A Scouting Party.
Frank, of course, could not agree to the scout's proposition without
first obtaining permission of either the admiral or Captain Wilson--the
commander of the division to which the Boxer belonged. He did not know
where to go to find the former, and besides, the latter had given him
strict orders not to leave his station until relieved by some other
vessel, and to allow no one to go ashore. The very nature of these
orders put it out of his power to obtain liberty to carry out the
proposed expedition. He went to bed pondering upon what the major had
told him, and fell asleep without being able to conjure up any plan by
which the capture of the rebel might be effected.
The next morning, while at breakfast, the orderly entered the cabin and
reported a gun-boat approaching. Frank at once went on deck, and when he
had made out her signals, he found, to his delight, that it was the
Manhattan, the flagship of the division to which the Boxer belonged.
After ordering the officer of the deck to have the gig called away,
Frank ran into the cabin, put on his side-arms, and, in company with the
major, put off to the iron-clad.
Captain Wilson received them cordially, listened with a good deal of
interest to the scout's plan for the capture of the guerrilla, and
finally gave Frank permission to "do as he pleased in the matter,"
adding, "You have never yet failed in an undertaking of this kind, and I
shall fully expect you to succeed in the present instance. I will be
here again in about a week, and you can turn the prisoner over to me."
The confident manner in which the captain spoke of his success, made
Frank more determined than ever to capture the guerrilla, if within the
bounds of possibility. After giving a short report of the state of
affairs on his station, he returned to the Boxer, highly delighted with
the result of the interview. Archie was no less pleased, for, although
he had not said a word about accompanying his cousin, he looked upon it
as a settled thing that he was to be one of the expedition. Frank, who
knew the danger of the undertaking, and was anxious to keep Archie out
of harm's way, would have preferred to leave him behind; but, as the
latter had shown, in a remarkable manner, that he was equal to any
emergency, the young commander could not deny him on the ground that he
had never "smelt powder."
The major advised Frank to take at least one more man; and this one was
soon forthcoming in the shape of Tom, the coxswain of the first cutter,
the same who had been left in charge of the boat on the night that Frank
and Archie had broken up the head-quarters of the "Louisiana Wildcats."
He was at once summoned into the cabin, and after the object of the
proposed expedition had been explained to him, Frank inquired: "Now,
Tom, do you want to go with us?" "Douse my to'-gallant top-lights! yes
sir," he replied, eagerly. "But, Cap'n Nelson, I wouldn't like to be
left behind, sir, when it comes to the dangerous part of the business,
like I was on the night when the paymaster burned that house. I want to
go with you to the end, sir, an' if I ever show the white feather, then
may I be keelhauled!"
Frank assured him that he would be allowed to accompany them wherever
they went, and the coxswain departed satisfied.
When night came, the gig was called away, and Frank, accompanied by the
major, Archie, and the coxswain, was set on shore. When the boat had
returned to the vessel, which was now in command of the executive
officer, the major led his companions through the woods toward the place
where the horses were to be obtained. They traveled in silence,
following the motions of their guide, who walked along as if he well
understood what he was about. The expedition certainly promised better
than any in which Frank had before engaged. It was led by a man
accustomed to scenes of danger, and was altogether composed of those
whose courage and determination had, more than once, been thoroughly
tested. They were all well armed, and, in addition to a brace of
revolvers, the coxswain carried a heavy saber; for, as he remarked, he
might be called upon to "repel boarders," and he wanted some weapon that
he knew how to use.
After three or four hours' walk through the woods they came to a fence,
where the major paused. Before them was a wide field, in which stood a
plantation-house. Bright lights gleamed in the windows, and the major
turned to his companions and said:
"There are more people in the house than there were last night."
They all listened intently, and could hear an indistinct murmur of
voices, and now and then the tramping of horses in the road that ran in
front of the house.
"There are some rebel soldiers in there," continued the major, "and we
can now get our horses without any difficulty, already saddled and
bridled."
As he spoke, he led the way along the fence toward the road, and they
presently came in sight of half a dozen horses which were tied in front
of the house. No orders were necessary, for each one knew what was
required of him. In a few moments they had quietly secured their horses,
and were riding noiselessly down the road. As soon as they were out of
sight of the house, they began to make an examination of their prizes,
and found that the rebels, who, no doubt, had little dreamed that any
one would disturb them there, had left their sabers attached to their
saddles, and their pistols in their holsters. Frank and Archie also
found themselves possessed, the former of a fine double-barrel shot-gun,
loaded with buck-shot, and the latter of a heavy carbine; and the
ammunition for each of these weapons had been left on the saddles. The
horses were splendid animals, evidently the fruits of a raid upon some
well-stocked barn-yard, for they appeared fresh and vigorous, and had
undoubtedly been accustomed to the best of care. As soon as they were
out of hearing of the people in the house, they put their horses into a
gallop, and as the road was excellent, they made rapid headway. For hour
after hour they kept on, stopping only now and then to water their
horses. Just before daylight the major, who had scarcely spoken during
the whole ride, suddenly came to a halt. As his companions gathered
about him, he said, almost in a whisper: "Now, boys, we are at our
journey's end. There's the house!" and as he spoke, he pointed to a
large building just ahead of them. "My advice, captain," he continued,
turning to Frank, "would be to ride carefully up in front of the house,
hitch our horses--for of course, we must not lose them--and then burst
open the door and gobble up the guerrilla before he has time to get out
of bed."
