The state herald., 1920-07-20


between the House of Hanover, whose
commission he held und the House of
Stewart to which his heart inclined.
TO bring matters to Il head NJ. 10
Vice Amiral lie Comte de Vervillin.
sailed from Cherhourg with fleet Of
such ships rs fairly entitled him to
challenge the English feet OF Vice Ad-
miral oakes for the mastery OF the
narrow seas.
The latter more than willing to try
out the matter, at once put To sea In
a heavy gale of wind, his capital ships
weighing anchor in Succession with
long intervals between them SO as to
spread 4 broad clue To intercept tho
French. Bluewater with his division
brought up the rear. The rear admiral
was Obscssed with the idea that De
Vervillin's course had something to do
with the pretender's effort and his
conscientious scruples threw him into
pitcous state of indecision. The
vice admiral was not troubled by any
such subtle casuistry. He only saw
the enemy whom II was his duty to
beat when, where and how he could.
After n series of the most brilliant
tactical mnneuvers and successful
minor engagement with the whole
French fleet by his division nlone-the
two divisions had got separated in tho
mad gnle and Bluewater had called his
own ships around him-the vice ad-
mil xrtt lu.. oh In,
the vicinity of the French who were
just double In number. Far away to
wlndward the morning disclosed the
five ships Of the rear admiral's divi-
sion slowly standing down toward his
superior under easy sail.
Bluewater was still in his state Of
painful lndecIsion. As soon as within
signal distance. by using n private and
personal code, he sent the following
pleading dispatch to his considerate-
superior:
"God sake-make no signal-engage
not"
This signal plunged Oakes. fully
aware OF the state Of his beloved
juniors mind. into the most terrible
dilemma. Without the assistance of
Blucwater's division he could not hopo
TO engage the enemy with the least
chance OF success. ON the other hnnd
should he now withdraw without fight
ing he would have failed In his duty
and would have been professionally
runed-and rightly. His mind was Mt
once made up. Attack he would snd
must.
Would the friendship between tho
two ndmlrnls stand the test he i'm
posed upon It? Did the younger care
more for Onltes and England than for
/ the young prince and Francei A short
/ time would determine. Mnguanlmous-
I ly refraining from making nny embar-
rassIng signal to his friend. which
might force his hand untlmeiy. oalSes
boldly led down upon the waiting
French line and with his Eve ships
brought them to close nctlon. The
French were quick 10 take advantage
Of the opportunity given them by the
hcsltatlons Of the English rear nd
mlrnl. Holding Oal.es with hre OF his
ships TO lecwnrd DE Vervlllin threw
| the other five under ncs Prey. HIS
conirc amrn! on the windward side of
the English doubling ON them. placing
them between two fires.
Although ontea' division fought
with the fury OF despair the end was ut
hnud when the opportmnc arrival of
/ Blucwater who could not stand see
Ing his friend pounded TO pieces and
who threw political considerations to
I the wind md bore down on the
triumphant French under q press OF
I sail. completely changed the issue and
wrcsted victory from defeat. An OF
which Is set forth In succession OF
sea pictures OF surprising grandeur.
Bluewatcr, remorsefui over his In
ceriitnde. actually carried the French
rear ndmlrnl's ship by boarding nj the
head OF his men. receiving mortal
wound In the attnck by wny OF expla-
tion.
Space allows me only 10 mention
the mnsterly descriptions OF ship
maDeuycrlng and thrilling sen fighting.
can only refer 10 some OF the we'll
drnwn characters In the story; the
two splendid ndmlrals their captains.
the officers and senmen. especially old
Gnlleygo The ndmirnl's steward de-
linenicd out Of large experience with
sure hand. And the great ships them
selves nre imbucd with personality 10
dear TO II senmnn's henrt.
The touching scene Mt the close OF
the book. In which onkes. old. inflr1n.
forgciful, praying before the tomb OF
Blucwn'cr In the rrcnt abbey Of West
minister, recalls the last battle the
two had fought and with NIL Of his for
mcr FIRE and feryor describes ngnln
those moments Of suspense preceding
the glorlous Victory. ntly rounds out
the tale. And then death unltcs him
with the friend he hnd loved mud lost.
/ have read the book n score or moro