THE UNIVERSITY OF 
 
 NORTH CAROLINA 
 
 LIBRARY 
 
 THE WILMER COLLECTION 
 
 OF CIVIL WAR NOVELS 
 
 PRESENTED BY 
 
 RICHARD H. WILMER, JR. 
 
/fiifc^ 
 
THE GUN-BOAT SERIES. 
 
 FRANK, THE YOUNG NATURALIST, 
 FRANK ON A GUN-BOAT, 
 
 FRANK BEFORE VICKSBURG, 
 FRANK ON THE LOWER MISSISSIPPL 
 
 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- BO AT SERIES. 
 
 Jranli 
 
 BEFOEE VICKSBURG 
 
 BY 
 H. C. CASTLEMON, 
 
 " THE GUN-BOAT BOY." 
 
 WITH ILLUSTRATIONS. 
 
 CINCINNATI: 
 K. W. CARROLL & CO., Publishers, 
 
 OPERA-UOUSE BUILDING, 
 
 73 West Fourth Street. 
 
 1866. 
 
Entered according to Act of Congress, in the year 1865, 
 
 Bv R. W. CARROLL & CO., 
 
 In the Clerk's OflBce of the District Court of the United States for the 
 
 Southern District of Ohio. 
 
 6TEKE0TTPED AT THE 
 
 TEA N KLIN TTPE FOUNDET, 
 
 CINCINNATI, 0. 
 
Cfltttents. 
 
 CHAPTER I. PAGB 
 Home Again 
 
 CHAPTER II. 
 
 23 
 Habry on a Scout 
 
 CHAPTER III. 
 
 38 
 On Duty Again 
 
 • CHAPTER IV. 
 
 60 
 The Fight in the Woods •■ 
 
 CHAPTER V. 
 In the Hands of the " Johnnies " Again 80 
 
 CHAPTER VI. 
 
 96 
 An Old Acquaintance 
 
 CHAPTER VII. 
 A Close Shave 
 
 CHAPTER VIII. 
 
 N 
 
 CHAPTER IX. 
 CHAPTER X. 
 CHAPTER XI. 
 
 126 
 Taking Down the Captain 
 
 144 
 A Pbactical Joke 
 
 153 
 New Messmates 
 
 A Good Night's Wobk ■ 
 
 602901 
 
VI CONTENTS. 
 
 CHAPTER XII. PACK 
 In the Trenches 183 
 
 CHAPTER XIII. 
 The Scout's Story 194 
 
 CHAPTER XIV. 
 Running the Batteries 206 
 
 CHAPTER XV. 
 A Race fob the Old Flag 213 
 
 CHAPTER XVI. 
 The Rival Shabp-Shooteks 227 
 
 CHAPTER XVII. 
 The SjiTTCGtEB's Cave— Conclusion 243 
 
FRANK BEFORE VICKSBURG, 
 
 CHAPTER I. 
 
 ,FTER all the tragic adventures 
 which Frank Nelson had passed 
 through, since entering the service 
 of his country, which we have at- 
 tempted to describe in the preceding 
 volume of this series, he found him- 
 self surrounded by his relatives and 
 friends, petted and feted, enjoying all the com- 
 forts of his old and well-beloved home. 
 
 Only those who have been in similar circum- 
 stances can imagine how pleasant that quiet little 
 cottage seemed to Frank, after the scenes of dan- 
 ger Through which he had passed. He looked 
 back to the memorable struggle between the 
 
 (7) 
 
8 FRANK BEFORE VICKSBURQ. 
 
 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 suffer- 
 ings 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 morn- 
 ing, 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. 
 Ilis presence there aff'orded abundant proof that 
 
HOME AGAIN. 
 
 he had not been shot while attempting to run the 
 guards at Shrcvcport, 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 coun- 
 try. 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 forget- 
 ting 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 obhged 
 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 
 
10 FRANK BEFORE VICKSBURG. 
 
 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 Httle clock on 
 the mantel-piece ticked as musically as in days 
 of yore ; and the limb of the rose-bush that cov- 
 ered his window flapped against the house just as 
 it did the night when it was broken oflf by the 
 storm. 
 
 After he had taken a fond, lingering look at 
 each familiar object, he went into the museum, ac- 
 companied 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 smiUng 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 be- 
 fore, he thought over the little history of each. 
 There was the buck that he and Archie had killed 
 
HOME AGAIN. 11 
 
 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 des- 
 perately 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 fol- 
 lowed 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 
 
12 FRANK BEFORE VICKSBURQ. 
 
 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 ene- 
 mies 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 
 
HOME AGAIN. 13 
 
 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 gen-erally defend himself 
 against the attacks of one of the cubs, but the 
 other is always ready to lend assistance, and the 
 L'ishman 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 mas- 
 ter's side ever since he returned, scarcely leaving 
 him for a moment, followed him into his study, 
 
14 FRANK BEFORE VICKSBURO. 
 
 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 associa- 
 tions connected with each locality were recalled to 
 his mind. Here was the place where the black 
 fox, which had so long held possession of Rey- 
 nard's Island, had crossed the creek with Sport — 
 "the doo; that had never lost a fox" — followinoj 
 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 
 
HOME AGAIN. 15 
 
 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 ap- 
 peared 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 
 
16 FRANK BEFORE VICKSBURG. 
 
 over the floor, the small, weak cubs which he had 
 carried for twenty miles in the pocket of his over- 
 coat. 
 
 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!" ex- 
 claimed Mike, endeavoring to ward ofi" 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 watch- 
 ing the motions of the clumsy animals, Frank fol- 
 lowed 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. 
 
HOME AGAIN. 17 
 
 After seeing the animal "shown off" to his 
 best advantages, Frank got into Uncle Mike's 
 skiif, 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 re- 
 mained 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 
 engacre in his favorite recreation. But his con- 
 science would not allow him to " wantonly waste 
 the good things of God," and, when he had caught 
 enough for his breakfast, he unfastened his skifi" 
 and pulled toward home. 
 
 Frank spent the forenoon in recounting some 
 of his adventures to his mother and Julia, of 
 2 
 
18 FRANK BEFORE VICKSBURG. 
 
 which they seemed never to grow weary. When 
 Aunt Hannah announced that dinner was ready, 
 he hngered 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 re- 
 turn 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 
 
HOME AGAIN. 19 
 
 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 fiirht, 
 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 rob- 
 ber, finding that he could not escape his ene- 
 tnies, 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 efi'ective assistance in fighting the eagle, did 
 not stop to resist, but beat a Ifasty retreat toward 
 the cottage. This seemed a favorable moment for 
 the eagle ; he leaped from his perch, and was fly- 
 ing off* with his booty, when the report of Frank's 
 gun brought him to the ground. The young nat- 
 
20 FRANK BEFORE VICKSBURG. 
 
 uralist shouldered his prize, and was starting 
 toward the house, when a voice called out : 
 
 " Halloo, there ! At your old tricks again so 
 Boon?" 
 
 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 gi'eeted 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, impet- 
 uous 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 no- 
 ticed 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 '11 tell you all about it. I 've 
 often been here to visit your folks," he continued, 
 
HOME AGAIN. 21 
 
 " 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 did n'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 
 have n't had mine yet." 
 
 In accordance with Harry's suggestion, a bas- 
 ket 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 
 
22 FRANK BEFORE VICKSBURG. 
 
 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. 
 
HARRY ON A SCOUT. 
 
 23 
 
 CHAPTER II. 
 
 ^^...^-.^.^HEN they had finished every thing 
 V ¥ Ay/S ^^ *^® basket, the boys threw them- 
 Wy/m^ifi selves on the grass in front of the 
 . C*^ J?^!tl\ 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 es- 
 capes than when we climbed up that tree to get 
 
24 FRANK BEFORE VICKSBURG. 
 
 out of the reach of the wolves that were in pur- 
 suit 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 proba- 
 bihties are, that, if we live to return home again, 
 after peace has been restored, and w.e go tramp- 
 ing 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 whisthng 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 cap- 
 tain of our company, he received the appoint- 
 
HARRY ON A SCOUT. 25 
 
 ment of first lieutenant, and an excellent officer 
 
 he made. He ^Yas a'spl^^^^^ ^'^*^^®^' ^^^'^ ^^'^'^'^ 
 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 
 Bcout, with orders to capture Mosby, who was 
 constantly harassing us, and scatter his command. 
 We were out about ten days, without accomplish- 
 ing 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 an- 
 other animal to ride. I had command of the rear 
 
26 FRANK BEFORE VICKSBURG. 
 
 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 could n'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 guer- 
 rillas, and with which I was entirely unacquainted. 
 It is true that I could have had a horse, as sev- 
 eral were at once ofi'ered 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 toldJBen to go ahead with the company, keep- 
 ing 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. 
 
HARRY ON A SCOUT. 27 
 
 " I walked along at a pretty lively pace, keep- 
 ing 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 sud- 
 denly around a bend in the road, I found Ben sit- 
 ting 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 
 
28 FRANK BEFORE VICKSBURQ. 
 
 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 posses- 
 sion 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 men- 
 tion, we took oft* 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, gentle- 
 men, as I would hke to run over to see my sister, 
 
HARRY ON A BCOUT. 29 
 
 ■who is very sick. Will you keep an eye on the 
 baby?' she continued, pointing to the small speci- 
 men of humanity in question, which lay fast asleep 
 in the cradle. 
 
 " ' Yes,' answered Ben, ' I '11 see to him ; ' and 
 the woman started off, leaving us to finish our din- 
 ner and attend to the child. 
 
 " She had n'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 suc- 
 ceeded 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 think- 
 
30 FRANK BEFORE VICKSBURG. 
 
 ing about starting for camp, -when some one sud- 
 denly 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, tri- 
 umphantly. ' You did n'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. 
 
