Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1904-12-15
CHAPTER NNNII.
rr7r ADMIRAL GETS THE NEWS.

L. 1859 The Maidstone was
gently swinging into Torbay
The wind, which had been blowing
hard from the southwest during the
night. had moderated until il was now
gentle breeze. 50 that every cloth
Of canvas. including her studding-
sails was spread on the frisate TO
catch and hold the light air. Graf
ton and Hatfield stood on the weather
veynE the rOadstead
The harbor was crowded with great
ships of the line. huge monsters,
SWINGING to their anchors. prows
pointed ont TO sea under the incoming
tide. now at fun food. The one near
ost TO the Maidstone. and consequently
the farttest from the shore. was a
magnificent vessel Of hree decks, car
ryine 100 guns. From her msin-mast-
head iAtnal blue flag could be seen
f'utterinF. which denoted the rank Of
the commander of the fleet, a full adj
miral
The different ships Of this great
armada With nice seamanship had
been anchored in their appointed
places. and all were in beautiful or
der. Their sails were furled with the
taut smoOthness OF glove on lady 5
land. and their ponderous yards
square with geometiicai accuracy.
Their complicated tracery of rigging
and running gear tautcned with math-
ematical nicely and soaring alof- from
tho mass Of black and heavy shroud:
and SWifters snringinC from top,
Cross-tree and yard-arm. in ever-re-
fining and more delicate lines, rose
higher and higher until il was TO-
cHsed upon the truck lends of the slen-
der skysai poles which terminated
the pcnderous and towering spars.
Though weather-heaten and storm
worn, they seemed fit for any emer-
sency Like the veterans of an army,
could be made upon them, and they
100 ed il. There was a sense Of use
of habit. of action IF power conveyed
in their stately reposa on the un-
ruflled surface OF the water that morn
an, a. .,,,,, ,,,, ,.h
,'au oaaton,rIa. ,hor win nride
w., ao,inhr
iorv ard OF tie Maidstone the fore
royal halliarc5 had been settled away
as she Dire, u the roads. and her
number haG heeu made al the fore
royal masth al. When it had been
I, ,l-,,cu-I do a on, tho i1oogl1,;, tho l. .
~N'' W., VS. VI sa H., fni ant -
ano4,, u,,1 hor Ia ~, accor,,. -,
,ha ro.i, ,|',h. ADMIRAL shin n.
n'...oI caorac vol, ~, adyonca 81 III,
.o. - t.a 'on,dr,,. ,h.r. r.o.. o,o,ie
, Co.. rrat.,, 80 nor.o hoIdl,. =,
,,lI viii a. eto,a{r., .,,oa,. r.
as .,,.I.. 80, o,,lI, ,,o,,o ,,.i+i,o,,,
i.......;., ,,.4,h 49,. ,.+lo, rt.i, j., -
Hrrt.
The Iaids.1lA made a superb pie
tVre from The faeshi. There was
sI1t wind enONg TO fill every sail ~ &.
full ana she siipp-3 easily through
the Water, rocking and pitching as
gently, aG nOiselcst r, as summer
cloud dyiVeG across the sky by scarce
felt bre"ze3. The" were drawin-
nearer tC the Rc& George with ever
momen, though sun far from her
Now they Wer9 lappinS her head
hooms no" the We're abreast OF th'
foreoastle 1t was time,
Right the helm stand by tn
sjarhoard anchor Man the spanke
brails, Let go the Starboard anchor
Brazil in,
With 4 mighty plunge the great an
chor dropped into the still waters 0
the bay. The tempen cable rushc'
through the haWse-pipes. the shi
sureed sloWlg ahead a moment. an
then, her way checked by the pull .
the cable and the flooding tide as wei
she stopped, settled back, and slowl
d.,,,o., ,,., ..-,.. 49,, ,.,,.,,,,,
~ t,,,' ,Ia cta ho.
,a,,,1 49, .a'., '.ho,I
10 :. .,', -, 49,.
l.. AK te ~. -" ' .,,i,. 49, ~.
an - ' .'., nIog. ,a,,
,,,,,, -, =
-, wv =
- =,
eni,a. -l'o.'19 80
=, ''0", '"'' ,'',''' 49,.
'-97'''9, ,a
'-'9' 49,
~ 49, w Wv "i"'PlhS van as"