Frank on the Lower Mississippi | Page 3

about it yet," answered the officer who
relieved him. "The steward went to several of the members of the mess,
and asked what they wished served up; but they told him that they had
nothing to do with the caterer's business, and the consequence is, if you
want any thing to eat, you will have to go into the pantry and help
yourself."
Frank was a good deal amused at the obstinacy displayed by the
different members of the mess, and wondered how the affair would end.
The mess could not long exist without some one to take charge of it;
but for himself he was not at all concerned. He had paid no initiation
fee, because no one had asked him for it, and he knew that as long as
there were provisions in the paymaster's store-rooms, there was no
danger but that he would get plenty to eat. He found three or four
officers in the pantry making their dinner on hard-tack, pickles, and raw
bacon. They were all grumbling over the hard fare, but not one of them
appeared willing to assume the office of caterer.
Things went on in this way for nearly a week, (during which time they
had arrived at their station,) and the doctor, who was fond of good
living, could stand it no longer. He went to the caterer who had
resigned, and, after considerable urging, and a solemn promise that
politics should not again be discussed in the mess, the latter was
persuaded to resume the management of affairs. The change from hard
crackers and pickles to nice warm meals was a most agreeable one, and

the jolly doctor, according to promise, was very careful what questions
were brought up before the mess for discussion.
By this time, as we have before remarked, the Boxer had arrived at her
station. Her crew thought they were now about to lead a life of idleness
and inactivity, for not a rebel had they seen since leaving Vicksburg.
But one morning, while the men were engaged in washing off the
forecastle, they were startled by a roar of musketry, and three of the
sailors fell dead upon the deck.
The fight that followed continued for two hours, the rebels finally
retiring, not because they had been worsted, but for the reason that they
had grown weary of the engagement. This was the commencement of a
series of attacks which proved to be the source of great annoyance to
the crew of the Boxer. The guerrillas would appear when least expected,
and the levee afforded them a secure hiding-place from which they
could not be driven, either with big guns or small arms. They were fatal
marksmen, too; and during the week following, the Boxer's crew lost
ten men. One rebel in particular attracted their attention, and his
reckless courage excited their admiration. He rode a large white horse,
and although rendered a prominent mark for the rifles of the sailors, he
always escaped unhurt. He would ride boldly out in full view of the
vessel, patiently wait for someone to expose himself, when the sharp
crack of his rifle would be followed by the report made to the captain,
"A man shot, sir."
Frank had selected this man as a worthy foe-man; and every time he
appeared the young officer was on the watch for him. He was very
expert with the rifle, and after a few shots, he succeeded in convincing
the rebel that the safest place for him was behind the levee. One
morning the foe appeared in stronger force than usual, and conspicuous
among them was the white horse and his daring rider. The fight that
ensued had continued for perhaps half an hour, when the quartermaster
reported the dispatch-boat approaching. As soon as she came within
range, the guerrillas directed their fire against her, to which the latter
replied briskly from two guns mounted on her forecastle. The leader of
the rebels was constantly in view, cheering on his men, and discharging

his rifle as fast as he could reload. Frank fired several shots at him, and
finding that, as usual, they were without effect, he asked the captain's
permission to try a howitzer on him, which was granted. He ran below,
trained the gun to his satisfaction, and waited for an opportunity to fire,
during which the dispatch-boat came alongside and commenced putting
off a supply of stores.
At length the rebel mounted the levee, and reigning in his horse, sat in
his saddle gazing at the vessels, as if not at all concerned. He presented
a fair mark, and Frank fired, but the shell went wild and burst in the
woods, far beyond the rebel, who, however, beat a hasty retreat behind
the levee.
"Oh, what a shot!" shouted a