Frank on the Lower Mississippi

by Harry Castlemon

  CHAPTER XIII.

  Tom the Coxswain.

  Now that the excitement was over, and Frank began to think more calmly,he found that he was wounded. The blow which had broken down his guardhad spent its force on his head, which was bleeding profusely from along, ragged cut. His face and clothing were covered with blood, but thewound had caused him no inconvenience. After Archie had bandaged it withhis handkerchief, Frank began to look about him. The force of the rebelshad originally consisted of fifteen men, of whom eight were lying,either dead or wounded, upon the floor. He could scarcely believe hiseyes, and wondered how he and his companions had ever secured a victoryagainst such heavy odds. Had the rebels, instead of relying upon theirsabers and the superiority of their numbers, made use of the firearmsthat during the fight had become scattered about the hall, the resultwould have been far different. The fight, although a most severe onewhile it lasted, was not of more than five minutes' duration, and duringthat time eight rebels had been disabled, and six captured by fourdetermined men; one only had escaped. As Archie afterward said, in aletter to his father, "It was the biggest _little_ fight" he wasever engaged in.

  "Now, boys," said the major, as soon as he had satisfied himself thatthe remaining rebels were disarmed, "we've no time to lose. Paymaster,you and the coxswain station yourselves in those doors, and keep a goodlook-out, to prevent surprise. Captain, we will secure these prisoners."

  One of the blankets that lay on the floor was speedily cut into strips,and with these the rebels, one after the other, were bound hand andfoot. While this was going on, the leader of the guerrillas stoodleaning against the wall, no doubt looking into the future, andpondering upon the punishment which, according to his own barbarous modeof warfare, he was certain would be meted out to him. He well knew whatcourse _he_ would have pursued, had he been the victor instead ofthe prisoner, and, judging his captors by himself, he fully expected aspeedy and terrible vengeance to be taken upon him. As these thoughtspassed through his mind, he determined to make one bold effort atescape. Hastily glancing toward the door, where Archie stood looking upand down the road, he suddenly sprang forward, and giving him a violentpush, that sent him headlong upon the portico, he jumped down the steps,and started for the gate at the top of his speed; but before he had gonehalf the distance, he was overtaken by the coxswain and thrown to theground. The sailor, instead of standing in the door, in his eagerness,as he expressed it, to "ketch the first glimpse of any guerrilla craftthat might be sailin' about," had come round to the front of the housejust as the rebel had made his attempt to escape. Archie sprang to hisfeet and ran to the assistance of the coxswain, and by the time Frankand the major arrived, the rebel, who struggled most desperately, hadbeen overpowered, and his hands bound behind his back. In a few momentsmore the prisoners were all secured, and, after a horse had been caughtand saddled, the guerrilla placed upon it, his hands still bound, andthe coxswain was ordered to take charge of him. The dead and wounded,together with the other prisoners, were left in the house, the doors ofwhich were closed and fastened. They would, no doubt, soon be relievedby their friends, for the rebel who had escaped would, of course,procure assistance as soon as possible.

  As soon as the major had satisfied himself that every thing was readyfor the start, he mounted his horse and led the way down the road. Itwas now broad daylight, and their first thought was to place a safedistance between themselves and the scene of the fight, and then halt inthe woods until night, when they would return to the vessel. But if thisplan was adopted, it would give the guerrillas, who, of course, wouldhasten to the rescue of their leader, time to get between them and theriver, in which case their capture was certain. Frank, who believed thatevery instant of time was valuable, and who delighted in dashingexploits, was in favor of returning at once to the vessel. Their horseswere comparatively fresh, and, if they rode rapidly, they could makegood their retreat before a sufficient force could be collected topursue them. The major and Frank talked over these different plans asthey rode along side by side, and the latter course was finally adopted.It was at once communicated to the others, and they pushed forward withall possible speed. Frank and the major rode in front, followed by thecoxswain, who held fast to the horse which their prisoner rode, andArchie brought up the rear. In this manner they dashed along, passingseveral plantation-houses, whose inmates ran to the doors and gazed atthem in astonishment. Half a dozen miles were passed over in this waywithout stopping, except to water their horses, and without seeing asingle armed rebel, and Frank began to hope that the dangerous part ofthe undertaking was passed. If attacked by a superior force, the chanceswere that they would not only lose their prisoner, whose capture hadbeen effected in so gallant a manner, but also their own liberty, andthe thought of the treatment they would receive, judging by the orderthe guerrilla chief had given his men at the commencement of the fight,was enough to nerve them to make the greatest exertions to effect theirescape. They had reloaded their pistols, the effective use of which hadgained them a victory over almost four times their number, and Frank andArchie carried the shot-gun and carbine which they had found attached tothe saddles of their horses, ready for instant use.

