Frank on a Gun-Boat

on Fa

en ordered to take her station; for the Admiral had received information that the reb

er whom the place was named. In a short time, a boat, rowed by two stout

ng for the liberty they had taken in coming on board, asked if the captain could furnish them with some Northern papers. They lived in an

nto the cabin, where they passed an hour in conversation. When they were about to take their departure, they in

ng in an enemy's country. But, after calling on Mr. Phillips's family a few times, without discovering any thing to confirm his suspicions, he allowed both officers and men t

r visitor at the plantation, and was soon well acquainted with each member of the family. They all professed to be unconditional Union people, with the exception o

Frank was on his way to the plantation, to buy his marketing, a negro m

just one word with

, uncle?" said Fr

irst, for I don't want them

behind one of the cabins,

officers on your boat will b

nk, in surprise, half inclined t

r and mistress, and all the white folks

don't belie

y day has got a sweetheart in the army, and she tells him every thing you say. Besides, they sen

ng to me, you old ras

I have told you is gospel truth. You see, my daugh

llips has a sweet

y's Point, with two cannons, to fire into steamers. His name is Miller; and you would know

I beli

he stole

ed Frank. "What

It was a small book, and had

d Frank, "that was the

ter that she took it ou

ting, but hastily catching up his b

the marine who always stood at the cabin

t got up

ell him that I have somethin

cabin, and, in a few mom

in says wa

closed the door carefully behind h

the captain, in a tone of su

ts ago, that it had b

captain, getting out of bed; "but I know exactly where I put it;" and he

claimed, at length, "if it hasn't bee

ich had taken place between himself an

or they would not have been so friendly. I can't reproach mys

w that the signal-book was

the captain. "Now, the question is, now to go to work

I will agree to recover the signal-book, and capture that mail

gone, and I believe you ought to have the honor of sifting the matter to the

the quarters, in quest of the negro who had given him the infor

here on the plantation; and tell your daughter to find out when that rebel lieute

negro. "But you won't tell any one what I have

said Frank; and, after purchasing some articles which

l continued to visit the plantation, and Mr. Phillips and his family always seemed g

ance they were apart. And he thought of other questions which had been asked him by the family, which, although they did not seem strange at the time, now seemed suspicious. At first he had been inclined to doubt the negro's story; but his doubts were soon removed by the appearance

thing to communicate. He immediately set off alone, in a skiff. When he reached the shore, the negro informed him that the rebel lieutenant

nformed the captain that, if he would give him twenty men, he would fulfill his promise. He did not acquaint him with what he had le

placed his men to his satisfaction, he removed his sword, thrust a brace of revolvers into his pocket, and walked up and knocked at the door. It was opened

to introduce to you my cousin, Mr. Williams

e a low bow. It was none other than Lieutenant Miller; for there was

salutation, Frank seated h

ttle matter of business. I understand that there is a rebel ma

rs. Phillips appeared ready to faint; Annie turned very pale; and the

inquired Mr. Phillips, wi

eople," continued Frank, settling himself back in his seat, and coolly crossing his legs, "and have been treated as such; you have, however, attempted to betray us, by communicating such of our plans and movements as you could learn to the rebels. But you have been d

sat, the mail-bag, which appeared to be well filled with letters, and dispatched a servant t

called two of his men into the house, and, after deliveri

beyond a doubt, that their prisoners were connected with the rebel army; and they

eparing to start down the Yazoo Pass. They found the fleet, consisting of the Manhattan, six "tin-clads," and several transports, loaded with troops, assemble

trees, which stood so close together that it seemed impossible to work a passage through them; and the men on deck were constantly in danger of being killed