The rebel was taken so completely by surprise that he could not utter a word, but sat on his horse as motionless and dumb as though he had been suddenly turned into a statue.

“Come down off that horse!” commanded his captor.

The rebel obeyed, without hesitation.

“Now, have you got any dangerous weapons about you?” inquired Frank.  “Tell the truth, now, for your life isn’t worth a picayune.”

“Yes,” answered the rebel, “I have a revolver and a Bowie-knife;” and he raised his hand to his breast pocket.

“Hands down! hands down!” exclaimed Frank; “I want to examine your pockets myself;” and he stepped forward and relieved the rebel of a Bowie-knife, a revolver, several cartridges, a flint and steel, and some papers.  These, with the exception of the revolver, he laid carefully on the ground, and placed his rifle beside them.  “Now,” continued Frank, “it would be a great accommodation if you would trade uniforms with me.  The people in this part of the country don’t seem to like Uncle Sam’s clothes very well.  Come out of that coat.”

The rebel hesitated to obey.

“Come out of that coat, Lieutenant Somers,” repeated Frank, slowly; and he raised his revolver until it was on a line with his captive’s head.

The sight of his own weapon, whose qualities he probably knew full well, brought the rebel to his senses, and he quickly divested himself of his coat.

“Now, pull off those pants,” commanded his captor.

The rebel obeyed; and Frank continued, as he divested himself of his own clothes:  “Now, if you wish, you can put on these.”

The rebel had no other alternative, and he slowly donned the naval uniform, while Frank quickly converted himself into a fine-looking rebel lieutenant.  He then carefully pocketed the articles which he had taken from the rebel, with the exception of the papers.

“What are these?” he inquired.

“The one in the brown envelope is my appointment, and the others are orders to take my company and act as scouts.”

The latter were just what Frank wanted.

“Now,” said Frank, going up to the horse, which had stood patiently by, “I have one more favor to ask of you, you mean, sneaking rebel, and then I am done with you.  I want you to show me where you left your prisoners.  But, in the first place, I am going into that house to get something to eat.”

“I hope to thunder that you will be gobbled up,” said the lieutenant, angrily.

“Easy, easy!” exclaimed Frank; “you are talking treason when you wish evil to befall one of Uncle Sam’s boys; and I am not one to stand by and listen to it; so keep a civil tongue in your head, or I shall be obliged to put a stopper on your jaw.  As I said before,” he continued, “I am going into that house to get some supper; and, as I wish you to remain here until I come back, I shall take the liberty to tie your hands and feet.  That’s the way you serve your prisoners, I believe.”