ERSITY OF CALIFO:- AT LOS ANGELES THE GIFT OF MAY TREAT MORRISON IN MEMORY OF ALEXANDER F MORRISON NF.I.SON IlArUNG IKIWN TIIK lU'ASISII FLAG. SEA-KOGS AND NAVAL HEROES. Q[ Book for I3oj}0. BY JOHN G. EDGAR, AUTHOK OF •'HISTORY FOR BOYS," "BOYHOOD OF GREAT MEX,' "FOOTPRINTS OF FAMOUS MEN," "AVARS OF THE ROSES," Ac, &c. ILLUSTRATED BY C. KEENE AND E. K. JOHNSON. NEW YORK: HARPER & BROTHERS, PUBLISHERS, FBANKLIN SQUARE. 2 PREFACE. The propriety and policy of directing the attention of Englisli boys of the nineteenth century to the achievements of men who, at ^ various periods of modern history, have made 5! their names known to fome as " Sea Kings and S Naval Heroes," will be questioned by few in the present circumstances of Europe. Under an impression that such is the prevailing senti- 9 ment, I have ventured on writing the follow- « ing biographical sketches, with the object of * interesting my juvenile readers in the careers of the principal personages among their ances- tors, who, from the time of Rollo and Hasting to that of Nelson and Collingwood, figured conspicuously as maritime warriors ; and I have endeavored to give variety to the work by narrating with care the enterprises, the bat- g ties, and the adventures in which they took prominent parts. In a historical point of view, the advantage of such a book for boys will not be lightly es- 434534 . PREFACE. timated by any one capable of comprehending the importance of history as a branch of edu- cation, and able to appreciate the benefits to be derived by boys, in after-life, from obtaining, at an early age, adequate ideas of great events and clear conceptions of renowned personages. But apart from the question of historical intel- ligence, I would fain hope that a knowledge of what our English heroes have done and suffer- ed in the cause of duty and patriotism — lead- ing bi'ave lives in times of their country's trial, and dying glorious deaths in the hour of their country's need — may not be altogether with- out its influence in inspiring some of the rising generation with a noble ambition to emulate the heroic valor and rival the patriotic devo- tion so often displayed by their progenitors. J. G. E. CONTENTS. Page BOI.LO THE NORMAN H llASTIfJG ^"f 6WEYN, KING OF DEXM AKK 34 IIAKOLD IIAKDEADA ^4 SIB BOBERT MORLFA- 5S THE EAKL OF I'EMnROKE "^^ TUE DtJEE OF BEDFORD SS SIR ANDREW WOOD 5S SIB FEAN0I8 DRAKE HG SIR WALTER EALEIGII ^5t THE EARL OP CUMBERLAND 1S5 ADMIEAL BLAKE 200 rp.iNOE ECrF.RT 22T SIB CI.OUDEBLEY 6IIOVEI 247 ADMIRAL BENBOW 261 I.OBI) EODNET 272 EAKL HOWE 292 EABL ST. VINCENT 308 LORD DDNCAN 329 LORD NELSON 34-1 LORD COLLINGWOOD 330 LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS. P«ge NELSON nATJLiNG DOWN THE SPANISH FLAG Frontifrpiece. HAROLD HABFAGHER 14 SIR A. AVOOn ADDRESSING HIS CREW 103 BLAKE SURPRISED BY A BROADSIDE FROM VAN TEOMP 20S SIR CLOUDESLET SHOVEL'S FIRST ENTERPRISE C4T COLLINOWOOD IN BETIEEilENT 4:)3 SEA KINGS AND NAVAL HEROES. ROLLO THE NORMAN. At the time when Alfred the Great reigned in England, and when the heirs of Charlemagne oc- cupied the throne of France, both countries were perpetually menaced by the piratical adventurers from the coast of Norway and the islands of the Baltic, who are celebrated in history as Sea Kings and Vikings. Of all human beings these grim Northmen were the most enterprising. They highly prided them- selves on not sleeping under the smoke-dried roof, or emptying the brimming can by the chimney- corner. They regarded the ocean as their home ; they called the tempest their servant ; they guided their ships through the waves as a skillful rider does his steed ; and, when the storm raged, and the sea ran high, they disdained the thought of fear. " Blow where thon wilt, O wind !" they were in the habit of exclaiming on such occa- sions ; " whithersoever thou takest us, the land is ours." As invaders, the sea kings made themselves pe- 12 SEA KINGS AND NAVAL HEROES. culiarly formidable. Hoisting their mystic ban- ners, and launching their ships, whose gayly- painted sides Avere hung with bucklers of polish- ed steel, and whose prows were ornamented with figures of lions, bulls, and dolphins, they dashed over the blue waters in search of prey. Impel- ling their fleets with oars and sails, they entered rivers, landed to plunder the banks as they as- cended, and when a bridge interfered with their progress, they drew their A'essels on shore, placed them on rollers, conveyed them beyond the ob- stacle, and then proceeded with their predatory voyage. In the day of battle their enthusiasm soared high, and they delighted in conflict and carnage. Nor did they feel any fear at the ap- proach of death ; for they saw, in imagination, goddesses beckoning them to the halls of Odin, and infinitely rejoiced in the prospect of passing to their Valhalla, or paradise of heroes, Avhere they expected to indulge, morning after morning, in the luxury of cutting each other to pieces, and, evening after evening, to feast at a great banquet- table, and to quaff draughts of beer out of cups of horn. While the sea kings were ravaging every coast where plunder was to be obtained, a king named Harold resolved, about the close of the ninth cen- tury, to form a single kingdom out of the petty states into which Norway was divided. In order to strengthen his resolution, Harold vowed not to IliUWLl) ILiUiKAGUKIl. EOLLO THE NOKMAN. 15 cut his hair until his object was accomplished; and as the operation occupied him for several years, his fair locks grew so long and thick that he acquired the surname of" Hirsute." At length, however, the Norwegian king deemed that his vow was fulfilled ; and, repairing to the house of a Jarl named Rognvald, he took a bath, and ven- tured to comb and trim. This having been done, the improvement in Harold's appearance was such that the Jarl could not refrain from expressing his admiration. " King," said he, " your hair is now so beautiful that, instead of being surnamed ' Hirsute,' you must be surnamed ' Harfagher.' " It happened that Rognvald had a Avife, named Hilda, of noble blood and high spirit, and several sons, all noted for their prowess and valor. Of these the most remarkable was RoUo. He was tall, and of large bulk ; and being unable, on ac- count of his stature, to ride any of the horses of the country, he became generally known as " Rol- lo the Walker." Rollo, being a Norman of high birth, naturally ha4 a liking for the salt water. From his youth he accustomed himself to the life of a sea king, and was constantly in the habit of cruising in the Baltic. But after he reached manhood, new ideas came into fashion, and the occupation could not be pursued without considerable risk. In fact, Harold Harfigher had set his face decidedly against piratical adventure, and passed the most 16 SEA KINGS AND NAVAL HEROES. severe laws to prevent his subjects from interfer- ing with the property of their neighbors. Nevertheless, Kollo, in whom the spirit of the sea king was strong, one day, when returning from a cruise, had the imprudence to shorten sail off the coast of Wighen, and to exercise a privi- lege long enjoyed by sea kings of impressing pro- visions. The consequences proved somewhat se- rious ; for Harold Harfagher hapi^ening at the time to come into the vicinity to administer jus- tice, the peasants immediately complained loudly that Rollo had seized their flocks ; and the king, without regard to the rank of the offender, sum- moned a council to try the son of Rognvald accord- ing to law. The probability of Rollo escaping sentence of banishment now appeared slender. But the spouse of Rognvald, moved by maternal tender- ness, determined to make an effort on her tall son's behalf. Going, therefore, into the royal presence, she endeavored to soften Harold Har- fiigher's heart. " King," said Hilda, " I ask you to pardon my son." " It is impossible," replied Harold ; " the laws must be respected." "Ha! has the very name of our race become liatcful to you ?" exclaimed she, rearing herself to her full height, and speaking in a tone of menace ; *' you expel from the country and treat as an en ROLLO THE NORMAN. 17 emy a man of noble race. Listen, then, to what I tell you. It is dangerous to attack the wolf. When once he is angered, let the herd in the for- est beware." In spite of this vague threat, and the high place Rognvald occupied in the king's esteem, Rollo was sentenced to exile ; and, finding himself with- out a country, he collected vessels, sailed to the Hebrides, and there found many Norwegian chiefs banished by Harold Harfogher. With these ex- iles Rollo took counsel, formed an alliance, and resolved on some great enterprise. Being all men of rank, all warriors and sea kings from boy- hood, they agreed that there should be perfect equality among them, and that Rollo should have no advantage over his comrades. With this un- derstanding they cut their cables, and, as they expressed it, gave the reins to their great sea- horses. It appears that Rollo had been dii-ected by a dream to seek a home in England, and that a Christian priest, whom, pagan as he was, he con- sulted, advised him to obey the warning. Ac- cordingly, he made an attempt to land in En- gland ; but the English treated him as an enemy ; and finding the country strongly fortified, and the coasts guarded against invaders by the fleets of Alfred, he was forced to retire. Making for the French coast, however, he, in September, 8V6, entered the Seine, pillaged both banks of the riv- B 18 SEA KINGS AND NAVAL HEROES. er, and ere long anchored his ships at Jumieges, five leagues from Rouen. When rumors of the ravages committed by the Normans reached Rouen, a city then surrounded by woods and forests, the inhabitants were over- whelmed Avith surprise and terror. Expecting no succor, and entertaining no hope of defending their Avails against such foemen as the Normans, they Avrung their hands and gave Avay to despair. Fortunately, however, the Archbishop of Rouen was a man of prudence and presence of mind; and, taking upon himself the task of saving the city by capitulation, he repaired to Jumieges, spoke, by an interpreter, to the Norman chiefs, and, after much trouble, negotiated a treaty. By this the archbishop consented to admit Rollo and his comrades into the city ; and the Noi'mans, in return, promised to commit no acts of violence. Matters having thus been arranged, Rollo and his grim comrades sailed up the Seine to Rouen, and moored their vessels near the Church of St. Morin. Landing peaceably, they Avalked through the city, surveyed the quays, the ramparts, and the fountains, and, finding every thing to their liking, resolved on making the place their capital. Having thoroughly examined Rouen, the Nor- mans felt anxious to sec more of a country AA'hich they destined as their home, and leaving a band of warriors to keep possession of the city, they continued to ascend the river till they reached ROLLO THE NORMAN. 19 that point where the Seine receives the waters of the Eure. Learning, however, that a French army Avas on its march to encounter them, they landed, formed a fortified camp, and, with little apprehension as to the issue of a conflict, awaited the approach of their foes. At that time, Charles the Simple, a descendant of Charlemagne, occupied the French throne, but swayed the sceptre with a feeble hand. On this occasion, however, he did make an effort to save his realm. Assembling an army, he placed it un- der the command of the Duke of France, and sent it forth to do battle with the Normans. Reaching the right bank of the Eure at a short distance from the Norman camp, the French held a council of war ; and, after long deliberation, they resolved, before risking a conflict, to hold a parley with the invaders. With this object, three French chiefs, who un^ jlerstood the northern tongue, were dispatched to ascertain the views of the sea kings ; and appear- ing on the right bank of the Eure, and halting exactly opposite the Norman camp, these emissa- ries entered into conversation with the invaders, asked them to submit to King Charles, and tempt- ed them with offers of lands and honors. But the Normans all cried, " "We will submit to no one ;" and the three messengers, going back to the Duke of France, informed him that their mis- sion had been in vain. On hcarinjx the result of 20 SEA KINGS AND NAVAL HEROES. the parley, the French determined to force the Noman camp, and advanced with that object. But they found foes much more formidable than they had anticipated. After a struggle, the French were repulsed, and the Duke of France, who had undertaken the task of putting RoUo down, fell by the hand of a fisherman of Rouen, whom the son of Rognvald had pressed into his service. Rollo, after his victory, was at liberty to navi- gate the Seine ; and, sailing up to Paris, he laid siege to the city. But at this stage he met with a check. One of the Norman chiefs was taken prisoner by the French ; and the great sea king, in order to redeem his comrade, was imder the necessity of making a year's truce with Charles the Simple. But Rollo was not a man to Avaste the year in inaction. He employed the time in ravaging the northern provinces, which had ceased to be French ; and having, on the expiration of the truce, returned to Rouen, he pi'oceeded to sur- prise Bayeux, a city governed by a count named Beranger, who had a fair daughter. After kill- ing Count Beranger, Rollo sacked the city, and, as his share of the plunder, took possession of the count's daughter, Popa, whom he married after the rites of his religion and the laws of his coun- try. Soon .after the sack of Bayeux, the Normans ROLLO THE NORMAN. 21 made themselves masters of Evreux and other places ; and RoUo, whom they now elected as their king, found himself reigning as a conqueror over the greater part of the territory known as Neustria. But he perfectly comprehended the position Avhich he occupied. He made himself popular with the inhabitants ; and though he was a pagan, and the Neustrians were Christians, they could not help respecting him for the powerful protection he afforded, and the peace they enjoyed under his government. "While such was the state of affairs, Rollo form- ed a league with the Scandinavians occupying the territory at the month of the Loire ; and having agreed with them to pillage simultaneous- ly the whole territory between the Loire and the Seine, he commenced a systematic war against the French. The consequences were most disas- trous to the subjects of Charles the Simple; and the French, continually annoyed and plundered, ere long began to complain, and at length loud- ly to demand that an end should be put to the war. " Do wo not see in every place churches burned and people killed ?" some asked. " Yes," replied others. " By the ftiult of King Charles and his weakness, the Normans do as they please in the kingdom. From Blois to Sen- lis there is not an acre of corn, and no man dares to labor either in the fields or in the vineyards." 22 SEA KINGS AND NAVAL HEROES. *' It is true," ci'iecl all ; " and till this war is fin- ished we shall have dearth and dearness," When such murmurs pervaded his kingdom, Charles the Simple had sufficient sense to per- ceive that something must be done to conciliate the Normans ; and, convoking his peers and prel- ates, he laid before them the complaints of the people. These being recognized as just, the Arch- bishop of Rouen was employed to negotiate Avitli Rollo; and, willingly undertaking the mission, he sought the presence of the sea king. " Rollo, son of Rognvald," said the archbishop, " King Charles offers you his daughter, Gisla, in marriage, with the hereditary seigneury of all the country situated between the River Epte and the borders of Brittany, if you consent to become Christian, and to live at peace with the king- dom." "The words of the king are good," replied Rollo, gravely, "but the land he offers is insuffi- cient. It is uncultivated and impoverished. My people would not derive from it the means of liv- ing in peace." " What say you to Flanders ?" suggested the archbishop. " Flanders," answered Rollo, " is a poor coun- try, muddy, and full of swamps." "Then," said the archbishop, "King Charles must give you Brittany in conjunction with Neustria." EOLLO THE NORMAN. 23 " That will suffice," said Rollo, smiling grimly. Afiairs having reached* this stage, preparations were made for ratifying the treaty in the most solemn manner. St. Clair, a green village on the Epte, was selected as a fitting place for the cere- mony ; and on a summer day, Rollo and the Nor- man chiefs pitched their tents on one side of the river, and Charles the Simple, with the French lords, on the other. At the hour appointed, Rol- lo, crossing the Epte, approached Charles, and, standing in front of the chair of state, placed his hands between those of the king, and pronounced the formula. " Henceforth," said the son of Roguvald, ad- dressing the heir of Charlemagne, " I am your vassal and your man, and I swear faithfully to protect your life, your limbs, and your royal hon- or." After Rollo had taken the oath of fealty, Charles the Simple gave him the title of count, and the Norman concluded that the ceremony was at an end. Indeed, Rollo Avas about to retire, when the French lords informed him that there was one custom too important to be neglected on such an occasion. "It is fitting," said they, "that he who re- ceives such a gift of territory should kneel before the king and kiss his foot." "Never," exclaimed Rollo, with undisguised contempt. " Never will I bend the knee be- 24 SEA KINGS AND NAVAL HEROES. fore a mortal; never will I kiss the foot of any man." " It is a remnant of the etiquette formerly used in the court of the French emperoi's," urged the lords. Finding himself thus pressed, Rollo, with an affectation of simplicity, made a sign to one of his comrades to kiss the king's foot, and the Nor- man obeyed. Ridiculous was the result. Instead of kneeling, the Norman stooped without bending his knee, and attempted to raise the king's foot to his mouth. But, ere that could be accomplish- ed, the heir of Charlemagne fell on his back, and lay sprawli)ig on the ground, while the French raised their hands in horror, and the Normans burst into shouts of laughter. For a few moments every one was in confusion; but fortunately the ludicrous incident produced no serious quarrel. Order having been restored, arrangements were made that Rollo's conversion and Hollo's wedding sliould take place at Rouen, and thither many French lords formally escorted the royal bride. Every thing went smoothly; and Rollo, having received baptism and the hand of the princess from the archbishop, commenced life anew as a Christian and a count. While in process of conversion, Rollo listened to the Archbishop of Rouen with the utmost do- cility, and no sooner was he baptized than he manifested a laudable zeal for Christianity. On EOLLO THE NORMAN. 25 leaving the baptismal font he earnestly inquired the names of the most celebrated churches and the most revered saints in the country, and the archbishop repeated the names of seven churches and three saints — St. Mary, St. Michael, and St. Peter. "And who," asked Rollo, "is the most power- ful protector ?" " St. Denis," answered the archbishop. " Well," said Rollo, " before dividing my land among my companions, I Avill give a part of it to God, to St. Mary, and to the other saints you have named." The old sea king was as good as his word. During the week in Avhich he Avore the Avhite habit of the neophyte, he delighted the archbish- op by the eagerness he displayed to keep his promise. Each day, Avhile applying himself to religious duties, he bestOAved an estate on one of the seven churches that had been indicated as most worthy of his gifts. On the eighth day after his baptism Rollo laid aside the Avhite habit, and, resuming his ordinary dress, devoted his attention to secular affixirs, and to the partition of Neustria among the compan- ions df his exile from Norway. Every thing Avas done in the most systematic manner. The coun- try Avas, according to the Scandinavian mode of mensuration, divided out by the cord ; and all the lands, having been taken possession of Avithout '2ij SEA KINGS AND NAVAL HEROES. regard to the feelings of the natives, were shared among the Normans, Important, indeed, were the consequences of this settlement. Becoming seigneurs of towns and rural districts, the com- rades of Rollo, having changed the name of the province to Normandy, polished their manners, refined their language, and, as time passed on, became, from a band of grizzly adventui'crs, the foremost, most religious, and most chivalrous race in Christendom. Rollo the sea king, metamorphosed into Rollo a count of France, proved himself eminently qual- ified for the position he had won. His adminis- tration of affairs in Normandy was characterized by wisdom and vigor ; and, tempted by the secu- rity felt in the districts subject to his sway, arti- sans and laborers flocked from other parts of France, and established themselves under his gov- ernment. His name gradually acquired a wide celebrity, and became famous all over Europe as that of the most energetic and successful justicia- ry of the century. At length, in 927, when fourscore years of age, Rollo, worn out, and incapable of governing, re- signed Normandy to his son, and disappeared from the public eye. After surviving his abdica- tion for five years, the aged hero gave up his soul to God, and his mortal remains were laid in the Church of Notre Dame, in Rouen. HASTING. About the time when Rollo the Norman was leaving his country and his kindred to find a new home in a land of strangers, a body of grim ad- venturers, manning a fleet of corsair vessels, made their Avay up the Seine, phmdcring and ravaging as they proceeded, and doing their work so thor- oughly that where they had passed hardly even a dog remained to bark at the solitude. At the head of this piratical expedition was a man of dauntless courage and extraordinary energy. His name was Hasting ; and he had long been re- nowned as the sea king who caused most terror throughout Christendom. Hasting, however, was not by birth a Scandi- navian. Indeed, he is said to have been the son of a peaceful peasant near Troyos, and to have been tempted from his home by the Danes during one of their incursions. No sooner, however, had be set his foot on the pine plank than he began to take kindly to Northern customs ; and gradually learning to regard piratical enterprise as the chief end of existence, he outdid his masters in all they had to teach, ate horse-flesh, sacrificed to Thor, and at lenscth became one of the most formidable 28 SEA KINGS AND NAVAL HEROES. of sea kings. Adopting, as the southern poets expressed it, the ocean for his home, Hasting passed his hfe in saihng from Denmark to the Orkneys, from the Orkneys to Gaul, from Gaul to Ireland, from Ireland to England. In fact. Hasting soon filled Europe with his fame ; and when, standing on the prow of his ship, he blew an ivory horn which hung round his neck to collect the vessels of his corsair fleet, the sound was more awful to men following peace- ful pursuits than the noise of thunder. Some of his expeditions have been recorded by chroniclers as among the most remarkable enterprises of the ninth century. One of these was to Italy, the other to England. It appears that, about the year 857, Hasting, having heard of the wealth and grandeur of Rome, resolved on paying a visit to the eternal city, and bringing off whatever he could in the way of plunder. Accordingly, he mustered his ships and sailed for Italy. But, instead of finding his Avay to Rome, he reached Luna, an ancient city on the left bank of the Magra, Avhen the inhabit- ants were celebrating the festival of Christmas. The error was somewhat unfortunate. But Hasting, having landed his men and formed a camp on the Magra, acted on the principle of making the best of circumstances. Finding that Luna Avas well prepared for defense, lie thought it politic to use stratagem rather than force. In- HASTING. 29 Btead, therefore, of commencing operations with fire and sword, he sent some of his men to inform the Count of Luna that he wished to repair his shattered fleet, and to inform the bishop that, be- ing weary of a sea king's life, he felt desirous of becoming a Christian, and of finding Avithin the bosom of the Church the repose for which his soul had long sighed. The Count of Luna, knowing what manner of men sea kings Avere, listened to the message of Hasting with suspicion. He resolved, however, to adopt a middle course ; and while careful not to admit the Northmen within the walls, allowed the inhabitants to supply them with such pro- visions as they required. But the bishop, de- ceived by the professions of Hasting, went to the camp of the Nortlmien, baptized the grim sea king, and returned to the city, rejoicing in the idea of such a pagan having been brought to re- pentance. Many men would, at this stage, have abandon- ed their object, left Luna in peace, and fared forth in quest of new adventures ; but Hasting had no such intention. Bent upon plunder, he pretend- ed to be sick unto death, and wdiile his camp re- sounded with lamentations, intimated his wish to leave all he possessed to the Church. He de- clared his anxiety, however, to be burled in con- secrated ground, and that his remains should be interred in one of the churches of Luna. Not 30 SEA KINGS AND NAVAL HEROES. suspecting any fraud, tlie bishop readily consent- ed to such a condition ; and a rumor having soon after been spread that Hasting was no more, sev- eral of the most valiant of the Northmen bore a coffin through the gates of the city, and on to the cathedral. The bishop Avas present to celebrate the sacred office for the repose of the soul that had depart- ed, and proceeded in all due form Avith the solemn ceremony. But suddenly Plasting sprung out of the coffin, brandished his sword, and gave the signal for carnage by slaying the bishop. The Northmen thereupon drew their blades, and after having massacred those assembled in the cathe- dral, sallied into the city, cut down all who cross- ed their path, made themselves masters of Luna, and, after exhibiting the utmost ferocity, set fire to the houses. Hasting then had the booty car- ried to his ships, and " not forgetting to take Avith him the handsomest Avoman in Luna," he sailed for Denmark, to secure his plunder and muse over neAV projects. At this period, England, after being long infest- ed by the Danes, was enjoying something resem- bling rcjjose undci- Alfred the Great. Moreover, the counti-y Avas so fortified that an attempt at in- vasion could hardly be successful. Plasting, hoAV- CA'er, Avns not dismayed. Landing, he was joined by the Danes of the Ilumber and the Danes of East Anglia; but he found the Anglo-Saxon king HASTING. 31 prepared to encounter him as an enemy, and not to submit to him as a conqueror. In several en- gagements Hasting liad decidedly the worst ; and Ills wife and children, Avhom he had left in a for- tress erected by him at Beafleet, fell into Alfred's hands. But Hasting, having sued to the royal Saxon, was granted peace on engaging on oath to withdraw from England ; and Alfred, with characteristic generosity, restored to the baffled invader his wife and children. Notwithstanding this check. Hasting immedi- ately prepared for new enterprises. Sad, but not desperate, the sea king took to his ships, crossed the English Channel, and ascended the Seine. Terror preceded him wherever he appeared, and the inhabitants fled trembling at the sound of his horn. At the dread blast, the serf, quitting the field, made for the recesses of the forest ; while his master, the French lord, hardly less alarmed, hurried to his castle, raised the drawbridge, ex- amined his defenses, and buried his treasure deep under the floor of the vault. As time passed on, however, Hasting grew tired of piracy. Forsaking the pine plank for the peaceful liall, this old sea king received baptism from the priests, and the dukedom of Chartres IVom the King of France ; and when Rollo and the Normans invaded France and sailed up the Seine, he appeared as a duke and a Christian, and displayed his banner and ai-rayed his men among the nobles of Charles the Simole. 32 SEA KINGS AND NAVAL HEROES. When the Duke of France resolved to hold a parley with the Normans before giving them bat- tle, Hasting, Avilh two Frenchmen who under- stood the Norman language, set forward on this mission. Following the course of the Eure till he reached the place opposite that where the Normans were encamped, Hasting halted, and, raising his voice so as to be heard, addressed them in their own tongue: " What ho ! my brave warriors," cried he, " what is the name of your lord ?" "We have no lord," replied the Normans; " we are all equal." " For what purpose do you come into this coun- try?" asked Hasting. " To drive out the inhabitants, or subject them to our i)ower," answered the Normans, "and make ourselves a home." " Ha !" exclaimed Hasting, with a gesture which made the Normans stare. "And who," inquired they, "arc you, who so well speak our tongue ?" "Who am I?" said Hasting. "Have you never beard of Hasting, the famous sea kin^j, who scoured the seas with so many barks, who did injury to so many kingdoms, and the blast of whose ivory horn the Gauls called thunder ?" " Ay," replied the Normans, " we have heard of Hasting, who began so well and ended so ill — who began like a lion and ended like a lamb." "Well," asked Hastins:, "will you submit to HASTING. 33 King Charles, who, on condition of faithful serv- ice, offers you lands and honors?" " By no means," answered the Normans ; " we will submit to no one ; and over all tliat we win by our arms we will assert dominion. Go and tell this, if thou wilt, to the king whose messen- ger thou art." Having failed in his object, Hasting returned to the French camp ; and the Duke of France, on learning the answer of the Normans, called an- other council of war. A long consultation Avas then held as to the expediency of attacking the invaders in their camp; and the French lords were divided in opinion. " For my part," said Hasting, gravely, " I ad- vise you not to make the attempt." " Not make the attempt !" cried a count named Roland, starting up ; " that is the counsel of a traitor." "It is the counsel of a traitor," shouted sev- eral others, repeating Count Roland's cry. On hearing the charge of treachery from so many tongues, Hasting was cut to the heart. Looking around Avith an indignant frown, he rose, left the council, momited a horse, and rode away from the French camp. Whither he went none could tell. But it was not to Chartres. He abandoned his dukedom, departed from France, and never again appeared in the haunts of men with whom he Mas familiar. C SWEYN, KING OF DENMARK. Among the Northmen who rendered the tenth century memorable, and who, in their piratical adventures, associated their names with the his- tory of England, Sweyn, King of Denmark, was one of the most remarkable. Sweyn was the son of that King Harold who carried on a long war with the Emperor Otho. In 980, on the death of his father, Sweyn — a sea king from boyhood — succeeded to the sovereign- ty of Denmark, and soon after, while fighting with the Jutes, had the misfoi'tune to be taken, and cast into prison. But the love with which the Danish king had inspired the fair-haired ladies of his kingdom opened his prison doors. In fact, all the Avomon of rank in Denmark came gener- ously forward, expressed their determination to set their young king free, threw their gold and silver ornaments into a hea]i, and thus collected such a sum that his ransom v/as paid. Sweyn was accordingly freed from captivity, and, on be- ing restored to his capital, evinced his gratitude to his benefactresses. Forthwith he passed a law granting the women of a family the privilege of sharing their father's property on equal terms SWEYX, KING OF DENMARK. 35 with the men, uisteacl of having a right, as pre- viousl}^, to nothing beyond a very small sum of money. For some time after having, with tlie aid of the ladies of Denmark, recovered his liberty, Sweyn remained in his northern home, governing his subjects, gratifying liis tastes, and cruising in the Baltic. In 994, however, he was seized with a desire to invade England, Avhere Ethelred the Unready then reigned, and speedily resolved upon an expedition in company with Olaf, King of Norway. Eager for carnage and plunder, the two Northmen collected a fleet of eighty-eight ships of war, embarked for England, gave their sails to the wind, and made their way up the Thames. In token of taking possession of the country, the invaders planted one lance on the bank of the river, and threw another into the cur- rent ; and then, landing from their tall ships, en- deavored to seize London, then a small, rude city, Avith houses built mostly of timber. The attemj^t, however, proving abortive, they entered rural re- gions, carried fire and sword through Kent, Sus- sex, and Hampshire, and rendered themselves so formidable to the Saxons that Ethelred, in despair of opposing the invaders Avith success, offered to hand them over a large sum of money on condi- tion of their retiring. Tempted by the gold, the Northmen accepted Ethelred's terms ; and Olaf of Norwav, before his 36 SEA KINGS AND NAVAL HEROES. departure, not only took an oath never more to molest England, but even asked to have the priv- ilege of receiving baptism. The admission of the Norwecfian kincr into the Christian Church took place in the cathedral of Winchester; and many of the Northmen, impressed with tlie grandeur of the ceremony, felt their Avonder rise. "It is marvelous!" they exclaimed to each other. " Tush !" said an old Dane, contemptuously, " I liave gone through that process twenty times without its producing the least effect." Olaf of Norway, however, faithfully kept his promise; and, during his reign, England was not troubled by the Norwegians. But Ethelred and the Anglo-Saxons had not seen the last of King Sweyn. About three years after having received the English gold, the Danish king entered the Severn, and commenced the most fearful devasta- tions on all hands. But fortune interfered to save England at that time from farther ravages. Summoned to aid Richard, Duke of Normandy, the heir of Rollo, in some of his Avars, Sweyn drew off his men, embarked in his ships, and lelt England, for a time, at peace. In 1001, however, he again appeared on the coast, plundered the Isle of Wight, ravaged Cornwall, Dorsetshire, and Hampshire, and made continual incursions into the neighboring counties. Ethelred, in despair, and seeing no means except bribery of getting SWEYN, KING OF DENMARK. 