The Manchester journal. [volume] (Manchester, Vt.) 1861-current, 1866-08-14
LORD NELSON'S pRoTEGE.

II was bright morning in spring
and the English fleet lay at anchor III
Portsmouth hurbor awaiting the adm.
rals signal to start ont on u cruise,
Tie tlag-ship, huge. formidable ship
Of the line, with It's dark sides bristliue
with guns, was all in commotion. The
admiral the most famous sailor of his
day, was coming OF from the shore, ,and
the ship was ready 70 receive him. Al
ready the guns Of tho squadron were
Eoguning to thunder forth their vel
come, and soon thevessel was wreathed
in smoke, and quiyoing beneath the
discharges Of her heavy ordnance, as
Admiral Nelson touched her deck, sun.
rounded BY q brilliant staff. Standing
near the edge Of tie quarterback, and
watching the scene with intense eager
ness, was a young lad Of about eighteen
He was dressed simply but neatly, and
his checks glo&ol, and his eyes kind
/ led, rs he watched the exciting event,
that were going on around him. As ht
returned the salutcs of the officers, tht
admiral CHANGED to observe the lad.
WHO is this?" he asked, turning K
the captain of the vessel
''Hes ayomg lad that came on boarl
/ a few hours ago, replied the captain.
HE insists on seeing you, sir, as h
SAYS he has something Of Importance tC
say to you"
"Wcll, my lad, said the admiral kind
/ ly, "spcak out freely"
IF yon please, sir" said the boy
I've come to ask you to take me to SC.
with YOU
is that all YOU have to say, yor
young scamp" asked the captain
sharply
Let him alone" said the admiral
laughing. what position do yol
wantY he asked, turning to the boy
IF you would take me as your cabii
boy, sir said the lad, j should be yer,
I cad"
"That's a poor chance for you if 20,
wish 70 rise above it, said tie admiral
kindly
1T viii be a beginning" replied ID,
lad IF youll gave me start, III worl
my way up, sir Koa did SO and imeaI
to doso too
"Tae aduId eazcd at him kind.
but saareh.ugy and then sid, with
smile "Ill take you with me on tln
cruise; and i yoa want to rise, III
g.Yo you d cdluea Nh. goa
nance
Edward Lee, Ua .he reply
Very web, then, Edward, / take yol
into my service, said the admiral
1 shan expect you 20 prove yourself wl
thy ofthe trust
III do IT, Sir, said lAe BOY earnest
Is, as he moved aside, pectiu.lNto 4
tie admiral pass.
In two hours the IAgaard stood ou
TO sen. followed BY the squadron to jon
I Earl ST. Vincent at G.bral,er Ih'
Young yale, ~ the admiral made a dc
cidedly latou.bg impression upon IN
officers of tic ship before the compile
ton If the voyage
Ils too bad, said the admiral 4
his iagcap.aiu, ono day, that that bo.
should flil a iHcnial' position.
Tic raptain agrecd with his com
mauder. and the resalt of the mattel
was, that, a few days after the arrlya
Il the tQaqaqd at Glbra,ter, Edward
Lee was gwen q midshipman G waIran
by Earl 81 Vincent, 1T the special rc
quest of Admiral Nelson.
Then came the famous cruise N th'
Mediterranean, in search Of Bonapart'
and bis fleet III the terrific gale which
dislnasted tie adn.lrals shlp, youal
+ Lee proved that lie neIltod the kind.
ness his great commander had showI
him, and won praise from all o. board
IAen came the brief halt al Syracuse
the arrival of the Wished-tor reinforce
uenis and the departure Tor Egypt
As the dasu 81 ihe memorable FIRST oi
August revealed 70 the eyes ot the Eng
llsA tie ;gico.0r floating over Alexand.
ria, aud the French fleet u the Bay
Il Ahlakr Edward Lee was standing