Waterbury evening Democrat., 1904-12-15
CHAPTER I.
IeS THE Foe orr UgHAMr.

the Breton littoraI. At least, in de- fault of astronomical observation, that is where Lieut.. Philip Grafton, her commander, imagined his ship to be. The Boxer was bound in for Portsmouth, England, with dispatches from Admiral Boscawen, then com manding at Gibraltar. She had made q quick passage from the Straits and had met with no bad luck or Inisfor- tune until she had run into the fog near Belle Isle. since which time she had been slowly working her way northward, as the fitfuI breezes and mist hidden seas permitted. The dis patches she bore were of grave im- portance, and haste in their delivery had been enjolned upon the young commander. Therefore, he chafed under the vexatious delays with all the impattence of sailor to whose progress fogs and calms are obstacles well-nigh insurmountable by his sea philosophy.
 To his impatience was added a vivid consciousness of probable and immi- nent danger, for the Boxer was drift ing about within easy striking dis tance of the great French naval de- pot of Brest, which was filled with the capital ships and cruisers of the enemy; and the narrow seas, in the absence of any English fleet nearer than Gibraltar, swarmed with men, of-war coming and going At that time no English blockade had been established on the French seaboard, and the ships of the "welI beloved'' king ran in and out of Brest at their pleasure
 So long as the fog held, the English brig was safe from observation and the danger of capture by a ship of su- perior force was minimized 1t amounted to almost nothing in fact. But when the fog lifted unless it were accompanied by good breeze, which would scarcely be likely at that season of the year-the Boxar oi1ld be at the mercy of anything of sum cient size that happened along. Though young in the ssfgless xsleut Grafton had eaTned . weil-des deseryetl reputation for daring and skin, and gladly would he have welcomed an opportunity for a brush with cruiser of force equal to, or even somewhat greater than, his own. English ships then were accustomed to giving odds: indeed, unless there was some prepon- derance in force in favor of the French; they took but little credit for victory. But a vessel which would at all match his own was not likely 10 appear.
 Grafton was one of the few Ameri- can proyinciaIs in the royal naval serv- fee. His father had been in command Of one of the armed vessels of the squadron of the colony of Massachu- setts which had done remarkably good work in Pepperell's successful campaign against Louisburg in 1745. As a reward for his services on that occasion- services by no means in- considerable stout old John Grafton had been given q commission in the kings navy. and was now a rear-ad- mfraI. retired, living in the enjoy ment of his honors in his ancestral homo in Massachusetts. Ills son, who had followed his fathers profession, also enjoyed the royal favor and had risen rapidly through the various grades of the naval service to the rank of lieutenant. He had, in his brief career, given evidence of superior ability, and it was thought with his Influence that he would eventually ob- tain high rank in the service.
 On the morning of the 3d of July, 1754, the young captain was restlessIy pacing the weather side of the small quarterback of his brig In close con suItation with his first lieutenant, a kindred spirit. named Stannope.
 Dash me, Johni" he exclaimed im- patiently, dropping the quarter-deck for the nonce, as they were out of hearing of everybody except an old seaman at the wheel, who had sailed with Grafton's father from boyhood and had, naturally, attached himself to the fortunes of the son. Dash me- but this is vexing! Here we lie toss Ing about like an empty bottle in these beastly swells and not a thing to tell us where we are or where we are drifting!''
 True, Capt Grafton answered the lieutenant, giving his superior his surtesy title, "the fog's so thick you ouId almost cut 1t. I can't even see a1e heel of the bowsprit for'ard. Iris most annoying"
 Hark! what's that2" cried Graf ton, stopping short and catching his subordinate by the arm. There!" " pointing aft, didn't you hear it? A ships bel1!'
 AS he spoke the sound of bell struck, in coupIets, four times, came faintly toward them through the gray raist-laden air of the morning.
 sAy, surely. heard 1t" answered stanhope, turning about. lifting hif hand to his ear as he spoke, and con- centrating his attention In the direc. ton Of the sound.
 Whsre do you make 1t to come from 7''
 why. about there. dead astern, should say. siEs replied the other pointing aft.