The Bourbon news., 1904-11-15

now, monsieur.
Where from and whittier bound,
monsieur"
From Gibraltar to Portsmouth"
"On what errand?"
with dispatches, sir"
"Where are they?"
Overheard and sunk, SIR"
"Ha! And what of the fleet of Mon
sieur Boscawen?"
''I can tell you nothing OF that, SIR"
''Nor as to the contents of the dis
patches?"
Certainly not, sir!"-
"Humph! Your name. young sir.
and rank"
sPhilip Grafton, monsieur, a lieu
tenant in H. B. M. navy, lately First
of the Torbay, ship of the line, and
more recently commanding the
Boxer"
'Grafton!" exclaimed the other, sur
prised. "are you an EngIishman?"
mo, monsieur" answered the young
officer promptly and proudly, 81 am an
American. was born in Massachu-
setts.''
"And you are the son Of"
Admiral John Grafton, monsieur,
who commanded the colonial armed
ship Shirley"
cat the siege of Louisburg in 1745?"
''The same, sir"
did your father ever tell you of the
engagement he and one or two otner
private armed ships had with French
frigate seeking to enter the harbor?"
LA Renomme?" interrupted Grafton
| in great surprise at the others knowl-
edge. Certainly, monsieur, often.
Twas that fight, indeed, that won his
kings approval and gained him the
commission which was in turn passed
on to me-"
my faith, sir!" exclaimed the
French captain, smiling, "'twas a hot
fight indeed! ! never have seen a
better. He well deserved the COM
mission he won. No wonder that you
did not quail before ship of the line,
young man! You have in you the
mettle of your father"
did you know my father, sir?"
oohOQ III SlOdt
81 have heard him speak from the
iron throats of his guns, SIR
Then you are-?'
81 was the captain of La Renomme. 4"
'And your name is-?''
'Guy de Caetnampreu, Comte de
Kersaint de KeTguelen, Capitaine de
| Vaisseau of His Most Christian Mai
esty Louis XIV, whom God protect,
and very much at your service, mon
| sieur. Here is no case of prisoner and
enemy, gentlemen. The father fought
me, befriend the son. Is it not just,
messieurs?" asked Kersaint, turning
to his officers once more.
1t was Grafton who answered:
"'Tis more than justice, Monsieur
le Comte. it's kindness. indeedi"
'Nimporte, monsieur; 1 would that
could give you back your ship, but
that, OF course, is impossible, Never
theless, your captivity shall be made
as light as possible. We are bound in
for Brest, and this gentleman here"
indicating an old man in rich civilian
dress, who had surveyed the scene
with interest, 3is my most noble kins-
man, the Marquis de Chabot- -Rohan.
He will, l am sure, as my prospective
sailing thence in a few days debars
me from keeping you with me or ex-
tending you the hospitality of my poor
house, take you into his own chateau
until you are exchanged. Twill be a
pleasant prison, Sir, and there grows a
wild Breton rose within the walls. Is
it not so. Monsieur le Comte?"
Gas to the rose, cannot say. Mon
as to receiving him, certainly, de Ker-
saint" responded the old man just
addressed by the captain. 81 have a
soft spot in my heart for Americans,
as you know, since my only son hon.
ored himself by marrying a daughter
Of Virginia. land of brave men, mes
sieurs, and fair women. Helasi"
Monsieur le Marquis" quickly an
swered Grafton, who had not spent
some years of his life at court for
nothing. 'I thank you for your hos
pitality and congratulate you upon
the source from which it flows. / ac-
cept it gladly-roses and thorns as
we'll"
Monsieur, you honor me by your
acceptance. AS to the rose, Monsieur
de Kersaint speaks with the romantic
license of Brittany. 'Tis but a child,
monsieur, my little d-daughter
1 am the thorns-a dull old set, sure
ly," added the old man, smiling rather
grimly.
Faith, de Chabot, he who would
fain pluck your rose will find you
sharp enough, I'll warrant. Morbleu,
you haven't forgot that parry and re-
turn you taught me when 1 was a
boy and you young soldier. All,
messieurs, if any of you seek speedy
gentle death you may easily find it be-
fore the marquis point"
Gentlemen" smiled the old man,
''here is no thought of death, but the
tale Of little girl. Monsieur Graf
| ton"
| oro rczoc E.n1o-d ord