HARRY ON A SCOUT. 31 
 
 'Get up from beliiiid that table at once, or you 
 are dead men ! ' 
 
 " * "We 're gobbled easy enougli, 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 3'ou intend to do with a fellow, Johnny ? ' 
 
 " * Take you direct to Richmond,' was the en- 
 couraging 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 im- 
 agine 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 
 
6Z FRANK BEFORE VICKSBURG. 
 
 seemed to put some fJaith 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 Abo- 
 litionists and the like ; and said that if he could 
 have his own way he would hang us on the near- 
 est 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 
 
HARRY ON A SCOUT. 33 
 
 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 
 3 
 
34 FRANK BEFORE VICKSBURG. 
 
 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, 
 
HARRY ON A SCOUT. 35 
 
 until wc 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 : 
 
 " * Do n't shoot, Yank. Do n'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 
 
36 FRANK BEFORE VICKSBURa. 
 
 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 vi- 
 cinity, 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 charg- 
 ing 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 hand- 
 kerchief 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 
 
HARRY ON A SCOUT. 37 
 
 had doubtless discovered him, and released him 
 from his unpleasant situation. The woman who 
 betrayed us paid the penalty of her treachery. 
 Her house Avas 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." 
 
38 FRANK BEFORE VICKSBURQ. 
 
 CHAPTER in. 
 
 Y the time Harry had finished his 
 i>^^ story, it was ahnost sundown. 
 iii^ Putting the cabin in order, and 
 fastening the door, the boys then 
 started for home. After a hearty sup- 
 per 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. "\Ye might, 
 among others, tell of the hunting and fishing ex- 
 peditions 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 
 
ON DUTY AGAIN. 39 
 
 remained idle in the shop ; but one incident that 
 liappened will suffice. 
 
 It was on the morning of the last day tluit 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 w^aiting for 
 him. When the bait and every thing else neces- 
 sary for the trip had been stowed away in the 
 Bkiff, 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 an- 
 chored outside the weeds. 
 
 Although they were remarkably successful, they 
 did not seem to enjoy the sport. Frank's thoughts 
 were constantly dweUing 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 re- 
 
40 FRANK BEFORE VICKSBURa. 
 
 cover his health, as he wished to rejoin his com- 
 mand. While he was free, and enjoying the de- 
 lights of home, his brother was languishing in a 
 Southern dungeon — held as a hostage for a notori- 
 ous 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 wan- 
 dered 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 loath- 
 some 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 ex- 
 changed,) but firm in the behef 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 
 
ON DUTY AGAIN. 41 
 
 to be wondered if he indulp;cd 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 pris- 
 oners; 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 heutenant of the " Mid- 
 nio;ht Ranorers." 
 
 " 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 
 
42 FRANK BEFORE VICKSBURG. 
 
 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 morn- 
 ing; and if I hate a rebel, I hold a domestic 
 traitor in the most profound abhorrence." 
 
 ^' Hullo, boys ! " exclaimed Charles, at this mo- 
 ment, 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 have n'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," answ^ered 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 groino: 
 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. 
 
ON DUTY An ATX. 43 
 
 "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 do n't volunteer. How can you stay 
 at home?" 
 
 "0, it is the easiest thing in the world," an- 
 swered 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 inter- 
 ested either way — I'm neutral." 
 
 " You 're no such thing," answered Harry, an- 
 grily. "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 
 
44 FRANK BEFORE YICKSBURG. 
 
 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 jo\i 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 senti- 
 ments," said Harry; '' and another thing, I am not 
 going to sit here and listen to them." 
 
 " You are not, indeed ! I do n'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 have n'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 sympa- 
 thy for him. The South said, at the commence- 
 ment, that they only wanted to be let alone ; and 
 if George has n't any more sense than to meddle 
 with them, I say, let him take the consequences;" 
 and, as Charles ceased speaking, he dropped the 
 
ON DUTY AGAIN. 45 
 
 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 '11 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 '11 
 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 go- 
 ing 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. 
 
46 FRANK BEFORE VICKSBURO. 
 
 " 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 j^ou I 
 won't take back any thing." 
 
 " Then overboard you go," said Harry. " I '11 
 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 '11 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 1 do n'tj" screamed Charles^ who now 
 
ON DUTY AGAT37. 47 
 
 began to be really frightened; "I take it all 
 back." 
 
 " What do you take back ? " asked Harry. 
 " I do n't want to see the Northern prisoners 
 all starved." 
 
 "Well, what else?" 
 
 " I do n'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 do n'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 sig- 
 nificant manner. 
 
 Charles, knowing that he was in earnest, and 
 that there iras no escape, gave the required 
 
48 FRANK BEFORE VICKSBURG. 
 
 cheers with as good a grace as he could com- 
 mand. 
 
 " 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 
 do n't let me hear of your uttering any more 
 such sentiments as long as I remain in the vil- 
 lage ; if you do, I '11 duck you as often as I can 
 get my hands on you." 
 
 Harry then sprang into his own skiif, 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 main- 
 tain the government, and that he did n'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 
 
ON DUTY AdAIN. 49 
 
 Frank. '^ It will have tlic oflfect of making; liiin a 
 little more careful." 
 
 At noon, the fish stopped biting, and the hoys 
 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. Ilis mother 
 and sister tried to look cheerful, but it was a sorry 
 fiiilure, 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 ap- 
 proaching 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 
 4 
 
60 FRANK BEFORE VICKSBURG. 
 
 George. He has been exchanged, and is now in 
 the hospital at Washington. The rebels, he sajs, 
 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 '11 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 after- 
 ward 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 re- 
 turned to his high stool with a sorrowful coun- 
 tenance, and Frank waived his adieu from the 
 
ON DUTY AGAIN. 61 
 
 steamer that was to carry liim 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 
 do n'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 
 
52 FRANK BEFORE VICKSBURG. 
 
 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 un- 
 known, 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 would n't be so bad if they would 
 only try to learn something, but they are very 
 indignant if any one undertakes to volunteer ad- 
 vice ; 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 wa3 
 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 
 
ON DUTY AGAIN. 53 
 
 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 tlie permis- 
 sion 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," rephed 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 supe- 
 riors." 
 
 "Stay where you are," said the caterer, ad- 
 dressing the waiter, "and don't start until I tell 
 you to." Then, turning to the mate, he con- 
 tinued, " You have no right to order him to do 
 any thing in this mess-room without first consult- 
 ing me." 
 
 " I have n'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.' " 
 
54 FRANK BEFORE VICKSBURQ. 
 
 " 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 '11 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 ves- 
 sel, then I am greatly mistaken." 
 
 The mate made no reply, but, after he had fin- 
 ished 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." 
 
ON DUTY AGAIN. 56 
 
 " 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." 
 
 "0, 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, en- 
 couraged 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 
 
56 FRANK BEFORE VICKSBURQ. 
 
 Traiting 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 cap- 
 tain. 
 
 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 
 
ON DUTY AOAIN. 57 
 
 you don't, your first hard work will be to go to 
 the executive officer and find out. Now, don't you 
 attain ever come into my cabin in this abrupt man- 
 ner. 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 infe- 
 riors in rank. My appointment says" 
 
 " 0, hang your appointment ! " shouted the cap- 
 tain. "Come to the point at once." 
 
 "Well, sir, while at supper, I ordered our stew- 
 ard to go up stairs and execute a commission for 
 me, and he would n'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 
 
58 FRAXK BEFORE VICKSBURG. 
 
 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 could n'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 satis- 
 faction." 
 
 So saying, he walked off, shaking his head in 
 a very knowing manner, while the two friends re- 
 treated to the steerage, where they gave full vent 
 to their feelings. The circumstance was related 
 to the caterer, who came in a few moments after- 
 ward, 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 Cy- 
 
ON DUTY AGAIN. 
 
 59 
 
 press Bend, and were holding the position in spito 
 of the efforts of three gun-boats to dislodge them, 
 rendering navigation impossible. The matter was 
 reported to the captain, who, after making him- 
 self acquainted with the facts, ordered the Ticon- 
 deroga to be got under way and headed up the 
 river. 
 
60 
 
 FRANK BEFORE VICKSBURG. 
 
 CHAPTER IV. 
 
 Mioki ta 
 
 
 ^^^^ 
 
 ,..^N the next day they arrived at Cy- 
 s/^ press Bend, where they found three 
 " tin-clads " anchored, paying no at- 
 tention 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 efi'ect. 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 Fir.nT IN THE WOODS. 61 
 
 the Icvcc. The rebels sent back a tauntinfj lau^b, 
 and their bullets fell faster than ever. 
 
 The levee which lines both banks of the Mis- 
 sissippi 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 ex- 
 pert 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 sendinor the shells into the levee, makinoj 
 the dirt fly in every direction. 
 
 *' Cease firing, Mr. Nelson/' said the captain, at 
 
62 FRANK BEFORE VICKSBURG. 
 
 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 com- 
 mander, some plan seemed to have been determ- 
 ined 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 vir- 
 
THE FIOnT IN THE WOODS. 63 
 
 tually 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 move- 
 ments, 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 com- 
 pletely 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 tw^o 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 
 
64 FRANK BEFORE VICKSBURG. 
 
 in a fight ; and vrhon lie 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, be- 
 fore 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 man- 
 ner 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 oflacer, 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, " wliile 
 I was left in charge of these men. I would thank 
 
THE FKSllT IX THE WuODS. 65 
 
 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 bat- 
 tery, 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 di- 
 rected against the Ticonderoga. But still Frank 
 was not deceived ; he knew that all the fiojhtins: 
 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 ex- 
 pected, 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 deliv- 
 ering a straggling and ineffectual fire, hastily re- 
 treated, with the exception of Frank's men, and 
 a few of the more courageous of the infantry. 
 5 
 
Q6 FRANK BEFORE VICKSBURG. 
 
