Frank on a Gun-Boat
le Between
sel was made fast to the bank, and, while the seamen were bringing in the wood, the paymaster's steward called Frank's attention to some cattle which were feeding on th
d," said t
Ticonderoga was lying, the levee-an embankment about six feet high, built to prevent the water from overflowing-ran back into the woods about half a mile, then, making a bend like a horse-shoe, came back to the river again, inclosing perhaps a dozen acres of low, swampy land; and it was in this swamp that the cattle were. They proved to be very wild; but, after a considerable run, Frank succeeded in bringing down one, and the steward and se
em at the same moment, a
e "Yanks," they very prudently drew up their horses. One of them, however, who appeared
ms, and you shall b
s and buckshot began to rattle about their ears; but the trees and bushes were so thick that they escaped unhurt. Frank reached th
e matter,
errillas out there in t
an
of them di
say that there were at least a dozen of them, and they were coming this way. I shou
icer, "take thirty men, who are good shots, and go out the
e advancing, they would be certain to meet them. But they saw no signs of them until they came within sight of a barn which stood in the woods, about a mile from the river. The rebels were gather
officer, "and then scatter, and let each m
ke of their muskets cleared away, they had disappeared, like a flock of young partridges. The rebels had a
ive them from their position. But the officer did not think it safe to attempt it; for, although he had
her proposition to make. If you will give me ten men, and engag
leave it?" inqu
hundred yards to the left o
k out your men,
ay-headed man, who had been in the navy from boyhood, as hi
is, together with his uniform kindness toward the men under his command, and the respect he always showed his brother officers, had made him very popular with the ship's company; and when the mate-who was never better pleased than when he could do
ions of the rebels, with orders not to fire unless they attempted to advance; and then pulled off his coat, and set to work, with the others, cutting up the beef. This was soon accomplished; and, after getting
ounted on a powerful iron-gray horse, would frequently ride out from his concealment, and advance toward the place where the m
ellow tries that again, I'll put a
, and settled himself in his saddle, for a good shot. But at that instant the report of Frank's musket echoed through the woods, and the horse on which the rebel was mounted fell to the ground, with a bullet in his brain. Before the astonishe
prisoner!"
saw how foolhardy he had been, for his antagonist was a man of almost twice his size, and possessed of enormous strength. But Frank still retained his presence of mind, and, in falling, he managed to catch the rebel by the hair, and pulled him to the gr
e mate, who, with his men, had watched the progress of the conflict, with their feelings worked up to the highest pitch of excitement, discovered that the
ds!" he exclaimed
was prompt
e! Charge bayonets! F
ebel line. They were soon overtaken by the men under command of the executive offi
surprise, and, after delivering a
e into Frank, who increased his exertions, and st
l; "I'll surrender, if you wi
," said Frank; "and you may be su
n," said the rebel;
his feet, and was immediately seized by the mate, who, with
, they marched back to the place where they had
acquainted with the part
n the hero of