Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1904-12-15

them side by side, left them to fight
II out unhindered. Never were two
ships more fairly and equally matched
In size, gun power, crew and captain.
Grafton had no personal animosity
toward de Kersaint On the contrary.
he had pursued him as foeman en-
tirely worthy OF his steel. He knew
the man. and that he would certainly
be found in the thick Of the action.
lie trusted to compel him to strike,
in which case he could at once obtain
possession of Anne--and that was the
guiding hope of his heart Other cap
tains might be fighting for duty alone,
or for the sheer love of the combat;
he was swayed by all Of these emo
lions. but he fought for love, too--for
woman. his wife.
He resolutey put out of his mind
the peril she would be in. He had to
do it. To dwell upon it would have
llnnerved him Like most men of ac-
ton he was something Of fatalst,
and he believed that Providence. which
had brought about the present state of
affairs. would inevitably bring them
together again happily in the end.
He knew that some one had to fire
upon lie Thesee. and he preferred to
do it himself He treasured himself
by thinking that Anne was slowed
away safely in the chainlockers-
which was true--and that her peril
would not be great
AT any rate, he found himself at last
alongside his desire. but to leeward, a
fact which, though be deplored 1t at
the time. afterward turned out fortu-
nately for him Tho leeward ship
practically has to await the decision
OF the weather ship, which may attack
at pleasure, hence the advantage of
the windward position. The wind
ward enemy may attack or wait. the
lecward must wait or run
De Kersaint had no idea of retreat
ing, however, His national hatred of
all Englishmeu had at last got itself
localized and was correspondingly
deadly and bitter He had learned
indeed. ii had been impossible to con-
ceal 1t from him--that his promised
bride had been nlarried 20 Capt. Graf
ton. He hoped and Intended to kill
the Englishman sometime, perhaps on
that day of battle, and then marry the
woman he loved, as II that previous
marriage had never taken place. Her
loss only intensified his love for her
She did not love him evidently; in
deed, she made no secret OF her love
for her husband Wha' mattered it?
The passion Of the ola makes up in
intensity and persistence for the lost
opportunities of youth The folles of
love--the greatest follies that is. after
all-are the folles not Of youth, but Of
old age' He would have her, anyway,
with or without her love. in the end.
De Kersaint had surnllseG that Graf
ton would certainly b. Ipon one OF the
ships Of HaW kes nect. though upon
which one he could not of course, de-
termine.
The two ships wcrr very close to-
sether before they cu-aged each re-
serving his fire for a 5mashing blow,
and the men On the pOOp-decks were
already clearly visible to each other.
Grafton could sae the huge form OF de
kersaint standrs To aeward looking
at the TOrbay as She came up BY
his side stood til tail, thin form OF
the old marquis. Benin him rose
the burly person OF faithful Jean
Renaud
They Lad embarked as the marquis
mad declared then. In order no get a
better view OF them Grafton speang w
IN he rail. and, stcalying hin self by
he backstay, stared hard at the little
group on lie These Where was his
wife. he wondered with word Of
quick prayer. Ana ETY. unspeakable
illed his soul
AT the same nOmon' the Frenchmen
recognized him TIL marquis pointed
him out to de keT-aint. The count
flung his hand to Heaven in gesture
half of rapture, hal Of prayer. and
shouted An order for Lc Thesee 10 put
sp her helm and swing toward the
Torbay Joy was in the Breton's heart
and savage Determination. The oppor-
tunity he had prayed Tor was granted
him.
He's coming." cried Grafton to the
men of his staff, as he saw the move
ment ITO the battoros, gentlemen,
Tell them to be ready BY Heaven.
he's opening his mDuV-deck ports in
such a sea. Wen not be outdone by
him And his is be- greater risk.
Have our main batteries scaled"
He welcomed the attack with fierce
pleasure; the distraction of action
alone saved him fl.M breaking his
heart. A short spa Of water and
two wooden walls seu4rated him from
his wife--so little, " he water was
dashed into mad Turbulence by the
tempest and the wooden walls were
pierced by 100 guns eady to sweep
him from the sea he would have
her.
Both ships were, O. course, heeled
to the wind but lie esee, being to
windward, was forccd 10 fight her lee
battery, and the ma deck ports as
she lay over under The furious gale,
were so close to the waves that the
waters splashed and rppled over the
port-sills with every roll. 1t was reck-
less tritling with tee deadliest of
perils, but that he could do so indi-
Gated the emotions al mating the soul
OF the French captan Grafton, be-
ing to ieeward, fought his windward
guns and the molina Of the shin