The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1902-12-30
BOOK vi.
The Great Lord Hawke
CHAPTER xxx.-(ContInued.)
The Alarm in the MornInq.

CHAPTER xxx.-(contlnued.)
, The Alarm in the Morning.
The distance thu first ship had gained
would probably enable her to beat through
the pass and round Belleisle. in spite OF
the dangerous shoals. known as the Bancs
de Taiefer. in her path. But for the
other ships it would be impra cticahle now
to attempt the pass. In that way lay
safety. every where else danger. but there
was no help for it..
Duff gathered his hftEgun ships and
frigates around him by signal. leaving
the BeliqueuX to her own devices. and
then hauled his wind and bore away to
the southwark under a great press of cam
vas. But as the breeze was coming
stronger every moment. he presently
stripped the light sails from his ships, and
as the force OF the wind increased he was
finally compelled to take in the topgal liant
sails, and after reef1ng his topsais set
the maintopgalomt- sail above them. At
this junCture the Venus joined the flying
squadron. Harrison had driven her terrific
ally and even now had his three topgalIant
sails set; his little ship was pitching and
tossing tremendously. The small signal
flags, whipping out in the fierce wind.
spelled ominous message: The French
are close behind. Harrison had done
nobly. He fell in with the rest Of the flee
ing ships
Day broke gray and stormy. The clouds
were piled up on the horizon and over
head. In threatening masses. The wind
came in ever more and more fierce squalls
from the northwest. drawing gradually to-
ward the west. Before it was fairly day
the lookcMts on the maintopgailanty yard
Of the Rochester, which. with the Chat
ham. were far in the rear of the other
vessels on account Of their slow speed,
discovered a sail a little to the north
far TO al
mist on the ocean in that quarter, and it
was not for some time after the day
dawned that they discovered that it was
the great French fleet
The English had been warned none too
soon. Another hour and they would have
been caught in the harbor. The easterly
gales. which had delayed Hawke, had
swept de Contains far to sea as well and
proved Duffs salvation. The two observ
ers the different squadrOns were cog
infant Of each others proximity at the
same instant. for the French who had
> been jogging along under easy sail In the
heavy wind. at once spread more canvas
until they were under the same sail as the
English squadron. Duff instantly divided
his squadron, hoping to part the French
feet in pursuit. Two Of the fiftygun
ships and two frigatCs squared away be-
fore the wind and ran toward the shore,
inclinng to the southeast, and hoping,
perhaps. to decoy the French to chase
past the entrance of the bay and thus
keep them out at sea. The others, in
Guiding the commodore himself. held
steadily on to the southwest, with their
starboard lacks aboard and every bow
line triced out until they almost ripped
the bolt ropes from the sails,
Presently one ship Of the line hauled her
wind and came booming along in the wake
Of the Rochester. The other French ships
Eoyt Far ND
shore. In a few moments however.
signals were broken out on the French
flagship, and in obedience thereto the
rear division OF six magnificent ships of
the line came UP to the wind
on the starhoard tack and also
headed for Duff. while the re-
lish counted fourteen. and several frig-
ates, held on as before. The advancing
squadron Of the French was composed of
good goers. and it was soon found they
had the heels Of the English ships.
Duff had been elated when he found
himself pursued by single ship of the
disposing Of her with the Chatham and
the Rochester. but when seven bore down
upon him the situation was altered. Any
hope Of successful resistance vanished.
Nevertheless, he determined to make
fight for it-a bold resolution indeed
!
his speed meanwhile, the men were sent
to their quarters, the guns cast loose and
provided, and every preparation made for
action.
The news which Nightingale had
brought, that Hawke was on the heels of
the French, was reassuring, and remem-
bering Hawkes. well-known character
istics, it was certain that he would not be
tar away. Perhaps they might see him at
any moment. The commodore sent look
butts to the topgallant-yards at once in
hope that they might detect the English
feet.
It was his business to fight his own ships
until they sunk beneath him. so that he
might thereby. detain and occupy the
enemy to give their pursucrs time to
catch up with them.
Quiberon Bay with all it's dangers to the
English, lay Immediately before the
French fleet with the wind blowing fair
for them to make the entrance No one
could tell what de Contains intentions
were. He might decide to stay outside
and fight. or he might design to run into
the bay and wait. II he ran and gained
the bay it would be very difficult for
Hawke to force a combat with him except
under circumstances of great disad-
vantage If Duff could detain CONTAINS
outside. either by drawing him after the
chips he was chasing. Or by fighting him
with his own until Hawke came UP, he
could be Of great service to the admiral
His duty was plain, yet he and his men,
who already realized the situa ton looked
forward to the approaching conflict with
feelings Of deep apprehension, which not
even the grim determination could re-
move. They held on desperately, how