The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1904-01-02
In the Wasp's Nest:
BY CYRUS TOWNSEND BRADY s .E.
Copyright, 1902, by Charles scribner's sons.1
BY CYRUS TOWNSEND BRADY.
CHAPTER XVII.
Right Into the Face of the Enemy.

of this which course, difference
in the rate of sailing between the liner and the Wasp
Blakey concluded that he had done about all the dam
age to the convoy that he capable Of under the
wind on the quarter, the gallant little soop making
great way thru the
AS they were still within the most frequented wa
ters the globe nearly all the shipping trade of
the world at time another passed thru the Eng
channel lookeuts which were kept constantly
every masthead during day. were eagerly sweep
ing the horizon in direction. There stand
ing reward Of half eagle for every sail sighted which
doubled case vessel sighted enemy,
and the had been heard to that if their luck
states Scarcely day passed without their overhaul
ing some vessel, attempting to do and the
lures were many.
grumbling account of the lack prize money,
Bakely was unable to send in any of the ships he
tured He could not spare the in the first place,
the distance too great from home port in the
most certain risk of recapture from the British
sells which in latter part Is IA literally
off the American coast blocladng every harbor as.
they able in the most rigid way: Indeed, it
meant salvation for the British
enforce such blockade for the cruises Of the WASH
vivid examples of the damage that might be- and
would be, produced if the American ships allowed
to get free. .z..
The presence of that little American vessel n
the channel only by captures which she made but
by the ships which the fear Of her detained in their
harbors, the men who forced to lie idle, the de-
murrage charges up, to say nothing of the in
creased cost of insurance and valuable time lost by the
necessity for holding merchant ships until they could
be conveyed by vessels. which, case
the Armada were. not always equal the task as
scarcely possible to estimate.
B1akely had sent his report of the first part
cruise home from IOrient and, tho he had not
ceVed word, congress had imme diatey him gold
medal for the destruction Of the Reindeer and silver
medals to the officers and, usual $4,000 in prize
money to distribute among the officers and crew to
compensate them for the enforced of their
enemy The state of North Carolina, which claimed
him as son, had voted him a magnificent sword
Of all these things however, the Wasps people
nothing.
In Blakely's report Midshpman Boston, with other
young officers commended for conspicuous gal
lantry Bakey had considerably called youngster
into the cabin and read to him that portion Of his
letter to the secretary of the which
had been made, and the boy treading air.
You have your own, Mr.. Boston,,
said Bake1y at the time; ever been
able to find out what it is but making
which was given YOU the name of that stout old New
England city which you bear, of the most noted
those of officers of navy. I
know, sir, but that it is better to name, after
all, than to be born with one"
Yes, SIR answered Boston it's very nice to.
be born with At least think it would
you suppose I'll ever find anything out about my-my-
father, Captain Blakely?"
TIN afraid not, SIR answered the captain, ..yet
such things have happened he added seeing the boys
know; perhaps it may be solved there
'I hope So SIR answered Ned. Commodore Lit
tie the locket and ring when entered the
navy. He said perhaps I might need them sometime
that they might make me known
What have done with them?"
II always them around my on this little
chain
That's right that's right. Never be parted from
them on any account; and who knows what
cur? Now along deck and say nothing about my
mention of your name in the dispatches to
good officer sir, is always modest discreet
'.Ay ay, Sir. Thank you. SIR responded the de-
lighted boy.
Not at ALL, answered the captain mot at all. You
earned it,
But to return to the most eventfu n
of the ship. About o'clock in the evening four sail
sighted in quick succession Two them were
together far away the lee bow, and two of them
to windward in line ahead Trae to the sound
principles which had actuated him before, Blakely
Immediately hauled in chase the
most vessel. The ten-knot breeze a fine working
for the Wasp. She showed her sailing qualities in
regal style, making great speed the troublesome
!. little sea kicking up thru the fresh breeze
The two ships to leeward so rar away that
altho they appeared to be coming by wind in an
endeavor to beat toward the American ship,
disregarded them for the present. ships to
windward, one far ahead of the other In fact
the ship far from second that she
quite hull down from the Wasp, and atho. she
just before nightfal Investigate
what about to happen, it some. time so
the Americans calculated before she draw near