Frank on the Lower Mississippi

First

r in charge of it was shown into the cabin, as he said he had business with the captain. Frank, who thought he had accomplished sufficient to satisf

rew, and to send you to the flag-ship for orders. I am also instructed to appoint an executive to fill your place

ew well armed. In a short time the boat was ready, and Frank, buckling on his side-arms, took leave of the captain and started toward the flag-ship, wondering what duty he was

ho appeared to be waiting for him, conducted him into

Nelson," said he; "

d the admiral, taking from his desk a bund

g the banks, but whatever you do, don't allow these letters to fall into their hands. There are iron weights in the package, and if you should be in danger of capture, throw it overboard. You will take passage on the army transport that now lies at the stern of this vessel, all ready to start. I send the cutter and armed crew with you, for the reason that the rebels may sink the transport, in which case you can escape in your boat; for those letters must go through, if possible; perhaps the success of this expedition depends upon t

ay alongside of the bank, a short distance below the flag-ship. As he stepped on board, he was met by

ur for you. Business is business, you know, and w

cutter fast to the stern of the steamer, and the others to carry their arms to the boiler-deck, where they could be readily seized in case of emergency. The transport was a small side-wheel boat belonging to the quarter-master's department. The deck-hands were all soldiers-perhaps half a dozen of them in all-the only steamboatmen on board being one pilot, four engineers, and as many firemen. The steamer was armed with two howitzer

t was made fast by a single line, which ran from the forecastle to a tree on the bank, and the gang-plank was out. The lieutenant's fir

taut as a four-mile current could make it. He worked for several moments, but, of course wit

that other

boat to swing away from the bank, and then how would y

's swinging away from the bank, whether the line was first s

they knew that the line could not be "untied" from the tree unless first slackened up on board. But the lieutenant seemed to have his own idea of the manner in which it ought to be accomplished, and was constantly ordering the man to "Hurry u

turning to Frank, who stood beside him, making use of his handkerchief to conc

ask advice. At length he turned and walked into the cabin, muttering, "I guess they will get it untied before nigh

ew, who were convulsed with laughter, "some of you ru

ly obeyed, and the diffi

ot at all like the appearance of the young commander, for he was of the type of officers known as "upstarts," who like to show their authority, but are without the ability to successfully fill even the post of corporal. What if the transport should be fired upon and disabled? It was evident that in such an emergency nothing could be expected of a man who could not cast off a line. Frank's commission was too important to be intrusted to the care of such a man, and the young officer

ke a good many men who see the Mississippi River for the first time, that any body can take charge of a steamboat; but suppose we should run aground-what does that lieutenant know about sparring off? or what if something about the engine should let d

an help it. I'll never be surrendered. That lieutenant may not fight, but I think his

to hear; for if we are not disabled, we'll go through al

attack the vessel, it would not be the first time he had smelt powder, and if the engineers and pilot could be depended upon, he had no fears but that he should be able to take the boat safely through. Frank replied that he trusted the officers would not be found wanting in courage; and when he had finished his meal, he went on deck again, and surprised the pilot, by offering to relieve him while he went down to his dinner. In his spare momen

that he had left the boat in safe hands. Frank remained at the wheel most of the afternoon, for the pilot, who would be on watch all night, had gone to bed to obtain a few hours' rest. Abou

h her ahead strong. Ther

of feet on deck, and the lieutenant

urrounded. The bank is black with rebels-ten thousand

loose the howitzers, and stood at their posts. The lieutenant stopped a moment, just long enough to say, "Boys, we're all captured!" and then ran into the pilot-house. As Frank stood talking to

here, or we

uge, and waited to hear his answer. To his surprise and horror, he saw

he's surrende

threw it overboard; and at the same moment the lieutenant was seized from behind and thrown to t

selves liable to a court-martial? I'm commander of this vess

ther's threat. "If you will give orders for your men to prepare for action, no one wil

s useless. We never could get by that battery, and I'm going to

and calling out to the rebel, who

, I tell you to turn h

rough if possible, held the boat's head down the stream, while a murmur of indignation

ain't going to give us up without o

he importance of which the admiral had stated in such emphatic language, should he throw them overboard, instead of delivering them, as he had hoped to do, to the officer to whom they were addressed? No! Sooner than do that, he would put th

increased head of steam, had been rapidly nearing the battery, which could

you surrender," s

eutenant, in a weak

use, closed the door. He made an attempt to draw a revolver, but the pilot threw him

re?" he shouted to the

mmand," he added, turning to his companions. "Douse my to

r?" shouted the

he turned her head down the river again, when the battery opened upon them, and a storm of shells plunged into the water and whistled through the air about the boat. Only one struck her, and that passed through one of the smoke-stacks, and bursting, demolished part of the roof of the pilothouse. Then, as fast as the guns could be loaded, the battery played upon the transport, and Frank heard the shells crashing through the cabin and exploding in the air above him. But he stood bravely at his post, his only fears being of his inability to turn the point on which the battery was planted, or that one of the shells might penetrate the cotton-bales and strike the boilers or some part of the machinery. But as he neared the battery, he discovered that the boat was stru

ispatches