Morris tribune. [volume] (Morris, Minn.) 1880-2000, 1905-03-25

seems LQaI we, are DOlu wrong. Lieu
tenant Seymour captured her during
his visit there with Colonel Wilton .
said Talbot, with faint smile.
81 am very sorry for you. Talbot,
and you are a fortunate man, Mr.. Sey-
mour. But go on. We are all friends
here. Did you say they We're to go 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. / heard the man say so just as
we neared the reef. To go 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
/ 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 boatswafn and shook il
warmly; then, fixing his glowing eyes
upon the two young men. said:
continue. Mr.. Seymour"
81 know not what might have
Gone, 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 took
cut Of my pocket the little note re-
ceived from Miss Wilton. A gust Of
wind blew 1t to the hand Of Mr.. Tai
bot. 1t was only a line. AS he picked
it UP he read it involuntarily. We had
some words. I drew on him, sir. 1t
was my fault"
'sNo. no, general; the fault was
miner interrupted Talbot. 81 said it
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. 60 ON, Mr.. Seymour" said
the general. '"This dispute does honor
70 you both"
''The rest happened as has been told
you. One Of the splinters struck Mr..
sea. The note went with it, and then
the frigate was wrecked and Colonel
Wilton and his daughter, with ali the
rest, lost" =.
1t was VERY still in the room. =
my poor friend. my poor friend"
nurmured the general, ''and that
charming girl. Without a moments
warning! Young gentlemen taking |
each Of the young men by the hand st
honor you. YOn have deserved well OF |
our country for the frankness with |
which one OF you admits his fault. fof |
Il was a fault, and takes the blansi3
upon himself. and for the heroic reso-
luton by which the other sacrifices his
leve for hlS duty. LaNrens. make out q |
captains commission for Mr.. Talbot. |
Hamilton, wish you would write out |
q general order declaring the capture |
Of the transport and her ladinS ana |
the sinking Of the Juno and the wreck !
Of the. Eagiish.frigate. twill 'hearten |
the men for our enterprise tonight. I
Az for you, Mr.. Seymour. / shall use
what little influence may be able 30
exert to get you q 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 IL your duties will per
mit. And to you, Philip, let me be a
father indeed-my poor boy! AS for
you, boatswain, what can do for
you?"
':Nothing, your honor: nothing, str.
You have shaken me by the hand, and
that's enough The old man hest
lated, and then. seeing only kindness
In the generals face, for the old sail
Or attracted and pleased him, he went
On softly: aye, loves 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
else is stronger"
'And what is that, pray my friend?'
"Love of country, sir" said Bentley
IN the silence.