -step. Presently I was so close to him that I could hear his quick, heavy -breathing. We were rapidly nearing the fort that crowned the crest of -the hill, and I redoubled my exertions. The engineer did likewise. It -seemed as though the sight of those battered fortifications had infused -new life into him, for he ran at a rate that astonished me; and when I -reached the top of the hill the little banner had been planted on the -breastworks, and my rival lay on the ground, panting and exhausted. -Cheers, long and loud, burst from the gallant band standing at the foot -of the hill, who had been interested spectators of our movements, and -their shouts were answered with redoubled energy by the crew of the -Concord, who, in their joy at seeing their own flag planted on the fort -by one of their own officers, forgot all the sacrifices they had made to -accomplish that end. - -"In a short time the heights were covered with men, who busied -themselves in completing the destruction which the rebels had commenced. -At dark all returned on board their respective vessels, which moved out -into the stream a short distance, and anchored. I paid dearly for my -foolishness in jumping overboard, and then running that distance in the -hot sun; for two days after that I was confined to my bed, and finally, -at the doctor's suggestion, I was dumped into an ambulance and sent by -land to the hospital-ship. I was well again in two weeks, and learning -that a naval battery was to be mounted on shore, volunteered to assist -in working it, received permission, and am ready to face any new dangers -for the sake of the old flag." - -The next day, while Frank and his companion were fighting the battery, -the former was surprised by the appearance of a strange officer, who -brought orders for him to report on board his vessel without delay. He -obeyed the summons, and found that the Trenton had been ordered up the -Yazoo River, and that he had been sent for to take charge of a division -whose commanding officer had been sent to the hospital. As soon as he -arrived on board, the vessel was got under way, and, in company with the -flag-ship and several gun-boats, which they found waiting for them at -the mouth of the Yazoo River, they started toward Haines' Bluff. The -report was, the attack was to be a 'feigned' one, but Frank thought, -from the pounding the Trenton received, that it might as well have been -a _real_ one. - -The fight was continued until dark, when the vessels dropped down out of -range of the batteries and anchored. - - - - -CHAPTER XVI. - -The Rival Sharp-Shooters. - - -About half-past four o'clock, on the succeeding morning, just after -Frank had come off watch, and was dozing in his berth, he was awakened -by a loud crash. Starting up, he discovered his looking-glass in -fragments, and the pieces scattered about over the floor. While he was -wondering what could have been the cause of the accident, he happened to -discover that the bulk-head behind the looking-glass was splintered, -which looked very much as though it had been done by a musket-shot; and, -at the same instant, he heard a shrill whistle, with which he was -perfectly familiar. He also heard a rustling in the bunk above him, and -Mr. Williams, his room-mate, sprang suddenly upon the floor, -exclaiming: - -"My goodness, Mr. Nelson! the rebels are shooting at _us_." - -"I see they are," answered Frank, coolly, as he slowly arose from his -berth and commenced drawing on his pants; "just see our looking-glass! -But where are you going?" he asked, finding that his room-mate was -frantically gathering up his clothing. - -"I'm going to get below as soon as I can," was the answer. "Don't you -know that this room isn't iron-clad?" - -"Yes, I know that. But what's your hurry?" - -Mr. Williams did not stop to reply, but, having collected all his -clothing, opened the door and sprang out on deck. One bound carried him -to the gangway that led to the main-deck, and in a moment more he had -disappeared. Frank was laughing heartily at the comical figure his timid -room-mate had cut, when another shot came crashing through the -bulk-head, and lodged in the mattress in the berth above him, showing -how narrow had been Mr. Williams's escape. This made him think that he -also had better be getting below. He waited, however, until he was -entirely dressed, and then walked slowly out on the quarter-deck, and -took refuge behind the wheel-house, intending to make himself acquainted -with the nature of the attack before going below. The officer of the -deck and the quarter-master on watch were the only persons in sight, and -they, too, were standing behind the wheel-house for protection. - -"What seems to be the matter, Mr. Martin? Are we likely to have a -brush?" - -"O no," answered the latter; "a few rebels have taken possession of the -battery from which we drove them yesterday, and are trying to pick some -of us off. Did you see 'Nuisance' when he came out of his room? He ran -like a streak, but came very near being winged, for a ball struck the -deck not six inches from him." - -At this moment the captain appeared, and went into the pilot-house, that -he might investigate matters without running the risk of being struck by -the bullets. He had scarcely closed the door, when a ball carried away -the latch. Had he been a moment later, he would certainly have been -killed. - -"A close shave," said he, with a laugh. Then raising one of the windows -of the pilot-house, he shouted, "On deck, there!" - -"Ay, ay, sir," answered Mr. Martin. - -"Get under cover as quickly as possible; and, Mr. Nelson, see if you can -throw a few shells among those fellows, and drive them out of there." - -It was not an easy task to get under cover, for, the moment they showed -themselves, the bullets whistled about them like hail-stones. But, after -dodging from one stanchion to another, using even the sky-lights for -concealment, they succeeded in reaching the main-deck, where they were -safe. Frank ran into the turret, while Mr. Martin and the quarter-master -dived down the hatchway, and ran up into the pilot-house. - -"Turn out, you first division, and cast loose that No. 2 gun," shouted -Frank, as he reached the gun-deck, where the crew were still sleeping -soundly in their hammocks. "Turn out lively, lads." - -The men at once sprang out of their comfortable beds, and, as soon as -the deck was cleared of the hammocks, the gun was cast loose. A moment -afterward, a hundred-pound shot plunged into the battery, raising a -cloud of dust; but the rebels had seen the flash of the gun in time to -throw themselves behind the embankment and escape. - -"On deck, there," shouted the captain, through the trumpet. "That was -very well done. Try them again, and fire a little higher, and a trifle -further to the left." - -"Very good, sir," shouted Frank, in reply; and the gun was again -pointed, and another breach was made in the battery, but a loud, -derisive shout was sent back in reply, showing that the shot had been -without effect. - -For nearly an hour the fight was kept up, Frank using his gun as rapidly -as possible, and the rebels replying with their bullets, which rattled -harmlessly against the Trenton's iron mail, until the captain, finding -that it was impossible to dislodge them, gave the order to cease firing. - -As soon as Frank had seen the gun secured, he left the deck and went -into the ward-room. It was filled with officers, who had been awakened -by the firing, and were engaged in an animated conversation on the -probabilities of having breakfast. - -"If the rebels continue to shoot at us, I don't know what you can do, -gentlemen," said the caterer. "You know that the galley is on deck, and -I can't send the cook up there, where he will be in danger of his life. -When you get hungry you will find plenty of hard-tack and pickles in -the paymaster's store-rooms." - -"O no," said the executive officer, "I am not going without my -breakfast. There's no danger." - -"If you will go on deck, and remain there five minutes," said the -caterer, "I'll agree to cook some breakfast for you." - -The proposition was accepted by the executive officer, and the two men -went on deck, and walked toward the galley. They reached it in safety, -when the executive said, triumphantly: - -"What do you think now? I told you there was no danger." - -A loud crash cut short his words, and a bullet entered the galley, and -glancing from the