37 lid of such a foe, agreed to pay yearly to Sweyn an immense sum, which was levied under the name of " Dane-gold." Having exacted this satisfactory tribute, Sweyn took to his ships and returned to Denmark. Many of the Danes accompanied their king ; but those wlio remained in England were sufficient in number to be formidable to the Saxons, and conducted themselves with all the insolence of conquerors. They lived at ease and in plenty, while the Saxons toiled to raise the tax ; and wherever they went, they without scruple made free with the property of the Saxons. Besides, they behaved as if England had been their own ; and the Anglo-Saxons, half in fear, half in derision, described them as " Lord Danes." Day by day the Danes in England became more odious, and ere long the Anglo-Saxons were ready for any effort, however desperate, to rid themselves of such unwelcome guests. At length extermination was resolved upon ; and Ethelred, who had just married Emma, sister of the Duke of Normandy, and who felt secure in his alliance with the heir of Rollo, weakly and rashly gave his consent to a general massacre. The 13th of November, 1002, the day of St. Brice, was ap- pointed for executing the barbarous jiroject; and on that day, the Saxons in all parts of England had orders to be ready. The project was executed with vindictive fury. 434534 38 SEA KINGS AND NAVAL HEROES. Nothing, indeed, could have exceeded the cruelty exercised on the occasion. Men Avere slaughtered without mercy ; and many Avonieu were put in holes dug in the ground, buried up to the waist, and then torn to pieces by mastifls, which seemed to partake of the ferocity of their masters. At that time there liappened to be living in En- gland a sister of King Sweyn, who had been con- verted to Christianity, and married to an Anglo- Dane of high rank. During the massacre on St. Brice's day this lady did not escape. Xotwith- standing her earnest and constant efforts to pro- mote peace and good-will between Saxons and Danes, she was exposed to the bitterness of see- ing her children killed, and she was then behead- ed with every circumstance likely to excite the indignant horror of her countryinen. Intelligence of the barbarities perpetrated in England speedily reached Denmark, and Sweyn vowed vengeance. Without delay, he gathered an armament to invade England ; and three of his sisters prejoared a mystic standard, in the centre of which "s\'as a black raven Avith open beak and outsjjread wings. It was worked in one night, with magic songs and gestures, and, according to Scandinavian ideas, was a sure pledge of success to the invaders. With his con- fidence much increased by his banner, and with a certainty of victory, the Danish king went on board his ship, which from its being of the elon- SWEYN, KING OF DENMARK. 39 gated form of a serpent, was called the " Great Dragon." At the same time thousands of Danes embark- ed for England. Theii- ships had all distinctive badges. One had at the prow the figure of a lion, in gilt copper; another, of a bull; a third, of a dolphin ; and some had at their mast-heads birds spreading their wings, and turning with the wind ; while the sides of all were painted various colors, and hurig with bucklers of polished steel, in rows. Almost every Dane on board these ships was noble or free, and all were eager for battle and revenge. Among these grim sea kings figured the ancestors of many of the best and bravest men of whom in later ages England has had to boast. It is probable that among them might have been found the progenitor of Nelson. Eight centuries later, when that great hero de- stroyed the armament of Denmark at Copen- hagen, a Danish poet consoled his countrymen in the day of defeat by this reflection, that Nejson, as his name inferred, was of Danish origin, and that his actions were therefore to be ascribed to Danish valor. Having put to sea with his fleet of tall ships, King Sweyn appeared ofi" the coast of Cornwall, and the Danes, landing from their vessels, march- ed to Exeter, put the inhabitants to the sword, and reduced the country to a smoking desert. The progress of Sweyn and his comrades was 40 SEA KINGS AND NAVAL HEROES. rapid, and their course was marked by blood and devastation. In every place where they halted, they forced the Saxon host to give them the best of cheer; devoured with boisterous mirth the re- past set before them ; and, on taking their de- parture, slew the host and set fire to the house. Dui-ing their king's career of conquest the Danes reached Canterbury, and, after killing nine out of every ten of the townsmen and the monks of St. Augustine, seized the archbishop with the object of making him pay an enormous ransom. On this point, however, they were deceived. The archbishop bore his captivity with serene pa- tience, and refrained even from offering the small- est sura to purchase his freedom. At length the Danes, who from motives of policy had kept silent on the subject, became eager for a settlement, and mooted the question. " Bishop," said they, " we will give you liber- ty on condition of paying us three thousand gold pieces, and counseling King Ethelred to pay us four times that amount." " I have no money of my own," replied the archbishop, "and I will not deprive my ecclesi- astical territory of one penny on my account. Neither will I counsel my king to do aught that is contrary to the country's honor." " It will be better for you to do as we wish," said the Danes, significantly. " You urge me in vain," replied the archbishop, SWEYN, KING OF DENMARK. 41 with mild decision ; " I am not one who Avill fur- nish Christian flesh for pagan teeth to tear." After having met the demand of his jailers with firmness, the archbishop Avas allowed for some time to remain at peace. It was only, how- ever, for a brief period. One day when the Danes, seated on large stones in a circle, Avere celebra- ting their victories with full cups, they ordered the archbishop to be brought from prison, placed on a miserable hack, and led into the midst of them. " Gold, bishop," cried they, " give us gold, or we will cause thee play a game shall make thee noted thi'ough the world." " I ofier you the gold of wisdom — that ye re- nounce your superstitions and be converts to the true God," calmly replied the archbishop. "If you heed not this counsel, know that ye shall per- ish as Sodom, and shall take no root in the land !" No sooner had the archbishop uttered these words, which the Danes regarded as a threat, than they rose Avith one accord from their seats. Some pelted the archbishop with the bones of the oxen on which they had feasted ; others threw stones at him ; and many took aim with their axes. Felled to the ground, wounded and bleeding, the venerable man attempted to kneel and pray. But the Danes rushed in a body upon their victim, and, by completing the murder, re- leased him from his sufferings. 42 SEA KINGS AND NAVAL HEROES. Ere tliis, Ethelred liail begun to rue the rash- ness of which he had been guilty in sanctioning the massacre on the day of St. Bricc. In his des- peration, however, he attempted resistance, and intrusted the command of his forces to Edric Streone, Earl of Mercia ; but, finding himself be- trayed by that unprincipled chief, he sent his wife and son to Normandy, and, following soon after, left Sweyn master of England. Sweyn, now without a rival, was proclaimed King of England, and in a position to do almost as he chose. In the plenitude of his power, he laid a heavy tax on the Saxons, to raise money sufficient to reward the companions of his victory. But he did not live long to enjoy possession of tlie country which he had conquered. Hardly had he worn the crown of England more than a year, when he was summoned from the scene of his carnage and conquest. One day, after having threatened to spoil the monastery of St. Edmund, Sweyn was at Thetford carousing among his chiefs, and indulging some- what freely in the intoxicating cup. Suddenly he felt as if he had received a violent blow, and his face underwent a rapid change. " Oh !" cried the Danish king, giving way to superstitious fear, "I have been struck by this St. Edmund with a sword." "Nay," replied the Danish chiefs, who sat drinking around, " there is no St. Edmund here." SWEYN, KING OF DENMARK. 43 Xevevtheless, the career of King Sweyn Avas evidently drawing near its close. Death, in fact, was written in his face, and horror took posses- sion of his' mind. After three days of indescrib- able torments, he breathed his last at Thetford ; and his son, having, after a struggle with Edmund Ironside, made himself master of the English ihrone, rendered himself famous as Canute the Great. HAROLD HARDRADA. Among the heroes of Europe in the middle of the eleventh century, the most remarkable was Harold Hardrada, King of Xorway. Even his personal appearance excited wonder and awe. His stature was almost gigantic ; indeed, he ajjpoars to have much exceeded seven feet in height: his face was fair; his eyes blue; his yel- low hair was parted over a brow of marvelous intelligence, and so disposed as to flow in profu- sion over magnificent shoulders. Moreover, Har- drada was regarded Avith curiosity as having seen infinitely more of the world than any prince of the age,* and as being " the most valiant of the Scandinavians, and the last among them who led the adventurous life whose chaiin had vanished with the religion of Odin," Harold Hardrada was son of Sigurd, and younger brother of Olaf, King of Norway, who by force of hand converted the Norwegians to Christianity, and whose banner, on which he Avas represented in full armor trampling on a dragon, was long preserved in the princii)al church of Ladvig to commemorate his triumplis over ])a- ganism. Hardrada, however, was not destined HAROLD HARDRADA. 45 to win fame as a champion of Christianity. He early imbibed that passion for war and song Avhich distinguished the old sea kings ; and hi his teens, as in his ripe manhood, he appeared to the world as a warrior and a scald. At the battle of Stiklestad, where King Olaf fell, Hardrada, then only fifteen, signalized his warlike prowess, and did not leave the field till all was lost and his body covered with Avounds. Escaping with some choice spirits to the forest, he took refuge in the cottage of a woodman, and there lay concealed till his wounds were cured. With his health restored, and his soul glowing with visions of future triumphs, Hardrada, at- tended by a band of brave comrades, left the woodman's cottage, and, passing through Sweden and Russia to the East, he chanted extempore verses breathing high hope. " A day," he sang, " will come, when my name will be great in the land I have now left." Havhig halted at Constantinople, Hardrada viewed the capital of the Emperors of the East with admiration, and not, perhaps, without some vague ambition of one day making it his own. Meanwhile he took service, with his comrades, in that celebrated body known as the Varings, who acted as guard to the Emperor of Constantino- ple, stood on duty at the door of the imperial chamber, kept the keys of the town in which they were quartered, and, at critical periods, had the 46 SEA KINGS AND NAVAL HEROES. custody of the imperial treasury. Most of the Varings, being Scandinavians, wore their hair Ion"" in the Northern fashion, and stalked about carrying axes Avith double blades on their right shoulder. The Greeks described the Varings as barbarians, but trembled instinctively at the sight of their large limbs and huge axes. In this body Hardrada and his comrades en- rolled themselves. Though the brother of a king, he kept guard with the axe on his right shoulder at the gate of the palace. But Hardrada was too remarkable a person to be insignificant in any position. Such a man could hardly fail to excite the jealousy of men and the admiration of wom- en ; and, ere long, he became an object of antipa- thy to the Greek chief of the imperial forces, and of affection to no less exalted a lady than the Empress Zoe. The quarrel with the Greek general resulted in Hardrada Avithdrawing from Constantinople, and repairing, with a Yaringian force, to seek enter- prise in Africa and Asia. The plunder of castles and towns, stormed and won by his band, reward- ed his exertions ; and, after fighting his way to Jerusalem well-nigh a century before Peter the Hermit rode thither on his mule, he bent his strong knee in adoration at the Holy Sepulchre, and bathed his stalwart limbs in the Avaters of the Jordan. No sooner, however, had he returned to Constantinople, thait he heard news which in- HAROLD HARDRADA. 47 spired him with an eager desire to return to liis native land. It would seem that Olaf, Hardrada's brother, albeit forcing Christianity on the Norwegians, was not quite prepared to obey the Christian priests who admonished him to have only one wife. One result of the warrior-saint's disobedi- ence was the birth of an illegitimate son named Magnus ; and, during Hardrada's absence, Magnus not only recovered Norway from King Sweyn, the successor of the great Canute, but was occu- pying himself with attempts to seize Dermark also. On hearing of the success of Magnus, Ilardrada felt that it would better become him than his il- legitimate nephew to retrieve the honor of his country, and immediately resolved to leave Con- stantinople and return to Norway. This, how- ever, proved no easy business. The Empress Zoe had no wish that the warrior who had won her heart should leave the capital of the East ; and to perplex matters still farther, Hardrada had a strong affection for Maria, the empress's niece. The consequence was that, instead of being al- lowed to depart, Ilardrada Avas seized and thrown into prison. The pi'ospects of the Northern hero were now rather gloomy. But a Greek lady, moved by a dream, resolved to effect his liberation. By low- ering ropes from the roof of a tower in which 48 SEA KINGS AND NAVAL HEROES. Ilardrada was confined, she enabled him to es- cape ; and Hardi-ada, rousing his Varings, went to the palace of Maria, bore off the princess to his galley, and soon left the Bosphorus behind. But the adventures of Hardrada were not end- ed. Putting to sea, he cruised along the coast of Sicily, and won great wealth by his piratical enterprises. When his ship Avas becalmed on a long voyage, he amused himself with celebrating in verse his successes and his hopes, and sang how he had led his vessel afar, the terror of peasants, his dark vessel filled with grim warriors. On one occasion, Avhile besieging a town of Sicily, the houses of which were thatched with straw and reeds, Hardrada, finding the walls somewhat strong, and despairing of taking the place by force, resolved to seize it by stratagem. With this view, he ordered fowlers to catch the birds that had nests in the town, and flew during the day to the neighboring forests in quest of food for their young. The birds being secured, he caused splinters of inflammable wood, incased with sulphur and Avax, to be fastened to them, and in the evening set them at liberty. The birds, finding themselves free, immediately made for their nests under the thatched roofs of the houses, and the straw and reeds instantly caught fire. The town Avas, of course, soon in a blaze, and the inhabitants, opening the gates in alarm, rushed out, and thi-ow thomsolves on the mercy HAROLD HARDRADA. 49 of the besiegers. Ilardiaila and bis Xortbmcn entered, extinguislied the fii-e, and took posses- sion of all the wealth the place contained. On another occasion, Avhen Havdrada Avas be- sieging a town of Sicily, with little hope of suc- ceeding by force, he resolved on a stratagem sim- ilar to that practiced by Hasting at Luna. Sud- denly he contrived to become ill, and his sickness seemed such that his life was despaired of. His men, turning the circumstance to account, de- manded a parley with the besieged, stated that Hardrada was dead, and begged that the clergy would allow the body to be brought into the town and buried in one of the churches. Readily con- senting, the clergy, with cross, shrine, and reli- quary, repaired to Hardrada's camp to attend the corpse, and found the Northmen ready Avitli a splendid coffin. Preceded by the monks chant- ing hymns, a chosen band of warriors carried the coffin under a canopy of the finest linen, and marched solemnly toward the town. But no sooner were they admitted than, setting the coffin down in such a position as to keep the gate open, they drew their swords, sounded trumpets, and made a signal for their comrades to enter. Hav- ing been joined by Hardrada's whole force, they made themselves masters of the town, set upon the male inhabitants, " and," says the chronicler, "cut down every one around them, priest and layman without distinction." D 50 SEA KINGS AND NAVAL HEROES. After a variety of piratical enterprises, Hardra- da landed in Norway, raised an army, and made war on Magnus. But the nephew proved a more formidable adversary than the uncle had anticipa- ted. Resolutely did Magnus defend his prize; and Hardrada, at length perceiving the difficulty of conquering, made peace, shared his treasure with Magnus, and received half of the territory that Magnus had wrenched from the Danes. Magnus, however, did not long survive the treaty ; and Hardrada, becoming king of all Nor- way, continued to fight with Sweyn for the pos- session of Denmark. Wealthy, wise, daring, and experienced above his compeers, Hardrada Avas regarded as one of the most flourishing kings of Europe ; and he was occupied with a project for adding Scotland to his dominions, when, one day in the year 1006, there anchored on the coast of Norway some ships, which formed the fleet of a banished Anglo-Saxon named Tostig, son of the powerful Earl Godwin. For some time Tostig held the earldom of Nor- thumberland. But the Northumbrians, revolting against his tyranny, banished him from York ; and leaving England, he betook himself to the court of Baldwin, Count of Flanders, whose daughter he had married. No sooner, however, did Tostig hear that his brother Harold had succeeded Ed- ward the Confessor as King of England, than he hastened to Rouen, and incited "William, Duke of HAROLD HAEDRADA. 51 Normantly, to invade England. Not liaviiig pa- tience, however, to await the Norman duke's preparations, Tostig got together some ships, and, sailing to Denmark, craved aid from King Sweyn. But the royal Dane gave Tostig no satisfaction ; and the banished Saxon, again embarking, sailed for Drontheim, where Harold Ilardrada kcj^t his rude northern court. Hardrada A\as now too experienced and wary to be easily entrapped into any expedition. But Tostig, not unaware with what manner of man he had to deal, approached him with soft flatteries. "The world knows well," said the son of Godwin, " that there exists not on earth a Avarrior Avorthy to be compared to thee. Thou hast only to Avill it, and England Avill be thine." After son\e manifestations of reluctance, Ilar- drada allowed himself to be persuaded ; and, hav- ing promised to sail as soon as the annual melting of the ice set the ocean free, commenced prepara- tions on a scale commensurate with the grandeur of the enterprise. Tostig, however, was too im- patient to wait. With a few ships, manned by adventurers collected in Flanders, he put to sea, reached England, and, after plundering the Isle of Wight and the Hampshire coast, sailed up the Humber, pillaging as he went. But Edwin and Morkar, the grandsons of Leofric and Godiva, united their fleets, and, pursuing Tostig, compel- ls»4 him to sail to the Scottish coast. Failincc to 52 SEA KINGS AND NAVAL HEROES. secure the alliance of Malcolm Canmore, who then reigned in Scotland, Tostig retreated to the Ork- neys, and there awaited the coming of Hardrada. Nor was the patience of Godwin's son put to any very severe test. In due time, Hardrada col- lected several hundred vessels of war and trans- ports, and, summoning the fighting men of his kingdom, encamped on the coast, where multi- tudes of grim warriors assembled. But the ex- pedition did not take place under the most joy- ous auspices. While the fleet lay for some time at anchor, vague impressions of gloom pervaded the Norwegian host. One man dreamed that the fleet had sailed, that he saw flocks of crows and vultures perched on the masts and sails, and that a witch wife, seated on an island, holding a drawn sword in her hand, cried out to the birds, " Go, and go without fear ; ye shall have plenty to eat, for I go with you." Another man dreamed that he saw his comrades landed in England, that they were in presence of an English army, and that a woman of gigantic stature rode on a wolf, to which she gave human bodies, which it held in its jaws and devoured one after another, Har- drada dreamed that he saw his brother, St. Olaf, and that the warrior-saint warned him, in vague words, that the expedition would terminate in disaster. But Hardrada was far too bold of heart to be daunted by dreams and visions. On the day ap- HAROLD IIARDRADA. 53 pointed he embarked witli his son Olaf, his black steed, and his raven baimer, ■\vliicli was known as " The Kavager of the AVorld." It was remarked, not withont terror, that wlien Hardrada placed his foot in the royal galley, the weight of his body pressed it farther down in the water than usual. But Hardrada, despising presages which his com- panions regarded as threatening, sailed without delay. At the Orkneys, Harold Hardrada Avas joined by Tostig, with two chiefs and a bishop; and the fleet, coming in siglit of the shores of England, touched at Cleveland. Driving the inhabitants before them, the Norwegian king and the Saxon earl took possession of all they could find. Bear- ing the plunder to their ships, they sailed into Scarborough, and fiercely attacked thi^t place. Finding the townsmen bent on resistance, the Norwegians took possession of a high rock that commanded the town, and, rearing up an enor- mous pile of stubble and Avood, set fire to the mass, rolled the fire down on the houses, and availed themselves of the confusion to force the gates. Again carrying the booty to their ships, the Norwegians sailed up the Huniber and the Ouse, and landed near York, to please Tostig, who was eager to regain the capital of his earldom. Mor- kar, the new earl, mustered his fighting men, and came to drive back the invaders. But Hardrada 54 SEA KINGS AND NAVAL HEROES. mounted his black steed, unfurled his raven ban- ner, and, after a brief conflict, chased the English into York. It Avas by this time the middle of September, 1060 ; and the citizens of York, closely besieged, and seeing no hope of success unless in the event of Harold, the Saxon king, leaving the south ex- posed to William of Normandy, and coming to their rescue, consented to surrender tlie city. On the morning of the 25th of September, Hardrada and Tostig left their camp at Stamford Bridge, on the Derwent, and, with a pai't of their force, rode toward York. It was a warm autumn day, and the Norwegians, not expecting enemies to com- bat, had left behind their coats of mail and oth- er defensive armor, and only wore helmets and bucklers. Suddenly, as Hardrada and Tostig approached York side by side, they perceived through clouds of dust something glittering in the sun like steel, and soon horsemen and foot- men appeared in sight. " Who are these men ?" asked Hardrada. "They can only be Northumbrians coming to ask our pardon and implore our friendship," an- swered Tostig. " An enemy ! an enemy !" cried the Norwegi- ans, as the advancing mass, becoming more dis- tinct, proved to be an army in battle order. " It is Harold the king !" exclaimed Tostig, in amazement. HAROLD HARDRADA. 55 " Unfurl my standard !" cried Htirdrada. While "The Ravager of the World" was raised on high, the Norwegians drew up in a long line curved at the extremities, and, pressing against each other, stood with their lances planted in the ground and the ponits turned toward the foe. Mounted on his black charger, Hardrada rode through the ranks singing extempore verses. "Let us fight," he sang. "Let us advance, though without our cuirasses, to the edge of the blue steel. Our helmets glitter in the sun ; that is enough for brave men." At this stage, and while three Norwegians were spurring back to Stamford Bridge to bring up the men from the ships, twenty riders, men and horses clad in steel, came forth from the Saxon ranks, and approached the Norwegian lines. " Where is Tostig, son of Godwin ?" asked the foremost. " Here," answered Tostig. "If thou art Tostig," said the Saxon, "thy brother greets thee by me, and offers thee peace, friendship, and thine ancient honors." " These are fair words, and very different from the insults I met with in other days," said Tostig. " But if I accept these offers, what will be given to the noble King Harold Ilardrada, son of Si- gurd, my faithful ally ?" " He," answered the Saxon, " sliall have seven feet of English land, or a little more, since his height passes that of other men." 56 SEA KINGS AND NAVAL HEliOES. "Then," said Tostig, scornfully, "tell my broth- er that he may prepare for battle ; for none but liars shall ever have it in their power to relate that the son of Godwin deserted the son of Si- gurd." Without farther parley, the battle began ; and, at the first shock, Hardrada, pierced in the throat with an arrow, tossed up his arms, disappeared from his black steed, and fell lifeless upon the ground. Tostig then took the command, and a fierce conflict ended in the Saxons obtaining a victory. But the jS^orwegians encamped on the other side of Stamford Bridge still held out, and Harold the Saxon found them obstinate foes. One grim Norwegian, probably one of the Avar- riors who had accompanied Hardrada to the East, fought by his side on the way to Jerusalem, and shared in his victories at sea, posted himself on the long wooden bridge, the site of which, with one remaining buttress, has often, in the nine- teenth century, been pointed out to the curious traveler, and contested the passage with obsti- nate valor. Even after all his companions had fallen, this warrior, defying the press of numbers, defended the bridge with his single arm, killing forty men Avith his own hand. Of course, the hardiest Saxon recoiled from the axe of a man who seemed to have supernatural strength, and to bear a charmed life. At length, however, one of the Saxons, leaping on board a IIAKOLU HAltDKADA. 57 boat, floated under tlie bridge, and, thrusting a long spear llirough the phuiks, pierced the Nor- wegian to the heart. After liis death the camp was forced ; Tostig having fallen in the conflict, and Olaf, the son of Hardrada, having made peace with the victors, sailed to Norway Avith the sur- vivors of the expedition. But scarcely had the Saxons obtained the vic- tory when news arrived that William of Norman- dy had landed, Avith a mighty army, at Pevensey. The Saxons, vinder the necessity of marching im- mediately to meet this new foe, had no time to bury the slain ; and the bones of the Norwegians long after whitened the lield, and marked wliere Harold Hardrada fell, and where his raven ban- ner sunk to be unfurled no more. SIR ROBERT MORLEY. About the close of the thirteenth century, when Edward the First was king of Enghind, a knight- ly Anglo-Xorraan, named William de Morley, was inhabiting moated castles in Norfolk, making a considerable figure, maintaining baronial state, exercising feudal functions, and recreating him- self with such sports as hunting and hawking. At one time William dc Morley might have been seen riding up to London to attend the Parlia- ment at Westminster; at another, journeying to- ward Carlisle to accompany the king in an expe- dition against the Scottish insurgents. It does not appear, however, that he did any thing deem- ed particularly worthy of record, and he owes the preservation of his name from oblivion to the fict of having been the father of a son who won a i)lace for himself among the naval heroes of England. Robert de Morley was born toward the close of the thirteenth century, and Avas in all probn- bility a native of Roydon, in that county which in later times produced Cloudesley Shovel and Horatio Nelson. When Morley was still a child, England was alarmed by rumors of a French in- vasion; and, the French having landed and burned SIR ROBERT MORLEY 59 Dover, the great Edward fitted out three squad- rons to protect the property and persons of En- glislunen. Of these squadrons, one, under John de Battletort, Avas stationed at Yarmouth. It is therefore probable tliat, when a boy, Morley con- stantly heard stories of the wonderful ships which the king had placed to guard the Norfolk coast ; and It is even possible that, as years passed on, lie saw service at sea on board the squadron of which Battletort had the command. But, however that may have been, Morley, •when a youth with auburn hair and aquiline fea- tures, succeeded in 1304 to his father's castles and manors in Norfolk. Being still under age, he was placed under the guardianship of a baron who fig- ured as Marshal of Ireland ; and he was soon aft- er united in marriage to Hawise Marshal, the daughter of his guardian. The alliance proved fortunate in a worldly point of view ; for, on the death of William de Marshal and his only son John, during the unfortunate reign of Edward the Second, Hawise became their sole heiress. Mor- ley, as the husband of Hawise, acquired the bar- ony of Rhie, Avith the castles and manors of the Marshals in Norfolk, Herts, and Essex, besides the oftice of Marshal of Ireland, and estates in that country which were probably more exten- sive than valuable. It was not an age in which a man, enjoying such possessions as Morley, Avas allowed to pass CO SEA KINGS AND NAVAL IIKUOES. his time flying" his hawk, liuiitiug his door, or feast- ing in his halls at Morlcy, Rhie, or Hinghani. Be- sides, England was on the eve of the great v.ar between Edward the Third and Philip de Valois for the crown of France; and when, in 1338, the King of England formed an alliance Avith the Flemings, sailed from the Orwell, and appeared in Flanders at the head of an army. Englishmen of rank perfectly comprehended that they must sharpen their swords and buckle on their armor. No sooner, indeed, had Edward declared war, than Philip de Valois ordered liis admirals, Sir Philip Quiriel and Sir Peter Bahucet, to make a descent on England ; and these " master cor- sairs," approaching the ceast Avith a fleet manned with Normans, Picards, and Spaniards, com- menced hostilities by sailing into Southampton one Sunday. Being in church at the time, the inhabitants were quite taken by surprise ; and the French proceeded to slaughter men, violate wom- en, pillage the houses, and set fire to the town. Having carried the booty to their ships, they fell down Avith the next tide, made sail for Norman- dy, and landed triumphantly at Dieppe. But Quiriel and Bahucet were by no means con- tent with the plunder they had acquired and the mischief they had Avrought. Week after Aveek they appeared on the English coast. One day they were at Sandwich ; on a second at Winchel- sea; on a third at Rye ; on a fourth at Dover; SIR ROBERT MORLEY. 61 on a fifth at Portsnwutb. Every where they were guilty of fearful violence ; and they suc- ceeded in capturing several English ships, among wliich were the " St. Edward," the " St. George," the " Black Cock," and the " Christopher," a mag- nificent vessel, built by the king at great expense, and laden with warlike stores for Flanders. All the men on board the " Christopher" Avere put to death ; and the French, in that spirit which has always characterized their nation, boasted loudly of their prize. Soon after this. King Edward, leaving Queen Philippa ht Ghent, embarked at Antwerp, and sailing into the Thames on St. Andrew's day, was welcomed with great joy by his subjects. In truth, he looked a king of whom any subjects might well have been proud. He was then in his twenty-eighth year, and in the very flower of youthful manhood, with a noble presence, a figure six feet in height and magnificently proportioned, long-drawn and thoughtful features, a high nose, an intellectual brow, and in his eye some sparks of the genius and the patriotism which had glowed in the brain and heart of his grandsire. lie was not, indeed, the great king his grandsire had been, but he enjoyed over his contemporaries a degree of superiority which his people felt Avith pleasure and proclaimed Avith pride. It Avas natural, there- fore, that much loyalty should have been mani- fested on his return from Flanders. But loud 62 SEA KINGS AND NAVAL HEROES. above all loyal expressions rose complaints of the ravages committed by the French, and fierce burn- ed Edward's wrath as he listened to the sloi-y of his subjects' wrongs. "Oh king," cried the populace, "our towns have been burned, our homes pillaged, our maidens de- flowered, and our young men slain." " Be patient," said the king ; " and be assured that when it comes to my turn, I Avill make your enemies pay dearly for all they have done." It now became Edward's great object to fit out fleets for the defense of the coasts, and he spared no exertion Avith that view. Ships were built ; men Avere mustered ; every port became the scene of excitement and enthusiasm ; and Morley, ap- pointed admiral from the mouth of the Thames nortliAvard, began to cruise Avith a fleet Avhich, had it existed a year earlier, Quiricl and Bahucet, with all their boasting, Avould perhaps rather not Lave encountered. Meanwhile the French Avere busy Avith prepa- rations for naA'al Avarfare. In fact, Philip of Va- lois had collected hundreds of vessels ; and Quiriel and Bahucet, stationed Avith a formidable arma- ment on the coast of Flandei's, had peremptory orders, on peril of their Ua'cs, not to alloAv the King of England to set foot on continental soil. It Avas the summer of 1340, and P^dAvard Avas at Ipswich, pre^jaring to sail from the OrAvell Avith forty ships, Avhen thither in haste came the Arch- SIR ROBERT MORLEY. 