The Somerset reporter., 1889-12-19
iacKaplrd. Inc KING must have men

| iacKaplrd. Inc KING must have men
for his ships
men for his ships. Capt. Trenwith!"
retorted the barber; ''let the king get
them by fair and honest means, and then
j he will pcrchance have men who will
stick to their colOrs, and not run away as
i one Of Admiral Benbow's ships did in the
/ West Indies!'
This was a sore subject with Capt
Trenwith who could endure no slur ON
the british navy, and who had himself
+ been an officer on board Admiral Ben
+ bows ship ut the time referred to The
barber felt he had gone too far. but the
mischief was done.
The CAPTAIN rose from his seat, his face
purple with rage. Thou id chin
scraping rascal! how burst thou rake
that matter up in my presence? I'll
drive my staff down thy throat for
prating of matters beyond thy BARRIERS
BRAIN
Nay, nay, cap'n," cried Win Nance;
'let John Tackabird be. Mayhap he
hath spoken unwisely, but it's well
known Capn Wade and Cap'n Kirby
were shot at Plymouth Tor deserving tho
admiral"
"Yes," said Capt. Trenwith, resuming
his seat, his anger having passed away
as suddenly rs it came-"yes, and shoot
Ing was too good for them. They ought
to have been hanged at the yardarm--
and SO should some others that | wot OFF,
here he looked hard at the ci-devant
smuggler,
"Well, but"-resumed the barber,
whose tongue must needs wag in spite
of his fear of the touching
this matter OF the press gang g
I'm hear no more on t, cried Capt.
Treuwith; its in every FOOLS mouth
that one volunteer is worth ten pressed
men. but have seen pressed men fight
as bravely As the best-and as for Ad-
niral Benbow, he fought his ship like q
hero. and died tho death OF gallant old
sea dog us he was IL some OF his men
left him in the lurch, enough remained
to save the honor of England. But bark
ye, John Tackabird, let me warn thee
that there be some matters had better be
forgotten.
punch being brought in, all further I'M
pleasantncss disappeared under its sooth-
ing influence. The party, which now
included Peter Hexel and John Renow-
ian, drew in their chairs, and the for
mer proceeded to fill the glasses Of his
guests with a silver punch ladlc that had
guinea let into tho bottom Of it. Az 1t
was not yet known that young Hexel
was one of the pressed men, there was
nothing to cloud their enjoyment.
visit from the press gang was too COM
mon an occurrence in seaport towns in
those days to excite much remark, save
among those who were the immediate
sufferers. Capt. Trenwith said Is would
take upon himself to propose a toast,
which he hoped no one present would
refuse to drink.
The king of England had declared war
against Spain, and, as the Spaniards had
seized all the British ships in their har-
bors, he thought the sooner they closed
with the enemy the better. He begged
to propose the health of King George
and success to the British arms. If they
lived to see another Christmas eve he
doubted not they would be able to say
the honor of England had been well main
tanned. AS the punch was exceeding
good, and had put much heat into every
man of the company, the toast was drunk
with great enthusiasm. Even John Tacka-
bird smacked his lips with satisfaction.
at hath been reported" said Will
Nance, THAT Admiral Vernon is gone as
commander-in-chief to the West Indies,
and that he swears to take Portobello on
the Spanish main, even IL he hath no
more than six ships wherewith to do It,"
II know not how that may be" said
tho incorrigible barber. "If he has only
pressed men to back him, doubt It,"
With an ominous look at. the last speal.
er, Capt. Trenwith cut the matter short.
1--WE shall see, T." said he. "When It's done
we shall doubtless hear on it-but what
noise is that outside? What now, Tom
Champer? What's amiss?'
There's much amiss, Capt. Trenwith,"
said young Champer, who now entered
the room. Dick Hexel is among the
pressed men. He was seen in the last
boat when they put off from the shore"
what! my son taken by the press
gang' cried Peter Hexel, starting to his
feet. BOUNDS! I'll not believe it-there
must be some mistake"
II fear there is no mistake" said
Champer; and there was CLEAN Of sat
isfaction on his face, which no tried to
conceal with pretended look OF con
Germ. There be those outside who saw
him carried off, and the officer swore he
would sink the first boat that dared to go
nigh the ship"
Old Hexel hurried out, followed by
John Renowden.
"If the lad is really pressed" said
Capt. Trenwith, 81 hope he will remain
in the service. Sure am he won't dis
grace it. No lad Of spirit should refuse
to serve his country when old England's
enemies are afoat. But come, sit down,
Tom Champer, and help us to finish the
punch"
Will Nance, who was already "three
sheets in the wind,' as he would himself
have expressed it, boisterously inquired
Of Champer how it was that he himself
had escaped capture by the press-gang.
Thou art likely lad enough" said
he, land would swab deck as well as
another
81 was not in the town." answered
Champer. II have but now walked
over from Zennor."
"Ah" cried Nance, with drunken
wink at the rest of the company, trust
Zennor man to take care of himself.
They're wise folk in their gen-er-en-
Grafton. They know why the COW ate
the bell rope"
"Just as st. Ives folk know why they
whipped the hake," retorted Champsr,
angrily.
The captain interposed. Come,
come" said he; mo more cross words
on Christmas eve. IT'S near midnight.
You and |, Mr.. Mayor, must set good
example by appearing in church to-mor-
row morning, 50 let us jog homewards."
The mayor crossed the room with a
devious gait. Your shervant, Cap'n
Tren'th. Sheryant, sir, happy to end
you," and the mayor of st. Ives solemn
ly staggered after Capt. Trenwith, who
stumped away on his wooden leg, es-
corted by his black servant carrying
lantern. The rest of the company also
departed, and the George and Dragon
was left in solitude and darkness. But
lights were burning in the Golden Lion
long after midnight. Three anxious
hearts were there holding communion,
and vainly trying to find way out Of
the trouble that had come upon them.
After the first shock of grief for the
loss of her lover was over, Mary Renow-
den dried her tears and reviewed the sit
uation with a strength Of mind and
GOODNESS of judgment that astonished her
Z l.. 4 81