Frank on the Lower Mississippi | Page 7

fair fight, but this
thing of being shot at when you least expect it isn't pleasant."
As Archie spoke, he hurriedly seized a gun from the rack, which had
been put up in the cabin in order to have weapons close at hand, and
sprang up the ladder that led into the pilothouse. Frank, although he
laughed heartily at his cousin's rapid movements, was a good deal
surprised, for he had always believed him to be possessed of a good
share of courage. It would, however, have tried stronger nerves than
Archie's; but men who had become familiar with such scenes, who had
learned to regard them merely as something disagreeable which could
not be avoided, could not sympathize with one in his situation, and
many a wink was exchanged, and many a laugh indulged in, at the
expense of the "green paymaster."
When Frank had put away his writing materials, he ran below to see
that the ports were all closed; after which he returned to the wardroom,
and, securing a rifle, went into the pilot-house, where he found Archie

engaged in reloading his gun, while the officers were complimenting
him on a fine shot he had just made.
"Mr. Nelson," exclaimed the doctor, as Frank made his appearance, "I
guess your white horseman is done for now. The paymaster lifted him
out of his saddle as clean as a whistle."
Frank looked out at one of the ports, and, sure enough, there was the
white horse running riderless about, and his wounded master was being
carried behind the levee. The officers continued to fire as often as a
rebel showed himself, but the latter seemed to have lost all desire for
fighting, for they retreated to the plantation-house which stood back
from the river, out of range of the rifles, where they gathered in a body
as if in consultation, now and then setting up defiant yells, which came
faintly to the ears of those in the pilot-house.
"They are saucy enough now that they are out of harm's way," said
Archie, turning to his cousin. But the latter made no reply. He stood
leaning on his rifle, gazing at the guerrillas, as if busily engaged with
his own thoughts, and finally left the pilot-house and sought an
interview with the captain.
"I have been thinking, sir," said he, as he entered the cabin and took the
chair offered him, "that if that house out there had been burned long
ago, we should not have had ten men killed by those guerrillas. They
seem to use that building as their head-quarters, and if it could be
destroyed they would cease to trouble us."
"That's my opinion," replied the captain. "But who is to undertake the
job? Who's to go out there, in the face of three or four hundred rebels,
and do it? I can't, with a crew of only fifty men."
"I didn't suppose it could be done openly, sir; but couldn't it be
accomplished by stratagem in the night, for instance?"
The captain shook his head; but Frank, who was not yet discouraged,
continued:

"I have not made this proposition, captain, without thinking it all
over--without taking into consideration all the chances for and against
it--and I still think it could be accomplished."
"Well, how would you go to work?" asked the captain, settling back in
his chair with the air of a man who had made his decision, from which
he was not to be turned.
Frank then proceeded to recount the plans he had laid for the
accomplishment of his object, to which the captain listened attentively,
and when Frank had ceased, he rose to his feet and paced the cabin. He
knew that the young officer had before engaged in expeditions similar
to the one he now proposed, when, in carrying out his designs, he had
exhibited the skill and judgment of a veteran. In the present instance,
his plans were so well laid, that there appeared to be but little chance
for failure. After a few moments' consideration, the captain again
seated himself, and said:
"Well, Mr. Nelson, it shall be as you propose. If you succeed, I am
certain that this guerrilla station will be broken up; if you fail, it will
only be what many a good officer has done before you."
"I assure you, sir, I shall leave no plan untried to insure my success,"
replied Frank, as he left the cabin.
"What's the matter now?" inquired Archie, as his cousin entered the
wardroom. "Been getting a blowing up already?"
"Oh, no!" replied Frank. "Come in here, and I'll tell you all about it;"
and he drew Archie into the office, where he proceeded to tell him all
that had been determined upon. When he had finished, the latter
exclaimed:
"I