Wisconsin herald, and Grant County advertiser. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1844-1845, 1845-05-24

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were the victims ola hoar-but when
they were assured that the Gear was
actually in the main-top, and wished
and expected them to climb the rigging,
and introduce themselves to his pres
ence, their hearts failed, their limbs
trembled, and they hardly knew what
course to adopt.
"What !" said the proud and vcnera-
BILE Earl ofTcwksbury," does the Gar
of Russia expect me to climb up those
rope ladders. and play the part of a
harlequin at this period Of my life =
To ascend the crows nest, in such a
way, would not only be highly undig-
ni6ed in person Of my r..nk, but ac-
tually impossible!
"No,'' said Sir Nicholas Granger,
with a spice of indignation as well as
sorrow in his tone, "this is most I'M
reasonable exaction on the part of the
Gar. For my part" continued the
knight, taking a survey Of his portly
proportions, and glancing at the shrouds,
II should as soon think of flying, as
Of going aloft to the main-top by means
of the rigging. No--if get there,
they must hoist me up by the pullcys."
Upon further inquiry they satisfied
themselves that they must visit the bear
! in his den, elevated as it was, or return
to England without accomplishing the
object of their mission. They hesita-
ted few moments, uncertain which
horn Of the dilemma to scize-but
Lord Cover, the youngest of the par
ty, who had once been as far as Con-
stantinople in ship Of war, and who
there fore boosted Of his nautical cxpe-
rience, suggested that there was moth
ing so very alarming or dangerous in
the Cars request-that it was neither
frolic nor a hoax-but mark Of res
pect TO great maritime government,
to receive her ENJOYS in noble ship;
and that if they should refuse his invi-
tation to 60 aloft, and hold personal
interview, after having proceeded thus
far, theCzar would construe it into an in
suit, take umbragc, and war between
the two powers Of England and Rus
sia must be the inevitable result.
These arguments had due weight,
and the other Ambassadors, with sour
looks, and an ungracious grunt, at
length signified their reluctant assent
to the arrangement, and prepared to
ego up the rigging" feat which is
somewhat awkward and difficult even
to a young and active landsman, and
was truly appalling to those venerable
and heavy moulded noblcmen. 1t
was an act of devotion TO their country
and their king, Of which we can hard
ly find a parallel N the pages OF histo-
~.
They heroically mounted the gun
vale, Lord Cover leading the way /;
and they were also assisted by the
rough nautical-looking parsonage, who
received them at the gangway, and who
subsequently proved to be the cclebra-
ted lie Fort, one of the most faithful
and able among the councillors and
friends Of the Russian monarch. They
got up the ratlins, and slowly ascend
ed painting for breath-and pausing
in their career, every few moments =
They were gazed at with admiration
by the crew and officers on the deck
OF the ship, who could hardly help
cheering them in their arduous under
taking-and after rather unreasona-
bic time, they reached, brcathless with
fatigue, the cat-harpings. Here, cling
ing convulsively to the futtock shronds,
they tarried awhile to recover breath,
and consult upon what was next TO be
done. To climb the futtotk shrouds,
and pass over the top rim, outside, they
with one voice, decided was impossible
when Lord Cover, with triumph
ant shout, pointed out the lubber'S hole,
of which be had often heard, and-thc
pen is reluctant to record it-these
proud representatives Of great king
kom-of power which aimed TO be-
come the sovereign of the seas, were
actually so lost TO shame and sense OF
true dignity. as TO cratClinfO The main
top through the iubber hole! This
fact has never been recorded in the
naval annals of Great Britain.
Peter was quietly seated on an arm
chest, as, one following another, the
Ambassadors entered his presence, ac-
tually creeping on there hands and
knees! He received them with much
grace and dignity-with a grave de-
+ meanor, as if nothing extraordinary