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

GlNlo LIN l. -aS-4hi1sN1 VI "A
SHIP.
"A W.EANWHILE, what of Graf
ME ton and the Torbay? He
IVh first engaged La Formid-
able and poured his broad
sides into L'Heros and lie Magni-
fique, and had successfully ham
mered his way through the French rear
until he brought his vessel alongside
LIE These.
De Kersaint had well and worthily
upheld his reputation as skilled sea-
man and great fighter upon that
day, and all of the advancing British
ships bore the marks of his prowess.
It SO happened that neither LIE These
nor the Torbay had been materially
injured in their previous fighting, and
1t also happened that the chance ar
rangements of the battle, which placed
them side by side, left them to fight
it out unhindered. Never were two
ships more fairly and equally matched
in size, gun power, crew and captain.
Grafton had no personal animosity
toward de Kersaint. On the contrary,
he had pursued him as foeman en-
tirely worthy of his steel. He knew
the man, and that he would certainly
be found in the thick of the action.
He trusted to compel him to strike,
in which case he could at once obtain
possession of Anne-and that was the
guiding hope of his heart. Other cap
tains might be fighting for duty alone,
or for the sheer love of the combat
he was swayed by all of these emo
tions, but he fought for love, too-for
woman, his wife!
He resolutely put oct of his mind
the peril she would be in. He had to
do it. To dwell upon it would have
unnerved him. Like most men of ac-
ton, he was something of fatalist,
and he believed that Providence, which
had brought about the present state of
affairs, would inevitably bring them
together again happily in the end.
He knew that some one had to fire
upon LIE These, and he preferred to
do it himself. He treasured himself
by thinking that Anne was slowed
away safely in the chain-lockers-
which was true-and that her peril
would not be great.
At any rate, he found himself at last
alongside his desire, but to leeward, a
fact which, though he deplored it at
the time, afterward turned out fortu-
nately for him. The leeward ship
practically has to await the decision
of the weather ship, which may attack
at pleasure, hence the advantage Of
the windward position. The wind
ward enemy may attack or wait, the
leeward must wait or run.
De Kersaint had no idea of retreat
ing, however. His national hatred of
all Englishmen had at last got itself
localized and was correspondingly
deadly and bitter. He had learned
indeed, it had been impossible to con-
ceal it from him-that his promised
bride had been married to Capt Graf
ton. He hoped and intended to kill
the Englishman sometime, perhaps on
that day of battle, and then marry the
woman he loved, as if that previous
marriage had never taken place. Her
loss only intensified his love for her.
She did not love him, evidently; in
deed, she made no secret of her love
for her husband. What mattered it?
The passion of the old makes up in
intensity and persistence for the lost
opportunities Of youth. The follies of
love-the greatest follies, that is, after
all-are the follies not of youth, but of
old age! He would have her, anyway,
with or without her love, in the end.
De Kersaint had surmised that Graf
ton would certainly be upon one of the
ships of Hawkes. fleet. though upon
which one he could not, of course, de-
termine.
The two ships were very Close to-
gether before they engaged, each re-
serving his fire for smashing blow,
and the men on the poop-decks were
already clearly visible to each other.
Grafton could see the huge form of de
Kersaint standing to leeward, looking
at the Torbay as she came up. BY
his side stood the tall, thin form of
the old marquis. Behind him rose
the Durly person of faithful Jean
| Renaud
They had embarked, as the marquis
had declared. then. In order to get a
better view of them Grafton sprang up
on the rail, and, steadying himself by
| the backstay, stared hard at the little
group on LIE Thesee. Where was his
| wife, he wondered, with word OF
quick prayer. Anxiety unspeakable
filled his soul.
At the same moment the Frenchmen
recognized him. The marquis pointed
him out to de Kersaint. The count
flung his hand to Heaven in gesture
half of rapture. half of prayer, and
shouted an order for lie These to put
up her helm and swing toward the
Torbay Joy was In the Breton's heart
and savage determination. The oppor-