Sturdy and Strong; Or, How George Andrews Made His Way

Sturdy and Strong; Or, How George Andrews Made His Way Page 8

by G. A. Henty

  DO YOUR DUTY.

  Early in the month of March, 1801, an old sailor was sitting on abench gazing over the stretch of sea which lies between Hayling Islandand the Isle of Wight. The prospect was a lively one, for in thosedays ships of war were constantly running in and out, and greatconvoys of merchantmen sailed under the protection of our cruisers;and the traffic between Spithead and Portsmouth resembled that of amuch frequented road.

  Peter Langley had been a boatswain in the king's service, and hadsettled down in his old age on a pension, and lived in a small cottagenear the western extremity of Hayling Island. Here he could see whatwas going on at Spithead, and when he needed a talk with his old"chums" could get into his boat, which was lying hauled up on thesand, and with a good wind arrive in an hour at the Hard. He wassitting at present on a portion of a wreck thrown up by a very hightide on the sandy slope, when his meditations were disturbed by alight step behind him, and a lad in a sailor's dress, some fifteenyears of age, with a bright honest face, came running down behind him.

  "Hallo, dad!"

  "Hallo, my boy! Bless me, who'd ha' thought o' seeing you!" and theold man clasped the boy in his arms in a way that showed the closerelationship between the two. "I didn't expect you for another week."

  "No! we've made a quick passage of it," the boy said; "fine wind allthe way up, with a gale or two in the right quarter. We only arrivedin the river on Monday, and as soon as we were fairly in dock I gotleave to run down to see you."

  "What were you in such a hurry for?" the old sailor said. "It's theduty of every hand to stop by the ship till she's cleared out."

  "I have always stayed before till the crew were paid off; but nosooner had we cast anchor than one of the owners came on board, andtold the captain that another cargo was ready, that the ship was to beunloaded with all speed, and to take in cargo and sail again in afortnight at the utmost, as a fleet was on the point of sailing forthe West Indies under a strong convoy."

  "A fortnight! That's sharp work," the old sailor said. "And the goodswill have to be bundled out and in again with double speed. I knowwhat it will be. You will be going out with the paint all wet, andthose lubbers the stevedores will rub it off as fast as it's put on.Well, a few days at sea will shake all down into its place. But howdid you get leave?"

  "I am rather a favorite with the first officer," the lad said. "Themen who desired to leave were to be discharged at once and a freshgang taken on board, so I asked him directly the news came round if Imight have four days away. He agreed at once, and I came down by thenight coach; and here I am for eight-and-forty hours."

  "It's a short stay," the old sailor said, "after more than a yearaway, but we mustn't waste the time in regretting it. You've grown,Harry, and are getting on fast. In another couple of years you'll befit to join a king's ship. I suppose you've got over your silly ideaabout sticking to the merchant service. It's all very well to learnyour business there as a boy, and I grant that in some things amerchantman is a better school than a king's ship. They have fewerhands, and each man has to do more and to learn to think for himself.Still, after all, there's no place like a saucy frigate for excitementand happiness."

  "I don't know, dad," the boy said. "I have been learning a littlenavigation. The first officer has been very kind to me, and I hope inthe course of two or three years to pass and get a berth as a thirdmate. Still, I should like three or four years on board a man-of-war."

  "I should think so," the old sailor said, "for a man ought to do hisduty to his country."

  "But there are plenty of men to do their duty to their country," theboy said.

  "Not a bit of it!" the sailor exclaimed. "There's a great difficultyin finding hands for the navy. Everyone wants to throw their duty uponeveryone else. They all hanker after the higher wages and loafing lifeon board a merchantman, and hate to keep themselves smart and clean asthey must do in a king's ship. If I had my way, every tar should serveat least five years of his life on board a man-of-war. It is above allthings essential, Harry, that you should do your duty."

  "I am ready to do my duty, dad," the boy said, "when the time comes. Ido it now to the best of my power, and I have in my pocket a letterfrom the first officer to you. He told you when you went down with meto see me off on my last voyage that he would keep an eye upon me, andhe has done so."

  "That's right," the old man said. "As you say, Harry, a man may do hisduty anywhere; still, for all that, it is part of his duty, if he be asailor, to help his majesty, for a time at least, against his enemies.Look at me. Why, I served man and boy for nigh fifty years, and was inaction one way and another over a hundred times, and here I am nowwith a snug little pension, and as comfortable as his gracious majestyhimself. What can you want more than that?"

  "I don't know that I can want more," the boy said, "in its way, atleast; but there are other ways in the merchant service. I mightcommand a ship by the time I am thirty, and be my own master insteadof being a mere part of a machine. I have heard the balls flying too,"he said, laughing.

  "What! did you have a brush with Mounseer?" the old tar said, greatlyinterested.

  "Yes; we had a bit of a fight with a large privateer off the coast ofSpain. Fortunately the old bark carries a long eighteen, as well asher twelves, and when the Frenchman found that we could play at longbowls as well as himself he soon drew off, but not before we haddrilled a few holes in his sails and knocked away a bit of hisbulwarks."

  "Were you hit, Harry?"

  "Yes, two or three shots hulled her, but they did little damage beyondknocking away a few of the fittings and frightening the ladypassengers. We had a strong crew, and a good many were sorry that theskipper did not hide his teeth and let the Frenchman come close beforehe opened fire. We should like to have towed him up the river with ourflag over the tricolor."

  "There, you see, Harry," the old sailor said, "you were just as readyto fight as if you had been on a man-of-war; and while in a sailingship you only get a chance if one of these privateers happens to seeyou, in a king's ship you go looking about for an enemy, and when yousee one the chances are he is bigger, instead of smaller, thanyourself."

  "Ah! well, dad, we shall never quite agree on it, I expect," the boysaid; "but for all that, I do mean to serve for a few years in aman-of-war. I expect that we may have a chance of seeing somefighting in the West Indies. There are, they say, several Frenchcruisers in that direction, and although we shall have a considerableconvoy the Frenchmen generally have the legs of our ships. I believethat some of the vessels of the convoy are taking out troops, and thatwe are going to have a slap at some of the French islands. Has therebeen any news here since I went?"

  "Nothing beyond a few rows with the smugglers. The revenue officershave a busy time here. There's no such place for smuggling on thecoast as between Portsmouth and Chichester. These creeks are just theplaces for smugglers, and there's so much traffic in the Channel thata solitary lugger does not attract the attention of the coastguard asit does where the sea's more empty. However, I don't trouble myselfone way or the other about it. I may know a good deal of thesmuggling, or I may not, but it's no business of mine. If it were myduty to lend a hand to the coast-guard, I should do it; but as itisn't, I have no ill-will to the smugglers, and am content enough toget my spirits cheap."

  "But, dad, surely it's your duty to prevent the king being cheated?"Harry said with a smile.

  "If the king himself were going to touch the money," the old sailorsaid sturdily, "I would lend a hand to see that he got it, but there'sno saying where this money would have gone. Besides, if the spiritshadn't been run, they would not have been brought over here at all,so after all the revenue is none the worse for the smuggling."

  The boy laughed. "You can cheat yourself, dad, when you like, but youknow as well as I do that smuggling's dishonest, and that those whosmuggle cheat the revenue."

  "Ah, well!" the sailor said, "it may be so, but I don't clearly seethat it's my duty to give information in the matter. If I did feel asit
were going to be my duty, I should let all my neighbors know it,and take mighty good care that they didn't say anything within earshotof me, that I might feel called on to repeat. And now, let's go up tothe cottage and see the old woman."

  "I looked in there for a moment," Harry said, "as I passed. Motherlooks as hale and hearty as she did when I left, and so do you, dad."

  "Yes, we have nothing to complain of," the old man said. "I have beenso thoroughly seasoned with salt water that it would take a long timefor me to decay."

  When they got up to the cottage they found that Jane Langley had gotbreakfast prepared. Rashers of bacon were smoking on the table, and alarge tankard of beer stood by, for in those days the use of tea hadnot become general in this country.

  "Have you heard, mother," Peter Langley said, "that the boy is toleave us again in forty-eight hours?"

  "No, indeed," the old woman said; "but this is hard news. I had hopedthat you would be with us for a bit, my boy, for we're getting on fastin life, and may not be here when you return."

  "Oh, mother! we will not think of such a thing as that," Harry said."Father was just saying that he's so seasoned that even time cannotmake much of such a tough morsel; and you seem as hearty as he is."

  "Aye, boy," Peter said, "that be true, but when old oak does comedown, he generally falls sudden. However, we won't make our first mealsad by talking of what might be."

  Gayly during the meal they chatted over the incidents of Harry'svoyage to India and back. It was his second trip. The lad had had amuch better education than most boys in his rank of life at that time,the boatswain having placed him at the age of ten in charge of aschoolmaster at Portsmouth. When Harry had reached that age Peter hadretired from the service, and had settled down at Hayling, but for twoyears longer he had kept Harry at school. Then he had apprenticed himto a firm of shipowners in London, and one of the officers under whomPeter had served had spoken to the heads of the firm, so that the boywas put in a ship commanded by a kind and considerate officer, and towhose charge he was specially recommended. Thus he had not forgottenwhat he had learned at school, as is too often the case with lads inhis position. His skipper had seen that he not only kept up what heknew, but that he studied for an hour or so each day such subjects aswould be useful to him in his career.

  After breakfast the pair again went out onto the sandhills, Peter, asusual, carrying a huge telescope with him, with which he was in thehabit of surveying every ship as she rounded the west of the islandand came running in through the channel to Portsmouth. Most of themen-of-war he knew in an instant, and the others he could make ashrewd guess at. Generally when alone with Harry he was full of talkof the sea, of good advice as to the lad's future bearing, and ofsuggestions and hints as to the best course to be adopted in variousemergencies. But to-day he appeared unusually thoughtful, and smokedhis pipe, and looked out in silence over the sea, scarcely evenlifting his telescope to his eye.

