On Duty Again.
By the time Harry had finished his story, it was almost sundown. Putting
the cabin in order, and fastening the door, the boys then started for
home. After a hearty supper at the cottage, different plans for their
amusement were discussed and determined upon. If time would allow, we
might relate many interesting incidents that transpired during the month
they spent together; how, one day, the young moose ran away with Uncle
Mike's wood wagon and upset the boys in the road. We might, among
others, tell of the hunting and fishing expeditions that came off, and
the trials of speed that took place on the river, when the Speedwell
showed that she had lost none of her sailing qualities during the year
and a half that she had remained idle in the shop; but one incident
that happened will suffice.
It was on the morning of the last day that they were to pass together,
as Frank's sick-leave had expired, and he must soon bid adieu to home
and friends again, perhaps forever. This day had been set apart for a
fishing excursion; and, bright and early, Frank was at Captain Butler's
boat-house, where he found Harry waiting for him. When the bait and
every thing else necessary for the trip had been stowed away in the
skiff, the boys pulled into the river, and after spending an hour in
rowing about the bass-ground, during which time they secured half a
dozen fine fish, they started toward the perch-bed, and anchored outside
the weeds.
Although they were remarkably successful, they did not seem to enjoy the
sport. Frank's thoughts were constantly dwelling on the parting that
must come on the morrow. It could not be avoided, for duty called him;
and although the idea of disregarding the summons never once entered
into his head, he could not help condemning the circumstances that
rendered that call necessary. Harry, on the other hand, was impatient to
recover his health, as he wished to rejoin his command. While he was
free, and enjoying the delights of home, his brother was languishing in
a Southern dungeon--held as a hostage for a notorious guerrilla, who had
been sentenced to death--not knowing at what moment he might be led
forth to execution. Often, during the time that he and Frank had been
together, living over the scenes of their school-days, had Harry's
thoughts wandered to that brother, and it had done much to mar the
pleasure he would otherwise have enjoyed. He imagined he could see him,
seated in his loathsome cell, loaded with chains, pale and weak, (in
consequence of the systematic plan of starvation adopted by the brutal
authorities at Richmond to render our brave fellows unfit for further
service, if they should chance to live until they were exchanged,) but
firm in the belief that he had done his duty, and ready at any
moment--for George was far from being a coward--to be sacrificed.
Harry's thoughts, we repeat, often wandered to the dreaded Libby, and
especially did they on this morning. And as he pictured to himself the
treatment that his brother was daily receiving at the hands of the
enemies of the government, is it to be wondered if he indulged in
feelings of the deepest malice toward the inhuman wretches who could be
guilty of such barbarity?
"There's only this about it, Frank," he said, suddenly breaking the
silence that had continued for half an hour; "there's only this about
it: if one hair of George's head is injured, Company 'M' of our regiment
never takes any more prisoners; and if I have no friendship for a
traitor, neither have I for such men as these who are now approaching."
Frank looked up, and saw Charles Morgan and William Gage rowing toward
them.
"Here is the very spot," continued Harry, "where we met Morgan when you
first became acquainted with him, on the morning when he told such
outrageous stories about the fishing there was in New York harbor, and
about his fighting Indians in the Adirondack Mountains, in the northern
part of Michigan. William Gage, you know, used to be first lieutenant of
the "Midnight Rangers."
"Yes, I remember them both," answered Frank. "But it seems to me that I
heard some one say that Mr. Morgan is a rebel sympathizer; and Charley,
of course, not having brains enough to think for himself, is following
in his father's lead."
"So I have heard; but he has never said a word against the government,
and he'd better not, for I feel just like choking somebody this morning;
and if I hate a rebel, I hold a domestic traitor in the most profound
abhorrence."
"Hullo, boys!" exclaimed Charles, at this moment, coming alongside and
stretching out a hand to each of them, "how are you? I'm glad to see you
back again, Frank. But why haven't you been around to see a fellow?
You've kept yourselves very close since your return."
"Yes, Harry and I have spent most of our time in the woods," answered
Frank. "But we part again to-morrow."
"Going back to your ship, eh? Well, when do you suppose you will be home
again for good?"
"I don't know. If I live, however, I'm going to see this war settled
before I come back to civil life again."
"You've had some pretty hard times since you have been in the service,
from what I hear."
"Rather tough," answered Harry.
"Well now, you see Bill and I were too sharp to go into any such
business as that," said Charles, knowingly. "The old man said, from the
start, that you never could whip the South."
"Well, your father was never more mistaken in his life," answered Frank.
"We _are_ going to bring back the seceded States, if it takes every man
and every dollar at the North. But I don't see why you don't volunteer.
How can you stay at home?"