 The latter concealed themselves behind trees and 
 logs, and deliberately returned the fire of the reb- 
 els, "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 trembhng, 
 and then, without waiting to give any orders, dis- 
 appeared 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 sur- 
 prise, 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 al- 
 
THE FIGHT IX THE WOODS. G7 
 
 •ways ready to take advantage of such an op- 
 portunity, 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 
 
68 FRANK BEFORE VICKSBURQ. 
 
 you not at the front, where you belong? If yon 
 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 stop- 
 ping to reply, he ordered the guns to be secured, 
 and the men, catching up the trail-ropes, com- 
 menced 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 wait- 
 ing for orders, Frank immediately took up a 
 sheltered position, and straightway opened upon 
 the rebels a hot fire of canister. By the exer- 
 tions of the ofiicers, the stragglers were all col- 
 lected, and, while the line was being formed for a 
 
THE FianT IN THE WOODS. 69 
 
 charge, Frank was ordered to move his hattery out 
 of the woods, into the open field. The young of- 
 ficer's blood ran cold when he heard this command, 
 for the rebels, who greatly outnumbered the sail- 
 ors, and who were deterred from making a charge 
 and overpowering them only through fear of the 
 shells from the Ticonderoga, were sending a per- 
 fect 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 conceal- 
 ment, 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 Avhich 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 after- 
 ward." 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 ij obey. The men, too, were well aware of 
 
70 FRANK BEFORE VICKSBURG. 
 
 the danger they were about to incur, but hesi- 
 tated 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 posi- 
 tion. I can do more execution there. Besides, 
 we '11 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 
 
THE FIGHT IN THE WOODS. 71 
 
 "Waited for the return of the mate, and Iiis impa- 
 tience 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 ter- 
 rific 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 
 
72 FRANK BEFORE VICKSBURG. 
 
 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 howitz- 
 ers, 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 fif'ht 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, call- 
 ing out — 
 
 " Mr. Howe ! "Where 's the signal officer, Mr. 
 Howe?" But he received no answer. No one 
 
THE FIGHT IN THE WOODS. 73 
 
 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 1" 
 shouted the captain. 
 
 The order was obeyed, and finally a faint voice, 
 some distance in the rear, repUed, " 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 danger- 
 ous undertaking; for, in answering the signals, 
 he would be obhged to stand on the bank of 
 the river, where there was nothing but bushes to 
 protect him, and where the rebels would be cer- 
 tain to see him; but the rattling of the mus- 
 ketry, 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 imagina- 
 tion of the terrified man, that the danger seemed 
 tenfold worse than it really was. 
 
74 FRANK BEFORE VICKSBURO. 
 
 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 do n'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 trem- 
 bling 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 cow- 
 ard." 
 
 '' I know it, sir," replied the man, so terrified 
 that he scarcely knew what he was saying ; but 
 the fact is" 
 
 " Go to rear ! " shouted the captain, " and stay 
 there. Here, sir," he continued, turning to Frank, 
 
THE FIGHT IN THE WOODS. 7o 
 
 who happened to be the nearest officer, ^^ can you 
 make those signals?'* 
 
 *' Yes, sir," answered Frank, promptly. Ilis 
 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. Ilis duty must be done, what- 
 ever the consequences might be ; and hastily pick- 
 ing up the flag which Mr. Howe, in his fright, had 
 dropped, he sprang out in view of the Ticonder- 
 oga, made the required signals, and retreated in 
 safety. The rebels had seen the flag waving above 
 the bushes, and had directed a hot flre 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 cap- 
 tain 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 : 
 
76 FRANK BEFORE VICKSCURG. 
 
 "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 sud- 
 denly 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 ex- 
 
THE FIGHT IN THE WOODS. 77 
 
 peclltion 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 disem- 
 barked, the ammunition for the howitzers being 
 exhausted, Frank requested permission to retreat 
 Btill 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, 
 snceringly. ^'The plea of saving your battery is 
 a very handy one ; but if you are afraid to re- 
 main 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 dur- 
 ing this fight, I defy you to prove the charge. 
 The idea that I am afraid, because I wish to re- 
 treat 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 along- 
 
78 FRANK BEFORE YICKSBURQ. 
 
 side 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 en- 
 gaged, 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 be- 
 grimed 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 be- 
 lieve 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. 
 
THE FIGHT IN THE WOODS. 79 
 
 In a scarcely amlible voice he called the roll, 
 and his emotion increased ^vhen, at almost every 
 third name, some one ans\Yered : 
 
 "Not here, sir." 
 
 In a few moments the captain appeared on 
 deck. The report of the commander of the expe- 
 dition had, of course, been unfavorable, and the 
 captain's face wore a look of trouble. Hastily 
 running his eye over the line of dusty, bleed- 
 ing 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. 
 
80 
 
 FRANK BEFORE VICKSBURQ. 
 
 CHAPTER V. 
 
 S soon as the men had disappeared, 
 "^fN Frank, -with a heavy heart, re- 
 paired to his room to dress for sup- 
 per. 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 ofiicer of the expe- 
 dition. Had Frank been allovred to retain the 
 sheltered position which he had at first taken up, 
 the result would have been far difi'erent. 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 con- 
 spicuous by his uniform, had signaled the vessel 
 
IN THE HANDS OF THE " JOHNNIES " AGAIN. 81 
 
 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 man- 
 ner, 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, su-." 
 
 "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 
 
 6 
 
82 FRANK BEFORE VICKSBURG. 
 
 liable to a court-martial, and to a disgraceful dis- 
 missal 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" 
 
 " Do n'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 serv- 
 ices 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 morn- 
 ing — you had but fifteen left when you returned 
 on board. The energy displayed by you in work- 
 ing your battery, and the manner in which you 
 obtained possession of it, after you moved out 
 from your sheltered position, and had been com- 
 pelled 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. Hith- 
 erto, 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, w^ould 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 opportu- 
 nities 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 
 
84 FRANK BEFORE VICKSBURG. 
 
 reprimand, administered by the captain, who never 
 before had spoken a harsh word to him, it is im- 
 possible 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 hfe 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 brouf^jht 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 expe- 
 dition, was entitled. In regard to recklessly ex- 
 posing 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 
 
IN THE HANDS OF TUE " JOHNNIES " AGAIN. 85 
 
 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 misde- 
 meanors of which he had never dreamed. It 
 seemed as if fate was against him. 
 
 " I believe, as Archie used to say," he solilo- 
 quized, "that I am the unluckiest dog in exist- 
 ence. 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 com- 
 pletely absorbed in his reverie that he was en- 
 tirely 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 
 
86 FRANK BEFORE VICKSBURG. 
 
 quarter-deck, where the captain was standing, the 
 latter said : 
 
 "Mr. Nelson, do jou 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 kind- 
 ness 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 do n't deserve the rep- 
 rimand 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 seizmg a pen, hastily dashed olF 
 the following : 
 
 UxiTED States Steamer Ticoxderoga, | 
 Off Cypress Bexd, Oct. 30, 1863. j 
 Sir: 
 
 Having been reported, by the officer in command of an 
 expedition — sent ashore this day for the purpose of dislodg- 
 
IN THE HANDS OF THE " JOHNNIES " AGAIN. 87 
 
 ing a body of rebels posted behind the levee — for cowardice, 
 disrespect to my superior officer, and for recklessly exposing 
 my men to the tire 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 be- 
 havior 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. Pobter, U. S. N., 
 Commanding Miss. Sqttadron. 
 
 While he was sealing the envelope the mes- 
 senger boy entered and reported the cutter ready. 
 Frank ran on deck, and, after giving the commu- 
 nication 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 : 
 
88 FRANK BEFORE YICKSBURG. 
 
 " Yes, it is a hard case. Not a few of us are 
 left without our chums ; but we all know it was n'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 ftice still covered with his hands, "Am I a 
 coward?" 
 
 " No, sir," answered the mate, indignantly ; 
 " 'cause if you was, you would n'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 fol- 
 lowed 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. 
 
IN THE HANDS OF THE 
 
 " 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 '11 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 offi- 
 cers was standing. 
 
 " Wal, Yank, what do you want now?" inquired 
 a man dressed in the uniform of a colonel. 
 
 IIow 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 stand- 
 ing at a little distance, waiting to hear what 
 was going to be the result of the interview, and 
 
90 FRANK BEFORE VICKSRURG. 
 
 -svhat had at first appeared a vague suspicion, i)0»v 
 forced itself upon Frank as a dread reality, lie 
 "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 liis fate? "Would not 
 summary vengeance be taken upon him, in retalia- 
 tion 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 do n't know as I have any objec- 
 tion to it. Want your prisoners also ? " 
 
IN THE HANDS OF THE "JOHXNTES" AGAIN. 01 
 
 "Yes, sir," answered Frank, with a smile. "I 
 should hke 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 could n'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? l^ou have no claim 
 whatever upon me, and never had!" exclaimed 
 Frank, indignantly. " I am acting in obedience to 
 
92 FRANK BEFORE VICKSBURG. 
 
 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 
 liave 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 do n'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 stand- 
 ing, 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, in- 
 stead of defending Frank, seemed to consider the 
 manner in which he was treated a good joke. 
 "Boys, secure this blue-jacket also." 
 
 "Xo 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 
 
IN THE HANDS OF THE '^ JOHNNIES " AGAIN. 93 
 
 Yankee sailors, now is your cliance to try it on. 
 It '11 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 advancino- 
 
 o 
 
 rebel, wliicli lifted him completely off his feet. 
 But before he had time to repeat it, he was over- 
 powered 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, address- 
 mg 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 do n'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 
 
94 FRANK BEFORE VICKSBURG. 
 
 say the least," said a rebel, who was standing near 
 the colonel. 
 
 " I am telling the plain truth," answered 
 Frank, " and you w ill find that your barbarous 
 mode of Avartare will never succeed; and that 
 the crew of that vessel will never allow the mean 
 action of which you have been guilty to pass un- 
 noticed." 
 
 ^' Douse my top-lights but that 's the truth," said 
 the mate, making an effort with his confined hands 
 to salute his oflficer. 
 
 "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 '11 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 ser- 
 geant, 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 thrash- 
 
IN THE HANDS OF THE " JOHNNIES " AGAIN. 95 
 
 ing. Fniiik immediately appealed to the sergeant, 
 ■who, instead of oflering to defend him, stood at a 
 little distance, watching the operation, as if not at 
 all concerned. The mate was fairly beside him- 
 self 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 punish- 
 ment 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, wo n't ye ! " until 
 Frank, smarting with the pain, determined to de- 
 fend himself. 
 
 " Unhand me, you scoundrel ! " he shouted ; 
 "I've had just about enough of this." Turn- 
 ing 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 precipi- 
 tately, 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. 
 
96 
 
 FRANK BEFORE VICKSBURG. 
 
 CHAPTER YI. 
 
 HEY found that the rebels Lad cap- 
 !^j tured 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 Yicksburg 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. 
 
AX OLD ACQUAINTANCE. 97 
 
 " It is n't for myself that I care, sir," said he ; 
 "but I am afraid that the treatment you will re- 
 ceive will be a heap worse nor keel-haulin' on a 
 cold Avinter'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 sUp 
 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 gun- 
 ner, 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, 
 7 
 
98 FRANK BEFORE VICKSBURO. 
 
 *'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 cap- 
 tain is going to ask the admiral to exchange him 
 for you. So keep a stiff upper lip. Do n'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 col- 
 onel, 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 march- 
 ing 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, 
 
AN OLD ACQUAINTANCE. 99 
 
 was al)lc to judge pretty accurately of the number 
 that had been disabled in the struggle, by count- 
 ing 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 pun- 
 ishment 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 
 
100 FRANK BEFORE VICKSBURG. 
 
 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 mak- 
 ing 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 in- 
 cidents of the day, when a dashing young lieuten- 
 ant stepped up, and inquired : 
 
 " Yanks, do n't you want something to eat ? 
 Come into our mess ; we want to talk to you. I "11 
 hold myself responsible for their safe return," he 
 continued, turning to the guard. 
 
 This individual, after a few moments' consider- 
 ation, 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 
 
AN OLD ACQUAINTANCE. 101 
 
 you can find," said their host. '' Our chairs have 
 been sent on board one of your gun-boats to be 
 repaired, and the sofa has n't come in yet. Do 
 you ever have as good a supper as this on board 
 your men-o'-war?" 
 
 " yes," repUed Frank, glancing at the dif- 
 ferent 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. "0 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 laugh- 
 ing 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 
 
102 FRANK BEFORE VICKSBURG. 
 
 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 have n'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 lieu- 
 tenant; "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 do n't want to 
 spoil a good meal by entering into a political dis- 
 cussion ; for, if I answer your question, I shall 
 tell you some pretty plain things, and I know you 
 will get provoked at me." 
 
 "0 no, we are not as unreasonable as that," re- 
 plied 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 
 
AN OLD ACQUAINTANCE. 103 
 
 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 igno- 
 rance in regard to the principles for which they 
 were fi^htinoj ; 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 Lieu- 
 tenant Somers. He was not at all pleased to see 
 him, for the lieutenant, doubtless, had not forgot- 
 
104 FRANK BEFORE VICKSBURG. 
 
 ten the circumstances connected with his capture, 
 and although he could not remember of ever hav- 
 ing 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 pris- 
 oner." 
 
 " 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 con- 
 versation with him, talking over all the little inci- 
 dents 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 do n't forget favors. I '11 speak to the 
 
AN OLD ACQUAINTANCE. 105 
 
 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 had n't taken so 
 much interest in you, 'cause we 're in Darby now, 
 sure." 
 
 "We are much better ofi* than we would be out 
 in the camp," answered Frank. " Try that win- 
 dow-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 
 
106 FRANK BEFORE VICKSBURG. 
 
 gangway for'ard, 'cause I heered the corporal tell 
 him to keep a good look-out." 
 
 *' "VVe 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 dis- 
 cipline 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 win- 
 dow, pushed open the shutter and looked out. 
 The sentry was seated on the ground at the cor- 
 ner 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, power- 
 ful-looking man, and, without doubt, possessed of 
 
AN OLD ACQUAINTANCE. 107 
 
 • 
 
 great strength ; besides, if a struggle did ensue, 
 the noise Avoukl attract the attention of the guard 
 at the other side of the cabin, who would lend 
 prompt assistance, and, with these two men op- 
 posed 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 win- 
 dow 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. Do n'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 awak- 
 ened, rubbed his eyes, gazed vacantly about him, 
 and then sank back to his former position. As 
 
108 FRANK BEFORE VICKSBURG. 
 
 soon as Frank felt certain that he was asleep, 
 he again opened the shutter, descended noiselessly 
 to the ground, and, after carefully closing tho 
 "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 discov- 
 ered, 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 hav- 
 ing seen any pickets, and now feeling quite certain 
 
AN OLD ACQUAINTANCE. 109 
 
 that tliey were outside of tlie 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, a3 the moon was shining brightly. Just be- 
 fore daylight, they arrived at the Mississippi. 
 It was a pleasant sight to their eyes, and both 
 uttered a shout of joy when they found them- 
 selves standing on its banks. But their spiints 
 fell again, when, on glancing up and down the 
 river as far as their eyes could reach, they could 
 BOt 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 numer- 
 ous 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 approacliing 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 
 
110 FRANK BEFORE VICKSBURG. 
 
 procuring food, when, to their joy, they discov- 
 ered 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 these on board, 
 who evidently saw them, but being suspicious that 
 it was a plan of the rebels to decoy them into 
 shore, turned ofif 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 over- 
 taking them without bringing any relief, the fugi- 
 tives, hungry and foot-sore, lay down in the woods 
 and slept. 
 
A CLOSE SHAVE. 
 
 Ill 
 
 CHAPTER VII 
 
 im$ Bhubt. 
 
 ^^- -^ HEN the morning came they bent 
 their steps clown the bank, keep- 
 ing in the edge of the woods to pre- 
 vent surprise, but not far enough 
 from the river to allow any boat 
 that might chance to pass to escape 
 their observation. They again be- 
 gan 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 
 
112 FRANK BEFORE VICKSBURG. 
 
 night came, without bringing them any relief, and 
 the tired and hungry fugitives again lay do^yn 
 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 impossi- 
 ble; 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 
 throuo;h thick, tanMed 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 ra- 
 vine. 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 do n'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, w^e 
 
A. CLOSE SHAVE. 113 
 
 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 be- 
 laying-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 
 findins 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 treach- 
 ery, 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 
 8 
 
114 FRANK BEFORE VICKSBURQ. 
 
 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 '11 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 cap- 
 tain's face," pointing to theii* prostrate compan- 
 ion, " an' fetch liim 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 
 
A CLOSE SHAVE. 115 
 
 Wild-cats, for, although that regiment was com- 
 posed of most ferocious-looking men, thoy ap- 
 peared 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 ca])in 
 returned with some pieces of cord, with which 
 they proceeded to confine the hands of their 
 prisoners, who ofiered 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 b}^, and, coiling 
 
116 FRANK BEFORE VICKSCURQ. 
 
 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-hghts," 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 com- 
 pelled 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 
 
A CLOSE SHAVE. 117 
 
 enemy in every possible manner; and, for obeying 
 our orders, some of us Lave been strung up like 
 dogs. We shall continue to retaliate on you un- 
 til 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," 
 Baid the rebel, "but were not allowed the privi- 
 lege of choosing." So saying, the captain turned 
 on his heel and walked away, while Frank seated 
 himself on the threshold of the cabin, and re- 
 peated 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, 
 
118 FRANK BEFORE VICKSBURG. 
 
 then, that, after indulging in such bright anticipa- 
 tions, he must end his life in that desolate place, 
 away from home and friends, in so terrible a man- 
 ner? He could not convince himself that it was 
 a reality. But there was the tree, with thfe 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. 0, the agony of that 
 moment, when he could look forward and count 
 the very seconds he had to live ! An hour ! IIow 
 often and how lightly had he spoken of it ! For 
 an hour in the life of one moving about at free- 
 dom in the world, not knowing when death will 
 come, and, as is too often the case, scarcely giv- 
 ing 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 pos- 
 session of all his faculties ; who can look abroad 
 upon the beauties of nature, and feel the soft 
 
A CLOSE SHAVE. 119 
 
 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 
 fiital 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 
 
120 FRANK BEFORE VICKSBURG. 
 
 party of the Wild-cats galloped up, headed by 
 Colonel HaiTison 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. 
 
 * * jfi ;}c ^ Jlc :{? 
 
 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 dayhght, 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 receiv^ed. After waiting a moment, he re- 
 peated the summons in a louder tone, and still 
 received no answer. 
 
 ^' I '11 be dog-gone if them ar Yanks do n'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 ex- 
 claimed, " none of your tricks. I know you 
 
A CLOSE SUAVE. 121 
 
 heorcd 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 amaze- 
 ment, that his prisoners were gone. With one 
 bound he reached the open air, and without pay- 
 ing 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 'cm 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 
 
122 FRANK BEFORE VICKSBURG. 
 
 now began to suspect the truth. " If they were 
 here ! Have you allowed them to escape ? " 
 
 " No, sir, we did n't let them ; they went with- 
 out 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 pulhng 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?" 
 
 " Do n'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 
 
A CLOSE SHAVE. 123 
 
 above his head ; " and unless I catch him, which 
 I don't expect to do, I'm short a captain, for 
 he Tvas 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 ex- 
 pected 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 do n'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 fugi- 
 tives, led by a large blood-hound, wdiich was kept 
 in check by a chain held by one of the men. In 
 a couple of hours they arrived at tlie place where 
 Frank and the mate had been fired upon by the 
 
12-4 FRANK BEFORE VICKSBURG. 
 
 steamer, and here the trail was lost. After sev- 
 eral 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, com- 
 pletely 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 do n'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 Lieu- 
 tenant Somers, "what were they? Yankees?" 
 
 The negro replied in the affirmative, and then 
 proceeded to give a full and complete description 
 
A CLOSE SHAVE. 125 
 
 of the prisoners, so that the lieutenant knew in 
 a moment that they were Frank and the mate. 
 After questioning him as tojhe 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 or- 
 dered 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. 
 
126 FRANK BEFOPtE VICKSBUUG. 
 
 CHAPTER VIII. 
 
 ?^fe.:5^^IIEN 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 in- 
 stinctively put his hand to his throat, as if expect- 
 ing to find it encircled by the fatal rope. 
 
TAKING DOWN THE CAPTAIN. 127 
 
 "Are you on an even keel now, my hearty?" 
 asked the mate. 
 
 " Where are the guerrillas, Jack ? " asked Frank. 
 "Are we safe?" 
 
 " yes, we 're safe from them, but we are still 
 prisoners." 
 
 At this moment a shaggy head, nearly covered 
 irp 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 sin- 
 gular 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 
 
128 FRANK BEFORE VICKSBURQ. 
 
 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 do n'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 do n't believe it." 
 
