Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1904-10-18
CHAPTER I.
IN THE FOG OFF usHANr.

fault of astronomical observation,
that is where Lieut. Philip Grafton,
her commander. imagined his ship
to be. The Boxer was bound IN Tor
Portsmouth. England, with dispatches
from Admiral Boscawen, then COM
rnanding at Gibraltar. She had made
q quick passage from the Straits and
had met with no bad luck or misfor-
tune until she had run into the fog
near Belle Isle, since which time she
had been slowly working her way
northward, as the fitful breezes and
mist-hidden seas permitted. The dis
patches she bore were Of grave Inn
portance, and haste in their delivery
had been enjsined upon the young
commander. Therefore, he chafed
under the vexatious delays with all
the impatence Of sailor to whose
progress fogs and calms are obstacles
well-nigh insurmountable by his sea-
philosophy,
To his impatience was added q 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 feet nearer
than Gibraltar, swarmed with mem
of-war coming and going. At that
time no English blockade had been
established on the French sesboard,
and the ships Of the well 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; It
amounted to almost nothing In fact.
But when the fog lifted-unless II
were accompanied by a good breeze.
which would scarcely be likely at that
season of the year-the Boxer would
be at the mercy of anything of suffi-
Client size that happened along.
Though young In the service, Lieut..
Grafton had earned well-deserved
reputation for daring and skill, and
gladly would he have welcomed an
opportunity for 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
q victory. But vessel which would
at all match his own was not likely
to appear.
Grafton was one Of the few Ameri-
can provincialsin the royal naval serv-
Ice. 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 reward for his services on that
occasion-services by no means in
considerable--stout old John Grafton
had been given commission in the
kings navy, and was now a rear-ad-
miral, retired, living In the enjoy
ment of his honors in his ancestral
home in Massachusetts,. His 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 OBJ
tain high rank In the service.
On the morning Of the Sd OF July,
1854, the young captain was restlessly
pacing the weather side Of the small
quarterback Of his brig in close con-
sultation with his first lieutenant, a
kindred spirit, named Stanhope.
Dash me, John!" he exclaimed i'm
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 thing to tell
US where we are or where we are
drifting!"
"True, Capt. Grafton" answered thu
lieutenant, giving his superior his
courtesy title, "the fog's so thick YOU
could almost cut It. ! can't even see
the heel of the bowsprit for'ard. 'Tis
most annoying"
"Hark! what's that?" cried Graf
ton, stopping short and catching hii
subordinate by the arm. "There!'
pointing aft, didn't you hear It? A
ships bell!"
AS he spoke the sound Of bel
struck, in couplets, four times, came
family toward them through the gra!
mist-laden air Of the morning.
"Ay, surely, heard It," answered
Stanhope, turning about, lifting hi
hand to his ear as he spoke, and con
centrating his attention in the direc
ton of the sound.
Where do you make 1t to com'
from?"
"Why, about there, dead astern.
should say, sir" replied the other
poinhqg aft.
3 "Righ> o, Mr.. Stanhope. Pass the
word, quietly forward for the men tc
make no noise." said the captain
turning to the msdshipman on watch
"It's ten chances toeSs yon's French
ship"
Many Of the crew haA heard the
sound of the bell, and they \tood lis
tening with eager intentness h>zari-
Gus atatudes about thscdesks II ODE
Sdience to MeirA captains en oiY
sf them rsmainsasslM and Suie. 80, -.
ing his further oraess essr .S =
,,,s,. ms oSfi Of air famed the geek .
,a,Ns vatchful commander ,G
arhe breeze is coming, l 70
Ia 20 stanhope. "See!