The Douglas independent. [volume] (Roseburg, Or.) 187?-1885, 1883-10-13
NELSON'S PROTEGE.

It was a bright morning in spring, and
the English feet lay at anchor in Ports
mouth harbor, awaiting the Admiral's
signal to start out on q cruise. The flag
ship, huge, formidable ship of the
line, with its dark sides bristling with
guns, was all In commotion. The Adj
mlral, the most famous sailor of his day,
was coming off from the shore, and the
ship was ready to receive him. Already
the guns of the squadron were begin
ming to thunder forth their welcome,
and soon the vessel was wreathed in
smoke, and quivering beneath the dis
charges OF her heavy ordnance, as Ad-
miral Nelson touched her deck, sur
rounded by brilliant staff. Standing
near the edge of the quarterback and
watching the scene with intense eager
ness, was a young lad of about eighteen.
He was dressed simply but neatly, and
his cheeks glowed and his eyes kindled
rs he watched the exciting events that
were going on around him. AS he re-
turne~4 the salutes of the officers, the
Admiral chanced to observe the boy.
''Who is this?" he asked, turning to
the captain of the vessel.
''He is young lad that came on
board a, few hours ago" replied the cap
tain. "He insists on seeing you, as he
says he has something of importance to
say to you"
''Well, my lad," said the Admiral
kindly, "speak out freely"
IF you please, sir" said the boy,
Give come to ask You to take me to sea
with you."
"Is that all you haye to say, you
young scamp" asked the captain, sharp
ly.
LET him alone," said the Admiral
laughing. ''What position do you
want2" he asked. turning to the boy.
eff you would take me as your cabin
boy, sir" said the lad, 81 should be
very glad"
That's poor chance for you, if you
wish to rise above it, said the Admiral
kindly.
''It will be beginning" replied the
lad. ''If you give me start, I'll work
my way up, sir. You did it, and / mean
to do it, toe"
The Admiral gazed at him kindly, but
searchingly, and then said, with smile:
''I'll take yeu with me on this cruise
and if you want to rise Til give you a
chance. What Is your name?"
Edward Lee, was the reply.
''Very well, then, Edward. take you
into my service" said the Admiral. Il
shall expect you to prove yourself worthy
of the trust"
''Pll 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 valet of the admiral made decid-
~ favorable impression upon the officers
Of the ship before the completion of the
voyage.
''Tis too bad" said the admiral to the
flag captain, one day, 'that boy should
fill menial's position"
The captain agree with his COM
mander, and the result was that, in few
days after the arrival of the Vanguard at
Gibralter, Edward Lee was given mid
shipman's warrant by Earl st. Vincent,
at the special request of Admiral Nell
son.
Then came the famous cruise ia the
Mediterranean, in search of Bonaparte
and his feet. In the terrific gale which
dismssted the admiral's ship, young Lee
proved that he merited the kindness that
his great commander had shown him, and
won praise from all on board. Then
came the brief halt at Syracuse, the ar
rival of the wished for reinforcements,
and the departure for Egypt. As the
dawn of the memorable 1st of August re-
vealed to the eyes of the English the tri-
color floating over Alexandria, and the
French feet in the bay of Aboukir, Ed
ward Lee was standing by his chief on
the deck of the flag. ship.
"There they are" burst from score
of voices, as the distant vessels came
into view.
''Yes," muttered the boy, "and we'll
be there, too, before night"
Nelson glanced at him approvingly.
There's a chance for promotion for
us all in there" he said, smiling.
He was right. The fearful encounter
which carried such sorrow and despair to
SO manv English homes, brought to these
two men fame aud honor. Through the
whole action the admiral's eye was on
the young mildly" and all that long
and thrilling summer night it never lost
the gleam of satisfaction which had il
lumined it as he heard the young sailors
words in the morning. The same dis
patch that greeted him as Lord Nelson
informed him that his request for q
l1eutenancy Tor young Lee was granted.
Steady devotion to his profession and
conspicuous bravery in times of danger
soon made the youthful lieutenant a
noted man in her majesty's navy. The
Battle of the Baltic was memorable day
to him. It was truly the greatest battle
he had been in. Though severely
wounded, he refused to go below, and
stood at his post until the close of tho
action. When Sir Hyde Parker gave the
signal for discontinuing the fight, Lieu
tenant Lee reported it to Lord Nelson.
The admiral, putting the glass to his
blind eye, said, with mock gravity, L
really don't see the signal. Keep our
flag for closer battle still flying. That's
the way / answer such signals. Nail
mine to the mast"
1t seemed that the fortunes of the great
Admiral and his protege were myste-