Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1904-01-15

wheel dye see those two ships|'
aye, aye, sir" answered the veteran
tar, shading his eyes with his hand
and peering eagerly ahead. Il sees
'eIn, Yer honor"
That's well. Tie one ahead, near
est the shore, IS our mark. | intend
to round to Oh her port bow. Mind
your course"
VERY good, SIR" answered the steers
man. giving a knowing squint at the
lifting sails and shifting the wheel n
few spokes.
NOW, gentlemen" continued the
captain, Ito your stations all. But
stay-Mr Brooks, direct the sailing
master, purser and the junior officers
to come up on the quarter deck"
In short time the two older officers
and a little band of youths whose ages
ranged from twelve to seventeen years
stood before the captain and saluted.
His eyes fell tenderly upon the boys;
SO youthful and immature We're they
to be charged with the heavy respOn-
sibilities Of the coming hour, which
would have devolved upon the older
men but for theif unfortunate absence.
young gentlemen" he said quietly,
accident has thrust you into positions
Of great responsibility which other
wise you might not have been called
upon to fill for years. We are about
to engage two powerful ships Of the
enemy. The Richard is heavily over
matched in everything except in the
spirit and courage of her officers and
men. l am determined-nay, we are
all determined, are we not?-that the
flag which floats above us shall never
be struck. We may be sunk, but We
will not surrender. l shall try to do
my part; you will, I doubt not, do
yours"
AYE, aye, sir!'
1--WE will, sir"
Count on us to the death, sir"
broke forth from the impetuous youths
who clustered about the captain.
Remember that we are fighting not
only to uphold the honor Of our Gag
in the face of the most arrogant navy
on the ocean, but to rescue from a
shameful death-if 1t be not unhappily
too late-one Of our brother officers
who would give his life to be here"
"O'Neill, O'Neill" cried one and an
other, the brave Irishman being a
great favorite with all.
II enjoin upon you the utmost Wig
lance and care. Supplement your in
experience by redoubled effort. Be as
brave as youths and as cool as veter-
ans. Give implicit obedience to the
orders you receive from Mr.. Dale, Mr..
Stacey or from me, and exact the same
compliance with your orders from
your men. They are a hard lot to
handle. Don't lose control Of them"
He paused moment, scanning the in
tent faces Of the lads close about him.
and then continued: Remember, too,
we have more than one foe to fight
the prisoners below, the enemies yon-
der on the sea and disobedience in our
own squadron. Who keeps guard over
the prisoners in the holdr'
II, sir, with the master at arms"
answered Payne, a resolute looking
youth Of fifteen, II wanted to be on
deck in the batteries, sir
"You could have no more important
station, my lad" replied the captain.
keep them under hatchesl Do not
hesitate to shoot the first man whe
makes q move to break out! They
must not be allowed to gain the deck.
At all hazards keep them down! !
repeat II, sir, keep them down! Do
you understands
Eyes, SIR" gravely answered the boy.
awed by the emphasis Of the captains
manner.
"You, Mr.. Mayrant, with Mr.. Mease
the purser, and Mr.. Brooks, will re-
main on deck with Mr.. Stacey and
me-" continued the captain. you, M
McCellin, will take charge Of the ole
IS Founders on the berth deck! You
too. have a post of danger! Be carefr
Of them! distrust them greatly, yet
they must be tried"
AYE, aye, sir. Thank you, sir" said
the young midshipman. delighted at
being thus distinguished.
'Mr. Caswell" he added, turning to
the largest and Oldest, you will take
charge of the forecastle. Mr.. Fan
ming, conf1de the maintop to you. The
rest Of you will command the several
divisions In the main batteries and the
other tops. Now, young gentlemen,
before you 60 to your stations I would
take you by the hand. And So" lifting
his cooked hat reverently. an example
oil present followed, may God guard
the rightv' There was u suspicious
moisture in some Of the eyes looking
upon the captain. but the midshipmen
would have died rather than permit
IN actual tear to be seen.
Three cheers for Commodore Jones
and the bully Richard" at last shouted
Payne, breaking the insupportable 81
lence. The little party. somewhat for.
getful Of discipline for the moment
crowded around their captain, shaking
him by the hand, and turned away
| They had come up to the quarter deck
a rollicking set of boys. They returned
from 1t q group of grave eyed men.
| what a splendid set Of youngsters!
said Jones to himself as he watched
them spring lightly toward their sta
tons. Then he turned toward the
sailing master. "Mr. Stacey, take the
deck for a few moments and hold on
as we are. Abr he said, pausing with
his foot ON the ladder as he saw the
Pallas, q much swifter sailer than the
Richard, rushing by on the starboard
side with every breadth Of canvas
drawing. heading for the smaller OF
the two English ships before them
there goes the Pallas. Cottineau al
least is a brave man. shall ne
member him. Come, Dale" AS be
stepped down the ladder a hearty cheer
rang out from the passing frigate
which, without order. was Justify re-
turned from the Richard, and then the
two officers walked through the bat
teries.
The sun had set for some time, and
night had long since fallen over the
sea. The lighthouse on Marlborough
head was sending out a great beam Of
warning from that jutting point. Fal
on the horizon a silvery brightness had
spread itself In the heavens, bespeak
| ing tho harvest mOon tho Furnished