63 bishop of Canterbury with intelligence of great import. " Philip of Valois," said the archbishop, " hav- ing had notice of your intended passage, has, with as much diligence and privacy as the nature of the thing would permit, assembled a great fleet in the port of Sluys in order to intercept you." " Nay," said the king, looking angrily at the archbishop, " I can not believe that. At all events, I am resolved to sail." After reflecting, however, the king adopted a moi'e prudent course. Having sent for Morley and a seaman of mark named Crabbe, Edward commanded them to inquire into the truth of the matter. Embarking in swift ships, Morley and Crabbe soon made the inspection, returned with- out delay to IpsAvich, and, on being admitted to the king's presence, confirmed Avhat the archbish- op had stated. " Ha !" cried Edward, looking upon the admi- ral with suspicion, " you have agreed with that prelate to tell me this tale in order to stop my voyage." "Sir," said Morley, "you do us grievous wrong." " But," continued Edward, not noticing the in- terruption, " I will go ; and you, who are afraid where there is no ground for fear, may stay at home." " Sir," said Morley, with becoming courage and dignity, " we are ready to attend you to certain C4 SEA KINGS AND NAVAL HEROES. death ; but Pliilip of Valois has set a price on your head, and we will stake ours that, if you per- sist in sailing with your present force, you will be destroyed." The words of men so wise and valiant as Mor- ley and Crabbe were not lost on Edward. "The king having heard them," says the chronicler, " sent for the archbishop, and, with abundance of kind speeches, prevailed on him to receive the great seal into his care, after which the king is- sued orders to all the ports both in the north and south, and to the Londoners likewise, for aid, so that, in the space of ten days, he had a navy as large as he desired." Every pi-eparation having been made, Edward, on Thursday, the 22d of June, accompanied by the Earls of Derby, Huntingdon, Pembroke, and Nortliampton, and by Sir Walter Manny and many wariiors of fame, sailed from the Orwell. Next day, Morley, with the northern fleet, joined the armament ; and, after having been welcomed with a thundering cheer, the admiral placed him- self in the van, and, in his own good ship, led the Avay toward Flanders. On the morning of Saturday, the 24th of June, the English approached the coast. It seems they got so near to Sluys without seeing the French that Edward doubtless began to think he had been deceived as to the preparations made to op- pose him. Suddenly, however, tlie man who kept SIR ROBERT MORLEY. 65 a look-out from the admiral's shi]) cried that he saw masts ; and the impression was quickly con- veyed through the fleet that they were in pres- ence of an enemy. " Who Avill they turn out to be ?" asked Ed- ward, addressing the captain of his ship. " Doubtless," was the answer, " this is the arm- ament kept at sea by the French, under the admi- rals who have done England so much harm, and who took your good ship the ' Christopher.' " " Well," said Edward, " I have, for a long time, wished to meet these men, and now, please God and St. George, we will fight with them ; for, in truth, they have done mc so much mischief that I will be revenged on them if it be possible." Every man was now on the alert ; and orders having been sent through the fleet to form in or- der of battle, the strongest vessels were placed in the van ; those with archers were posted on the wings ; and between every two vessels with arch- ers there was one with men-at-arms. Some ships were detached as a reserve to support those that might most require aid; and the king ordered that the vessels, on board of which were many la- dies of rank going to the queen at Ghent, should be carefully guarded by five hundred archers and two hundred men-at-ai*ms. Observing, however, that they had the sun in their faces and the wind against them, and, moreovei-, "that the French ships were linked together with chains, and that E 6e SEA KINGS AND NAVAL HEROES. it w.'is impossible to break the line of battle," the English hoisted their sails, and, standing a little out to sea, soon got the sun and Avind as they Avished. While this was going on in the English fleet, Quiriel and Bahucet, having a hundred and twen- ty large ships and forty thousand men under their command, and the orders of PhiUp of Valois not to allow King Edward to land, felt quite dis- inclined to shirk a conflict. Indeed, the French admirals, being " expert and gallant men on the seas," Avere somewhat confident of victory, and were in high spirits as they set their ships in or- der ; and, as if to exasperate the English, placed the " Christopher" in their van to begin the ac- tion. "But Avhat are these English doing?" cried the French, as EdAvard's fleet, under the direction of Morley, tacked to gain the Aveather gauge. " Oh," Avas the answer, " they are turning about for fear of meddling Avith us. But never mind, they can not escape," the French added joyously ; "and, as their king is on board, avc will make them fight, Avhether they Avill or not." It soon appeared that the French Avere not to be balked of an opportunity of proving their su- periority as naA\al Avarriors. The English, having now the Avind in their favor, sailed gallantly for- Avard to the encounter ; and Morley, in his own ship, coming to close conflict, auspiciously com- SIR ROBERT MORLEY. 67 menced the action b}- recapturing the " Christo- pher." Clearing her decks of Frenchmen, he con- trived, with rapid dexterity, to place English arch- ers on board, and sent her, amid the cheers of the fleet, to fight with the Genoese, on whose cross- bows the French much relied. Meanwhile the Earl of Huntingdon, closely fol- lowing Morley, and closely followed by the Earl of Northampton and Sir Walter Manny, and many other of the English, came alrr>ost hand to hand with the foe, and the battle assumed an as- pect of excessive fury. Quiriel and Bahucet, be- ing able and determined men, exerted themselves to the utmost, and having the advantage of num- bers in the proportion of four to one, pressed hard upon the English. But, undismayed by the odds against them, the English fought dauntlessly. Edward, in spite of being wounded by an arrow, performed many deeds of prowess; and Derby, Pembroke, and the other w^arriors, animated by the king's example, strove to signalize their valor. For some time the combat was bravely main- tained. But at length, after the battle had raged for many hours, victory so decidedly inclined to the English that the French lost heart and hope. Perceiving that all was over, and only animated by some vague hope of saving themselves, some began to leap from their ships, and the example thus set proved so contagious that more French- men pei'ished in the waves of the sea than by the 68 SEA KINGS AND NAVAL IILKOES. woapons of their foes. Tlie victory was perfectly- decisive, and for centuries afterward it was re- membered as one of the most complete in the an- nals of naval warfare. It was seven o'clock on Saturday evening when this great battle oft" Sluys came to a close, and the king anchoring, celebrated his triumph with sound of trumpets. Next morning, however, Morley got the fleet into the harbor of Sluys, and the victori- ous king, landing, set off" on foot with his knights on a pilgrimage to " Our Lady of Ardembourg." This ceremony over, Edward mounted his horse, and, riding to Ghent, where Queen Philippa had just given birth to her son, afterward renowned as John of Gaunt, he Avrote to inform the Arch- bishop of Canterbury of his success at sea, and to request that a public thanksgiving might be aj)- poiuted in gratitude for so great a victory. At this time Philip of Valois Avas making war on the Count of Hainault ; and, Avhen news of Ed- ward's victory reached the French camp, not a knight was bold enough to tell their king that his fleet had been destroyed. This delicate duty Avas therefore left to the court jester, who entered upon his business with some abuse of the Engiisli, and gradually roused Philip to a sense of the loss he had sustained. " Cowardly English," said he, repeatedly, and with bitter emphasis. " What do you say?" asked Philip. SIR ROBERT MORLEY. 69 " Cowavdly English !" exclaimed the jester. " Dastardly English ! False-hearted English !" " Why do you call them so ?" asked Philip. "Because," said the jester, "they durst not leap out of their ships, as our brave men did, when they fought at the battle of Sluys." "Ah!" exclaimed Philip, with a sickly sensa- tion as he began to comprehend ; and, on learning the whole truth, he flew into one of his violent * rages, retreated toward Arras, and broke up liis ai-my. Edward, eager for a meeting, sent an of- fer to decide their disputes by a single combat ; but Philip declined on the ground that the mes- sage was not addressed to the King of France, but to Philip de Valois, and could not, therefore, be intended for him. After the battle of Sluys, Morley continued King Edward's admiral, and took part in several of the great enterprises that rendered the period memorable. In 1341 he sailed with his fleet and other ships of the Cinque Ports for Normandy, whei-c he burned eighty ships, four sea-ports, and made himself terrible to the French; in 134G he sailed from Southampton with the king on that great expedition Avhich resulted in the victory at Cressy; and in 1347, he, at the king's summons, suddenly transported himself, with all the men he could raise, not staying even to take horses on board, and rej)aired to the king, who Avas then be- fore Calais, and apprehensive of Philip of Valois 70 SEA KINGS AND NAVAL HEROES. coming with a, iniglity ai-my to the relief of the town. It would seem, however, that the navy of France liacl been so completely destroyed at Sliiys, that any idea of contending with the English at sea for the present was abandoned by Philip. Mor- ley's occupation was therefore possibly believed to have gone; and in 1347, after the capture of Calais, his commission as admiral having expired, he returned to Norfolk. Having lost Ilawise, the wife of his youth, he consoled himself with a bride in the person of Joan, daughter of Sir Peter de Tye, and probably indulged in the idea of enjoy- ing the repose he had so well earned. But the valiant hero, Avhose seamanshi}) had been so ad- mirably displayed at Sluys, was soon recalled to scenes of strife. In fact, about 1348, King Ed- Avard found that England was exposed to the at- tacks of a new enemy. It was then that the Span- iards, whose navy Avas formidable, began to infest the coasts of England, and English merchants loudly complained of the injury done to their commerce. Edward then called upon Morley to resume his post as admiral, and prepared to inflict signal chastisement on the Spaniards. " For a long time," said the king, " we have spared those people ; but, instead of amending their conduct, they have yearly grown more inso- lent, and do us much harm." " Yes," said his lords, "they must be cliastised." SIR ROBERT MORLEV. 71 The king soon had an opportunity of castiga- ting the Spaniards. A Spanish fleet happened to put into one of the harbors of Flanders : Edward at once sent theui notice that they should not be allowed to return home without rendering satis- faction to the English ; and having ordered his ships to be in readiness, he summoned the chief knights and barons to attend him, and proceeded to the coast near Dover, where he was joined by the Black Prince, the Earls of "Warwick and Here- ford, Lord De Roos, Sir Walter Manny, Sir John Chandos, and other brave warriors ; and thither also, before the king embarked, ci^me the Lord Robert de Namur. Having heartily welcomed and appointed him to the command of a ship named tlie "Salle de Roi," Edward embarked, and putting to sea, kept cruising for some days between Dover and Calais. In the mean time, the Spaniards had received Edward's warning, but without manifesting any of that alarm Avhich the king supposed it would create. " They knew that they should meet the English," says Froissart, "but were indifferent about it; for they had marvelously provided themselves with all sorts of warlike ammunition, such as bolts for cross-bows, cannon, and bars of forged iron to throw on the enemy, in hopes, with the assistance of great stones, to sink him. When they weighed anchor the wind Avas favorable for them. There were f<)i-tv large vessels, of such it 72 SEA KINGS AND NAVAL HEROES. size and so beautiful tliat it Avas a fine sight to see them undei- sail. Near the top of their masts were small castles, full of flints and stones, and a soldier to guard them ; and there was also the flagstaff, from Avhich fluttered their streamers in the wind, that it was pleasant to look at them. If the English had a great desire to meet them, it seemed as if the Spaniards were still more eager for it. Intending to engage the English fleet, they advanced with a favorable Avind until they came opposite to Calais. On that day, Edward, Avearing a black velvet jacket and a beaver hat, and looking Avell and joyous, was lounging about the deck of his ship. The minstrels, to amuse him, were playing a Ger- man dance recently introduced by Sir John Chan- dos, and that gallant knight Avas greatly delight- ing the king by singing Avith the minstrels, Avhen suddenly the man Avho kept a look-out from the castle on the mast xittered a cry, Avhich attracted Edward's attention, and silenced the music. " Ho !" cried the man. " I spy a ship, and it appears to me to be a Spaniard." " Arc there more than one ?" asked the king. "Yes," answered the man, "I see two, three, four, and so many that, God help me ! I can not count them." When this occurred the hour of vespers was approaching. Nevertheless, Edward resolved at once to give battle; and, as he drank Avith his SIR ROBERT MORLEY. 73 knights and put on his helmet, the Spaniards drew near. Having the wind in their favor, they might have escaped. But, confident in their su- periority, they determined on engaging, and as they oftered battle in the most handsome way, the English could not but acknowledge that they were well-appointed foes. " Lay me," said the king to the master of his ship, " lay me alongside the Spaniard who is bear- ing down upon me, for I Avill have a tilt at him." The king was obeyed. The master ran the ship against the Spaniard, and the two vessels met with such a crash that their masts came into contact ; and while the castle of the Spaniard was whirled into the sea, the king's ship was so dam- aged that the water poured into her hold. " Grapple my ship with her," cried the king, unaware of his danger, " for I will have posses- sion of her." " Nay," said the knights, " let her go ; you shall have better than- her." Accordingly, the Spaniard was allowed to sail away ; and another of the enemy, bearing down upon the king, was grappled with hooks and chains. A fierce struggle then began ; and the king's crew, after an arduous conflict, succeeded in boarding and taking their adversary. Meanwhile the ship of the Black Prince was grappled by a huge Spaniard, and ere long so dis- abled that the leaks could not be stopped. Aware 74 SEA KINGS AND NAVAL HEROES of their danger of sinking, the prince and liis com- pany made desperate efforts to conquer. But the Spaniard was " so large, and excellently well de- fended," that she defied their most vigorous at- tempts, and the consequence would have been fa- tal if the Earl of Derby, perceiving their peril, had not came to their aid with a shout of " Derby to the rescue !" and laid his ship on the other side of the Spaniard. This Avrought a change ; and the action, after great valor had been displayed on both sides, resulted in the Spaniard being tak- en. But it was not a moment too soon. The prince, with his friends, had just time to spring on board the enemy, when their own vessel went down. By this time night was rapidly closing over the scene. It was nearly dark; and the Spaniards, having lost sixteen of their ships, and abandoned all hope of victory, bethought them of flight. In desperation, however, a Spaniard of great bulk endeavored to carry off the " Salle de Roi," and grappling that vessel, began to tow her away. In vain Lord Robert de Namur attempted resist- ance ; in vain, as he was tugged past King Ed- ward, he shouted loudly, "• Rescue the ' Salle de Roi !' " The Spaniard had decidedly the superi- ority in force, and in the confusion and darkness he was neither heard nor seen. But suddenly the tables were turned. One of Lord Robert's men, climbing on board the Spaniard with his SIR ROBERT MORLKV. 75 iMOrd ^rawn, severed the large cable which held the mMn-sail, and cut four other ropes with such dexterity that the sails fell on the decks, and the ship, rendered unmanageable, stopped in her course. Lord Robert and his men, then board- ing vigorously, put the crew to the sword, and took possession of the vessel. The fight being now over, Edward caused trumpets to sound a retreat. Sailing back to England, the fleet, a little after nightfall, anchor- ed at Rye ; and the king, having taken horse, rode to a mansion in which the queen was lodged, pass- ed that night in celebrating liis victory, thanked his friends next day for the service they had done him, and courteously dismissed every man to his own homo. When this victory over the Spaniards was won, and when a coin had been struck to perpetuate the memory of it, Morley was no longer young, and it is likely he returned gladly to his estates in Norfolk, and to the coilipany of his spouse, Joan de Tye. But he continued ready, as he had ever been, to exert himself in defending the coasts. In 1352, when the French threatened an invasion, Morley was joined in commission with Robert de Uftbrd, Earl of Suffolk, for arraying the men of Norfolk and Suffolk; in 1355, when there Avas again danger, he was appointed admiral of the fleet ; and in 1359, when Edward went to France in that expedition which terminated in the treaty 7G SEA KINGS AND NAVAL HEPwOES. of Bretigny, Morley, leaving the decorous Joan, accompanied the king in tlie hope of fighting tlie French once more. But the days of the ohi liero were numbered. In 1360, while still attending Edward in France, Morley's once strong frame gave Avay to time and fatigue, and about mid-Lent he died, commending his soul to God, and conscious, at least, of having faithfully done his duty to his king and his coun- try. THE EARL OF PEMBROKE. OxE day in the summer of 1372, when Edward the Third, then a gray old man, Avith threescore years on his head, Avas keeping the feast of St. George at the castle of Windsor, Sir Guiscard D' Angle arrived at the English court and be- soucrht the kino; to send one of his sons to be governor of Poitou. " But," said Sir Guiscard, " if you can not send one of your sons, the Poitevins entreat you to send your noble son-in-law, whom they knoAV to be a good and hardy knight." " John, my fair son," said King Edward, turn- ing to a young man of noble features and patri- cian figure, " I ordain and institute you governor of Poitou. You will therefore accompany Sir Guiscard." "My lord," said the young nobleman on bend- ed knee, " I return you my warmest thanks for the high honor you have conferred on me. I am willing to act for your majesty beyond seas as one of the smallest of your marshals." The personage whom King Edward, at the in- stance of the Poitevins, nominated governor of Poitou, was an Englishman of great name and 78 SEA KINGS AND NAVAL HEROKS. high rank, who had scarcely attained his twenty- fifth year. His name was John Hastings, and he was Earl of Pembroke. The ancestor of the Hastings fomily, according to genealogists, was that famous old sea king who, after being the terror of the French and English coasts, became toward the close of his life Duke of Chartres, and disappeared under circumstances so mysterious at the time when Rollo the Nor- man sailed up the Seine. From the time of the Conquest, the chiefs of his family occupied a con- spicuous place among the Anglo-Norman nobility, and at length one of its members espoused Isabel, the sister and heiress of Aymer de Valence, Earl of Pembroke. This marriage proved favorable to the fortunes of his line ; for when Aymer de Valence breathed his last without male heirs, Laurence Hastings, a grandson of Isabel, was de- clared Earl of Pembroke. After enacting an hon- orable part in the wars of his time, and sharing in the great naval victory obtained under the au- spices of Morley at Sluys, Laurence departed this life in 1848. About a year before that date, how- ever, ho had espoused Agnes, daughter of Roger Mortimer, Earl of March, and, by that lady, left an infant son to inherit his earldom and his pos- sessions. John Hastings, second Earl of Pembroke, though deprived of his father at an age so early, was carefully nurtured, and doubtless educated in THE EARL OF PEMBROKE. 79 all the accomplishments which, iu that era of En- glish chivalry, were deemed essential- to men of blood and nobility. While still young, he was united in nian-iage to Margaret, one of Edward's daughters, and regarded by the old king with as much aifection as any of his own sons. As years passed over, Pembroke Avent Avith his brother-in- law, the Earl of Cambridge, into Aquitaine, where the Black Prince Avas then struggling Avith ene- mies and disease, and Avhile on the Continent, proved his mettle in a series of adventurous en- terprises, Avhich Froissart has faithfully chroni- cled. Finding himself, on his return to England, deprived by death of his youthful spouse, he mar- ried Anne, only daughter of Sir Walter Manny ; and the lady had just inherited her patrimonial estates and become mother of an heir to the earl- dom of Pembroke, Avhen the mission of Sir Guis- card D'Angle to the English court led to the ap- pointment of her young husband as governor of Poitou. It did not appear that there Avas any particular danger in the expedition upon Avhich Pembroke Avas bound, and it Avas in a gay mood that the earl and his companions, having caused ships to be fitted out and men to be mustered, rode from their castles to embark at Southampton. At first their voyage Avas unpropitious. After Avaiting fifteen days, hoAvever, for a fair Avind, they Avcre favored Avith one to their heart's content, and set 80 SEA KINGS AND NAVAL HEROES. sail for the coast of Poitou. Recommending them- selves to God and St. George, they left the shores of England, and on the day preceding the vigil of St. John the Baptist's day they approached Ro- chelle. But at Rochelle Pembroke found himself face to face Avith enemies on whose presence he had not calculated. In fact, the King of France, in- formed by spies of all that had taken jilace at Windsor, had resolved that the earl should have a warm reception, and, with this object, prevailed on Henry of Castile to send such a fleet to the coast of Poitou as should prevent the English from landing. Eager to avenge the defeat in- flicted on them many years before by King Ed- ward, the Spaniards fitted out forty ships and thirteen barks, well furnished with towers and equipped Avith seamen and foot-soldiers, who had cross-bows, cannons, and large' bars of iron, and staves loaded with lead. This armament, placed under the command of Ambrosio de Balequer, Cabesso de Vaccadent, Rodrigo de Rosas, and Hernando de Leon, sailed for Rochelle, and, anch- oring before that town, awaited the coming of the English. On seeing Pembroke's little fleet ap- proach, the Spanish admirals ordered their large ships to make sail so as to gain the wind, and bring their towers to bear Avith full force on the enemy, Avhom they had destined to destruction. When Pembroke saw so many huge ships THE EAKL OF PEMBROKE, 81 Standing high above tlie water, with the flag of Castile flying from the mast, ready to dispute the entrance to Koclielle, he must have felt surprise of no agreeable kind. His vessels were small and his men were few compared to his adversa- ries, and he had so little the advantage in sea- manship that he did not quite comprehend the object of the Spaniards in getting the wind in their favor. It was a time at which the English might have exclaimed, " Oh, for one hour of old Morley !" But Morley slept with his fathers, and there was no hope for the English except in the exercise of superhuman valor and endurance. Nevertheless, Pembroke was undaunted. En- couraging the English and Poitevins to do their utmost, he prepared for battle, posted archers on the bows of his ships, and gave the signal for ac- tion. Ere long, the English and Spaniards met Avith loud shouts on both sides. Fierce was the shock, terrible was the conflict. The English at- tacked with the fury of lions ; and the Spaniards, hurling huge bars of iorn and masses of rock upon their assailants from the towers and ramparts of their ships, did fearful execution. Therefore, though Pembroke and his comrades fought Avith the utmost chivalry and prowess, the missiles of their foes proved so formidable that many men were killed; two vessels were sunk with all on board ; and the earl must have experienced a feel- ing of relief when darkness brought the conflict F 82 SEA KINGS AND NAVAL HEROES. to a i^ause, and the two fleets, separating for the niglit, cast anchor hard by each other, with the intention of renewing the carnage at daybreak. It was clear, however, to the Rochellers, who witnessed the fight from the shore, that Pem- broke, with his small fleet, could not cope suc- cessfully with the Spanish admirals ; and Sir John Harpedon, at that time governor of Rochelle, be- gan to tremble for his friends. All night, Avhile the Spaniards, by means of fire-ships, were de- stroying the English vessels, he employed him- self in attempting to persuade the mayor and townsmen to go to Pembroke's aid ; but the Ro- chellers were unmoved by the governor's elo- quence. " Embark in the vessels and barges lying along the shore," said Sir John, " and let us assist our fellow-subjects, whom we have seen so gallantly defending themselves against odds." " No," answered they, " we have our town to guard. Besides, we are not seamen, nor accus- tomed to fight at sea, nor Avith the Spaniards." Finding that nothing could be done to rouse the Rochellers to action, Sir John Harpedon and four other knights rose at daybreak, put on their armor, summoned their men, and, embarking in four vessels, made for the English fleet. "Welcome," said Pembroke as they came along- side. " But," said Sir John, " wc come alone. You THE EARL OF PEMBROKE 83 must not expect any assistance from Roclielle. The townsmen positively refuse to come." " Well," said Pembroke with resignation, " we must trust to God and to our best efforts;" and he added laughingly, "A time may come when the Rochellers will repent of their refusal." But Pembroke and Harpedon had little time for conference. When it Avas day, and the tide flowed full, the Spaniards weighed anchor, form- ed a line of battle, and getting the wind in their favor in the hope of inclosing Pembroke's fleet, bore down, full sail, upon the English. The four Spanish admirals led the van, and on coming to close quarters, flung out grappling irons, and, lash- ing the English ships to theirs, commenced an en- gagement of the most murderous kind. On both sides the prowess exhibited was remarkable. But the English, though superior in close conflict, suffered much more severely than the Spaniards. Indeed, by nine o'clock in the morning Pem- broke had decidedly the worst of the sanguinary struggle. Many warriors of rank were lying corpses on the decks of their ships ; the vessel in which King Edward had sent the money to pay the fighting men of Poitou was sunk ; Sir Odo Grandison, after a brave combat with Kodrigo de Rosas, was overpowered and made prisoner; and both the English and their Continental allies, finding fortune in favor of the Spaniards, fought no longer for victory, but for life. 84 SEA KINGS AND NAVAL HEROES, Poinbroke, iu the mean time, was doing all that in the circunistances a brave man could. Fight- ing in front of twentj^-four knights, " who united good inclinations to tried valor, and who vigor- ously defended themselves with spears, swords, and other weapons," the earl continued to resist with all the energy of despair. But vain was the struggle. Four large Spanish ships, filled with men-at-arms, and commanded by Cabesso de Vac- cadent and Hernando de Leon, making a deadly attack on Pembroke's vessel, grappled her with a determination there w\as no mistaking. After meeting with an obstinate resistance, which cost many a life, the Spaniards fought their way on board, killed most of the earl's company, among whom were Sir Robert Beaufort, Sir John Grim- stone, and Sir John Curson ; overpowered and took Sir Simon Whitaker, Sir John Martin, Sir John Touchet, and Sir Thomas St. Aubin ; and, in the end, the man on whom their heart was set — bruised, wounded, and overborne by numbers — John Hastings, Earl of Pembroke. All that day the Spaniards remained at anchor before Rochelle, celebrating their triumph witli riotous joy. But this, of course, had an end ; and on the afternoon of St. John the Baptist's day, having sounded trumpets and beaten drums, they weighed anchor, gave their sails to the wind, and with their captives departed. After being detain- ed some time at sea, the ships entered the port THE EARL OF PP)iVIBROKE. 85 of St. Andero ; and the Spaniards, taking Pern- broke and Sir Thomas St. Auhin ashore, conduct- ed them to a strong castle, phaced them in a se- cure prison, and made matters safe by fastening them with iron chains. Scarcely did Pembroke find himself in this un- fortunate plight when lie was exposed to an un- expected insult. A man, who appears to have had a Celtic imagination and an imaginary pedi- gree, who called himself heir of the ancient princes of Wales, and enjoyed the confidence of the King of France, and whose natural audacity prosperity had increased, presented himself to the captive earl with the air of a dispossessed sover- eign. " Pembroke," said he, in insolent accents, " are you come into this country to do nie homage for the lands you hold of me in the principality of Wales, of which I am the heir, and of which your king has deprived me, through the advice of evil counselors ?" "Who are you that address me in such words?" asked the earl, in a tone that would have brought the blush to the cheek of Evan, if the Celt liad been capable of so much decorum. "I!" cried the Welshman; "I am Evan of Wales, the son of Edmund, Prince of Wales, whom your king wrongfully and Avickedly put to death. But I may, perhaps, with the aid of my dear lord, the King of France, be enabled to ap- 86 SEA KINGS AND NAVAL HEROES. ply a remedy to this, and I will certainly then do so." " Evan of Wales," said Sir Thomas St. Aubin, standii)g forward in spite of his chains, " if you mean to say that my Lord of Pembroke owes you any homage, or any thing else, throw down your glove, and you will find one ready to take it up." " No," replied Evan, thinking perhaps he was carrying his imposture too fai-, ''you are a prison- er, and I can gain no honor in calling you out ; but when you are at liberty, I shall speak more boldly, for things can not remain as they now are." Higher words M'ould have ensued ; but at this point, some Spanish knights, shocked at the Welshman's insolence, interfered. Soon after, the Spanish admiral conveyed Pembroke and his companions to Burgos, where the King of Castile then resided. On their arrival, that monarch re- ceived them Avith much courtesy ; and, ordei-ing tliem to be honorably treated, sent them to differ- ent castles throughout his dominions. For well-nigh two years Pembroke remained in captivity. In 1374, however, negotiations were opened for ransoming the earl and those who had been taken with him at Rochelle. A large amount was demanded for Pembroke ; but at length the sum of a hundred and twenty thou- sand francs was ngreed on ; and the Lombards THE EARL OF PEMBROKE. 