Morgan County republican. (Versailles, Mo.) 1906-1914, 1909-09-02
CHAPTER In.-Continued.

CHAPTER iIi.-continued.
The Frenchmen thought they had
us. We heard afterward that a prize
crew was already told of to take us
into Corunna, but no man or boy on
the Ajax dreamed Of giving up the
ship.
The Ajax was cleared for action in
eleven minutes; and, with four ensigns
flying, we headed for the ship Of the
line, which was waiting for us, with
her topsails shivering. The Ajax had
been lately %coppered, and. with all
sail to royals set. legged 1t at IA lively
gait, in spite Of the heavy sea, which
occasionally caused our lower.deck
guns to roll their noses in the water.
AS we wallowed toward the ship Of
the line, which was the incompatible.
the frigate. the Xantippe, was maneuv-
ering for a position on our s%tarboard
quarter to rake us. Seeing this, the
Ajax came up a little into the wind,
which brought our %broadside to bear
directly on the Xantippe, and she
hedged of a little.
The steadiness. GOODNESS, and pre-.
cision with which the ship was han
died %astonished my young mind. |
knew very we'll that II we were de.
feated Sir Peter Hawkshaw would
stand no show of %leniency, for there
was NJ doubt that, owing to our new
copper, we could easily have outsailed
the ~Frenchmen; but Sir Peter pre-
fQrrni IN D,,tGuht thn,, ,.an orafuot
desperate odds.
The officers and men had entire con.
6dence in Sir Peter and in the ship,
and went into action with the hearth
est goodwill imaginable. The people
were amused by two powder monkeys
coming to blows in the magazine
passage over which one would be en-.
titled to the larger share of prize.
money. The gayety of the men was
contagious. Every mans face wore a
grin; and when the word was given to
take In the royals, and send down the
yards, furl all staysails and the flying
jib, they literally rushed into the rig
ging with an Aye, aye, sir" that
seemed to shake the deck.
The admiral, who had been on the
bridge, left it and went below. Pres.
emily he came up. He was in his best
uniform. with Il gold-hilted sword, his
order Of the Bath on his breast, and
he wore a cooked hat. AS he passed
me, Mr.. Buxton. who was stepping
along briskly, said:
Pardon me, Sir Peter, but a French
musket wants no better target than
a cooked hat"
Sir" replied Sir Peter, II have al.
ways fought in a cooked hat and silk
stockings, as becomes a gentleman;
and | shall always fight in a cooked
hat and silk stockings, damme."
Mr.. Buxton passed on, laughing.
Now, l had taken the opportunity
after we had sighted the Frenchman
to run below and put on my newes,
uniform. with silk stockings, and tc
yet out several cambria pocket hand
kerchiefs; and ! had also scented my
self literally with some altar of rose
which | had bought in Portsmouth
Sir Peter. putting his fingers to his
nose, shifted the altar of rose, and
speedily identifying me, he surveyed
me calmly all over, while | blushet
and found myself unable to stand still
under his searching gaze. When he
spoke, however, it was in words O
praise.
Nephew. you have the right idea
II is a holiday when we meet the enc
my, and officers should dress accord
ingly."
Mr.. Buxton, who was standing neal
sneaked off a little. He had Oh AT
pld coat, such as | had never seer
him wear, and had removed his stocl
and tied a red silk h%andkerchie
around his neck, He certainly did no
look quite the gentleman. The In
domptable, being then about half
mile distant, bore up and fired a sho
o windward, which was an invitation
TO come on and take n licking or Civ,
one. The Ajax was O misled int
the rashness of coming on, with tn,
Xantippe hanging on her quarter. bu
lufing up suddenly-for she answered
her helm beautifully-she brought tn,
frigate directly under her guns; anC
that fetched the incompatible as fas
as she could trot. The Ajax opened
the ball with Ii Of her long twenty
fours, Sir Peter himself sighting ant
ointing the gun; aud immediltel,