 Frank then proceeded to give an account of the 
 manner in which their escape had been effected, 
 
TAKING DOWN THE CAPTAIN. 129 
 
 and as it corresponded with the mate's story, the 
 sergeant was compelled to believe it. 
 
 " Piirty well done," said he. ^' But, mind you, 
 do n'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 move- 
 ment escaping observation. Wherever they went, 
 two stalwart rebels were at their heels; and when 
 tliey slept, their guards stood over them with 
 loaded muskets. That same evening they over- 
 took the main body of the regiment, and on the 
 sixth day after their rescue from the guerrillas, 
 tliey arrived opposite the village of Napoleon, 
 where the exchange was to take place. The Ti- 
 conderoga was not there, but two days afterward 
 she made her appearance; and, as soon as she 
 had dropped her anchor, a boat was seen ap- 
 proaching 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 
 9 
 
130 FRANK BEFORE VICKSBURQ. 
 
 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 oflBcer 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, ex- 
 claimed : 
 
 " 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 Yicksburg, or per- 
 haps a march to Shreveport ; but, as it hap- 
 pened, the captain of the Ticonderoga had found 
 a rebel soldier on board the flag-ship, and had ob- 
 tained 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 
 
TAKING DOWN THE CAPTAIN. 131 
 
 very kindly, and had often found means to pro- 
 cure tliem 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 circum- 
 stances that had led to the retention of the boat- 
 swain'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 hstened 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 
 
132 FRANK BEFORE VICKSBURQ. 
 
 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 men- 
 tion was made in Mr. Howe's report, and with 
 •which I was, of course, unacquainted, and I find 
 
TAKING DOWN THE CAPTAIN. 133 
 
 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 wo 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," rephed Frank. 
 
 "I thought as much. He has been as uneasy 
 as a fish out of water ever since you were cap- 
 tured. 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 
 
134 FRANK BEFORE VICKSBURG. 
 
 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 dis- 
 tinctly 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 ac- 
 count on this ship than an extra boiler ; and, if 
 he has apologized to Mr. Nelson, he must do the 
 same by me. I '11 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 repri- 
 mand 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 an- 
 
TAKING DOWN THE CAPTAIN. 135 
 
 other, and, wlien the noise had subsided, said, 
 quietly : 
 
 " I do n't sec where the laugh comes in. Per- 
 haps some of you gentlemen think that an ofificer 
 has no right to demand an apology from a supe- 
 rior ! 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 regula- 
 tions ; 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 oflicer, 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 mess- 
 mates without any chance of obtaining redress. 
 
136 FRANK BEFORE VICKSBURG. 
 
 However, he had discovered it at last. The cap- 
 tain had apologized to Frank, and he must do the 
 same by him, if he wished to keep out of trou- 
 ble. He was certain that he should succeed this 
 time, for he knew that Keys had been in the serv- 
 ice 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 1 
 have finished my dinner," said Mr. French, de- 
 cidedly. 
 
 "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." 
 
TAKING DOWN THE CAPTAIN. 137 
 
 **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 di'opped. 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 conse- 
 quences of such a step, were urging him to seek 
 an interview with the captain, to demand an apol- 
 ogy, 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 
 
138 FRANK BEFORE YICKSBURG. 
 
 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 ^Yhisper : 
 
 " 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 oc- 
 curred 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 con- 
 science 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 do n'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 un- 
 derstand his business he must make use of some- 
 body's experience besides his own. But he has 
 always snapped me up very short. Now, if he 
 wants to learn by experience, I '11 help him all I 
 can." 
 
TAKING DOWN THE CAPTAIN. 139 
 
 So saying, Keys crawled off on his hands and 
 knees toward Frank's room, where he locked him- 
 self in, and the latter returned to the main-deck. 
 About an hour afterward Keys made his appear- 
 ance, 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 re- 
 lation 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 fol- 
 lows : 
 
 ^^And be it further enacted: That, as in the maintenance 
 of his authority over his officers on shipboard, it is ren- 
 dered 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 
 
140 FRANK BEFORE YICKSBURG. 
 
 hereby strictly prohibited ; and in all cases where the com- 
 mander is guilty of a violation of this act, the person 
 aggrieved shall be, and is hereby, authorized to seek re- 
 dress.'' 
 
 "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 '11 re- 
 port him." 
 
 "You will please excuse me, gentlemen, for the 
 present," said Keys, who was finding it exceed- 
 ingly 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, draw- 
 ing 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 di'opped his pen, turned 
 
TAKEsO, DOWN TUE CAPTAIN. 141 
 
 in his cliair, and waited for liim to make known 
 his wants 
 
 " Captain," began Mr. French, hesitatingly, 
 for he scarcely knew how to commence the con- 
 versation, " 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 regula- 
 tions distinctly state that a commanding officer 
 has no right to use harsh words to his subordi- 
 nates ; and I demand an apology." 
 
 " Can you furnish me with a copy of those 
 regulations ? " 
 
142 FRANK BEFORE VICKSBURG. 
 
 "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 him- 
 self into hot water. Wishing to delay the inter- 
 view 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 ob- 
 server, he would have seen that the captain was 
 convulsed with laughter, which he was vainly en- 
 deavoring to conceal. He easily saw through the 
 trick, and it reminded him of the days when he 
 
TAKING DOWN TILE CAPTAIN 143 
 
 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 
 Bee him." 
 
lU 
 
 FRANK BEFORE VICKSBURG. 
 
 CHAPTER IX. 
 
 jR. 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 or- 
 derly in earnest conversation with 
 Frank, to whom he always went for advice. 
 
 "It's gettmg 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 
 
A TRACTICAL JOKE. 145 
 
 he entered the cabin, were not of the most pleas- 
 ant nature. His reception, however, was far dif- 
 ferent 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 of- 
 ficer had willfully, or through neghgence, 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 conse- 
 quence, 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 in- 
 quired, as he commenced turning over the leaves 
 of the memorandum-book : 
 10 
 
146 FRANK BEFORE VICKSBURG. 
 
 " 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 he considered a good one as 
 long as the navy shall exist. There were eight of 
 us in the mess, and wliile 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 commo- 
 
A PRACTICAL JOKE. 147 
 
 dore who never bothered his head about us so \onrr 
 
 o 
 
 as we remained within bounds. As is always tlie 
 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, w^e collared the country- 
 man, 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 
 
148 FRANK BEFORE VICKSBURG. 
 
 rigging the Yankee out in our clothes. One fur- 
 nished him -vN'ith 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 
 do n't be at all afraid of him — he does n'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 hira familiarly on the shoulder, 
 and shouted: 
 
A PRACTICAL JOKE. 149 
 
 "^ Hullo, ole hoss! how dc 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.' 
 
 " < 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 de- 
 termined 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.' 
 
150 FRANX BEFORE VICKSBURG. 
 
 "We saw our victim moving off, and were con- 
 vulsed with laughter at what we considered to be 
 the best joke we had ever perpetrated. ^Ye sup- 
 posed, 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 consulta- 
 tion, and then I started for the cabin, and, mak- 
 ing my best bow, asked permission to step ashore 
 for a moment. 
 
 "'Ko, 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 under- 
 took to play any more jokes on the commodore. 
 There are many things objectionable in this cus- 
 tom — 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 
 
A PRACTICAL JOKE. 151 
 
 little too practical. If you must iudul^^e in them, 
 I Avish you would endeavor to keep them out of 
 the cabin, for I don't like to be bothered. That 
 YfiW do, sir." 
 
 Mr. Keys retired, highly pleased with the re- 
 sult 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 cap- 
 tain had made. It is needless to say that he was 
 fully convinced that " experience is a hard task- 
 master," 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. 
 
152 FRANK BEFORE VICKSBURG. 
 
 Owing to a press of business, it was nearly a 
 yfeek 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 com- 
 pletely vindicated, and Mr. Howe, who had re- 
 ported him, was sent on board of ship in disgrace. 
 The same evening the former received his promo- 
 tion 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." 
 
NEW MESSMATES. 153 
 
 CHAPTER X. 
 
 HE next morning, immediately after 
 
 l^J quarters, the second cutter was 
 
 B;2^ called away : and Frank, after see- 
 
 ing his luggage safely stowed away in 
 her, shook hands with his brother offi- 
 cers, 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 
 
154 FRANK BEFORE VICKSBURQ. 
 
 that -while attached to the Ticonderoga he had en- 
 deavored 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-bovs standino; on the after-oruard, and 
 
 I/O O / 
 
 Frank was "piped over the side" with all the 
 ceremony due his rank. It made him feel a httle 
 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 im- 
 mediately shown down into the cabin. The cap- 
 tain, 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. 
 
NEW MESSMATES. 155 
 
 When lie had indorsed 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 lug- 
 gage 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 list- 
 ened a few moments to the conversation that fol- 
 lowed, he found that some of his iiew 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 
 
156 FRANK BEFORE VICKSBURO. 
 
 about the bush," and deliver a regular oration on 
 the subject. He had a great command of lan- 
 guage, 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 fol- 
 lowed for five or ten years. He had been a shoe- 
 maker, a painter, a grocer, a horse-jockey, and an 
 editor; had practiced medicine, traveled in Eu- 
 rope, 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 seeino: the 
 world. This was the reason he gave for following 
 so many difi'erent 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 " did n"t want to be 
 
NEW MESSMATES. 157 
 
 troubled with mess affiiirs," 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 bight 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 famiharity on deck would have brought cer- 
 tain 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 gen- 
 erous, good-natured men, and, aside from the 
 grumbhng of the paymaster, which was kept up 
 
158 FRANK BEFORE YICKSBURG. 
 
 Tvithout intermission from morning until night, but 
 which received no attention from the other mem- 
 bers 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. Dur- 
 ing 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 Green- 
 land. 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 
 
NEW MESSMATES. 159 
 
 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 tliere was 
 a roguish twinkle in his eye, as he drew a little 
 memorandum -book from his pocket, and, after de- 
 liberately 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 do n't 
 look as old as that, sir. You won't find one man 
 in five hundred hold his age as well as you do." 
 
