The Princeton union. [volume] (Princeton, Minn.) 1876-1976, 1905-10-12

III excellent spirits and as
I6S6NNy they drew nearer and nearer
E:S2g) became more and more anx-
ious for the fray.
| Shes big one, amt she?" said one
| young seaman, glancing over a gun
through a portfolio forward; "but we
amt afraid of her, mates. Well Just
dance up and slap her in the face with
this, and then turn around and slap
her with t'other side," laying his hand
at the time on one Of the long eighteens
which constituted the main battery of
the frigate.
| "Yes, and then what will she do to
us? Blow us into splinters with
broadside, youngster! Not as I partic-
ularly care, SO we have a chance to
get few good ticks at her with these
old barkers,' said an older man, point
ing, like the first, to a gun.
| "That's the talk, men," said Sey-
mour, who was making tour Of in
spection through the ship in person
and who had stopped before the gun
and heard the conversation. Before
she sinks us we will give it to her
hard. can depend upon you, I know"
Old Bentley was standing on the
forecastle forward, looking earnestly
at the approaching ship, when Sey-
mour came upon him. The rest of the
men, mindful Of the peculiar relation
ship between the two, instinctiyely
drew back little, leaving them alone.
"Well, Bentley, our work is cut out
for us there
| AYE, Captain Seymour. I'm think
ing that this cruise will end right here
for this ship-unless you strike, SIR
"Strike! Do you advise me to do so,
then?'
"God forbid, except it be with shot
and these,' said the old man, lifting
an enormous cutlass, ground to razor
edge, which he had specially made for
his own personal use. in battle. mo,
no; We've got to fight him till he's so
damaged that he can't get at the rest
Do you see, sir how the brig lags be-
hind them?' he went on, pointing out
toward the slowly escaping squadron
1.-THE boys got her luffed up so she
makes no Roadway at ALL"
II know it. I have signaled to him
twice to close with the rest-he can
sail two feet to their one-but it is no
use; he pays no attention. He should
not have been given so responsible a
command until he learned to obey or
ders," said Seymour, frowning.
LET the boy alone, Master John.
He'll do all right" said Bentley. 'He's
the makings Of a good sailorlnan and
a fine officer in him. I've watched
| him.
"Ha, there goes shot from the lin
err" cried Seymour as a puff of smoke
broke out from the lee side, followed
by the dull boom Of a cannon over the
water, and then the flags rippled brave
~ out from the mastheads. "Well, we
did not need that sort Of an introduce
ton. Aft therev' cried the captain
with his powerful voice.
"Sir."
"Show a British flag at the gaff.
That will puzzle him for awhile longer.
Well, old friend, l must go aft It's
likely we won't both of US come out of
this little affair alive, so goodby, and
God bless you. You've been a good
friend to me, Bentley, ever since was
a child, and I doubt I've requited you
i'll enough he said, reaching forth his
hand. The old sailor shifted his cut
lass into his left hand, took off his hat
and grasped Seymour's hand with his
own mighty palm.
AYE, ever since you were boy, and
a properer sailor and a better officer
don't walk the deck, if 1 do say it my
self, as I've had a hand in the making
OF you. But what you say is true, sir
we'll probably most all of US go to
Davy Jones' locker this trip, but we
couldn't go in a better way, and we
won't go alone. God Almighty bless
you, sir! r. said the old seaman,
breaking off suddenly and looking visit
fully at the young man he loved, who,
understanding it all, returned his gaze,
wrung his hand and then turned and
Bprang aft without another word.
The ships were rapidly closing when
6eymour's keen eye detected dash Of
color and bit Of futtering drapery
on the poop of the line Of battle ship.
Wondering, he examined it through his
glass.
"Why, it's a womanr' he exclaimed.
Something familiar in the appearance
made his heart give a sudden throb,
but he put away the idea which came
to him as preposterous, and then, step
ping forward to the break of the poop,
he called out:
my lads. there is woman on yon
ship. on the poop, way aft. We don't
fight with women. Have a care, there
fore, that none Of you takes deliberate
aim at her, and spare that part Of the
deck where she stands in the fight if