The Princeton union. [volume] (Princeton, Minn.) 1876-1976, 1905-09-21

sINCETON UNION: rH1
thought so, too, general, but It
seems that we are both wrong. Lieu
tenant Seymour captured her dnrinq
his visit there with Colonel Wilton.''
said Talbot, with faint smile.
Il am very sorry for you, Talbot,
and you are fortunate man, Mr.. Sew
mour. But go on. We are all friends
here. Did you say they were to 20 on
the Radnor?''
Eyes, sir. The pursuing frigate was
recognized by one Of my men, who had
been pressed and logged while on her,
as the Radnor, the ship on which they
were. l heard the man say so Just as
we neared the reef. To 60 through
the pass was to lead the English ship
to destruction and cause the death of
those we-of the colonel. SIR con-
tinued Seymour in some confusion.
| ITO refrain from attempting the pass
was to lose the ship and all it meant
for our cause could not decide. 1
say frankly could not condemn those
I-our friends to death, and l could
not lose the ship either. This old man
knew it all. He has known me from
a child. He spoke out boldly and laid
my duty before me and pleaded with
me-
''He did not need it, your honor. No,
sir; he would have done it anyway"
interrupted Bentley.
The general took the hand Of the en-
barrassed old boatswain and shook it
warmly; then, fixing his glowing eyes
upon the two young men, said:
Continue, Mr.. Seymour
II know not what might have
done, but the old seaman's appeal to
my honor decided me. went aft with
horror in my heart, but resolved to do
my duty. On my way there I took
out of my. pocket the little note re-
ceived from Miss Wilton A gust Of
| wind blew it to the hand of Mr.. Tai
bot. 1t was only line. AS he picked
it up he read it involuntarily. We had
some words. drew on him, sir. 1t
was my fault"
s'No, no, general; the fault was
miner interrupted Talbot. Il said 1t
WAS my letter, refused to give it up,
insulted him. He would have arrested
me. Bentley and Philip interfered.
tainted him, advanced to strike him.
He had to draw or be dishonored."
NAY, general, but the fault was
mine. I was the captain of the ship.
The safety of the ship depended on
| me-"
''Go on, go on, Mr.. Seymour" said
the general. "This dispute does honor
to you both"
1.-THE rest happened as has been told
you. One of the splinters struck Mr..
Talbots sword and swept it into the
sea. The note went with it, and then
the frigate was wrecked and Colonel
| Wilton and his daughter, with all the
rest, LOST
! It was very still in the room.
MY poor friend, my poor FRIEND"
murmured the general, "and that
charming girl. Without moments
warning! Young gentlemen taking
each Of the young men by the hand II
honor you. You have deserved well of.
our country for the frankness with
which one of you admits his fault, for
1t was fault, and takes the blame
upon himself, and for the heroic reso-
luton by which the other sacrifices his
love for his duty. Laurens, make out
captains commission for Mr.. Talbot.
Hamilton, I wish you would write out
a general order declaring the capture
of the transport and her lading and
the sinking of the Juno and the wreck
of the English frigate. It will hearten
the men for our enterprise tonight
AS for you, Mr.. Seymour, 1 shall use
what little influence 1 may be able to
exert to get you ship at once Mean
time, as we contemplate attacking the
enemy at last, shall be glad to offer
you position as volunteer on my staff
for few days if your duties will per-
nit And to you, Philip, let me be
father indeed-my poor boy! AS for
you, boatswain, what can I do for
your
Nothing, your honor; nothing, sir.
You have shaken me by the hand, and
that's enough" The old man hest
tated, and then, seeing only kindness
in the generals face, for the old sail
or attracted and pleased him, he went
on softly: "Aye, loves a mighty thing,
your honor. We knows it, we old men.
And love of woman's strong, they say,
but these boys have shown US that
something else is stronger"
"And what is that, pray, my friend?"
Glove of country, SIR" said Bentley
| in the silence.
CHAPTER XXI. ,......-