This plan was adopted. Riding noiselessly up to the gate, they
dismounted, and after tying their horses, they drew their sabers (as it
was their intention to rely entirely upon the _sight_ of these
weapons to bring the guerrilla to terms). Then they entered the yard,
and ascended the steps that led on to a wide portico. Here the major,
who was in advance, paused a moment, to see that his companions were
close behind him, and then, placing his shoulder against the door, with
one strong push, forced it open. They all sprang into the house, Frank
and Archie being close beside the major, and found themselves, to their
utter astonishment, in the presence of a dozen guerrillas, who started
from their blankets in alarm. So great was their surprise, that both
parties for an instant stood gazing at each other, as if suddenly
deprived of the power of action.
"Sink my tarry wig, Cap'n Nelson, but here's a scrape for honest men to
be in!" exclaimed the coxswain, who had kept as close to his officer as
possible. "Here _is_ a scrape!"
Their position was not an enviable one. There they were, forty miles
from their vessel, almost in the heart of an enemy's country, and
confronted by three times their number of armed rebels, who, no doubt,
could be speedily reinforced. It was too late to retreat, even had they
felt disposed to do so. But the idea never once entered their heads. So
intent were they upon the capture of the guerrilla chief, that they
thought of nothing else, and they were perfectly well aware that the
only way to get out of the house was to fight their way through their
enemies.
The period of inaction lasted only for an instant; then a few of the
rebels, springing to their feet, retreated precipitately through the
back door; but the others, recovering from their surprise, and
comprehending the nature of the attack, bravely stood their ground, and
one tall fellow sprang forward and struck savagely at the major with his
sword. But the scout was on the alert, receiving the blow upon his own
saber, and before the rebel had time to renew his attack, a shot from a
revolver stretched him lifeless on the floor.
This opened the fight. The example of the rebel was quickly followed by
his comrades, who, depending wholly upon their sabers, rushed upon the
officers with the utmost fury. But they were bravely met. The latter
stubbornly held their ground, and parrying the blows directed at them,
used their revolvers with deadly effect. At this moment a door at the
further end of the hall suddenly opened, and a man sprang out, carrying
a short, heavy sword.
"Give it to 'em, lads!" he shouted, hurrying forward to join in the
fight. "Give it to 'em. No quarter to the Yankees!"
This was the guerrilla chief, and the order he had just given told Frank
and his companions, in plain language, that if overpowered, no mercy
would be shown them.
The rebels, encouraged by the voice of their leader, redoubled the fury
of their attacks, and the officers were driven to the wall. The
coxswain, on entering, had closed the door to prevent the escape of the
guerrilla, and thus their retreat was cut off; but they had the
advantage of position, for the rebels, unable to get behind them, must
make their attacks in front. Already had their ranks been thinned by the
fire of the revolvers, but those who had at first retreated now began to
return and take the places of those who had been shot down. At last
Frank's revolver was empty. He had another in his pocket, but could not
get an opportunity to draw it. He must now depend upon his saber.
Grasping it with both hands, he bravely met the attack of the leader of
the guerrillas, who had succeeded in working his way in front of him.
The latter's heavy sword descended with terrible force. Frank's guard
was broken down, and he was sent reeling to the floor. The rebel again
raised his sword, and, as Frank was entirely unarmed, he gave himself up
for lost. One thought of home, of his mother and sister, flashed through
his mind, and then he saw the bright blade swiftly descending. It was
met, however, by the coxswain, who seeing the danger of his officer,
interposed his own sword, and turned the rebel's weapon aside. Frank was
on his feet again in an instant, and seeing a musket, with a bayonet
attached, standing in the corner, he seized it with a shout of joy. If
there was any thing he thoroughly understood, it was the
bayonet-exercise. He remembered that the knowledge of it had once saved
his life, and he had never let an opportunity to perfect himself in it
pass unimproved. He now felt safe; and seeing the coxswain gradually
retreating before the furious attacks of the guerrilla chief, he sprang
forward, and with one blow sent the sword flying from his hand and bore
him to the floor. This move was seconded by Archie, who sprang to his
cousin's side with a revolver in each hand, firing right and left among
the rebels, who, dismayed at the fall of their leader, began to retreat.
But so closely were they followed, that escape was impossible. The
chief, after trying in vain to regain his feet, and seeing the bayonet
pointed straight at his breast, shouted most lustily for quarter.
"Surrender!" shouted the major. "Throw down your arms!"
The rebels having lost more than half of their number, and knowing the
deadly effects of the revolvers which were aimed at their heads, gladly
complied, and the fight was at an end.
Although Frank and his companions had heard the order, "No quarter to
the Yankees!" the thought of taking vengeance upon those who, had they
been the victors, would have shown no mercy, never once entered their
heads--they were more humane.
With the surrender of the rebels the object of the expedition had been
accomplished--the guerrilla chief was their prisoner!