"O, it is the easiest thing in the world," answered Charles, with a
laugh. "In the first place, I think too much of my life; and then again,
I don't care a snap which whips. I am not interested either way--I'm
neutral."
"You're no such thing," answered Harry, angrily. "You never saw two dogs
fight in the street, without wanting one or the other of them to whip,
and your sympathies are either one way or the other. There's no such
thing as a neutral in this war."
"Besides," said Frank, "if I were in your place, I should be ashamed to
say that I was neutral. But I hope that you will be compelled to go into
the army. Since you have neither the intelligence to determine which
side is in the right, nor the courage to fight for that side, I hope
that you will be drafted, and that you can't find a substitute."
"Thank you," replied Charles, sneeringly. "You are very kind. But I, of
course, know that this is a free country, and a man has a right to talk
as he pleases."
"You have no right to utter treasonable sentiments," said Harry; "and
another thing, I am not going to sit here and listen to them."
"You are not, indeed! I don't see how you can hinder it," replied
Charles. "I say now, and it makes no difference who hears me, that I
hope the South will whip, unless the North will allow her to go out of
the Union peaceably. I haven't any thing against the South."
"Well, _I_ have," answered Harry, scarcely able to control himself. "My
brother is now starving in a rebel prison."
"I can't help it. I have not the least sympathy for him. The South said,
at the commencement, that they only wanted to be let alone; and if
George hasn't any more sense than to meddle with them, I say, let him
take the consequences;" and, as Charles ceased speaking, he dropped the
oars into the water, and was about to row off, when Frank seized the
gunwale of his boat.
"Avast heaving, there, for a moment," he said, quietly. "Charley, take
back what you have said."
"No, sir; I sha'n't do it. I mean what I have said, and I won't take
back any thing. Let go of that boat, or I'll hit you," and he raised his
oar as if about to strike Frank.
But Harry was too quick for him. Springing lightly into Charles's skiff,
he easily wrested the oar from him, and then, seizing him by the collar,
exclaimed:
"Take back every word you have said, or I'll wash some of the vile rebel
sentiment out of you. I'll dump you overboard. Come, take it all
back--quick."
"Help! help! Bill," whined Charles, writhing like an eel in Harry's
strong grasp, "are you going to sit there and see me abused in this
manner? Help, I tell you."
William looked first at Harry, then at Frank, who had grown exceedingly
tall and muscular since the last time he had measured strength with him
in friendly contest, and made no reply.
"Come, take it back," urged Harry.
"No, I won't," replied Charles, who, finding that he was left to fight
his own battles alone, now began to struggle desperately. "I tell you I
won't take back any thing."
"Then overboard you go," said Harry. "I'll see what effect cold water
will have on you;" and, easily lifting Charles from his feet, in spite
of his struggles, he threw him headlong into the water.
"How is it now?" he coolly inquired, as Charles appeared at the surface,
looking very forlorn, indeed. "Any more rebel sentiment in you that
wants washing out? Come in here, you young traitor;" and, as he spoke,
he again seized him by the collar, and drew him into the boat.
"Unhand me," shouted Charles, as soon as he could regain his feet; "I'll
fix you for this."
"Are you ready to take back what you said?" demanded Harry, tightening
his grasp.
"No; nor shall I ever be," was the stubborn answer.
"Well, then, down you go again."
"No, no! don't," screamed Charles, who now began to be really
frightened; "I take it all back."
"What do you take back?" asked Harry.
"I don't want to see the Northern prisoners all starved."
"Well, what else?"
"I don't want to see the Union destroyed."
"Go on; what next?"
"But I _do_ wish the South could be whipped to-morrow, and be made to
stay in the Union."
"Well, now you are talking sense," said Harry, releasing his hold of
Charles's collar. "Of course, I know you don't mean what you say, but I
was bound to make you say a good word for the Union before I let you
off. I have one more favor to ask of you, and then I am done. Will you
oblige me by giving three cheers for the boys who are fighting our
battles--every day risking their lives in defense of the old flag?"
Charles hesitated.
"I sha'n't ask you but once more, then," and here Harry pointed to the
water, in a very significant manner.
Charles, knowing that he was in earnest, and that there was no escape,
gave the required cheers with as good a grace as he could command.
"That's right," said Harry, approvingly. "Now I have done with you, and
you can thank your lucky stars that you have got off so easily. If you
had been in the army when you said what you did a few moments since, the
boys would have hung you to the very first tree they could have found.
Now, take my advice, and don't let me hear of your uttering any more
such sentiments as long as I remain in the village; if you do, I'll duck
you as often as I can get my hands on you."
Harry then sprang into his own skiff, and Charles sullenly picked up his
oars, and pulled toward home.
