The prisoner, who was not long in discovering this, slackened his pace
considerably, although he appeared to be doing his utmost. Frank,
however, was not deceived. Thrusting his revolver into his pocket, he
seized the rebel by the nape of the neck, and helped him over the ground
in a manner more rapid than agreeable. Had the man been aware of the
fact that his captor had but one arm that he could use, he might not
have submitted so quietly as he did. Frank, whose whole mind was wrapped
up in the idea of saving his prisoner and the mail, did not stop to
think of this, but pushed his man ahead to such good advantage that they
succeeded in reaching the cutter before their pursuers. He marched the
rebel down the bank in the most lively manner, and tumbled him into the
boat, where he was instantly seized and secured.

The sailors, who had heard the noise of the pursuit, and waited
impatiently for the appearance of their officer, were all in their
places, and as Frank sprang in, he shouted:

"Shove off--lively now, lads!"

The cutter was speedily pushed from the shore, and the oars got out and
handled by twelve strong fellows, all good oarsmen.

"Let fall--give away together," again commanded Frank, who, in spite of
the pain of his wound, began to chuckle over his good luck in securing
the mail. "The rebs will give us a volley," he continued, "unless we get
out of sight in the darkness before they reach the bank. So, pick her
up, lads, and walk right away with her."

The sailors, understanding the order, and rejoicing in the escape of
their young officer, whose safety and well-being they regarded as