stove, struck the opposite bulk-head, where it -remained firmly embedded in the wood. - -"That will do, I guess," said the executive, hastily retreating toward -the hatchway. "You needn't mind about sending the boys up here to cook -breakfast." - -The two officers made the best of their way back to the ward-room, where -they enjoyed a very good meal on some provisions that had been brought -up out of the paymaster's store-rooms. They then went into the -pilot-house to watch the movements of the rebels in the battery. The -latter, finding that their fire was no longer returned, took no -precautions to conceal themselves, but arose to their full height when -they fired their muskets, and even stood on the battery, waving their -hats, as if inviting a shot. Frank watched them until he could stand it -no longer, and then ran down below, to ask the captain's permission to -return the fire. - -"Look out there!" exclaimed that gentleman, as Frank entered the cabin. -"The first thing you know"---- - -He was interrupted by the report of a musket, so loud that it seemed -scarcely a stone's throw distant. A bullet came whistling into one of -the ports, barely missing Frank, and lodged in the captain's pantry, -where a crashing among the crockery told that the ball had not been -altogether thrown away. Another shot followed close after it, but Frank -had dodged behind the bulk-head, and was safe. - -The captain was emphatically in a state of siege. His cabin was in the -extreme after-part of the vessel, and in it were two port-holes, which -were open. Two sharp-shooters had taken up a position on the bank, where -they could see into the cabin, and had compelled the captain to leave -the desk where he had been writing, and take refuge behind the -bulk-head. He was taking matters very coolly, however, being stretched -out on a sofa, engaged in reading a newspaper. - -"Mr. Nelson," said he, with a laugh, "if many more of you officers enter -this cabin, I shall be a ruined man. Every shot that comes in here goes -slap into that pantry, and I don't suppose I have a whole piece of -crockery left. What did you wish?" - -"I came, sir, to ask permission to take one of your Spencer rifles," -answered Frank. "I believe I can drive those rascals away from there," -he added, glancing through the port. - -"Very well, you may try. But I don't bother my head about them. They -can't shoot through this bulk head, that's certain. However, it makes me -feel rather uncomfortable to know that I can't get out of here without -running the risk of being shot;" and the captain stretched himself on -the sofa again, and resumed his reading. - -After considerable dodging, during which two more bullets were lodged -in the captain's pantry, to the no small disgust of that gentleman, -Frank succeeded in securing a rifle and cartridge-box from one of the -racks in the cabin, and concealing himself behind the bulk-head, thrust -his gun carefully out of the port, and waited for a shot. - -The bank was scarcely fifty feet distant, but for a long time not a -rebel showed himself, and Frank had about come to the conclusion that -they had given up the fight, when he noticed a small gully, scarcely a -foot wide, that ran down to the water's edge, and in that gully he saw -the top of a head, and afterward discerned a pair of eyes that were -looking straight into the port. It was a small mark to shoot at, but -Frank had killed squirrels at that distance many a time; so, carefully -raising his rifle, he took a quick aim, and fired, confident that there -was one rebel less in the world. The ball landed in the bank, and raised -a cloud of dust that for a moment concealed the effect of the shot; but -it had scarcely cleared away, when a puff of smoke arose from the gully, -and another bullet whizzed past Frank's head, and landed among the -captain's crockery, showing that the rebel still maintained his -position. Frank cautiously looked out, and saw the rebel hastily -reloading his gun; but, before he could give him another shot, the -deadly rifle was thrust over the bank, in readiness for another trial. - -"O, I'm here yet, Yank!" shouted the rebel, as he saw Frank regarding -him as if he could scarcely believe his eyes. "I'm here! and you want to -keep close, or down comes your meat-house. This 'ere rifle shoots right -smart." - -As he ceased speaking, Frank again fired at him, but with no better -success than before, for the rebel answered the shot, and dodged back -into the gully to reload. For two hours this singular contest was -maintained, and Frank was both astonished and provoked at his poor -workmanship; still he would have continued the fight, had not the rebel -coolly announced--"It's grub-time, Yank. We'll try it again this -afternoon." - -The fellow's impudence was a source of a great deal of merriment on the -part of the captain, who laughed heartily at his remarks, and forgot the -loss he had sustained in his crockery. - -"Captain," said Frank, as soon as he was certain that the rebel had -gone, "it's a good time to close those ports now." - -"Don't go near them. I won't trust the villains. Tell the officers that -they are at liberty to return the fire, but that they must not waste too -much ammunition." - -Frank went into the ward-room, and, after delivering the captain's -order, deposited his gun in the corner. While making a hearty dinner on -hard-tack and salt pork, he related the incidents of his fight with the -rebel, which was listened to with interest by all the officers present. -After finishing his meal he went on deck to get a letter which he had -commenced writing to his cousin, intending, as soon as the firing -recommenced, to renew the battle. Not a shot had been fired since the -rebel left the gully, and when Frank walked across the deck and entered -his room, not a rebel was in sight. He took the letter from his trunk, -and was preparing to return below, when a bullet crashed through the -bulk-head, and, striking his wash-bowl, shivered it into fragments. This -seemed to be a signal for a renewal of the fight, for the bullets -whistled over the ship in a perfect shower. Frank sprang to his feet, -and waited rather impatiently for an opportunity to make his way below; -but none offered. As he opened the door of his room, he heard a sharp -report, that he could easily distinguish from the rest, accompanied by a -familiar whistle, and a bullet, which seemed to come from the stern of -the vessel, sped past him, striking the pilot-house, and glancing upward -with a loud shriek; at the same instant several more from the battery -whistled by, too close for comfort. - -It was evident that the rebels had seen him enter his room, and knowing -that his only chance for escape was across the deck, had determined to -keep him a close prisoner. But why did they not fire through the -bulk-head? Perhaps they thought that it, like the rest of the ship, was -iron-clad, and preferred waiting for him to come out, rather than to -waste their lead. But Frank, who knew that the sides of his room were -only thin boards, which could afford him no protection whatever from the -bullets of his enemies, was not blessed with the most comfortable -thoughts. To go out was almost certain death, for, although he might -escape the bullets of the rebels in the battery, there was his rival of -the morning in the gully, who handled his rifle with remarkable skill. -To remain was hardly less dangerous, for a bullet might at any time -enter his room and put an end to his existence. - -"Well, I'm in a nice fix," he soliloquized; "I've often heard of treeing -bears, raccoons, and other animals, but I never before heard of an -officer being treed in his own room, and on board his own ship. I don't -like to go out on deck, and have those bullets whizzing by my head and -calling me 'cousin;' besides, I shall certainly be shot, for there's -that fellow in the gully, and I know he's an excellent marksman. I've -got to stay here for awhile, that's evident. If I ever get out, I'll -make somebody sweat for this. I wish I had my gun; but, as I am here -unarmed, I must find some kind of a protection." So saying, he snatched -the mattresses from the beds, and, lying on the floor, placed one on -each side of him as a barricade. He remained in this position until -almost night, the bullets all the while shrieking over the deck, and -making music most unpleasant to his ears. At length the firing began to -slacken, and Frank