"There," exclaimed Harry, "I feel better now. I worked off a little of
my indignation on that fellow. The rascal! to tell us that George ought
to be starved for helping to maintain the government, and that he didn't
care whether the Union went to ruin or not. Now that I think of it, I'm
sorry that I let him off so easily."
"He was pretty well punished, after all," said Frank. "It will have the
effect of making him a little more careful."
At noon, the fish stopped biting, and the boys started for home. They
parted at the boat-house, after Frank had promised to call and say
"good-by" before he left in the morning.
When the latter reached home he found his trunk packed, and every thing
in readiness for the start, so that he had nothing to do but roam about
the premises, and take a last look at every thing, as he had done on a
former occasion. His mother and sister tried to look cheerful, but it
was a sorry failure, for Frank could easily read what was passing in
their minds.
Morning came at length, and at eight o'clock, to Frank's great
relief--for he wished the parting over as soon as possible--he saw the
carriage approaching which was to take him to the steamer. A few
embraces and hastily-spoken farewells, and Frank was whirling away from
his home. At Captain Butler's he stopped for Harry, who met him at the
gate with an open letter in his hand; and, as he sprang into the
carriage, he exclaimed, joyfully:
"It's all right, Frank. Here's a letter from George. He has been
exchanged, and is now in the hospital at Washington. The rebels, he
says, tried to starve him to death, but couldn't make it. He is only
waiting until he gets strong enough to travel, and then he's coming
home. He's pretty well used up. When I get back to the army, with
Company 'M' to back me up, I'll make somebody smart for it."
By the time Harry had finished venting his anger against the enemies of
the government, the carriage reached the wharf, as the steamer was
moving out into the river. Frank had just time to get on board, and a
few moments afterward the Julia Burton carried him out of sight of the
village. He stopped only a short time at Portland; and, four days after
leaving that place, found Archie waiting for him as he sprang off the
train at Cairo. He reported to the fleet captain, who ordered him to
"take passage down the river on the United States dispatch steamer
General Lyon," which was to sail at four o'clock that afternoon. The
cousins passed the day together. When four o'clock came, Archie returned
to his high stool with a sorrowful countenance, and Frank waived his
adieu from the steamer that was to carry him back--to what? It is well
that the future is hidden from us, for Frank would not have trod that
deck with so light a heart had he known what was in store for him.
In a few days he arrived at his vessel, which he found anchored at White
River. Time makes changes in every thing, and Frank saw many new faces
among the ship's company. The old mate was still on board, and greeted
him in his hearty sailor style as he came over the side. After he had
reported to the captain, and had seen his luggage taken to his room, he
was joined by one of his old messmates, whose name was Keys; and who, in
answer to Frank's inquiry, "How is every thing?" proceeded to give him a
statement of the condition of affairs.
"The ship still floats on an even keel," said he, pulling off his boots,
and taking possession of Frank's bed. "The old man is as eccentric and
good-natured as ever, sometimes flying off into one of his double-reefed
topsail hurricanes, which don't mean any thing. All goes right about
decks, but you will find some things changed in the steerage. There are
only five officers left in our mess that were here when you went away,
and we have three new Johnny master's mates. They all came down in the
same box; and the express man must have left them out in the damp over
night, for they are the softest fellows I ever saw. They must have been
brought up in some country where such a thing as a steamboat is unknown,
for they don't know the starboard from the port side of the ship, call
on deck 'up stairs,' and the captain's cabin goes by the name of the
'parlor.' It wouldn't be so bad if they would only try to learn
something, but they are very indignant if any one undertakes to
volunteer advice; and, besides, they stand on their rank."
At this moment supper was announced, and Frank and his friend repaired
to the steerage, where they found the mates of whom the latter had
spoken. While they were eating, the whistle of a steamer was heard, and
one of the new mates (whose name was French, but who was known as
"Extra," from the fact that he was perfectly useless as an officer,)
ordered the waiter to "go up stairs and see what boat it was." The boy
did not move, for it was a regulation of the mess that when there was
only one waiter in the room to attend to the table, he was not to be
sent away. Besides, the mate had no right to give such an order without
first obtaining the permission of the caterer.
"Do you hear what I tell you?" he inquired, in a rage.
"Mr. French," said the caterer, quietly, "you can find out the name of
that boat after supper, by asking the officer of the deck, or the
quarter-master on watch."
"But I choose to send this boy to find out for me," replied Mr. French.
"Come, go on, there, and do as I tell you, or I will see if you can not
be made to obey the orders of your superiors."
"Stay where you are," said the caterer, addressing the waiter, "and
don't start until I tell you to." Then, turning to the mate, he
continued, "You have no right to order him to do any thing in this
mess-room without first consulting me."