  "I've been thinking, Harry," he said at last, "that as you are goingaway again, and, as the old woman says, you may not find us both herewhen you come back, it is right that I should tell you a little moreabout yourself. I once told you, years ago, that you were not my son,and that I would give you more particulars some day."

  The lad looked anxiously up at the old sailor. It was a matter whichhe had often thought over in his mind, for although he loved thehonest tar and his good wife as much as he could have done his naturalparents, still, since he had known that he was their adopted son only,he had naturally wondered much as to who his parents were, and whatwas their condition in life.

  "I thought it as well," the old sailor began, "not to tell you thishere yarn until you were getting on. Boys' heads get upset with alittle breeze, especially if they have no ballast, and though it isn'tlikely now that you will ever get any clew as to your birth, and itwill make no difference whether it was a duke or a ship's caulker whowas your father, still it's right that you should know the facts, asno one can say when they start on a voyage in life what craft they mayfall aboard before they've done. It may be, Harry, that as you intendsto stick to the merchant service--saving, of course, that little timeyou mean to serve on board a king's ship--you may rise to be askipper, and perhaps an owner. It may be, boy, that as a skipper youmay fall in love with some taut craft sailing in your convoy. I'veseen such things before now, and then the fact that you might be, foraught you know, the son of a marquis instead of being that of aboatswain, might score in your favor. Women have curious notions, andthough, for my part, I can't see that it makes much difference wherethe keel of a craft was laid as long as it's sound and well-built,there are those who thinks different.

  "Well, to tell you the yarn. It were nigh fourteen years ago that Iwas boatswain aboard the _Alert_ frigate, as taut a craft as eversailed. We had a smart captain and as good a crew as you'd want tosee. We were cruising in the West Indies, and had for months been,off and on, in chase of a craft that had done much damage there. Shecarried a black flag, and her skipper was said to be the biggestvillain that ever even commanded a pirate. Scarce a week passed butsome ship was missing. It mattered little to him whether she sailedunder the English, the French, or the Spanish flag; all was fish tohim. Many and many a vessel sailed laden that never reached Europe.Sometimes a few charred timbers would be thrown up on the shore of theislands, showing that the ship to which they belonged had been takenand burned before she had gone many days on her way. Often and oftenhad the pirate been chased. She was bark-rigged, which was in itself avery unusual thing with pirates--indeed, I never knew of one before.But she had been, I believe, a merchantman captured by the pirate, andwas such a beauty that he hoisted his flag on her, and handed his ownschooner over to his mate. Somehow or other he had altered herballast, and maybe lengthened her a bit, for those pirates have arendezvous in some of the islands, where they are so strong that theycan, if need be, build a ship of their own. Anyhow, she was thefastest ship of her class that ever was seen on those seas, and thoughour cruisers had over and over again chased her, she laughed at them,and would for a whole day keep just out of reach of their bow-chaserswith half her sails set, while the cruisers were staggering underevery rag they could put on their masts. Then when she was tired ofthat game she would hoist her full canvas and leave the king's vesselbehind as if she was standing still. Once or twice she nearly gotcaught by cruisers coming up in different directions, but each timeshe managed to slip away without ever having a rope or stay started bya shot. We in the _Alert_ had been on her footsteps a dozen times, buthad had no more luck than the rest of them, and the mere name of the_Seamew_ was sufficient to put any one of us into a passion. Therewasn't one of the ship's company, from the captain down to thepowder-monkey, who wouldn't have cheerfully given a year's pay to getalongside the _Seamew_. The _Alert_ carried thirty-two guns, and ourcrew was stronger than usual in a vessel of that size, for there was agood deal of boat service, and it was considered that at any moment'Yellow Jack' might lay a good many hands up--or down, as the case maybe. Well, one night we were at anchor in Porto Rico, and the firstlieutenant had strolled up with two of the middies to the top of ahill just before the sun went down. He had taken a glass with him.Just as the night was falling, a middy on our quarter-deck, who waslooking at the shore with a glass, said to the second lieutenant, whowas on watch:

  "'Look, sir; here comes Mr. Jones with Keen and Hobart down that hillas if he were running a race. He isn't likely to be racing themiddies. What can he be after?'

  "'No,' the second lieutenant said, with a smile; 'Mr. Jones is hardlylikely to be racing the middies'; which, indeed, was true enough, forthe first lieutenant was as stiff as a ramrod--a good officer, but asstrict a martinet as ever I sailed under.

  "The second lieutenant took the glasses, and saw that, whatever thereason might be, it was as the midshipman had said. The news that Mr.Jones was coming down the hill, running as if Old Nick was after him,soon spread, and there was quite an excitement on the quarter-deck asto what could be the matter.
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  "Ten minutes afterwards the gig was seen coming off to the ship, andit was evident, by the way the spray was flying and the oars bending,that the men were pulling as if for life or death. By this time thenews had spread through the ship, and the captain himself was on thequarter-deck.

  "'Give me the speaking-trumpet,' he said, and as the boat came withincall he shouted, 'What's the matter, Mr. Jones? Is anything wrong?'

  "'I've sighted,' the lieutenant said, standing up and making a trumpetwith his two hands, 'two craft together round the point of the islandsome fifteen miles at sea. They're low down on the sea-line, but bytheir look I think that one is the _Seamew_ and the other amerchantman she has captured.'

  "Not a moment was lost. The captain gave the orders sharp and quick.The men, who were all standing about, were in a minute clustering onthe yards, and never was canvas got on a ship faster than it was onthe _Alert_ that evening. Before the boat was fairly run up to thedavits the anchor was at the cat-head, and the _Alert's_ bows werepointing seawards. Five minutes afterwards, with every stitch ofcanvas set, we were running out of the harbor. The first lieutenanthad taken the bearings pretty accurately, and as there was a briskevening breeze blowing we spun along at a famous rate. By this time itwas dark, and we had every hope that we might come upon the piratebefore she had finished transferring the cargo of her prize under herown hatches. Not a light was shown, and as the moon was not up wehoped to get within gunshot before being seen, as the pirate, seeingno craft within sight before the sun went down, would not suspect thatthe _Alert_ could be on his traces. We had to sail close to the windtill we were round the point of the island, and then to run nearlybefore it towards the spot where the vessels had been seen. In twohours from the time of starting we reckoned that we must be gettingclose to them if they still remained hove-to.

  "All of a sudden, some two miles ahead, a point or two off thestarboard bow, a great flame shot up. Every moment it grew and grewuntil we could see a large ship in flames, while another lay about aquarter of a mile distant. Three or four boats were pulling from theship in flames towards the other, and as this was a bark we had nodoubt that we had caught the _Seamew_ at her villainous work. Thepirate was lying between us and the burning merchantman, so that whileher spars stood out clear and distinct against the glare of light wemust have been invisible to her. The word was passed quickly forwardfor the men to go to quarters. Every gun was double-shotted and runout, and then, all being ready for the fight, the men stripped totheir waists, cutlasses and boarding-pikes ready to hand, we waitedwith breathless anxiety. We were already within range of ourbow-chasers, and as yet there was no sign that the pirate wasconscious of our presence. The boats were now near him, and no doubtthose on board were looking rather in their direction than towindward. Rapidly the _Alert_ tore through the water, the sailtrimmers were all ready to take in her light canvas at a moment'snotice. The officers clustered on the quarter-deck, and the men stoodby their guns with every eye strained at the pirate. Nearer and nearerwe came, and our hopes rose higher and higher. We were within a milenow, when suddenly a great movement was seen on board the pirate. Thebreeze was steady, and the sea quiet, and loud words of command couldbe heard shouted as a swarm of men ran up the rattlins. It was clearwe were seen. There was no further need of concealment, and thecaptain gave word for the bow-chasers to open. Quickly as the pirategot her canvas spread--and I do think that sharp as we had been onboard the _Alert_, the _Seamew_ was even quicker in getting undercanvas--we were scarce a quarter of a mile from her when she gotfairly under way. Up to this moment not a gun had spoken save the twobow-chasers, as the captain would not yaw her until the last momentThen round she came and poured a broadside into the _Seamew_. Ordershad been given to fire high, and every man was on his mettle. Themaintop-mast of the _Seamew_ fell, snapped at the cap; the peakhalyards of the mizzen were shot away, and a number of holes weredrilled through her sails. A loud cheer broke from our men. Fast asthe _Seamew_ was she was sufficiently crippled now to prevent hergetting away, and at last she was to show whether she could fight aswell as run, and I must say for her she did.

  "She carried but twenty guns against our thirty-two, but they were offar heavier metal, and after ten minutes the _Alert_ was as muchbruised and battered as if she had been fighting a Frenchman of equalsize for an hour. However, we had not been idle, and as our shot hadbeen principally directed against the enemy's rigging, as our greatobject was to cripple her and so prevent her from getting away, shewas by this time a mere wreck above, although her sides were scarcelytouched; whereas two of our ports had been knocked into one, and somethirty of our men had been struck down either by shot or by splinters.Pouring a last broadside into her, the captain ordered the _Alert_ tobe brought alongside the _Seamew_. There was no need to call upon theboarders to be ready. Every man was prepared, and as the vessels camealongside our men rushed to the assault. But the crew of the _Seamew_were as eager to board us as we were them, and upon the very bulwarksa desperate combat ensued. Strong as we were, the _Seamew_ carriedfully as many hands, and as they were fighting with halters roundtheir necks it's little wonder that they fought so well.

