The Lamar register. [volume] (Lamar, Colo.) 1889-1952, 1909-04-07

We were ordered to join Sir John
Jervis' fleet in the Mediterranean
without the loss of a day, and. when
the tide served at nine o'clock that
night, Sir Peter Hawkshaw was ready
for it. The officers. who knew Sir
Peters capacity for picking up his
anchors at short notice, were general
1y prepared, and were but little sur
prised at the sudden departure of the
ship. The men, however, are never
prepared to go. and the ship was be-
sieged, from the time she showed the
blue peter until she set her topsails.
by the usual crowd of bumboat women.
sailors wives, tavern-keepers, shop deal
ers, and all the people with whom Jack
trades, and who are loath to part with
him for reasons of love or money. AL
though all of the stores were on board,
there were market supplies to get, and
the midshipmen were in the boats con-
stantly until the last boat was hoisted
in, Just as the music called the men
to the capstan bars. 1t was brilliant
moonlight night, good breeze was
blowing, and the Ajax got under way
with an unusual spread Of sail. AS we
passed out the narrow entrance into
the roads, the wind freshened and the
great ship took her majestic way
through the fleet, a mountain of can
vas showing from rail to truck. The
first few days I was overcome, as 1t
we're, with my new life and its duties.
Two other midshipmen. Junior to my
self, had Joined, so l was no longer the
exclusive butt of the cockpit. We
spent most OF our spare time express
ing the greatest longing for meeting
with the French. although for my own
part, even while / was Dragging the
most, felt a sickness at the heart
when I imagined round shot enter
ing my vitals. Giles Vernon was still
the dearest object of my admiration
and affections-always excepting that
divinely beautiful Lady Arabella. But
this was rather the admiration Of a
glowworm for a star. l had no one
else to love except Giles. and even a
midshipman must love something.
I did not much trouble myself about
that meeting, SO far in the future. be-
tween Giles and Overton. Youth has
no future, as it has no past
Naturally, did not see much of my
kIedl-uuClC, tuo duihii al. Ahc wac "a
very strict disciplinarian. probably be-
cause he was used to discipline at
home, and busted himself more with
the conduct of the ship than the cap
tain liked. The other midshipmen al
legged that there was no love lost be-
tween Capt Guilford and the admiral.
and the captain had been heard to say
that having an admiral on board was
like having a mother-in-law in the
house. Nevertheless, Sir Peter was
fine seaman. and the gunroom joke
was that he knew how to command,
from having learned how to obey I'M
der Lady Hawkshaw's iron rule.
One day the admiral's steward
brought me q message. The admiral's
compliments. and would 1 dine in the
great cabin at i've o'clock that day?
was frightened out of years
growth by the invitation. but of course
responded that should be most hap
py. This, like my protested anxiety
to meet the French. was great lie.
At 1--WE o'clock I presented myself,
trembling in every limb. The first
thing 1 noted in the cabin was large
portrait of Lady Hawkshaw as a
young woman. She must have been
very handsome.