"I haven't, eh? I wonder if this darkey ranks me? My appointment reads
that I 'am to be obeyed by all persons under me in this squadron.'"
"That boy is not subject to your orders, as long as I am in the
mess-room."
"Well, I shall take pains to inform myself on that point. I'll ask the
captain."
"Do so," said the caterer, quietly; "and if you don't get the worst
raking-down that you have had since you have been on board this vessel,
then I am greatly mistaken."
The mate made no reply, but, after he had finished his supper, went on
deck.
"Now, Frank," whispered Keys, "just come with me, and I will show you
some fun."
Frank, always ready for any mischief, followed his companion on deck,
where they found Mr. French in animated conversation with his two
friends.
"See here, French," said Keys, approaching the latter in a confidential
manner, "are you going to put up with such abuse as you received from
that caterer?"
"I'd see, if I were in your place, whether or not I had authority to
command my inferiors," chimed in Frank.
"Certainly, so would I," said Keys. "Go and report the matter to the old
man."
"That caterer ought to be brought down a peg or two," said Frank.
"Well," said the mate, "I know that I have got the right on my side; but
I'm afraid, if I report the matter, the captain will give me a blowing
up."
"O, that's only one of that caterer's stories," said Keys,
contemptuously. "You see he's afraid you will report him, and he told
you what he did to frighten you. Every body on board the ship is trying
to run down us mates; they don't seem to care a fig for our orders; even
the men laugh at us, and the sooner they find out that we have some
authority here, the better it will be for us. I wish I had as good a
chance as you have; I'd report the whole matter."
"I believe I will report it," said the mate, encouraged by the sincere
manner in which Mr. Keys and Frank spoke. "I can't have a man trample on
my authority, when it comes from the admiral. Is the captain in the
parlor?"
"Yes," answered Frank, making use of his handkerchief to conceal his
laughter; "I saw him go in there just a moment since."
The mate accordingly walked aft, and without waiting to speak to the
orderly, who stood at the gangway, he opened the door without knocking,
and entered the cabin.
As soon as he had disappeared, Frank and his companion ran on to the
quarter-deck, and took a position at a grating directly over the
captain's cabin, where they could hear all that went on below.
"My eyes!" whispered Keys; "I wouldn't be in Extra's boots for the whole
squadron. Won't he get his rations stuffed into him?"
The captain, who was at supper, looked up in surprise, as Mr. French
entered unannounced; and, after regarding him sharply for a moment,
said:
"Well, sir!"
"I came here, sir," began the mate, "to tell you"----
"Take off your cap, sir!" vociferated the captain.
The mate, not in the least embarrassed, did as he was ordered, and again
commenced:
"I came here, sir"----
"Do you know what that marine is standing out there for?" again
interrupted the captain. "If you don't, your first hard work will be to
go to the executive officer and find out. Now, don't you again ever come
into my cabin in this abrupt manner. Always send in your name by the
orderly. It seems impossible to teach you any thing. But what were you
going to say?"
"I came here, sir," began the mate again, "to see if I have any
authority to command my inferiors in rank. My appointment says"----
"O, hang your appointment!" shouted the captain. "Come to the point at
once."
"Well, sir, while at supper, I ordered our steward to go up stairs and
execute a commission for me, and he wouldn't go."
"Are you caterer of your mess?"
"No, sir."
"Then sir, allow me to inform you that you have no more authority over
those waiters in that mess-room than you have to break open my trunk and
take out my money. If you should need the services of one of the boys,
go to the caterer and get his consent. But I wish you would try and
learn something. You have been on board this ship now three weeks, and
are of no more use than an extra boiler. Go to somebody else in future
with your foolish complaints. You may go, sir."
The mate left the cabin, feeling very cheap, and wondering what was the
use of having any rank, if he couldn't use it, and more than half
inclined to believe that the captain had no right to address him in so
rude a manner.
"Well, what did the old man say?" inquired Keys, who, with Frank, had
hurried forward to meet him at the gangway.
"He says he will fix it all right," replied Mr. French, averting his
face, for he knew that he was uttering a falsehood. "I knew I would get
satisfaction."
So saying, he walked off, shaking his head in a very knowing manner,
while the two friends retreated to the steerage, where they gave full
vent to their feelings. The circumstance was related to the caterer, who
came in a few moments afterward, and after enjoying a hearty laugh at
the mate's expense, Frank retired to his room and turned in.
About two o'clock in the morning a steamer came down and reported that a
regiment of rebels had posted themselves behind the levee at Cypress
Bend, and were holding the position in spite of the efforts of three
gun-boats to dislodge them, rendering navigation impossible. The matter
was reported to the captain, who, after making himself acquainted with
the facts, ordered the Ticonderoga to be got under way and headed up the
river.