Waterbury evening Democrat., 1904-07-02

\ 'Tt happened this way, sir:1We were
 off Cape Cod, heading northwest by l west for Boston, about a week ago. close hauled on the starboard tack in a half gale of wind. Your honor knows what the starboard tack is?" "Yes, yes. certainly; go on" "When about three bells in the after noon watch--your honor knows what three bells-- Aye, aye, sir,' continued the seaman, noting the generals impa- ttent nod. "Well, sir, we spied large E sail coming down on us fast We ran off free, she following. Pretty soon we made her out frigate, heavy frigate of thirty six guns, and fast one, too, for she rapidly overhauled us. We cracked on sail, even setting the top mast stunsail, till it blew away. Then we cut away bulwarks and rails, fiat tened the sails by jiggers on the sheets and halyards until they set like boards, pumped her out, cut adrift the boats, | cut away anchors, but 1t wasn't any use; she kept a-gaining on us. By and 1 by we came to Georges shoal, extend ing about three leagues across our course to the southeast of Cape Cod. There is pass through the shoal. Lieutenant Seymour knows 1t; we sur veyed it this last summer. We brought the ship to on the wind on the same tack again, near the shoal, and ran for the mouth of the pass. The frigate edged off to run us down. Lieutenant Talbot broke out q fieldpiece from the hold and mounted it as stern chaser, and used it too"
 Good! Well done" said the general, nodding approvingly. "Go on"
 We came to the mouth of the pass. The frigate fired broadside. One shot carried away the mizzen topgal- lant mast; another sent shower of splinters inboard, killing the man at the wheel The ship falls off and en- ters the pass. seize the helm. MT. Seymour conned us through. The frigate chased madly after us. She sees the breakers; she can't follow us, draws too much water. She makes an effort to back off. It is too late; she strikes. The wind rises to a heavy gale, We sec her go to pieces, and never a soul left to tell the story. never plank of her that hangs together. i your honor and may God have mercy on their souls, say l." added the sol emn voice of the boatswain in the si- lence.
 "A frightful catastrophe, indeed, and a terrible one! l do not wonder at your sadness. But. young gentlemen, do not take it so to heart. It is the fate of war, and war is always fright full"
 Did you find out the name of the ship, boatswain?' asked General Greene.
 Yes, your honor the Radnor thirty six"
 Could no one have been saved?' queried General Knox.
 No one. sir No boat could have lived in that sea moment We could not put back. could do no good if we had and so we came on to Philadel- phia, and that's all.''
 No, general" cried Seymour; "it's not nll! We will tell the general the whole story, Talbot Aou remember, sir, the raid .on the Wilton place and the capture of the colonel and his daughter?" The general nodded. "Well sir, before the Ranger sailed I received note from Miss Wilton say ing they were to be sent to England in the Radnor."
 ''You received the note? l thought she was Mr Talbot's betrothed, MT. Seymour"
 T thought so too, general, but it seems that we are both wrong. Lieu tenant Seymour captured her during his visit there with Colonel Wilton" said Talbot. with a faint smile
 '.i am very sorry for you, Talbot, and you are fortunate man, Mir. Sey mour, But go on. We are all friends here. Did you say they were to go on the Radnor?"
 "Yes, sir. The pursuing frigate was recognized by one of my men, who had been pressed and fogged while on her, ns the Radnor, the ship on which they were I heard the man say so just as we neared the reef. To 20 through the pass was to lead the English ship to destruction and cause the death of those we--of the colonel. sir con- tinued Seymour In some confusion. . Il was to lose the ship and all 1t meant for our cause. I could not decide l say frankly could not condemn those -Four friends to death, and I could not lose the ship either This old man knew it all. He has known me from q child He spoke out boldly and laid my duty before me and pleaded with me-
 He did not need 1t, your honor. No, sir; he would have done it anyway" interrupted Bentley.
 The general took tho hand of the em- barrassed old boatswain and shook 1t warmly; then, fixing his glowing eyes upon the two young men, said:
 Continue, MT. Seymour"
 "I know not what I might have done, but, the old seamans appeal to my honor decided me. went aft with horror in my heart, but resolved to do my duty. On. my way there took out of my pocket the little note re-
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