8 7 of Bruges, having covenanted to jjay the money, lie, under the protection of a passport, commenced liis journey through France, rejoicing in his free- dom, and in the prospect of ere long being in En- gland with those whom he best loved. But, alas for the earl's anticipations, on the road he was at- tacked by a fever, which gradually became so alarming that he was fain to travel in a litter to the city of Arras, Avhere, far from his countiy and ills family, he lay down to struggle with his mal- ady. It soon appeared, indeed, that Pembroke had f\o reason to indulge in hopes of recovery. The fever daily grew worse ; and on the 16th of April, 1374, not without suspicion of having had slow poison administered to him by the Spaniards, the earl, at the age of twenty-seven, drew his last breath in sorrow and sadness. His body, having been brought to England, was first laid at rest in the church at Hereford. It was afterward re- moved to London, and buried with becoming state in the church of the Gray Friars. THE DUKE OF BEDFORD. In the autumn of the year 1390, Mary de Bo- hun, wife of Henry of Bolingbroke, Earl of Derby, ah-eady mother of two promising boys — Henry, afterward Henry the Fifth, and Thomas, after- ward Duke of Clarence — gave birth, in the castle of Lancaster, to a third son, destined to be known to fame as Duke of Bedford, Meanwhile, as grandson of John of Gaunt, and born Avithin the walls of " Gaunt's embattled pile," the royal in- fant was distinguished as Prince John of Lancas- ter. When the Prince John came into the world his prospects were bright. But clouds soon gathered around liis boyhood. He was scarcely four when the Countess of Derby died ; and he was not ten when the Earl of Derby, exiled by his cousin Richard the Second, left England, and took refuge in France. However, Prince John and his brothers, when thus deprived of iather and mother, found a careful protectress in their grandmother, the old Countess of Hereford, and passed safely through the perils that surrounded them till 1399, when their father, returning from exile, raised the banner of Lancaster, dethroned THE DUKE OF BEDFORD. 89 the second Richard, and ascended the EngUsh throne as Henry the Fourth. When Henry of BoUngbroke tlius became King of England, his sons were brought into notice. Soon after liis father's coronation, Prince John was appointed Constable of England ; and, as years passed on, he gave such proofs of wisdom and discretion, that Englishmen could hardly help expressing a wish that he had been the eldest of the king's sons and heir to the crown. It certainly was not wonderful that such senti- ments should have prevailed among the wise and prudent. While Prince John, with a decorum and dignity that commanded general respect, was attending to public affairs, watching the progress made by his politic sire in strengthening the En- glish navy, and obtaining the knowledge of trade which led to his subsequently forming large and clear views on that important subject, Henry, Prince of Wales, was making merry in taverns, talking to tapsters and hostesses with ridictile of his exploits against Hotspur at Shrewsbury, ex- patiating in comic phrase on his adventures when fighting Owen Glendower in Wales, and breaking jests, not perhaps the most decent, at the futile attempts of his fiUher to provide him with a suit- able bride. Nor was this the worst. Nothing, indeed, could exceed the heir-apparent's reckless- ness. One day he took part in a street fray ; another day he aided to rob the officers of the 90 SEA KINGS AND NAVAL HEROES. Exchequer on the highway ; and on a third, wlien staying with some riotous comi-ades at the manor ofChcglosmore, he played such outrageous pranks that the Mayor of Coventry was under the neces- sity of taking him into custody. At length a circumstance brought the Prince of Wales into collision with one of the most em- inent judges of the period. It appears that one of the prince's dependents was brought before the Court of King's Bench, and, the prince enter- ing, attempted to rescue the culprit. Chief Jus- tice Gascoigne expressed his indignation, and the prince so far forgot himself as to strike that judge. But Gascoigne, who was a gentleman of Norman blood, instantly ordered Henry to be arrested, and the prince, yielding quietly, was conducted to prison. At the same time, the Prince of Wales Avas deprived of his seat at the Privy Council, and Prince John Avas nominated to take his brother's place at the board. But a great change was at hand. In the spring of 1413 Henry the Fourth breathed his last, and, when the Prince of Wales succeeded as Henry the Fifth, every body predicted the worst. His conduct, however, frustrated all prophecies ; and when he had settled the affairs of England in a way that excited universal admiration, he re- vived the claims of his great-grandsire, Edward the Third, to the crown of France, gathered an army, sailed in the sununer of 1415 in a ship THE DUKE OF BEDFORD. 91 •which had purple sails embroidered with gold, and, anchoring near the mouth of the Seine, laid siege to Harlieur, a sea-port commanding all that part of the Norman coast. Prince John, who now figured as Duke of Bed- ford, did not accompany the young king on his expedition to France. At home, however, he was not idle. During the absence of his brother he governed England as regent, and he was ex- ercising his viceregal functions with signal suo- cess, when tidings arrived that the English king, after taking Harlieur, had marched toward Calais, and that, on the way, near Agincourt, he had, with his handful of men, totally routed a mighty army, led by the Constable D'Albret, and composed of the chivalry of France. Though not privileged to shai'e in the glory of Agincourt, Bedford ere long had an opportunity of facing his country's foes on that element on Avhich his countrymen have ever been triumphant. It happened that Henry had no sooner returned to England after taking the town of Ilarfleur and Avinning the battle of Agincourt, than Sigisnumd, Emperor of Germany, visited the courts of France and England with the object of makhig peace be- tween the kings. Neither objected to treat on reasonable terms ; and the emperor Avas rejoicing in the prospect of success, when the French be- thought them of making an attempt to recover Harfleur, which had been left under the auspices 92 SEA KINGS AND NAVAL HEItOES. of tlie Duke of Exeter. Accordingly, Avhile the Count of Armagnac attacked Harfleur Avith an army on the hind side, Viscount Narbonno, a French admiral, appeared Avith a formidable fleet — composed of ships built by the French, and borrowed from Castile, and hired from Genoa — to attack the town from the water. On hearing this, King Henry was greatly enraged. " Now," he exclaimed to the emperor, "I can hearken to no treaty till I'm on the soil of France with my sAVord in my hand and my army at my back." Meanwhile the necessity of relieving Harfleur AA'as recognized, and for that purpose ships Avere hastily got together. At first, Henry expressed his intention of taking command of this fleet; but, at the emperor's instance, he gaA'c up the idea, and the Duke of Bedford AA-as appointed admiral. Embarking at Rye, Avith the Earls of March, Oxford, and Warwick, Bedford put to sea with a fleet of tAvo hundred sail, and, " Avith a prosperous Avind and a fresh gale," soon reached the mouth of the Seine. Viscount Narbonne Avas not alarmed at Bed- ford's coming. The French admiral, having a naval force infinitely superior in number, felt as- sured of victory, and looked Avith complacency on the Genoese ships, Avhich Avere so large and magnificent that it Avas thought the English Avould not have the courage to attack them. No sooner, therefore, did he hear of the approach of THE DUKE OF BEDFORD. 93 the English fleet, than lie came boldly out of the harbor to ofter battle. But Bedford was not daunted by this disj^lay of force. Having rapid- ly reminded the English of the superiority exhib- ited by their ancestors at sea over Frenchmen and Spaniards in the days of King Edward, he sent on several large ships to commence the en- counter, and then, gradually moving forward the whole fleet to their aid, came hand to hand Avith the French in a terrible and sanguinary struggle. On both sides the action was fought with re- markable valor, and the victory was long disputed with desperate obstinacy. But the English, in- spired Avith the memory of great triumphs, fought with the prescience of a successful issue, and, aft- er the engagement had lasted for many hours, the skill of Bedford and the energy of his men proA^ed irresistible. Narbonne, completely de- feated, yielded to fate. Most of the French ves- sels Avere sunk or destroyed, and among them several of the Genoese ships, the very sight of Avhicli the French admiral had flattered himself would frighten the English out of their propriety. But the danger of the English Avas not over. In fact, Bedford had scarcely congratulated his companions upon their victory Avhen the English ships were becalmed. For three Aveeks they re- mained in this predicament; Avhile the French, availing themselves of this circumstance, used their galleys to annoy the English, and made 94 SEA KINGS AND NAVAL HEROES. earnest endeavors to burn the English fleet vnth Avildfire. At length, however, a breeze sprang uj) ; and, while Arniagnac beat a retreat from Ilarfleur, Bedford, ordering sails to be set, enter- ed the harbor and relieved the town. After this triumph, Bedford returned with the fleet to England, and met with an enthusiastic re- ception. The Emperor Sigisnuind, surprised at the whole affair, desisted from his attempts to bring about a peace, and paid a high compliment to the king and people of England. " Happy," said the German Coesar, " are subjects to have such a king, and happier still is the king Avho has such subjects." It soon appeared, however, that the French had yet to learn that on tJie sea they wei'e no match for their English foes. A new fleet was without delay fitted out ; and, having been strengthened by some caracks of Genoa, it was placed under the command of the Bastard of Bourbon, and posted at the mouth of the Seine to prevent any thing in the Avay of succoi* going from England to Harfleur. But some English ships, returning to scour the coast, encountered the French, Avon a decisive victory, took the Bastard prisoner, cap- tured three magnificent caracks of Genoa, in one of which was a large sum of money, and, clearing the mouth of the Seine thoroughly of enemies, re- turned in great triumph to Southampton. Many long years elapsed ere the French agahi THE DUKE OF BEDFORD. 95 tried their fortune in fin engagement at sea, and Bedford had no farther opportunity of signaUzing his prowess as a naval warrior. He was destined, however, to a career of high distinction. When Henry the Fifth, after having made himself mas- ter of France, died in 1422 in the midst of his glory, Bedford was appointed regent. In that capacity he displayed higli powers as a ruler, no- bly sustained the honor of England on the Con- tinent, and -won a great battle over the French and Scots at Verneuil. But no man is wise un- der all circumstances ; and an impolitic matrimo- nial alliance, into which this brave and good duke rushed after having passed the age of forty, led to the destruction of his own peace of mind, and to many of the misfortunes experienced by En- gland at home and abroad during the fifteenth century. It appears that, soon after becoming regent, Bedford espoused Anne, sister of Philip, Duke of Burgundy, and cemented that alliance on the per- manence of which the interests of England on the Continent mainly depended. In 1432, however, the Duchess of Bedford died at Paris, and the duke, after appearing for some time the most dis- consolate of widowers, Avas captivated by the fair face and elegant form of Jacquetta of Luxem- bourg, daughter of the Count St. Pol. With a rashness which he had not liitlierto displayed, 'Bedford, in the beginning of 1433, espoused this 96 SEA KINGS AND NAVAL HEROES. damsel, and Jacquetta, then seventeen, became Avife ot a man Avho was as old as her father. This marriage, so hastily contracted, was most disastrous in its results. The Duke of Burgun- dy, who was tiring of the English alliance, pre- tended to be highly oifended; represented that Bedford's sudden marriage was a slight on his sister's memory; indignantly complained that, without his consent, the Count of St. Pol had ventured to dispose of a daughter; and finally, going to Arras, gave his hand in friendship to Charles the Seventh. The reconciliation of France and Burgundy was celebrated throughout the country with transports of joy, and Bedford experienced such annoyance at the thought of having lost England so powerful an ally that he gave way to the most poignant regret. After much suffering the great warrior-statesman expired at Paris on the 14th of September, 1435 ; and scarcely had his mortal remains been conveyed to Rouen, and laid at rest in the cathedral, when his widow, still under twenty, forgetting hira and all dignity, made a clandestine marriage with an obscure squire named Woodville. Living with this man at her manor of Grafton, Jacquetta became mother of Elizabeth Wood\ille, who was afterward, under romantic circumstances, elevated by Edward the Fourth to the position of Queen of England. Meanwhile the news of Bedford's death, when THE DUKE OF BEDFORD. 97 carried to Englantl, ciused profound grief; and while the Englisli people mourned the hero as " one of the best warriors that ever blossomed out of the royal stem of Plantagenet," the French king held liis memory in reverence as that of a mighty foe. When Charles the Seventh gained possession of Rouen, and his nobles proposed to destroy the monument of black marble over Bed- ford's tomb, the French king shook his head, and gravely rebuked the proposal. " No," said Charles, " let him repose in peace, and let us be thankful that he does so repose ; for, were he to awake, he would miiko the stoutest of us trem- ble." Even Louis the Eleventh had too much generosity to distiu-b the hero's ashes. When advised to deface Bedford's tomb as that of a foe of France, he treated the idea as unworthy of be- ing entertained. " What honor should it be to us," asked Louis, " to break the monument and pull out of the ground the bones of him whom, in his lifetime, neither my father nor your progeni- tors were ever able, with all their puissance, to turn one foot backward, and who, by his prowess, policy, and wit, kept them all out of Normandy for so many years ? Wherefore," continued Lou- is, " I say, God save his soul, and let hit^ hody now lie at rest, who, when he Avas alive, would have disquieted the proudest of us all." G SIR ANDREW WOOD. Early in the sixteenth century there stood hard by a canal in the parisli of Largo, in tlic county of Fife, a strange old-fasliioned mansion, surrounded by a moat, and fortitied wiili a circu- lar tower. In other days tliis castellated edifice had been a jointure-house of the queens of Scot- land ; but it was now inhabited by an old man with white hair, a face browned by exposure to sun and Avind, with a person somewhat the worse for many years of toil and fatigue, and Avith the air of one who had surmounted many difficulties and passed through much danger. As he walked abroad muttering to himself, or was rowed on the canal in a barge manned by mariners almost as old as himself, the peasantry gazed on him Avith interest and respect, for the old hero had won a name as by far the greatest sea-captain of Avhom his country could boast. AndrcAV Wood appears to have been a cadet of a flimily long settled in Angus, and to have been a native of Fifeshire. He is said to have been born at the old kirk town of Largo, on the Frith of Forth. It Avas probably Avhilc Avandcr- ing in boyhood about the shore, Avatching ships SIR ANDREW WOOD. 99 at sea, and rowing in frail boats in Largo Bay, that he imbibed that love of salt water and of ad- venturous enterprise whicli afterward conducted him to fame and fortune. In early life Wood became a merchant trader, and in that capacity sailed between Scotland and various parts of the Continent. At that time such a man, of course, played a very different part from a person engaged in commercial affairs in our days. Wood not only bought and sold, but commanded his own ships, carried guns and other weapons for defense, fought his way from port to port, and held his own against j^irates, Easterlings, English cruisers, and foes of every description. Tlie career of a merchant Avas, in that age, one of constant peril, and bore little re- semblance to that of the man Avho spends his days at the desk or on the Exchange, and passes his nights with his head on a pillow, and his projDerty secure under protection of recognized laws. He fed with his faculties on the watch, and slept Avith arms by his side, ready to start up and encounter any emergeiicy. During the fifteenth century Leith Avas rapidly rising into importance, and Andrew Wood, Avhen ashore, made that sea-port his home. On such occasions, however, he must have reminded his friends of a fish out of the Avater. His real home Avas the deck of the " Flower" or the " YelloAV Carvel," or some other of the vessels Avhich he lOO SEA KINGS AND NAVAL HEROES. had built, and witli which he traded to Holland and the Hanse Towns. Nevertheless, he was oft- en mentioned as " Andrew Wood of Leith," and regarded as an enterprising man, Avho sailed to strange lands, who studied navigation and gun- nery, and who had allured into his service foreign sea-captains of great experience. As time passed on, and his reputation as a sea- man extended, Andrew Wood attracted the no- tice of James the Third, who then reigned in Scotland. A weak prince, but not without re- deeming qualities, James prided himself on being the patron of men devoted to art and architecture, and naturally evinced his appreciation of such a navigator as Andrew Wood. Accordingly, the king, having appointed the gallant captain as roy- al pilot, granted him the lands of Largo on condi- tion of his always keeping the " Yellow Carvel" in readiness to take on board James and Marga- ret of Norway, his young queen, Avhen they wish- ed to go on a pilgrimage to the chapel of St. An- drew, in the Isle of May ; and Wood, besides di- recting the attention of James to naval architect- ure, well repaid the monarch's favor by his loyal fidelity in the hour of need. It would seem that the preference shown by James to artists and architects was far fronr agreeable to Scottish magnates. Indeed, the Homes, Douglases, and Hepburns expressed the most intense disgust with the minions the kincr SIR ANDREW. WOOD. 101 patronised ; and finally, in }-i08, fb-rniing 'ere up in arms, and prepared to fight desj^erately for the country. Raleigh's condition was such as to un- fit him for action. However willing his spirit might be, his flesh Avas weak. Indeed, he had been so reduced by fever that he could not even walk. Under these circumstances, he took up his station at Trinidad, and sent Captain Keymis uj} the Oronoco Avith five ships in search of gold, Avith instructions, in the event of the mine prov- ing rich, to establish himself there, and, in the event of its proving poor, to bring away a few baskets of ore, to convince King James that the scheme Avas not altogether visionary. In December, Keymis, accompanied by young Walter Raleigh, commenced his voyage up the river; and, not without having to stand the fire SIR WALTER lUI.EKill. 179 of the Spanish forts, arrived off St. Thomas, which the Spaniards had recently hiiilt on the right bank. Landing, lie took np a position between St. Thomas and the mine, but without any seri- ous intention of attacking the town. During the darkness of night, however, the Spaniards, break- ing into his camp, butchered several of his men ; and, when morning dawned, the English made an assault. A sanguinary conflict then took place. Young Walter Raleigh, leading the attack, cut down Avith his own hand one of the principal Spanish ofticers, but fell when charging coui'age- ously at the head of a company of pikemen ; and the English, Avho loved him dearly, became furi- ous at his death, rushed madly forward, slew the governor, set fire to the houses, mid chased the Spaniards to the hills and woods. But, after taking possession of St. Thomas, the adventurers were sadly disappointed. Not find- ing any treasure to reward their exertions, they became refractory and mutinous. Keymis, pain- ed by the loss of young Raleigh, and confuund- ed by the clamor of the survivors, could form no plan of operations. At first he attempted to conduct his party higher up the river; but his difticulties hourly increased, and after receiving a volley from a body of Spaniards lying in ambush, which killed several of his men, he made the best retreat he could, and hastened to rejoin Raleigh at Trinidad. 180 SEA KINGS AND NAVAL HEROES. The scene wliich occurred when Raleigli and Keyniis met was one wliich the brave captain could hardly have anticipated. Raleigh, giving way to anger, accused Keymis of cowardice and incapacity; Keymis, yielding to despair, shot himself in his cabin. Immediately all was con- fusion in the fleet. Several of the captains drew off, and hurriedly sailed for England ; and Ra- leigh, left with only five shi^^s, and overwhelmed Avith adversity, sailed down the North American coast, refitted at Xewfoundland, experienced a fresh mutiny, and after keeping his men together simply by holding out liopes of plundering the Spanish galleons, contrived, in the month of June, 1G18, to reach Plymouth. Meanwhile King James, having been wrought on by the Spanish embassador, and believing at the time that the Spanish court would bestow the hand of the Infanta on Prince Charles, promised that Raleigh should be brought to justice for the affair at St. Thomas. Xo sooner, therefore, did Sir "Walter land at Plymouth, tlian he was arrest- ed, and conveyed to London to be lodged in the Tower. Feigning to be sick, to be mad, to be plague-struck, he obtained permission to remain for a i'cw days at his own house before being in- carcerated, and made a last effort to escape to France. Every thing seemed to ])romise success. A bark, engaged by Cn})tain King, one of his old officers, was in waiting near Tilbury Fort ; a safe- SIR WALTER RALEIGH. 181 conduct, privately furnished by tlv French charge d'affaires, Avas in liis pocket ; and he was quietly descending the Thames, when a kinsman, -who pretended to be assisting him through the toils, most basely betrayid him. Brought back to London, Raleigh -was lodged once more in the Tower. It was already resolved that he should be executed, and no effort was omitted to make out that he had been guilty of a capital crime. This, however, proved most diffi- cult ; and, in the end, James ordered that the sen- tence pronounced fifteen years before at Win- chester should be put in force. Accordingly, Ra- leigh, though suffering from fever and ague, was made to rise from bed, removed to Westminster, and, after some formalities, placed in the Gate- house to aAvait his doom. It was now the 2Sth of October, and Raleigh requested that he might be allowed a short time to settle his affiiirs. The answer v\-as that his ex- ecution would take place in the Old Palace Yard at nine o'clock next morning, and he prepared to meet his fate with the calm courage of a man who feared not death. That evening he had a last long interview with his wife ; and, as she took leave of him at midnight, he spoke in a cheerful, even a jocular strain. " I may tell you," said the unfortunate woman at parting, as her tears flowed fast, " that they have granted me the privilege of disposing of \ our bodv." 182 SEA KINCiS AND NAVAL HEROES. "It is Avell, Bess," said Ilaleigh, with a .smile; "it is well that you may disjDose of that dead, which you had not always the disposing of when alive." Raleigh Avas now left to^the solitude of liis prison, and to those reflections which occupy the mind of a man whose soul is about to go to judg- ment. Early in the morning, however, he Avas attended by the Dean of Westminster, who ad- ministered the sacrament. Raleigh received the consolations of religion with profound reverence, exjiressed his faith in the mediation of the Re- deemer of mankind, and freely forgave all his en- emies, even the kinsman by Avhom he had been betrayed. Before being led to execution Raleigh break- fasted heartily. After the meal he smoked his pijie, as Avas his Avont, and drank a cuj) of sack Avitli evident relish. " Does the sack please you ?" inquired the jailer. "Ay," ansAvered Raleigh, "'tis a good drink, if a man might tarry by it." " It is sad to die in such a Avay," some one re- marked. " I Avould rather thus end my days," rei)lied Raleigh, "than by a burning fever; and I thank God, Avho hath imparted to me strength of mind never to fear death." Raleigh noAV employed himself in changing his I SIR WALTER RALEIGH. 183 dress. He laid aside his usual attire, donned a plain mourning suit of black satin, and threw over all a black velvet night-gown. A little before nine o'clock he declared that he was ready, and then, attended by the sheriifs of London and the Dean of Westminster, he walked forth to enact the last scene of his remarkable life. The scafibld was erected in Old Palace Yard, and thither lords, ladies, courtiers, and persons of every degree had crowded to witness the execu- tion. Indeed, the press was so great that, ere reaching the scafibld, Raleigh swooned away. On arriving at the steps, however, he recovered ; and mounting with apparent ease, he saluted Lord Arundel and other friends in the crowd with his usual courtliness of manner. Though enfeebled with sickness, his appearance Avas still noble and impressive; and, silence having been obtained, he addressed the assemblage in a mas- terly speech, which proved that his intellect was vigorous as in earlier days. " The morning is cold. Sir "Walter," said the sheriff; " would it not be well for you to come down and warm yourself before saying your prayers ?" " No, good Mr. Sheriff," answered Raleigh, " let us dispatch ; for Avithiu this quarter of an hour my ague will come upon me ; and if I be not dead before that, my enemies will say I quake for fear now I am going to God." r84 SEA KINGS AND NAVAL HEROES. " In what fliitli do you die ?" asked the Dean of Westminster. " In the faith professed by the Church of En- gland," answered Raleigh; "hoping to liave my sins washed away, and to be saved by the merits and precious blood of our Savior." The scaftbld was then cleared, and Raleigh, kneeling down, prayed fervently. Rising, he threw off his gown and doublet, and turned to the executioner. "Show me the axe," he said; and, seeing that this was not immediately done, he exclaimed, "I pray thee let me see it. Dost thou think I am afraid of it ? 'Tis a sharp medicine," he added to the sheriff, as he took it in his hand and ran bis finger along the edge, " but a sound cure for all diseases." " I ask your forgiveness," said the executioner, kneeling. " Be satisfied," said Raleigh, with a smile, lay- ing his hand on the man's shoulder. "I most cheerfully forgive thee, only strike not till I give the signal ; and then fear nothing, but strike home." " Be pleased to place yourself so that your face shall look toward the east," suggested one of the ofiicials, as Raleigh lay down on the block. "Little matters it," answered he, "how the liead lies, provided the heart is right." After having occupied himself for a while with SIR WALTER RALEIGH. 185 prayer, Raleigh gave the signal ; and after some hesitation on the executioner's part, the axe fell. At two strokes the head was severed from the body ; and the quantity of blood that gushed out showed that, though Raleigh Avas in his sixty- sixth year, his constitution was still as vigorous as his intellect. After the head had, as usual on such occasions, been held up to the view of the crowd, it was put into a red bag, and, Avith the body, placed in a mourning coach to be conveyed to Lady Raleigh. The head was embalmed and preserved by the widowed lady with pious care, as a melancholy memorial of the husband whom she had loved so faithfully and so well. THE EARL OF CUMBERLAND. Oxp: Jay, when Queen Elizabeth -was keeping lier court at Wliitehall, a remarkable personage of somewhat liaughty air and eccentric aspect, with a strong, but agile and exquisitely handsome form, dark hair, black eyes, full cheeks, a proud expression of countenance, and a face that bore the marks of much exposure to wind and sun, Avas admitted to an audience, after liaving return- ed from a long voyage. During the ceremony the queen happened to drop her glove, and the eccentric-looking individual, Avhom she was evi- dently in a mood to honor, stepped forward, raised it, and presented it on his knee. " Nay, cousin," said tlie queen, " keep the glove for our sake." " If it so please your majesty," replied he, ris- ing Avitli a grace, and speaking with a courtly ease which showed that he Avas not the first of his race who had figured at courts. "And I vow that it shall be richly adorned with diamonds, and Avorn in my hat on all state occasions." The hero of this little scene was an object of curiosity, both on account of his own exploits and THE EARL OF CUMBERLAND. 187 those of liis ancestors. He bore a historic name, and could boast of achievements Avhich history was destined to record. He was the head of the great family of Clifford, and one of the bravest of those naval heroes who, in the Elizabethan pe- riod, humbled the pride of Spain. The Cliffords, who came in with the Conquer- or, ranked high and fought well among the an- cient nobles of England. After taking part in the Barons' wars, in the \Yelsh wars, the Scottish wars, and the French wars, they ventured into the Avars of the Roses, and passionately espoused the Lancastrian cause. In that terrible struggle of thirty years they suffered severely. One Lord Clifford fell at St. Alban's; and his son John, known as "the Black-faced Lord," having in a moment of vindictive fury slain Edmund Planta- genet, the boy Earl of Rutland, was denounced as the "Butcher," and slain without mercy at Towton. The " Black-faced" Clifford left a son, on whom the Yorkists were so strongly inclined to visit the sins of his sire that he was nnder the necessity of passing his boyhood and youth dis- guised as a shepherd in Cumberland. After the battle of Bosworth, however, he emerged, at the age of thirty-one, from the " fells," took possession of his ancestral castles, married, and had a son, who betook himself to the life of an outlaw. Be- ing afterward tempted back to regular life, the outlaw was created Earl of Cumberland, and was 188 SEA KINGS AND NAVAL HEROES. succeeded nt his death by his son Henry, a man of studious and schoLirly habits. At the beginning of his hfe, Henry, second Earl of Cumberland, being in favor with the Tu- dors, was furnished by that family with a wife in the person of one of their kinswomen, Eleanor Brandon, daughter of a man Avho, in defiance of ridicule, ranked as Duke of Suffolk. This lady, whose alliance proved somewhat inconvenient to the heir of the Cliffords, died in 1547; and the earl, afflicted by her death, abandoned court, re- tired to the Craven, and suffered so severely in health that his life A\'as despaired of. One day, indeed, his physicians thought him dead, and in deference to the fashion observed at that period in the case of men of rank, he was laid on a table and covered Avith a hearsecloth of black velvet. It happened, however, that some of his attend- ants, by Avhom he Avas greatly beloved, descried symptoms of life ; and, having been put to bed, he gradually recovered his health and spii'its so far as to think of consoling himself with a second spouse. Accordingly, he, about 1553, ventured again on matrimony. Perhaps the earl had seen enough of court life and court ladies. At all events, he was married at Kirk Oswald ; and his bride was Anne, daughter of Lord Dacre of the North, described as " a very domestic woman, who was never at or near London in her life." It was at Castle Brougham, on the 8th of An- THE EARL OF CUMBERLAND. 189 gust, 1558, that Anne, Countess of Cumberland, gave birth to an heh* to tlie house of Chftbrd. The boy Avas named Geoi-ge, and regarded with pride by his parents. Being, however, of opinion that " home-keeping youtlis liave ever homely wits," they sent him to live at Battle under the auspices of Lord Montagu, who had married hi.« maternal aunt ; and there the heir of the Clifforas was being drilled into the accomplishments of the period, and listening to stories of Sir Francis Drake's voyages, Avhen in 1569 his father died at a northern castle. At the time when George Clifford became Earl of Cumberland he was eleven years of age, and ho was given as a ward to Francis Russell, Earl of Bedford, whose father had acquired wealth by plundering the Church, and rank by pandering to the passions of the Eighth Henry. The young earl was probably at the time indifferent to such matters. But in after days he doubtless found, to his bitter experience, the serious inconvenience of being connected in such a way with such a mock patrician. Meanwhile, Cumberland was fortunate in hav- ing a mother eager for his prosperity and welfare. At an early age he was sent to Cambridge, and at that seat of learning, with Dr. Whitgift, after- ward Archbishop of Canterbury, for his tutor, ho devoted himself with enthusiasm to the study of mathematics. But the name of Sir Francis Drake 190 SEA KINGS AND NAVAL IlEKOES. and the adventures of the "Golden Hind" were soon on every tongue, and Cumberland's mind was gradually drawn toward navigation and sea voyages. But as yet the young earl had not the power of gratifying his ambition. Indeed, Francis Rus- sell, Earl of Bedford, was not yet done with his ward. On the 24th of June, 1577, Cumberland, then nineteen, foimd himself at Southwark, enact- ing the part of bridegroom in an important cer- emony, in which Margaret Russell, Bedford's daughter, figured as bride. In the church of St. Mai-y's Overy, on that day, the young patrician, Avhose ancestors had for six centuries been es- pousing Bigods and Bohuns, found himself united, for better or for worse, to a damsel who owed her position to the fact of her grandfatlier haA-ing devoted his career to sacrilege and servility. Of this marriage, two sons, who died earl}-, and a daughter, who survived her parents, were the issue. Their existence, for a time, kept matters tolerable. But a marriage contracted between such parties, under such circumstances, Avas not likely to prove permanently happy. As years passed over, they not m'naturally had their quar- rels ; and in 15SG, Cumberland, weary perhaps of domestic strife, resolved on fitthig out a fleet, and sailing on an expedition against the Span- iards. But it was no easy matter to undertake such THE EARL OF CLMBERLAND. 