  "I've been in a good many fights, but never did I see one like that.Each man hacked, and hewed, and wielded his boarding-pike as if thewhole fight depended upon his single exertions. Gradually the menwhose places were at the guns on the starboard side left their placesand joined in the fight, while those on the port side continued topour a fire of grape into the enemy. It was near half an hour beforewe got a fair footing on the pirate's deck, and then steadily andgradually we fought our way forward. But it was another half-hourafter the pirate captain and all his officers had been killed, andfully half the crew cut down, that the rest surrendered.

  "On board the _Alert_ we had fully one-third of our complement killedor wounded. Mr. Jones had been shot through the head; the second andthird lieutenants were both badly wounded, and the captain himself hadhad his jaw broken by a pistol fired in his face. I got this scar onmy cheek, which spoiled my beauty for the rest of my life, but as Ihad been over thirty years married to the old woman that made butlittle difference. Never were a crew more glorious than we were thatnight. Even the wounded felt that the victory had been cheaplypurchased. We had captured the scourge of these seas, which had forten years laughed at all the fastest cruisers of our navy, and we feltas proud as if we had captured a French first-rate.

  "All hands were at work next day in repairing damages. I was up aloftseeing to the fitting of fresh gear to the topgallant-mast when I sawsomething floating at sea which took my attention. It seemed to melike a box, and an empty one, for it floated high on the water. Itslid seemed to be open, and I thought once or twice that I sawsomething inside. I slid down to the quarter-deck and reported what Ihad seen. The third lieutenant, who was doing duty with his arm in asling, was not disposed to take the men off their work to lower aboat; but as I pointed out that the box might have belonged to themerchantman which had been burned overnight, and that it might affordsome clew as to the name of the ship, he consented, and with fourhands I was soon rowing towards the box.

  "I don't know what I had expected to see, but I was never moresurprised than when, getting there, I found that it was a trunk, andthat in it, sitting up, was a child about eighteen months old. Thatwas you, Harry. In the bottom of the trunk were a locket with awoman's likeness in it, a curious Indian bangle, and a few otherarticles of jewelry. How you got there we never knew, but thesupposition was that when the pirate was overhauling the merchantman,and her true nature was ascertained, some mother, knowing the fatethat awaited all on board, had put you in an open trunk, had thrown inwhat ornaments she had about her, and had dropped the trunk overboard,in hopes that it might drift away and be picked up by some passingship. It was a wild venture, with a thousand to one against itssuccess, but the Lord had watched over it, and there you were as snugand comfortable as if you had been laying in your own cot, though, bythe way, you were squalling as loud as a litter of ki
ttens, and Iexpect had missed your breakfast considerably. You were sitting up,and it was lucky that you were backward of your age, for, although byyour size we guessed you to be eighteen months, you were still unableto walk. If you had been as active as some chaps of that age you wouldhave scrambled onto your feet, and no doubt capsized your boat.

  "Well, we brought you on board, and there was a great talk as to whatwas to be done with you; but as I was your discoverer I claimed you asa lawful prize, and I thought you would amuse the old woman while Iwas at sea, and perhaps be a comfort to me when I got laid up inordinary, as indeed you have been. So that's all I know, Harry. Everyinquiry was made, but we never heard of any ship which exactlyanswered to the description. You see, beyond the fact that she was asquare-rigged ship we could say but little about her. The ornamentsfound in the box seemed to show that she had come from the EastIndies, but of course that could not be, for what would she be doingthere? But at any rate the person who put you into the trunk, and whowas no doubt your mother, had been to the East Indies, or at least hadbeen given those ornaments by someone who had, for there was no doubtwhere they were turned out.

  "Well, on board the _Alert_ everyone got promoted. There was enoughvaluable property found on board the _Seamew_ to give us a handsomesum all round, and it was my share of the prize-money that enabled meto buy this little cottage, and went no small way towards paying foryour schooling and board. As no one else claimed you, and your friendscould not be heard of, no one disputed my right to your guardianship;and so, my boy, here you have been cruising about the world as HarryLangley ever since."

  The old sailor was silent, and Harry was some time before he spoke.

  "Well, dad, you may not have been my real father, but no one couldhave been a better father to me than you have, and as it isn't likelynow that I shall ever hit upon a clew which could lead me to discoverwho I am, I shall continue to regard you as my real father. Still, asyou say, it may perhaps in life be some advantage to me to be able toclaim that I am the son of a marquis;" and he laughed merrily. Theytalked the matter over for some time, and then Harry changed thesubject.

  "Are all our friends well?" Harry asked.

  "All except poor Tom Hardy. He slipped his cable six months since, andhis wife, poor old soul, is gone to some friends near Winchester."

  "Who's living in the cottage?"

  "Black Jack has taken it."

  "What! has he moved from his old place, then?"

  "No, it is said that he's taken it for a Frenchy, who comes down offand on. They say he's in the smuggling business with Black Jack, andthat he disposes of the silks and wines that are brought over in the_Lucy_, and that Jack trades over in France with his friends. Thelieutenant at the coast-guard station has his eye upon him, and Ibelieve that some day they will catch Black Jack as he runs his cargo;but he's a slippery customer. It would be a good day for Hayling ifthey could do so, for he and his crew do a lot of harm to the place.They look more like men who have belonged to the _Seamew_ I wastalking to you about than honest English fishermen."

  "It is a curious thing, dad, that the Frenchman should be comingbackwards and forwards here, and I wonder that the revenue peopledon't inquire into it."

  "I don't suppose that they know very much about it, Harry. He comesoff and on, generally arriving at night, and leaving a few hoursafterwards. I hear about these things because everyone knows that oldPeter Langley is not the chap to put his nose into other people'sbusiness. I don't like these goings on, I must say, and consider theywill end badly. However, it is no business of ours, lad. We get ourbrandy cheap in Hayling--nowhere cheaper, I should say--and that,after all, is the matter that concerns us most. The wind's risingfast; I think we're in for a gale."

  It was as Peter said. The clouds were rising fast behind the island,the waves were breaking with a short, sharp sound upon the beach,white heads were beginning to show themselves out at sea, the fishingcraft were running in towards Portsmouth under reefed sails, themen-of-war at Spithead could be seen sending down their topmasts, andeverything betokened that it would be a nasty night.

  "What time must you leave, Harry?"

  "I shall go off at three to-morrow morning; shall cross the ferry, andcatch the coach as it goes along at eight. I promised that I would beback on the following morning, and I would not fail in keeping myappointment, for as the captain has been so good I should be sorrythat he should think that I had broken my word."

  In the course of the day Harry went over to the village and saw manyof his boy friends. Bill Simpkins, however, his great chum, happenedto be away, but his parents said that he would be back at nine in theevening. He had gone over to Winchester to see a brother who was in aregiment quartered there. Accordingly, soon after nine o'clock Harrysaid to his father that he would just walk over to have a chat withhis friend, and be back in an hour or so.

  "Thou had best stop at home and go to bed at once," Jane Langley said;"if thou hast to start at three o'clock, it were time thou wert in bednow."

  "I am accustomed to short nights," Harry said, laughing, "and I shallbe able to sleep long to-morrow."

  Putting on his hat, he nodded to the old couple, and went off at a runinto the darkness.

  The road was a wide one, and but little frequented, and the grass grewthick over a considerable portion of the sides, therefore as he ranalong with a light, springy tread the sound of his footsteps wasdeadened. As he came along by the cottage of which he had beenspeaking to Peter Langley he heard the sound of voices within. Beingcurious to see what this mysterious Frenchman was like, Harry paused,lightly lifted the latch of the gate, and entered the little garden.He had intended to peep in at the window, and having satisfied hiscuriosity to be off; but just as he reached the door the latter openedsuddenly, and Harry had only time to draw back behind the little porchbefore two men came out. In one Harry recognized by his voice thesmuggler Black Jack; the other was by his halting English evidentlythe foreigner. They stopped for a moment, looking out into the night.

  "I tell you," the smuggler said, "it's going to be a storm, and nomistake. The _Lucy_ is a tight craft, and has weathered gales whenmany a bigger ship has gone down. Still, I don't like running out intoit without necessity."

  "Necezity," said the Frenchman. "I sould have sought zat ze earning offive hundred pounds was as urgent a necezity as was wanted."

  "Aye, the money will be handy enough," the smuggler said, "though onedoes put one's head into the noose to earn it. However, the sum isbigger than usual, and, as you say, the affair is important."

  "Bah!" the Frenchman said, "what does it matter about ze nooze? Ithasn't got over your zick neck or my zin one, and till it does weneedn't trouble about it. I tell you zis is ze most important dispatchwe have ever sent, and if it gets safe to hand zey cannot grudge usdouble pay. I have ridden from London wizout stopping, and have killeda horse worth fifty of your guineas. However, zat matters not. Zisletter should fetch us ze money to pay for a dozen horses and a dozenof your _Lucys_."

  "All right!" the smuggler said; "in an hour we will be off. Letterslike that in your pocket are best not kept on hand. You are sure thatthe _Chasse Maree_ will put out to meet us in such weather as we arelikely to have?"

  "She will put out if a hurricane's blowing," the Frenchman said. "Zeyknow ze importance of ze news, which is expected, and which I ambringing zem. _Mon Dieu!_ what sums have been paid to get ze newszat's in zis little dispatch!"

  "Do you know what it is?" the smuggler said.

  "Not for certain," the Frenchman replied, "but I believe it is zeorders zat are to be sent to ze British fleet, and zat zey are aboutto strike a great blow zomewhere."

  "Well," the smuggler said, "I will go round and tell the boys. Iwarned them to be in readiness, and I will send them straight down tothe beach. In a quarter of an hour I will return for you."

