Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1904-10-27

your magnificent ship"
you are bold man, young sir, and
in many neutrality-suspicious. most
your gallant attempt to escape by rum
ming off before the wind wouid nave
been successful" returned the French
captain, magnanimously. Then. touch
ing the hlt Of the young Americans
sword he added graciously, bowling in
his turn: Retain your sword, mon
sieur, | should be loath indeed to de-
prive so brave man of the weapon
which he has shown ne knows how to
wear so worthily. Sang diou!" he
added. relapsing into the patois of his
native province, twas an impudent
thing sir, to slap us in the face lille
that when we first caught sigh of
you. and then try to run for it, 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"
I.
was his this morning. She is yours
now, monsieur.
where from and whittier bound,
monsieur"
Prom Gibraltar to Portsmouth"
con what orrand?"
with dispatches. sir"
"Where are they
arJ cnpl, cir
MA, And what of the feet Of Mon
sieur Boscawon ?"
az 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"
Philip Grafton, monsieur, lieu
tenant in II. = NJ navy, lately First
Of the Torbay. ship of the line, and
more recently commanding the
Boxer"
"Grafton," exclaimed the other. sur
prised, care you an Ensllshman?"
NO monsieur" answered the young
officer promptly and proudly, 81 am an
American was born in Massachu-
sets"
And YOU are the son Of"
admiral John Grafton, monsieur,
who commanded the colonial armed
ship Shirley
at the siege OF Louisburs in 1882"
THE same, sir"
Did your father ever tell you OF the
engagement he and one or two other
private armed ships had with French
friSate 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"
My faith. sir," exclaimed the
French captain, smiling, twas a 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 mani You have in you the
mettle of your father"
Did you know my father, sir7"
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
Naisseau Of His Most Christian Mai
esty Louis XIV, whom God protect
and very much at your service. mon
sleur Here is no case of prisoner and
enemy, gentlemen. The father fought
me. | beiriend the son Is it not lust
messieurs?' asked Kersaint turning
to his officers once more.
II was Grafton who answered.
It's more than justice, Monsieur
lie Comte It's kindness, indeed"
IN importe. monsieur; | would that
! could give you back your ship. but
that of course, is impossible. Never
theiess, your captivity shall be made
as light as possible We are bound in
for Brest, and this gentleman here"
indicating an old man in rich civilian
N''s's " ~ lihI surveyor the scene
| with interest, lis my most noble kins-
man, The Marquis de Chabot- Rohan
He will, am sure, as my prospective
sailing thence in few days debars
me from keeping you with me or ex-
tending You the hospitality OF my poor
house, take YOU into his own chateau
Until Won are exchanged Twill be a
pleasant prison sir and there grows a
wild Breton rose within the walls Is
II not so. Monsieur lie Comte7"
las 70 the rose. cannot say Mon
sieur Grafton may find it thorny: but
as TO receiving him, certainly, de Ker-
saint" responded the old man Just
addressed by the captain. 81 have
soft spot in my heart for Americans,
as you know. since my only son hon
ored himself by marrying daughter
of Nirginia--a land of brave men, mes
sieurs, and tair women. Helas."
! Monsieur lie Marquis" quickly an
swered Grafton, who had not spent
some years OF his life at court for
nothing, Il thank you for your hos
pitalty and | congratulate you upon
! the source from which it flows &C
cept it gladly-roses and thorns as
we'll"
| Monsieur you honor me by your
acceptance. AS to the rose. Monsieur