Gunnison news-champion., 1921-08-05

To bring matters to . head n. =
Vice Amiral lie Comte Dc yervfI,s~
sailed from Cherbourg with q aeet -
such ships as fairly entitled him -
challenge the English feet Of vics AA
mirai oakes for the mastery Of a.
narrow seas
The latter. more than willing To trv
out the matter. at once put to sea n,
a heavy gale of wind. his capital shiup
weighing anchor in succession with
long intervals between them 50 as m
spread broad clue TO Intercept tn
French. Bluewater with his division
brought up the rear. The rear admiral
was ohsessed with the idea that De
yervillln's course had something to do
with the pretender's effort and his
conscientious scruples threw him into
plte0as state of indecis,on. 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 a series of the most brilliant
tactical maneuvers and a successful
minor engagement with the whole
French feet by his division alone-ths
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 wers
Just double In number. Far away to
windward the morning disclosed the
FIVE ships OF the rear admirars 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 a 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
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 admlrals stand the test he i'm
posed upon II? 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 embars
rnssing signal to his friend. which
might force his hand untimely, Oakes
boldly led down upon the waiting
French line and with his nve 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 adj
miral. Holding Oakes with five of his
ships TO leeward De yervillin 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.
Bluewnter, remorseful over his in.
certItude. actually carried the French
rear admirars ship by boarding at the
head of his men. receiving q mortal
wound In the attack by way Of expia.
ton.
Space allows me only to mention
the mastery descriptions OF ship
maneurering and thrilling sea fighting.
l can only refer to some of the well.
drawn characters in the story; the
two splendid admirnls, their captains,
the officers and seamen. especially old
Gnlleygo the admiral's steward. de-
lineated ont Of large experience with
sure hand. And the great ships them.
selves are imbued with personality 50
dear 70 seaman's heart.
The touching scene at the close Of
the book. in which oakes, old. infirn,
forgetful, praying before the tomb Of
Bluewater in the great abbey Of Vest
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
fhe glorious victory. fitly rounds out
the tale. And then death unites him
with the friend he had loved and lost.
have read the book score or mors
OF times with ever increasing JOY.
envy anyone who takes ship for the
FIRST time to sail and fight with these
TWO great masters Of the sea.