“No, madam, we shall disturb nothing.  I hope you do not take us for thieves;” and he turned and tried a door, (several of which opened off the room in which the lady was sitting), but it was fastened on the other side.

“That’s a bed-room,” exclaimed the lady, angrily.  “I hope you are not going in there!”

“Certainly I am, madam.  I am going into every nook and corner of your house.  My orders were to search your building, and I intend to obey them.  Is there any one in here?”

“Yes, sir; my daughters are in there.”

“Then, why don’t they open this door?” and Frank, who was getting out of patience, pounded loudly upon the door with the butt of his revolver.

“Is that you, mother?” inquired a voice from the room.

“No,” answered Frank, “it isn’t mother; but open this door.”

“Yes, in a minute.”

“Open this door immediately,” repeated Frank, who began to suspect that he had been purposely delayed.

But the persons in the room made no reply; when the boatswain’s mate, at a sign from Frank, raised his foot, and, with one kick of his heavy boot, sent the door from its hinges.  Loud screams issued from the room, which, as Frank entered, he found to be occupied by two young ladies, who, judging from the overturned work-basket, and the half-finished articles of apparel which were scattered about over the floor, had been engaged in sewing.

“Don’t be alarmed, ladies,” said Frank, “you shall not be harmed.  Jack,” he continued, turning to the boatswain’s mate, “just examine that bed.”

“Oh, don’t,” exclaimed one of the young ladies, “don’t, for mercy’s sake.  Do go away from here.”

“Ellen,” exclaimed her mother, who had followed Frank into the room, “don’t make a child of yourself.  I am surprised at you.”

“We shall leave every thing just as we find it,” said Frank, who was a good deal surprised at the conduct of the girl.  “All we want is the fire-arms, if you have any in the house.”

“Yes, we have got some here,” said Ellen, “and I will get them for you;” and she drew out from the bed-clothes two beautifully-finished rifles, a quantity of ammunition, a cavalry sword, and a double-barreled shot-gun.  “There,” she exclaimed, as she handed them to Frank; “there are no more in this room.  Now, do go away.”

“Ellen,” said her mother, who was evidently very anxious about the girl’s conduct, “will you keep quiet?”

“Don’t say any thing to him, Ellen,” said her sister, whose name was Mary; “don’t ask any favors of a Yankee.  Let him stay here till doomsday if”—­

She was interrupted by a loud scream from Ellen; and the mate, who had been “reconnoitering” under the bed, exclaimed: 

“Here you are!  Come out o’ that, you son of a sea-cook;” and he seized something which struggled and fought furiously, but all to no purpose, for the mate soon pulled into sight tall man, dressed in the uniform of a rebel officer.