The Cairo bulletin., 1904-08-11
CHAPTER III.
ENEMIES ARE FRIENDS.


all nations in the fine art of nava
construction at that time-had beer
lavished Upon lie These. The practi
cal ability of the designers, exhibited
in many novel and useful contriv
ances had been REINFORCED and moi
obscured by a lavish display of pol
ished metal work, ornamental fit.
tings and wood-carving, which would
have better suited royal yacht than
vessel of war.
AS Grafton came through the gang
way he was met by an officer and con-
Quoted aft to the high poop deck, upon
which brilliant group of officers were
collected about tall. splendid-looking
man in the prime of life, who was evil
IDENTIFY the commander of the ship.
Grafton stepped toward him, bowed
gracefully, and then, extending his
sword remarked in excellent French,
of which he was luckily thorough
master:
The fortune of war, monsieur, has
made my small vessel the prize of
your magnificent ship"
you are a bold man, young sir. and
in many nstances-perhaps most
your gallant attempt to escape by run
ming off before the wind woufd have
been successful returned the French
captain, ,magnanimously. Then, touch
ing the hilt of the young Americans
sword he added graeiously, bowling in
his turn: Retain your sword, mon
sieur | should be loath indeed TO de-
prive so brave a man of the weapon
which he has shown he knows how to
wear so wOrthily Sang diou!" he
added, relapsing into the patos of his
native province, " twas an impudent
thing. sir TO slap us in the face like
that when We first caught sishS of
you and then try to run for 1t. But
there are few keels laid down that LIE
Thesee cannot overhaul. | think.
Hey, messieurs?" he questioned, turn
ing to his officers, his remark being
received with acclamations of assent.
Young sir" he continued addressing
Grafton once more, will you give me
the name of your brig?"
III B. NJ brig Boxer-at least she
was his this morning She is yours
now. monsieur"
Where from and whittier bound,
monsieur"
From Gibraltar to Portsmouth"
"On what errand?"
with dispatches, sir"
"Where are they
"Overboard and sunk. sir"
"Ha. And what of the feet of Mon
sieur Boscawen?'
81 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"
phillip Grafton, monsieur, lieu
tenant in II. b. NJ 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 Englishman?"
mo monsieur" answered the young
officer promptly and proudly. Il am an |
American. was born in Massachu-
sets"
And you are the son OFF
Admiral John Grafton, monsieur
who commanded the colonial armed |
ship Shirley"
AT 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 .t
my faith. sir" exclaimed the
French captain. smiling. twas 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
meitle of your father"
did you know my father, sir?"
asked Grafton. in great surprise.
Il have heard him speak from the
iron Threats of his guns. SIR
Then you are"
Il was the captain of La Renomme."
And your name is
Guy de Caetnampreu. Comte de
kersaint de Kerguelen. Capitaine de
vaisseau Of His Most Christian Maj
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 IL not just,
Inessieurs?" asked Kersaint, turning
10 his officers once more.
II was Grafton who answered:
" It's more than justice. Monsieur
le Comte. tbs kindness. indeed
~Nimporte. monsieur: 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 BTest. and this gentleman herr"
in<fcafing an old man in rich civilian /