determined to make another effort to get below. It -was not a long distance to the gangway that led to the main-deck, but -there was that fellow in the gully who still maintained the fight, as -an occasional crash in the pantry proved, and Frank had a wholesome fear -of him. He resolved, however, to make the attempt, and, waiting until -the rebel had fired his gun, he threw open the door, when a few hasty -steps carried him below. He heard a loud shout as he ran, and knew that -the rebel had seen him. - -At dark the firing ceased altogether; and after supper--the only cooked -meal they had during the day--the officers assembled on deck to -enjoy the cool breeze, for the heat below had been almost intolerable. -It was late when they retired, but it is needless to say that those who -had rooms on the quarter-deck slept in the mess-rooms. - -The next morning, just as every one had expected, the firing was again -renewed by the rebels in the battery, and it was at once answered by -some of the younger officers of the ship, who cracked away, whether an -enemy was in sight or not. Frank had not been able to get the thought of -that rebel sharp-shooter out of his mind. The audacity he had displayed -in taking up a position so close to the vessel, and the skill with which -he handled his rifle, excited his admiration, and he determined that, -should he again take up the same position, he would renew his attempt -to dislodge him. He, however, took no part in the fight until he came -off watch at noon. He then provided himself with a rifle, and, after -considerable trouble, succeeded in getting into the wheel-house, the -lower part of which, being built of thick timbers, would easily resist a -bullet, and here he settled down, determined to fight his enemy as long -as he had a charge of powder left. - -The rebel was in his old position, concealed as usual, and, as the cabin -ports had been closed, he was directing his fire toward the pilot-house. -He was, of course, not aware that Frank had changed his base of -operations; but he did not long remain ignorant of the fact, for the -latter commenced the fight without ceremony. - -As nearly every officer on board the vessel was engaged in fighting the -rebels, the one in question could not determine whence the shot came. He -drew back for a moment, and then thrust his head carefully out, to -reconnoiter. Frank, who could fire seven shots without stopping to -reload, was ready for him, and another bullet sped toward the mark, but, -as usual, with no more effect than throwing up a cloud of dust. This -time, however, the rebel saw where it came from, and a moment afterward -a ball was buried in the thick timbers, scarcely an inch from the place -where Frank was cautiously looking out, watching the motions of his -rival. - -From his new position, Frank found that the rebel, after he had fired -his gun, was obliged to turn over on his back to reload, and he -determined that, if he could not dislodge him, he would at least put it -out of his power to do any further mischief. So, when the rebel exposed -his arm, as he was in the act of ramming down the charge, he fired at -him again. The latter, ignorant of the fact that his opponent had a -seven-shooter, now redoubled his efforts, and made all haste to reload -his gun; but again did a bullet strike in the bank close beside him, and -cover him with a shower of dust. This seemed to puzzle the rebel, for he -raised his head and gazed intently toward the place where his enemy was -concealed. That move was fatal to him. Scarcely three inches of his head -was exposed; but the bullet went straight to the mark--the rebel rolled -down the bank, and the deadly rifle fell from his hands. - - - - -CHAPTER XVII. - -The Smugglers' Cave--Conclusion. - - -"Tom," said Frank, addressing himself to the quarter-master, as the two -were standing their watch that evening, "how came you to go to sea?" - -"I was born a sailor, sir," answered the man. "My father, and my -grandfather before him, followed the sea for a livelihood. They were -smugglers, living among the rocks and crags on the southern coast of -England. - -"My home was not such a one as would have suited you, sir; but it was a -pleasant place to me, and I often look back to the days of my boyhood, -although passed amid scenes of danger, as the happiest ones of my life. -Our house, as we called it, was a cave in the side of a high mountain, -at the foot of which was a long, narrow, and rocky passage, that led to -the ocean. At the end of this passage, next to the mountain, was a small -but deep bay, where a vessel could ride at anchor in safety without -being seen by any one outside. In front of the cave was a small grass -plot, which overlooked a vast extent of sea and land, and from which the -distant shores of France could be seen. This was my post, where I sat -many a night, watching for the return of my father, who was the captain -of the smugglers. It was my business to watch for revenue-cutters, and -to give the signal of danger in case any appeared off the coast at the -time father was expected to return. - -"It would have been a lonely watch in that cave for one who was not -accustomed to it, for I never had a companion; but, having been brought -up to that kind of a life, I was never at a loss to know how to pass -away the time. The fishing in the basin was excellent, and I had a small -boat, the exact model of my father's little schooner, with which I -sometimes amused myself for hours together in running in and out of the -channel, which, owing to its rocky nature, was very difficult of -passage. It was here that the cutters were always given the slip. -Father never approached the coast except during the night, and many a -time have I seen the swift little schooner come bounding over the waves, -with every stitch of her canvas stretched, followed close in her wake by -a cutter. The latter would be certain of his prize when he saw the -schooner heading straight toward the rocks; but, the first thing he -knew, the smuggler would be out of sight in the channel. No light was -necessary, for father knew every inch of the ground, and before the -man-o'-war could lower his boats and discover the place where his prize -had so mysteriously disappeared, father would have his goods landed, -and, ere the cutter was aware of it, he would run out of the channel -under his very nose, and make all sail for France. No one outside of the -band was ever known to enter the channel; for, even in broad daylight, a -person would have declined making the trial, as the waves dashed and -roared among the rocks in a manner that seemed to threaten destruction -to any thing that came within their reach. - -"The schooner was several times overhauled and boarded while at sea, but -father never lost a cargo. He always succeeded in fooling the revenue -chaps in some manner. I remember one time in particular, when I made a -trip on board the schooner as mate. We made the run in our usual time, -easily eluding the cutters that were watching us, and arrived off the -coast of France with every thing in order. One dark night we landed our -goods, and, after receiving our money, we ran down to a little town, to -purchase some necessary articles, and to take in our return supply. A -lot of jabbering French policemen sprang on board of us, almost before -we had touched the wharf, and commenced rummaging the hold; but they, of -course, went away disappointed in their hopes of finding something to -condemn us. We lay in port alongside of a little Dutch trading vessel, -that was our exact model and build in every particular, until night, -when we received our goods, ran by the police, and stood out to sea. We -got along nicely until just before daylight, when an 'Irish-man's -hurricane,' as we call a calm, set in, accompanied by a heavy fog, and -we lay motionless on the water, with the sails flapping idly against the -masts. It was provoking, and a more uneasy set of men than that -schooner's crew I never saw. We remained becalmed for nearly an hour, -anxiously waiting for the wind to spring up, when I happened to step -for'ard, and heard a noise like the washing of the waves against the -side of a vessel. I hastily ran aft and reported the matter to father, -who silently stationed his men, and walked for'ard, with his -speaking-trumpet in his hand, while we stood at our posts, almost -fearing to breathe, lest it should be heard on board of the strange -vessel, which was still concealed from our view by the thick fog. - -"At length, to our inexpressible relief, we felt a puff of wind; then -came another and another, each one increasing in force, until the sails -began to draw, and the schooner commenced moving slowly through the -water. We stood off on the starboard tack, intending to give our -invisible neighbor a wide berth; but he had also caught the wind, and we -could hear him moving along almost in front of us. At length the fog -lifted a little, and we saw a large revenue-cutter standing directly -across our bows, scarcely a cable's length distant. We luffed, to allow -him to pass, when a hail came from his deck: - -"'Schooner ahoy!' - -"'Yah,' shouted father through his trumpet. - -"'What schooner is that?' - -"'Dis? Dis is my schooner. You know it.' - -"We all held our breath in suspense, wondering what would be the result -of this strange answer, when we distinctly heard the voice say: - -"'It's that rascally Dutchman again.' Then, in a louder tone, came the -question, 'Did you keep a good look-out for that smuggler, as we -requested?' - -"'Yah! But I haven't saw him.' - -"'O, shiver your ugly figure-head,' was the answer. 