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

crOWding about him. Even Billy, bring
ing the dinner, put it down UNDECIDED
and listened with eyes glistening. And
then Seymour delivered Jones' mes
sage to General Washington.
Wonderful man, wonderful manv
he said. Eve shall hear Of him,
think, in the English channel, and the
English also, which is more to the
point. But your own ship-had you an
eventless passage, Mr.. Seymour? And,
gentlemen, YOU look as solemn as if
you were the bearers of bad news in
stead Of good tidings, or had been re-
treating with us for the past six
months. Thank goodness, that's about
over tonight. Fill your glasses, gentle
men. Ills Christmas day. Now for
your own story Did you meet an enc
my's ship?'' ~
eve did, sir Talbot, you tell the
story" " ~.
''No, no; I cannot. IT'S your part,
Seymour" ..
Here in the presence Of friends, and
friends who knew and loved Colonel
Wilton and his daughter, neither of
the young men felt equal to the tale.
Each day brought home to them their
bitter sorrow more powerfully than
before, and each hour but deepened
the anguish in their hearts.
'Why, what is this? What has hap
pened? The transport is safe, you
said," continued the general in some
anxiety. "What is it?'
II can tell, if your honor pleases,
SIR said the deep voice of Bentley.
"Speak, man-speak!'
1T happened this way, sir: We were
off Cape Cod, heading northwest by
| west for Boston, about a week ago,
close hauled on the starboard tack in
a half gale of wind. Your honor knows
what the starboard tack is?''
eyes, yes, certainly; go on
"When about three bells in the after
| noon watch-your honor knows what
three bells Aye, aye, SIR" continued
the seaman, noting the generals impa-
tent nod. well, sir, we spied large
| sail coming down on US fast We ran
off free, she following Pretty soon we
made her out frigate, heavy frigate
! of thirty-sfx guns, and fast one, too,
for she rapidly overhauled us. We
cracked on sail, even setting the top
mast stunsail till it blew away. Then
| we cut away bulwarks and rails, fat
| tened the sails by jiggers on the sheets
and halyards until they set like boards,
pumped her out, cut adrift the boats,
cut away anchors, but it wasn't any
use; she kept a-gaining on us. By and
| by we came to Georges shoal, extend
| ing about three leagues across our
course to the southeast of Cape Cod.
| There is a pass through the shoal.
Lieutenant Seymour knows it; we sur
veyed it this last summer. We brought
| the ship to on the wind on the same
| tack again, near the shoal, and ran
for the mouth of the pass. The frigate
edged off to run us down Lieutenant
Talbot broke out a fieldpiece from the
hold and mounted it as stern chaser.
and used it too.'' .--
Good! Well donev' said the general
nodding approvingly. Go on
1--WE came to the mouth of the pass
The frigate fired a broadside One
| shot carried away the mizzen topgal-
| liant mast; another sent a shower of
splinters inboard, killing the man at
the wheel. The ship falls off and en-
tiers the pass. seize the helm Mr..
Seymour conned US through. The
frigate chased madly after us. She
sees the breakers; she can't follow US,
draws too much water. She makes an
effort to back off. It is too late; she
strikes. The wind rises to q heavy
gale. We see her go to pieces, and
never soul left to tell the story, never
plank of her that hangs together.
She's gone, and we go free. That's all,
your honor, and may God have mercy
on their souls, say l." added the SOL
emn voice of the boatswain in the ST.
lence
"a frightful catastrophe, indeed, and
terrible one! I do not wonder at
your sadness. But, young gentlemen,
do not take it so to heart It is the
fate of war, and war is always fright
full
did you find out the name Of the
ship, boatswainY' asked General
Greene.
Eyes, your honor-the Radnor, thirty
six"
"Could no one have been saved?"
Queried General Knox.
mo one, sir. No boat could have
lived in that sea moment We could
not put back, could de no good if we
had, and so we came on to Philadel-
phia, and that's all''
mo, general" cried Seymour; fits
not all! We will tell the general the
whole story, Talbot. You remember,
sir, the raid on the Wilton place and
the capture Of the colonel and his
daughter?" The general nodded.
"Well, sir, before the Ranger sailed I
received note from Miss Wilton say
ing they were to be sent to England
in the Radnor."
you received the note? I thought
Sha was Mr. Talhnfss hofrothod Mr.