had one hope, however, to which he still clung--that Archie might be on
board the vessel. Perhaps, not daring to attempt to find his way back to
the cutter, through fear of capture, he had swam on board and was now
safe. He would soon know.

In a few moments they had reached the Boxer, and as the cutter came
along side, Frank seized the mail-bags and sprang out. After giving the
officer of the deck, who met him at the gangway, instructions in regard
to the prisoners, he ran up the stairs that led to the wardroom. Here he
met the captain, who, taking him familiarly by the arm, led him into the
cabin, exclaiming:

"Mr. Nelson, I congratulate you, sir; it was well done, sir! The house
is all in a blaze."

"Captain," said Frank, "I didn't do that, sir. Is the paymaster on
board?

"Why, no, sir; not unless he came with you."

"I haven't seen him, captain, since I left him within a short distance
of that house. If he is not on board, sir, he's out there yet, and he
has fired the building."

"Why, Mr. Nelson," exclaimed the captain, for the first time noticing
Frank's pale face and useless hand, from which the blood was dripping,
"you are wounded, sir. Orderly, orderly, send the doctor here at once."