Ellen screamed and cried louder than ever, and even her mother could not refrain from shedding tears; but Mary, although pale as death, retained her haughty look, and was evidently too proud to manifest any feeling in the presence of a Federal officer.

“I knowed there was something of this kind goin’ on, sir,” said Jack, turning to his officer, and giving his pants a hitch; “I knowed, by the way the young lady handed over them we’pons, that there was something about that bed she didn’t want us to see.”

“Yes, Ellen,” said the rebel, “I have to thank you for my capture.  If it hadn’t been for your crying and whimpering, I might have”—­

“Escaped,” exclaimed Jack.  “No, sir; not so easy.  Don’t go to jawin’ her, now, ’cause yer ketched.  Come, now,” he continued, “let’s have yer we’pons.”

The rebel coolly handed out two silver-mounted revolvers, which the mate thrust into his belt.

“Now, I hope you’re satisfied,” said Mary, impatiently; “and are ready to go and leave us in peace.”

“Not quite,” answered Frank.  “I have not yet obeyed my orders.  As I said before, I must see the inside of every room in your house.  Jack, send two men on board the ship with that prisoner.”

“Ay, ay, sir,” answered the mate, touching his cap.  “Come, you corn-fed, march.”

The mother and sisters of the rebel crowded around him, to say good-by; and, in spite of the unladylike, and even insulting manner with which they had treated him, Frank could not help pitying them.

When the mate had seen the prisoner safe on the boat, he went back, and Frank continued his search.  But no more weapons or prisoners being found, he and his men returned on board, well satisfied with their success.

After supper, as Frank was walking up and down the deck, arm in arm with one of his brother officers, the orderly approached, and, touching his cap, informed him that the captain wished to see him.

“Mr. Nelson,” said the captain, as Frank entered the cabin, “come here.”

Frank followed the captain to one of the after windows, and the latter inquired: 

“Do you see that?”

Frank looked in the direction indicated by the captain, and was surprised to see a rebel flag floating from one of the windows of the house.

“Yes, sir; I see it,” said Frank.

“Well, sir, go over there, and tell those women to have that flag taken in and sent on board this ship.  Don’t touch it yourself:  they put it out there, and they must take it in.  That’s a pretty piece of impudence, indeed—­a rebel flag floating in the breeze in the face of a Federal vessel of war!” and the eccentric captain paced up and down his cabin, in a state of considerable excitement.

Frank started off, and in a few moments again stood before the mistress of the house.

“You’re here again, sir, are you?” she asked, petulantly.