The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1903-11-20


ship in the distant tropic ATTITUDES
chung about the decks and pervadcd
the gentle air already redolent with
the sweet scent of new mown hay
from the not distant shore 1t was as
calm and sweet an autumn night as
ever falls across the tired earth. The
land breeze blew softly across the
decks. The bright radiance of the glo-
rious moon of harvest sparkled and
wavered and fiickered with sinuous.
restless brilliancy on the tossing wa
ter ahead. All the busy notes of prep
araton had died away. There had
come over the hearts of all in that
moment before the approaching crisis
q little silence which bespoke a recog-
milton of the gravity of the impending
conflict. The mellow toned bell for
ward was striking the time-two. four,
six, seven bells in the second dog
watch. half after o'clock. The min
uteS We're being rung away for some
OF the men upon the decks of the
great old ship; for many of them the
bell would strike no more. Some who
had gazed carelessly upon the setting
sun would not see it rise again.
Laughter ceased, jest failed. and some
unwonted lips, while eyes were heav-
onward turned. murmured the name of
God in belated petition. Even the
most hardened and Indifferent sailor
felt the influence of the hour and was
still
81, ID,I
was calamity speeding toward her dis
tant foe. The Alliance, having paid
no attention to repeated signals, was
still edging in toward the convoy. The
Scraps. with her topsail to the mast.
her men at quarters, ports open, Ian
terms lighted, was grimly waiting. As
Jones eye fell upon the Alliance his
lips were frightened. A black shadow
swept across his face which BODIED ill
for Landais again. When Dale, stand
ing by his side, ventured to break his
reverie by a bitter comment upon the
detection of the frigate. Jones remark
ed:
the more honor we shall gain by TAX
ing them"
But in the main the two officers kept
silent watch together. Even the chat
tering Frenchmen caught the contagion
Of the portentous moments and stood
in quiet ranks prepared and ready. 1t
was no quarrel of theirs, this in which
they fought. but their old and ever
present hatred Of England gave them
Inspiration enough for the conflict
The breeze freshened slightly. and as
the Richard drew nearer the Scraps
the latter swung her ponderouS main
yard and slowly filled away. The two
ships were sailing at right angles to
each other. the Richard slightly ahead
Of the Scraps. which was moving to
cross her bow.
"Shall go to the batteries now, cap
tain?" asked the first lieutenant.
Eyes. think you would better" an
swered Jones, stretching out his hand.
"Goodby. SIR" said the other. grasp
ing 1t firmly.
"Goodby. God bless you, Richard"
said the older man, looking gravely at
his beloved subordinate.
And you, SIR" returned Dale, with
an unusual accent of tender affection.
Then he turned and ran rapidly to his
station
"Pass the word quickly" said Jones
to young Brooks, "for the men to de-
liver their fire promptly and together
when the word is given. Not gun is
10 be discharged until the order. Aft
er that. as rapidly as possible
AS the feet footed midsbipman ran
along the decks little murmur of ex-
element arose. There was a shifting
of positions. Men sprang to their sta
lions. Hoarse whispers came from
the gun captains as the smoldering
matches or glowing loggerheads were
handed to them by their subordinates.
Silence fore and aft the decksv'
came the clear voice Of the captain.
The murmurs died away as young
Brooks sprang up the ladder and re-
ported that everything was ready. The
boy officers choked down something
that rose in their threats as they walk
ed nervously up and down their divi-
sions. A f1eeting thought they gave to
home, mother. hours of play, 50 far
away. 1t was the first battle for many
Of them. Down on the berth deck in
front Of the hatchway little Payne
looked to the printing Of his pistols
and whispered word or two to his
men, who stood with their musk
pointing down through the grating,
covering the hatchway. He wished he
had been up on deck with the rest.
fighting a great gun or attached to the
side of the captain, but the captain
had told him that the post of honor
and Importance was here. and here he
would stand. There, on the starboard
side, his young meSsmate and friend.
McCollin, gave another careful inspec-
ton to his three old Is Founders, firm
ly resolved to give such an account
with them, if they did not burst, as
would decide the action.
Caswell and Mayrant were in the
forecastle to fight the two guns there.
Mr. MeaSe. the purSer, as brave man
as ever stepped deck, though no
sailor, had charge of the quarter deck
guns Stacey the sailing master,
stood aft by the wheel to assist in
working the ship. Brooks and De
Chamillard were on the poop near
Jones. Tanning. with his DULLES in
the maintop. was anxiously wishing
that he, too. might have place in
the center of the conflict, the gun deck,
little knowing what decisive moment
Sroc in, ctova for him
They were nearer now, well within
gun shot. vet there was no sound from
either ship. The tense expectancy OF