  The rapid pace at which they were traveling had, at the end of an hour,put half a dozen miles more between them and the house where the fighthad taken place, and they began to hope that, if they were followed atall, they were leaving the enemy behind. At length they came to a placewhere the road ran through a deep ravine, the sides of which werethickly covered with trees and bushes. They dashed along, their horseshoofs ringing loud and clear on the hard road, but as they came suddenlyaround a bend, almost before they were aware of it, they had run intothe very midst of a small band of rebels, who were traveling as rapidlyas themselves. They were not entirely unprepared for this encounter.Although they had hoped that they might be able to avoid it, they hadheld themselves in readiness for it, while the rebels, being taken bysurprise, scattered in every direction, as if fully expecting to see awhole army of Federals close at their heels. As they dashed by, Frankfired both barrels of his gun, which emptied more than one saddle, andthe others had just time to follow with a volley from their revolvers,when another bend in the road hid them from sight. It was quickly done.Before the rebels had time to think twice, the danger was over. Theenemy had met them, sent three of their number to the ground, anddisappeared as rapidly as they had come. But the rebels did not remainlong inactive. They quickly satisfied themselves that those who had justpassed were not the advance-guard of an army, as they had at firstsupposed, and presently the officers heard the clatter of hoofs behindthem, accompanied with loud yells, and knew that the guerrillas hadcommenced the pursuit. Although, as we have said, the rebels had but asmall force, they still greatly outnumbered Frank's party, and nothingbut the most rapid flight could save them. Frank's only fear was thattheir pursuers would come in sight of them, and begin to pick them offat long range with their carbines, a proceeding which nothing but thenumerous windings in the road prevented.

  "If we do not get into a scrimmage, boys," said the major, speaking ascalmly as though he was at that very moment safe in the cabin of theBoxer, "we must stick together, if possible; but if they come on us in aheavy force, we must separate and every man take care of himself."

  "Oh, you needn't look so mighty pleased, Johnny!" exclaimed thecoxswain, addressing himself to his prisoner, who now looking upon hisrescue as beyond a doubt, could not repress a smile of triumph. "Shivermy timbers! you're not loose yet. You're just as safe here as though youwere in the brig [Footnote: The brig is a small dark apartment in thehold of a vessel, in which culprits are confined.] and in double irons.Look as mad as you please, Johnny," he continued, as the guerrillascowled savagely upon him, "a man who has smelt powder in a'most everybattle fought on the Mississippi River an't often skeered by looks."

  The major had, several times during the retreat, cautioned the coxswainto keep a fast hold of his prisoner, and not to allow him to escapeunder any circumstances.
But Frank, who knew his man, had never thoughtthe caution necessary. He had often seen the sailor in action on boardship, and the gallant manner in which he had saved his officer's lifeduring the fight at the house, had fully satisfied the young commanderthat the coxswain was not the man to shrink from his duty because it wasdangerous. His reply to the major had been:

  "If this Johnny rebel an't safe in the brig tonight, sir, then CaptainNelson will have to make a new cox'son for the first cutter, an' anothercap'n for that number two gun. I'll either take him safe through, orI'll never hear the bo'son pipe to dinner ag'in."

  All this while they had been tearing along the road as fast as theirhorses could carry them, but rapidly as they went, the sounds of pursuitgrew louder, and the yells fiercer and more distinct, showing that theguerrillas were gaining on them. Suddenly they emerged from the woods,and found before them a long, straight road, with broad fields on eachside. Before they could pass this, the rebels would certainly come insight, and, if they did not overtake them, they would at least open fireon them with their carbines.

  Frank gradually drew in his horse and fell back beside his cousin.Archie was deadly pale, but he sat firmly on his horse and handled hiscarbine with a steady hand.

  "Archie," said he, "you and I must cover the retreat of the others.Don't waste your ammunition now."

  They had accomplished perhaps a quarter of the distance across the roadwhen the foremost of their pursuers came in sight. In an instant Archieturned in his saddle, and leaving his horse to pick out his own road, heraised his gun to his shoulder and fired. A moment afterward a riderlesshorse was rearing and plunging about among the rebels, throwing theminto confusion. This was the time for Frank, and he discharged bothbarrels of his gun in quick succession. The buckshot must have doneterrible execution, for when the smoke cleared away, they saw the rebelsretreating to the cover of the bushes. One, more daring than the rest,lingered a moment, to fire his carbine, and the fugitives heard thebullet sing through the air above their heads.

  Although they were not more than five minutes crossing the road andentering the woods on the opposite side, it seemed an age to them, andthey had scarcely reached the cover of the trees, when the rebels againcoming in sight, fired a scattering volley after them, which rattledthrough the trees and sent a shower of leaves and twigs about them. Theguerrillas then continued the pursuit as fiercely as ever, every timethey came in sight firing their carbines, which Archie answered witheffect; but they wisely kept out of range of the buck-shot in Frank'sdouble-barrel.

