The Meridian times. (Meridian, Idaho) 1909-1938, 1920-07-02

upon Dy pOlttCkntiSy UcBuN w WdFSh
between the House of Hanover, whose
commission he held, and the House Of
Stewart, to which his heart inclined.
To bring matters to head M. le
| vice Amirai lie Comte de Vervillin,
sailed from Cherbourg with feet OF
such ships as fairly entitled him to
challenge the English feet OF Vice Ad-
mIraI Cakes 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 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
a piteous state Of indeclsion. 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 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 adj
mlral found himself with Ave 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 indecislon. AS soon as within
signal distance by using private and
personal code, he sent the following
pleading dispatch to his considerable
| superior:
"God sake-make no signal---engage
| not"
This signal plunged Cakes, fully
| aware of the state of his beloved
i 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
shouid 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 Inn
: posed upon It? Did the younger care
more for Cakes 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, Cakes
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
hesltations Of the English rear ad-
miral. Holding Cakes with five of his
ships to leeward De Vervlllin threw
!. the other five under Des PREF, his
contre umiral 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 succession of
sea pictures of surprising grandeur.
Bluewater, remorseful over his In
gertrude, actually carried the French
rear admiraPs ship by boarding at the
head of his men, receiving mortal
!. wound In the attack by way of expla-
: ton.
i Space allows me only to mention
the mastery descriptions of ship
maneuverlng and thrilling sea fighting.
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 admiral's steward, de,
lineated out of large experience with
a sure hand. And the great ships them.
selves are imbued with personality SO
dear to a seaman's heart.
! The touching scene at the close OF
: the book. in which Cakes, old. Infirm
forgetful, praying before the tomb OF
: Bluewater in the great abbey of West.
I, 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
y the tale. And then death unites him
= with the friend he had loved and lost.