The north Mississippi herald., 1920-07-02

upon by politicians, began to waver
commission he held, and the h5use of
Stewart, to which his heart inclined.
TO bring matters to head NJ. lie
Vice Amiral lie Comte de Vervillin,
sailed from Cherbourg with a fleet of
such ships as fairly entitled him to
challenge the English fleet 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
heavy gale of wind, his capital ships
weighing anchor in succession with
long intervals between them so as to
spread a broad clue to intercept the
French. Bluewater with his division
brought up the rear. The rear admiral
was obsessed with the idea that De
Vervillin's course had something to do
with the pretender's effort and his
conscientious scruples threw him into
piteous state of indecision. The
vice admiral was not troubled by any
such subtle casuistry. He only saw
the enemy whom 1t was his duty to
beat when, where and how he could.
After a series of the most brilliant
tactical maneuvers and successful
minor engagement With the whole
French fleet by his division alone-the
two divisions had got separated in the
mad gale and Bluewater had called his
own ships around him-the vice ad-
miral found himself with five ships In
the vicinity Of the French who were
just double in number. Far away to
windward 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 indecision. AS soon as within
signal distance, by using private and
personal code, he sent the following
pleading dispatch to his considerate
superior:
"God sake-make no signaHengage
not"
This signal plunged Oakes, fully
aware of the state of his beloved
juniors mind into the most terrible
dilemma. Without the assistance of
Bluewater's division he could not hope
to engage the enemy with the least
chance of success. On the other hand
should he now withdraw without fight
ing he would have failed in his duty
and would have been professionally
ruined-and rightly. His mind was at
once made up. Attack he would and
must.
Would the friendship between the
two admirals stand the test he i'm
posed upon it? Did the younger care
more for OakeS and England than for
the young prince and France? A short
time would determine. Magnanimous-
ly refraining from making any embar-
RAISING signal to his friend, which
might force his hand untimely, Oakes
boldly led down upon the waiting
French line and with his five ships
brought them to close action. The
French were quick to take advantage
of the opportunity given them by the
hesitations of the English rear ad-
miral. Holding Oakes with five of his
ships to leeward De Vervillin threw
the other five under Des PREF, his
contre amiral on the windward side of
the English doubling on them, placing
them between two fires.
Although Cakes division fought
with the fury of despair the end was at
hand when the opportune arrival Of
Bluewater, who could not stand see
ing his friend pounded to pieces and
who threw political considerations to
the wind and bore down on the
triumphant French under press of
sail, completely changed the issue and
wrested victory from defeat. All of
which is set forth in a succession Of
sea pictures of surprising grandeur.
Bluewater, remorseful over his in
certitude, actually carried the French
rear admiral's ship by boarding at the
head of his men, receiving mortal
wound in the attack by way of expia-
ton.
Space allows me only to mention
the mastery descriptions of ship
maneuvering and thrilling sea fighting.
I can only refer to some of the we'll
drawn characters in the story; the
two splendid admirals, their captains,
the officers and seamen, especially old
Galleygo the admirals steward, de-
lineated out of large experience with
a sure hand. And the great ships them
selves are imbucd with personality so
dear to a seaman's heart.
The touching scene at the close Of
the book, in which Oakes, old, inf1rm,
forgetful, praying before the tomb of
Bluewater in the great abbey of West
minister, recalls the last battle the
two had fought and with all of his for
mer fire and fervOr describes again
those moments of suspense preceding
the glorious victory, fifty rounds out
the tale And then death unites him
with the friend he had loved and lost.
I have read the book a score or more
of times with ever increasing joy.
envy anyone who takes ship for the
first time to sail and fight with these