Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1904-08-18

In spite of the promptness with
which Grafton's order had been carried
out, and the advantage gained there
by, the brig was still within easy
range of all but the highest guns of
the French ship. Since the weather
was mild, 1t permitted the lower deck
ports to be opened and her heaviest
guns to be used. AS the Boxer pre-
sented her stern to her huge antagon-
list, the latter was suddenly wreathed
with fire and smoke. The thunderous
roar of her discharge could have been
heard for miles. Her captain took no
chance, every gun that bore was dis
charged at the doomed vessel.
A tempest of iron came hurtling
aboard the brig. She was like an egg
shell under trip-hammer, From
trim and saucy little vessel she was
reduced in the twinkling Of an eye to
wreck. The main-mast was carried
away few feet above the deck, the
foretop-mast was hanging up and
down the foremost nearly every
SuTOuu duu stay udu uCSl PAL lCo. uS
stern of the brig had been beaten in.
Her boats were cut to pieces, and the
decks were filled with dead and
wounded, poor Stanhope among the
former-a round shot had taken off
his head. Old Jabez, unhurt, still
clasped the wheel. The foresail,
though almost cut to ribbons, still held
little wind, and the brig wallowed
slowly ahead through the water.
Good God!" exclaimed Grafton,
who had come off scatheless, dazed at
the failure of his effort and the deadly
price he had paid so fruitlessly, how
horrible!"
1t had been a gallant attempt. In
deed, the only possibility of escape had
been that he had tried. 1t had failed
owing to the preparedness and good
judgment Of the French captain.
There were not ten sailors in France
who could have done SO well as he.
With almost any one else opposing
him, Grafton might have escaped. But
now his brig was a wreck beneath him.
There was nothing left for him but to
surrender. Throwing his weighted
bag of dispatches overheard, he drew
a handkerchief fron his pocket and
waved 1t toward his enemy.
Seeing the hopeless and helpless con-
dition Of her quarry, the French ship
of the line swept gracefully up into
the wind by che side of the broken
brig. Her way was checked, her pom
derous yards swung, and she hove-to
short distance off. A magnificent pic
ture she presented, with her frowning
tiers of guns. her lofty pyramids Of
sails, her decks crowded with brilliant
ly uniformed officers.
The French could plainly see that
there was no boat left on the Boxer;
therefore, in few moments, heavy
cutter was swung from the davits of
the liner and lowered into the water.
Presently an officer, attended by sur
geon and surgeons maze. stepped on
the deck of the brig.
"You speak French, monsieur"
asked the officer of Grafton, who stood
in the gangway to receive him.
Eyes, sir" answered the American.
bowling.
"And you are-?'
Lieut.. Philip Grafton, commanding
his Britannia majesty's late brig
Boxer. And you ARE"
Lieut.. st. Andre du Verger, of his
most christian majesty's ship-of-the-
line LIE Theeee, commanded by NJ. lie
Comte de Kersaint de Kerguelen."
II am at your SERVICE monsieur.
The fortune of war has made me your
prisoner"
IN. de Kersaint desires that you re-
pair on board his ship at once, mon
sieur."
Willingly, M. du verger." said
Grafton, striving CALAMITY to hide his
sadness at this bitter ending of his
cruise. "At your orders. Will you
see to the poor fellows leave here?"
with pleasure, M. lie Capitaine I
have brought a surgeon and a sur
geou's mate for the purpose"