Frank on a Gun-Boat

night

cousin were walking up and down the deck, talking over o

want to leav

rank; "we're tire

had both your names put down. The executive officer says

e to go?" in

is a magazine-ship, and is lying half-way between h

e," said Frank; "for we

and went forward, where they found the executive of

olunteer to go on the

s,

," said the officer, pointing to

toring away their bags and hammocks under the thwarts, a man dress

and shove off-you've a

Simpson stowed himself away in the bow of the

o the place where the Illinois lay, and they soon found that it was indeed "a long, hard pull." The current was very strong,

iture, and presented, altogether, a desolate appearance. After a few moments' conversation with one of their new messmates, they learned that there were only fifteen men on board the vessel,

sted in pumping out the ship, morning and evening. With the exception of these duties, there was no work to be done on board the vessel. The remainder of th

was no boatswain's mate to trouble them, and they were in no danger of r

oking little sailor stepped up, and informed them that supper was ready. They followed him into the cabin, and

don't, you won't be helped at all. Every one tha

ered Frank, and he began helping himself mo

es were much better educated than the majority of the sailors they had met. They were a g

pump out the ship. In a quarter of an hour this was accomplishe

in Wisconsin again

of the navy?"

ould like to see my friends again,

fond of

l my spare time in the w

ng and fishing adventures, and, finally, Woods proposed that they should go over the river into Kentucky, on the following morning, on a squirrel hunt. Frank, of course, readily agreed to this. He immediately started in search of his c

hunting to-morrow, we must start by four o'clock at least, for we have a good way to walk before we reach the hunting-ground

ulder, when, starting up, he found one of the corporals

me Nelson?"

e affirmative, and t

you to go on watch. But be careful w

"Who'll shoot me? Are the

saw two men, with their muskets pointed straight at us; but we got out ofthe way before they had time to shoot. Hu

t to be wondered at, if his feelings were not of the most enviable nature. But he was not one to shrink from his duty because it was dangerous; and he drew on his clothes as quickly as possible, and seizing a musket and cartridge-box that stood in a rack close by the cabin door, he hurried aft, where he found Woods concealed behind the port wheel-house, and the corporal behind a

Frank came up. "The corporal says h

ably as he cocked his musket and brought it to his shoulder. They remained in this pos

g himself entirely out of sight, behind the chic

shes, and presently discovered a w

" he said; "but it don'

claimed the corporal,

couple of buckshot went crashing through the bushes. The commotion increased for a moment

oral. "That was a good shot. We'll teach these rebs th

tiently, for nearly an hour, for the other guerrilla to

o I will go and turn in. Keep a good look-out," he added

at two o'clock, and probably would not like to be disturbed. Besides, if he called him, it would look as though he was a coward, and afraid to stand his watch alone; so he gave up the idea, and remained in his place of concealment. Once he thought he discovered the sheen of a musket among the bushes; but it was only his imagination, and after waiti

rebs?" inquir

clump of bushes that stood on the edge of the bank; "and there was something out there, and I sho

to fight, but I don't like the idea of having a fellow send a bullet into me when I can't

ell to be careful at first. Be sure and call us when you come off wat