The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1902-11-28

he was met by an officer and conducted
aft to the high poop deck, upon which a
brilliant group Of officers were collected
about tall, Splendid loolzing man in the
prime Of life, who was evidently the CON-
mander of the ship. Grafton stepped to-
ward him, bowed, gracefully. and then,
extending his sword, remarked in excel
lent French, Of which he was luckily a
thorough master:
THE fortune Of war. monsieur. has
made my small vessel the prize Of your
magnificent ship
''Y0u are bold man, young sir, and in
many instances-perhaps most-your gal
liant attempt to escape by running off be-
fore for the wind would have been success
unanimously. Then touching the hilt
of the young Americans sword,
he added graciously, bowling in his turn,
/! retain your sword. monsieur, I should
be loath indeed to deprive so brave a man
Of the weapon which he has shown h.,
knows how to wear SO worthily. Sang
diou!' he added relapsing into the patois
of his native province, twas an imprll-
dent thing, sir, to slap us in the face like
that when we first caught sight of YOU.
and then try to run for it! But there are
few keels laid down that LIE Thesee can
not overhaul I think. Hey, rnessieurs?'
he questioned, turning to his Officers, his
remark being received with acclamations
of assent Young SIR he continued, ad-
dressing Grafton once more, will you
give me the name Of your brig?" ~
| : III. M. B. brig Boxer--at least she was
his this morning. She Is yours now, mon
sieur.' :--
Where from and whittier bound, mon
sieur.'
From Gibraltar to Portsmouth"
ION. what errand?"
with dispatches, sir"
"Where are they"
"Overboard and sunk, SIR
"Ha! And what Of the. fleet of Monsieur
Boscawen?" -
Il can tell you nothing of that, sir"
"Nor, as to the contents Of the des-
patches?'
Certainly not, sir!'
"Humph! Your name, young sir, and
rank
"Philip Grafton, monsieur a lieutenant
| In H. NJ. B. navy lately First of the Tor
! bay, ship Of the line, and. more recently
commanding the Boxer"
"Grafton!' exclaimed the other sur
| prised, Are you an Englishnan?"
mo, monsieur" answered the young Of
| 6cer promptly and proudly, Il an
! American. was born in Massachusetts,
"And you are the son Of
Admiral John Grafton, monsieur, who
commanded the colonial armed ship Shir
! ley.''
AT the siege of Louisburg in 1745?'
| "The same. sir
Did your father ever tell you of the
| engagement he and one or two other
private armed ships had with a
| French frigate seeking to enter the har-
| bor?'
La Renomme?" interrupted Grafton in
great surprise at the others knowledge.
"Certainly. monsieur, often. Twas tina
! fight. indeed. that Won his kings approval
and gained him the commission which was
in turn passed on to me-
my faith. sir!'' exclaimed the French
captain. smiling '"Twas a hot fight in
deed! never have seen better. He
| we'll deserved the commission he won.
No wonder that you did not quail before
a ship Of the line. young man! You
have in you the mettle Of your father
Did you know my father, sir?' asked
Grafton in great surprise.
IT have heard him speak from the
iron threats of his guns, sir
"'Then you are
Il was the captain Of La Renomme."
"And your name is?
Guy de Caetnampreu. Comte de Ker-
saint de Kerguelen. Capitaine de Vaisseau
Of his most Christian majesty, Louis Nv.
whom God protect. and very much at your
service, monsieur. Here is no case Of
| prisoner and enemy, gentlemen. The
father fought me. 1 befriend the son. Is
| it not just, nnessieurs?' asked Kersaint
turning to his officers once more.
1t WAS Grafton who answered:
| "'Tis more than justice, Monsieur lie
| Comte, tits kindness indeed!'>.
"N'importe, monsieur; I would that
could give you hack YOUR ship, but that
1 Of course, is impossible. Nevertheless,
your captivity shall be made as light as
possible. We are bound in for Brest, and
this gentleman here,,''. Indicating am old
man in rich civilian dress, who had sur
veyed the scere with interest, "is my most
noble kinsman. the Marquis de Chabot-
Rohan. He will. am sure, as my pros
! pective sailing thence in a few days de-
bars me from keeping YOU with me OF
| extending you the hospitality of my poo,
house, take you into his own cllatea al
until you are exchanged. Twiss be a
pleasant prison. sir, and there grows z
wild Breton rose within the walls. Is il
not so, Monsieur le Comte?H
..As to the rose, can not say. Mon.
| sieur Grafton may find It thornM; but as
to receiving him. certainly, de Kersaint'
responded the old man just addressed by
! the captain. Il have a soft spot in my
! heart for Americans, as you know since
my only1Sson honored himself by marry-
ing a daughter of virginia. land o.
~