Connecticut western news., 1920-07-22

To Dflng matters to q head Fl. @ Vice Amiral Le Comte de Vervillin, sailed from Cherbourg with 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 a successful
 
 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 admiraPs divi- sion slowly standing down toward his superior under easy sail.
 BIuewater 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: r. ..r-t .-
 "God sake-make no signaI-engage not" 9-. ...
 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 im- posed upon it7 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- rassing 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 Prez, his contre amiral on the windward side of the English doubling on them, placing them between two fires. e.
 Although Oakes' 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 l who threw political considerations to 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 surpassing grandeur. Bluewater, remorseful over his in- certitude, actually carried the French rear admirals ship by boarding at the head of his men, receiving a mortal wound in the attack by way of expia- .tion.
 Space allows me only to mention the masterly descriptions of ship maneuvering and thrilling sea fighting. can only refer to some of the we'll drawn characters in the story; the i two splendid admirals, their captains, the officers and seamen, especially old Galleygo the admiral's steward, de- ! lineated out of a laTge experience with a sure hand. And the great ships them selves are imbQed with personality so dear to a seapan's heart.
 The touchi3g scene at the close of the book, in which Oakes, old,A Ainfrm. | 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 ferTor describes again those moments of suspense preceding the glorious victory, f1tly rounds out the tale. And thehs death unites him with the friend he had lOyedr and. lost.
 have read the book 'a.seoEe of more of times with ever increasing joy,. envy anyone swho takes ship for the first time to saiE and fight with these two great masters of the sea. N