Iron County news. [volume] (Hurley, Wis.) 1913-1950, 1920-07-03

! commission ne nelQs an fhe house OF
Stewart, to which his heart inclined.
To bring matters to a head NJ lie
Vice Amirai lie Comte de Yervillin.
sailed from Cherbourg with feet Of
such ships as fairly entitled him to
challenge the English feet of Vice Adj
rniral Cakes for the mastery Of the
narrow seas.
The latter, more thsn 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 cline to intercept the
| French. Bluewater with his division
| brought up the rear. The rear admiral
| was Obsessed with the idea that De
| Veryiuins 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 it was his duty to
beat when. where and how lie could.
After a series Of the most brilliant
tactical maneuvers and a 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 nim--the vice ad,
miral found himself vita 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 admirals divi-
sion slowly standing down toward his
superior under easy sail.
Bluewater was still In his state of
painful indeclsion. AS soon as within
signal distance, by using private anG
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
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 ne 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
WcUld the friendship between the
two admrals stand the test he inn
posed upon it? Did the younger care
more for Cakes and England than fer
the young prince and France? A short
time would determine MagnanimoCs-
| ~ 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
hesitations of the English rear ad-
miral. Holding Cakes 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 &c
! the wind and bore down on the
| triumphant French under a 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
| BIuewater, remorseful over his in
| gertrude, actually carried the French
/ rear admirars ship ny boarding at the
/ head of his men, receiving. a mortal
wound in the attack By way of expia-
/ ton.
i Space allows me only TO mention
j the mastery descriptions of ship
| maneuvering 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 admirars steward. de
i lneared out of n large experience with
a sure hand. And the great ships them.
selves are imbued t5tth personality so
! dear to a seaman's heart
The touching scene at the close Of
the book, IN which Oakes, old, infg7n,
forgetful praying before the tomb Of
/ BIuowater in the great abbey Of West
/ Minister recalls the last battle the
ttgo had fought and with an of his for.
mer fire and fervor Describes again
those moments Of suspense preceding
the glorious Victory. fifty rounds out
the tale And yhen death unites him
with the friend ne had loved and lost.
Ae..1 -.y.a.f AF,, hob t-.s.r., ~,o -,