Morris tribune. [volume] (Morris, Minn.) 1880-2000, 1883-09-08
NELSON'S PROTEGE.

| ulOuGu ltdTUoEB dHai1iiAh WIG ssAhAii CO. o
signal to start out on a cruise. The flag
ship, 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
charge of her heavy ordnance, as Adj
miral Nelson touched her deck, sur
sounded by brilliant staff. Standing
near the edge of the quarterback, and
watching the scene with intense eager
ness, was young lad of about eighteen.
He was dressed simply, but neatly, and
his cheeks glowed and his eyes kindled,
as he watched the exciting events that
were going on around him. AS he re
turned the salutes of the officers, the
Admiral CHANGED to observe the boy, T.,
| "Who is this?" he asked, turning to
| the captain of the vessel. .tr,,
| "He's 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, A. ,,..;.,
kindly, )" "speak out freely"
"Ifyou please, sir, said the boy, 1--WE
come to ask you to take me to sea with
you."
"Ts that all you have to say, you young
scamp" 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" 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.
1T will be beginning" replied the
nv way up, sir. a'You did it, and
mean to do it too" NJ. j.. :.
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 III give you
chance. Whatis your name?
edward Lee" was the reply.
every we'll, then, Edward, l take you
into my service" said the admiral. 81
shall expectyou to prove yourself worthy
of the trust"
''Pll do it, sir" said the boy, earnest
ly, 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 decided fav-
orable impression upon the officers OF
the ship before the completion OF the
voyage: asao;a +ho .dr,;ro, T. Ii.
flag captain, one day, that boy should
fill meniaPs position"
The captain agreed with his comman-
der, and the result of the matter was
that, in few days after the arrival of
the Vanguard at Gibraltar, Edward Lee
was given a midshipman's warrant by
Earl St. Vincent, at the special
request 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 admiraPs ship, young |
Lee proved that he merited the kind |
ness that his great commander had
shown him, and won praise from all on |
board. Then came the brief halt at |
Syracuse, the arrival of the wished-for |
reinforcements, 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 Alex. |
andria, and the French fleet i'll the bay |
of Aboukir, Edward Lee was standing |
by his chief on the deck of the flag. ship. |
of voices, as the distant vessels came in |
view,
YES" muttered the hoy; "and Well |
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 many English homes, brought to |
these two men fame and honor. Through |
the whole action the Admirals eye was
on the young MILDLY" and all through |
that long and thrilling summer night it |
never lost the CLEAN Of satisfaction |
which had illuminated it as he heard |
the young sailors words in the morn
ing. The same dispatch that greete |
him as Lord Nelson informed him that |
his request fora lieutenancy 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 in his majesty's navy. The |
battle of the Baltic was a memorable |
day to him. It was truly the greatest |
battle he had been in. Though severely |
wounded, he refused to 60 below, and |
stood at the post until the close of the |
the signal for disseminating the fight, |
Lieutenant Lee reported it to Lord Mel |
son. The admiral. putting the glass to |
his eye, said, with mock gravity, II
really don't see the signal. Keep our |
flag for closer battle still flying. That's
the way l answer such signals. Nail |
mine to the mast"
It seemed that the fortunes Of the |
great Admiral and his protege were |
mysteriously united, for this victory,
which made the one Viseount, made |
the other First Lieutenant, though he |
had but just come of age. He followed |
his commander, who had become |
warmly attached to him, though all the |
years that interviewed, so that, when the |
great day of Trafalgar came, he was the |
second in command to Captain Hardy. |
As the action began Lord Nelson APP |
preached him, and, placing his hand on |
his shoulder, said: 1--WE are going to |
have hard day Edward; hope yon
may pass through it safely"
II shall try to do my duty, my lord"
said Lieutenant Lee. "But," he added,
pointing to the uniform and decorations
which the commander wore, contrary to |
his custom, "why does your lordship |
render yourself 80 conspi :uous to-day? |
You will surely draw upon you the fire |
of some marksman."
81 have presentiment," said the Adj
miral, "that my race is run; 80 have |
put on all my harness to-day. In hon.
or / gained them," he exclaimed,
proudly laying his hand on the insignia,
"and in honor I will die with them.l
The presentiment was realized. 1t |
was the last action of the great sailor. |
AS he fell ON the deck, in the heat of |
the battle, the Captain, and Lieutenant |
of the ship sprang to him in an agony of |
grief.
$50 back to your post, Edward" he |
said, as the Lieutenant knelt by him. |
Then he added. gently. Good bless YOU.