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Castlemon, Harry, [pseud.], 1842-1915

"Frank on a Gun-Boat"


It is so dark they can't see our faces, so don't be frightened at
any thing that may happen. Captain, take care of that prisoner, and
remember and blow his brains out the moment he makes the least attempt
at escape."
"Who goes there?" shouted the voice again.
"Scouts!" answered the major, promptly.
"Advance, one scout, and give the counter sign."
The Major accordingly advanced to the place where the sentry was
standing, and the captain cautiously cocking his musket, placed its
cold muzzle against the prisoner's head, whispering, between his
clenched teeth:
"I guess you hear what the major did said, ain't it? Well, then, don't
say somethings."
The laconic captain probably thought this warning sufficient, for
he brought his musket to an "order arms," and did not afterward even
deign to cast a single glance at the prisoner.
In the mean time, the major was endeavoring to convince the lieutenant
of the guard that, although they did not have the countersign, they
were in reality Confederate soldiers.
"It may be that you'uns is all right," said the lieutenant, after
reading, by the aid of a dark lantern, the papers which Frank had
captured.


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