11>1 an expedition. An adventurer liad to create bis materials, not merely to place himself at the head of a force already prepared. Nor when the queen's ships could be borrowed was the circum- stance in all respects advantageous ; for so invet- erate were the scruples of the council, that few Avould be fettered with their instructions. Cum- berland, on one occasion, Avhen offered a ship from the royal navy, positively refused to ham- per himself. " No, I thank you," he said ; " such are your scruples about hazarding her majesty's cordage and timber in close conflict, and laying valuable property alongside the enemy, that I prefer taking merchantmen only." In spite of many difficulties, Cumberland, in 1587, ecpiipped a fleet for the South Seas. But, sti'angely enough, instead of accompanying it, he sailed with Sir Roger Williams and a jiarty of volunteers to relieve Sluys, then besieged by the Duke of Parma. The enterprise proved unsuc- cessful, and Cumberland returned to England with the ambition of rivaling the exploits of Drake. While Cumberland was maturing his project, and dreaming of treasure-houses and treasure- mules, Spanish galleons and Portuguese caracks, news of the Spanish armada being about to leave the Tagus roused all England to arms ; and the earl, embarking in the " Elizabeth Bonaventure," joined the lord high admiral in the Chaimel. 192 SEA KINGS AND .NAVAL HEROES. During that exciting week -when the armada coasted the southern sliores of England and made its way up the Channel, assailed by the English squadrons, and in vain expecting Parma to come to the rescue, Cumberland highly distinguished himself by his skill and courage ; and Avheu the united fleet anchored off Cadiz, and the English commanders were Avithin an ace of destroying the enemy by the lire-ships, the earl displayed a de- gree of knowledge in naval aft'airs that Avon him honor and excited admiration. While Drake and Essex Avere jireparing their great armament to beard Philip in his own ter- ritories, Cumberland persevered Avith liis prepa- rations for an adventure on his own account ; and Elizabeth, no longer keeping on terms Avith her Continental foe, not only furnished tlie carl Avith a royal commission, but lent liim one of her own ships, named the " Golden Lion." Every thing being ready in October, Cumberland set sail, Avith high hopes of success. But the expedition had not a prosperous commencement. Baffled by contrary Avinds and tossed by tempests, the little fleet AA'as in the utmost danger ; and the earl, after liaving been under the necessity of cutting aAvay the mainmast of his own ship, Avas at length obliged to i*eturn to England, not perhaps Avith- out disagreeable anticipations of being sneered at by those Avho Avished liim ill, and of being laugh- ed at bv those who Avished him Avell. THE EARL OF CUMBERLAND. 193 But Cumberland Avas not to be put down by the scorn of foes or by the ridicule of friends. In June, 1589, he was again ready for sea. With a ship named the " Victory," borrowed from the I'oyal navy, and three ships of his own, on board of which was Edward Wright, the celebrated mathematician, he again put to sea, and, sailing for the Azores, succeeded in taking Fayal, dis- mantling the fort, and bringing away fifty-eight pieces of artillery. Pursuing his success, and attacking the Span- iards whenever he fell in with them, Cumberland took many prizes. Indeed, during the cruise he sent home twenty-eight ships of various burden as evidence of his success. But he did not find all of them an easy prey. Off St. Michael's he encountered a Brazilian ship of formidable pro- portions, and laid the " Victory" alongside. A desperate battle took place ; and the earl, being in the hottest of the conflict, Avas not only severe- ly scorched, but received several wounds. Nor was this the Avoi:gt. The change of climate and tlie Avant of water produced much disease among the crew, and the adventurers sufl:ered fearful horrors. After having lost hundreds of their comrades, hoAve\'er, they, about the beginning of December, reached the coast of Ireland and an- chored in Bantry Bay. Most men of Cumberland's rank Avould noAv have given up maritime enterprise as too perilous N 194 SEA KINGS AND NAVAL HEROES. and unprofitable to be pursued ; but he was not /inclined to yield to adverse circumstances. Rest- less and energetic, he equipped another little fleet, and in May, 1591, again gave his sails to the Avind. His success, however, was indifferent, and, after cruising for some months in the Mediterranean, he i-eturned to England. Notwithstanding his numerous adventures, Cumberland had not yet reached the age of for- ty, and his spirit soon prompted him to tempt the seas once more. After having, in 1593, been ad- mitted to the Order of the Garter, as a recogni- tion of his services to the queen and the country, he resolved on a new voyage, and fitted out an- other fleet. Plaving equipped four ships of his own, and borrowed the " Golden Lion" and the " Elizabeth Bonaventure" from the navy, he em- barked at Plymouth, and, hoisting his flag on board the " Golden Lion," set sail. But fortune proved quite adverse. After capturing a convoy of great value, Cumberland's health broke down ; and after struggling against sickness, he Avas oblio'ed to resign the command of the fleet to Monson, and return to Plymouth. At Plymouth, Cumberland took to bed for a time, overcome Avith sickness and disappoint- ment; but a favorable change soon occurred; and, recovering gradually, he rose from his bed, applied himself to ship-building, and commenced the consti-uction of a formidable man-of-Avar. THE EARL OF CUMBERLAND. 195 This vessel, of nine hundred tons, was launched at Deptfovd, destined for service against the Spaniards, and named by the queen the " Scourge of Malice." With the idea of capturing Philip's Portuguese caracks and American treasure-fleet, Cumberland now equipped six vessels, obtained the queen's commission, and sailed in search of exploits. For months he incessantly harassed the Spaniards, but without the result which he expected. In fact, the Spaniards were now constantly on their guard ; and Cumberland, after waiting long, found the season pass over without the caracks or galleons making their appearance. Under these circumstances, he resolved on a bold dash at some of the Spanish settlements in the West Indies, and sailed to Porto Rico. The temptation to attack a Spanish settlement was infinitely less than when Drake led his men into Nombre de Dios, seized the mules on their way from Panama, and burned house by house at Carthagena till the ransom he demanded was forthcoming. Events had made Philip fully aware of the danger to which his West Indian possessions were exposed, and ho liad taken every precaution to guard them against the attacks of the English. " Wliile the King of Spain guard- ed the head and heart of his dominions in Eu- rope," says Fuller, "he left his long legs in America open to blows ; till, finding them to 19C SEA KINGS AND NAVAL HEROES. smart, being beaten black and blue by the En- glish, he learned to defend them at last." Accordingly, Porto Rico was no longer with- out defenses ; and St. John's, its capital town, built, after the Spanish model, on a small island within the harbor, on the north side of the prin- cipal island, was defended as avcII as the entrance of the harbor with forts and batteries. It was at Porto Rico that Drake and Hawkins had met with a reception that broke the hearts of both ; and it was while lying at anchor before St. John's that a shot killed two of Drake's officers in his cabin, and knocked from under the conqueror of the armada the stool on which, shortly before his death, he sat drinking a cup of beer. Every Avhere the Spaniards were on the alert ; and, as was remarked, " cannon balls were more plenti- ful than pieces of eight had been on former occa- sions." Formidable, however, as might have been the aspect of affiiii-s, Cumberland was not daunted ; and as, with eyes flashing fire, he stood upon the deck of the " Victory," he connuunicated to the companions of his voyage some portion of the an- cestral valor that glowed at his heart. Encour- aged by his example, the adventurers attacked with such determination that they carried all be- fore them, and Cumberland fomid himself master of a place which Drake and Hawkins had not even ventured to assail. THE EARL OF CUMBERLAND. 197 But honor was all that Cumberland gained by this achievement. Hardly Avere the adventurers in jiossession, Avhen that fever which prevails in those latitudes about the end of summer attacked them with merciless severity. Man after man yielded to the climate. Within forty days, sev- en hundred sickened and died ; and the earl, obliged to abandon his conquest, sailed Avith the sad survivors for England, In the month of Oc- tober, 1598, he again set foot on his native shores. After this Cumbei'land undertook no more voyages. Accommodating himself to the cir- cumstances of the times, the earl lived at peace and at home. Domestic happiness he could not ho])e to enjoy, for he was separated from his Avife, his daughter lived Avith her mother, and his sons Avere dead. But he amused himself Avith horse- racing and tournaments ; and the queen evinced her appreciation of his unbought services by con- stituting him her champion in the tilt-yard, and by granting him a more substantial privilege in the shape of a patent for the exportation of cloth. When Elizabeth expired, and King James had the croAvn of England jilaced on his learned fore- head, Cumberland Avould appear to have been among the malcontents ; and he is mentioned by Sully, Avho then came to England as embassador from Henry the Fourth, the great King of France, along Avith Raleigh, Cobham, and North- umberland, as beJno- men who "l:)rcathed a spirit 108 SEA KINGS AND NAVAL HEROES. of sedition, and Averc ready to undertake any thing in favor of novelties, even were it against the king himself." But if so, the earl was either more jirudent or more fortunate than his confed- erates. Instead of being implicated in plots and sent to the Tower, he was, besides being nomi- nated one of the new king's councilors, appointed warden of the West and Middle Marches, lieuten- ant general of Cumberland, Northumberland, Westmoreland, and Newcastle-on-Tyne, keeper of Tynedale and Redesdale, governor of Harbot- tle, and captain general of the city and castle of Carlisle. Cumberland did not live long to exercise his extensive jurisdiction. Wounds and fotigues in- curred during his voyages had left their impres- sion behind ; and after having carried the Golden Rod on the occasion when Prince Charles — after- ward Charles the First — was created Duke of York, his health gave way. Finding himself sick unto death, in the autumn of 1605 he made his will, leaving his goods and chattels to his daugh- ter, and his estates and castles to his younger brother ; and then, turning his thoughts toward heaven, expressed contrition for his sins. The earl was, during his last liours, attended by his wife and daughter; and in their presence, in tlie Duchy House, Savoy, he, on the 30th of October, 1605, penitently yielded up his soul. The bodv of Cumberland was conveyed to the THE EARL OF CUMBERLAND. 199 north, and interred at Skipton, in Craven, among the bones of those ancestors who had so often and so gallantly fought England's battles in the days of the Plantagenets ; and the memory of the patrician seaman who had taken Fayal and Porto Rico was long held by the English in affectionate regard as a man of noble mind and great natural parts, who, at much private cost, had at critical periods courageously done his duty against the enemies of his country. ADMITiAL BLARE. About the close of Queen Elizabeth's reign, Humphrey Blake, a man of somewhat ancient family, lived in Bridgewater, and carried on trade with Spain. Xot being vowed to celibacy, Hum- phrey Blake espoused a lady of the name of Wil- liams, who brought him a small estate called Plansfield, and made him father of several sons. Of these, the eldest was the renowned admiral of the Commonwealth, and one of England's greatest naval heroes. Kobert Blake was born at Bridge water in the autumn of 1599, and educated at the Grammar School of his native town. Having a love of books and a turn for learning, Blake was thought likely to excel as a scholar, and was sent at the ao-e of sixteen to the University of Oxford. Dur- ing his residence at the University he made him- self remarkable for regularity and industry, and, after some years, became ambitious of obtaining a scholarship in one of the colleges. According- ly, on the occasion of a vacancy at Mci'ton, he of- fered himself as one of the candidates. His am- bition, however, was not gratified. In fact. Sir ADMIKAL BLAKE. 201 Heniy Saville, at that time warden, had an eccen- tric dislike for men who were not six feet in height ; and the circumstance of Blake wanting several inches of that stature is supposed to have lost him his election. For some years after being disappointed of a fellowship Blake remained at Oxford. Pursuing his studies, he in due time took the degree of master of arts. But the dream in which he had indulged of passing life within the precints of a college was not to be realized. About 1625 he was summoned home ; and after the death of his father he undertook the duty of bringing up the numerous family of which he w\as the eldest. Imagine a thick-set young man midway between the ages of twenty and thirty, about five feet six in height, with a fair complexion, an expression which gave dignity to his countenance, simple in his tastes and habits, somewhat austere in man- ner and blunt in address, with a dauntless de- termination and an iron will, and you will have some idea of Robert Blako when he left the Uni- versity of Oxford and returned to his native town in Somersetshire. Blake would seem to have been by nature a Puritan and by conviction a Republican. When, therefore, the disputes between King Charles and the Parliament began to agitate the country, he appeared in the character of a Roundhead, and had the distinction of being elected member fo\ 202 SEA KINGS AND NAVAL HEROES. Bridgewater ; in 1G45 he was returned to the Long ParHament as member for Taunton ; and when an appeal was made to the sword, he took up arms with alacrity. He was one of the first adherents of tlie Parliament who brought troops into the field ; and he distinguished himself in several of those encounters with which Cavaliers and Roundheads commenced the great civil war. As events marched on, Blake won high rej^uta- tion in the struggle raging throughout England. After taking a conspicuous part in the defense of Bristol, somewhat pusillanimously surrendered by Fiennes to Prince Rupert, he threw himself into Lyme, and successfully held that fishing town against Prince Maurice ; and then, seizing Taun- ton, he maintained himself there against the Cav- aliers, imder circumstances which much influenced the fortune of the war, and raised his reputation high among Roundhead warriors. It was on the sea, however, and against foreign foes, that Blake was destined to perform the exploits which were to make his name immortal. Blake, though a sincere Republican, appears to have had no sympathy with the violent proceed- ings of those men who imbrued their hands in the king's blood. Indeed, though opposed to monarchy, he protested strongly against the ex- ecution of Charles, and declared that " he would as freely venture his life to save the king as ever he had done to serve the Parliament." It was ADMIRAL BLAKE. 203 probably deemed politic by men with ulterior views to get so pure a patriot out of the way, and the necessity for clearing the narrow seas of Cavaliers who had taken to piracy presented a favorable opportunity. Accordingly, Blake was requested to assume the command of the Com- monwealth's forces at sea ; and, at the age of fif- ty, he became England's admiral. At that time the vanquished adherents of the Stuarts had fortified the Channel islands, and made themselves most formidable by piratical excursions. Koaming the seas, they terrified mariners, plundered traders, and conveyed their booty to Scilly, of Avhich they boasted they would make a second Venice. Blake's first enterprises were undertaken against the corsair-cavaliers ; and having cleared the narrow seas of the ene- mies of the new republic, he reduced the Chan- nel Islands to submission with a degree of energy which won him high renown as a naval warrior. While engaged in operations against the un- fortunate Royalists, Blake had reason to take of- fense at the attitude assumed by the admirals of France, and resolved on seizing an early opportu- nity of teaching the French government a whole- some lesson. Accordingly, one morning in the spring of 1651, when the English admiral was in the Straits, the look-out man perceived a French sail in the offing. Making a signal for his fleet to follow, Blake bore down upon the strange ship, 204 SEA KINGS AND NAVAL HEROES. which proved to be a French vessel of considera- ble force. At the time it was not generally known that there was war between the two countries, and the Frenchman, on being hailed, suspected no hostile intention. " Monsieur le Capitaine," shouted Blake, through his speaking-trumpet, " will you come on board my ship ?" "Yes," answered the Frenchman. " Now," said Blake, after the Frenchman made his appearance and became aware of the state of affairs, " are you willing to lay down your sword and yield at once?" " No, admiral," replied the Frenchman, gal- lantly. "It is true I am in your power; but, though unprotected on your deck, I refuse either to give up my sword or my ship." " Then," said Blake, " you are at liberty to go back to your ship, and defend her as well as you can." The Frenchman, eager to do his duty, readily accepted Blake's offer, i-eturncd to his ship, and prepared to defend himself. But his efforts were vain. After a fight of two hours, he was under the necessity of striking his flag. On being brought on board Blake's ship, he made a polite bow, confessed that he Avas vanquished, and, after kissing his sword, surrendered it to his conqueror. For the great service he had rendered the re- public in clearing the narrow seas of cavalier-cor- ADMIRAL BLAKE. 205 sairs and in reducing the Channel Islands, Blake received the thanks of Parliament, and probably- indulged in the anticipation of returning to peace- ful life. But, if so, he was destined to disappoint- ment. England was on the eve of a great naval war, and at such a time the country could not dispense with the energy and enthusiasm of sucli a hero. At that period Holland was one of the wealtlii- est countries in Europe ; and the Dutch were so intoxicated with success and prosperity that they deemed nothing w\as too great for them to ac- complish. The men who then ruled England had ministered to Dutch vanity by an unpatriotic pro- posal to sink English nationality by a fusion with the Dutch republic ; and the Dutch, not distin- guishing between England and England's rulers, and little calculating on the spirit of the nation which the Plantagenets had governed, began to regard the islanders with some degree of con- tempt, and to dream of wresting from England the sovereignty of the seas. After some fruitless negotiation, Avar became inevitable, and Blake was selected as the man to maintain the interests of England and chastise the insolence of England's foes. Blake did not shrink from the duty ; but it was not one which could be described as "boy's play." The Dutch navy was great and powerful, elate with victory over Spain, and boasting of Van 206 SEA KINGS AND NAVAL HEROES. Trom}) as n, naval hero, avIio, from his experience and his exploits, Avas famous as " tlie most re- nowned sea-captain of the age." Martin Harperz Van Tromp was born in the last decade of the sixteenth century, and spent most of his life on the sea. In 1606, Avhcn a mere boy, he served in one of the ships Avhich, under Henskerlcc, burned the Sjjanisli fleet in the har- bor of Gibraltar, and shared in the triumph of that memorable day. His career, however, had not been without its misfortimes, A sliip in wliich lie sailed having been taken by an English cruiser, he was compelled by his captors to serve for a time in the capacity of cabin-boy, and after- ward condemned by fortune to pass years on board of Dutch traders. But he struggled through a hundred difficulties to high command in the naval service of Holland, and in 1639 won great fame by destroying the Spanish fleet des- tined to attack Sweden. He had now seen well- nigh threescore years ; but genius, energy, expe- rience, love of Holland, and hatred of England, indicated him as the man qualified above all oth- ers to support the honor of the Dutch and hum- ble the pride of the English. It Mas in the month of May, 1652, when Van Tromp, with a fleet of forty ships, sailed up the Channel. Blake, Avho was then in the Downs on board the " James," with twenty sail, immediate- ly aj)i)roaclied, and insisted that the Dutch should iil.AKB SURI'UISF.D I!Y A VOLI.EV FROM VAN TROMP. ADMIRAL BLAKE. 209 strike their topmasts to bis flag, in acknowleclg- ment of England's sovereignty over the narrow seas. Van Trorap, however, declined to show this courtesy; and Blake, apprehensive that he Avould bear away without going through the cer- emony, ordered a gun to be fired at the Dutch flag. Instead of answering this in the way that Avas expected. Van Tromp replied with a broad- side, which severely damaged the " James," and smashed all her glass. Blake and his ofticers, who at the time were drinking in the cabin, and hold- ing a kind of council, were quite taken by sur- prise. " IIo ! ho !" exclaimed the officers with one A^oice, as they started up in amazement. "Well," roared Blake, as he curled his whis- kers, " I take it very ill of Van Tromp to treat my flag-ship as a brothel and break my windows." By this time it was three o'clock in the after- noon, and before another hour the battle began. Ship grappled ship as they chanced to fall in each other's way, and the conflict was fiercely main- tained till nightfall. By that time more than seventy balls Avere lodged in the hull of the " James." The masts Avere shot away, and the rigging Avas torn to rags. But the men fought on Avith resolute courage ; and the Dutch admi- ral, aware that Blake's rear-guard had arrived to take 2)art in the action, sheered off" about nine o'clock, and made such good use of the night O 210 SEA KINGS AND NAVAL IIEUOES. that when monnng dawned his sails were not to be seen. News of the encounter of Blake with Van Tromp reached London, and the populace were furious at the conduct of the Dutch admiral, and eager for a decisive war. It was in vain that the Dutch embassador attempted to explain. All evasions and apologies were laughed to scorn, and the two nations prepared for hostilities on a large scale, Blake was of course intrusted with the command of the English fleet ; and, leaving Sir George Ayscough with a squadron in the Downs, he sailed northward to intercept a squad- ron of twelve Dutch ships, acting as convoy to busses laden with herrings caught among the northern islands. After a sharp conflict, he sunk three of the ships, captured nine, and, having charged the Dutch fishermen on their peril not to fisli in the creeks and islands of England with- out a formal permission from the Commonwealth, allowed the herring busses to go home. When Blake sailed northward, Van Tromp, at the head of a hundred and twenty sail of ships, was lying in the Texel. No sooner, however, did the Dutch admiral become aware of his great adversary's absence, than he hoisted sail, and soon appeared in the Downs. Ayscough, unprepared to cope with the Dutch force, was fain to take refuge under the guns of Dover Castle, and the coast was in the utmost alarm. Fortunately a ADMIRAL BLAKE. 211 calm, succeeded by a violent storm blowing from the laud, prevented Van Tromp from doing mis- chief; and, disappointed in this respect, but con- fident of his superiority, the Dutch admiral went Tiorthward in search of Blake's squadron. On the evening of the 5th of August the Dutch and the English fleets came in sight of each other, and Van Tromp and Blake prepared to do battle on the morrow. But the elements interfered to prevent the engagement ; the wind, rising during the night, swelled into a gale ; the gale became a hurricane ; and the hostile admirals found them- selves in no 2:)light for action. Van Tromp was fain to run with the shattered remains of his fleet to Scheveling ; Avhile Blake, thanking God for his escape from the fury of the winds and the waves, found his way to Yarmouth. The Dutch were in no humor to say to Van Tromp as Philip of Spain had said to the Duke of Medina Sidonia, " We did not send you out to fight the winds and waves." In fact, their indig- nation against their admiral was high, and their language so insulting that the veteran laid down his commission in disgust, and retired to digest his mortification in privacy. They still calculated with certainty on ultimate trium^^h, and, fitting out a new armament, intrusted it to the auspices of the celebrated Dc Witt, under whom De Ruy- ter figured as second in command. Blake was undaunted by tlie news from Hoi- ei2 SEA KINGS AND NAVAL HEROES. land of preparations making for liis destruction. When informed by signal, on the 28th of Septem^ her, that the Dutch admirals Avere off" the North Foreland, he at once exhibited his characteristic energy. " As soon," he said, " as some more of our ships come up, bear in among them." De Witt, on his part, had no inclination to avoid a battle ; and about four o'clock the action began. At first the contest was hot on both sides, and the crash of the broadsides terrific. But grad- ually the Dutch fire slackened, and night, closing over the scene, put an end to the carnage. But the Dutch were decidedly beaten ; and Avhcn morning broke De Witt ordered sails to be hoist- ed, and, without waiting for a renewal of the con- flict, bore aw-ay for his own coast with all the speed he could. Blake, after pursuing the Dutch fleet into the Goree, returned in triumph to the Downs. Meanwhile the reception which De Witt met from his countrymen was not such as to console him for the castigation he had received from his country's foes. After being mobbed, hooted, and accused of cowardice, he offered to lay down his commission ; and Van Tromp, recalled from retirement, and placed in command of a, new fleet, with De Ruyter as vice-admiral, appeared sud- denly in the Downs. The year 1652 was drawing to a close, and Blake, who was on board the "Triumph," had no ADMIRAL BLAKE. 213 expectation of an enemy appea.Ing in winter. He scarcely knew that Van Tromp was stirring, and was cruising about with thirty-seven ships, when in the Downs he was suddenly foced by the Dutch admiral with eighty men-of-war and ten fire-ships. The odds against Blake were over- whelming ; but it was not his wont to shirk a foe ; and, on a December afternoon, he came close to the enemy off that Essex headland known as the Nase. A fierce action then commenced ; and Blake exercised all his skill, while Van Tromp en- couraged his men by words and gestures to exert themselves to the ntmost. The " Garland" and " Bonaventure," two English ships, were board- ed ; and Blake, coming to attempt to recapture them, was surrounded by the enemy. The strug- gle was fierce. Thrice the Dutch boarded the "Triumph," and thrice they were repulsed Avith fearful slaughter. But Blake's ship was almost reduced to a wreck, and the whole fleet was in such danger that when night fell he availed him- self of the darkness to draw off. The Dutch, meanwhile, had suffered severely. But, in the intoxication of victory, they scarcely counted their losses ; and Van Tromp, left master of the Chan- nel, was so elate that, instead of the pendant at his topmast, he hoisted a broom, to intimate his intention of sweeping the English from the seas. Events ere long proved that such vaunting was premature. Blake vigorously applied his euer- 214 SEA KINGS AND NAVAL HEROES. gies to the collection of such a fleet as would en- able him to encounter his great foe on something like equal terms ; and early in February, 1653, he embarked in the "Triumph," and sailed from Queensbury with sixty men-of-war, having on board twelve hundred troops, under the com- mand of General Dean and George Monk, a grent soldier of fortune, afterward known to fame as the hero of the Restoration. Burning to redeem his defeat and humble his adversary, Blake Avcnt in search of Van Tromp. It was the morning of a Friday, about the mid- dle of February, Avhen, at break of day, Blake de- scried the Dutch fleet, consisting of seventy-six men-of-war, with many merchantmen in convoy. Immediately Blake made toward the enemy, and Van Tromp, though surprised at the appearance of an English fleet, i^repai-ed for an encounter. No time was lost by either party. About eight o'clock the action was begun by the "Triumph," which, being inadequately supported, received seven hundred shots in her hull. But when the rest of the English ships came up the fleets en- gaged on equal terms, and continued to fight fu- riously until night parted them. On Saturday morning. Van Tromp, anxious to secure his con- voy, disposed his fleet in the form of a crescent, with the traders in the centre, and, crowding sail, stood directly up the Channel. Blake, however, pursued with his whole force, and Van Tromp, in ADMIRAL BLAKE. 215 the afternoon, finding that he must renew the combat, told the traders to make for the nearest Dutch port, and then turned fiercely on his pur- suers. The battle was now renewed with more than former fury ; bui, after some hours of hard fighting. Van Tromp fell back toward Boulogne. No sooner, however, did Sunday morning dawn, than Blake, bearing down upon the foe, again brought Van Tromp to action ; and the conflict continued till four o'clock in the afternoon, when the Dutch admiral, completely vanquished, ran in under the French shore some miles from Calais, whence he made for Dunkirk, and subsequently reached the harbors of Zealand. Blake, after his great victory, sailed for En- gland with his prizes, and the country rang Avith admiration of his achievements. It appears that he had been severely wounded in the engage- ment. Nevertheless, he was soon afterward dis- patched northward with a fleet; and it was in Api'il, 1653, while he was on the coast of Scot- land, that Cromwell surromided the houses of Parliament with troops, turned the members out of doors, ordered the mace to be taken away, and assumed supreme authority. Blake, who no more approved of such proceedings than he approved of cutting off the king's head, received the intel- ligence when off Aberdeen, called his captains, and narrated the circumstances. "And shouldn't we declare against this usurp- ation?" asked some of the ofticers. 216 SEA KINGS AND NAVAL HEROES. "No," said Blake, calmly; "for 'tis not our duty to mind state affairs, but to keep foi'eigners from fooling us." It was well for England that Blake took such a view of the question. Not doubting that the outrage at Westminster would produce discord and disorder in the English navy, the Dutch has- tened to equip a fleet to strike a great blow, and, before the end of May, Van Tronip, De Ruyter, and De Witt, with a hundred and twenty ships, suddenly appeared off Dover. Intelligence of this new danger was without delay dispatched to Blake by mounted couriers, and meanwhile Dean and Monk, with above a hundred ships, prepared to front the peril. About noon on the 2d of June, the battle began with great fnry. Scarcely had it lasted an hour, Avhen Dean, who was with Monk on the deck of the "Resolution," was shattered to pieces. But Monk, throwing a cloak over the mangled body of his comrade-in-arms, shouted to the men to avenge their leader's fall. The figlit conthiued till night Avith an extraordinary display of cour- age on both sides, and, when darkness put a pe- riod to the slaughter, they parted with the inten- tion of resuming operations on the morrow. Ac- cordingly, next day, the English and Dutch again opened tire ; and the combatants were still en- gaged with energy, wlien Blake's ships caiiie tilt- ing over the waters, and the sound of his guns ADMIRAL BLAKE. 