Part 7 (1/2)

”Do you suppose I am fool enough to go out on deck, and run the risk of being shot? No, sir; I'll stay here, where I am safe;” and the steward made an effort to draw his head under the mattress again.

”There's no danger now,” said Frank; ”the rebels have stopped firing.

Besides, we are out of”- ”Go away, and let me alone,” whined the steward.

”I am not going to expose myself.”

”You're a coward,” exclaimed Frank, now fairly aroused ”But I guess the captain can”-

”Oh, don't,” entreated the steward; ”I haven't been here a minute. I started to get a gun, to pay the rebels back in their own coin; but the bullets came through the cabin so thick that I thought it best to retreat to a safe place;” and the steward threw off the mattress, and arose, tremblingly, to his feet.

”You went after a gun, did you?” inquired Frank, in a tone of voice which showed that he did not believe the steward's story.

”Yes; and I would have given them fits, for I am a dead shot.”

”Where did you put your gun when you found that you had to retreat?”

”I put it back in the rack again.”

This was a likely story; for a person as badly frightened as was the steward would not have stopped to put the gun back in its place; and, in his heart, Frank despised the man who could be guilty of such a falsehood.

As they were about to go out on deck, the steward drew back, exclaiming:

”I don't hardly believe it is safe to go out there just yet. Let us wait a few moments.”

”I shan't wait an instant,” said Frank. ”Simpson has been neglected too long already. You can come down and attend to him, or not, just as you please.” So saying, he opened the cabin door, and walking rapidly out, descended the stairs that led to the main deck.

The steward dreaded to follow; but he knew that, if he did not attend the wounded sailor, he would be reported to the captain, who, although a kind-hearted man, was a strict disciplinarian, and one who always took particular pains to see that his crew was well provided for. He dared not hesitate long; so, drawing in a long breath, he ran swiftly out on deck, and disappeared down the stairs like a shot.

Frank found Simpson sitting upon the mattress where he had been lain, with his elbows on his knees, and his head supported by his hands. As Frank came up, he said, in a weak voice:

”I came very near losing the number of my mess, didn't I? The rascals shot pretty close to me;” and he showed Frank an ugly-looking wound in the back of his head, from which the blood was flowing profusely.

By this time the steward arrived. After examining the wound, he p.r.o.nounced it very severe, and one that would require constant attention.

Simpson was speedily conveyed to the sick bay, and every thing possible done to make him comfortable. Although the Milwaukee was completely riddled by the bullets of the guerrillas, he was the only one hurt. Frank was excused from all duty, that he might act as Simpson's nurse; and he scarcely left him for a moment during the two weeks of fever and delirium that followed. By the time they reached Cairo, however, he was p.r.o.nounced out of danger.

Frank wanted very much to see his cousin; but the Milwaukee was anch.o.r.ed out in the river, and no one was allowed to go ash.o.r.e. One afternoon, as he sat by his friend's hammock, reading aloud a letter from Harry Butler, in which he gave a vivid description of a late battle in which his regiment had partic.i.p.ated, the orderly entered and informed him that the captain wished to see him. He followed the orderly, and, as he entered the cabin, the captain said:

”Please help yourself to a chair, Mr. Nelson; I shall be at liberty in a moment. I should like to finish this letter before the mail-steamer sails. You will excuse me, will you not?”

”Certainly, sir,” answered Frank; and he seated himself, lost in wonder.

The captain had addressed him as Mr. Nelson, while heretofore he had always been called, by the officers, Nelson, or Frank. What could it mean? The captain had always treated him with the greatest kindness; but, since the engagement with the guerrillas, all the officers had shown him more consideration than ever. He had noticed the change, and wondered at it.

At length the captain, after hastily directing the letter he had written, and giving it in charge of the orderly, took an official doc.u.ment from his desk, saying, as he did so:

”I am greatly pleased, Mr. Nelson, to be able to give you this, for you deserve it;” and after unfolding the letter, he gave it to Frank, who read as follows:

NAVY DEPARTMENT, WAs.h.i.+NGTON, D.C., Dec. 18, 1862.