  While this conversation had been going on Harry had been standingagainst the porch, the sides of which were filled with latticeworkover which a creeper grew. He ha
d been frightened at the importance ofthe secret that he was hearing, and had been rapidly meditating in hismind how this all-portant information which was about to be conveyedto the enemy could be stopped. He had made up his mind that theinstant the smuggler moved out he would make his way down to thevillage, tell the tale to half a dozen men, and have the Frenchmanseized. He saw at once that it would be difficult, for the smugglerand his gang were not men to be attacked with impunity, and thefishers of the village would hesitate in taking part in such astruggle merely on the information of a boy. However, Harry saw thatit was the only chance.

  In his anxiety to stand close to the lattice and so hide himself fromthe view of the two men who were standing on the little garden-path infront, he pressed too hard against it. The woodwork was rotten withage, and suddenly with a crash it gave way.

  With an oath the smuggler turned round, and he and the Frenchmandashed to the spot, and in an instant had collared the lad. In amoment he was dragged into the room.

  "We must cut his throat, mounseer," the smuggler said, with a terribleimprecation. "The scoundrel has heard what we've said, and our liveswon't be worth a minute's purchase if he were to be let free. Stand byand I'll knock out his brains;" and he seized a heavy poker from theside of the hearth.

  "No, no," the Frenchman said, "don't let us have blood. Zere might beinquiries, and zese sings will sometimes be found. Better take him tosea wis you in ze _Lucy_, and hand him over to ze _Chasse Maree_. Zeywill take care zat he does not come back again."

  "I will take care myself," the smuggler said. "I'm not going to riskmy neck on the chance of his blabbing. It's better, as you say, tohave no blood, but as soon as the _Lucy's_ at sea overboard he goes."

  "We can talk of it," the Frenchman said. "I'm wis you zat he must besilenced, but it may be better--my plan zan yours. Zis boy belongs, Isuppose, to ze village?"

  "Yes," the smuggler said, "I know him by sight. He's the son of anold man-of-war's man who lives half a mile away."

  "Well, you see, some of your men might some day, if they quarreled wisyou, or in zeir drink, drop some words which might lead to inquiries.Better put him on board ze _Chasse Maree_. I will see ze matter issettled."

  Harry had spoken no word from the time he was grasped. He felt in aninstant that his life was forfeited, and was surprised that he had notbeen instantly killed. He had not raised his voice to hallo, for heknew that no cottagers were near, and was sure that an attempt to givethe alarm would insure his instant death. To struggle would have beenuseless. He was unarmed, and although a stout lad, was but a child inthe grasp of a powerful man like the smuggler. He saw, too, that onthe instant the Frenchman had drawn a dagger from his breast, andthough more quiet than the smuggler he felt by the tone of his voicethat he was as determined as his colleague that his silence should besecured by death.

  In another minute he was bound and thrown into a corner. The Frenchmanthen took his seat near him, assuring him in a low tone that he wouldat his first movement plant his dagger in his heart. The smugglerstrolled off to summon his crew, and for a quarter of an hour silencereigned in the cottage.

  "You are one fool," the Frenchman said at last, as if he had beenthinking the matter over--"one meddlesome fool. Why you want to listenat people's doors and learn zeir secrets? I don't want to kill you,but what are we to do? You make us kill you. You push your own headinto ze trap. Zat is ze way wis boys. Zey are forever meddling inaffairs zat concern zem not, and zen we have ze trouble to kill zem. Iwould give a hundred pounds if zis had not happened; but what can Ido? It is my life against yours, and alzough I am sorry to have to doit--_parbleu!_ my life is of much more value zan zat of a fishing boy.Bah! you are one meddlesome fool."

  So exasperated was the Frenchman at the trouble which the prying ofthis lad had brought upon him that he got up and angrily gave him akick. A few minutes later the smuggler returned.

  "The men have all gone down to the boat," he said briefly. "Comealong, mounseer. Bring that tin case with you, and those pistols."

  "Zere is no fear zat I forget ze tin case," the Frenchman said. "As toze pistols--zey are not of much use. However, I will take zem;" and hethrust them into the pockets of his coat.

  The smuggler stooped, picked up Harry, threw him onto a sail which hehad laid on the ground, wrapped this round him, and then cast him overhis shoulder.

  "I'm not likely to meet anyone on my way to the boat," he said, "butshould I do so I'm taking the mainsail of the _Lucy_ down to her."

  In another minute Harry heard the door slam, and then he felt himselfbeing carried steadily along, his weight being as nothing to thesmuggler. Not a word was spoken between the two men on their way downto the shore. Presently Harry felt by the deadened sound of thefootsteps, and by the more uneven motion, that he was being carriedover the sandy slopes down to the edge of the sea, and through thecanvas he could hear the loud roar of the waves, which were nowbreaking violently.

  Presently he was flung roughly down on the sands. A minute later hewas lifted by the head and feet, and swung into a boat. Not a word wasspoken as it was shoved off through the breakers, and after tenminutes' hard rowing he felt a shock, and knew that they werealongside of the _Lucy_. He was hauled up on deck. He heard a fewwords of command, and then felt the vessel was on her way. A minute ortwo later the covering was unloosed. His cords were cut, and thesmuggler said to him, "You can't get away now, and may as well makeyourself handy for the present. Give a haul on that rope."

  The _Lucy_ was, in fact, short-handed, two of the six men who composedher crew being absent. She was a lugger of some twenty-five tons'burden, built something like an ordinary fishing-boat, but longer andlower, and was, in fact, used for fishing when her crew were notengaged upon other adventures. She was a remarkably fast craft, andhad more than once showed her heels with success when chased by therevenue cutters. She owed her immunity from capture, however, chieflyto her appearance, as from her size and build she generally passedunsuspected as an innocent fisherman.

  The storm increased in violence, and the little lugger, although agood sea-boat, had difficulty in making her way almost in the teeth ofthe gale. She was bound, Harry gained from a word or two dropped bythe captain, for the mouth of the Loire, off which she was to be metby the _Chasse Maree_. Long before morning the coast of England wasout of sight, and the lugger was struggling down Channel bravelyholding her way in the sou'westerly gale.

  "Will she be zere true to her time?" the Frenchman asked the smuggler.

  "Aye, she will do it," Black Jack said, "if the wind holds as atpresent. Two o'clock in the morning is the time named, and if yourpeople are as punctual as I shall be, the five hundred pounds will begained. There's one thing--in such a gale as is blowing to-day none ofour cruisers who may be off the coast are likely to trouble themselvesabout a boat like ours. They may wonder what we are doing at sea, butare scarcely likely to chase us."

  Once or twice in the course of the day large vessels were seen in thedistance, which Harry knew, by the cut of their sails, to be Englishcruisers. All were, however, lying-to under the smallest canvas, andHarry knew that any assistance from them was out of the question.Towards evening the gale moderated, but the sea was still very high.During the day Harry had turned over in his mind every possible planby which he might destroy the tin case which contained, as he knew,such important documents. From what he had gathered he learned thatthe success of some great undertaking upon which the British fleetwere about to embark would be marred if these papers were to findtheir way into the hands of the French authorities. His own life heregarded as absolutely forfeited, for he was sure that no sooner washe fairly on board the French _Chasse Maree_ than he would, at theorders of the French spy, be thrown overboard, and that his life hadbeen so preserved, not from any feeling of mercy, but in order thathis death might be accomplished with less risk to those whose safetydemanded it.

  He was determined, if opportunity presented, to seize the little caseand to leap overboard with it. The French spy
never for one moment putit down. It was a small tin case, with a handle at the top, and someeight inches long by three inches wide, and the same deep. Sometimesthe Frenchman put it in his pocket, beyond which it projected, buteven then he took the precaution always to keep his hand upon it.During the day Harry was constantly employed in work on board thelugger, hauling at ropes and acting as if he were one of the regularcrew. He had shared in the meals with the men, but beyond a curse nowand then not a word had been addressed to him by any on board. Thenight came on; the wind was still going down, but the sea was veryheavy. From the occasional rifts in the clouds the stars could be seenshining brightly, and once or twice the moon broke through and spreada light over the angry sea. As time went on the smuggler becameanxious, and kept a keen lookout ahead.

  "It is past two," he exclaimed presently to the Frenchman, "and we arenearly off the mouth of the river. When the moon shone out just now Ithought I caught sight of a vessel coming out, and I believe towindward an English cruiser is lying. However, I will get ready thelanterns."

  The next time the moon came out a vessel was clearly seen. Thesmuggler raised the lantern above the bulwarks, held it there for halfa minute, and then lowered it. This he repeated three times. A momentlater a similar signal was made on the bows of the vessel.

  "That's her," the smuggler exclaimed exultingly, "and the five hundredpounds is as good as in my pocket!"

  As he spoke a bright flash was seen to windward.

  "Confound it!" the smuggler said, "that cruiser has caught sight ofthe Frenchman. However, we shall be on board in plenty of time, andwhether she gets safe to shore or not matters not much to me. I shallhave done my part of the work, and you, mounseer, will give me theorder for payment on London."

  "It's done, my friend," the Frenchman said; "you've done your workwell. Here's the order."

  By this time the French craft was within a distance of a quarter of amile, running down at a great pace under her reefed sails.

  "It'll be no easy matter to get on board," the smuggler said, "for thesea is running tremendously. They will have to throw a rope, and youwill have to catch it, mounseer, and jump overboard. I suppose yourdispatch-box is water-tight?"

  "And the boy?" the Frenchman asked.

  "Let them throw another rope," the smuggler said, "and you can haulhim on board too. It won't make much matter whether I slip the nooseround his body or his neck. The last will be the easiest plan perhaps,for then, if he happens not to be alive when you pull him out, itwould be an accident; and even if anyone chooses to peach, they can'tswear that it was purposely done."

