"Have I got a pair of ears?" asked the rebel.
"Well, if you have, you hear what I say," returned Frank. "Now go this way," he added, pointing toward the river.
The rebel, who had a wholesome fear of the revolver which Frank held in his hand, ready cocked, obeyed, without the slightest hesitation, and they reached the bank of the river, where the cutter lay, without being discovered.
"Now," said Frank, "I want to ask you a few questions. Where do you keep the boat in which you were going to carry that mail?"
"In the creek, jest above where that ar' gunboat lies, replied Stiles."
"How many of you were to go?"
"Two—me an' another feller."
"Well, now, the colonel won't find you when he wants you. What will he do?"
"Oh, he'll send some body else. The mail must go, an' it makes no odds who takes it, so long as he don't get ketched."
"That's all I want to know," said Frank. Then, going to the top of the bank, he called out: