Milford chronicle., 1883-07-20
PrOtege

It was a bright morning in spring,
and the English feet lay at anchor in
Portsmouth harbor, awaiting the
admiral's signal to start out on cruise.
The flagship, 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 Ad-
miral Nelson touched her deck. sur
rounded with 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 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 young lad that came on board I
few hours ago., replied the captain. !,
He insists on seeing you, sir, as he !, :
says he has something of Importance to
say to you. :,
"Well, my lad" said the admiral h. h.
indy, "speak out freely" /, -
If you please, sir, said the bov -
I've come to ask you to take me to sea
With you.
els that all you have to say, you ia 5j
oung scamp" asked the captain =, -
harply. y
'Let him alone" said the admiral =,
What position doyou want?" CO. -
e asked, turning to the boy. HI
IF you would take me as your cabin A.,
Oy, sir, said the boy, 81 should be 90 o,,
cry glad. "a
"Ihat's poor chance for you, if YOU of
ish to rise above it, said the admiral. sr,
ndly. Sia pii
" 1t will be beginning, replied the srq
d. "If you give me a start I'll work fall
y way up, sir. You did it, and I mean tor
doit, too"
he admiral gazed at him kindly
1t searchingly, and then said. with
lille:
iii take you with me on this cruise. L
d II you want to rise I'll give you a by
ance. What is your name ?" P.
Edward Lee, was the reply. of t
Every well, then, Edward, 1 take Won Lye
o my service, said the admiral 81 nan
III expect You to prove yourself worthy thrc
the trust whi
I'll do it, sir" said the boy, ear witt
tly as he moved aside, respectfully. doui
let the admiral pass. not
n two hours the Vanguard stood ont DR.
ga, followed by the squadron, to Join prin
1 st. Vincent at Gibraltar. The actly
ng valet of the admiral made de- degr
IDLY favorable impression upon the struc
'ers of the ship before the compile may
of the voyage. niou
LIS TOO bad, said the admiral to earth
aag-eaptain, one day, "that that boy to c'
lid fill menial's position" F." certa
he captain agreed with his COM use a
der, and the result of the matter as IL
that, in few days after the arrival ''mor
he Vanguard at Gibralter, Edward after
was given a midshipman's warrant and S
Earl St. Vincent, at the special re rate Q
t of Admiral Nelson. plies
len came the famous cruise in the
terranean, in search of Bonaparte A
lis fleet. In the terrific gale which this OF
lsted the admirals ship, young Lee this {
ID that he merited the kindness his money
commander had shown him, and We ha
praise from all on board. Then horse
the brief halt at Syracuse, the ar and re
Of the wished-for re-enforcements, at ten
he departure for Egypt. As the wasted
of the memorable LIST of August combn
ed to the eyes of the English the termin
or floating over Alexandria, and out br,
rench fleet in the bay of Aboukir,
rd Lee was standing by his chief AN1
g deck of the flagship. Profess
iere they are, burst from score now We
'es, as the distant vessels came in over tn
heef