Frank on a Gun-Boat

nky R

front of a large plantation-house. As soon as the vessel was made fast

ontinued, turning to Frank, "I wish you to take command of the company, and go

and he hurried down to his room to

ing, so that, in case there were any men in it, their escape would be entirely cut off. He then, in company with the boatswain's mate and two men, walked

or mistress in?"

'ar," answered th

ould like t

an' I'll ax her if s

er she wants to see me or not;" and Frank uncere

our mistress, au

airs," answe

oatswain's mate, "you come with me, and le

found his way to the room where the lady was;

dy, in no very pleasant

here and search your house

to prevent you; if I had, I should certainly use it. But, I hope you w

of his hair at this insult, and he rep

ves;" and he turned and tried a door, (several of which opened off the r

ed the lady, angrily. "I hop

orner of your house. My orders were to search your build

y daughters

k, who was getting out of patience, pounded lou

er?" inquired a vo

, "it isn't mother;

in a m

ated Frank, who began to suspect t

sent the door from its hinges. Loud screams issued from the room, which, as Frank entered, he found to be occupied by two young ladies, who, judgin

ll not be harmed. Jack," he continued, turning t

ne of the young ladies,

way fro

llowed Frank into the room, "don't make a

who was a good deal surprised at the conduct of the girl. "

hes two beautifully-finished rifles, a quantity of ammunition, a cavalry sword, and a double-barreled shot-

vidently very anxious about the gir

ster, whose name was Mary; "don't ask any favors

om Ellen; and the mate, who had been "r

hing which struggled and fought furiously, but all to no purpose, for the ma

m shedding tears; but Mary, although pale as death, retained her haughty look, and w

officer, and giving his pants a hitch; "I knowed, by the way the young lady handed

ank you for my capture. If it hadn't been f

Don't go to jawin' her, now, 'cause yer ketched. C

silver-mounted revolvers, whic

aid Mary, impatiently; "and are r

As I said before, I must see the inside of every room in your h

e mate, touching his cap.

d-by; and, in spite of the unladylike, and even insulting manner w

Frank continued his search. But no more weapons or prisoners being fou

rm with one of his brother officers, the orderly approached, and,

aptain, as Frank entered

to one of the after windo

u see

captain, and was surprised to see a rebel fla

I see it,"

hey put it out there, and they must take it in. That's a pretty piece of impudence, indeed-a rebel flag floating in the breeze in

few moments again stood befo

sir, are you?" she

he sharp glances which the ladies threw at him, "I'm here; and I came to tell you that the cap

your captain wants?" in

t; but he wishes that fla

ply. After a moment's

to comply wit

e flag up there,"

, warmly, "it must come down; and I would advise you not to hes

ll, which stood on the table near her. A servant a

this m

good to remain, put on his cap an

nquired the captain, when Fr

ied Frank. "They neither said they wou

r in which they had treated him, for he knew it wou

exclaimed the captain. "Please help yourself to a chair, Mr.

his that the captain had granted the rebels a few moments' grace; and he also knew that, unless the flag came down soon, an

minutes to remove their furniture, and then fire the house. No building

om where they were sitting, for they knew by his looks that t

h showed how much he dreaded to break the in

be your next errand. I suppose your brutal captain will fe

n women and children," chimed in Mary. "That has alwa

one, be it man, woman, or child. You have no one to blame but yourselves. But we have no time to waste in

es," said the mother. "No on

oval of the most valuable articles; and when the time had expired, a straw-bed was pulled into

destruction of their home. But he knew that they had brought it on themselves, and that

with a crash, Mary commenced the rebel air, "Bonnie Blue Flag," and sang it through to th

as entirely consumed, and the