The Princeton union., 1880-03-03


neatly, and his cheeks glowed and his
eyes kindled as he watched the exciting |
events that were going on around him.
AS he returned the salutes Of the officers,
the admiral chanced to observe the lad.
''Who is this?" he asked, turning to
the captain of the vessel.
Hes young lad that came on board
a few hours ago. He insists on seeing
you, sir, as he says he has something of
importance to say to you," answered the
captain.
''Well, my lad," said the admiral, kind
ly, 'speak out freely"
eff you please, sir, I've come to ask
you to take me to sea with you," said
the boy.
''Is that all you have to say, you young
scamp9' asked the captain, sharply.
"Let him alone," said the admiral,
laughing. "What position do you want?"
he asked, turning to the boy.
eff you would take me as your cabin
boy, sir, should be very glad,' said the
boy.
"That's poor chance for you, if you
wish to rise above it, said the admiral,
kindly.
:sIt will be beginning" said the lad.
ssIt you'll give me start, I'll work my
way up, sir. You did 1t, and mean to
do SO, too"
The admiral gazed at him kindly, but
searchingly, and then said with smile.
"I'll take you with me on this cruise,
and if you want to rise, I'll give you a
chance. What is your name?"
"Edward Lee," was the reply.
every we'll then, Edward, take you
into my SERVICE" said the admiral. II
shall expect you to prove yourself worthy
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 St. Vincent at Gibralter. The young
favorable impression upon the officers of
the ship before the completion Of the
voyage: &C.. . -, -. 4.
flag-capta1n one day, "that that boy
should fill a menials position"
The captain agreed with his comman-
der, and the result of the matter was that
few days after the arrival of the Van
guard at Glbralter, Edward Lee was Civ
en- midshipman's warrant by Earl St.
Vincent, at the special request ofAdmir-
al Nelson.
Then came the famous cruise in the
Mediterranean, in search Of BOnaparte
and his fleet. In the terrific gale which
dismasted the admlral's ship, young Lee
proved that he merited the kindness his
great commander had shown him, and
won praise from all on board. Then
came the brief halt at Sayracuse, the ar.
rival of the wished-for reinforcements, and
the departure for Egypt. As the dawr
of the memorable first of August revealed
to the eyes of the English the tricolol
floating over Alexandria, and the French
fleet in the Bay of Aboukir, Edward LIE,
was standing by his chief on the deck O
the flagship.
"There they arer' burst from scor,
of voices, as the distant vessel came il
view.
eyes," muttered the boy, "and vel
be there, too, before night"
Nelson glanced at him approvingly.
"There's q chance for promotion for III
in there,' he said, smiling.
He was right. The fearful encoupte
which carried such sorrow and despair tt
so many English homes brought to thes
two men fame and honor. Through th
whole action the admlral's eye was on tn
young "middy," and all through tina
long and thrilling summer night it nev
er lost the gleam of satisfaction whic]
had illumined it as he heard the youn
sailors in the morning. The same dis
patch that greeted him as Lord Nelso
informed him that his request for lieu
tenancy for young Lee was granted.
Steady devotion to his profession, an
conspicuous bravery in times of danger
soon made the youthful lieutenant not
ed man in his Majesty's navy. The bal
tie Cf the Baltic was memorable day
him. It was truly the greatest battle h
had been IN. Though severely wounded
he refused to 90 below, and stood at hi
post until the close of the action. Whe
Sir Hyde Parker gave the signal for dix
ported it to Lord Nelson. The admira
putting the glass to his blind eye, sa1t
with mock gravity: .>
81 don't see the signal. Keep our fla
for closer battle flying. That's the wa
answer such signals. Nail mine to til
mast.'
IL SCCulcu IildC luC 1OILuuCS VI IL
great admiral and his protege wei
mysteriously united, for this victor
which made the one a viscount, made II
other first lieutenant, though he ha
but just come of age. He followed h
commander, who had become warmly a
tached to him, through all the years tn
intervened, so that when the great day
Trafalgar came, he was the second
command to Captain Hardy. As the a.
ton began, Lord Nelson approached hir
and placing his hand on his shoulde
said, eve are gong to have hard da
Edward. I hope you will pass throue
it safely"
81 shall try to do my duty, my lord
said Lieutenant Lee. "But.' he adde
pointing to the uniform. and decoration
which the commander wore, contrary
his custom, "why does your lordsh
render yourself so conspicuous to-da
You will surely draw upon you the Fl
of some marksmGn"
I, ~,