The Princeton union. [volume] (Princeton, Minn.) 1876-1976, 1905-08-31
The PRIN CETON UNION: THURSDAY, AUGUST 81 1yo5

HURSDAY, AUGUST 8 ]
those built especially for naval pur-
poses. She was originally intended
for twenty-six guns, but the number.
through the wisdom of her captain.
who had fathomed the qualifications
OF the ship, had been reduced to eight
cen, four long twelves and the rest six
Founders and smaller, with one long
eighteen forward. She had been some
days in commission, and the effect of
Jones iron discipline was already APP
parent IN the absence of confusion
and in the cleanness and order Of the
ship. The vessel had been very popu-
lar with the good people of Philadel-
phla, her commander and officers like
wise, many of the latter, like Sey-
mour, being natives Of the town, and
constant stream Of visitors had in
spected her at all permitted hours.
The presence of these visitors, Of
course, including many ladies, coupled
with an Inherent vanity and love of
fnery and neatness on the part of the
captain-and, to do him justice, his ap-
probation of the necessity for order
and neatness-had caused him to
maintain his ship in the handsomest
possible trim, and he had not scrupled
to employ his private fortune to beau
tify the vessel in many small ways,
the details of which would have es-
capped any eye but that Of seaman,
though the general results were ap-
parent.
| That general appearance which
should always distinguish trim and
well ordered vessel Of war from the
clumsy and disorderly trader was due
entirely to his efforts. The crew,
as we have seen, had chafed under the
unusual restraints of this stern disci-
pline, but they were unable, as, in
deed in the last resort they would
have been unwilling, to oppose it.
Some of the older men, tCO, and some
of those who had sailed with Jones
in his already famous cruises, held out
the hope Of large prize money, and,
what was better with many Of them,
the chance of a blow at the enemy, if
any of her cruisers of anything like
equal force appeared-a chance sure to
come about in the frequented waters
Of the English channel
| The crew of an American man-of-
war at that period, at least the native
portion of it, always in overwhelming
majority, was of much higher class
than the general run of seafaring men.
Among those in the Ranger were sew
eral who had been mates Of merchant
men-Bentley again among the num-
ber-men Of some education and able
to serve their country as officers with
credit, had the navy been increased as
it should have been, and whose subor-
dinate positions only indicated their
intense patriotism. The low and de-
| graded element which sometimes is
such source of mischief and disaster
in ships crews was conspicuous by it's
absence. The reputation Of Captain
Jones as disciplinarian was very well
known among sailors generally, and
only his reputation as a fighter and q
successful prize taker would have en-
abled him to assemble the remarkable
crew to which he had spoken and
which was to back him up so CALAMITY
in many desperate undertakings and
wonderful sea fights of this and his
succeeding phenomenal cruise
Seymour had rapidly recovered from
his wounds under Madam Talbots
careful nursing and ministrations, and
when his orders reached him he had
been ready, accompanied by Philip
Wilton and Bentley, to join his ship
at once.
He still carried the blood stained
handkerchief, and many and many a
time had laid it, with it's initials, tx.
W. embroidered by her own hand
upon his lips. This was not his only
treasure, however. In a wallet in the
breast pocket of his coat he carried
and treasured letter, only the veriest
scrap of paper, with these few lines
hastily written upon it:
These by friendly hand. We are to
accompany Lord Dunmore to England
next week as prisoners in the ship Rad
nor. Both well, but very unhappy. love
you. KATHARINE.
This note had been brought to him
the DAY before his departure from
Fairview Hall, by one Of the slaves
from the Wilton place, who had in
turn received it from a stranger who
had handed it to him with the orders
that it be given to Lieutenant Sey.
mour if he were within the neighbor-
hood; if not, it was to be destroyed
There was no address on the outside
of the letter, which, indeed. was only
a soiled and torn bit of paper, and un-
sealed. Seymour had hitherto COM
municated this news to no one, and
was hesitating whether or no to tell
Talbot, who had that day joined the
ship.
Seymour found Talbot and the cap
tain together, when, after giving his
name to the negro boy, Joe, who wait
ed in attendance, for Captain Jones
was one of the most punctilious of
men, he was ushered into the cap
tain's cabin.
"Come in, Seymour" said the cap
| <1$ S111 =