The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1903-01-01
BOOK vi.
The Great Lord Hawke. y
CHAPTER XXI.

-,
A Stern Chase on a Lee.Shore.s
1t was nearly Il O'clock, noon, when
Hawke went below He snatched a hasty
luncheon in his cabin, and then proceeded
to. make those few personal preparations
for battle which his habit and experience
dictated. ! His private affairs had been
placed in order before he had assumed
his present command, and they therefore
required no attention now. His beloved
wife had died some time before. and there
were no letters to be written. Still, there
we're some things to be done.
He first put on his dress uniform of
blue, heavily laced with gold and trimmed
with silver ard white. and fastened with
gold buttons each having rose on them.
and with his Star Of the Bath blazing upon
his left breast. AS was the custom Of
many Of the captains Of that d az, he con-
sidered it a point of honor to fight in
full dress. The wide cuffs Of the coat per-
mitted view Of the full white kersey
Sleeve edged with Flemish lace which fell
over his hands, singularly smooth and
well-shaped for sailor. At his throat he
wore a jabot, or fall. of similar
lace. which with his ruffled shirt
appeared in the opening Of his high
buttoned white waistcoat. Tight fitting
white breaches. silk stockings and
buckled shoes completed his attire. His
valet carefully powdered his face and
brought him his sword, a handsome, rich
ly jeweled weapon, which he belted around
his waist. -
Having completed his toilet, he with
drew into his inner cabin, as was his Gus
tom, in similar and serious emergencies.
and passed a few moments in reverent
communication with his Maker. Hearty
and fervent were the prayers of this great
captain. who was noted for his clean liV
ing and simple faith. in a day when such
things were not common-if they ever are
especially among men Of the sword.
Then, with a curious mixture Of reliance
upon his own judgment and capacity, and
trust in that Father to whom he had
appealed he re-entsred his cabin,
wrapped himself in his heavy boat-cloak,
for the wind was cold, so late was the
season. donned- his laced cooked hat with
its. black cockade rising from it, and
went on the deck once more. :.
Eight bells had struck and the watch off
were still at dinner. Captain Campbell,
who rather prided himself upon his fore
castle origin. had not left the deck. He
was standing on the weather side Of the
ship at the break of the poop leaning
against a gun. eating hardtack and corned
beef, like common sailor. from tray
held by his cabin-boy. The rude fare
was sweetened by draughts Of Scotch
whisky and water-very little water, by
the ,way-and Captain Campbells rather
sparink use Of the delectahle con1bina-
tion in no wise indicated the strength of
his alta chment for 1t. p.
Sailor-like Hawkes. first glance was
sent to windward. The weather was just
about what7it had been-sloomy, overcast,
threatening. tempest apparently brewing
beneath the lowering clouds, and the first
indications OF it already at hand. If
anything. it was changing for the worse,
yet the ships ahead Of the Royal George
in, 1N{ ~r4 ~ 1f4 fl,4 H~S,,o
French had increased their canvas to the
danger point.
The British officers were carrying sail
with an unusual recklessness Of the dan
ger OF losing spars, but which at the same
time indicated their determination to
overhaul their enemy at all hazards.
They were able seamen all, and as they
watched their ships with the utmost care.
saving them as they could in every squal]
| which broke across the taut-strung top
hamper, no nischance had as yet de-
veloped.
Far ahead of the flagship. was the
Magnanin1e. hitherto rated the fastest
goer in the fleet. She had been captured
from the French not long before. and rep
resented the highest development in naval
architecture. and was ripping ahead at a
great rate. Strange to say. close behind
the Magnanime came the Warspite and
the, old Dorsetshire, good English bottoms
UOtu. IHcE were pressing the FEelCn-
built ship hard, and it was easy to imagine
Howe's vexation at being thus overhauied
Favored by slant of wind, they
seemed to be. creeping up on their
rival, Of whom they had gained
considerably the weather gaze. To the
leeward Of these three was
the old Torby. also staggering
| Grafton was driving her for all she wa!
worth, and the old ship had lost no dis
| lance as compared with the rest. TIL.
Montagu and the Resolution and the res
were keeping well up, too. Around tn.
flag ship the other ships were taking sta
| tion in a accordance with their speed ant
tho skill Of their officers
! OF the ships to 1eeward of Hawke. TIN
| Union. with Vice Admiral Hardy's flag
followed by the Mars and the Hero. WEI,
| appreciably ahead Of the other ships O
! that division. It was doubtful, however
| in view Of their leeward and rearward 20
sition, whether they could get into ac
ton before night or no. It was a grea
race between the ships of the fleet. witt
victory, or death. shipwreck. destruction
the prize at the end Of it. And no keel
that ever ploukhed the ocean were eve
pushed harder than these with such end
in view. =
AS for the Royal George, old Gamble
! was driving her like mailman. The oil
| ccotcnmdn was beginning to lose hi
phlegmatic GOODNESS III the excitement q
the pursuit; indeed. he had quite lost /,
Though he still preserved an outward sem
blAnce Of calm. his soul was burning with
! IN him. and like most calm natures. hi
| emotions were the deeper and more power
full when they were finally aroused. Blu
| II he was not quite master OF his tempe,
| he was still master Of his ship-never NOR
| so--and the way he was sending he
along was nothing less than marvellous
| Hawkes. eyes sparkled with pleasure as
saw the results of Campbelrs seamanshir
He still kept all three of the topgallant
sails set, and he had actually flung GU
his maintopmast stunsail. The boom wa
bending like a whip in the fierce wind.
| In spite Of her great size-and she wa
one of the largest ships af1oat then-th
huge liner was being tossed about like ,
cork. With everything rap full. an
l drawing like a tide race, she plunged OF
row water and was thrown away fror
her broad bows in great sheets with ever
forward plunge. The leechains wer
dragged undeer the seething green sea
with every leeward roll. II was almos
Impossible to keep the feet, SO uneasy wa
I the ship.
Latterly the flagship had improved he
/ position under Campbells magnifcen
Z handling. so that she was about abeam 6
the Magnininne. although the latter shir
being far to windward with her consort,
had still greatly the advantage in tn
| chase But it was also evident that TIL
old Scotchman had said nothing less tina