2n intimated to the Dutch that their teiiible foe had arrived on the scene. Having struggled desperately for an hour, Van Tronip gave wa}', and the Dutch fleet made for Ostend, their re- nowned admiral, in a swift frigate, heading the flight. After cruising ofl" the coast of Holland and tak- ing many prizes, Blake returned to England, but with health so shattered that he was carried ashore like one dead. In his absence, the Dutch made one last desperate cflTort to retrieve their disasters, and on a July Sunday a final engage, ment took place. The English, on this occasion, completed the ruin of the Dutch navy ; Van Tromp, shot through the heart with a musket ball, fell never more to rise ; and Monk's victory was so complete, that the Dutch, relinquishing all hope of coping with England for the sovereignty of the seas, hastened to make peace with Crom- well. When Van Tromp fell in his last effort to as- sert the naval superiority of his country, his great adversary Avas gradually recovering from his wounds and fatigues. Scarcely was Blake re- stored to health when work was found for him to do. About the opening of the year 1G54, two fleets were fitted out. One was intrusted to Penn and Venables ; the other was commanded by Blake. Their destinations were kept profoundly secret; but Pcnn and Venables sailed for the 218 SEA KINGS AND NAVAL HEROES. West Indies. Blake, after having anchored oif Cadiz, proceeded to Leghorn to obtain redress from the Duke of Tuscany for having allowed cargoes to be sold in his ports by the corsair-cav- aliers. The duke, after a stern demand, sent Blake fifty thousand pistoles, with a message that several of the cargoes had been sold in the Ro- man ports. Blake, to whom the information was welcome, immediately dispatched an officer to Rome to demand reparation ; and the Pope, after finding hesitation and remonstrance vain, settled the matter by paying twenty thousand pistoles. Having thus squared accounts with the Grand Duke and the Pope, Blake proceeded to Tunis, and sent one of his officers to intimate to the Dey that reparation must be made for injury done to England by his corsairs, and that all English sub- jects held in captivity within his domains must forthwith be restored to freedom. The Dey, however, treated the demand with contempt, and even refused to allow a supiMy of fresh water to be taken on board. "What!" exclaimed Blake, when he received the answer, " does he refuse us even water? Tell the Dey," he continued, " that God gives the ben- efit of water to all His creatures, and that for men to deny it to each other is both insolent and wicked." Blake's officers returned to the Dey's palace with the admiral's message ; but the Dey, with a ADMIRAL BLAKE. 219 look of defiance, pointed significantly to his bat- teries along the shore, and to his ships formed in a line under the castle. "You must not," he said, "think to brave us with the sight of your fleet." " Is that your answer ?" asked the English of- ficer; "Yes," replied the Dey. "Here are our cas- tles of Goletta and Porto Ferino, well manned and furnished with ordnance. Do what you can ; we fear you not." Blake, who Avas not the man to be thus trifled with, at once resolved on inflicting a signal chas- tisement on the barbarian. Meanwhile he sailed away toward Trapani, and the Dey thought he had seen the last of the English admiral. One April afternoon, however, the fleet once more ap- peared, and, entering the Bay of Tunis, furnished the Dey with startling evidence of the indiscre- tion of which he had been guilty. In vain the castle guns played upon the ships. Blake's can- non shook the place to its centre, and Avithin two hours the Dey's castle was defenseless, his guns dismounted, nine of his ships in ablaze, the stones of the palace clattering about his ears, and he himself ready to submit to Avhatever terms Blake chose to dictate. After having paid visits to Tripoli and Algiers, Blake, aware that a Avar Avith Spain Avas more than probable, sailed tOAvard the Straits of Gib- 220 SEA KINGS AND NAVAL HEROES. raltar. On the way, being in want of fresh wrv- ter, he called at Malaga to take in a supply ; and, while lying off that port, some of his sailors got leave to go ashore. Rambling through the streets, the sailors met a procession of priests carrying the Host, and forgot themselves so far as to ridi- cule the ceremony. The priests, amazed at being insulted, called on the populace for protection ; and one of them, in the excess of his indignation, urged the populace to resent the injury. " Children of the true Church," he cried, " will you tamely see these heretic dogs mock your Sa- vior?" " No !" answered the populace, stamping Avith fury. "Up, then," exclaimed the priest, "and resent the insults offered to the Blessed Host !" Thus encouraged, the inhabitants of Malaga fell upon the sailors, and beat them with merci- less severity. On returning to their ships, the sailors so loudly complained of the treatment with which they had met, that Blake deemed it necessary to demand redress. Accordingly, he dispatched an officer to the Viceroy of Mal.-iga with a request that the priest who had hounded on the mob should be sent on board. "I have no authority over the priest," said tlie viceroy, " and I can not send him." " I did not inquire into the viceroy's authori- ty," said Blake, when this answer was brought J ADMIRAL BLAKE. 221 "but if this priest is not on board within three hours, I will burn the town." The menace proved perfectly eifectual. The ^ viceroy had no inclination to try conclusions with the conqueror of Van Tromp ; and the priest, however reluctantly, made his appearance on the deck of the " St. George," and gave his version of the story. "But I want to know," said Blake, "by what right you urged the populace to maltreat my sailors ?" "Remember the provocation given by the sea- men," said the priest. " Yes," said Blake ; " but, had you complained to mo, I should have punished them severely. I will not allow my men to insult the religion of any country. Nevertheless, let none else assume that power ; for I will have all the Avorld to know that an Englishman is only to be punished by an Englishman." After having treated the priest with great civil- ity, Blake sent him back ; and the priest, on go- ing ashore, gave such an account of the interview, that Blake's magnanimity was highly aitplauded. Leaving Malaga, Blake passed the Straits, and anchored in the Bay of Cadiz. At first he was treated with high distinction ; but, ere long, news reached Madrid that the English fleet under Penn and Venables had seized Jamaica ; and Philip of Spain instantly declared war. Blake's presence 222 SEA KINGS AND NAVAL HEROES. before Cadiz was then perfectly understood, and it became known that Cromwell intended to strike a great blow at the power of Spain. At that time Blake became aware that two silver fleets were on their way to Spain — one from Mexico, the other from Peru. With the object of intercepting these fleets, he kept watch before Cadiz ; but months having passed without their appearing, and his ships being in a most unsatis- factory condition, he was at length under the ne- cessity of going iiome to refit and repair his shat- tered vessels. On reaching England he was in such health as to be almost unfit for forther exer- tions ; but, finding that his services could not be dispensed with, he hoisted his flag on board the " Naseby," and soon appeared once more in the Bay of Cadiz. In spite of Avind and weather, he remained before Cadiz, exjjecting the silver fleets, and even announced his intention of keeping his station during the winter months. The Span- iards ridiculed the idea, and described Blake as a madman. But winter passed, and spring came, and still the English admiral was before Cadiz. It happened that in the spring of 1657 Blake took a cruise to the coast of Africa, leaving Cap- tain Richard Stayner in command of a squadron to keep watch before Cadiz. During Blake's ab- sence, the fleet laden w'ith silver from Mexico made its appearance ; and Stayner, having after a brief struggle captured the ships, sent the bul- ADMIKAL BLAKE. 223 lion home to Portsmouth. Scarcely, however, had Blake returned to the station, when he re- ceived intelligence that the fleet from Peru, con- sisting of six royal galleons, and sixteen other vessels, richly laden, had, on learning the fate of its predecessor, put into the Canary Islands, and run for security into the harbor of Santa Cruz. On learning this, Blake set sail with his whole force, and on Monday, the 20th of April, his red cross became visible from the Spanish galleons. At daybreak, an English frigate, sent forward to look out, returned with intelligence that the silver fleet lay at anchor without the harbor, "barri- caded in the bay in a semicircular maniier." The Spaniards, it seemed, were neither fright- ened nor unprepared. In fact, the harbor of San- ta Cruz was strongly defended. At one end stood a castle fortified with ordnance. Round the bay were seven forts, each having six, four, or three guns. Earth-works formed a chain of communication from fort to fort, and afforded shelter to musketeers. Moreover, Don Diego Diagues, the Spanish admiral, caused all the smaller vessels to be moored close to the shore, and placed the six galleons, well manned, farther out, with their broadsides facing seaward ; and, thus prepared, he awaited the approach of the foe with courage and confidence. But there was one person, at least, at Santa Cruz, who did not sliare the feeling of security 221 SEA KINGS AND NAVAL HEROES. experienced by Don Diego. A merchantinan belonging to Holland at that time happened to be in the harbor, and the skipper, who retained a vivid remembrance of Blake's victories over Van Tromp, no sooner became aware that the terrible sea-captain was approaching than he be- came eager to be gone. "What do you fear?" asked Don Diego, with a smile, as the skipper presented himself. " See you not that, with our castle, our forts, and our galleons, our position is impregnable ?" "Nevertheless," said the skipper, speaking bad Spanish with a Dutch accent, and shaking his head, " I feel sure that Blake will soon be among you." " Well," said Don Diego, proudly, " go if you Avill, and let Blake come if he dare." "They little know Blake who trust to his not daring," muttered the skipper, as he hastened to his vessel, hauled up anchor, hoisted sails, and left Santa Cruz without a moment's delay. Meanwhile Blake was by no means daunted by the menacing aspect of Santa Cruz. Without hesitation he prepared to attack. Having caused all his men to kneel down and supplicate the aid of God, he arranged his ships in two divisions. One he intrusted to Captain Stayner, to force an entrance into the bay ; of the other he himself retained the command, to storm the castle and the forts. ADMIRAL BLAKE. 225 At eight o'clock, Stayner, with the wind in his favor, led his squadron forward, and commenced a destructive conflict with the Spaniards; and Blake, having silenced the guns of the castle, pushed on to Stayner's aid. The conflict was ter- rific. By two o'clock, however, the English were victors ; and Blake, seeing that he could not bring off the galleons, consigned them to the flames. The fire rapidly did its work, and soon not a spar nor sail was to be seen above water. When the destruction of the silver fleet was accomplished, the wind, which had been blowing into the bay, suddenly veered round, and Blake, availing him- self of the change, got the Ei>glish ships out to sea without loss. When intelligence of the marvelous feat per- formed by Blake at Santa Cruz reached London, the popular enthusiasm knew no bounds. Bells were rung, bonfires were lighted, and ballads sung in honor of the victory. Parliament, participating in the excitement, voted thanks to the fleet, grant- ed five hmidred pounds to buy a jewel for Blake, and set apart a day for returning thanks to God for so signal a triumph over England's enemies. After his exploit at Santa Cruz, Blake cruised about for some time, and succeeded in compelling the rovers of Salee to restore their Christian cap- tives to liberty. But his career was rapidly ap- proaching its close. Finding his constitution ut- terly broken, he resolved to return te England, P 226 SEA KINGS AND NAVAL HEROES. and in the month of August, 1G57, approacheil the shores whicli he liacl so often defcndecl. He Avas not, liowever, destined again to set foot on Enghsh ground, for on entering Plymouth Sound he breathed his last. The body of England's great naval hero was embalmed, conveyed by sea to Greenwich, and, after lying in state, carried to Westminster for interment. No ceremony was omitted that could render the obsequies worthy of the occasion. Admirals and vice-admirals, the Protector and his privy councilors, the mayor and aldermen of London, Avent in procession to the Abbey ; and in Henry the Seventh's chapel, among the Tudor sovereigns, Blake's remains Avere laid, Avith all the honors due to an Englishman whose patriotism had been pure, and Avhose exploits had added so immensely to the glory of his country. PRINCE RUPERT. OxE day, early in the year 1620, Prague was tlie scene of consternation and dismay. On the White Hill outside the city, Austrian troops were victorious over the forces of Frederick, the Elec- tor Palatine, who, a few months earlier, had some- what rashly accepted the crown of Bohemia. Frederick, and his spouse Elizabeth, daughter of James, king of England, despairing of saving their capital, determined to save themselves ; and while the fair Queen of Bohemia, long after cele- brated as the " Queen of Hearts," rode off on a pillion behind Ensign Hopton, the king and the officers of his household made all haste to escape from danger. Prince Rupert, third son of the king and queen of Bohemia, who had drawn his first breath at Prague on the 18th of December, 1619, and Avas now an infant, experienced great danger on this occasion. When the confusion was at its height, he was asleep in his nurse's arms, and the woman, anxious for her own safety, laid him on the floor, ran to see what was doing, and perhaps, in her terror, forgot his existence. At all events, there 228 SEA KINGS AND NAVAL HEROES. was a considerable probability of his lying there till the Austrian troops came to take possession of the palace, in which case he would most likely have perished. But Providence had otherwise ordered. Indeed, the royal infant bellowed out so loudly that his father's chamberlain Avas at- tracted to the nursery. Rupert consequently found himself picked hastily up, carried to the court-yard, and thrown into the last carriage that dashed out of the palace gate ; and he lived to figure as the most dashing cavalry officer of the period, and one of the most daring sea kings who had appeared since the days of Harold Ilardrada. When the royal exiles who fled from Prague had wandered for a time from place to place, they at length found a home at the Hague ; and, as years passed on, Rupert was placed Avith his brothers at the University of Leyden. At that seat of learning Rupert applied himself to his studies, but rather with diligence than devotion. In fact, he had a natural passion for martial af- fairs ; and having early dedicated himself to the profession of arms, ho, at the age of fourteen, commenced his apprenticeship at the siege of Rhinberg, and soon after made a campaign under the Prince of Orange, enduring all the hardships of war. At an curly stage of his career, Rupert paid a visit to England, where his uncle Charles the First then reigned, and the i)rincc liked his moth- PRINCE RUPERT. 2Cg er's native country so well that he immediately began to consider it as his own. But as England was not a place in which Rupert could find any suitable occupation, and as he was not a man to spend his time in lolling listlessly about the pal- ace of Whitehall, he ere long embarked in an ad- venturous project for the recovery of his father's dominions, and, near Lippe, fought a stubborn battle with the Austrians. The enterprise, how- ever, was not destined to succeed ; every thing was against him ; and after fighting till he Avas, almost forcibly, overpowered and taken, he was committed prisoner to a castle, where he passed three years of irksome captivity, spurning all pro- posals to purchase his freedom by abandoning the cause of Protestantism in Europe, consoling himself with the love of a youthful countess, and diverting himself during many weary hours with a tame lion, which ultimately placed him imder the necessity of terminating its existence, and a white dog, which afterward accompanied him through many a bloody day, and lost its life when many gallant men died so bravely on Marston Moor, Rupert had scarcely recovered his liberty Avhen he learned that England was on the eve of a civil war, and, with his brother Maurice, he has- tened to aid Charles the First in the contest upon which that king had entered with the Long Par- liament. Rupert's personal courage, and his ca- 230 SEA KINGS AND NAVAL HEROES. pacity as a captain of cavalry, rendered him in many respects a valuable adherent. But his presence in England did not prove altogether advantageous to the royal cause. The evils that had crossed his destiny, and the difficulties that beset his path, had rendered him somewhat reck- less in spirit, and want of moderation led to his making enemies of many Avho might, nnder dif- ferent auspices, have been stanch friends of the king. On fields of fight, how^ever, Rupert's name was of high account ; and when, mounted on his black steed, and attended by his white dog, he headed the king's cavalry, the sight of his noble form and conspicuous stature, towering in front of the Cavaliers, might well strike dismay into the stern- est hearts in the ranks of the Roundheads. But he was slow in learning that discretion is the bet- ter part of valor ; and after his hottest charges at Edgehill, at Marston, and at Naseby, he, by riding headlong from the field in pursuit of the Roundheads opposed to him, returned to find that he liad given the enemy an opportunity of Avinning the battle during his absence from the field. When the war between king and Parliament was at an end, when the Roundheads were elate witli victory, and the Cavaliers prostrate "witli defeat, when the king was in the hands of the Scots, and M'hen the city of Oxford surrendered. PRINCE RUPERT. :;3l Rupert and his brother Maurice received pass- ports, took shipping at Dover, and proceeded to Paris. At the palace of the Bourbons, where Louis the Fourteenth then reigned, and Anne of Austria enacted the part of regent, Rupert was favorably received ; and, though defective in the " transient varnish of a court," he made such an impression on the queen regent that she showed every inclination to advance his fortunes. But Rupert had thrown his whole heart so complete- ly into the war in England that the prospect of renewing it in any form was a temptation which he could not resist. Accordingly, when part of the Englisli navy went over from the Parliament to the king, Ru- l^ert required little persuasion to exert his ener- gies to render the royal fleet terrible to the ene- mies of the royal cause. Repairing to the Hague, where young Charles Stuart was then in exile, Rupert, on condition of having unlimited con- trol, imdertook to restore and enforce discipline. Money, indeed, was wanting. But even this dif- ficulty was got over. The Queen of Bohemia having pawned lier jewels, and Rupert having sold the ordnance of the "Antelope" to the Dutch, a sufficient sum was raised to fit out the ships ; and having hoisted his flag on board the "Admiral," the prince in January, 1649, sailed from Helvoetsluys. No sooner Avas Rupert at soa than ho made 232 oEA KINGS AND NAVAL HEROES. liimself formidable. Prize after prize was taken, and the rich merchandise was stored in the Chan- nel Islands. It soon appeared that Rupert in- tended to carry on his operations on a grand scale, and he made no secret of his projects. "I doubt not," he wrote, " ore long to sec Scilly a second Venice. It will be our security and ben- efit ; for if the worst came to the worst, it is but going to Scilly with this fleet, where, after a little while, we may get the king a good subsistence, and I believe we shall make a shift to live in spite of all factions." At this time James Butler, the great Marquis of Ormond, was struggling desperately to main- tain the royal cause in Ireland ; and Rupert, after cruising about in the Channel, selected Kinsale as a convenient port for carrying on operations. At first he was signally successful. The royal ships, sallying out, brought prize after prize into the harbor, and Rupert's hopes rose high. But a change was at hand. Early in the summer of 1649, the prince's vessels, sent fortli on a cruising expedition, were separated by a storm and in- volved in a fog. Before they could secure them- selves they Avcre attacked by a hostile fleet, and, while one of them surrendered, the others were chased into Kinsale. Rupert probably had some diflftcuUy in believing the fact. But there was no mistake about the matter. Admiral Blake was at the mouth of the harbor. PRINCE RUPERT. 233 Rupert's position was now unpleasant, and his prospects were the reverse of brilUant. His courage, however, did not fail him, and he pro- posed to sail forth and give Blake battle. His officers, liowever, objected so positively to the scheme, that he had to pass the whole summer in inactivity ; and in August, the arrival of Crom- well in Ireland made matters more dismal than they had previously appeared. But, in the midst of despondency, such a man could still indulge in hope. Rupert watched Blake as keenly as he Avas watched ; and when autumn came, and the ships of the Puritan admiral had to ride far from the mouth of the harbor, he prepared to escape. It Avas impossible, indeed, at that moment to man the whole of the royal fleet ; but Rupert, leaving several of his vessels behind, embarked with his brother Maurice, and with six ships dashed out of Kinsale. At sea new adventures awaited the prince. While scudding away from Kinsale, Rupert, in the " Admiral," was separated from his comrades for two days. At the end of that time he espied seven ships, and immediately gave chase. On coming up, hoAvever, he found that they were his five missing vessels, Avith tAVO prizes they had taken. Soon after joining company, he fell in Avitb two large ships, to Avliich he gave chase. After some time the chase terminated in a cap- ture ; and tlicse vessels, like the otliers, proved to 234 SEA KINGS AND NAVAL HEROES. be mercliantmen of London. Having now four goodly prizes, and anxious to dispose of them, Rupert deemed it necessary to make for some friendly port ; and, after deliberation, resolved to sail up the Tagus, and place himself under the protection of John of Braganza, king of Portugal. In the year 1635, John, duke of Braganza, then about thirty, espoused Louisa, daughter of John Emanuel, duke of Medina Sidonia, and had sev- eral sons and daughters, one of whom, Katherinc of Braganza, Avas afterward wife of Charles the Second. But Louisa was not content with being a duchess and a mother. Ardent and ambitious, she desired to see her husband on the throne of Portugal, and so prompted John to assert his claims as heir, through his mother, to the ancient kings, that at length he had the fortune to drive the Spaniards out of Portugal, and find himself crowned as king at Lisbon. Perhaps the new monarch had some romantic ideas about being the legitimate representative of John of Gaunt, and took, on that account, a more kindly interest in the misfortunes of the Stuarts than was felt by other regal personages of that age. At all events, he assured Rupert that, in the Tagus, he should be protected against all enemies. Accordingly, after entering the river, and pass- ing St. Katherine's, Rupert anchored at Belleisle, and there met with a most encouraging recep- tion. Indeed. tJie liighest nobles of Portugal PRINCE RUPERT. 235 were sent to escort him to the palace of Lisbon, where, having been warmly welcomed by King John, he succeeded in fascinating Queen Louisa, as he had formerly fascinated Aune of Austria, Avhile his ships, with their prizes, sailed up to Lis- bon to victual and refit. It can hardly be doubted that, with festivities in the palace, and with bull-fighting in the great square in which the palace of the Braganzas stood, Rupert spent his time pleasantly enough in Lis- bon. But when winter passed, and spring came, that city of seven hills began to lose its attrac- tion, and the prince sighed for new adventures. Eager again to roam the seas, he went on board his ships, and prepared to bid farewell to Portu- gal ; but, to his dismay, he found that Blake, with the English fleet, was at the mouth of the Tagus. Not being strong enough to force his way, Ru- pert again came to anchor. But he soon per- ceived that he was in a somewhat awkward pre- dicament. In fact, Blake demanded leave to en- ter the river, and attack the prince's fleet ; and John of Braganza was so little inclined to drive matters to extremity with the English Common- Avealth, that, instead of returning a denial, he hes- itated and paused. While the king wavered, and while the council were divided in opinion, Rupert was not idle. Already he was a favorite in Lisbon. The inhab- itants, so long accustomed to the stately gra^ ity 236 SEA KINGS AND NAVAL HEKOES. of Spanish pjrandees, were cbavmcd with liis sol- dierly frankness ; and, Protestant as he was, he contrived so to engage the sympathy of the priests and the populace, that, instead of wishing to burn him as a heretic, they displayed the utmost en- thusiasm in his cause. With such support, and with the queen's heart and ambition on his side, he contrived for a while to stave off the dan- ger. But affairs ere long reached a crisis, Blalco, indignant at being trifled Avith, seized the Brazil fleets ; and King John, enraged at the outrage, ordered his admiral to join Rupert and drive tlic English from the waters of Portugal. This, how- ever, proved no easy business. Two attacks were indeed made, but Avithout the slightest success. Between the prince and King John's admiral there was an utter want of concert, and the Por- tuguese vessels were never ready to take part in the action till Rupert had failed. After some wrangling, they returned up the Tagus ; and King John, arriving at the conclusion that he must yield to circumstances, sent messengers to inti- mate in polite terms to Rupert that Portugal could no longer afford him protection. " It will be impossible," said the king's mes- senger, "to prevent the enemy from attacking you at your moorings." "Well," said Rupert, "it matters not much. Misfortune is no novelty to us. We plow the PRINCE RUPERT. 237 sea for a subsistence, Avitli revenge as our guide, and poverty and despair as our companions." Accordingly, on Michaelmas day, 1650, Rupert sailed from Lisbon and put to sea, intending to steer for the Straits. While coasting Andalusia, Rupert fell in with some ships, gave chase, fired upon them, and, under cover of night, captured two. Learning at the same time that several En- glish vessels were at Malaga, he steered thither, and burned them in port. At Cape Palos, near Carthagena, Rupert en- countered a fearful storm. Nor was this the worst ; for scarcely had he left Malaga wlion Blake appeared in pursuit. Several of the ships, under press of weather, ran into Carthagena, where, after being ill treated by the Spaniards, they were destroyed by Blake. But Rupert and Maurice, separated from their companions, and driven out to sea, came up with a trader, jiursued her to the coast of Barbary, and, aftsr this long chase, succeeded in making a capture. With the trader as a prize, they stood across for Toulon, where they hoped to find security. A fearful storm, however, separated the ships, and while Maurice reached Toulon, Rupert was driven cast- ward to the coast of Sicily. After remaining there all winter, uncertain as to his brother's fate, he made for Toulon. But he had scarcely an- chored in the road to refit his shattered vessel when Blake arrived, and, as the Admiral of Eu- 238 SEA KINGS AND NAVAL HEROES. gland, protested against the enemies of the En- glish Commonwealth being sheltered in a French port. It was a moment of peril for Rupert. The French admiral hesitated, and avoided responsi- bility by hastening Rupert's departure. Finding that there was not an hour to lose, Rupert and Maurice refitted in haste, seized a favorable op- portunity, escaped from the roadstead, and, pass- ing through the Straits of Gibraltar, sailed for the West Indies. It was Rupert's intention to land at Barbadoes, where, in defiance of the Parliament, Lord Wil- loughby, under a commission from King Charles, exercised the functions of governor ; but, passing that island in the night witliout being aware, he made St. Lucia. However, the royal brothers did not fixrc better in the tropics than they had done in Europe. "The sad strokes of adverse for- tune," says a contemporary chronicler, " which had eclipsed the royal throne of England, did. even in these distant parts, pursue this illustrious pair of princes." After preying for some time on the richly-laden merchantmen of Spain, and mak- ing themselves terrible to shippers and traders, Maurice and Rupert parted company in one of those hurricanes M'hich occasionally desolate the West India Islands. Maurice was never more heard of with certainty; Rupert, with a sad heart, sailed for Europe. It was at the close of the year 1052, when PRINCE RUPERT. 239 Cromwell had defeated the Scots under David Leslie at Dunbar ; Avhen Worcester had run red with Cavalier blood ; and when Charles, after hiding in the royal oak, had made his miracu- lous escape to France, that Rupert, in the " Swal- low," reached Nantes with the prizes he had taken in the West Indies. The prince was in no joyous frame of body and mind. Fatigue, hope deferred, and the melancholy disappearance of Maurice, had been too much for his iron frame and haughty spirit. On landing, he became so sick that it seemed as if he Avere about to close his strange career. Gradually, however, he re- covered, and learned that his fortunes were not altogether desperate. An invitation from Louis the Fourteenth sunmioned Knpert from his cham- ber of sickness to the court of France ; and, go- ing to Paris, he was appointed the young king's master of the horse. But, as time passed on, Rupert's ears were reached by a rumor that must liave disquieted his soul. It was to the effect that Maurice, in- stead of being drowned, as had naturally been concluded, had been driven by the hurricane as far as Hispaniola ; that, as he was sailing from that place to Spain, in a bark laden with silver, he had been taken by a pirate of Algiers, and aft- erward carried to Africa as a slave. The story would seeni to have been without foundation ; but it caused Rupert, in 1G54, to leave Paris for 240 SEA KINGS AND NAVAL HEROES. Germany, where he remained till the Restora- tion. When Cliarles took possession of Whitehall, Rupert returned to England, and in the spring of 1662 he was sworn a member of the Privy Coun- cil. He was no longer the fierce warrior of Edge- hill and of Naseby. Experience had cooled the prince's ardor. He acted with a degree of judg- ment which he had not exhibited in earlier years, and persons most strongly prejudiced against him were forced to admit that he was a changed man. When, in 1GG4, a naval war broke out between England and Holland, Rupert was appointed vice- admiral of the fleet, and had actually gone on board ; but the cabal about the king contrived by their intrigues to deprive him of his command, and lie was under the necessity of returning ashore ; while the Duke of York fouglit that bat- tle with Opedain in which the Dutch fleet was defeated and the Dutch admiral killed. But in 16GG, when London had been desolated by the plague, and when the French king, in alliance with the Dutch, declared war against England, Rupert was appointed to command the fleet in conjunction with George Monk, now Duke of Al- bemarle, and, hoisting his flag on board the "Royal Charles," he put to sea about the end of May. At that time. Do Ruyter, the Dutch admiral, was in the Texel with a formidable fleet. It was PRINCE RUPERT. 241 not, however, expected that the Dutch Avould im- mediately put to sea, and Kuperl, after appoiut- iug a meeting with Monk at tlie Gun Fleet, an important anchorage near Harwich, steered west- ward with the white squadron, consisting of thir- ty sail, to look after the French, Avho Avere ex- pected from the Mediterranean. Early next morning — it was the 1st of June — the English, Avith surprise, beheld the Dutch fleet lying at an- chor half-channel over. Calling a council of war, Monk resolved on lighting before Rupert return- ed, and gave the signal for an attack. The attack was made by the English Avith great spirit ; but an hour passed on, and the con- sequences proved somewhat disastrous. Not only Avere the English utterly infeiior in force, but the Avind and the sea prevented them from using their lower tier of guns, and their rigging Avas fearfully injured by the Dutch chain-shot, then newly invented. The conflict, however, Avas bravely maintained till nightfall, Avhen darkness came to Monk's rescue. Next morning Monk found the aspect of af- fairs still more threatening. The Dutch, re-en- forced by sixteen vessels, renewed the encounter with great vigor ; and Monk, after several of his ships had been disabled, Avas obliged to retreat. The destruction of the English fleet seemed inev- itable. Fortunately, however, a calm prevented the enemy from following. Q 242 SEA KINGS AND NAVAL HEROES. On the morning- of the 3d of June the battle was renewed ; and Monk, liaving resolved to abandon the disabled ships, and given them to the flames, fought retreating. When the Dutch advanced, the ships most shattered stretched ahead, while sixteen of those in the best firjhtincr order followed, and kept the enemy in check. But the position of the English was extremely perilous ; and Monk, who closed the rear, was standing on deck, determined rather to blow up his ship than yield, when a squadron, crowding all sail, was seen to the south, and the English, with a thrill of joy, raised a shout that Rupert was coming. In fact, Rupert had not sailed farther westward than St. Helen's when he received intelligence that De Ruyter was at sea. The prince imme- diately put about for Dover, but he did not reach that point till the evening of the 1st of June, when the fight had lasted a whole day; and when he got into the Downs he could neither see nor learn any thing of the hostile fleets. Ea- ger and anxious, Rupert then made for the Gun Fleet, where he had appointed to meet Monk; but there he was disappointed in his hope of in- telligence, and from having now the wind against him, he passed the 2d of June in painful suspense. Next day, however, while still beating about, he heard a heavy cannonading ; and, spreading his canvas, he hastened to the scene of action just in PRINCE RUPERT. 