  Hour after hour the chase continued, the guerrillas every time theyappeared having their ranks thinned by Archie's unerring rifle, untilfinally the fugitives heard a sound that told them in plain languagethat their danger was yet by no means passed. A whole chorus of hoarseyells arose from the depths of the woods, showing that their pursuershad received heavy reinforcements, and were urging forward their horsesto overtake them, But the river was not more than two miles distant, andas the rebels were fully a quarter of a mile behind, they were confidentthey would yet escape, if their horses could hold out fifteen minuteslonger. For some time past this had been their only fear. The rapid pacewas telling on the animals severely, and Frank's horse especially beganto show signs of distress, the young commander having several times beenobliged to use the point of his saber to compel him to keep pace withthe others. The rebels gained rapidly, and presently, just as thefugitives emerged from the woods, in full view of the river, they couldhear the tramping of their horses behind them. Before them was a clearspace of fully a mile in extent, that must be crossed before theyreached the river, and their pursuers might overtake and capture themwithin sight of their vessel. Presently several men were seen runningabout on the deck of the Boxer, and then a puff of smoke arose from oneof the ports, and a shell went shrieking over their heads and burst inthe woods.

  The crew of the vessel, in obedience to Frank's orders, had kept a goodlook-out for them, and hearing the yells of the pursuing rebels, had atonce opened fire. When the smoke cleared away, Frank saw the crew of thegig hurrying to their places. The boat was lowered into the water, andpulled rapidly toward the shore. If they could but reach the bank of theriver they would be safe. At this moment the rebels appeared in sight,and a volley from their carbines sent the bullets about the fugitiveslike hail-stones. Frank turned in his saddle and fired one barrel of hisgun among them, and was about to give them the contents of the other,when his horse stumbled and fell, throwing him at full length on theground. Frank had been expecting this, and for the last half hour hadridden with his feet out of the stirrups, so that in case the accidentdid happen, he would not be entangled in the saddle. As it was, he wasthrown some distance in advance of the horse, which, too exhausted torise, lay panting on the ground. Frank, however, instantly recovered hisfeet, and was about to start after his companions, when he saw thecoxswain, with a knife in his hand, working desperately to free himselffrom the saddle of his own fallen horse. Frank at once sprang to hisassistance, and catching the knife from his hand, severed the strap thatconfined him, and set him at liberty. The coxswain, as soon as he hadregained his feet, ran up to the horse which the prisoner rode, andwhich had stopped the moment the sailor fell, and pulling the guerrillafrom the saddle, lifted him in his arms as though he had been an infant,and ran toward the boat. The rebels by this time were within easyrifle-range, and in spite of the shells that burst about them, seemeddetermined to effect the release of their leader, until one moreaccurately aimed than the others, exploded in their very midst, cuttingdown horses and riders with terrible slaughter; another and anotherfollowed, and when Frank and his companions stepped into the gig, therebels were in full retreat. When they arrived on board the vessel, thecoxswain delivered his prisoner to the master-at-arms, who ironed him,and lodged him safely in the brig.

  Their long ride had taxed their endurance to the utmost; but, by thenext day, they had fully recovered from their fatigue, and shortly afterdinner Frank ordered the officer of the deck to have all hands mustered.The crew speedily assembled on the quarter-deck, and among them stoodthe coxswain, who, at a motion from Frank, stepped out from among hiscompanions, holding his cap in his hand, and looking altogether like aman who expected "a good blowing up" for some grievous offense. But hesoon found that he was not to be reprimanded, for, to his utterastonishment, Frank proceeded to give the officers and crew a fullaccount of the fight at the house, speaking in the highest terms of theold sailor's bravery. He then addressed the coxswain, saying:

  "Now, Tom, what can I do for you? What do you want? Would you like aleave of absence, to go home and visit your friends?"

  "Avast heavin' there, Cap'n Nelson, if you please!" answered thecoxswain, hastily. "I was brought up on board a man-o'-war, sir," hecontinued, whirling his cap in his hand, "an' have follered the sea forgoin' nigh on to thirty-five year, but this is the first time I ever hadmy cap'n say, 'Thank ye, Tom,' to me for doin' my duty. I an't the onlychap, sir, that wouldn't see harm come to you. There's many a man inthis crew that would have done the same thing, at the risk of his ownlife. As for home an' friends, sir, I have none. But, cap'n, there's onefavor I have thought of askin' you for. There's no gunner's-mate onboard this vessel, an' I think I can take charge of the magazine--don'tyou, sir?"

  This was a small reward for a man to ask of the captain, who wouldgladly have granted him any favor in his power; but promotion on boardship, among the men, is given only to the most deserving, and the oldsailor made this request with a timidity he had never shown before anenemy; and even after he had made it, he regarded his officer as thoughhe fully expected a refusal. But Frank, who could scarcely refrain fromsmiling at the man's earnest manner, turned to Archie and said:

  "Paymaster, please rate Thomas Willis on your books as gunner's-matefrom the time the other mate was discharged."

  This was something more than the coxswain had expected. The formergunner's-mate had been discharged from the service nearly two monthsbefore, and this gave the old sailor
a considerable amount of back pay.Frank had delayed the appointment of a gunner's-mate, not because he didnot need one, but because there were many good men among his crew, andhe wished to give the appointment to the most deserving, and thus makepromotion something worth working for. Frank then dismissed the men, whoreturned to the lower deck, fully satisfied in their own minds that"Cap'n Nelson was the best man any crew ever sailed under."