“Good evening, Mr. Nelson; walk in.  Allow me to introduce to you my cousin, Mr. Williams,” she continued, as they entered the parlor.

As she spoke, a tall, handsome young man rose from his seat, and made a low bow.  It was none other than Lieutenant Miller; for there was the scar on his cheek, which had been described to him by the negro.

After returning the rebel’s salutation, Frank seated himself on the sofa, and said: 

“I shall trouble you only a moment.  I merely came here on a little matter of business.  I understand that there is a rebel mail to be carried across the river, from this house, to-night.”

The suddenness with which this announcement was made was astounding.  Mrs. Phillips appeared ready to faint; Annie turned very pale; and the lieutenant raised his hand to his breast, as if about to draw a weapon.

“What do you mean, sir?” inquired Mr. Phillips, with well-feigned surprise.

“I mean,” answered Frank, “that, since we anchored opposite this house, we have been associating with the worst kind of rebels.  Put down your hand, Lieutenant Miller!  If I see you make that move again, I shall be obliged to shoot you.  You have professed to be Union people,” continued Frank, settling himself back in his seat, and coolly crossing his legs, “and have been treated as such; you have, however, attempted to betray us, by communicating such of our plans and movements as you could learn to the rebels.  But you have been discovered at last.  You, gentlemen, will please consider yourselves my prisoners.  Miss Phillips, have the kindness to produce that mail-bag, and the signal-book you took from the captain.  If you refuse, I shall be obliged to take you on board the ship, as a prisoner.”

The girl saw that there was no alternative, and she pulled from under the sofa, where Frank sat, the mail-bag, which appeared to be well filled with letters, and dispatched a servant to her room after the signal-book, which was to have been sent across the river with the mail.

After Frank had relieved the lieutenant of his weapons, he called two of his men into the house, and, after delivering the prisoners into their charge, returned to the vessel.

That evening the captain examined the mail, and found several letters which showed, beyond a doubt, that their prisoners were connected with the rebel army; and they were, accordingly, sent to the Admiral, on the first steamer that went up the river.

About two weeks afterward, the captain of the Ticonderoga received orders to proceed with his vessel to Helena, and take command of an expedition which was preparing to start down the Yazoo Pass.  They found the fleet, consisting of the Manhattan, six “tin-clads,” and several transports, loaded with troops, assembled in Moon Lake, which was about six miles from the Mississippi River; and, on the 23d day of February, they entered the pass, the Ticonderoga leading the way.