The Laurens advertiser. (Laurens, S.C.) 1885-1973, 1903-11-25

b@EaSsTS} man to Captain Jones,
@@s@gj "ayin' an admiral's flag"
"Ah, that will be our friend Lord
Westbrookc," he said, turning toward
the gangway. "Show him to me IL he
comes OH board" Elizabeth knelt by
the side of Ii dying man, who had
sunk into silence again, and bathed
his head with her handkerchief while
the doctor applied oInc simple restora-
tive. In Il moment the stately form
of the old admiral stepped through the
gangway, and lie looked about him in
astonishmcnt.
"God bless me-, what a fight! 1 knew
that rebel was n desperate man, but l
never imagined anything like this!
Captain Penrson?" said he im%perious-
ly. "Where is he?"
"IIerc, my lord" said Pearson
mournfully, coming out Of the cabin,
whore lie had withdrawn a little.
81 congratulate you, sir, on
"Stop, sir" cried the captain in
great agony. You do not understand.
This ship-we were not successful"
"What!' cried the admival. "Is not
this the Serapis?"
AYE, but she Belongs
L the navy of the United States,
sir" said q calm voice at his elbow,
which made him start. "And she Is
now commanded by Captain John
Paul Jones, at your service. L shall
be glad to supply you with a yardarm,
If YOU have need Of one, my lord"-
Good God" said the old man, turn
ing to Jones. "And the Richard?"
stNVN y,nl, IN, ci, - ,,o,yoJ Doos.
son, "but it was useless"
"You have lone well, Captain Pear
son." said the admiral. Here is evil
dence OF the fight you made. Never
fear; you shall receive reward. Twas
a defeat as noble as n capture.".
"Aye," said Captain Jones. "I can
bear witness to the desperate nature Of
the resistance. Twas such as I have
never met before In twenty battles on
the sea-"
Pearson, my-my-son"- said the
admiral huskily. "How did he bear
himself in the fghtf'
"Well and nobly, sir, as I can tes-
tify," added Pearson.
~, too" said Jones. 81 saw him.
Twas he who led your b%oarders, Cap
''ih w Y tuCy tllCu " bWttD
II decks"
"And is he wellT" said the old ad-
miral, striving to school himself into
composurc. "That charge, you know,
Pearson. 1 think we need not press
1t now" he added.
mo, not now, o ever, sir" said
Pearson ~mournfully. Compose your
self, my dear admiral; he"-
81 am a veteran" said the admiral.
81 have looked death in the face for
fifty years. Speak plainly. You would
say that he is dead"
Not yet, sir" answered Jones
gently.
"Whcre is he? Take me to him!"
"Iic lies art there on the quarter
deck, sir"
The little group around the dying
man made way for the old admiral. He
knclt down OH the deck opposite Eliz-
abcth, not needing the others, and
gaZed long and earnestly in the face Of
the dying officer.
"The last of his line" he 1nurmured,
land he is gone" A Single tear
tricklcd down the weather beaten
cheek and splashed upon the face Of
the young man. "Will he live to know
me-, think your said the admiral sim
ply to the surgeon.
81 think SO, yes" replied the physi-
clan. AS If he had heard the question,
Coventry opened his eyes. There was
recognition in them.
"Father," he murmured family.
"Nly boy-my boy!' said the admiral,
bowling his head and striving, manlike,
but I'm vain, to conceal his emotion.
You told me-not to see you-again.
l tried to obey" said Coventry faint
ly. "The Charge
1T is withdrawn; I dismiss 1t. You
have done nobly, Captain Pearson
says, II fought like n hero. You are
forgiven. 1 commend you," said the
old man, catching his other hand.
"Ah, So" said Coventry, smiling
YEARLY. "Now L must go"
Not YETI cried the admiral.
"I-my lord"- said the young man,
wandering again, may 1t please the
court-may it please the COURT He
struggled for breath. Lift me up"
he said.
"'Twi! he his end" said the doctor.