'I've a good notion -to put a six-pound shot into you, you wooden-headed sour-krout eater. -This makes twice that we have been fooled by you. Now off you go, and -don't you cross our hawse again.' - -"Father made no reply, and the cutter put her helm down, and started -off. We passed under her stern, and in a few moments she disappeared in -the fog. The next night we entered the channel, and landed our goods in -safety. We afterward learned that the cutter, which had been closely -watching our movements, had boarded the Dutch schooner, (which I have -before mentioned, and which sailed about two hours in advance of us,) -and so certain were they that they had at last gobbled the smuggler, -that they seized the vessel, and unceremoniously slapped the captain and -his crew in double irons. The skipper was so terrified that he forgot -his English, and jabbered away in Dutch; and it was not until the ship's -papers had been overhauled, that the cutter discovered her mistake. When -the revenue fellows ran foul of us, they were again deceived by the -resemblance between the two vessels, and the manner in which father had -imitated the Dutch skipper's language. About a year after that we had a -stopper put on our operations, by one of our own men. - -"The cave had two entrances--one by a rope ladder from the basin below, -which we could draw up in times of danger, and the other by a path -through the mountains, which was known only to a few of the band whom -father thought he could trust. But his confidence was abused. There is a -black sheep in every flock, and we had one among us--a man who, tempted -by the offer of reward that was held out for our apprehension, betrayed -us, and broke up our harboring-place. - -"It was this man's business to go to Bath, a small town about two miles -from the cave, to dispose of our goods to the merchants in that place, -and receive the funds. Young as I was, I almost knew that the fellow -would one day get us into trouble. He was a short, powerfully-built man, -with a most villainous countenance. He was always silent and morose; -could not bear to have you look him in the eye; in short, he was just -the man that I would have picked out from among a hundred as a traitor. -Father seemed to repose entire confidence in him, and always asked his -advice in times of danger; but, as much as I respected his judgment, I -could not conquer the feeling with which I had always regarded the man, -and I was constantly on the watch. - -"One night the schooner sailed as usual, but this man, under pretense of -sickness, remained behind, with instructions from father, in case he got -better, to go to the village and collect some money due him for goods. - -"'All right,' answered the mate; 'I'll attend to it.' Then, as soon as -father had got out of hearing, he muttered, 'I'll collect something for -you that you won't expect.' - -"As soon as the schooner had cleared the channel, and was fairly out to -sea, the rapidity with which that man got well was astonishing. He staid -about the cave all day, scarcely saying a word to me, and at night -departed by the secret path for the village. I was very uneasy, for a -dread of impending evil constantly pressed upon me, and I determined to -watch the path, and be ready for any emergency. - -"On the cliff, at the entrance of the channel that led to the bay, was a -pile of dry wood, that was to be lighted in case of danger. This I -replenished, placing materials for striking a light close at hand, and -then returned to the cave to keep watch of the path. - -"Two days passed without the occurrence of any thing unusual, and the -night came on which the schooner was expected to return. I divided my -attention between the secret path and the offing, and at length a blue -light, moving up and down in the darkness, told me that the schooner was -approaching. I answered the signal, and stood peering through the -darkness to get a glimpse of the approaching vessel, when I heard a -rustling behind me, and looking down the path I discovered, to my -dismay, a party of armed men approaching, headed by the traitor, who -said, in a low voice: - -"'It's all right now. Catch that brat before he has time to light the -signal of danger, and let the schooner once get into the channel, and we -have got them fast.' - -"The person spoken of as 'that brat' was myself, and I knew that the -salvation of the schooner depended upon my exertions. In an instant I -had determined upon my course, and, springing from the cave, I ran -toward the rope ladder that led to the basin below, and commenced -descending. A moment afterward the mouth of the cave was filled by the -burly form of the traitor, who exclaimed: - -"'There he is--shoot him!' and, suiting the action to the word, he -leveled his pistol and fired. I felt a sharp pain shoot through my -shoulder; a faintness seized upon me, and, being unable longer to retain -my hold upon the ladder, I disappeared in the basin. My sudden immersion -in the cold water revived me, and, being an excellent swimmer, I struck -out, intending to climb the cliff on the opposite side, and fire the -pile. I exerted myself to the utmost, for I could see by the lights in -the mouth of the cave that the traitor and his men were preparing to -follow me; but, it seemed, in my hurry and excitement, that I scarcely -moved through the water. At length, however, I reached the opposite -shore, and after climbing the cliff, (which I did with the utmost -difficulty, for my wounded arm was hanging almost useless at my side, -and I had not stopped to look for the path,) I ran at the top of my -speed toward the pile. The schooner having seen my signal, and -supposing, of course, that all was right, was still standing toward the -mouth of the channel. A moment more, and I would have been too late. - -"I had considerable difficulty in finding my flint, and then it seemed -impossible to strike a light; but, just as the foremost of my pursuers -reached the top of the cliff, I succeeded in catching a spark; in a -moment more, the whole pile was in a blaze. I could not refrain from -giving a shout of triumph as I saw the flames shooting upward toward the -sky, lighting up the whole face of the rocks, until every object was as -clearly defined as in broad daylight. I heard an exclamation of surprise -on board the schooner, followed by a few hastily-spoken orders; then I -knew that I had succeeded, and the schooner was safe. But I was not a -moment too soon, for the little vessel was rapidly nearing the mouth of -the channel, and once enclosed by those rocky walls, once under the -influence of those waves that dashed so madly over the rocks, retreat -would have been impossible. - -"I was allowed scarcely a moment to congratulate myself upon my success, -for my pursuers, finding themselves foiled, determined to wreak their -vengeance upon me. They could plainly see me by the light of the burning -pile, and the quick discharge of half a dozen pistols sent the bullets -thickly around me. It was death to remain where I was, so, taking a last -look at the cave, I threw myself over the cliff, and struck out for the -schooner. - -"My father, having seen me when I took the leap, laid the schooner to, -and lowered a boat to pick me up. I