Morris tribune. [volume] (Morris, Minn.) 1880-2000, 1904-01-09
6osvnSend Brady,


| your course"
Every good. sir" answered the steers
man, giving a knowing squint at the
lifting sails. and shifting the wheel a
few spOkes.
"Now. gentlemen continued the
captain, 'to 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 were they
to be charged with the heavy respon-
sibilities Of the coming hour, which
would have devolved upon the older
men but for their 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. 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. sirv'
'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 flag
in the face of the most arrogant navy
on the ocean, but to rescue from
shameful death-if it be not unhappily
! too late-one Of our brother officers
who would give his life to be here"
"O'Neill. O'Neillv' cried one and an
other, the brave Irishman being
great favOrite with all.
81 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 a 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 hold?'
81, sir, with the master at arms"
answered Payne, resolute looking
youth of fifteen, Il wanted to be on
, deck in the batteries, sir
"You could have no more important
station, my Iad," replied the captain.
Keep them under matches! Do not
hesitate to shoot the first man who
makes a move to break out! They
must not be allowed to gain the deck.
At all hazards keep them down! l
repeat it. sir. keep them down! Do
you understand"
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, Mr..
McCollin, will take charge Of the old
Is Founders on the berth deck! You.
too have a post Of danger! Be careful
IF them! ] distrust them greatly, yet
hey must hs tried"
"Aye, aye, sir. Thank you, sir" said
the young midshipman, delighted at
being thus distinguished.
"Mr. Caswell," he add4k, turning to
the largest and oldest, you will take
charge of the forecastle. Mr.. Fan
ming, confide 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 go to your stations would
take you blythe hand. And So" lifting
his cooked hat reverently, an example
! all present followed, may God guard
| the rightp' There was suspicious
moisture in some Of the eyes looking
upon the captain, but the midshipmen
would have died rather than permit
/ an 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 it group of grave eyed men. ~
what III splendid set Of youngsters"
said Jones to himself as he watched
I them spring lightly toward their sta
lions. Then he turned toward the
sailing master. "Mr. Stacey, take the
deck for few moments and hold on
as we are. Ah!" he said, pausing with
his foot on the ladder as he saw the