  Harry was standing near, and heard the words. He was close to the helmat the time, and watched with intense anxiety as the _Chasse Maree_ran rapidly down to them. It was clear that what had to be done mustbe done quickly, for another flash came up from the cruiser; andalthough in the din of the wind and the toss of the waves it could notbe seen where her shot had fallen, the brightness of the flash showedthat she had come up since the last shot was discharged. The _ChasseMaree_ ran down, and as she came her captain stood upon the bulwarksand shouted at the top of his voice "Keep her steady, and as I runpast I will throw a rope."

  "Throw two," Black Jack shouted. "There are two to come on board."

  The course taken by the _Chasse Maree_ would bring her along at adistance of some ten yards from the side of the lugger. At the momenta squall came, and the lugger's head turned a little towards theapproaching craft. When she was just upon them Harry saw that his onechance of escape had come. With a sudden rush he knocked the man atthe helm from his footing, and put the tiller up hard. The lugger paidoff instantly. Black Jack, with an oath, turned round and sprang atHarry. The lad leaped beneath his uplifted hand, sprang at theFrenchman, who was standing with his back to him, and snatching thetin box from his hand leaped overboard.

  Momentary as had been his hold upon the tiller it had been sufficient.The vessel had paid off from the wind, and before the helmsman couldregain his feet, or Black Jack could seize the tiller, she lay acrossthe course of the _Chasse Maree_; and in another moment the Frenchcraft plunged down upon her, and with a crash the _Lucy_ sank underher bows, and went down with all on board.

  As Harry sank beneath the waves he heard a shout of dismay from thoseon board the _Lucy_. When he came up a minute later he saw the _ChasseMaree_ plowing her way from him, but no sign of the _Lucy_ was to beseen. Harry was a good swimmer, and fortunately the dispatch-box whichhe grasped was water-tight, and buttoning it within his jacket he feltthat it kept his head easily above the water. He swam as well as hecould away from the spot where the Lucy had disappeared, for he knewthat if Black Jack or the Frenchman had escaped being run down andshould see him, his death was certain--not indeed that his chanceswere in any case good, but with the natural hopefulness of boyhood heclung to life, and resolved to make a fight for it as long aspossible. Had it not been for the dispatch-box he must have speedilysuccumbed, for in so heavy a sea it was difficult in the extreme toswim. However, after a short time he turned his back to the wind, andsuffered himself quietly to drift.

  Hour passed after hour, and at last, to his intense delight, morningbegan to break. He saw on his right the low shores of the Frenchcoast, and looking round beheld seaward the British cruiser which hadfired at the _Chasse Maree_. She was running quietly along the coast,and was evidently on guard at the mouth of the river. The sea had nowgone down much, and the sun rose bright in an almost cloudless sky.

  Invigorated by the sight of the vessel Harry at once swam towards her.She was farther out by a mile than the spot where he was swimming, andwas some two miles astern of him. She was sailing but slowly, and hehoped that by the time she came along he would be able to get withina distance whence he might be seen. His fear was that she might runback before she reached the spot where she would be nearer to him.

  With all his strength he swam steadily out, keeping his eye fixedsteadily on the ship. Still she came onward, and was within half amile when she was abreast of him. Then raising himself as high as hecould from the water, he shouted at the top of his voice. Again andagain he splashed with his hands to make as much spray and commotionas possible in order to attract attention. His heart almost stoodstill with joy as he heard an answering hail, and a moment later hesaw the vessel come round into the wind, and lay there with her sailsback. Then a boat was lowered, and five minutes later he was hauledin, his senses almost leaving him now that the time for exertion hadpassed. It was not until he had been lifted onto the deck of the_Viper_, and brandy had been poured down his throat, that he was ableto speak. As soon as he was sufficiently recovered he was sent for tothe captain's cabin.

  "And who are you, boy, and whence do you come?" the captain asked. "Doyou belong to the _Chasse Maree_, which we chased in the night?"

  The officer spoke in French, supposing that Harry had fallen overboardfrom that craft.

  "I am English, sir," Harry said, "and escaped from a lugger which wasrun down by the French craft just as you were firing at her."

  "I thought," exclaimed the captain, "that my eyes had not been wrong.I was sure that I saw a small fishing-boat close to the _ChasseMaree_. We lost sight of her when a cloud came over the moon, andthought we must have been mistaken. How came you there in an Englishfishing-boat?"

  Harry modestly told the story, and produced the dispatch-box.

  "This is important news indeed," the officer said, "and your conducthas been in every way most gallant. What is your name, lad?"

  "Harry Langley," he replied. "I am an apprentice on board the Indiaman_Dundas Castle_, and was to have sailed this week in the convoy forthe West Indies."

  "You will not be able to do that now," the captain said. "This is mostimportant. However, the steward will take charge of you, and I willtalk to you again presently."

  The steward was called, and was told to put Harry into a cot slung forhim, and to give him a bowl of warm soup; and in a few minutes the ladwas asleep.

  The _Viper_ shortly afte
rwards hauled her wind, and ran down to aconsort who was keeping watch with her over the mouth of the Loire.The captain repaired on board the other ship, whose commander was hissenior officer, and a consultation was held between them, after whichthe _Viper_ was again got under sail and shaped her course forPortsmouth.

  The wind was fair, and the next morning the _Viper_ passed throughthe Needles, and soon afterwards anchored at Spithead. Here a largenumber of men-of-war and frigates were at anchor, and above two of thelargest floated the flags of admirals. The _Viper_ had made her signalas she came in sight of the fleet, and a reply was instantly run upfrom the masthead of the admiral's ship, directing the captain to comeon board immediately the anchor was dropped. The moment this was donethe captain's gig was lowered, and calling to Harry to follow him thecaptain took his seat in the stern-sheets, and rowed for the admiral'sship. Directing the lad to remain on deck, the captain at once enteredthe admiral's cabin, and a few minutes later the admiral's orderlysummoned Harry to enter.

  Admiral Sir Hyde Parker had evidently had a breakfast party, for anumber of naval officers, including Admiral Nelson and most of thecaptains of the men-of-war, were seated round the table. The admiralturned to Harry.

  "So you are the lad who has brought this box of dispatches?"

  "Yes, sir," Harry said modestly.

  "Tell us your story over again," the admiral said. "It's a strangeone."

  Harry again repeated the account of his adventures from the time ofleaving his father's cottage. When he had done Admiral Nelsonexclaimed:

  "Very well, my lad. You could not have acted with more presence ofmind had you been a captain of the fleet. You showed great braveryand did your duty nobly."

  "There wasn't much bravery, sir," Harry said modestly, "for I knewthat they were going to kill me anyhow, so that it made no difference.But I was determined, if possible, that the dispatches should bedestroyed."

  The admiral smiled. He was not accustomed to hear his dicta even soslightly questioned by a lad.

  "You are an apprentice in the merchant service, Captain Skinner tellsme," Sir Hyde Parker said, "and have been two years at sea."

  "Yes, sir," Harry said.

  "Would you like to be on the quarter-deck of one of his majesty'svessels, instead of that of a merchantman?"

  Harry's eyes glistened at the question.

  "I should indeed, sir," he said.

  "Then you shall be, my boy," the admiral answered. "Have any of yougentlemen a vacancy in the midshipmen's berth? If not, I'll have himranked as a supernumerary on board my ship."

  "I am short of a midshipman, Sir Hyde," one of the captains said."Poor little De Lisle fell overboard the night before last as we cameround from Plymouth. He was about the size of this lad, and I'llarrange for him to have his togs. I like his look, and I should beglad to have him with me. I am sure he will be a credit to theservice."

  "That's settled, then," the admiral said. "You are now, sir," he said,turning to Harry again, "an officer in his majesty's service, and, asCaptain Ball remarks, I am sure you will do credit to the service. Alad who does his duty when death is staring him in the face, andwithout a hope that the act of devotion will ever be known orrecognized, is sure to make a brave and worthy officer."

  Harry's new captain wrote a few words on a piece of paper, and said tothe admiral's servant, "Will you tell the midshipman of my gig to comehere?"

  A minute afterwards the midshipman entered. The captain gave him theslip of paper and said, "Take this young gentleman on board the shipwith you at once, and present him to Mr. Francis, and with him givethis note. He will be your shipmate in future. See that he's madecomfortable."

  The midshipman then beckoned to Harry to follow him, gazing askance,and with no slight astonishment in his face, at the appearance of hisnew messmate. Harry's attire, indeed, was not in accordance with thereceived ideas of that of a midshipman freshly joining a ship. Hisclothes were all so much shrunk that his ankles showed below histrousers, and his wrists below his coat-sleeves. Without a word themidshipman took his place in the stern-sheets, and beckoned Harry tosit beside him.

  "Where have you sprung from?" he said shortly.

  "I hail last from the admiral's cabin," Harry said with a laugh."Before that from his majesty's ship _Viper_, and before that from thesea."

  "You look like the sea," said the midshipman. "But what have you beendoing? Have you served before?"

  "Not in a king's ship," Harry said; "I have only just been appointed."

  The midshipman was too surprised at Harry's appearance to question himfurther. He felt that there was some mystery in the affair, and thatit would be better for him to wait until he saw the footing upon whichHarry was placed. He had little doubt from the fact of his appointmentbeing made under such circumstances that there must be something atonce singular and noteworthy about it.

