The Van Buren press., 1866-10-12
MISCELLANY.
Lord kelSOnt p.otege.

1t was bright morning in spling, an(
the English fleet lay al anchor in Ports
mouth harbor, awaiting the admira's sig.
nal to start on cruise. The flag ship, 9
huge, formidable ship of the line, her
dark sides br.stling with guns, was all in
commotion. The admiral, the most IA
nous sailor CO his day, was coming of
from the shore, and his ship was ready to
receive him. Already the guns of the
squadron were beginning to thunder forth
their welcome, and the vessel was soon
wreathed in smoke and quivering beneath
the discharges Of hor heavy ordnance, as
Admiral Nelson touched her deck, sur
rounded by brilliant ssaff Standing
near the edge Of the quarter deck, and
watching the scene with much cagerness,
was a young lad OF about eighteen. lie
was dressed simply, but neatly, and his
checks glowed and his eyes kndled as he
ing on around him. AS he returned the
salutes of the officers, tie admiral chan
ced to observe the lad.
"Who is this 2" ne asked, turning to
the captain Of the vessel.
"He's young man th25 came aboard
q few days ago." replied the captain
He insists on seeing you, sir, as he says
he has something of importance to say TO
you"
"Well, my lad" said the admiral, kind
ly, " speak out freely
If ,-,,, eir - odd tho how /
come to ask you to take me to sea with
you"
lis that all you have to say, you
young scamp?' inquired the captain,
sharply.
Let him Alone" said the admiral,
laughing. What position DO you
want 2" he asked turning to the boy.
If you would take ne as your cabin
boy, sir" said the lad, " / should be very
glad
"TLat'sa " poor chance for you, if you
wish to rise above it, said the admiral,
kindly.
at will be beginning said the lad.
"If you'll give me start, I'll work my
way up, sir. You cid it; and | mean to
do SO, too
The admiral gazed at him kindly, but
searchingly, and then said with smile
"Tll take you with me on this cruise
and if you want to rise, I'll give you a
chance. What is your namey'
Edward Lee" was the reply.
every well, then, Edward, | take you
into my service" said the admiral. 81
shall expect you to prove yourself wor-
thy of the trust"
"I'll do it, sir" said the boy earnestly
as he moved aside, respectfully, to let the
admiral pass.
In two hours the Vanguard stood out
to sea, followed by the squadron, to join
Earl Vincent at Gibraltar The young
valet of the admiral made decidedly fs
vorable impression on the officers of tho
ship before the completion Of the voy
age.
"'Tis too bad said the admiral to his
flag captain, one day, that that boy
should gill menial's position"
The captain agreed with his command
er, and the result OF the matter was, ina
few days after the arrival Of the Van
guard at Gibraltar, Edward Lee was Civ
en- a midshipman's warrant by Earl st
Vincent, at the special request of Admi
raj Nelson.
Then came the famous cruise in the
Mediterranean, in search of Bonapartt
and his fleet. In the terrific gale that dis
masted the admirals ship, young Lee
proved that he mcrited the kindness tha
had been shown him by his great com
mander, and won the praise Of all OF
board Then came the brief halt and tn,
arrival of the wished for reiniorcements
and departure for Egypt.
As the dawn Of that memorable frs
of August revealed to the eyes of the En-
glish the tri- -colorcd flag floating over Al
exandria, and the French fleet in the ba,
y Of Aboulir, Edward Lee was standin;