The Montgomery advertiser., 1908-08-30


 none the less, at the fact that they had at last removed their persistent enemy.
 It was natural that after the flame had died down the watch on the fri- gate should relax, Nobody on board perceived the dim, ghostly form that glided wing -and-wing before the land breeze and passed to sea mile away in the darkest hour before the dawn.
 When Captain Cuffe and his first of" ficer were rowed up the Colo. and while they were looking around vainly for . vestigs of the privateer, Le Feu-Follet lay snugly at anchor in Bastia in the Island of Corsica, protected by French batteries. Before evening she had stepped a new mainmast and repaired all other injuries.
 Captain Cuffe wrote his report to Nelson. saying that Le Feu-Follet ap- peared to have been absolutely anni- Inflated. He had the report In his pocket next day when the frigate was slowly drawing past Eiba on her way to the fleet. The lookout reported a lugker ia shore and the frigate stood about to chase. As soon as she ap- preached close enough to make the smaller craft out fairly CuHe quietly tore up his report There could be no doubt of the fact that this was Le Feu-Follet. and that she had tricked him again. {.
 She tricked them even then. Just as the frigate had assumed a position where she cut the chase of from all chance of getting to sea, Le Feu-Fol- let shot Into a narrow opening be- tween a rocky Island and the main land. The heavy cruiser dared not follow, and by the time the privateer emerged at the other end of the strait it was useless to pursue.
 ali Az course set for Naples to rejoin Nell sons fleet. his mind filled with un- pleasant forebodings as to his recep- ton. He was spared the expected re- proof, however. for a greater happen Ing was occupying Nelson's mind. The Bay of Naples was crowded with arm ed ships of nations that had sunk their enmitles and were strangely al- lied In their common cause against the French. Two-deckers. frigates and slcops lay at their anchors in front of the town. flying the flags of Russia Naples Turkey and Eng land. On St. Elmo. the citadel that crowned the heights, flew the flag of the French Republic. showing that she still held the fort.
 On all the ships was an air of un- usual excitement that was not caus- ed by the familiar business of war 4 sombre tragedy was to be enacted soon In that glorious bay. and 1t seemed to cast forbidding shadow ahead as 1t was to cast gloomy shadow back ward over the fair fame of Lord Nell
 Prince caraccioli. the famous Nea- politan admiral affronted by the King of Naples. had entered the service of the republic declared by the French invaders. With a few ships he had op- posed the landing of the British and
  the town Caraccioli was captured and tried by a Junta of his countrymen on the charge of treason. The trial was held in the cabin of Nelson's own ship. the Foudroyant; and there with haste that aven his enemies as- knowledged to be indecent. he was sentenced not merely to death. but to most shameful death, that of hanging from the yard arm.
 Nelson had indorsed the proceed inEs. Deeply as his officers loved him. they shook their heads and openly wished that his hands had remained free from all connection with the mat ter. On every ship men deplored the dark influence that cast a scandal over the whole navy-Lady Hamilton. who was accused. rightly or wrongly of having played no small part in the result of the trial.
 On the day set for the execution the Bay of Naples was filled with boats that hung around La Minerva, which ship had been selected to serve as the place of punishment Every craft that could float had been pressed In- to service and the lowest as wall as the highest of the city were on the water awaiting the dreadful ceremony.
 A little before the hour set for inc admiral's death a short boat brourht f Ghita and her uncle to the Foudro- yant They were admitted to Nelson's presence. where Ghita told him amid tears that she was the Princes grand daughter. though he had never seen her. as he had cast hIs son of for marrying her mother.
 Tn the days of his pride and power she and her uncle had advanced nn claims. Now, with his estates seized and a shameful end before him. they lmplored his life.
 Sternly Admiral Nelson shook his head. He granted them permission to visit the prisoner. but no more, Sob ping bitterly Ghita was led to the side of the ship by an officer. who looked around for a boat to convey her to La Minerva. In answer to his hail. 8 boat shot alongside as if 1t had been waiting there. Its occupant was clad in the Phrygian cap and the cotton trousers terminating at the knee Of the local boatmen.
 Ghita had hardly entered the craft before she recognized the boatman as Raoul He made a sign for silence and Towed her through the maze of