2.;3 time to save Monk from the destruction that im- pended. No sooner did the morning of the 4th of June dawn than the battle was renewed. Rupert ex- erted all his mighty energies, and De Ruyter be- gan to feel in a situation almost as desperate as Monk had been on the previous day. A thick fog, however, coming to his rescue, interrupted the carnage. Neither fleet had gained a victory. But when the fog dispersed, the Dutch were seen in retreat; and the English, in no condition to pursue, took refuge in their own ports. Hostilities were speedily resumed. In the month of July, De Ruyter, with a larger fleet than before, put boldly to sea. But this time the issue of the engagement was not doubtful. Monk and Rupert encountered the Dutch admiral at the mouth of the Thames, and, after a severe ac- tion, gained a complete victory. " We must fly," said the Dutch, " Oh God !" exclaimed De Ruyter ; " among so many thousand bullets, is there not one to put an end to my miserable life-?" De Ruyter sailed back to the Texel in rage and despair, and the English were again masters of the sea. Monk then left the fleet to enjoy his laurels on shore ; but Rupert remained, in full command, and learning that the Dutch fleet was about to attempt a junction with the French un- der the Duke de Beaufort, he immediately sailed 244 SEA KINGS AND NAVAL HEROES. to prevent tliem, and chased the enemy into Bou- logne. But events sadly marred the joy excited by these naval triumphs. In the autumn, the great fire, breaking out in London, destroyed nearly thirteen thousand houses, and the king soon after sent plenipotentiaries to Breda to treat for peace with France and Holland, dismantled his fleet, laid up the ships, and discharged the seamen. The impolicy of this course of conduct ere long became evident. In the beginning of June, 1G67, a Dutch fleet dashed into the Downs ; and while De Ruyter entered the mouth of the Thames, Van Ghent, with the lightest ships, sailed up the Med way, made himself master of Sheerness, burn- ed the magazines, blew up the fortifications, and then, proceeding as far as Chatham, burned sev- eral vessels of war. Among the ships given to the flames on this occasion Avas the "Royal Oak," commanded by an officer bearing the noble name of Douglas. Seeing his vessel on fire, and in despair of saving her, Captain Douglas lay down on deck to die. "Tliere is nothing for it but to escape," said the crew. " No," exclaimed the brave captain, liis eye flashing with pi'ide, "a Douglas will never live to bear the reproach of quitting his post." On leaving the fleet, Rupert, who regarded the renewal of the alliance with France witliout the PRINX'E RUPERT. ^-lo slightest favor, and -who felt no sympathy what- ever with the policy of the court, had retired into privacy. On hearing, however, that De Ruyter had entered the Thames, he roused himself to en- ergy, hastened to Woolwich, sunk a number of vessels to block the passage of the Thames, and hastily threw up batteries. When the danger had passed, he returned to Windsor, of which he was governor, and lived much in seclusion, keep- ing a yacht, riding after his pack of hounds, and diverting himself with philosophical studies and chemical experiments. He held himself so much aloof from political affairs that he was respected by men of the most opposite views ; and he ren- dered himself highly popular with his neighbors, the gentry, yeomanry, and peasantry of Berks. But, meanwhile, the Avar between England and Holland had been renewed; and in 1672, Avhen the Duke of York, as lord high admiral, encoun- tered the Dutch fleet at Solebay, and the Earl of Sandwich's ship Avas blown up Avith his Avhole crcAv, Rupert Avas summoned from his retire- ment and appointed vice-admiral. Next year, Avhen tlie Duke of York, in consequence of Pai"- liament passing the Test Act, resigned his post, Rupert took the command of the fleet, and hav- ing in April hoisted his standard on board the " Royal Charles," he put to sea. About the middle of May the prince got in sight of the Dutch fleet, and in tAvo engagements 240 SEA KINGS AND NAVAL HEROES. of great severity, during one of which Van Tronip — son of Blake's great rival — had to shift his flag four times, Rupert performed wonders. But his fleet was in such a condition that all his exertions could not secure a decisive victory; and when the Dutch retreated, he returned to the Nore, and hastened to London to report the state of af- fairs. Kupert, however, was soon recalled to the scene of his duties, and on the 11th of August, 16V3, he once more encountered De Ruyter. A fierce conflict took place. Rupert and De Ruy- ter put forth all their strength, but neither could with justice boast of a triumph. The losses on both sides were nearly equal, and victory remain- ed dubious. It was the last time that Rupert fought for En- gland. For several years he survived the terri- ble encounter, and was idolized in the navy as " the seaman's friend." But he lived for the most part in privacy, and doubtless reflected with sad- ness on the many and strange vicissitudes of his career. At length, in his sixty-third year, it be- came evident that Rupert's days were numbered, and on the 29th of November, 1682, he went the way of all flesh. He died at his house in Spring Gardens, and his bones found a resting-place in the chapel which his maternal ancestor, Henry Tudor, had added to the Abbey of Westminster. SIR CLOUDESLEY SHOVEL. About the time of the Restoration of Chai'les the Second, a shoemaker's apprentice from the interior of that county where, in feudal ages, the Bigods held sway, being one day sent on an er- rand to a sea-port town, stood regarding tlie ship- ping with a delighted eye, and vowing that, come what might, he would he a sailor. The name of this boy was Cloudesley Shovel, and he was a na- tive of Cockthorpe, a small parish in Norfolk, where Sir John Xarborough is said to have first seen the light. The surname of Shovel Avas in ancient days borne by men who figured in Norfolk as lords of the soil. But the parents of the embryo hero ap- pear to have been in very humble circumstances. Indeed, it was from being so poor tliat they bound their son apprentice to a shoemaker. But, almost from infancy, Cloudesley had a strong fancy for going to sea; and his visit to the sea-port fired his imaghiation to such a degree that his enthu- siasm could not be restrained. Fortunately for yoimg Shovel's aspirations, circumstances threw Narborough in his way, and that eminent admi- ral agreed to take Cloudesley to sea as one of his cabin-boys. 248 SEA KINGS AND NAVAL HEROES. Once on that element for "wlucli lie had cher- ished such a longing, Cloudesley Shovel took an early opportunity of showing his defiance of dan- ger and his zeal for the service. Narborongh, while near an enemy's fleet, being anxious to have some documents of importance conveyed to the captain of a certain ship, ke-pt pacing his cabin and expressing his anxiety. " I wish," said the admiral to his officers, in his own rough style, " I wish I could contrive some ■way of sending these papers." "Trust me Avith them," said Cloudesley, "and I will swim with them in my mouth." Narborough consented, and young Shovel ac- complished the daring feat of swimming through the enemy's fire. This service raised him high in the admiral's good opinion ; and in 1674, M'hen Narborough was about to send a remonstrance to the Dey of Tripoli for acts of piracy commit- ted by the corsairs, he selected his protege' as the fittest person to undertake the mission. Armed with his credentials to the Dey, Clou- desley Shovel went ashore, and performed the duty with much spirit. The remonstrance failed in its object ; but while ashore, on two occasions, he projected an attack on the Tripoline ships at their moorings, and under the guns of the town, which seemed so likely to be successful that Nar- borough readily gave it his sanction. "And," said the admiral, "I know no person SIK CLOUDESLEY BUOVEI.'a FIRST ENTEKVUIBE. SIR CLOUDESLEY SHOVEL. 251 more fit to execute such a project tliau its au- thor." " Sir," said the brave Cloudesley, " I will do my best." Accordingly, on tlie night of the 4th of March, Cloudesley Shovel, having all the boats of Nar- borough's fleet at his disposal, made for the har- bor, commenced operations, seized the guard-ship, entered the mole, burned five large armed vessels, and returned without the loss of a man. Con- vinced more than ever of his young friend's skill and courage, Narborough did all he could to ad- vance the interests of so promising a sailor, and in May, 1G77, Cloudesley Shovel had the gratifi- cation of being appointed to the command of the " Sapphire." At that time Tangiers, which had formed part of the marriage portion of Kathcrine of Bragan- za, still belonged to the English crown. It was, however, exposed to the attacks of the Moors ; and in November, 1G79, the place was besieged by a Moorish army. At that time the "Sap- phire" formed one of Admiral Herbert's fleet, and Captain Shovel was among the officers em- ployed ashore, Avith a party of seamen, to assist in the defense. One day, when the Moors made a desperate effort to carry the place by assault, Captain Shovel exhibited his gallantry in a strik- ing light, and greatly contributed to the repulse of the foe. On that occasion he received a woiuid, 252 SEA KINGS AND NAVAL HEROES. whicli rendered him for a time unfit for service ; but, ere long, he recovered sufficiently to take the command of the " James" galley, and to sig- nalize himself in naval encounters with the cruisers of Barbary. One day, Avhile in company with the " Sap- phire," Captain Shovel fell in with a coi'sair of Algiers, known as the " Half Moon," which he took after a long and desj^eratc action ; another day he attacked a corsair named the "P'lower- pot," which he drove ashore, and captured with his boats ; and he continued to take his part in the war with great distinction till 1686, Avhcn he left the Straits and returned to England. Having remained in command of the " James" galley till the death of Charles the Second, Cap- tain Shovel, appointed by the last Stuart king to the command of the "Dover," stuck to the serv- ice till the Revolution. When that important event occurred, however, he readily gave in his adhesion to William and Mary. Having been appointed to the " Edgar," he displayed such skill and gallantry at Bantry Bay, that when the Dutch king went to Portsmouth to reward the seamen, and gave the earldom of Torrington to Admiral Herbert, he with perfect propriety con- ferred knighthood on Cloudcsley Shovel. At this period the aspect of affairs in Ii-eland was such as to alarm the new government ; and in 1690, Sir Cloudcsley, having removed to the SIR CLOUDESLEY SHOVEL. 253 "Monk," was dispatclied in command of a small squadron to cruise in the Channel, and prevent the landing of the French troops. Learning after he had anchored off the coasts that there -were several ships-of-war in Dublin Bay, he left his flag-ship, Avent on board a'small vessel, ran sever- al of the enemy aground, and brought off a large ship in triumph. Soon after this success Sir Cloudesley Shovel was appointed to convey William of Orange to Ireland. His services on the occasion were high- ly appreciated ; and when ho was shortly after- ward promoted to the rank of Rear Admiral of the Blue, the king, as a mark of royal favor, de- livered the commission Avith his own hand. In the spring of 1692, when William went to the Continent, Sir Cloudesley Shovel Avas appoint- ed to act as convoy. On this occasion his serv- ices were rewarded with promotion to the rank of Rear Admiral of the Red. Returning from Holland, Sir Cloudesley joined Admiral Russell, who was then in search of the French fleet, which, under the command of Admiral Tourville, had been dispatched by Louis the Fourteenth Avith peremptory orders not to decline an engagement. Early in the morning of the 19th of ]May, 1C93, fast-sailing vessels, dispatched by Russell to look out for the French, gave information that they had descried the enemy off Cape La Iloguc ; and, orders having been immediately given to form in 254 SEA KINGS AND NAVAL HEROES. order of battle, the English, by eleven o'clock, came face to face with their foes. For two hours the battle raged furiously. By that time, how- ever, the masts, yards, and rigging of the " So- leil Royal," Tourville's flag-ship, were fearfully shattered, and, in this disabled condition, she had to be towed out of the line. Nevertheless, the combat was maintained with spirit on both sides till three o'clock. A thick fog then enveloped the fleets so closely that they could not see each other. When the fog cleared off", Tourville was discovered towing away to the northward, fol- lowed by the shattered remains of his fleet. On the memorable day when the battle was fought ofl" La Hogue, Sir Cloudesley Shovel had his flag hoisted on board the " Royal William," a nev^ ship of a hundred guns, and contributed, in a great degree, to the victory that was won. Availing himself of a change in the wind, he Aveathercd Tourville's fleet, and, bringing his squadron to bear on the flying ships, he did ter- rible execution. But the fog, becoming denser than ever, forced him to bring his squadron to anchor ; and the honor of giving the last shattei-- ing blow to the fleet of the " Grand MonarclT' was reserved for Sir George Rooke. Rough admiral as Sir Cloudesley was, his ideas were not wholly confined to the afl'airs of a man- of-war. Indeed, he would almost seem to have been a man of " aspiring vein." As his fortunes SIR CLOL'DESLEY SHOVEL. 253 rose, he purchased Stafford's Manor, in Norfolk, from Lord Ashley, lived in a great house in Soho Square, and married the widow of his old patron, Sir John Xarborough. By this lady he had two daughters, one of whom became the wife of Sir Xarborough Daeth, the other the wife of Lord Romney. After taking part in several of the naval enter- prises which \Yilliam's wars rendered necessary. Sir Cloudesley was, by the king's express orders, dispatched on an expedition to Dunkirk, wliich was a nest of privateers. On the 2d of Septem- ber, 1694, his fleet, armed with a number of ex- plosive machines called " infernals," appeared be- fore the place, and next day he commenced the attack. The operations, however, were not at- tended with success ; and, indeed, upon a close inspection of Dunkirk, the admiral became aware that his forces and appliances were quite insuffi- cient for its reduction. Sir Cloudesley finally left without having succeeded in his object; but, not- withstanding the public disappointment, he was well I'cceived in England. " Sir Cloudesley Shovel," said some, " has taken care to demonstrate that there lay no fault in him ; for he went in a boat within the enemy's works, and so became an eye-witness of the nn- possibility of doing what his orders directed to be done." " Yes," said others, " lie is a tiiuu who will 25G SEA KINGS AND NAVAL HEROES. command success Avlievc success is possible, and omit nothing in his power Avhere it is not." Events passed onward; and in 1701, when Eu- rope was agitated with tlie question whetlier the grandson of the King of France or the brother of the Emperor of Germany should succeed to the Spanish throne, James the Second died at St. Germain's. Louis the Fourteenth, with more magnanimity than prudence, caused the son of James to be proclaimed King of England, and William of Orange, immediately organizing a great coalition of Continental powers to check the ambition of France, prepared for war. "Wil- liam died before operations commenced ; but Anne having been placed on tlie English throne, the war began vigorously; and in June, 1704, Sir Cloudesley Shovel sailed from England to join Sir George Rookc in the Mediterranean. Soon after the junction of Sir Cloudesley and Sir George, they resolved on a sudden attack on Gibraltar, and on the 21st of July sailed into the bay. Having landed marines and some sixteen hundred troops, they summoned the governor to surrender ; and, being answered that " he would defend his trust to the last," tliey next day com- menced a brisk cannonade. The position of Gib- raltar was such that fifty men might have held the place against as many thousands. Neverthe- less, the Spaniards ere long began to desert their batteries; and the seamen nf tlie fleet, having SIR CLOUDESLEY SHOVEL. 257 embarked in their boats, pulled to the shore, land- ed rapidly, climbed the fortifications, and took possession. When Charles Mordaunt, Earl of Peterborough, "was sent to Spain with five thousand troops to aid Charles of Austria to wrench the Spanish crown from Philip the Fifth, Sir Cloudesley Shovel was appointed admiral and commander-in-chief of the fleet. Having landed at Lisbon in June, and taken the Archduke Charles on board, the English proceeded to the coast of Catalonia, and laid siege to Barcelona. Sir Cloudesley having, during this siege, furnished not only guns, but men to work them, Barcelona, though defended by a strong garrison, Avas compelled to surrender, and the whole province of Catalonia soon submit- ted to the archduke. In the summer which succeeded that in Avhich the capture of Barcelona occurred. Sir Cloudesley Shovel Avas again placed in command of the En- glish fleet, and returned to the Mediterranean. In the autumn he reached Lisbon, and found tlio Portuguese much less earnest in the cause of the allies than 'he could have Avishcd. When Sir Cloudesley, Avith his flag hoisted on board the "Association," appeared in the Tagus, his ships Avere fired upon by tlie guns of the Castle of Bel- amy, and some of the seamen, on going on shore, Avere grossly abused. Having reason to believe that one of tlie princes of Braganza had instigated R 258 SEA KINGS AND NAVAL HEROES. these insults, Sir Cloudesley demanded satisfac- tion from the government. " It seems," said the ministers, " that the wliole aflair originated in a mistake. Orders liad been given to detain, and, if necessary, to fire upon a Genoese sliip, whose master had not paid liis port- dues." "That," repUed Sir Cloudesley, "is not a satis- factory answer; and I will not alloAv tlie English flag to be so insulted while I have the honor of being intrusted with it." The government of Portugal had tliu prudence to apologize ; and Sir Cloudesley, having express- ed his satisfaction, sailed Avith a fleet of forty- three men-of-war and fift}-scven trans])oits. At Nice he gave a sj^lendid banquet on board the " Association ;" covers Avere laid for sixty ; and among the guests were the Duke of Savoy, Prince Eugene, many general officers, and the English and Dutch embassadors. The banquet was so well conducted, and every thing went off* so admirably, that, during dinner, the Duke of Sa- voy could not refrain from expressing his admi- ration. " I aiii glad," said Sir Cloudesley, " that your highness is pleased with the efforts made to en- tertain you." " Pleased, admiral !" exclaimed the duke ; " why, if you paid me a visit at Turin, I could scarcely entertain you half so well." SIR CLOUDESLEY SHOVEL. 259 At a council of war lield after dinner, it was resolved to attempt the reduction of Toulon, and Sir Cloudesley engaged to assist to the utmost of his power. The enterprise, however, miscarried ; and the English admiral, leaving part of his fleet in the Mediterranean, sailed with the remainder toward England. While sailing homeward. Sir Cloudesley, on the morning of the 22d of October, 1707, struck soundings in ninety fathoms ; and as the wind was then blowing strong, Avith hazy weather, he made signal for the fleet to bring to. At six in the evening, however, he again made sail, and stood away from under his courses, from which it is believed that he thought he saw the Scilly Lights. Soon after, the " Association" made sig- nals of danger, and about eight o'clock she disap- peared. She had struck either upon the rocks known as the " Bishop and his Clerks," or upon the Gilstones, but so sudden was the catastrophe that it was never known which. Several vessels shared her fate. The body of Sir Cloudesley Shovel was washed up by the sea, cast ashore under the rocks of St. Mary, stripped by the natives, and thrown Avith others into a hole dug in the sands. Tliere it would have remained; but the purser of the " Arundel," hearing of an emerald ring which he kjiew to be Sir Cloudcsley's, instituted inquiries, made the islanders declare Mherc the hero was 260 SEA KINGS AND NAVAL HEROES. buried, and, having ascertained the spot, caused the body to be disinterred and conveyed to Ports- mouth. From Portsmouth the remains of Sir Cloudes- ley Shovel were carried by land to London, and, after remaining for a short time at his house in Soho Square, found a resting-place in Westmin- ster Abbey. His melancholy fate caused pro- found grief in England. Tlie queen expressed her sense of the merits of the admiral who had so zealously served the crown, and the people be- >vailed the death of a hero who had so well and so faithfully fought the battles of his country. ADMIRAL BENBOW. One day, when Charles the Second visited the Tower of London to examine the magazines, liis eye Avas arrested by the appearance of a brave Cavalier who had fought at Worcester, and aided him to escape from that unfortunate battle. "Colonel Benbow," exclaimed the king, "my old friend, what do you here?" " I am here," replied the Cavalier, " because I have a place which brings me fourscore pounds, for which I serve your majesty as cheerfully as if it brought me four thousand." "Alas!" said Charles, "is that all that can be done for an old Worcester friend ?" The king then promised that Colonel Benbow should be provided for, and left the Tower. But the Cavalier, who had risked and lost all in the royal cause, did not live to benetit by the royal bounty. Profoundly affected by the interview, he sunk down on a bench, and, almost ere the king left the Tower, breathed his last, leaving one son, who was destined to a remarkable ca- reer. John Benbow was born about the year 1650, and was still very youug when his father died. 262 SEA KINGS AND NAVAL HEROES. His prospects were the reverse of brilliant. In fact, he is said to have originally been bound ap- prentice to a M-aternian. In early life, however, he made the ocean his home, became a thorough seaman, and, as time passed on, began to figure conspicuously as owner of a vessel known as the " Benbow Frigate." During his voyages in this frigate Benbow en- countered ])irates on the sea M'ith quite as much courage and rather more success than his father had encountered Roundheads on the land. His naval exploits soon made his name famous, and in the foreign ports to which he sailed he was re- garded with curiosity and not without awe. In the year 1686, when on a voyage to Cadiz, Benbow was attacked by a Salee rover. Though quite unequal in point of numbers, Benbow and his men defended themselves witli obstinacy. At length, however, the Moors boarded the frigate, and Benbow perhaps felt that he was in a peril- ous predicament. Undauntedly, however, he con- tinued the conflict on his own deck, killed thir- teen foes, and made the others glad to scramble back to their own vessel. He then ordered the lieads of the thirteen dead Moors to be cut oft*, and thrown into a tub of pork pickle. On arriving at Cadiz, Benbow prepared to go ashore. Before doing so, however, he ordered a negro, named Csesar, to lift the Moors' heads out of the tub, to put thera in a sack, to take the sack ADMIRAL BENUOW. 2G3 on his shoulders, and to accompany him ashore. Caesar obeyed ; and the captain and his negro had scarcely set foot on land, when the revenue officers demanded wliat was in the sack. "Salt provisions lor my own use," replied Ben- bow. "Tiiat may be so," said the oflicers, "but we want to see them." "Why," said Benbow, in his own I'ough way, "I am no stranger liere. I am not used to run goods, and I take it very ill of you to suspect me." "Well," said the officers, " wc only want to do our duty. But the magistrates are sitting close by, and if they are satisfied with your Avord, you may carry the provisions where you please." "Very well," said Benbow, "let us go." Accordingly, the party marched to the custom- house, Benbow walking in front, Caesar in the centre, and the officers bringing up the rear. On reaching the building, Benbow was treated by the magistrates with great civility, but requested to exhibit the contents of the sack. "We are sorry," said they, "to make a point of such a trifle. But the natnre of our enijiloy- ment renders it necessary to demand a sight." "I told you," replied BenboAV, "they were salted provisions for my own use. However, Caesar," he continued, "throw them down ; and," added he, as the Moors' heads rolled on tlie ta- 201 8EA KINGS AND NAVAL HEKOEo. ble, "gentlemen, if you like, they are at your service." "Astonishing," cried the Spaniards, as they re- covered from their surprise and listened to tlie story of Benbow's adventure, " that a man with so small a force should have been able to defeat so many of the barbarians." "When intelligence of Benbow's exploit reach- ed the court of Madrid, Charles, king of Spain, was so interested that he said, " I must see this man." Benbow, it Avould seem, went to Madrid, and, after having been treated with great respect, was dismissed with handsome presents. More- over, the King of Spain wrote to James the Sec- ond, paying Benbow high compliments, and strongly recommending him to the royal favor. In May, 1G87, while Benbow was in commnnd of a ship named the " Malaga Merchant," he was attacked near the mouth of the Straits by a Salee rover of considerable force. After discharging a broadside, accompanied with small shot, the pi- rates endeavored to board ; but the attempt cost them many lives, and they found their reception so hot that they sheered off. Benbow then, pouncing upon them, made a vigorous attack ; but the rover, being a faster sailer than the " Mal- aga Merchant," contrived to escape without far- • ther loss. By this time Benbow's praise was on every tongue, and his valor was so highly extolled that ADMIRAL BENBOW. 265 government became desirous of having his serv- ices. Accordingly, on the 30th of September, 1689, without having previously served iu the Royal Navy, he was nominated to the command of the "York." After seeing something of the king's service, BenboAV was in 1693 appointed to the "Nor- wich," and dispatched with a squadron of frigates and bomb-ketches to bombard St. Maloes. Hav- ing performed this business with ability and suc- cess, he was next year appointed by Sir Cloudes- ley Shovel to cover the attack on Dunkirk with the "infernals." Soon after this, Bcnbow, ap- l)ointed to the " Northumberland," a ship of sev- enty guns, was employed under Lord Berkeley ; and early in 1696 he went with the squadron un- der Sir Cloudesley Shovel to bombard Calais. During the operations at Calais Benbow was wounded ; but he soon recovered, and pursued his nautical career with such success that Wil- liam of Orange, in recognition of his capacity and courage, promoted him to be a Rear Admii-al of the Blue. Benbow then hoisted his flag on board the "Suffolk," and sailed with a squadron to block up the port of Dunkirk, where Du Bart then lay. In this position, and while watching Du Bart, Benbow showed remarkable activity, and had the satisfaction of saving the English fleets on their way from Virginia and the West Indies from fall- 26G SEA KLNGS AND NAVAL llEHOES. iug into the hands of French privateers. He was less successful in the main object of his vigil, but from no fault of his own. It is said that, had the Admiralty listened to his representations as to the proper time for sending home ships to relit, Du Bart could hardly have escaped. As it was, the ships were at Dunkirk when they should have been in the Downs, and consequently in the Downs when they should have been at Dunkirk ; and Du Bart, availing himself of the circumstance, put to sea Avith the spring tides. Benbow afterward pursued, but Du Bart, by superior sailing, con- trived to elude the English admiral. After returning from Dunkirk, Benbow was appointed by Sir Cloudesley Shovel to protect English commerce in the Channel, and, hoisting his flag on board the " Shrewsbury," lie occupied himself with tliat kind of service until the Peace of Ryswick. Being then appointed to the com- mand of a small squadron equipped, notwith- standing the peace, to keep guard over English interests in the West Indies, he, in 1698, proceed- ed to Jamaica, Returning from that station, he was ordered to shift his flag to the "Winches- ter," and dispatched with a squadron to Dunkirk, where the French were supposed to be litting out ,in armament for a descent on England. But all apprehensions of danger in that quarter having vanished, Benbow sailed back to England ; and, having been promoted to the rank of Vice Admi- ADMIRAL BEN BOW. 267 ral of the Blue, probably considered that he had, by his long and arduous services, entitled himself to a little leisure. But, if Benbow indulged such ideas, his disap- pointment must have been considerable. At that time England was on the eve of a new war. In fact, Louis the Fourteenth, by placing his grandson on the throne of Spain, and proclaim- ing the son of James the Second as King of En- gland, roused Europe to arms, and William of Orange perceived the necessity of sending a na- val force to cope with the French in the West Indies. A squadron Avas accordingly fitted out ; but such was the prejudice then entertained against the tropical climate, that every gentle- man sailor to whom the command was offered by government shrugged his shoulders, and de- clined the appointment with evident horror. " It is clear," said the king's ministers, " that Admiral Benbow is the proper man." " No," said William, " it is unreasonable to ask a man to return to the West Indies who only came from Jamaica last year, and who has since been at Dunkirk." "But no other man will go," urged the minis- ters. " Well, then," said William, yielding, " I sup- pose Ave must spare our beaux, and send honest BenboAV." "For mv part," said Benbow, Avhen the subject •268 SEA KINGS AND NAVAL HEROE'S. AV.1S mentioned to him, " I know no diiference of climates, and I don't think an officer has a riglit to pick and choose a station. I myself -svill al- ways be ready to go to any part of the world where his majesty thinks proper to send me." Benbow now hoisted his flag in the " Breda," and, sailing from Spithead with the squadron, reached Barbadoes as the autumn of 1701 was expiring. Finding the Leeward Islands in no danger, the admiral proceeded to Jamaica, and anchoring oft' Port Royal, made such arrange- ments for defense as rendered any attack upon thai place utterly hopeless. This done, Benbow found himself master of the seas in which his fleet lay. In the spring of 1702, however, intelligence reached Port Royal that the French had a much stronger naval force at Martinique than the En- glish had at Jamaica. Moreover, rumors ran that Admiral Du Casse Avas coming from Eiu'ope to re-enforce the French fleet, and, as command- er-in-chief, to make the flag of the Bourbons su- preme in the West Indies. Benbow, who was not in the least daunted by this intelligence, pre- pared to put to sea; and learning, while cruising about, that Du Casse liad sailed for Carthagcna, and was to steer from Carthagena to Porto Bel- lo, he without delay went off" in pursuit. For some time Benbow's search after Du Casse proved futile. On the evening of the 19th of ADMIRAL BEN BOW. 269 August, 1702, liowever, he descried some tall ships to the westward, and standing toward them, found to his joy that they Avere French men-of war, and Du Casse's fleet. Immediately he made a signal to form in line of battle, and next morning tlie action began ; but, to Benbow's astonishment and dismay, two of the English ships, after firing their broadsides, got out of the line, and the admiral began to perceive that some of his captains were either cowards or traitors. Nevertheless, Benbow, in the " Breda," stuck to the French ; and, though sometimes unattend- ed save by the "Ruby," kept the enemy com- pany for days, and attacked whenever a favorable opportunity j^resented itself. At length, on the evening of the 23d of August, after the chase had continued for days, Benbow foimd that his whole squadron was up; and as the French Avere with- in two miles, he congratulated himself on the prospect of doing something that would be talk- ed of in England. But no sooner did he indicate his intention of attacking the enemy than his cap- tains again showed the white feather, and almost every ship of his squadron fell astern. Notwithstanding this desertion, Benbow, early in the morning of the 24th of August, came up with the sternmost ship of Du Casse's fleet, and instantly gave battle. The Frenchman quickly returned the fire, and a severe conflict commenced. As tlie firing became hot, a chain-shot, striking 270 SEA KINGS AND NAVAL HEROES. Benbow, broke liis riglit leg, and he was carried below faint and bleeding; but, quickly recover- ing his spirits, he ordered that he should be taken to the ?juarter-deck, and, seated there in a cradle, he urged his men on to the encounter. "Sir," said one of the officers of the "Breda," approaching, " we are all so sorry that you've lost your leg." "I'm sorry for it too," said Benbow; "but confound rae if I would not rather have lost both legs ten times over than have seen this dishonor brought on the English nation ! Do you hear ?" " Yes, sir," said the officer. " Well, then, look you," continued Benbow, " if another shot should take me off, behave like brave men and fight it out." Resolved to make a last appeal to the honor and patriotism of the captains, Benbow request- ed them to come on board the " Breda," and im- plored tliem to keep the line and behave them- selves like Englishmen. But his appeal was vain. Nothing could be made of the recreants ; and Benbow, reluctantly compelled to abandon all idea of a victory over Du Casse, made up his mind to return to Jamaica. In his distress, Benbow derived some slight de- gree of satisfaction from a letter which he re- ceived from a quarter whence, perhaps, he least expected expressions of sympathy. It was from the admiral ^^ honi he had l)cen so eacfcr to en- ADMIRAL bENBOW. 