  Upon reaching the ship Harry's new messmate at once led him up to thefirst lieutenant, and presented the captain's note. The lieutenantopened it and glanced at the contents. They were brief:

  "Harry Langley has been appointed midshipman on board the _Caesar_, andhas been promoted by Sir Hyde Parker himself. He has performed a mostgallant action, and one of the greatest importance. Make him at homeat once, and let him have poor De Lisle's kit. I will arrange aboutit."

  The senior midshipman was at once sent for by Mr. Francis, and Harryhanded over to him. The first lieutenant intimated to him briefly thecontents of the captain's letter, telling the midshipman to make himas comfortable as possible.

  Harry was led below to the cockpit, where his arrival was greeted witha storm of questions, as his appearance on the quarter-deck hadnaturally excited a great deal of observation. The midshipman who hadcome with him could, of course, furnish no information, and beyond thebrief fact mentioned by the captain and repeated by the firstlieutenant, his new conductor could say no more.

  "Just wait," the midshipman said, "till he's got into his new clothesand looks presentable. He's in my charge, and I am to make himcomfortable. As he has been put on the quarter-deck by Sir Hydehimself you may be sure he has done something out of the way."

  In a few minutes Harry was rigged out in full midshipman's dress, andbeing a very good-looking and gentlemanly lad, his appearancefavorably impressed his new messmates, who had at first been disposedto resent the intrusion among themselves of a youngster whoseappearance was at least the reverse of reputable.

  "Now," said one of the passed mates, "this meeting will resolve itselfinto a committee. Let everyone who can, sit down; and let those whocan't, stand quiet. I am the president of the court. Now, prisoner atthe bar," he said, "what is your name?"

  "Harry Langley."

  "And how came you here?"

  "I was brought in the captain's gig."

  "No equivocation, prisoner. I mean what brought you onto thequarter-deck?"

  "I had the good luck," Harry said, "to prevent a very importantdispatch falling into the hands of the French."

  "The deuce you had!" the president said; "and how was that? That is tosay," he said, "if there's no secret about it?"

  "None at all," Harry said, "the matter was very simple;" and for thesecond time that morning he told the story.

  When he had done there was a general exclamation of approval amongthose present, and the midshipmen crowded round him, shaking his hand,patting him on the back, and declaring that he was a trump.

  "The prisoner is acquitted," the president said, "and is received as aworthy member of this noble body. Boy!"

  "Yes, sir."

  "Go to the purser and ask him to send in two bottles of rum for thishonorable mess to drink the health of a new comrade."

  Presently the boy returned.

  "The purser says, sir, who is going to pay for the rum?"

  There was a roar of laughter among the middies, for the master's mate,who had acted as president, was notoriously in the purser's books tothe full amount of his credit. However, a midshipman, who happenedthat morning to
have received a remittance, undertook to stand theliquor to the mess, and Harry's health was drunk with all honors.

  "I suppose," one of the midshipmen said, "that the contents of thedispatch were with reference to the point to which we are all bound. Iwonder where it can be?"

  Here an animated discussion arose as to the various points againstwhich the attack of the fleet, now rapidly assembling at Spithead,might be directed. So far no whisper of its probable course had beenmade public, and it was believed indeed that even the captains of thefleet were ignorant of its object.

  Upon the following day Harry at once obtained leave to go on shore fortwenty-four hours. Immediately he reached the Head he chartered awherry, and was on the point of sailing when he heard a well-knownvoice among a group of sailors standing near him.

  "I can't make head or tail of it," Peter Langley said. "My boy left memerely to go down to the village, and was to have returned the firstthing in the morning to join his ship in London. Well, he never cameback no more. What he did with himself, unless he sailed in asmuggling lugger which put out an hour or two afterwards, I can't makeout. The boy would never have shipped in that craft willingly, and Ican see no reason why he should have gone otherwise. He didn't crossthe ferry, and I can't help suspecting there was some foul play. WhenBlack Jack returns I will have it out of him if I kill him for it. Hehas a strong party there, and I want half a dozen good tight hands tocome with me to Hayling. He will probably be back in a couple of days,and if we tackle him directly he lands we may find out something abouthim. Who will go with me?"

  Half a dozen voices exclaimed that they were willing to assist theirold mate, when suddenly Harry stepped in among them, saying, "There'sno occasion for that. I can tell them all about him."

  Peter Langley stepped backwards in his astonishment, and staredopen-mouthed at Harry.

  "Dash my buttons!" he exclaimed; "why, if it isn't Harry himself, andin a midshipman's rig. What means this, my boy?"

  "It means, father, that I am a midshipman on board his majesty's ship_Caesar_."

  Peter stood for a moment as one stupefied with astonishment, and thenthrew his tarpaulin high in the air with a shout of delight. It fellinto the water, and the tide carried it away; Peter gave it no furtherthought, but, seizing Harry's hand, wrung it with enthusiasticdelight.

  "This is news indeed, my boy," he said. "To think of seeing you on thequarter-deck, and that so soon!"

  It was some minutes before Harry could shake himself free from hisfriends, all of whom were old chums of the boatswain, and had knownhim in his childhood. Drawing Peter aside at last he took him to aquiet hotel, and there, to the intense astonishment of the veteran, herelated to him the circumstances which had led to his elevation. Theold sailor was alternately filled with wrath and admiration, and itwas only the consideration that beyond doubt Black Jack and theFrenchman had both perished in the _Lucy_ that restrained him frominstantly rushing off to take vengeance upon them.

  An hour later the pair took a wherry and sailed to Hayling, where thejoy of Peter was rivaled by that of Harry's foster-mother. Thatevening Peter went out and so copiously ordered grog for all theseafaring population in honor of the event that the village was ascene of rejoicing and festivity such as was unknown in its quietannals.

  The next day Harry rejoined his ship, and commenced his regular dutiesas a midshipman on board.

  A week later the whole of the ships destined to take part in it hadarrived. The "Blue Peter" was hoisted at the ship's head, and on a gunfiring from the admiral's ship the anchors were weighed, and the fleetsoon left Spithead behind them. It consisted of eighteen sail of theline, with a number of frigates and gunboats. The expedition wascommanded by Sir Hyde Parker, with Admiral Nelson second in command.Contrary to the general expedition they sailed eastward instead ofpassing through the Solent, and, coasting along the south of England,passed through the Straits of Dover and stood out into the North Sea.

  Harry had had an interview with his captain four days after he hadjoined. The latter told him that the dispatch-box which he had takenhad been sent up to London, and that its contents proved to be of thehighest importance, and that the Lords of the Admiralty had themselveswritten to the admiral expressing their extreme satisfaction at thecapture, saying that the whole of their plans would have beendisconcerted had the papers fallen into the hands of the enemy. Theywere pleased to express their strong approval of the conduct of HarryLangley, and gave their assurance that when the time came his claimfor promotion should not be ignored.

  "So, my lad," the captain said, "you may be sure that when you havepassed your cadetship you will get your epaulette without loss oftime, and if you are steady and well conducted you may look out for abrilliant position. It is not many lads who enter the navy under suchfavorable conditions. I should advise you to study hard in order tofit yourself for command when the time should come. From what you tellme your education has not been neglected, and I have no doubt you knowas much as the majority of my midshipmen as to books. But books arenot all. An officer in his majesty's service should be a gentleman.That you are that in manner, I am happy to see. But it is desirablealso that an officer should be able in all society to hold his own inpoint of general knowledge with other gentlemen. Midshipmen, as aclass, are too much given to shirking their studies, and to think thatif an officer can handle and fight a ship it is all that is required.It may be all that is absolutely necessary, but you will find that themen who have most made their mark are all something more than roughsailors. I need say nothing to you as to the necessity of at all timesand hazards doing your duty. That is a lesson that you have clearlyalready learned."

  As the fleet still kept east, expectation rose higher and higher as tothe object of the expedition. Some supposed that a dash was to be madeon Holland. Others conceived that the object of the expedition must beone of the North German or Russian forts, and the latter wereconfirmed in their ideas when one fine morning the fleet were found tobe entering the Sound. Instead of passing through, however, the fleetanchored here, out of gunshot of the forts of Copenhagen; and greatwas the astonishment of the officers and men alike of the fleet whenit became known that an ultimatum had been sent on shore, and that theDanes (who had been regarded as a neutral power) were called upon atonce to surrender their fleet to the English.

  Upon the face of facts known to the world at large, this was indeed amost monstrous breach of justice and right. The Danes had taken nopart in the great struggle which had been going on, and theirsympathies were generally supposed to be with the English rather thanthe French. Thus, for a fleet to appear before the capital of Denmark,and to summon its king to surrender his fleet, appeared a high-handedact of brute force.

  In fact, however, the English government had learned that negotiationshad been proceeding between the Danish government and the French; andthat a great scheme had been agreed upon, by which the Danes shouldjoin the French at a given moment, and the united fleets beingaugmented by ships of other powers, a sudden attack would be made uponEngland. Had this secret confederation not been interfered with, theposition of England would have been seriously threatened. The fleetwhich the allies would have been able to put onto the scene would havegreatly exceeded that which England could have mustered to defend hercoast, and although peace nominally prevailed between England andDenmark the English ministry considered itself justified--andposterity has agreed in the verdict--in taking time by the forelock,and striking a blow before their seeming ally had time to throw offthe mask and to join in the projected attack upon them.

  It was the news of this secret resolve on the part of the cabinetthat, having in some way been obtained by a heavy bribe from asubordinate in the admiralty, was being carried over in cipher toFrance in the _Lucy_, and had it reached its destination the Daneswould have been warned in time, and the enterprise undertaken byParker and Nelson would have been impossible, for the forts ofCopenhagen, aided by the fleet in the harbor, were too strong to havebeen attacked had they been thoroughly
prepared for the strife. As allthese matters were unknown to the officers of the fleet, great was theastonishment when the captains of the ships assembled in the admiral'scabin, and each received orders as to the position which his vesselwas to take up, and the part it was to bear in the contest. This beingsettled, the captains returned to their respective ships.

