A Rebel Trick.
he next day Frank and the major made out their reports of the expedition. The former's, as usual, was short and to the point, conveying, in a few lines, the information that their object had been accomplished. He described the fight in the house as a "short skirmish," and made it appear that their success was owing to the gallant behavior of the major, Archie, and the coxswain. In fact, one, to have read the report, would have supposed that Frank had been merely a looker-on, instead of one of the principal actors. But the major went more into details, and the part Frank had taken in the fight was described in glowing language, and his bravery highly complimented. While thus engaged, the orderly entered the cabin and reported a small party of rebels approaching with a flag of truce. Frank went on deck, and saw several men galloping toward the vessel, waving a white flag, to attract their attention. When they reached the top of the bank, they dismounted from their horses, and appeared to be waiting for some one to come ashore.
For some moments, Frank was undecided how to act. He remembered that he had once been sent on shore with a flag of truce which had not been respected, he having been detained a prisoner, and he did not like the idea of receiving a white flag from men whom he knew would not respect it themselves; besides, he had received no orders in regard to communicating with the rebels, and he did not know whether he had a right to do so or not.
"Well, major, what do you think of this, sir?" he asked, turning toward the scout, who stood close at his side.
"It's a trick of some kind, captain," replied the latter. "Depend upon it, it's a trick."
"If that is so," said Frank, "I will try and find out what it is." Then, raising his voice, he called out, "What do you want out there?"
"I want to come on board," shouted one of the rebels, in reply. "I want to see the captain."
"Well, speak out; you can't come on board. What do you want?"
The rebels consulted together for a few moments, and then one of them replied: