"Do you surrender?" he asked, releasing his hold of the rebel's throat.

"Yes," replied Stiles, faintly. "Don't shoot, Yank!"

"You shall not be harmed if you behave yourself. Have you any weapons?"

"No! They are all in the shanty!"

Frank, after searching the rebel's pockets and satisfying himself of the
truth of this statement, continued:

"Get up! Now, I know you have friends all around you, but if you have
the least desire to live, you'll not make any noise; although you may
alarm the camp, it will not save you. Do you understand?"

"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."