160 FRANK BEFORE VICKSCURG. 
 
 The effect of this speech on the officers sitting 
 around was ludicrous in the extreme, and hud 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 leai-n 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 
 
NEW MESSMATES. 161 
 
 business at wliicli lie did not wish to be disturbed, 
 the mate Avas sure to be on hand, and hints were 
 of no avail ; nothing but a direct " Clear out — I 
 do n'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 re- 
 ceiving 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 ap- 
 parel, when not in use, safely locked in his trunk. 
 11 
 
162 
 
 FRANK BEFORE VICKSCURG. 
 
 CHAPTER XI. 
 
 RANK'S past history soon "be- 
 came 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 in- 
 quire 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 
 amonor his messmates. Information was received 
 
 o 
 
 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 patroled the river near 
 the suspected point, but nothing unusual was 
 
A GOOD night's WORK. 1G3 
 
 peon; neither could any intelligence of tlie con- 
 templated 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 cav- 
 alry 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 some- 
 thing 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 mmgled freely with 
 
164 FRANK BEFORE TICKSBURG. 
 
 the people, Avho appeared to be eager to com- 
 municate all the plans of the rebels with Avhich 
 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 pro- 
 foundly ignorant of what was going on, or else 
 were true rebels. There was one negro, in par- 
 ticular, in whom the young officer was interested. 
 He was a tall, muscular fellow, black as midnight, 
 about whom there was a kind of sneaking, hang- 
 dog look that Frank did not hke. lie 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 com- 
 pany 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 
 
1G5 
 
 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 devel- 
 oped. 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, care- 
 lessly : 
 
 "Haven't you got another horse? If you 
 have, I should like to go with you." 
 
 "0, no," answered the man, quickly, "I have 
 no other horse ; and if I had, it would n'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 com- 
 
166 FRANK BEFORE VICKSBURG. 
 
 munication 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 ig- 
 norance 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 en- 
 tirely. 
 
 "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, 
 
A GOOD night's WORK. 167 
 
 who, with his usual promptness, had determined 
 upon a phin. " They will return this afternoon 
 about three o'clock, and, with your permission, I "11 
 see what I can do." 
 
 "Very well," replied the captain, in a tone 
 which showed that he did not anticipate his suc- 
 cess. "Go ahead; but be careful not to excite 
 their suspicions." 
 
 Such a commission as this — something requir- 
 ing 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 
 cordiahty, 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 
 
168 FRANK BEFORE VICKSBURG. 
 
 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 import- 
 ant 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 con- 
 cealed, and felled him to the floor with a blow 
 
A GOOD night's work. 169 
 
 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 inter- 
 rogate the ne<T;ro. 
 
 " In the first place," said he, " I guess you have 
 found that we are in earnest, have n't you ? " 
 
 The negro felt of his head, but made no reply. 
 
 " Now,-' continued Frank, " unless you answer 
 every question I ask you, I '11 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." 
 
 " 0, my master will kill me," whimpered the 
 negro, trembhng violently. " If I do n'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 
 
170 FRANK BEFORE VICKSBl'Ra. 
 
 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. lie 
 was then as much puzzled as ever, and paced the 
 floor of the barn, undecided how to act. The time 
 
171 
 
 Bet for tlic 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 ? " 
 
 *'\Yell, 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 fool- 
 ish 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 
 
172 FRANK BEFORE VICKSBURG. 
 
 highest pitch of terror at the turn affairs were 
 taking, brightened up \Nhen 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 suc- 
 ceeded 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. 
 
A GOOD night's work. 173 
 
 "I have returned, sir," said Frank, as he en- 
 tered the cabin. 
 
 "So I see," replied the captain, good-humor- 
 edlj, " and have, I suppose, accomplished noth- 
 ing." 
 
 '•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 m the country is non- 
 sense. 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 should n'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 
 
174 FRANK BEFORE YICKSBURG. 
 
 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 
 laariiard winfjjs ; but afternoon came at lenp;th. 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 
 eij^ht 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, watcliing the ex- 
 pedition 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 vrere working, and which 
 promised complete success. He held his course 
 
A ciooD night's work. 175 
 
 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 fur 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. " Did n't the Yanks see you as 
 you came up ? " 
 
 "I '11 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 
 
176 FRANK BEFOUE YICKSBURG. 
 
 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 '11 
 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. 
 
 " It means," replied Frank, coolly, " that you 
 are prisoners in the hands of those you sought to 
 
A GOOD night's work. 177 
 
 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 impos- 
 sible, submitted to the operation without any fur- 
 ther resistance. As soon as they were secured, 
 Frank made the torpedo fast to the bank, after 
 which he and his men, with the prisoners, dis- 
 embarked, 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 him- 
 self 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 
 
 12 
 
178 FRANK BEFORE VICKSBURG. 
 
 effective assistance. Arriving at the door, he 
 pounded loudly upon it with the butt of his re- 
 volver. The summons was answered- by the 
 Frenchman, who gazed upon our hero with sur- 
 prise, 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, accom- 
 panied 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 : 
 
A GOOD night's WORK. 179 
 
 "Where's the colonel? Here's the torpedo, 
 made fast to the bank. I wonder if there is any 
 thin<]: wronf]j?" 
 
 Frank and the mate at once became more cau- 
 tious in their movements, but their approach had 
 already been discovered, for the lieutenant called 
 out: 
 
 ^'AVho 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, 
 lie 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 dis- 
 tance." 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 se- 
 cured, 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 
 
180 FRANK BEFORE VICKSBURG. 
 
 the river by the colonel and major, who were to 
 put it in working order, and deliver it to the lieu- 
 tenant, 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 as- 
 sistance 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 Heutenant 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 con- 
 ducted them to the quarter-deck, where the cap- 
 tain and all the officers were waiting to receive 
 them. The necessary explanations were soon 
 given, after which the prisoners were ordered 
 
A GOOD night's WORK. 181 
 
 below, and Frank retired to his room, well satis- 
 fied 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 
 phice where several more were in process of com- 
 pletion. These also were demolished. While 
 thus encased, 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 gal- 
 loping 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 ad- 
 vantage of this, ordered Frank to fire. The mus- 
 kets cracked in rapid succession, and, when the 
 smoke cleared away, the sailors saw several rider- 
 less horses galloping about, showing that their fire 
 had been effective. 
 
 The rebels scattered in all directions, and, dis- 
 mounting, concealed themselves behind logs and 
 bushes, and commenced fighting in their regular 
 
182 FRANK BEFORE VICKSBURG. 
 
 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 bat- 
 teries — 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. 
 
IN THE TRENCHES. 183 
 
 CHAPTER XII. 
 
 HE day after their arrival at Yazoo 
 River an officer from the flag-ship 
 came on board. After holding a 
 short consultation with the captain, tlie 
 •der was given to get the ship under 
 ay, 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 dayhght ? 
 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 ex- 
 cited, 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 
 
184 FRANK BEFORE VICKSBURG. 
 
 men, the seven miles that lay between Yazoo 
 River and Yicksburg 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 liights 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 shriek- 
 ing toward the solid hues of the besiegers, which 
 now completely inclosed the rebels, while an oc- 
 casional 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 ^ade 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 sometliing of a 
 
IN TUE TRENCHES. 185 
 
 task to move the battery that distance, but Frank 
 and his men worked incessantly, and on the sec- 
 ond night the guns were brought to the place 
 "vvhere it was proposed to mount them. The 
 sailors, although almost exhausted, at once com- 
 menced 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 can- 
 non and the rattling of musketry that had com- 
 menced 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 cor- 
 dially 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 an^ 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 
 
186 FRANK BEFORE VICKSBURG. 
 
 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 fii'st 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 ap- 
 peared to be conversing with some invisible per- 
 sons. 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 to- 
 bacco, won't you? " 
 
 " Can't see it, Johnny," replied one of the sol- 
 diers. "You wouldn't throw it back again." 
 
 " Y^es, 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, 
 
IN THE TRENCHES. 187 
 
 "put your cap on tins bayonet and hold it up, 
 and you'll soon sec how far off they are." 
 
 Frank did as the soldier suggested. The mo- 
 ment he raised his cap above the rifle-pit, a bay- 
 onet was suddenly thrust out, and when it was 
 di'awn 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 ! " 
 
 "0, no," answered the rebel ; " but I '11 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 aff'air, 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, 
 
188 FRANK BEFORE VICKSBURG. 
 
 lifting the article in question on the point of his 
 Bword, and holding it up to the view of the sol- 
 diers. "It bears about as much resemblance to 
 a hat as it does to a coffee-pot." 
 
 "I don't care what jou call it," returned the 
 rebel ; " I know it has seen two years' hard serv- 
 ice. 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." 
 
 " AVhat 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 
 
IN THE TRENCHES. 189 
 
 short sojourn in the rebel hands, for there was a 
 bayonet hole clear through it. 
 
 "Say, you rebel," exclaimed Frank, "why 
 did n'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 
 
190 FRANK BEFORE VICKSBURG. 
 
 ramble among the rifle-pits, the latter explaining 
 the operations of the siege, and the various inci- 
 dents that had transpired since it commenced. 
 The rifle-pits, the entire length of General Sher- 
 man's command, were close upon those of the 
 rebels, and the soldiers of both sides were com- 
 pelled 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 in- 
 visible enemies. 
 
 After viewing the works to his satisfaction, 
 Frank accompanied the lieutenant to his quar- 
 ters — 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 mount- 
 ing the guns commenced, and was completed in 
 time to allow the weary men two hours' rest before 
 
IN THE TREXCUES. 191 
 
 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 be- 
 fore, prepared to commence the work of dismount- 
 ing 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 bat- 
 tery" had opened upon the rebel works, broke 
 out into deafening cheers. They had great con- 
 fidence in the "beauties," as they called the mon- 
 ster 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 
 
192 FRANK BEFORE VICKSBURG. 
 
 firing became general all along the line. The gun 
 against which their fire Avas directed replied briskly ; 
 but after a few rounds the battery got its exact 
 range — an eight- inch shell struck it, and it disap- 
 peared 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 difi'erent 
 parts of the rebel works. The "beauties" per- 
 formed 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 
 
IN THE TRENCHES. 193 
 
 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 at- 
 tracted Frank. His actions were easy and grace- 
 ful, 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 regi- 
 ment, 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 conversa- 
 tion began to flag, one of the soldiers asked for a 
 story, and the scout, after lighting his pipe, set- 
 tled back on his elbow, and began as follows : 
 13 
 
194 FRANK BEFORE VICKSEURQ. 
 
 CHAPTER XIII. 
 
