Waterbury evening Democrat., 1905-01-09

] ] quis took off his hat and looked up to-
 ward the flag. France! France!" h,
 murmured. He made fine end for {
 soldier. The English saw it flutterins
 on the surface of the water for a mo
 ment as the mighty spars sank slow i iy down, and then the waves washed
 over it. The ship was gone. Not (
 cheer was heard from the English
 decks; groan of horror broke from her men. in fact, as they witnessed
 this sinister effacement of ship
 Scarcely minute had elapsed since the last broadside was fired. and now it was over. A few bits of wreckage
 few desperate men clinging to them
 perhaps score out of 800 gallant souls
 who had manned and fought her a mo-
 ment since-tnat was aIl Grafton
 gave one agonized glance aft. He
 thought in the darkness he could
 make out the forms of -Renaud and his wife in the water drifting on. Another moment and they were lost to view.
 Have we boat that will swim ?" he cried in despair to the master.
 Not one is left at the davits. sir" answered that officer, sadly.
 Breakers! Breakers ahead!" roared one of the officers forward.
 They were right on the Cardinals.
 Up with the helm! Hard up!" shouted Grafton, instinctively. But the sluggish ship steered slowly. For few moments she held her way to- ward the rock. They thought she was doomed also. For himself Grafton did not care, but for his men! They waited in awful apprehension, but at last she slowly swung around and slided by. and peril was escaped Right next to her was the French ship Le Juste, splitting fire and shot from her guns at the Torbay.
 We will attack that ship." cried Grafton, recklessly turning the prov of his vessel toward her. Fire on her Let her have it, men!"
 But there was no response to his command. His guns were silent.
 Beg pardon, sir, the magazines were flooded and all our powder was wetted when We came so near founder ing" reported the gunner who had jr=t come on deck.
 "Ah, l had rather have gone dow on the Cardinals than be thus help less!" murmured the young command CT. quite beside himself with the dis appointments and anxieties of the hour.
 Sir, sir, some dry powder is found!, cried another, running up on the instant.
 Engage! Engage. then!" screamed Grafton, fiercely. His mind was so overwhelmed by the catastrophe that he could find no relief save in action, and presently from the iron muzzles Df his hot guns once more rang out the deadly discharge. A savage desire to slay. to kill, had supplanted every other emotion in Grafton's heart He stood, wild-eyed and despairful, mad man nn his own deck, melting his men to action.
 After half a dozen braadsides Le Juste. badly riyen and shattered. sheered off and attempted to with lraw. having had enough of it. Graf Lon, however, was not to be shaken off. He pursued the retreating French ship with implacable ferocity, work ng every gun that would bear upon Ter.
 As the two ships swept along before he wind Grafton suddenly found him. elf mixed up with six other ships. one 'f which happened to be Le Tonnant. 'arrying de Beauifremont. Having lad enough of the fight, the vice ad- nirai-not greatly to his credit--had alled these ships about him. and hey were all endeavoring to escape to he southward through the narrow pass between Le Four bank and Pointe dc 'roisic on the shore. But the young blood was up now. and Ie followed hard on their heels. and he singular spectacle of one water ogged and sodden ship pursuing six hips of the enemy was presented. In heir wild haste 10 get away the French 'eglected the opportunity afforded to apture him.
 As they swept around Le Four and leaded for the south, Grafton, who vas ignorant of these waters. as were III the English captains. headed traight for them. firing on them with is chase guns at the same time. the french making but a feeble reply. He ad gone only few cables length. owever. when. without any warning. n the darkness his ship took ground. he struck with tremendous force upon he rocky shoal of Le Four. and each | wave lifted her higher and | igher and hurled her farther upon l he shore. The light spars snapped 1! ike pipe-stems at the first blow. and s the ship pounded upon the reef. mast after mast went. until she lav on the sands total wreck. i he waves breaking over her and , weeping her from stern to stem.
 The last shot from Le Juste struck | he Torhay on the quarter just as she it the reef. It sent a shower of I plinters inboard. one of which struck | irafton in the breast and hurled him I yer the rail to windward. He caught eebly at backstay. shouted a com land. and the next moment a falling par dashed him into the sea.
 For him and for all the rest the bat e was over.