  Several days were spent in negotiations, but as the Danes finallyrefused compliance with the English demands the long-looked-for signalwas hoisted and the fleet stood in through the Sound. It was a finesight as the leading squadron, consisting of twelve line-of-battleships and a number of frigates under Admiral Nelson, steered onthrough the Sound, followed at a short distance by Sir Hyde Parkerwith the rest of the fleet. The Danish forts on the Sound cannonadedthem, but their fire was very ineffectual, and the fleet withoutreplying steered on until they had attained the position intended forthem. The Danes were prepared for action. Their fleet of thirteenmen-of-war and a number of frigates, supported by floating batteriesmounting seventy heavy guns, was moored in a line four miles long infront of the town, and was further supported by the forts on shore.

  This great force was to be engaged by the squadron of Admiral Nelsonalone, as that of Sir Hyde Parker remained outside menacing theformidable Crown Batteries and preventing these from adding their fireto that of the fleet and other shore batteries upon Nelson's squadron.

  The _Caesar_, the leading ship of the fleet, had been directed to sailright past the line of ships and to operate against a detached fortstanding on a spit of land on the right flank of the Danish position.This fort mounted many guns, much superior to those of the Caesar inweight, but the crew were in high spirits at the prospect of a fight,little as they understood the cause for which they were engaged.Stripping to the waist, they clustered round the guns, each officer athis post, Harry, with two other midshipmen, being upon thequarter-deck near the captain to carry orders from him as might berequired to different parts of the ship. As the _Caesar_ passed alongthe line of ships to take up her position she was saluted by a stormof fire from the Danish vessels, to which she made no reply. Shesuffered, however, but little injury, although shot and shell whistledbetween the masts and struck the water on all sides of her, severalstriking the hull with a dull, crashing sound, while her sails werepierced with holes. Harry felt that he was rather pale, and wasdisgusted with himself at the feeling of discomfort which heexperienced. But there is nothing that tries the nerves more thanstanding the fire of an enemy before it is time to set to work toreply. As soon as orders were given for the _Caesar's_ fire to beopened, directly the guns could be brought to bear, and the roar ofher cannon answered those of the fort, the feeling of uneasiness onHarry's part disappeared, and was succeeded by that of the excitementof battle. The din was prodigious. Along the whole line the Britishfleet was engaged, and the boom of the heavy guns of the ships, forts,and batteries, and the rattle of musketry from the tops of the ships,kept up a deep roar like that of incessant thunder.

  "The water is very shallow, sir," the first lieutenant reported to thecaptain. "There are but two fathoms under her foot. The wind, too, isdropping so much that we have scarcely steerage-way, and the currentis sweeping us along fast."

  "Prepare to anchor, Mr. Francis," the captain said.

  He had scarcely spoken, however, when there was a slight shiveringsensation in the ship, and it was known by all on board that she wasaground, and that on a falling tide. While the starboard guns werekept at work the men were called off from those of the port side,boats were lowered and hawsers were got out, and every effort was madeto tow the ship off the shoal. The sailors pulled hard in spite of thestorm of shot and shell which fell round them from the fort and thenearest Danish ships. But the _Caesar_ was fast. Calling the men onboard again, the captain requested the first lieutenant to go aloftand see what was going on in other parts of the line. He returned withthe news that four or five other ships were plainly aground, and thatthings appeared to be going badly. In the meantime the _Caesar_ wassuffering heavily. The fire of the fort was well directed, and thegunners, working their pieces under comparative shelter, were able topour their fire steadily into the _Caesar_, while a floating batteryand two frigates also kept up an incessant fire.

  The number of killed and wounded was already large, but as only theguns of the starboard side could be worked the fire was kept up withunabated zeal, and the fort bore many signs of the accuracy of thefire. The parapet was in many places shot away and several of the gunsput out of action. But the _Caesar_ was clearly overmatched, and thecaptain hastily wrote a note to the admiral, stating that the ship wasaground and was altogether overmatched, and begging that anothervessel might be dispatched to his aid, if one could be spared, inorder to partially relieve her of the enemy's fire.

  "Here, Mr. Langley, take the gig and row off to the flagshipinstantly."

  Harry obeyed orders. Through the storm of shot and shell which wasflying, striking up the water in all directions, he made his way tothe admirals ship, which was lying nearly a mile away.

  Admiral Nelson opened the note and read it through.

  "Tell Captain Ball," he said, "that I haven't a ship to spare.Several are aground, and all hard pressed. He must do the best he can.Ah! you are the lad whom I saw in Sir Hyde Parker's cabin, are younot?"

  "Yes, sir."

  The Admiral nodded in token of approval, and Harry prepared to leave.Suddenly a thought struck him, and running into the captain's cabin heasked the steward for a small tablecloth.

  "What on earth d'you want it for?" he exclaimed.

  "Never mind. Give it me at once."

  Seizing the tablecloth he ran down into the boat. As they returnedtowards the _Caesar_ they could see how hardly matters were going withher. One of her masts was down. Her sides were battered and torn, andseveral of her port-holes were knocked into one. Still her firecontinued unabated, but it was clear that she could not much longerresist.

  "Do you think she must haul down her flag?" Harry said to the coxswainof the boat.

  "Aye, aye, sir," the coxswain said. "Wood and iron can't stand such apounding as that much longer. Most captains would have hauled down theflag long before this, and even our skipper can't stand out muchlonger. There won't be a man alive to fight her."

  "Will you do as I order?" Harry said.

  "Aye, sir," the coxswain said in surprise, "I will do what you like;"for the story of the conduct by which Harry had gained hismidshipman's promotion had been repeated through the ship, and the menwere all proud of the lad who had behaved so pluckily.

  "At least," Harry said, "it may do good, and it can't do harm. Where'sthe boat-hook? Fasten this tablecloth to it and pull for the fort."

  The coxswain gave an exclamation of surprise, but did as Harry toldhim, and with the white flag flying the boat pulled straight towardsthe fort. As he was seen to do so the fire of the latter, which hadbeen directed towards the boat, ceased, although the duel between thebattery and the _Caesar_ continued with unabated vigor. Harry steereddirect to the steps on the sea face and mounted to the interior of thefort, where, on saying that he brought a message from the captain, hewas at once conducted to the commandant.

  "I am come, sir," Harry said, "from the captain to beg of you tosurrender at once. Your guns have been nobly fought, but two moreships are coming down to engage with you, and the captain would fainsave further effusion of life. You have done all that brave men coulddo, but the fight everywhere goes against you, and further resistanceis vain. In a quarter of an hour a fire will be centered upon yourguns that will mean annihilation, and the captain therefore begs youto spare the brave men under your orders from further sacrifice."

  Taken by surprise by this sudden demand, which was fortunately at themoment backed up by two ships of the squadron which had hitherto takenno part in the action being seen sailing in, the governor, after ahasty consultation with his officers, resolved to surrender, and twominutes afterwards the Danish flag was hauled down in the fort and thewhite flag run
up. One of the Danish officers was directed to returnwith Harry to the ship to notify the captain of the surrender of thefort.

  The astonishment of Captain Ball at seeing the course of his boatsuddenly altered, a white flag hoisted, and the gig proceeding directto the fort, had been extreme, and he could only suppose that Harryhad received some orders direct from the admiral and that a generalcessation of hostilities was ordered. His surprise became astonishmentwhen he saw the Danish flag disappear and the white flag hoisted inits place; and a shout of relief and exultation echoed from stem tostern of the _Caesar_, for all had felt that the conflict was hopelessand that in a few minutes the _Caesar_ must strike her flag. All sortsof conjectures were rife as to the sudden and unexpected surrender ofthe fort, and expectation was at its highest when the gig was seenrowing out again with a Danish officer by the side of the midshipman.

  On reaching the ship's side Harry ascended the ladder with the Danishofficer, and advancing to Captain Ball said:

  "This officer, sir, has, in compliance with the summons which I tookto the commander of the fort in your name, come off to surrender."

  The Danish officer advanced and handed his sword to the captain,saying:

  "In the name of the commander of the fort I surrender."

  The captain handed him back his sword, and ordering Harry to followhim at once entered his cabin. His astonishment was unbounded when thelatter informed him what he had done, with many apologies for havingtaken the matter into his own hands.

  "I saw," he said, "that the _Caesar_ was being knocked to pieces, andthe coxswain told me that it was impossible she could much longerresist. I therefore thought that I could do no harm by calling uponthe governor to surrender, and that it was possible that I mightsucceed, as you see that I have."

  "You certainly have saved the _Caesar_," Captain Ball said warmly, "andwe are all indeed indebted to you. It was a piece of astoundingimpudence indeed for a midshipman to convey a message with which hiscaptain had not charged him; but success in the present case athousand times condones the offense. You have indeed done well, youngsir, and I and the ship's company are vastly indebted to you. I willreport the matter to the admiral."

  A hundred men speedily took their places in the boats. LieutenantFrancis was sent ashore to take possession, and a few minutes laterthe British flag was flying upon the fort.

  Ordering Harry to accompany him, Captain Ball at once took his placein his gig and rowed to the flagship. The battle was still raging, andto the practiced eye there was no doubt that the English fleet wassuffering very severely. Captain Ball mounted the quarter-deck, andsaluting the admiral reported that the fort with which he was engagedhad struck, but that the _Caesar_ being aground was unable to renderany assistance to the general attack.

