Frank on the Lower Mississippi

urns De

the intention of destroying some of the vessels by torpedoes-contrivances made to resemble pieces of coal-which were to be placed in those barges out of which the boats were supplied with

le roaming about the town, espied a name on a sign that immediately att

nder where he is. I'll see if I can't find out something about him. If he could be caught,

bore the name and occupation of the indiv

army surgeons and their assistants, who were overhauling its contents, and appropriating whatever they

you bel

antly; "I 'longs nowhar. I'se

in this to

, s

t was evident that this was the hardest task he had yet undertaken. He knew the rebel's name, and that was all. He had no idea how he looked, and, although the ad

ined to enter into conversation with one of them, and, if possible, learn something about Abb

thern money-

replie

five dollars in Confederate money fur o

use would it be to me? And I am greatly mist

the man. "I know you-uns don't like our money,

r, and the butternut drew out of his capacious pocket a huge roll of bills-tens, twenties, and fifties, enough to have made him in

said the butternut; "but I don't see what you-uns want to come do

said Frank. "But who were the richest me

names, among which was t

ying to recall the man to mind; "I've hear

right back of the hotel, third door from the corne

borne on the door-plate. The house, however, was deserted; the blinds were closed, as were those of all the neighboring houses. Mr. Abbott, with his family, if he had any, had doubtless removed out of reach of the Union forces. Did he ever visit his home when in town? or did he make his head-quarters somewhere else? were questions that suggested themselves to Frank, but which, of course, he could not answer; neither did he dare to question any of the citizens, for they might be Mr. Abbott's friends, who would not fail to inform him

he dreamed that the rebel assumed the offensive, and one day he met him in the street, carrying in his hand something that looked like a lump of coal, which he threw at Frank. It proved, however, to be a torpedo, for it exploded with a loud report, and as Frank sprang over a fence that ran close by the sidewalk, to escape, he came violently in contact with the walls of a house. At this stage of his dream he was suddenly awakened. To his no small amazement, he found himself stretche

drawing on his clothes, while the little ne

d was just going to put my hand on you, when you sprang out of your bunk upon your trunk, and then back again; and just as the darkey was c

a laugh; "I was getting ou

most any thing," replied the doctor, after he had indulged in anot

eye, which had been occasioned by his head coming in contact with the door-knob, a

for a short time, invented a satisfactory excuse for his absence, and started toward Mr. A

ives here?"

on, adding: "He ain't hyar though, b

s your

. I 'spects he don't like for

ent into the house, while Frank was about to move away, wondering what

ou want?"

eeing that it was addressed to Mrs. Abbott, at once concluded that

ding some money to the boy, who departed well satisfied. Frank then walked down the stree

ANTATION, Ma

evening. Have my baggage ready to sta

's journey to Shreveport would only be thrown away. He at once directed his steps toward the landing, hailed his vessel for a boat, and when he had arrived on boar

cription you undertake. But, as it is the admiral's order that all officers repair on board their vessels at sundown, he must be consulted in regard to

ed into the boat with the captain, and in a short time they were in the presence of the admiral. The captain, in a few words, explained the nature of the v

l have one less of these secret-service fellows to fear." Then, turning to one o

he whereabouts of this

how he had seen the rebel's name on the sign, learned his residence, a

nt a look at him. Here," he continued, as his clerk handed him a letter, "is a reques

followed the captain out of the cabin

ht not come home, or the note might have been written with the intention of having it intercepted, in order to throw the one into whose hands it might fall on the wrong scent; or it might be written in cipher, and mean directly opp

-hat, thrust a revolver into his pocket, stepped into the cutter, and was soon set on shore. He walked directly to the office of th

AG-SHIP B

RIA, LA., Ma

form, which may detain him on shore most of the night, and it is absolutely necessary, for the successful

ORTER, Rea

Miss.

rovost

ndria

udging by the language of this note," said

uards and patrols to allow the bearer the freedom of the city, as he

d handed it to Frank. "That will take you through a

xcite the suspicions of its inmates, who would not fail to send word to Mr. Abbott that the house was being watched. Time moved altogether too slowly for the impatient young officer, but at length he heard the flag-ship's bell strike half-past seven, and as it had begun to grow dark, he walked toward the house, and took his station in the shadow of some trees on the opposite side of the street. At the end of an hour his patience was re

bott, I's

for a moment to draw his revolver, and then suddenly opened the door and sprang into the hall. He was met by the negro, the same, no doubt, whom he had heard welcoming his master, who, not liking the looks of the huge six-

aid Frank, "you

e and toward the flag-ship, which they reached in safety. The admiral received Frank with great cordiality, and after listening to his account of the manner in whic