Frank on a Gun-Boat

First

dventure worthy of notice. They passed nearly every day in the woods, and, after considerable practice, h

a detachment of men from the receiving-ship were set to work to transfer the ammunition. The crew of the Illinois were

ion came alongside, and the Illinois was towed down to Columbus, where she wa

as usual, talking over old times, and wondering how George and Harry Butler liked the army, a

ie Wi

am," sai

said the mate; "the cap

o see me!" repeated

too, for the captain isn't the man to

ing a good blowing up for some unintentional offense. Perhaps the captain had by some means learned who it

ery politely remained out of hearing, holding his hat in his hand, an

inters co

Archie, stepping up

ding out to Archie a letter addressed, in a splen

rchie; "that's a lette

ndid position for you, as second clerk in the fle

nswered Archi

inquired t

sin. We shipped together, and I should li

ere is no certainty that you will be ordered to the same ship. You might as w

eak with my cousin b

alive, and don't

his hat, and

quired Frank, who was sitting w

s story, and e

l take it; for I don

ether a great while. To-morrow one of you may be ordered to a vessel in the Cumberland R

ould certainly take it,

officer the

d if I meet one of you anywhere, I mustn't associate with you

about to move away; "perhaps you may find that there

t think of that; I believe I'll tak

you come to?" inquired the

many thanks fo

your cous

m, and the cap

nd a deserving young man, I like to help him along. Mr. Tyler," he continued, turning to the officer of the deck; "please send this young man over to the fleet paymaster's off

nswered Archie; and

boat until it reached the landing, and he saw his cousin spring out. He then walked aft, and seated himself on the mess-chest, and commenced writing a letter to his mothe

bey the order, he met

; and I'm glad of it. I don

e going?" in

e are to be the crew of the store-ship Mil

Archie, was mustered around the capstan; and after answering to their names, they were crowde

il; and the crew had scarcely time to stow away their bags and hammocks

made fast to the wharf-boat was cast off, and the Milwaukee was so

was to supply the fleet. It was not, of course, intended that she should go into action; but, in order that she might be able to defend herself against the guerrillas,

e passing through Cypress Bend, the officer of the deck discovered a man standing on the bank, waving a flag of truce. A bale of cotton lay near him; and

the shore, and as soon as they arrived withi

do you

take this cotton to Cairo

l citizen?" ask

rter to ship my cotton;" and, as the man spoke,

n," he continued, in a lower tone, turning to an officer who stood near, "go down and stand by

le, like hailstones; and Simpson, who was standing directly in front of Frank, uttered a sharp cry of pain, and sank heavily to the deck. The next moment the guerrillas, with loud yells, sprang down the bank in a body, intending to board the boat and capture her. But they had not taken her so much by surprise as they had imagined, for a shell from the howitzer exploded in their very midst,

so, instead of looking round for a safe place to hide, his first impulse was to run up on deck after a gun. This he knew was a dangerous undertaking, for the vessel lay close to the bank

hem for shooting Simpson. But, just as he was about to start out, he heard the capta

get away from the bank or

of being struck by the bullets that were every moment coming through the vessel; and would not his mother much rather hear that he fell while performing his duty, than that he was shot while standing idly by, taking no part in the fight? He did not wait to take a second thought, but seized the ax, and, with one bound, reached the gangway that led out on to the forecastle. Here he hesitated again, but it was only for a moment. Clutching his ax with a firmer hold, and gathering all his strength for the trial, he sprang forward, and a few rapid steps brought him to the capstan, to which the line was made fast. He raised his ax, and one swift blow severed the line, and the Milwaukee swung rapidly out from the bank Without waiting an instant, Frank turned and retreat

"we are on more equal te

op some

ng the life of a fellow-being; but he had seen Simpson shot down before his e

pleasant proximity. In spite of his dangerous situation, he could not help thinking that the rebels were very proficient in "Indian fighting," for, with all his watchfulness, he could not get an opportunity

l to conceal themselves. This was what Frank wanted; but he reserved his fire until a tall rebel rose to his full hight from behind the levee, fired his gun, and stood watching

what Simpson would call 'squaring the

ts fell thicker than ever; but the Milwaukee was almost out o