Frank on the Lower Mississippi

t Expe

, gentlemen!" said the order

rant of the manner in which things were conducted on shipboard, he had not yet reported his arrival), his orde

vessel. Mr. Kearney's resignation has been accepted, and you will take his place. I am certain, fro

the captain upon unimportant matters,

mmander. To say that Frank was delighted would but feebly express his feelings; he was proud of the honor, and determined that he would prove himself worthy of it. In fact, he had now reached the height of his ambition, althou

. But his promotion did not affect him as it does a great many who suddenly find themselves possessed of power. He did not "stand upon his rank," nor in his intercourse with his messmates endeavor to keep constantly before their minds the fact that he was the second in com

, he had more difficult duties to perform. He was responsible for the manner in which affairs were conducted about decks, for the neat appearance of the vess

ance of the men, who, at the Sunday morning muster, appeared on deck in spotless uniforms and well-blacked shoes. After the roll had been called, and the captain, in company with F

sir. This really looks like business. The admiral may co

, a bullet came suddenly crashing through the cabin-a signal that the rebels had again made their appearance. Frank, who had become accustomed to such interruptions, deliberately wiped his pen, corke

in the fleet-paymaster's office. I wouldn't mind a good fair fight, b

's rapid movements, was a good deal surprised, for he had always believed him to be possessed of a good share of courage. It would, however, have tried stronger nerves than Archie's; but men who had become familiar with such scenes, who

which he returned to the wardroom, and, securing a rifle, went into the pilot-house, where he found Archi

rance, "I guess your white horseman is done for now. The pa

tinued to fire as often as a rebel showed himself, but the latter seemed to have lost all desire for fighting, for they retreated to the plantation-house which stood back from the ri

the latter made no reply. He stood leaning on his rifle, gazing at the guerrillas, as if busily eng

house out there had been burned long ago, we should not have had ten men killed by those guerrillas. They se

e the job? Who's to go out there, in the face of three or four hu

y, sir; but couldn't it be accomplished

; but Frank, who was not y

t all over-without taking into consideration all the chances f

ettling back in his chair with the air of a man who ha

e cabin. He knew that the young officer had before engaged in expeditions similar to the one he now proposed, when, in carrying out his designs, he had exhibited the skill and judgment of a vete

m certain that this guerrilla station will be broken up; if you fa

plan untried to insure my success,"

ie, as his cousin entered the wardroom

and he drew Archie into the office, where he proceeded to tell him all

with you. Will

ments before, and wondered what use he could po

requires those who are accustomed to such business; and you have n

st the reason why I want to go-to be with you; and I

nk, "if any thing sh

k as you are," replied Archie,

expedition, at which the latter was overjoyed. He was very far from realizing the danger there wa

night a storm set in; the wind blew, and the rain fell in torrents; and, although Frank regarded it as something in their favor, under any other circumstances he would have preferred tumbling into bed to venturing out in it. The hammocks were not piped as usual, but all hands were to rema

ard?" (He addressed him as paymaster, for, of course, it would have been contra

with a resolute air. "Do you suppose I'm going to back out now

ed, for the young officer did not know but the rebels had posted sentries along the bank, whom the least splashing in the water would alarm. Archie sat beside his cousin, with his collar pulled up over his ears, and his hands thrust into the pockets of his pea-jacket, heartily wishing that Frank had chosen a pleasanter night

ed, and as the sailors gat

cutter, "you will have charge of the boat, and remember you are in no case to leave her. We may be discovered, and get into a fight. If we do, and are cut off from the river and u

rever he went. During the short time the latter had been on board the Boxer, they had become very much attached to him. Although he was a very strict officer, and always expected every man to do his duty promptly, he always treated them with the greatest kindness, and neve

" again asked Frank, seeing

t; "I understand, sir. But, Mr. Nelson, may I be so

hat thoughts were passing through the minds of his men. "What is

wered all the

ship's deck, and you know, sir, that when you passed the word for volunteers for this expedition, you didn't have to call twice. But we all thought that we should go with you to t

cherished for him, and he felt as proud of it as he did of the uniform he w

d were I going to fight, I should certainly take you with me; but sometimes two can accomplish more than a dozen. Besides, I prom

"but it'll be the first time I eve

ut they were allowed no opportunity to oppose it, even had they felt incli