The Wahpeton times., 1889-01-10
powder, then, in a real battle?
Hurrahsfor England and beloved St.

y y
"Amenl' cried Captain Trenwith,
who came stulhping into the room.
Eyes, friends, Ills all true. Here is
q copy of the Daily Post, dated
March 20, wherein is an account Of
the battle, writ by gentleman on
board the Burford, the Admiral's
own ship. Fill the glasses, and John
Tackabird shall read out the mar.
ratiye."
Under the combined attractions of
the punch and the newspaper, all
eagerly drew round the table, and
the barber, after cleaning his throat,
commenced
."On the afternoon of the 21st,
about two o'clock, we came up with
Portobello Harbour, where the
Spainards had hoisted upon the Iron
Castle the flag of defiance. They
welcomed us with a terrible volley,
which, being at so short q distance,
took place with almost every shot.
One struck away the stern of our
barge; another broke q large gun
upon our upper deck; third went
through our foretopmast; and a
fourth, passing through the arning
within two inches of our mainmast.
broke down the barricado of our
quarterback very near the Admiral,
and killed three men in O moment,
wounding five others who stood by
them. This looked as five should
have bloody work, but was far from
discouraging our brave fellows"-
The b8gber continued to read how
the Spahiards were driven from their
guns, and the English landed: Zone
man set himself close under an en-
brasure whilst another climbed upon
his shoulders and entered under the
mouth of a great gun. This so dis.
mayed the Spaniards that they threw
down their arms and fled for their
lives''-
81 would give q guinea to know
twas a Cornish man who did that 81
cried Captain Trenwith; "twas q
brave action"
"Set your heart at rest, then,
Captain" said Peter Hexel. "twas
Richard Hexel who did it. Ihave a
letter from my son wherein he re.
counts this very same adventure"
'Then your son is IL credit to Corn.
wall, and we'll drink his health, my
FRIEND" and the Captain got up and
heartily shook Peter Hexel by the
hand. compound us another bow
ofpunch, John Renowden; and sex
that it be worthy of the OCCASION"
That night the rafters of the Gold
en- Lion rang with the cheers
which greeted the toasts of "The
British Navy" and "The Hero ot
St. Ives'-as Captain Trenwitl
was pleased to call Richard Hexel. v
1t was doubtless the darkness thai
made it so difficult for the Mayor ant
the Captain to find their way hom,
that night, though they were escort
ed as usualb by the black servant will
a lighted lantern. The Mayor nc
counted to his wife for a headache
which oppressed him next tmorning b,
the extremeHxertion he had beef
obliged to uss in supporting Captain
Trenwith, who, poor man having
only one leg, could not be expected
to walk as firmly us other people.
You may be sure the heart of Mar,
Kenowden was gl;fddened by tn
news that had come about her lover
but months passed away; and moth
ing more was heard of him. A
length there came q letter, stating
that he had been severely wounded
in an action with a Spanish ship il
the West Indies, had been discharged
and was. then lying in hospital a
Falmouth. Old Hexel at once start
ed for that place, and found poo
Dick pale ard thin from wounds ant
fever, but ngood spirits and anxiou
to return home. The doctors how
ever, would not hear of it, and or
dered the patient to lay up week O
two longer; and then, perhaps, h
might be allowed to go. His lathe
was, therefore, compelled to leav
him and return to St. Ives, where h
was eagerly expected by John Re
nowden and his daughter. Whe1
two weeks had passed, they all thre
went over to Falmouth, when tn
finishing touch was put to Dicks re
covery by the embraces of his hap
py sweetheart.
'"Time, though old, is strong il
fight" says the old song; and h
has brought us once more to Christ
mas Eve. The club is assembled a
the George and Dragon; there is
brimming punch-bowl on the board
and the silver ladle with the goldel
guinea is in active operation. Tn
talk is Of the war;. and John Tacka
bird has been reading aloud an oc
count of q battle in the Bay of Bis
cay, where a large Spanish ship ha,
been taken, and where the name q
Tom Champer figured among th
killed.
The mummers, having finishe'
their Christmas play, have departe,
on their rounds; but suddenly the,
are heard returning, with cheers an,
shouts. The clatter of horses hoof
is heard on the paved streets.
IT'S Dick Hexel come back" erie
the barber, looking out of the win
dow.
''Let us give him welcome" sal,
Captain Trentwith. "He is a brav
lad, and hath fought and bled for tn
British fag!"
'Hurrah!" cried the crowd out
side.
"Hurrah! hurrahl" shouted tn
Captain and his companions as the,
hurried to the door; and there, sur
enough, was Dick Hexel. on horseback