“Yes, ma’am,” replied Frank, not the least annoyed by the tone in which he was addressed, or the sharp glances which the ladies threw at him, “I’m here; and I came to tell you that the captain wishes you to have that rebel flag removed from your window, and sent on board the ship.”

“Is there any thing else your captain wants?” inquired Mary, with a sneer.

“No, ma’am, not at present; but he wishes that flag taken down immediately.”

The ladies made no reply.  After a moment’s pause, Frank inquired: 

“Do you intend to comply with his orders?”

“I did not put the flag up there,” said the mother.

“It makes no difference who put it up there, madam,” said Frank, warmly, “it must come down; and I would advise you not to hesitate long, for the captain is not one who can be trifled with.”

As Frank ceased speaking, Mary touched a signal-bell, which stood on the table near her.  A servant appeared almost instantly, and the young lady said: 

“Show this man out.”

Frank, who saw that it would do no good to remain, put on his cap and followed the servant down stairs.

“Well, what did they say?” inquired the captain, when Frank again entered the cabin.

“They didn’t say any thing, sir,” replied Frank.  “They neither said they would, nor they would not, take it down.”

Frank was careful not to say a word about the manner in which they had treated him, for he knew it would only irritate the captain, and make matters worse.

“They didn’t say whether they would take it down or not, eh!” exclaimed the captain.  “Please help yourself to a chair, Mr. Nelson, and, in a few moments, I will give you your orders.”

Frank accordingly took a seat, and the captain stationed himself at the window, with his watch in his hand.  Frank knew by this that the captain had granted the rebels a few moments’ grace; and he also knew that, unless the flag came down soon, and was sent on board the vessel, something unpleasant would happen.  At length the allotted time expired, and the captain said: 

“Mr. Nelson, take a dozen men, and go ashore.  Give those women just ten minutes to remove their furniture, and then fire the house.  No building shall float a secesh flag, and stand, while I have the power to burn it.”

This time the ladies made no remark when Frank entered the room where they were sitting, for they knew by his looks that they were about to receive the punishment their folly merited.

“Madam,” said Frank, speaking in a tone which showed how much he dreaded to break the intelligence, “I am ordered to burn your house.”

“Yes,” answered the mother, bitterly; “I expected that to be your next errand.  I suppose your brutal captain will feel perfectly satisfied when he sees us deprived of a home.”

“I thought the Yankees were too gallant to make war on women and children,” chimed in Mary.  “That has always been their boast,” continued she, very spitefully.