The Princeton union. [volume] (Princeton, Minn.) 1876-1976, 1905-10-12

lot the naval committee which had
taken charge Of the building Of the
men OF war ordered by congress in rs;
ne mad seen the Randolph frequently
on the ways and after she was launch
ed, and was entirely familiar with her
lines. Perhaps the wish also was fa-
Their to the thought, for the old soldier
was not sufficiently versed in nautical
affairs to detect at that distance the
great disparity in force between the
two ships, to which for the moment
he gave no thought, or he would not
have entertained hopes for a release
from confinement by recapture-a pat
ent lmpossibility to seaman So he
answered the captain evasively, re-
turning the Glass and pleading his igno-
rance OF nautica! matters to excuse his
indefinite opinion.
| 1T must be the Carrysford, with
Hythe's squadron; she is a thirty-two.
But why they should act this way
cannot see. He must know what we
are now, as there are no ships of our
size in these waters except our own,
and why should he send the rest of
them or there? They are leaving US
pretty fast. except that brig. Now, if
1t were colonial convoy I should say
that this frigate was going to engage
US IN the hope of so Gripping us as to
effect the escape of the rest: but I
hardly think that your men are up to
that YETI
Think not?" said the colonel in
differently, violently REFRESHING an in
cllnation to strike him. 1T may be as
you say, Captain Vincent; still, I think
we are up to almost anything that you
| are.''
ooh, colonel" laughed the captain
good naturally, you are not going
to compare the little colonial forces
with his lnajesty's navy, are you?
Now, am morally certain that is a
kings ship. See the beautiful set Of
her sails, the enormous spread of the
yards; notice how trim and taut her
rigging and running gear stand out
and then, too, see how smartly she is
handled. Only English ships are thus
blythe is sailor, every inch of him."
he went on in genuine admiration for
the approaching vessel ''See, he has
the weather gauge of us now, or will
have. Not that it matters anything.
We could afford to let him have it even
| it he were an enemy. But what he
means by this sort of performance I
don't understand. However, we shall
| know in half an hour at least
| 'Well, sir?" he said, turning toward
Lieutenant Desborough, who at that
moment stepped on the poop in fight
| ing uniform, sword in hand.
''Ship's ready for action, STRIP
Very good. Keep the people at
| their quarters and stand on as we are.
What do you think of her, Desbor-
ough?''
eve think she is an American, SIR"
said Desborough.
"Oh, you do, do you? Well, 1 think
| she is one of ours. No American would
dare to lead down on us in that way!
We can blow him out of the water
| with broadside or two, you know,
but We'll give him q hint all the same
Fire gun there to leeward and hoist
our colors.' -.. " .. ri. r
| AS the smoke rolled away along the
water the stops were broken, and there
flew out from each masthead the
splendid English flag. 1t was answer
ed soon afterward by a small English
flag at the gait of the approaching
ship, which apparently mystified the
captain more than ever, though it con-
frmed him in his previous opinion.
ooh, father" whispered Katharine,
clinging to the colonel, what do yea
think it is? See that English fagw
"Kate, I'm morally sure that it is an
American ship. 1t is just the plan and
size of those ordered by congress in
rs. One of those ships should be in
commission by now. If I am right,
this should be the Randolph. 1 saw
her dozen times in Philadelphia, and
If that's not she 1 shall never pretend
to know ship again.
"But did you hear what Captain Vim
cent said?' continued Katharine
"How many guns would the Randolph
carry?"
"'About forty, and most Of them
small ones at BEST" answered the colo
mel, with sigh.
The two ships were much nearer
now, and their disparity in force was
apparent even to the most unskillful
eye.
''The little ship can't fight this great
| one. father: can it?'
"No, my dear-that is, not with any
chance of success. But fear, or hope,
rather, that they mean to engage us
and sacrifice themselves in order not
to allow US to capture the little feet,
probably prizes, off yonder. The man
who commands her is a hero, certain
IT,"
"Just what Mr.. Seymour would do.
Oh, if it were her she exclaimed, clasp
ing her hands, her eyes filling with
tears at the possibility.
"Well, it may be, of course. He was
certain to be posted captain soon, and
tits like him truly. But, Kate, the