The workingman's advocate. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1864-1877, 1870-07-16
TALES OF THE, BORDERS,
THE MAN OF WARS MAN.
by JoBH HOWELL.
ICONTINTED.

dhioSl uINIuCu III ~ AOAcuuScL duu Iuumu-
p!ucked it out-tbe blood pOured-but
felt less pain from that source than from my
mouth, which was 50 dry and Parebed, thai
| would have given worlds for a drop O.
water.
"For Gods sake" cried, "bring me a
moutbful of water, for ! will not leave my
gun"
You may smile at my folly, for who was
there to serve me? Yet, paticnce-thc
captain, who kept the quarterback, as cool
as if he had boon lying at anchor nay,
cooler foI he was then always finding fault,
or in passiOn-heard mo, aud taking a
lime from is pocket, cut il into, and put
one half into my mouth, as | was ramming
home the charge.
"Herc, my lad" said he, ''yOu descr' q
it, were it diamond" and put the other
half into my cut band. The sting of the
pain almost made me cry ont lie smiled,
and said it would cure it !; then remarked to
the first lieutenant, who had just come up
to him, II have often heard that the Scots
fight best when they are hungry, or see
their own blood here is an instance look
at Elders hand, and see how be works at
his gun"
At this moment heard crash-it was
our foremast arly gone by the hoard.
These Frenchmen fire well, " he said,
with the greatest coOlness.
That stroke is very unfortunate" re-
Piled the tirst lieutenant ''DuL L IdIlnOi
I last long"
"No," said the captain; ''they must
either strike soon, or blow Us Out Of the
water. How is my ship below!'
'Much cut up, sir; but our remaining
hands work their guns we'll The enemy
must have suffered severely"
can convey no impression Of the calm
ness with which these few words were sPo-
ken il the middle Of this carnage and noise.
We had already, as | afterwards learned,
been engaged two glasses. All conception
Of the time, from the first brOadsidc until
the last gun was fired, seemed to have been
banished from our minds. Scarcely had
the conversation between the captain and
lieutenant finished, when the Frcnchman' S
mizzenmast fell forward, their fire began to
slacken, and we, in a clear interval, could
see bustling on board
"Boardcrs, ARM" shouted the captain ;
then, in lower voice, to ~ of the officers
They are either going to run for 1t, or
board us; were our rigging rot SO much cut
up, she might be ours" 1t was at this mo
mcnt he first showed his impatience ;-"Aim
at her rigging" be cried-''she shuns the
contest-ten guineas to the gun that dis
ables her ;" but her sails began to fill, and
she bore away before the wind, leaving us
too much disabled to follow her.
When the first firing ceased, | felt SO fa-
tigued and faint, from the loss of blood and
the pain Of my hand, that | leaned upon
my gun, almost incapable Of exertion. A
double allowance Of grOg was now served
out to the survivors. felt revived, though
still unable for duty, and went to the cock
pit to see James, who bad been carried
there, and to have my own hand dressed
A cockpit scene has been often described
but description is burlesque of tho reality
We had twelve killed ,and twenty wounded
more or less severely. ] found my poo
friend lying upon a mattress, calm and re
sigued-no grOan or sob escaped him. On'
of his legs had been broken and cut by {
splinter, and there was wound from mus
kct ball in bis shoulder. Both had beer
dressed by the surgeon, who was humane
active, and skillful man. When my owl
scratch was cleaned and dressed, all my at
tention was bestowed upon James anC
others An hospital was rugged out, an'
every care humanity could suggest paid t
the wounded and our otherwise auster
: captain was as mild and kindly by the sid
, of the victims as a nurse. James lay, fo
the most part, silent and in deep thought
When he did speak, il was Of indifferen
subjects and, to my frequent inquire
! how be felt his wounds. he replied, that the,
engaged not his thoughts further than tha
he feared he might recover.
''That | do not wish, " said he. ut
long since ] received the wound that is det
tined to prove mortal, independently {
these descriptions Of the flesh, which merel
confne me to this sick bed, and are com
rather as a remedy. Elder, think not tina
| am ungrateful for your kindness | thanl
you from heart. There is one favor 20
must promise to do me 4; and | feel assure
| may trust you"
"Name it," answered / "and if
should die in the attempt, shall not fail
do all in my power to accomplish you
smallest wish" He pressed nv hanC
which was grasped in his.
Enough, Elder" said he; call | n
quest is easily done; yet | was not the le'
anxious TO find one whom | could confd
in As soon as this oppressed heart cease
to beat, you must take this locket and ring
!. and lie uncovered his bosom, upon whiC
they lay, besmearcd with his blood. Smi
inC, he continued: The blood is props
|. envelope for them; and am only SO f
= happy that ] was moi killed outright
: then they might have fallen into han'
: which would have done them no justic
8 These baubIcs and | must be forgotten t
gether, whether die here at sea, or survi'
until we reach Jamaica. You must, whit
ts | am to be consigned to my abode cf pea
70 and rest, place them where they lie at pre-
ent. You will do this for me- z
I. pressed his haud, for words were deni
{ to me. My tears fell upon his pale face, as
ls stopped to kris his forehead; a sigh was I
rD that passed between us; but our eyes to
more than our lips could have uttered.
left him alone, to enjoy his own reflection