News and citizen. [volume] (Morrisville, Vt. ;) 1881-current, 1883-08-09
n elSOn'S PrOtege

Portsmouth harbor, awaiting the
admiraI's signal to start out on a cruise.
The flagship, a huge, formidable ship
of the line, with its dark sides bristling
with guns. was all in commotion. The
admiral, the most famous sailor of his
day, was coming off from the shore, and
the ship was ready to receive him. AL
ready the guns of the squadron were be-
ginning to thunder forth their welcome,
and soon the vessel was wreathed in
smoke, and Quivering beneath the dis
charges of her heavy ordnance, as Adj
miral Nelson touched her deck, sur
rounded with a brilliant staff. Standing
near the edge of the quarterback, aud
Watching the scene with intense eager
ness, was a young lad of about eighteen.
He was dressed simply, but neatly, and
his cheeks glowcd and his eyes kindIed,
as he watched the exciting events that
were going on around him. As he re-
turned the salute of the officers, the adj
miral CHANGED to observe the boy.
''Who is this?' he asked, turning to
the captain of the vessel.
Hes a 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"
"WeII, my lad" said the admiral,
kindly, ''speak out freely"
''Lf you please, sir, said the boy,
1--WE come to ask you to take me to sea
with you.
us that all you have to say, you
young scamp" asked the captain,
sharply.
LET him alone" said the admiral,
laughing. 'What position doyou want?"
he asked, turning to the boy.
eff you would take me as your cabin
boy, sir" said the boy, 81 should be
very glad
That's poor chance for you, if you
wish to rise above it, said the admiral,
kindly.
1t viii be a beginning, replied the
lad. eff you give me a start I'll work
my way up, sir. You did it, and mean
to dot, too"
he admiral gazed at him kindly,
but searchingly, and then said, with a
iii take you Win -..>. 500 e. -----,
and if you want to rise I'll give you 4
chance. What Is your name %
Edward Lee, - was the reply.
every well, then, Edward, [ take you
into my service, said the admiral. Il |
shall expect you to prove yourself worthy
of the trust"
"Tu do it, sir" said the boy, ear
Mostly, 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 Gibraltar. The /
young valet of the admiral made a de
cidedly favorable impression upon the
officers of the ship before the compile
ton of the voyage.
Its too bad" said the admiral to
his flag captain, one day, ''that that boy
should fill a menial's position"
The captain agreed with his com
mander, and the result Of the matter
was, that, in a few days afte- the arrival
of the Vanguard at Gibralter, Edward
Lee was given a midshipman's warrant
by Earl st. Vincent, at the special re
quest of Admiral Nelson.
Then came the famous cruise in the
Mediterranean, in search of Bonaparte
and his fleet. In the terrific gale which
dismasted the admiTaIs ship, young Lee
proved that ne merited the kindness 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 re-cnforccments,
and the departure for Egypt As the
dawn of the memorable LIST Of August
revealed to the eyes of the English the
tricolOr floating over Alexandria. and
the French fleet in the bay Of Aboukir,
Edward Lee was standing by his chief /
on the deck OF the flagship.
"There they are" burst from a score F.
of voices, as the distant vessels came in
view.
eyes, D." muttered the boy; "and Wen .
be there too, before night"
Nelson glanced at him approvingIy.
"TheTes 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 many English homes, brought to
these two fame and honor. Through
the whole action the admiral's eve was
on the young mildly" and all through
that long and thrilling summer night it
never lost the CLEAN of satisfaction
which had illumined it as he heard the
young sailors words in the morning.
The same dispatch that greeted him as
Lord Nelson informed him that his re-
quest for a Eeutenancy for young Lee
was granted.
Steady devotion to his profession and
conspicuous bravery in times of danger
soon made the youthful lieutenant a
noted man III his Mai"sty's navy. The
battle of the Baltic was a memorable day
to him. 1t was truly the greatest battle
he had been in. Though severely
wounded, he refused to go below, and
HtbtHl at LIS l'D0t tllLlI TIE CLOSE OF Jle
action. Then Sir Hyde Parker gave
the signal for disseminating the fight,
Lieutenant Lee reported it to Lord Mel.
son. The admiral, putting the glass to
his blind eye, said, with mock gravity,
81 really don't see the signal flag for
Keep our closer battle still flying. That's
the way L answer such signals. Nail mine
to the mast"
1t seemed that the fortunes Of the
great admiral and his protege We're mys- 5
united, for this victory, which
made one a viscount, made the other
first lieutenant though he had but Just 8
come Of ag-. He followed his com
who had become warmly at 1
ached to him, through all the years that
ntervened, 30 that, when the great day Z