This was enough for Frank, who, forgetting the manner in which his advances had been received, inquired: "Are you a naval officer, sir ?" "Yes," answered the youth, in a low voice, "or, rather, I was once." "So was I.Give us your hand." The sad, gloomy look gave way to a smile of genuine pleasure, as the stranger grasped the proffered hand, and shook it heartily.
"What vessel were you attached to, and when and how were you captured ?" inquired Frank.
But his companion had relapsed into his former state of gloominess and silence, and seemed to be pondering upon something at once painful and interesting.
Frank made no further attempts to draw him into conversation, and, just as the sun was rising, the major gave the order to halt.

He also had noticed the sorrowful look of the young stranger, and, attributing it to a depression of spirits, which any one would feel at finding himself in such circumstances, addressed him, as he came up, with: "My friend, you appear to be sorely troubled about something.

Cheer up; it does no good to be despondent.

I know our case is desperate, but it is not altogether hopeless.

We do not intend to be recaptured, as long as one of us has strength to draw a trigger." "I am not troubled about that, sir," answered the youth, throwing himself wearily on the ground.