tell you, sir, I was a proud -youngster when I stood on that deck, receiving the thanks and the -congratulations of those I had saved. I forgot the pain of my wound, and -the dangers from which I had escaped, in the joy I experienced at -finding myself once more safe among my friends." - -Their watch ending with Tom's interesting reminiscence, they then turned -in for the night. - -The next morning the attack upon the bluffs was renewed, without -resulting to the advantage of either side, and at night the vessels -again withdrew, and retreated down the river. The Trenton returned to -her old landing, and Frank, at his request, was again placed in command -of one of the guns of the battery. But he was not destined to hold the -position long, for, now that the "beauties" had dismounted that -troublesome gun, General Sherman had advanced his works until he could -go no further without getting into the enemy's line. At length, one -morning, a flag of truce was raised within their fortifications, and -hostilities were at once suspended. Then came that celebrated interview -between the generals, during which the soldiers on both sides clambered -out of the rifle-pits, and conversed face to face with the men with whom -they had so long been engaged in deadly conflict. - -"How are you now, Johnny?" inquired Frank, seating himself on one of the -guns, and waving his hat to a rebel officer who stood in the rifle-pits, -gazing at the battery with great interest. "What does that flag of -truce mean? Are you going to surrender?" - -"Don't know," replied the rebel; "but, I say, Yank, will you let a -fellow come over there?" - -"Certainly. Come on." - -The rebel accordingly laid aside his weapons, and walked over to the -battery, where, after examining the guns very curiously, he entered into -conversation with Frank, in the course of which he informed him that -they were a "played-out concern," and could not possibly hold out more -than a week longer. - -But they did not "hold out" so long; for, on the next day, the fourth of -July, the victorious army entered the city, and raised the STARS AND -STRIPES over the "SEBASTOPOL OF THE REBELS." - -Here we leave our hero, reposing before Vicksburg on his well-earned -reputation as a gallant young officer, waiting to be ordered to new -scenes of excitement and danger further down the Mississippi and up her -tributary streams. Through these scenes we shall conduct our readers in -a concluding volume, which will close Frank's career on our Western -waters. - - - THE END. - - - - - R. W. CARROLL & CO., - - Publishers, Booksellers, and Stationers, - - 73 WEST FOURTH STREET, - - OPERA-HOUSE BUILDING, - - CINCINNATI, OHIO - -Call attention to their List of Standard, Useful, and Interesting Works: - - -=The Works of Shakespeare.= Complete. 8vo., shp. $4.50 Turkey antique, -$10. - -=Vagaries of Van Dyke Browne.= An Autobiography in Verse. By Wm. P. -Brannan. 1 vol., 16mo., $1.75. - -=Lights and Shadows of Army Life=; or, Pen Pictures from the Camp, the -Battlefield, and the Hospital, By Rev. W. W. Lyle, Chaplain U. S. A. 1 -vol., 12mo., $1.75. - -=Discourses from the Pulpit.= By Rev. Wm. M. Daily, A. M., LL.D., late -President Indiana University. With portrait. 1 vol., 12mo., $1.50. - -=The Mystic Circle and American Hand-book of Free-=MASONRY. By George H. -Gray. 1 vol., 12mo., illus. _New Edition._ $2. - -=The Illustrated Book of Manners=; A Manual of Good Behavior and Polite -Accomplishments. By Robert De Valcourt. Illustrated, 16mo., $1.75. - -=The Odd-Fellows' Minstrel=; A Collection of Odes for All Occasions, for -the Use of the Fraternity. By J. Fletcher Williams, P. G. S. of Grand -Lodge of Minnesota. 1 vol., flexible cloth, 75 cents. - -=The Heroes of the War for the Union=, and their Achievements. With a -portrait of General Grant. By Rev. P. V. Ferree, M. D. 1 vol., 12mo., -$2. - -=The Gun-Boat Series.= By H. C. Castlemon, "The Gun-boat Boy." Comprising: - - FRANK, THE YOUNG NATURALIST. Illustrated, $1.25. - FRANK IN THE WOODS. Illustrated, $1.25. - FRANK ON A GUN-BOAT. Illustrated, $1.25. - FRANK BEFORE VICKSBURG. Illustrated, $1.25. - FRANK ON THE LOWER MISSISSIPPI. Illustrated, $1.25. - -=Incidents of the War=: Humorous, Pathetic, and Descriptive. By Alf. -Burnett, Comic Delineator, Army Correspondent, etc. 1 vol., 12mo., -illustrated. Cloth, $1.25. - -=The Sioux Massacre in Minnesota=: A History of the Great Massacre by the -Sioux Indians in Minnesota; including the personal narratives of many -who escaped. By Charles S. Bryant, A. M., and A. B. Murch. 1 vol., 12 -mo., 504 pages, cloth, $1.75. - -=Trial of Clement L. Vallandigham= by a Military Commission, and the -Proceedings in _Habeas Corpus_. 1 vol., 8 vo. Paper, 75 cents; law -sheep, $2. - -=Internal Rules and Regulations= for Vessels of the Mississippi Fleet. -Issued by order of Rear-Admiral David D. Porter. 8 vo., stitched, 25 -cents. - -=Thrilling Adventures of Pauline Cushman=, the Famous Federal Spy. 1 vol., -12 mo., stitched, 25 cents. - -=Poems.= By Alice McClure Griffin. From the Riverside Press. 1 vol., -12mo., cloth, gilt tops, $1. - -=Lawson on Consumption.= A Practical Treatise on Phthisis Pulmonalis. By -L. M. Lawson. M. D., Professor of the Theory and Practice of Medicine in -the Medical College of Ohio, etc. 1 vol., 8 vo., sheep, $3.50. - -=A History of the Discovery of the Circulation of the= BLOOD. By P. -Flourens, Sec. of the Academy of Sciences, Paris. Translated from the -French by J. C. Reeve, M. D. 1 vol., 16 mo., cl., $1. - -=A Popular Manual of Practical Microscopy.= By John King, M. D. -Illustrated with 114 cuts. 8 vo., $2.50. - -=The Eclectic Practice of Medicine.= By William Byrd Powell, M. D., and R. -S. Newton, M. D. 1 vol., 8 vo., sheep, $4. - -=The Concordia.= By A. D. Fillmore. A splendid Book of Church Music, with -ample Lessons for Schools, in round notes, containing over 400 pages. -$1.50 per copy; $12 per dozen. - -=The Polyphonic=; or, Juvenile Choralist. By A. D. and C. L. Fillmore, -containing a great variety of Music and Hymns, new and old, designed for -Schools and Youth generally, and adapted to use in Religious Meetings -and in the Home Circle. Three Parts, in 1 vol., 128 pages. Paper covers, -30 cents per copy; $3 per dozen. Stiff covers, 35 cents per copy; $3.60 -per dozen. - -Teachers and Sabbath-Schools supplied by the dozen or hundred, at a -liberal discount. - -=Nelson's Mercantile Arithmetic=, for Commercial Schools and Colleges. By -Richard Nelson. 1 vol., cloth, $1.25. - -=The Little Speaker.= By J. C. Zachos. 60 cents. - -=The High School Speaker.= By J. C. Zachos. $1. - -[Symbol: hand] Liberal discounts to the Trade. Any Work on our List -sent, post-paid, on receipt of price. - - R. W. CARROLL & CO., - - _73 West Fourth Street, Cincinnati._ - - - - - TO PHYSICIANS AND MEDICAL STUDENTS. - - R. W. CARROLL & CO. - - KEEP AT ALL TIMES - - A COMPLETE STOCK. - - -OF- - - MEDICAL BOOKS, - - TO WHICH THE ATTENTION OF - - PHYSICIANS AND STUDENTS - - IS DIRECTED. - - AMONG THEM WILL BE FOUND THE LATEST EDITIONS OF ALL - THE LEADING AUTHORS IN THE USE AS TEXT-BOOKS - IN THE COLLEGES, COMPRISING - - Works on Materia Medica and Pathology, - Works on Surgery, - Works on Mechanical and Operative Dentistry, - Anatomical Books, Domestic Medicine, - etc., etc., etc., - - - RECENTLY ISSUED: - - A NEW AND COMPLETE MEDICAL CATALOGUE, - - (PRICES ATTACHED,) - - Which will be sent on receipt of a Postage Stamp. - - The Trade Supplied on Liberal Terms. - - - R. W CARROLL & CO., Publishers, - _73 West Fourth Street, Cincinnati._ - - - - - A NEW AND STIRRING SET OF - - JUVENILES - - EACH VOLUME HANDSOMELY ILLUSTRATED. - - These are the only works published relating to Adventures in the - Gun-boat Service on our Western waters. The Author speaks - from actual experience. - - Frank, the Young Naturalist, - Frank in the Woods, - Frank on a Gun-boat, - Frank before Vicksburg, - Frank on the Lower Mississippi. - - By H. C. CASTLEMON, - THE "GUN-BOAT BOY." - - These works are the productions of a young officer, who has been serving - his country in the gun-boat service on our Western waters. They are - written in a chaste style, filled with stirring adventures, and are - admirably adapted to interest and improve the rising generation. The - tone of the entire series is healthy, while it takes a wide range, - detailing the adventures, amusements, and exploits of Frank and his - Cousin Archie, from early boyhood to the end of