The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1903-11-13


stood before the captain and saluted.
His eyes fell tenderly upon the boys;
30 youthful and immature were they
to be charged with the heavy reSpon-
| sibilitieS of the coming hour, which
would have devolved 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. l am determined-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. l shall try to do
my part; you will, doubt not. do
! yours"
AYE, aye. sirr'
"We will. sir!"
"Count ON us to the death. sir"
! broke forth from the impetuous youths
who clustered about the captain.
Remember 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 a
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'Neillw cried one and an
other, the brave IriShman being a
great favorite with all.
Il enjoin upon you the utmost Wig
lance and care. Supplement your in
experience by redoubled effort. Be as
brave as youths and 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 men. They are a hard lot to
handle. Don't lose control of them"
He paused 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
the prisoners below. the enemies yOn-
der on the sea and disobedience in our
own squadron. Who keeps guard over
the prisoners in the hold?
81, sir, with the master at arms"
answered Payne, a resolute looking
youth of fifteen, 81 wanted to be on
deck in the batteries, sir
you could have no more important
station, my lad" replied the captain.
"Keep them under matches! Do not
hesitate to shoot the first man who
makes a move to break out! They
must not be allowed to gain the deck
At all hazards keep them down!
repeat it, sir, keep them down! Do
you understands"
Eyes, SIR" gravely answered the boy,
| awed by the emphasis of the captains
| manner
"You, Mr.. Mayrant with Mr.. Mease,
the purser, and Mr.. Brooks, will re-
main on deck with Mr. Stacey and
me-" continued the captain. you, Mr..
McCollin. will take charge Of the old
Is Founders on the berth deck! You,
, too. have post Of danger! Be careful
=
they must be tried"
AYE, aye, sir. Thank you. sir" said
the young midshipnan, delighted al
being thus distinguished.
"Mr. Caswell," he added, turning to
the largest and oldest, you will take
charge of tie forecastle. Mr. Fan
ming, confide the maintop to you. The
of hn
divisions in the main batteries and the
other tops. Now, young gentlemen
before you go to your stations l would
take you by The hand. And so,' lifting
his cooked hat reverently, an example
all present followed, may God guard
the rightr' There was a suspicious
moisture in some of the eyes looking
upon the captain, but the midshipmer
would have died rather than permit
an actual tear to be seen.
"Three cheers for Commodore Jones
and the bully Richardr' at last shouted
Payne, breaking the insupportable 81
lence. The little party, somewhat for
getful of discipline for the moment
crowded around their captain, shaking
him by the hand, and turned away
They had come up 10 the quarter deck
rollicking set of boys. They returned
from it a group of grave eyed men,
What a splendid set of youngsters
said Jones to himself as he watched
them spring lightly toward their sta.
tions. Then he turned toward the
sailing master. "Mr. Stacey, take the
deck for few moments and hold OH
as we are Ahr he said. pausing with
his foot OH the ladder as he saw the
Pallas, much swifter sailer than the
Richard, rushing by on the starboard
side with every breadth of canvas
drawing. heading for the smaller of
the two English ships before them,
there goes the Pallas. Cottincau at
least is a brave man. / shall re-
member him. Come, Dale" AS he
stepped down the ladder hearty cheer
rang out from the passing frigate
which, without order, was Justify re-
turned from the Richard, and then the
two officers walked through the bat
teries.
The sun had set for some time. and
night had long since fallen over the
sea. The lighthouse on Marlborough
head was sending out great beam of
warning from that jutting point. Far
on the horizon silvery brightness had
spread itself in the heavens, bespeak-
ing the harvest moon, the FURNISHED
rim of which even before sunset had
leaped into being on the edge of the
water. Lights twinkled here and there
on the English ships before them and
cror,nnd tho hills of the diStant town