Cameron County press. [volume] (Emporium, Cameron County, Pa.) 1866-1922, 1909-04-29
CHAPTER IlI.-continued.

CHAPTER Ill.-Continued.
The Frenchmen thought they had
us. We heard afterward that prize
crew was already told off 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 it at a 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 Indomptable,
the frigate, the Xantippe, was maneuv-
ering for a position on our starboard
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 off little.
The steadiness. cooIness. and pre-
cision with which the ship was han
died astonished my young mind |
knew very we'll that If we were de-
feated Sir Peter Hawkshaw would
stand no show of leniency for there
Was no doubt that, owing to our new
copper we could easily have outsailed
tho Frenchmen; but Sir Peter pre-
ferred to Outright them, even against
desperate odds.
The officers and men had entire CON
fidencc 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
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
sing 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 q g5ld-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 French
musket wants no better target than
a cooked hat"
Sir" replied Sir Peter 81 have al
ways fought in cooked hat and silk
stockings, as becomes Il gentleman;
and | shall always fight in cooked
hat and silk stockings, damme!"
Mr.: Buxton passed en- laughing
Now, | had taken the opportunity
after we had sighted the Frenchman
to run below and put on my newest
uniform, with silk stockings, and to
get out several cImbric pocket hand
kerchiefs; and | had also scented my
self literally with some altar of rose
which | mad 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 | blushed
and found myself unable to stand still
under mis- searching gaze. When he
spoke, however it was in words of
praise.
Nephew. you have the right idea
1t is a holiday when We meet the enc
my, and officers should dress accord
ingly.'
Mr., Buxton, who was standing near.
sneaked off little He had on an
Old coat, such as | had never seen
him wear, and had removed his stock
and tied a red silk handkerchief
around his neck. He certainly did not
look quite the gentleman. The In
domptable, being then about half a
mile distant, bore up and fired shot
to windward, which was an invitation
to come on and take licking or give
one. The Ajax was not misled into
the rashness of coming on, with the
Xantippe hanging en- her quarter, but
luffng up suddenly-for she answered
her helm beautifully-she brought the
frigate directly under her guns and
hat fetched the incompatible as fast
she could trot. The Ajax opened
ball with one Of her long twenty
ns. Sir Peter himself sighting and