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


are an unknown quantity. 1 have only
you, Dale, and Stacey and Mease and
the boys, Of course; but 1 can depend
upon you"
upon me-upon all of u.s." replied
Dale gallantly, "to the death itselfp
II know it," said the captain, smil-
ing and laying his hand a~ffectionately
upon the young mans shoulder. "rhey
are very young, though" he continued
grayely, "for such desperate work as
this promises to be. but they are brave
hearts and true. They Will do their
best. | doubt not"
with you to command them. sir
they'll not be founu wanting, L am
sure" said the enthusiastic Dale, who
was devotedly attached to his great
commander. There was n little pause.
"Messieurs,' said Jones, turning to-
ward n little group of French officers
who were standing on the leo side OF
the poop. At the captains word they
stepped forward and saluted graceful
ly.
Colonel de Weibert, you have serv-
ed in the artillery, L believer asked
II captain of a fine looking veteran.
The Frcnchman bowed. "Will o as
sist Lieutenant Dale in working the
battery on the main deck? 1t Is an un-
usual place for Il soldier, but we are
very short Of experienced officers. You
understand the handling of great guns.
1t would be n great favor"
"Any place which enables him to
| fOht tho ntontpN 10 n GOOD tllnnn FOR a
soldier, my captain. 1 am at Lieuten-
ant Dalc's service" replied the gallant
old soldier.
you, vicomte and gentlemen said
Jones, turning to De Chamillard, who
was attended by several subalterns,
twill take charge of the soldiers on the
quarter deck and forecastlc. / desire
a continuous small arm fire to play
upon the decks and tops of the Eng
lish ships"
"Sir captain" smilingly answered De
Chamillard, a dappcr, dainty little
man, as he in turn bowed profoundly,
laying his hand on his sword, IL o q
man shall escape my marine infantry.
l answer for them and for my friends
here as WELL" he added, indicating his
gay clad l~ieutenants, who emulated the
vicomte in the profundity of their salu-
tations.
"Remember, gentlemen," said Jones,
his face lighting, "'ti3 for the honor Of
America-and of France. Mr.. Brooks"
he said to an alert young midshipman
who was acting as his signal officer
and aid, "signal the Pallas to edge
OFF to the east and engage the smaller
ship of the enemy. The big fellow Is
our game, messieurs. See! They are
forming line ahead and are waiting for
us. Brave fellows! Quartermaster,"
he cried, stepping to the break Of the
poop and looking down at the old sea-
man and his mates stationed at the
wheel, dye see those two shipsT"
"Aye, aye, Sir" answered the veteran
tar, shading his eyes with his hand
and peering eagerly ahead. II sees
'em, yer honor."
"Thats we'll. The one ahead, near
est the shore, is our mark. 1 intend
to round to on her port bow. Mind
your Counsel"
Every good, sir" answered the steers
man, giving a knowing squint at the
lifting sails and shifting the wheel a
few spokes.
"Now, gentlemen" continued the
captain, "to your stations ALL But
stay-Mr. Brooks, direct the sailing
master, purscr and the junior officers
to come up on the quarter deck"
In n short time the two older officers
and n little band Of youths whose ages
ranged from twelve to seventeen years
stood before the captain md salutcd.
His eyes fell tcnderly upon the boys;
so youthful n immature were they
to be charged with the heavy rcspon-
sibilities of the coming hour, which
would have dcvolvcd upon the older
men but for their unfortunate absence.
young gentlemen" he said quietly,
accident has thrust you into positions
of great responsibility which other
wise you might not have been called
upon to fill for years. We are about
to engage two powerful ships of the
enemy. The Richard is heavily over
matched in everything except in the
spirit and courage of her officers and
men. 1 am dctcrmincd-nay, we are
all determined, are we not?-that the
flag which floats above us shall never
be struck. We may be sunk, but we
will not surrender. 1 shall try to do
my part; you will, I doubt not, do
yours"
"Aye, aye, sir!"
1--WE will, sir!"
Count on us to the death, sir!"
broke forth from the impetuous youths
who clustered about the captain.
"Remcmber that we are fighting not
only to uphold the honor of our flag
in the face of the most arrogant navy
on the ocean,, but to rescue from Il
shameful death-if it be not unhappily
too late-one of our brother officers
who would give his life to be here"
"O'Neill, O'Neill!" cried one and an
other, the brave Irishman being a
great fayorite with all.
81 cnJoin upon you the utmost Wig
ilancc and care. Supplement- your in
experience by redoubled effort. BE rs
brave rs youths md as cool as veter-
ans. Give implicit obedience to the
orders you receive from Mr.. Dale, Mr..
Stacey or from me, and exact the same
compliance with your orders from
your Len. They are q hard lot to
handle. Don't lose control OF Them"
He paused q moment, scanning the in
tent faces of the lads close about him,
and then continued: "Remember, too,
we have more than one foe to fight