The Julesburg grit-advocate., 1909-04-16

estate. They started a duel which was in
corrupted. Vernon. Overton and Hawk
shaw's nephew found themselves attract
ID by pretty Lady Arabella.
CHAPTER iii.-continusd.
The Frenchmen thought they had
us. We heard afterward that a prize
crew was already told on 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 q 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 position on our starboard
quarter to rake us. Seeing this. the
Ajax came up . little into the wind,
which brought our broadside to bear
directly on the Xantippe. and she
hedged Of little.
The steadiness, coolness. and pre-
cision with which the ship was han
died astonished my young mind.
knew very well that II 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
the Frenchmen: but Sir Peter pre-
ferred to Outright them, even against
desperate odds.
The officers and men had entire con-
hdence 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 price
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
lib. they literally rushed into the rig
gfng with an Aye, aye, sir" that
seemed to shake the deck.
The admiral, who had been ON the
bridge. left 1t and went below. Pres
emily he came up. He was in his best
uniform, with q gold-hilted sword, his
order Of the Bath on his breast, and
he wore q 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
. cooked hat"
Sir" replied Sir Peter, Il have al.
ways fought in = cooked hat and silk
stockings. ~ becomes . gentleman;
and shall always tight in = cooked
hat and silk stockings, damned"
Mr.. Buxton passed on, 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 cambria pocket hand
kerchiefs; and had also scented my
self literally with some altar of rose
which I 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 l blushed
and found myself unable to stand still
under his searching gaze. When he
RnOke however n WAC In vords nj
praise.
Nephew, you have the right idea
It is 4 holiday when we meet the enc
my, and ofhcers should dress accord
ingiy."
Mr.. Buxton, who was standing near
sneaked OF little. He had on ar
old coat, such as had never seer
him wear. and had removed his stool
and tied q red silk handkerchie
around his neck. He certainly did no
hook quite the gentleman. The In
domptable. being then about half
nile distant, bore up and fired a sho
to windward, which was an Invitation
to come on and take licking or Civ,
one. The Ajax was not misled int,
the rashness Of coming on, with tn
Xantippe hanging ON her quarter, blu
lufnng up suddenly-for she answered
her helm beautifully-she brought tn
frieate directly under her guns: an
that fetched the incompatible al las
~ she could trot. The Ajax orene
tie ball with one of her long twent!
0sar1 Sir Peter himself sighting N