The Ashland union. [volume] (Ashland, Ashland County, Ohio) 1854-1868, 1867-01-02
LORD NELSON'S pR0TEdE.

withits dark sides brlstling with guns,
was all In commotion. The Admiral, the d
mpetGsmcpa sailor Of his day, was coming i
off from shore, and the ship was ready tp,| J,
receiyei him. Already the guns Of the /
squadrcn were beginning to thunder forth
their welcome, and soon the vessel was
wreathed in smoke, and quivering beneath
the discharges of her heavy ordnance, as
Admiral Nelson touched her deck, sur
rounded by a brilliant staff. Standing
near the quarter deck, and watching the
scene with intense eagerness, was young
lad Of about eighteen. He was dressed
simply but neatly, and his cheeks glowed
and bis eyes kindlcd, as he watched ex.
citing everts that were going on around
him. As he returned the salutes of the
officers, the Admiral chance to observe
the lad, ftf
5"Who is tbisp he asked, turning to
the captain OF tho vessel.
"He Is young lad that came on board
a few hours ago." replied the captain
"He.insists on seeing you, sir, as he says
he has something Of Importance to say to
you.p
"Well, my !pd," said the Admiral kiud,
ly, "speak out freely
"1f you please, si.," said the boy, m,ve
come to ask you to take me to sea with
you.p
rs that all ycp have TO say, you littla
scamp p asked the captain, sharplyylga
9'I1et him alone" said the Admiral,
laughing. "WhGt position do you want"
he asked, turning to the boy. sl4.
3'1f you would take me as your c,bin-
boy, sir" said the lad, ~ should be very
glad.pg $50 .-
"That's a poor chance for you. if you
wish to rise above it," said the admiral
kindly. -''s -.--.-----i-.- --- =
at will be a beginning" replied the
lad, "If you'll give me a start, III work
my way up, sir. You didit; and I mean
to do go too" -----
The admiral gazcd at him kindly, but
scarchihgy, and then said, with a smile,
an take you with me on this crusic and
T. IL you want 10 rise, III give you chance
What is your name 2 .----
V"Edward Lee" was the reply.
Every we'll, then, Edward, | will take
you into my service" said the Admiral
I "I shall expect you to prove yourself
worthy of'the trust."
!, II Shall do it,, sir" said the boy earn
: estly, as he moved aside, respectfully, tc
. let the Admiral pass.
! In two hours the Vanguard started ou'
/ to sea, followed by the squadron, to join
/ Earl ST. Vincent at Gibralter.- The young
/ valet made favorable impression upor
Il the ficer of the ship beforethe compile
$. tion Of the voyage. iq. .
lc alTis too bad said the Admiral to hi
N aap- captain, one day, "that that bo.
! should gil menial position"
I The captain agreed with his comman
DIR, and the result of the matter was tha
ii u few days after the arrival Of the Van
I guard at Gibraltsr, Edward Lee was Civ
| en- midsbiI mans warrant by Earl s.
Z Vincent at the special request Of Admin
q: al Nekon.
u Then came the famous cruise in tn
gu Mediterranean, in search Of Bonapart
and his feet. In the terrific gale whic
! dismasted the Admirals ship, young LC
Ii proved that he mcrited the kindness b
great commander had shown him, an
ice won praise from all on board. The
IN the brief halt at Syracuse, the arrival
the wished-for- reinforcemepts, and Il
: departure for Egypt, As the dawa
that memorable First Of August reveal'
.sk to the eyes of the English the tri-col
sh- floating over Alexandra, and the Frenc
~" ~. feet IN the bay Of AbOukir, EdWard L
was standing by his chief on the deck
: the flagship.
"There they are" burst from SEQ
md Of voices, as tho distant vessels came
YER view.
N "Yes," muttered the boy, "and we
- be there before night
Nelson glanced at him approvingly.
iRE hThere's chance for promotion for
'ar- all there he said, smilingly.
: ,' ~ He was right. The fearful encoun
. in which carried such sorrow to so ma
tet, English homes, BROUGHT to these two IN
+ fame and honor. Through the whole
. tion the Admirals eye was on the you
tmiddy,' and all through that long q
~ thrilling summer night it never lost
g'eam Of satisfaction which had illumil
ted it as he heard the young sailors wo
rug in the morning. The same dispatch 4
q 1sn' greeted him as Lord Nelson, inform
: him that his request for lieutenancy
young Lee was granted.
e. Steady devotion 10 his profession, {
the conspicuous bravery in times Of dang
ases' soon made the youthful lieutenant no
Ma man in His Majesty's navy. The bs
!. Of the Baltic was memorable day to b
I 1t was truly the greatest battle hc
:, been in. Though severely wounded,
mo; refused to 90 below, aud stood at his
OP' until the close Of the action. When
Hyde Parker gave the signal for disc
tihning the fight, Lieutenant Lee rep
ed il 10 Lord Nelson. The admiral,
II ting the glass to his eye, said, with m
"a lgrayiiy,aI really don't sec the bigna
west Keep the flag for closer battle still fly
io.- That's the way ! answer such signal
Iriety Nah nina 10 ihe mast.n a,'' u,
,, nc.- II seems that the fortunes Of the
,yS I'M. Admiral and his pfotege were mister
'"S'' " united, for this victory, which q