The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1915-07-11
The Commando,
of the Praan1
A Story of Nelson's Days.
By J. MACDONALD OXLEY.

Nelson, Nelson! the hero of the ire
mendous naval victory of the Nile, and
veteran of hundred sea-fights, No Won
der that the Danes were thrilled with
apprehension when they learned that he
was to lead the attack upon their capital
for the little kingdom had thrown in
her lot with Russia and Sweden, and il
was absolutely necessary to strike her
hard blow at once, and thus paralyze the
Baltic combination before it Rad time to
become irresistible.
So A fleet of big ships of the line boldly
entered the Sound, paying no heed to the
warm reception given them by the bat
teries of Elsinore.
Keeping right on until within a few
leagues of Copenhagen. the fleet came to
anchor. while Nelson. in a lugger, not
very appropriately named the Lark pro-
ceeded to reconnoitre the Danish de-
fences.
Truly it was no holiday task that the
invaders had undertaken. Certain 1t
seemed that before any decisive result
could he reached there must needs be
fearful loss Of life, and dreadful destruc-
tion of property.
No one was more eager for the confiics
than Second Lieut.. Vfllemoes He strong
ly resented the coming of the British
feet TO his beloved city. Having express
Cd his readiness for any duty, no matter
how dangerous. he was assigned the COM
mand of praam No. Ia kind of hastily
extemporized floating battery that no.
body with any regard for his own life
would think of bringing within range of
the British Gunners, so famed for the
accuracy of their aim.
Lieutenant Villemoes, who had scarce
raised his teens. was entirely satisfied
with IT. He easily secured two dozen
sturdy men to share the peril with him.
on the morning of April ., 1893. the
action began. the British fleet beat
ing up boldly against wind and cur
rent right for the Danish line. the
hero Of the Nile having his flag on
the Elephant. which was well in the
van.
Tremendous was the cannonade from
the land batteries and the long line
of hattleships and hulks, but the fleet
kept steadily on until the vessels
reached the stations appointed them.
when they one by one took up their
positions. each anchoring by the stern
abreast Of her indicated opponent with
her hroa dslde to the enemy.
For more than two hours the blaze
and roar Of the swiftly fired artillery
continued on both sides without ces-
sation. and without manifest impress
sion being made on the Danish de-
lenses.
Indeed. it began to look as IL the
British had this time met their match,
and would he compelled to withdraw.
The carnage on the Danish side was
appalling, yet no sooner was the crew
Of a ship put hors de combat than
others FASTENED to fill their places.
fighting knee-deep among their own
dead
This stubborn defence caused Admiral
Parker to be alarmed for the result. and
accordingly at l o'clock the signal was
thrown out on board his flagship for the
action to cease.
Nelson was pacing the quarterback in
high spirits at the time. Nothing could
daunt his courage. or make him doubtful
as to the ultimate issue
When a round shot struck the main
mast scattering great jagged splinters
far and wide, he smiled. and said to one
near him:
1t is warm work. and this may be
the last of any of us: but. mark Won. I
would not he elsewhere for thousands"
On the signal to cease action being re-
ported to him, he became very angry.
Leave of action,' he cried. indeed
! won't
You know he continued to his cap