 ^^^^^^^) OYS, the life of a scout is the most 
 CS^.M^feffci^- fascinatinii, as Tvell as the most 
 & dangerous one that I know of. It 
 is a responsible one, too, for not un- 
 frequently 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, know- 
 
THE scout's story. 195 
 
 ing that our hot-headed commander would order 
 an attack, no matter how small the chance for 
 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. Hender- 
 son, 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 
 hight, very slimly built, with soft, white hands, 
 that looked as though they had never been ac- 
 customed to hard work, and a smooth, beardless 
 face. lie 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 
 
196 FRANK BEFORE VICKSBURG. 
 
 commencerl, and my fiither was hanged in Tennes- 
 see 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 cliildlike 
 simphcity 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 rio^ht stuff, and I beo^an 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 
 
THE scout's story. 197 
 
 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 Land- 
 ing. 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 pro- 
 vided 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. "VVe 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 sta- 
 tion. Several men were lying around a fire, eat- 
 ing 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 ad- 
 vance had been so still that they had not heard 
 us, or else the sentries were asleep ; at any rate, 
 
198 FRANK BEFORE VICKSBURQ. 
 
 Tve were in tlie enemy's lines before Tve 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 '11 have 
 to haul in these picket posts before long, or I am 
 mistaken.' 
 
 "'How is that sentry out there?' asked the 
 lieutenant in command. 
 
 "'0, he's all right,' I answered, and seating 
 myself at the fire, began to pitch into the eata- 
 bles. Sam followed my example, and we enjoyed 
 a very good meal, after which we smoked a pipe, 
 and talked with our companions about the proba- 
 bility of soon thrashing the Yankees soundly, and 
 wishing that we were in the Eastern army, that 
 
199 
 
 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 valu- 
 able 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 de- 
 termined 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 
 cornea there ? ' Sam replied, ' Scouts,' and throw- 
 
200 FRANK BEFORE VICKSBURG. 
 
 ing 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 cau- 
 tiously into the bushes at the side of the road, I 
 fastened them there, and then returned to Sam. 
 
 " ' I could 'nt 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 un- 
 common 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 '11 go 
 up to the house and reconnoiter.' 
 
 " I then lay down by the side of the road, and 
 in a few moments Sam whispered : 
 
THE scout's story. 201 
 
 "*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 in- 
 quired. * 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 admir- 
 ing 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 whis- 
 pered. 
 
 "'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 horse- 
 
202 FRANK BEFORE VICKSBURG. . 
 
 man at once drew rein, and at Sam's challenge, 
 ansAvered : 
 
 "'Colonel Peckham." 
 
 " ' Dismount, Colonel Peckham, and give the 
 countersign/ 
 
 " ' Look here, mj man, just let me pass, will 
 you ? Do n'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, command- 
 ing ' 
 
 "'I don't care what you command. Just 
 climb down off that horse instantly, or I '11 fire on 
 you. You should n't go by me if you were Presi- 
 dent 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.' 
 
THE scout's story. 203 
 
 "After shaking his hand I started toward the 
 place where I had seen the light. Walking care- 
 lessly 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 Ave 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 
 
204 FRANK BEFORE VICKSBURG. 
 
 command. As he was about to pass, I, tliinking 
 that it would not look well to go back to the camp 
 emptj-handed, sprang out of mj concealment and 
 seized his reins, while Sam, who instantly com- 
 prehended what was going on, placed his bayonet 
 against his breast. 
 
 "^What means this?' asked the colonel. 
 
 " ^Do n't talk so much,' replied Sam. * A blind 
 man could see that you are a prisoner. So hand 
 over your weapons, and do n'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 reUef 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, thi'ough which we with diffi- 
 culty worked our way. At length, however, we 
 reached an open field, which we crossed at a 
 
THE scout's story. 205 
 
 gallop, anrl, leaping our horses over the fence, 
 found ourselves in the road again. \Ye 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 quar- 
 ters. 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. Al- 
 though 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 Yicksburg, 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. 
 
206 
 
 FRANK BEFORE VICKSBURG. 
 
 CHAPTER XIV. 
 
 )^^^-^ls obedience to orders from the ad- 
 miral," 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 ac- 
 cordance 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 
 
RUXXIXG THE BATTERIES. 207 
 
 their guns as motionless as so many statues, and 
 ill 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, anx- 
 iously waiting for the first roar of a gun that 
 should announce that our approach had been dis- 
 covered. 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 a<rQ — 
 
 o 
 
 the loud roar of a gun bui'st upon our ears. The 
 
208 FRANK BEFORE VICKSBURG. 
 
 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 an- 
 other direction, came a second report, accompa- 
 nied 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 artil- 
 lery 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 ; be- 
 sides, 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 es- 
 caped unhurt, and I began to think that our dan- 
 ger was not so great as I had at first supposed, 
 when, just as we arrived opposite the upper bat- 
 teries, a shot came crashing through the sides of 
 the vessel. The deck was hghted up for an in- 
 stant with a flash, and the groans and shrieks 
 
RUNNING THE BATTKIUES. 209 
 
 that followed told that it had been too well di- 
 rected. Confined as the men were, in total dark- 
 ness, 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 I' 
 
 "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 Avaters of the 
 14 
 
210 FRANK BEFORE VICKSBURG. 
 
 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 dis- 
 interested 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 
 cii'cum stance, until one of my men exclaimed, in 
 a frightened voice, 'We are drifting into the bank, 
 sii', right under the batteries !' 
 
 " The appalling fact was too evident. We were 
 fast approaching the shore, and the engines ap- 
 peared to be working in vain against the strong 
 current. A cry of horror burst from the lips of 
 the men, who deserted theii' guns, and made a 
 general rush for the after part of the vessel. I 
 
RUNNING THE BATTERIES. 211 
 
 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 Hvely, 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 
 
212 FRANK BEFORE VICKSBURQ. 
 
 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 
 hehn, 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 canis- 
 ter upon them. The vessel soon got headed down 
 the river a^ain, and at two o'clock in the morninoj 
 we rounded to, out of reach of the batteries. The 
 passage had been effected without material dam- 
 age 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 de- 
 livered 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 glo- 
 rious success." 
 
A RACE FOR THE OLD FLAG. 
 
 213 
 
 CHAPTER XV, 
 
 uu &x il}2 mil Mh$. 
 
 HE next day," continued the ensign, 
 i^J " ^^^6 squadron again got under 
 way and steamed down the river, 
 and came to anchor above, and almost 
 within range of, the hights of Grand 
 Gulf. A casual observer would hardly 
 have thought that the bluffs which arose 
 so majestically, like grim sentinels watching over 
 the lesser hights around them, were bristling with 
 hostile batteries, ready to dispute the further ad- 
 vance 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 formi- 
 dable kind, and that Union blood must be shed 
 
214 FRANK BEFORE VICKSBURG 
 
 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 
 bights which, now so quiet, were soon to be dis- 
 turbed 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 morn- 
 ing, just after the crews had finished theii' break- 
 fast, 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. Dur- 
 inof this time the Concord had aofain become un- 
 manageable, 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 
 
A RACE FOR THE OLD FLAG. 215 
 
 eitlicr to advance or retreat Avitliout running into 
 the bank, and it* 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 dis- 
 mayed 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 ap- 
 palling cries of terror and anguish, and then all 
 was blank. A shell had entered the casemate 
 above the port, killing and wounding several of 
 
216 FRANK BEFORE VICKSBURG. 
 
 my crew, and a piece of heavy timber, "wliich had 
 been detached from the bulk-head by the explo- 
 sion, 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 anx- 
 ious 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, 
 nnd 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. 
 
 "AYliile 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 
 
A RACE FOR THE OLD FLAG. 217 
 
 had been under fire for five hours and thirty-five 
 minutes ; that we had been only partially success- 
 ful, not having silenced all the batteries ; that 
 the fleet, ^vith the exception of one vessel, -which 
 TS'as 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 an- 
 chorage again ; that the Concord had been struck 
 thirty-five times by heavy shot, but, although 
 quite badly cut up, was not permanently in- 
 jured; and that our vessel would soon be ready 
 for action again, the entire crew being busily 
 engaged in repairing the damages she had sus- 
 tained. 
 
 '^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 ^rul- 
 ing passion' was strong with me. I had grown 
 so accustomed to yield prompt obedience to the 
 
218 FRANK BEFORE VICKSBURG. 
 
 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 sur- 
 geon, who, holding up his hands in dismay, ex- 
 claimed : 
 
 "'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 dan- 
 gerously 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. 
 
A RACE FOR THE OLD FLAG. 219 
 
 "The morning's fight having convinced the ad- 
 miral tliat, although the batteries had been par- 
 tially 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 expres- 
 sion 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.' 
 " ' 0, 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 
 
220 FRANK BEFORE VICKSBURQ. 
 
 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 any- 
 how,' said the doctor, as he took my arm, and 
 assisted me up the stairs, in spite of my asser- 
 tions 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 re- 
 quirements, 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 en- 
 
A RACE FOR THE OLD FLAG. 221 
 
 gaged 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 re- 
 lief, 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 bights, 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 
 
222 FRANK BEFORE VICKSBURQ. 
 
 others, Tvho desperately struggled to wrest it from 
 him, that they might have the honor of planting 
 it upon the rebel hights, 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 determ- 
 ined 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 com- 
 petitor, 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 ham- 
 mock-nettings. At this moment the doctor dis- 
 covered me, and shouted : 
 
 "'Mr. Morton, what are you about, sir? Re- 
 member, I only put you on light duty. It will 
 
A RACE FOR THE OLD FLAG. 223 
 
 be the death of jou, if joii attempt to run up 
 that hill." 
 
 "But I was excited, and, without waiting to an- 
 swer, 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 pos- 
 session 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 
 
224 FRANK BEFORE VICKSBURG. 
 
 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 siirht of those battered fortifications had in- 
 fused 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 Con- 
 cord, who, in their joy at seeing their own flag 
 
A RACE FOR THE OLD FLAG. 225 
 
 planted on the fort bj one of their own officers, 
 forgot all the sacrifices they had made to accom- 
 plish that end. 
 
