The Ordway new era., 1909-06-04
CHAPTER vI.-continued.

We had a pleasant journey to Ply.
mouth and were troubled with few
regret. At leaving London. We ex-
pected, in the foolishness OF youth. to
capture many more such prizes as the
Indomptable and Xantippe. The Bel
videra was nearly ready. and in few
weeks we sailed on our second cruise.
! shall not give the particulars OF
that cruise. II was such a one
as all the officers OF his mai
esty's service were engaged in
during those eventful years. We were
constantly at sea: We kept 4 tireless
lookout for our enemies. and hunted
and pursued them into their own har-
bors. We never slept for more than
four hours at Il time, in all our cruis-
ing. We lived on beef and biscuit for
months at a time: sometimes we
had scurvy in the ship. and sometimes
we did not. We struggled with mighty
gales, that blew US hundreds and even
thousands OF miles out OF our course:
and we sweltered In Gains that tried
mems souls. In all that time we
watched night and day for the enemy.
and, when found, chased him. and
never failed to get alongside when It
was possible; and we fought him with
the greatest good will. We had good
and Ill fortune with the ship, but her
colors were never lowered. And It
was five years before we set foot in
London town again.
Only a year OF that time was Giles
Vernon with me. He got promotion
which took him out of the ship. had
the extreme good fortune to be with
Nelson at the Nile. On that great day.
as sailing-master OF the Belvidera,
took the frigate around the head of
Admiral Villeneuve's lne-she was
the leading ship-and placed her
where she was enabled to fire the first
Taking broadside OF the battle. I got
wound in the forehead which left
scar that remains to this day; but
also received the personal thanks OF
my Lord Nelson. which I shall ever
esteem as the greatest honor of my
life. I had heard nothing of Giles for
nearly year. when, among Admiral
Filleneuve's officers. l found one. a
young lieutenant like myself. who told
me that Giles had been captured. while
on boat expedition, and was then in
prison at Dunkerque.
wrote him a dozen letters at least.
by officers who were paroled: and
when the ship was paid off, the follow
ing spring, lost no time in getting to
London, and using what little power
had in trying to have him exchanged.
Sir Peter was in great favor at the
admiralty. AS soon as reached Lon
don, / went Immediately to call in
Berkeley Square. My Lady Hawk
shaw was at home, and received me
In great state, black feathers and all:
and with her sat Daphne Carmichael
believe Lady Hawkshaw was really
glad to see me; but Daphne. after
speaking to me, remained with her
eyes fixed on her embroidery.
noted, however, that she was a very
charming girl. and her eyes, under her
long, dark lashes, were full of fire and
sweetness. But she had not. and
never could have, the glorious
beauty of Lady Arabella Stormont
Lady Hawkshaw demanded of me a
particular account of my whole
cruise. and everything that had hap
pened at the battle of the Nile. This
! gave. to the best of my ability. She
then invited, or. rather. commanded,
me to take up my quarters in Berkeley
Square, and told me that / had three
thousand and ten pounds, nineteen
shillings and seven pence to my credit
in bank.
After this. she was called upon to
leave the room for moment, and /
civilly inquired Of Daphne how Lady
Arabella was.
"She is WELL" responded Daphne,
rather tartly. thought; and - de-