  "A good many of us are aground, Ball," Admiral Nelson said, "but Icongratulate you on having caused the fort to haul down its colors.Several of the Danish men-of-war have struck, but we cannot takepossession, and fresh boat-loads of men came off from shore, and theirfire has reopened. Our position is an unpleasant one. Sir Hyde Parkerhas signaled to me to draw off, but so far I have paid no attention. Ifear that we shall have to haul off and leave some four or five shipsto the enemy."

  "The fact is," Captain Ball said, "it wasn't I who made the fort hauldown its flag, but this midshipman of mine."

  "Ha!" said the admiral, glancing at Harry, who, at Captain Ball'sorder, had left the boat and was standing a short distance off. "Howon earth did he do that?"

  "When you told him, sir, that you could give us no aid he took uponhimself, instead of returning to the ship, to row straight to thefort with one of your tablecloths fastened to the boat-hook, andsummoned the commander in my name to surrender at once so as to saveall further effusion of life, seeing that more ships were bearing downand that he had done all that a brave man could, and should now thinkof the lives of his troops."

  "An impudent little rascal!" the admiral exclaimed. "Midshipmen wereimpudent enough in my days, but this boy beats everything. However,his idea was an excellent one, and, by Jupiter! I will adopt itmyself. A man should never be above learning, and we are in such asore strait that one catches at a straw."

  So saying, the admiral, calling to his own captain, entered his cabin,and at once indited a letter to the King of Denmark begging him tosurrender in order to save the blood of his subjects, expressingadmiration at the way in which they had fought, and saying that theyhad done all that was possible to save honor, and might now surrenderwith a full consciousness of having done their duty. This missive wasat once dispatched to shore, and the admiral awaited with anxiety itsresult.

  A half-hour elapsed, the firing continuing with unabated fury.

  "By Jove, Ball," the admiral suddenly exclaimed, "there's the whiteflag!" and a tremendous cheer broke along the whole of the Britishships as the flag of truce waved over the principal fort ofCopenhagen. Instantly the fire on both sides ceased. Boats passedbetween the shore and the flagship with the proposals for surrenderand conditions. Nelson insisted that the Danish fleet should besurrendered, in so firm and decisive a tone as to convince the kingthat he had it in his power completely to destroy the town, and hadonly so far desisted from motives of humanity. At length, to theintense relief of the admiral and his principal officers, who knew howsore the strait was, and to the delight of the sailors, thenegotiations were completed, and the victory of Copenhagen won.

  "Where's that boy?" the admiral asked.

  "That boy" was unfortunately no longer on the quarter-deck. One of thelast shots fired from the Danish fleet had struck him above the knee,carrying away his leg. He had at once been carried down to thecockpit, and was attended to by the surgeons of the flagship. In theexcitement of an action men take but little heed of what is happeningaround them, and the fall of the young midshipman was unnoticed by hiscaptain. Now, however, that the battle was over, Captain Ball lookedround for his midshipman, and was filled with sorrow upon hearing whathad happened. He hurried below to the wounded boy, whose leg hadalready been amputated, above the point at which the ball had severedit, by the surgeon.

  "The white flag has been hoisted, my lad," he said, "and Copenhagenhas been captured, and to you more than to anyone is this greatvictory due. I am sorry, indeed, that you should have been shot."

  Harry smiled faintly.

  "It is the fortune of war, sir. My career in the navy has not been along one. It is but a fortnight since I got my commission, and now Iam leaving it altogether."

  "Leaving the navy, perhaps," the captain said cheerfully, "but notleaving life, I hope. I trust there's a long one before you; butAdmiral Nelson will, I am sure, be as grieved as I am that the careerof a young officer, who promised to rise to the highest honors of hisprofession and be a credit and glory to his country, has been cutshort."

  A short time later the admiral himself came down and shook hands withthe boy, and thanked him for his services, and cheered him up bytelling him that he would take care that his presence of mind andcourage should be known.

  For some days Harry lay between life and death, but by the time thatthe ship sailed into Portsmouth harbor the doctors had considerablehope that he would pull round. He was carried at once to the NavalHospital, and a few hours later Peter Langley was by his bedside. Hiscaptain frequently came to see him, and upon one occasion came whilehis foster-father was sitting by his bedside.

  "Ah, Peter, is it you?" he said. "Your son told me that you had servedhis majesty; but I didn't recognize the name as that of my oldboatswain on board the _Cleopatra_."

  "I am glad to see your honor," Peter said; "but I wish it had been onany other occasion. However, I think that the lad will not slip hiswind this time; but he's fretting that his career on blue water is atan end."

  "It is sad that it should be so," Captain Ball said; "but there aremany men who may live to a good age and will have done less for theircountry than this lad in the short time he was at sea. First, heprevented the dispatch, which would have warned the ene
my of what wascoming, from reaching them; and, in the second place, his sharpnessand readiness saved no small portion of Admiral Nelson's fleet, andconverted what threatened to be a defeat into a victory. You must beproud of your son, old salt."

  "Has not the boy told you, sir, that he's not my son?" the boatswainsaid.

  "No, indeed!" Captain Ball exclaimed, surprised; "on the contrary, hespoke of you as his father."

  In a few words Peter Langley related the circumstances of the findingof Harry when a baby. Captain Ball was silent for a while, and thensaid, "Do you know, Peter, that I have been greatly struck by theresemblance of that lad to an old friend and school-fellow of mine, aMr. Harper? They are as like as two peas--that is, he is exactly whatmy friend was at his age. My friend never was married; but I rememberhearing a good many years ago--I should say some fifteen years ago,which would be about in accordance with this lad's age--that he hadlost a sister at sea. The ship she was in was supposed to havefoundered, and was never heard of again. She was the wife of thecaptain, and was taking her first voyage with him. Of course it may bea mere coincidence; still the likeness is so strong that it would beworth while making some inquiries. Have you anything by which thechild can be identified?"

  "There are some trinkets, sir, of Indian workmanship for the mostpart, and a locket. I will bring them over to your honor to-morrow ifyou will let me."

  "Do so," Captain Ball said; "I am going up to London to-morrow, andshall see my friend. Don't speak to the boy about it, for it's athousand to one against its being more than a coincidence. Still Ihope sincerely for his sake that it may be so."

  The next evening Captain Ball went up by coach to London, and thefollowing day called upon his friend, who was a rich retiredEast-Indian director. He told the story as Peter had told it to him.

  "The dates answer," he said; "and, curiously, although the ship waslost in the West Indies, it's likely enough that the ornaments of mypoor sister would have been Indian, as I was in the habit of oftensending her home things from Calcutta."

  "I have them with me," Captain Ball said, and produced the littlepacket which Peter had given him.

  The old gentleman glanced at the ornaments, and then, taking thelocket, pressed the spring. He gave a cry as he saw the portraitwithin it, and exclaimed, "Yes, that's the likeness of my sister asshe was when I last saw her! What an extraordinary discovery! Where isthe lad of whom you have been speaking? for surely he is my nephew,the son of my sister Mary and Jack Peters."

  Captain Ball then related the story of Harry's doings from the time hehad known him, and the old gentleman was greatly moved at the tale ofbravery. The very next day he went down to Portsmouth with CaptainBall, and Harry, to his astonishment, found himself claimed as nephewby the friend of his captain.

  When Harry was well enough to be moved he went up to London with hisuncle, and a fortnight later received an official letter directing himto attend at the Board of Admiralty.

  Donning his midshipman uniform he proceeded thither in his uncle'scarriage, and walked with crutches--for his wound was not as yetsufficiently healed to allow him to wear an artificial leg--to theboard-room. Here were assembled the first lord and his colleagues.Admiral Nelson was also present, and at once greeted him kindly.

  A seat was placed for him, and the first lord then addressed him. "Mr.Peters, Admiral Nelson has brought to our notice the clever stratagemby which, on your own initiation and without instruction, you obtainedthe surrender of the Danish fort, and saved the _Caesar_ at a time whenshe was aground and altogether overmatched. Admiral Nelson has alsobeen good enough to say that it was the success which attended youraction which suggested to him the course that he took which broughtthe battle to a happy termination. Thus we cannot but feel that thevictory which has been won is in no small degree due to you. Moreover,we are mindful that it was your bravery and quickness which preventedthe news of the intended sailing of the fleet from reaching theContinent, in which case the attack could not have been carried out.Under such extraordinary and exceptional circumstances we feel that anextraordinary and exceptional acknowledgment is due to you. We allfeel very deep regret that the loss of your leg will render you unfitfor active service at sea, and has deprived his majesty of the loss ofso meritorious and most promising a young officer. We are about,therefore, to take a course altogether without precedent. You will becontinued on the full-pay list all your life, you will at once bepromoted to the rank of lieutenant, three years hence to that ofcommander, and again in another three years to the rank of postcaptain. The board are glad to hear from Captain Ball that you are ingood hands, and wish you every good fortune in life."

  Harry was so overcome with pleasure that he could only stammer a wordor two of thanks, and the first lord, his colleagues, and AdmiralNelson having warmly shaken hands with him, he was taken back to thecarriage, still in a state of bewilderment at the honor which had beenbestowed upon him.

  There is little more to tell. Having no other relations his uncleadopted him as his heir, and the only further connection that Harryhad with the sea was that when he was twenty-one he possessed thefastest and best-equipped yacht which sailed out of an English port.Later on he sat in Parliament, married, and to the end of his lifedeclared that, after all, the luckiest point in his career was thecutting off of his leg by the last shot fired by the Danish batteries,for that, had this not happened, he should never have known who hewas, would never have met the wife whom he dearly loved, and wouldhave passed his life as a miserable bachelor. Peter Langley, when notat sea with Harry in his yacht, lived in a snug cottage at Southsea,and had never reason to the end of his life to regret the time when hesighted the floating box from the tops of the _Alert_.

 

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