 "*^In a short time the hights were covered with 
 men, who busied themselves in completing the de- 
 struction 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 dis- 
 tance in the hot sun ; for two days after that I 
 was confined to my bed, and finally, at the doc- 
 tor'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 compan- 
 ion were fighting the battery, the former was sur- 
 prised by the appearance of a strange officer, who 
 brought orders for him to report on board his 
 vessel without delay. He obeyed the summons, 
 15 
 
226 FRANK BEFORE VICKSBURG. 
 
 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 sev- 
 eral 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 bat* 
 teries and anchored. 
 
TUE RIVAL SHAllP-SIIOOTERS. 
 
 227 
 
 CHAPTER XVI. 
 
 ^<i^1i^-j^B0UT half-past four o'clock, on 
 -V^f^^f^ the succeeding morning, just after 
 il^Sf^i^ 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 frag- 
 ments, 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 fa- 
 miliar. He also heard a rustling in the bunk 
 above him, and Mr. Williams, his room-mate, 
 sprang suddenly upon the floor, exclaiming : 
 
228 FRANK BEFORE VICKSBURG. 
 
 " My goodness, Mr. Nelson ! the rebels are 
 shooting at t<-s." 
 
 " 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 gath- 
 ering up his clothing. 
 
 " I 'm going to get below as soon as I can," 
 was the answer. " Do n't you know that this 
 room is n'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 get- 
 ting below. He waited, however, until he was en- 
 tirely dressed, and then walked slowly out on the 
 
THE RIVAL SHARP-SHOOTERS. 229 
 
 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. 
 
 *'"\Vhat seems to be the matter, Mr. Martin? 
 Are we likely to have a brush?" 
 
 " 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 mat- 
 ters without running the risk of being struck by 
 the bullets. lie 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 ! " 
 
230 FRANK BEFORE VICKSBURG. 
 
 "Aj, 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. 
 
TnE RIVAL SHARP-SHOOTERS. 231 
 
 " 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 rat- 
 tled 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 oflScers, who had been awakened by the 
 firing, and were engaged in an animated conversa- 
 tion on the probabilities of having breakfast. 
 
 " If the rebels continue to shoot at us, I do n't 
 know what you can do, gentlemen," said the ca- 
 terer. " 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 
 
232 FRANK BEFOUE VICKSBURG. 
 
 "will find plenty of hard-tack and pickles in tlie 
 paymaster's store-rooms." 
 
 " 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 '11 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 imbedded 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. 
 
THE RIVAL SIIARP-SIIOOTERS. 233 
 
 They then went into the pilot-house to watch the 
 movements of the rebels in the battery. The lat- 
 ter, finding that their fire was no longer returned, 
 took no precautions to conceal themselves, but 
 arose to their full hight 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 thin^ 
 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 cap- 
 tain'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 
 
234 FRANK BEFORE VICKSBURQ. 
 
 were open. Two sharp-shooters had taken up a 
 position on the bank, where they coukl 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 mat- 
 ters 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 be- 
 lieve 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 
 
THE RIVAL SnARP-SIIOOTERS. 235 
 
 more bullets were lodged in the captain's pantry, to 
 the no small disgust of that gentleman, Frank suc- 
 ceeded in securing a rifle and cartridge-box from 
 one of the racks in the cabin, and concealing him- 
 self 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 triven 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 Avas 
 a small mark to shoot at, but Frank had killed 
 squirrels at that distance many a time; so, care- 
 fully 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 efi'ect of the shot ; but it had scarcely cleared 
 away, when a puflf 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 
 
236 FRANK BEFORE VICKSBURG. 
 
 cautiously looked out, and saw the rebel hastily 
 reloading his gun ; but, before he could give him 
 another shot, the deadly ritle was thrust over the 
 bank, in readiness for another trial. 
 
 '' 0, I 'm here yet, Yank ! " shouted the rebel, 
 as he savv^ 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 as- 
 tonished 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 cer- 
 tain that the rebel had gone, "it's a good time to 
 close those ports now." 
 
THE RIVAL SIIARP-SIIOOTERS. 237 
 
 "Don't go near them. I won't trust the vil- 
 lains. 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 de- 
 livering the captain's order, deposited his gun in 
 the corner. AVhile 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 tho 
 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 ofi'ered. As he 
 
238 FRANK BEFORE VICKSBURG. 
 
 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 up^Yard with a loud shriek; at the 
 same instant several more from the battery whis- 
 tled 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 ii'on-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 afiord 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 
 
THE RIVAL SIIARP-SIIOOTERS. 239 
 
 mi'Tlit 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 
 Ciilling me 'cousin;' besides, I shall certainly be 
 Siiot, 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 say- 
 ino-, 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 po- 
 sition until almost night, the bullets all the while 
 shrieking over the deck, and making music most 
 unpleasant to his ears. At length the firing 
 be<^an 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 
 
240 FRANK BEFORE VICKSBURG. 
 
 maintained the fight, as an occasional crash in the 
 pantry nroved, and Frank had a wholesome fear 
 of him. He resolved, however, to make the at- 
 tempt, 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 had dur- 
 ino- 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 ex- 
 pected, 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 
 
THE RIVAL SIIARP-SIIOOTERS. 241 
 
 position, ho would renew his attempt to dislodge 
 him. He, however, took no part in the fight until 
 he came ofi' 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 stop- 
 ping 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. 
 16 
 
242 FRANK BEFORE VICKSBURG. 
 
 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 
 tuiTi 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 
 miscliief. 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 eiforts, and made all haste to re- 
 load 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. 
 
THE SMUGGLERS CAVE. 
 
 243 
 
 CHAPTER XVII. 
 
 m\t S'm3j|5l:£:irs' §ub$ — 6 
 
 '-' -«'^ 
 
 OM," said Frank, addressing himself 
 i^^J 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 grand- 
 father 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 boy- 
 hood, 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 mount- 
 ain, at the foot of which was a long, narrow, and 
 
244 FRANK BEFORE VICKSBURG. 
 
 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 
 plat, 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 ap- 
 peared off the coast at the time father was ex- 
 pected 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 to- 
 gether 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 
 
THE smugglers' CAVE. 245 
 
 given the slip. Father never approached the 
 coast except during the night, and many a time 
 have I seen the swift Httle schooner come bound- 
 ing over the waves, with every stitch of her can- 
 vas 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 smug- 
 gler 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 reve- 
 
246 FRANK BEFORE VICKSBURG. 
 
 nue 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 ofi* the coast of France with every 
 thinor in order. One dark nio^ht 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, accom- 
 panied by a heavy fog, and we lay motionless on 
 the water, with the sails flapping idly against the 
 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, anx- 
 
247 
 
 iously waiting for the -sviud 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. 
 
248 FRANK BEFORE VICKSBURG 
 
 " 'What schooner is that ? ' 
 
 "*Dis? Dis is my schooner. You know it.' 
 
 " We all held our breath in suspense, wonder- 
 ing what would be the result of this strange an- 
 swer, 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 have n't saw him.' 
 
 " ' 0, 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 chan- 
 nel, and landed our goods in safety. We after- 
 ward 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 
 
THE smugglers' CAVE. 249 
 
 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 liis crew in double irons. The skipper was 
 so terrified that he forgot his English, and jab- 
 bered away in Dutch ; and it was not until the 
 ship's papers had been overhauled, that the cutter 
 discovered her mistake. When the revenue fel- 
 lows 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 
 
250 FRANK BEFORE VICKSBURG. 
 
 small town about two miles from the cave, to dis- 
 pose 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 ad- 
 vice 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 '11 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 chan- 
 
THE smugglers' CAVE. 251 
 
 nel, antl 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 re- 
 plenished, 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 
 
252 FRANK BEFORE VICKSBURG. 
 
 men approaching, headed by the traitor, who said, 
 in a low voice: 
 
 "'It's all right now. Catch tliat 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 my- 
 self, 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 ex- 
 claimed : 
 
 '"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 swim- 
 mer, I struck out, intending to climb the chfif on 
 the opposite side, and fire the pile. I exerted 
 myself to the utmost, for I could see by the hghts 
 
THE smugglers' CAVE. 253 
 
 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 suppos- 
 ing, of course, that all was right, was still stand- 
 ing 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 cHff, I succeeded in catch- 
 ing 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 sur- 
 prise on board the schooner, followed by a few 
 hastily-spoken orders ; then I knew that I had sue- 
 
254 FRANK BEFORE VICKSBURa. 
 
 ceeded, and the schooner was safe. But I was not 
 a moment too soon, for the httle vessel was rapidly 
 nearing the mouth of the channel, and once in- 
 closed by those rocky walls, once under the influ- 
 ence of those waves that dashed so madly over the 
 rocks, retreat would have been impossible. 
 
 " I was allowed scarcely a moment to congratu- 
 late 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 re- 
 main where I was, so, taking a last look at the 
 cave, I threw myself over the cliS*, 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 young- 
 ster 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." 
 
CONCLUSION. 255 
 
 Their watch ending with Tom's interesting remi- 
 niscence, 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 with- 
 drew, and retreated down the river. The Trenton 
 returned to her old landing, and Frank, at his re- 
 quest, 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 "beau- 
 ties" had dismounted that troublesome gun, Gen- 
 eral Sherman had advanced his works until he 
 could go no further without getting into the ene- 
 my's line. At length, one morning, a flag of truce 
 was raised within their fortifications, and hostiUties 
 were at once suspended. Then came that cele- 
 brated 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 
 
256 FRANK BEFORE VICKSBURG. 
 
 does that flag of truce mean? Are you going to 
 surrender ? " 
 
 '* Do n't know," replied the rebel; *'but, I say, 
 Yank, will jou let a fellow come over there?" 
 
 " Certainly. Come on." 
 
 The rebel accordingly laid aside his weapons, 
 and walked over to the battery, where, after ex- 
 amining 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 Vicks- 
 burg on his well-earned reputation as a gallant 
 young officer, waiting to be ordered to new scenes 
 of excitement and danger further down the Mis- 
 sissippi 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. 
 
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