Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1904-09-24

Hawke read his
NN/ dispatches and learned
" " therein of Grafton's
services, with Saun-
ders' commentator of them and his
recommendation, he forthwith sur
prised the young American. The for
mer captain Of the Torhay had died
few days before and no one had yet
been designated to command her, for
tunately for Grafton, for Hawke imme-
diately appointed him to the ship. To
anticipate, it was an appointment
which met with the favor of the ships
crew and the junior officers, with many
OF whom Grafton had previously
served. He had been first lieutenant
of the Torbay. in fact. In other days,
and he was therefore thoroughly ia
miliar with the qualities of the ship.
He brought no one with him to his
new command save Jabez Slocum.
While waiting for the assembling Of
his captains in the cabin of the Royal
George, Hawke had sunk the COM
mander in the friend in his intercourse
with Grafton. Indeed. he had always
taken a fatherly interest in that young
sailor. From him he heard again. and
at full length now. the details Of that
marvellous Quebec campaign. From
him he also learned the story of his
romantic love affair. He entered with
the zest of boy into the spirit of the
hardy and daring ascent Of the dark
tower and the exciting adventures
which followed upon 1t.
my lad" he exclaimed at last. "if
your wife Is on the French fleet you
shall have her, by Heaven, if we have
to sink every ship N the squadron I'M
til we get her!"
II have no doubt that she will be
with them, admiral" answered Graf
ton. IF know the Marquis de
Chabot-Rohan, he is not man to say
things and then fail to do them.
imagine she will be on lie These. That
is the ship of the Comte de Kersaint,
who was hetrothed to her, you know,
before married her."
He was as yet so little accustomed
to his new relationship that he Stun
hled over the significant word
Eyes," said the admiral, IT have
heard that he Is one of the best sea-
men and officers in the French navy"
'Tis true, sir. can bear testimony
to 1t. He captured me in the Boxer
with this same ship five years ago, and
got to know him then He knew my
father, too, and once fought him. The
Renomme and the Shirley, you know
He's fighter. But If can get along
side of him with the old Torbay, sir,
I think we can show him thing or
two
II know you can" added Hawke,
smiling, "and I shall do my best to
help you and give you chance. AS
soon as we get out Of the channel We'll
spread apart. have 2S ships Of tho
line and two frigates here, and we
ought to cover miles Of the horizon
AS the wind is from the eastward this
morning, Contains will probably get
away at the same time we do. in
tend to push hard for Belleisle.
can't afford to wait for Saunders
though tits generous offer he makes
me. BY the way" he added, as sud-
den thought struck him, II must send
frigate out at once to warn Duff
There is squadron of one capital and
four 50-gun ships, besides some frig-
ates, down there. I hope it's not too
late"
AS the admiral reached over to strike
a bell on the table, Grafton interrupts
ed him.
BEG pardon, Sir Edward" he ex-
claimed, Eve already taken the lib
erty of doing that"
'You have" exclaimed the admiral
in establishment. When? How"
"Why, Sir, yesterday afternoon we
overhauled the frigate Vengeance,
Capt. Nightingale, and I told him
what had learned, and at my sugges-
ton he agreed to Hsat down for Qui-
boron and warn Commodore Duff. !
was to come on here and tell you, and
as we were sure as to your action.
Nightingale was to tell Duff that you'd
be hard on the heels of Monsieur de
Contains"
You have done well, exceedingly
well, young man."
Yes, sir, thank you sir" murmured
Grafton. Trained in your own
school, sir, you hnow."
We'll, you've been an apt pupil,
Grafton, and I'm proud of you. If you
do as well with the Torbay you'll have
flag before you know it."
In this story, as originally printed
in book form, Or. Brady gives graphic
and detailed description Of the battle