the Rebellion, against - which they both fought. - - 5 volumes, elegantly printed and bound, in a neat box, $6.25. - Any volume sold separately, price $1.25. - - Sent by mail, post paid, on receipt of price. - - For sale by all Booksellers in the United States. - - R. W. CARROLL & CO., Publishers, - 73 West Fourth St., (Opera-House Building,) - CINCINNATI, O. - - - - - SHAKESPEARE - - R. W. CARROLL & CO. - - CALL ATTENTION TO THEIR EDITION OF THE - - Complete Works of Wm. Shakespeare. - - One Vol., Large Octavo, Elegantly Illustrated. - - Sheep, $4 50; Turkey antique, $10. - - This is the handsomest one-volume edition published. It is printed from - clear, bold type, illustrated with steel engravings, and comprises the - complete Dramatic and Poetical Works, from the text of the late George - Steevens, with a Glossary and Notes, and a Memoir by Alexander Chalmers. - - [Symbol: hand] Sent by mail, postage paid, - on receipt of price. [Symbol: hand] - - - A STANDARD WORK ON FREEMASONRY. - - JUST READY, A NEW EDITION OF - - THE MYSTIC CIRCLE, - - AND - - American Hand-Book of Masonry - - By George H. Gray, Sr. - - This excellent work contains a brief History of Freemasonry in Europe - and America--Symbolic Chart--Ancient Constitution of the Grand Lodge of - England--Abiman Rezon--Constitutional Rules--Resolutions, Decisions, and - Opinions of Grand Lodges and Enlightened Masons, on Questions liable to - arise in Subordinate Lodges, and a Code of By-Laws for Subordinate - Lodges--Instructions, Suggestions, and Forms for Secretaries of Lodges. - - One vol., illustrated, handsomely bound, $2.00. Sent by mail, post-paid. - - R. W. CARROLL & CO., Publishers, - 73 West Fourth Street. - - - - - NEW POEMS BY WM. P. BRANNAN. - - Vagaries of Vandyke Browne, - - AN AUTOBIOGRAPHY IN VERSE. - - BY WM. P. BRANNAN, - - AUTHOR OF "THE HARP OF A THOUSAND STRINGS" - - 1 Vol., elegantly Printed on Laid Paper, and exquisitely Bound in New - Style Cloth, $1.75. - - _Sent by Mail, Postage Paid, on Receipt of Price_. - - MR. BRANNAN is well known, to the people of the West especially, as an - artist, and an occasional contributor of poetry to the Press. His "HARP - OF A THOUSAND STRINGS," a burlesque sermon, has been long recognized as - the best of its class. The present volume is one of superior merit for - the wit and humor of the Autobiography, the pathos, imagination and - smooth versification of the Occasional Pieces scattered in profusion - throughout. This work is destined to place Mr. BRANNAN high in the rank - of American Poets, and to give him position as a leader among the Bards - of the West. - - _NOTICES OF THE PRESS_. - - "The breezy freshness of the prairie pervades his thought, and breathes - in many of his lines."--_Portland Daily Press._ - - "The collection of Poems does honor to the author, whose name is so - familiar to Western people, that the mere announcement of the work will - be sufficient to secure a host of readers."--_Cincinnati Gazette._ - - "This autobiographic verse is made to link together a number of fugitive - poems which have the true gold of poetry, without alloy."--_Cincinnati - Commercial._ - - "The Poems display a tender and refined sensibility, and the book is one - to buy."--_Boston Saturday Evening Gazette._ - - "The author manifests more than ordinary skill in - versification."--_Salem Register._ - - - R. W. CARROLL & CO., Publishers, - 73 West Fourth St., Opera-House Building, Cincinnati. - - - - - MUSICAL WORKS OF A. D. FILLMORE. - - R. W. CARROLL & CO. - - Call attention to the following list of Mr. FILLMORE'S WORKS, which - are published by them: - - _HARP OF ZION_: - - A large Book of Church Music, in Figure-faced Notation on the - Staff. The work contains a concise course of lessons, and a series - of Practical Exercises for Schools; also, a number of fine secular - pieces, designed for Social and School Practice. $1.25 per copy; - $12 per dozen. (In preparation--entirely new.) - - _CONCORDIA_: - - A Splendid Book of Church Music, with ample lessons for Schools, in - round notes, containing over _four hundred pages_. $1.50 per copy; - $15 per dozen. - - _POLYPHONIC_: - - Designed for Sunday-Schools. Bound in boards, 35 cents per copy; - $3.60 per dozen. Paper covers, 30 cents per copy; $3 per dozen. - -Liberal discounts, on the above works, to Sunday-Schools, Teachers, and -the Trade. Sent by mail, post-paid, on receipt of price. - - - A Pleasant Volume for the Fireside. - - HUMOROUS, PATHETIC, AND DESCRIPTIVE - - INCIDENTS OF THE WAR. - - BY ALF. BURNETT, - HUMORIST AND ARMY CORRESPONDENT. - - With a Sketch of his Life; and Humorous Illustrations, from Original - Designs, by THEE. JONES. 1 vol., 12 mo., cloth. $1.25. - - Mr. Burnett has a reputation, throughout the entire country, as a - first-class Humorist. In this volume he has gathered incidents both - grave and gay, to convulse with laughter, and to subdue with tears. It - is a book which will be readily welcomed by a large class of readers, - and contains much worthy of preservation. - - Sent by mail, post-paid, on receipt of price. - - R. W CARROLL & CO., Publishers, - _73 West Fourth Street, Cincinnati_. - - - - - OPERA-HOUSE BOOKSTORE, - CINCINNATI, O. - - WHOLESALE DEPARTMENT. - - R. W. CARROLL & CO., - - WHOLESALE - - Booksellers and Stationers, - - KEEP CONSTANTLY ON HAND - THE LARGEST AND BEST ASSORTED STOCK OF - BOOKS AND STATIONERY, - OF EVERY IMAGINABLE KIND, - - To be found in any one House in the Mississippi Valley. They offer - these at - - REDUCED PRICES, - - And will always sell on as favorable terms as the market will permit, - or as any other House can give. Among the great variety - of articles sold by - - R. W. CARROLL & CO. - - are the following: - - SCHOOL BOOKS OF EVERY KIND, USED IN THE WEST, - Law Books, Medical Books, - Scientific Books, Theological - Books, Agricultural Books, and all - Varieties of Miscellaneous Books, including - Histories, Biographies, Travels, - Novels, and Illustrated Works; Photograph - Albums and Cards, Plain and Fancy Letter and - Note Paper, Foreign and Domestic Stationery, Foolscap - and Flatcap Paper, Gold Pens, Inkstands, Steel - and Quill Pens, Lead Pencils, Chess Boards, - Cribbage Boards, Paper Weights, Paper - Cutters, Card Cases, Pocket Books, - Portfolios, Writing Desks, Pocket - Cutlery, Diaries, Memorandum, - Scrap and Blank Books. - - In fact their stock includes every variety of Books and Stationery, - which they invite Dealers to examine before purchasing, as they are - confident they offer the greatest facilities, and can give satisfaction. - - _R. W. CARROLL & CO._, - 73 West Fourth. St., Cincinnati. - - - - - -End of Project Gutenberg's Frank Before Vicksburg, by Harry Castlemon - -*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK FRANK BEFORE VICKSBURG *** - -***** This file should be named 42099-8.txt or 42099-8.zip ***** -This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: - http://www.gutenberg.org/4/2/0/9/42099/ - -Produced by Matthias Grammel, Greg Bergquist and the Online -Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net (This -file was produced from images generously made available -by The Internet Archive/American Libraries.) - - -Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions -will be renamed. - -Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no -one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation -(and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without -permission and without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, -set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to -copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to -protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark. Project -Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you -charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission. If you -do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the -rules is very easy. You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose -such as creation of derivative works, reports, performances and -research. They may be modified and printed and given away--you may do -practically ANYTHING with public domain eBooks. Redistribution is -subject to the trademark license, especially commercial -redistribution. - - - -*** START: FULL LICENSE *** - -THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE -PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK - -To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free -distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work -(or any other work associated in any way with the phrase "Project -Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project -Gutenberg-tm License available with this file or online at - www.gutenberg.org/license. - - -Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm -electronic works - -1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm -electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to -and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property -(trademark/copyright) agreement. If you do not agree to abide by all -the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or destroy -all copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in your possession. -If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a Project -Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by the -terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the person or -entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph 1.E.8. - -1.B. "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark. It may only be -used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who -agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few -things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works -even without complying with the full terms of this agreement. See -paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project -Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this agreement -and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm electronic -works. See paragraph 1.E below. - -1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation" -or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection of Project -Gutenberg-tm electronic works. Nearly all the individual works in the -collection are in the public domain in the United States. If an -individual work is in the public domain in the United States and you are -located in the United States, we do not claim a right to prevent you from -copying, distributing, performing, displaying or creating derivative -works based on the work as long as all references to Project Gutenberg -are removed. Of course, we hope that you will support the Project -Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by -freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm works in compliance with the terms of -this agreement for keeping the Project Gutenberg-tm name associated with -the work. You can easily comply with the terms of this agreement by -keeping this work in the same format with its attached full Project -Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others. - -1.D. The copyright laws of the place where you are located also govern -what you can do with this work. Copyright laws in most countries are in -a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, check -the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this agreement -before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or -creating derivative works based on this work or any other Project -Gutenberg-tm work. The Foundation makes no representations concerning -the copyright status of any work in any country outside the United -States. - -1.E. Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg: - -1.E.1. The following sentence, with active links to, or other immediate -access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear prominently -whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work on which the -phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the phrase "Project -Gutenberg" is associated) is accessed, displayed, performed, viewed, -copied or distributed: - -This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with -almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or -re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included -with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org - -1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived -from the public domain (does not contain a notice indicating that it is -posted with permission of the copyright holder), the work can be copied -and distributed to anyone in the United States without paying any fees -or charges. If you are redistributing or providing access to a work -with the phrase "Project Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the -work, you must comply either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1 -through 1.E.7 or obtain permission for the use of the work and the -Project Gutenberg-tm trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or -1.E.9. - -1.E.3. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted -with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution -must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any additional -terms imposed by the copyright holder. Additional terms will be linked -to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works posted with the -permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work. - -1.E.4. Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg-tm -License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this -work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm. - -1.E.5. Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this -electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without -prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with -active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project -Gutenberg-tm License. - -1.E.6. You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary, -compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including any -word processing or hypertext form. However, if you provide access to or -distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format other than -"Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official version -posted on the official Project Gutenberg-tm web site (www.gutenberg.org), -you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense to the user, provide a -copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means of obtaining a copy upon -request, of the work in its original "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other -form. Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg-tm -License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. - -1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, -performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works -unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. - -1.E.8. You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing -access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works provided -that - -- You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from - the use of Project Gutenberg-tm works calculated using the method - you already use to calculate your applicable taxes. The fee is - owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he - has agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the - Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty payments - must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you - prepare (or are legally required to prepare) your periodic tax - returns. Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and - sent to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the - address specified in Section 4, "Information about donations to - the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation." - -- You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies - you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he - does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg-tm - License. You must require such a user to return or - destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium - and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of - Project Gutenberg-tm works. - -- You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of any - money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the - electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days - of receipt of the work. - -- You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free - distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works. - -1.E.9. If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project Gutenberg-tm -electronic work or group of works on different terms than are set -forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing from -both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael -Hart, the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark. Contact the -Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below. - -1.F. - -1.F.1. Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable -effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread -public domain works in creating the Project Gutenberg-tm -collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm electronic -works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may contain -"Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or -corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual -property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a -computer virus, or computer codes that damage or cannot be read by -your equipment. - -1.F.2. LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the "Right -of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project -Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project -Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project -Gutenberg-tm electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all -liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal -fees. YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT -LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE -PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH 1.F.3. YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE -TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE -LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR -INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH -DAMAGE. - -1.F.3. LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a -defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can -receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a -written explanation to the person you received the work from. If you -received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium with -your written explanation. The person or entity that provided you with -the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a -refund. If you received the work electronically, the person or entity -providing it to you may choose to give you a second opportunity to -receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund. If the second copy -is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further -opportunities to fix the problem. - -1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth -in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you 'AS-IS', WITH NO OTHER -WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO -WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE. - -1.F.5. Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied -warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages. -If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement violates the -law of the state applicable to this agreement, the agreement shall be -interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or limitation permitted by -the applicable state law. The invalidity or unenforceability of any -provision of this agreement shall not void the remaining provisions. - -1.F.6. INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the -trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone -providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in accordance -with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production, -promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works, -harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, including legal fees, -that arise directly or indirectly from any of the following which you do -or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this or any Project Gutenberg-tm -work, (b) alteration, modification, or additions or deletions to any -Project Gutenberg-tm work, and (c) any Defect you cause. - - -Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm - -Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of -electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of computers -including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It exists -because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations from -people in all walks of life. - -Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the -assistance they need are critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's -goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will -remain freely available for generations to come. In 2001, the Project -Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure -and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations. -To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation -and how your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4 -and the Foundation information page at www.gutenberg.org - - -Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive -Foundation - -The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit -501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the -state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal -Revenue Service. The Foundation's EIN or federal tax identification -number is 64-6221541. Contributions to the Project Gutenberg -Literary Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent -permitted by U.S. federal laws and your state's laws. - -The Foundation's principal office is located at 4557 Melan Dr. S. -Fairbanks, AK, 99712., but its volunteers and employees are scattered -throughout numerous locations. Its business office is located at 809 -North 1500 West, Salt Lake City, UT 84116, (801) 596-1887. Email -contact links and up to date contact information can be found at the -Foundation's web site and official page at www.gutenberg.org/contact - -For additional contact information: - Dr. Gregory B. Newby - Chief Executive and Director - gbnewby@pglaf.org - -Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg -Literary Archive Foundation - -Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide -spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of -increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be -freely distributed in machine readable form accessible by the widest -array of equipment including outdated equipment. Many small donations -($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt -status with the IRS. - -The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating -charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United -States. Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a -considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up -with these requirements. We do not solicit donations in locations -where we have not received written confirmation of compliance. To -SEND DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any -particular state visit www.gutenberg.org/donate - -While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we -have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition -against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who -approach us with offers to donate. - -International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make -any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from -outside the United States. U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff. - -Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation -methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other -ways including checks, online payments and credit card donations. -To donate, please visit: www.gutenberg.org/donate - - -Section 5. General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic -works. - -Professor Michael S. Hart was the originator of the Project Gutenberg-tm -concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared -with anyone. For forty years, he produced and distributed Project -Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of volunteer support. - -Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed -editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the U.S. -unless a copyright notice is included. Thus, we do not necessarily -keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper edition. - -Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search facility: - - www.gutenberg.org - -This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, -including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary -Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to -subscribe to our email newsletter to hear about new eBooks. - |