271 gage. " Sir," wrote Du Casse, " I liad little liope en Monday last but to have snjtped in your cabin. However, it has pleased God to order it other- wise, and I am thankful. As for the cowardly captains who deserted you, hang them up, for they deserve it!" When the English fleet reached Port Koyal, a court-martial was held, and Wade and Kirkby, two of the captains, were tried for cowardice and breach of orders. They were then sent to En- gland ; but, on reaching Portsmouth, they were ordered to be shot without being allowed to set foot in the country on whose flag they had brought dishonor. Meanwhile Benbow, on arriving in Jamaica, had his shattered leg cut off, and for a time en- tertained hopes of recovery. Fever, however, followed the operation ; and, after struggling for weeks, his strong constitution yielded. On the 4th of November, 1704, the brave admiral ex- pired ; and his body, having been brought to En- gland, was buried in a cliurch-yard at Deptford. LORD RODNEY. At a levee held by George the Second toward tbe middle of the eighteenth century, an Admiral of the Blue, who was also a Lord of the Admi- ralty, presented a naval captain, who was then approaching his thirtieth year, and probably look- ed much younger than he was. " I did not imagine," said the king, speaking with a strong German accent, " I did not imag- ine that I had so young a captain in my navy." "Sire," was the reply, "young Rodney has been for six years a captain ; and, without reflect- ing on any one, I most heartily wish your majes- ty had a hundred such captains." The Admiral of the Blue was Lord Anson, then fresh from his victory over the French ; and the juvenile captain was George Brydges Rodney, who, by his behavior, had in various actions won reputation for courage and resolution, and son, moreover, of a naval ofticer Avho had commanded the yacht kept to convey George the First to the Continent when that personage left his new king- dom to visit his old electorate, and exchanged St. James's Palace for the delights of Ilcrahau- sen. LORD RODNEY. 273 Rodney was born on the 19th of February, 1718, and soon after baptized by the names of George and Brydges, in Iionor of his sponsors, who were no less important personages than the King of England and the Duke of Chandos. At an early age he was sent to Harrow. But he did not sit long on the benches of that celebrated seminary. At twelve, indeed, he left school and his juvenile comrades to enter upon that career which was to conduct him to influence and fame. It was about the year 1730 that Rodney first Avent to sea. The king having given him a " let- ter of service," he commenced his professional duties, and roughed it out for several years on the Newfoundland station. As time passed on, he was appointed lieutenant of the " Dolphin," in which he sailed with the Mediterranean squad- ron; and having spent three years between that vessel and the "Essex" and the "Royal Sover- eign," he in 1742 found himself in command of the " Plymouth." With this ship of sixty-four guns Rodney brought three hundred merchant- men through the French fleet, then cruising in the chops of the Chamiel ; and, having been re- moved by the Admiralty into the "Ludlow Cas- tle," he had the distinction of capturing the "St. Maloes," a great privateer. This was, indeed, a period Avhen an English of- ficer of Rodney's spirit could hardly fail to win honor. The death of Charles, the last German S 274 SKA KINGS AND NAVAL HEROES ein})cror of the house of II;ii)sburg, liad thrown Europe into confusion ; for Charles left no son, and the hereditary claims of his daughter, Maria Theresa, wife of Charles of Lorraine, Avere fierce- ly disputed by the Elector of Bavaria. The princes of Christendom were drawn into the quarrel ; and, as George the Second espoused the cause of Maria Theresa, while Louis the Fifteenth took the side of the Elector, England and France were speedily at war. Blood was soon shed. The King of England vanquished the Fi*ench at Dettingen, while his son, the Duke of Cumber- land, was defeated at Fontenoy ; and matters were embittered by the adventure of Prince Charles Edward Stuart, who, while King George was in Hanover, landed in Scotland, rallied the Highlanders to his standard, and attempted to enforce the claims of his father James to the sov- ereignty of Great Britain. At this crisis, Rodney was appointed captain of the " Eagle," a new ship of sixty guns ; and, after distinguishing himself against the enemy while cruising on the Irish station, he sailed with that squadron which, in the spring of 1747, was sent to seize a hundred and seventy French mer- chantmen on their voyage from St. Domingo. In this e\'i)edition Rodney displayed his wonted en- ergy, and in the scramble that ensued had the satisfaction of taking six prizes. Soon after this achi(?vement, Rodney, in the LORD RODNEY. 275 " Eagle," joined tlie squadron wliicli, in the au- tumn of 1747, sailed from Plymouth to intercept a fleet of trading vessels which jiine French ships- of-war were convoying. After a long Avatch, the English, on the 1st of October, caught sight of the enemy ; and the French admiral, having di- rected that one ship of the line and several frig- ates should make the best of their way with the merchantmen, drew up his ships, and intimated his intention of giving battle. In the action that ensued Rodney took a con- spicuous part. During the engagement, the "Ea- gle," after passing through a raking fire all down the French line, commenced a desperate struggle with two of the enemy. Her position exposed her to a fearful hazard ; her wheel was shot away, all her braces and bowlines were gone, and she was for a time quite ungovernable. Rodney, however, persevered with the combat, and had just boarded and taken his principal adversary, when Hawke came to the rescue. Not content Avith his prize, Rodney hastened to repair the damage Avhich the " Eagle" had sustained, and went in pursuit of the French admiral. The chase proved unsuccessful ; but soon after Rodney consoled himself for his disappointment. Being one of a small squadron that fell in with a Spanish fleet of twelve sail of the line Avith a rich convoy from the West Indies, he took part in an attack, and the Spaniards, notwithstanding the 276 SEA KINGS AND NAVAL HEROES. superiority of their force, saw six of the mer- chantmen carried off as prizes. At length, in 1748, the struggle that had for years agitated Christendom Avas terminated l)y the peace of Aix-la-Chapelle ; and the " Eagle" being paid off, Rodney returned to England. But he did not remain long unoccupied. Almost ere the peace was signed he was appointed Governor of Newfoundland, and commander-in-chief on the Newfoundland station. In that position he con- tinued till the close of 1V52, Avhen he came to En- gland, married a lady named Compton, who was sister of the Earl of Northampton, and found his way into the House of Commons as member for Saltash. While Rodney occupied a seat in Parliament, Europe was again threatened with Avar. In fact, the limits of territory in North America, not hav- ing been Avell defined by the treaty of Aix-la- Chapelle, gave rise to controversy; and in 1755 Eno-land and France Avere closely Avatching each other, Avhen encroachments led to bloodshed. In consequence, the English seized some French A-essels ; and the demand of the French govern- ment for restitution having been rejected, hostili- ties on a great scale became inevitable, and the tAvo nations prepared, Avith all their old antipa- thies in full force, for that terrible struggle cele- brated in history as " The Seven Years' War." At the beginning of the war, Avhich opened in- LOUD KODNEV. 277 auspiciously for England with the loss of Minor- ca and the execution of Admiral Byng, Rodney does not appear to have had any opportunity of signalizing Iiimself. It is true that, appointed to the "Dublin" in 1757, he sailed Avith Hawke in the exjiedition against Rochefort, and in the spring of 1758 joined the squadron sent under Boscawen to reduce Louisburg. But it was not till 1758, when promoted to the rank of Rear Ad- miral of the Blue, that his energy and talent were fully displayed. About that time the French, ever vaporing about invading England, had collected a number of flat -bottomed boats at Havre de Grace. Against this place it was thought fit to send a small squadron of ships-of-war and bomb-ketches. Rodney was appointed to the command of this force ; and, sailing from St. Helen's, he, on the 3d of July, anchored in the road of Havre, and im- mediately prepared to execute his orders by plac- ing the bomb-ketches in the narrow channel of the river, and stationing the ships-of-war so as to protect them. Early in the morning of the 4th of July, every thing was in readiness, and the bombardment commenced. For more than fifty hours opera- tions went on, the French replying briskly, and making every eifort to doiend the i)lace. Nev- ertheless, the town was repeatedly in flames ; and for six hours the magazines burned furiously, in 278 SEA KINGS AND NAVAL HEROES. spite of extraordinary efforts to extinguish the fire. At length, the French flotilla having been lUterly destroyed, the inhabitants of Havre fled in consternation, and the place, completely ruined as a naval arsenal, was left wholly incapable of causing annoyance to England. After this achievement Rodney continued on the French coast, displaying all the zeal and en- ei'gy for which he was remarkable. In 1761, however, he was appointed to the command of an expedition fitted out to reduce Martinique, and, hoisting his flag on board the " Marlbor- ough," he in October sailed from Spithead with four ships, three bomb-ketches, and a sloop-of- war. Martinique was the most important of all the French settlements in the West Indies, and the seat of the governor general of the Fi-ench Carib- bee Islands. The acquisition of the place was for many reasons regarded as of great importance to England, but the reduction of it was deemed a matter of no small difficulty. Indeed, when, dur- ing the previous war, the English made a descent with that object, they had found it so well forti- fied as to defy their efforts. About the beginning of January', 17G2, Rod- ney, who had been re-enforced at Barbadoes by two ships, with troops fresh from the conquest of Belleisle, arrived oft' Martinique. Having an- chored in St, Peter's Bay, and silenced the forts LOKI) RODNEY. 2T9 there, the admiral proceeded to land his troops. This was accomplished without loss; but formi- dable difficulties still lay before the English. In fact, four miles had to be traversed before siege could be laid to Fort Royal ; the country, mount- ainous in the centre, Avas intersected with dee)) ravines, through which flowed streams the fords of which were rendered difficult by the rocks that had rolled into them from the sides of the mountains. Moreovei*, the French had batteries erected and guards posted wherever practicable, and improved the natural fortifications of the isl- and by every means in their powev. In spite of the formidable array of difficulties that beset his path, Rodney hastened to land the artillery, and, while regular troop;; and marines marched along the shore toward the town to storm the redoubts, a thousand seamen, in flat- bottomed boats, rowed close in-shore to assist the operations. The attack Avas made on all hands with courage, and succeeded in every quarter. Indeed, the French Avcre })anic-stricken as redoubt after redoubt fell, and abandoned their citadel almost without a blow ; St. Pierre, the capital of Martinique, and the whole island, ere long surrendered ; Grenada, St. Vincent, and St. Lucia were soon after reduced; and the Avhole of the French Caribbees were in the hands of the English. By this time, indeed, the genius and vigor of £80 SEA KINGS AND NAVAL llEKOES. tlie first Pitt had wrought wonders, and his very name was terrible to his country's foes. Every where the Englisli were triumphant ; the shatter- ed remains of the fleets of France were shut up in ports, and the coasts of France were at the mercy of the squadrons of her victorious foe. But in 1V63, soon after George the Third ascend- ed the throne, the war was closed by a treaty Avhich, Avhile restoring some of the conquests to France, left England undisputed mistress of the seas. At the peace Rodney returned to England. In recognition of his services he was created a baronet, and thanked by both houses of Parlia- ment. In the following year he was appointed Governor of Greenwich Hospital, and in the win- ter of 1765 entered upon that post. It would seem that when Rodney became gov- ernor of Greenwich Hospital the out-pensioners were not allowed great-coats except under pecul- iar circumstances, and by order of the governor. Rodney had the usual applications ; and as he could not say " No" to an old sailor on a cold day, the demands became so numerous and the great-coats so general, that, at the next meeting, the lieutenant governor took upon him to repre- sent the matter to the Board. "I must say," he observed in conclusion, "'that the indulgence shown by the governor is extreme- ly reprehensible." LORD RODNEY. 28] "Sir," said Rodney, rising and addressing the lieutenant governor, " I have the greatest respect for you as a man Avho, by tlie greatest merit, have risen from the station of a foremast man to tlie rank of admiral, a circumstance Avhich not only does you the highest honor, but would have led me to expect you as an advocate rather than an opponent of such an indulgence. Many of the poor men at the door have been your shipmates, and once your companions. Never hurt a broth- er-sailor; and let me warn you against two things more : the first is, not to interfere be- tw^een me and my duty as governor ; and the second is, not to object to these brave men hav- ing great-coats, while you are so fond of one as to wear it by the side of so good a fire as that by which you are at present sitting." In 1771, Rodney, having meanwhile embarked in a ruinous contest as candidate for the boi-ough of Northampton, resigned his post as Governor of Greenwich Hospital, and for some time was commander-in-chief of the West India station. After returning home, he found his aflfairs so em- barrassed, and his creditors so importunate, that he was under the necessity of going to France and living in obscurity. While in this plight, the admiral attracted the attention of the French Minister of Police, who recommended the Duke de Brion to oflfer him a liberal supply of money on condition of his taking command of the French 282 SI' A KINGS AND NAVAL HEROES. fleet in tlie West Indies. The duke accordingly invited Rodney to visit him, and one morning, when they were walking in the garden of the chateau, delicately broached the question. Rod- ney, however, quite failed to perceive at what his host was driving, and the duke, at last, had to re- fer to his guest's debts, and to speak in some- what plain terms. " I am empowered on the king's behalf," such were Brion's words, " to offer you any sum of money you require on condition that you will take the command of his majesty's fleet in the West Indies." " Sir," said Rodney, after a painful pause, dur- ing which he mastered his emotions, "it is true that my distresses have driven me from my coun- try, but no temptation whatever can ever es- trange me from her service. Had this offer been a voluntaiy one on your part, I should have deemed it an insult ; but I am glad to think that it proceeds from a source that can do no wrong." After this memorable scene, no farther attempt was made; but in 1778, when war between En- gland and France again appeared inevitable, Rod- ney Avas enabled, Avith Brion's kindly aid, to ac- commodate matters with his creditors aiid come to England. Some time before leaving Paris he met the Duke of Chartres, who afterward, as Duke of Orleans, rendered himself so notorious. "Do you know," said Chartres, " that I am to LORD RODNEY. 283 have a command, in the fleet that is to oppose your Admiral Keppel ?" " Indeed !" said Rodney. " Yes," replied Chartres ; " and," asked he, in an insulting tone, " what do you think will be the result of our meeting ?" " I think," answered Rodney, " that my coun- tryman will carry your grace home with him to learn English." Rodney's reception in England was by no means such as he might reasonably have antici- pated. For some time the heroic admiral's ofiers were coldly treated by government. At last, liowever, his ambition to serve his king and coun- try was gratified. About the end of the year 1779 he was appointed to the command of the Leeward Island station ; and having been pro- moted to the rank of Admiral of the White, he hoisted his flag on board the "Sandwich," and sailed from Spithead with eighteen sail of the line, transports with stores for Gibraltar, and a large fleet of merchantmen for the Mediterranean. Prince William Henry, afterward Duke of Clar- ence and King of England, went as a midshipman on board the " Royal George." For some time after sailing from Spithead Rod- ney met Avith no adventures worthy of record. On the Sth of January, 1780, however, when Avest of Cape Finisterre, he had the good fortune to capture a valuable Spanish convoy; and, while 284 SEA KINGS AND NAVAL HEllOES. proceeding with this prize along the coast of Por- tugal, ho obtained information that the Spanish admiral, Don Juan de Langara, was cruising off Cape St. Vincent Avith fourteen ships of the line. Rodney, placing his convoy in the rear of his fleet, ordered that his ships should sail abreast in line of battle, and about noon on the 16th of January the enemy appeared in sight. AVhen first descried the Spaniards were under easy sail, and some of the ships were standing to- ward the English. Indeed, it seemed probable that, from the English line being much extended, and the weather hazy, Don Juan de Langara had no idea of Rodney's force. Soon, however, the Spaniards, as if suddenly aware of their danger, began to retreat. But, not having the least in- tention of allowing them to escape, Rodney made the signal for giving chase, and issued orders for his ships engaging as they came up Avith the enemy. An hour or two passed over ; the pursuit be- came more and more exciting ; and at four in the afternoon Rodney perceived that the most ad- vanced ships were near the Spaniards. Immedi- ately he made the signal to close and engage, and soon the action became general. For many hours the conflict W'as maintained Avith vigor on both sides, and the fire Avas kept up constantly till after midnight. Meanwhile one Spanish ship having blown up, every man on boai'd having perished. LORD RODNEY. 285 and the " Minorca," wliicli led the Spanish van, liaving struck to the "Sandwich," the conflict ceased, and the defeat of the Spaniards was com- plete. After proceeding to the relief of Gibraltar, Rodney pursued his voyage, and, arriving in the West Indies, found himself in command of twen- ty-one sail of the line and several frigates. Hear- ing, while in this position, that the Count de Giu- chen had left Fort Royal under cover of night, the English admiral got under way and sailed in pursuit, and on the evening of an April day he came so near to the French as to ascertain that their exact force was twenty-three ships of the line, besides frigates and corvettes. Rodney now exercised all his ingenuity to bring De Giuchen to battle, and the Frenchman used his utmost eftbrts to avoid an engagement. A whole day was spent in the mancEuvres of the admirals. But, on the morning of the 17th of April, Rodney, seeing that the English fleet was favored by the wind, gave the signal for close ac- tion, and, having ordered that every ship should bear down and steer for that in the enemy's line which was opposite to her, he set the example by riding gallantly do\\'n uj)on that which bore the flag of the French admiral. De Giuchen was by this movement forced out of the line, and tw^o of his ships coming to his aid, rendered the position of the "Sandwich" somev/hat critical. In fact, 286 SEA KINGS AND NAVAL HEROES. Rodney had to maintain the contest against fear- ful odds for nearly an hour. But the English seamen fought with characteristic resolution ; and such was the. spirit with which the admiral inspired his crew, that a woman on board fought a twenty-four pounder gun. It soon appeared that Rodney's captains had imperfectly under- stood his orders. But at length Sir Hyde Parker came to the admiral's rescue ; and De Giuchen, leaving the " Sandwich" almost a wreck, drew ofl'. It was found impossible that night to pursue the French. Moreover, every subsequent attempt to make them renew the engagement proved futile ; and the re-enforcement of De Giuchen by a Span- ish squadron at Guadaloupe rendered the French admiral so infinitely superior in most respects that Rodney was fain to remain inactive. In the autumn of 1781, Rodney — Avho mean- while had sailed to the American station, attempt- ed without success to take St. Vincent, and suc- ceeded in reducing St. Eustace — found his health so impaired by hard and harassing service that he deemed it necessary to repair to EngUind. Scarcely had he arrived when he was, on the death of Ilawke, nominated Vice Admiral of Great Britain, and soon after he was reappointed to his command in the West Indies. Hoisting his flag in the " Formidable," Rodney sailed ear- ly in 17S2, and, having formed a junction off An- tigua with Sir Samuel Hood, he prepared to con- quer. LORD RODNEY. 2S7 It was, indeed, essential at that period to the interests of England that a great blow should be struck. At Fort Royal, under the Count de Grasse, the French had prepared a formidable ar- mament for the reduction of Jamaica, Avhich in 1656 had been wrested by Penn and Yenables from the Spaniards, and had ever since been held by the English, With a fleet of thirty-three sail of the line, numerous frigates, corvettes, and arm- ed brigs, more than five thousand troops, and a heavy train of artillery, De Grasse made ready to embark ; and he indulged the hope, Avithout haz- arding a battle, of forming a junction at Cape FranQois Avith a force which, Avhen added to his own, would give him the command of nearly fifty ships of the line, and some twenty thousand troops. Elate Avith anticipations of a triumph likely to be long remembered among the glorious achievements of France, De Grasse sailed from the Bay of Fort Royal, his flag flying on board of the " Ville de Paris," Avhich had, at an earlier date, been constructed at the expense of the city as a gift to Louis the Fifteenth, and Avhich had since been celebrated as the largest ship in Eu- rope. But Rodney Avas aAvake to the importance of the crisis, and ready, at the earliest opportunity, to pounce upon the French as his prey. On the 8th of April, 1782, having previously been inform- ed that troops were embarking at Fort Royal, he 288 SEA KINGS AND NAVAL HEROES. received intelligence that De Grasse was coming out of the bay. Instantly he made the signal to weigh, and without delay the English fleet got to sea. Stretching over to Fort Royal, and finding the French gone, he gave the signal for a general chase, and at night the lights of the French ships became distinctly visible. Early next morning, when De Grasse seemed to be turning to bay, Rodney made the signal for forming line. But by this time the fleet was be- calmed under the high lands of Dominica, and the ships could not get into their stations. Ere long, however, a breeze reached the van; and Hood, who, in the " Barfleur," commanded that division, standing in, closed with the enemy's centre. De Grasse had still no desire to fight. Indeed, a battle was what he least wished to haz- ard ; but the temptation of crushing the van of the English, while their centre and rear lay be- calmed, proved too strong for his resolution. Forming, he received the fire of Hood's squad- ron; and the action having commenced, Hood had the honor of maintaining the conflict for a whole hour in the most gallant style, the " Bar- fleur" being frequently engaged at the same time with three adversaries. Meantime, however, the wind began to fill the sails of Rodney's centre and rear, and as the En- glish ships gradually crowded np to support their van, the aspect of attnivs changed. Repenting of LORD RODNEY. 289 his rashness, and observing that matters were proving serious, De Grassc, followed by bis fleet, withdrew, and, favored by the Avind, defied Rod- ney's efforts to bring him to an engagement. But, induced by the signals for assistance thrown out by some stragglers, which were in imminent danger of being captured, the French admiral bore down to their relief; and Rodney, prompt- ly availing himself of the circumstance, speedily placed De Grasse in such a position that the strug- gle could no longer be avoided. Accordingly, on the morning of the 12th of April, the action commenced, and the guns blazed and thundered along both lines. It was now that Rodney put in ])ractice a ma- noeuvre, the consequences of which he had well considered. This consisted of breaking the en- emy's line, to which his own ran obliquely. After having received and returned the fire of half the French force, he resorted to this famous expedi- ent, and the " Formidable," followed by the ships in her rear, and continuing her course, broke through De Grasse's line about three ships from the " Ville de Paris," wore and doubled upon the enemy, and kept up a fire so destructive that the French were not only divided, but thrown into utter confusion. At this stage Hood's division, Avhich had been becalmed, appeared, and, coming up where the hre Avas hottest, completed the rout. For a con- T 290 SEA KINGS AND NAVAL HEROES. siderable time several of the French ships held out gallantly ; but at length, just as the sun was setting, De Grasse, seeing that all was lost, and that the "Ville de Paris" was disabled by foes and deserted by friends, hauled down his col- ors. Meanwhile government, in their wisdom, had sent an admiral named Pigott to the West In- dies with orders to supersede Kodney. When, however, news of the important victory reached London, a swift cutter was dispatched to recall Pigott, but it was too late ; and the new admiral, on reaching Fort Royal, took the command of Rodney's victorious Heet. Rodney immediately shii'tcd his Hag, and sail- ed in a seventy-four gun ship for England. Tlic welcome he met must in some degree have con- soled him. The populace were enthusiastic in their applause ; Parliament voted thanks to him and to his officers and seamen ; and the king raised him to the peerage with the title of Baron Rodney of Rodney Stoke, in Somerset. After this Rodney never accepted of any com- mand ; nor, indeed, though he long survived his victory, did he live even to hear of that great war with France during which England j^roduced so many naval heroes. In the spring of l'7n2, while Louis the Sixteenth was still residing at the Tuileries, and while Pitt was still hesitating in Downing Sti'eet, Rodney's last hour drew nigh. LORD RODNEY. 291 On the 24tli of May, while in London, tlie old ad- miral departed this life, leaving a name worthy of being mentioned with affectionate pride so long as Englishmen continue to admire heroic courage and to appreciate patriotic devotion. EARL HOWE. In the year 1*744, when England and France were commencing that war Avhich was terminated by the peace of Aix-la-Chapelle, an Enghsli mer- chantman was one day taken by a French priva- teer under the very guns of St. Eustace, one of the Caribbee Islands subject to Holland. The Dutch governor permitted the capture without even an attempt at interference, and an English officer, not yet out of his teens, was dispatchetl, at his own request, to claim the merchantman. His mission, however, proving unsuccessful, he begged to be allowed to cut her out of the har- bor ; and, disregarding all warnings as to the dan- ger of such an attempt, he entered with the boats, brought away the vessel, and returned her to the owners. The brave officer was Lieutenant Rich- ard Howe, younger son of the second Viscount Howe, a peer of Ireland. Richard Howe was born in the year 1V25. Being the son of a man of rank, and of a lady whose father. Baron Kielmansegge, figured as Master of the Horse to the first of the Georges, he entered upon life under auspices somewhat brisrhter than most of those heroes who have add- EARL HOWE. 293 ed to the glory of the Enulisli navy. At the age of fourteen, however, he left Eton to go on board the " Severn," and from that day showed no in- clination to shirk the duties devolving upon him as an English sailor. At the time Avhen Howe entered the navy, Lord Anson was on the point of commencing his voy- age round the world, and the "Severn" was one of the squadron destined for the enterprise. Howe Avas not, however, privileged to accompany An- son to the end of his adventurous voyage. In fact, the squadron, while passing through the Straits of Le Maire, was dispersed by a storm ; and the " Severn," after having been separated from her companions, and tossed by winds and waves, was fain to make for Brazil. After this somewhat disastrous opening to his career, Howe went on board the " Burford," and served under Commander Knowles in tlie squad- ron sent to the coast of Curaeoa to attack Laguy- ra. Daring the expedition the " Burford" suffer- ed severely, and the captain dying of his wounds, Howe had the honor of being appointed acting Heutenant. In this capacity he brought the ship to England ; but, finding that the Admiralty did not confirm his commission, he returned to Knowles in tbe West Indies, and, becoming lieu- tenant of a sloop of war, performed his celebrated exploit at St. Eustace. With the fame of thi<» achievement associated 294 SEA KINGS AND NAVAL HEROES. with his name, Howe returned to England ; and in 1745, Avhen Fontenoy was fought, and when Prince Charles Edward landed in Scotland to raise the Stuart standard, he was promoted to the rank of commander, and appointed to the '•' Baltimore." While cruising in that sloop oiF the coast of Scotland, Howe fell in with two ves- sels. On making them out to be French frigates carrying arms and ammunition to the young chev- alier, he immediately ran the "Baltimore" be- tween them, and made an attack of the most am g- orous kind. While urging on his men with cour- age and calmness, Howe was Avounded in the neck, taken up for dead, and carried from the deck. At first he showed no signs of life. Soon, however, he began to move, and gradually regain- ing the use of his faculties, cried out to fight on. His wound was then dressed ; and no sooner was the operation over, than he made liis appearance on deck, and, amid the loud shouts of his men, continued the conflict a\ ith such energy that the French frigates sheered ofl" and made for their own coast. During this action the '* Baltimore" was so crippled that all attempts to pursue the French proved vain. But Howe's services did not jtass uiuewarded. On hearing of his display of zeal and valor, the Admiralty immediately raised him to the rank of i)<)st-cai)tain ; and he pursued his professional career Avith distinction, commanding KARL HOWE. 295 various ships, and serving in diftcront jiarts of the world. It was at this period that Howe was one night roused from his slumbers by a first lieutenant, who, in great alarm and agitation, informed him that the ship had taken fire near the powder magazine, " If that be the ease, Ave shall soon know it," said Howe, rising leisurely to put on his clothes, while the lieutenant hurried away to make far- ther investigation, " You need not be afraid," said the officer, re- turning ; " the fire is extinguished." " Afraid !" exclaimed Howe. " What do you mean, sir? I never was afraid in my life. How does a man feel when he is afraid ? I need not ask you how he looksy In 1754, Howe, having seen much service, re- turned to England, and Avas next year nominated to command the " Dunkirk," a ncAV ship, fitted out in anticipation of that rupture with France Avliich appeared inevitable. Accordingly, the " Dunkirk" formed one of the fleet which sailed for North America under Boscawen. A French fleet sailed from Europe about the same time ; and Boscawen, hoping to obstruct the passage into the Gulf of St. Lawrence, took his station off Newfoundland. But a fog came to the assistance of the French admiral, and, availing himself of the advantage, he contrived lo cscaj)e Boscawen's sqnndron. 296 SEA KINGS AND NAVAL HEROES. While such was the posture of afFah-s, the fog, one June day, cleared away, and two French ships, separated from tlieir comrades, appeared in sight. The " Dunkirk," followed by the " De- fiance," was then in advance of Boscawen's squadron ; and Howe, having borne down on the Frenchman, requested the commander to go im- mediately under the English admiral's stern. "Is it peace or war ?" asked the Frenchman. " Come," said Howe, who, being in no humor to be trifled with, repeated his order, " you had better comply at once, for every moment I expect to see a signal to commence the attack." " Commence when you please," cried the other. "Very well," replied Howe. But, seeing the quarter-deck covered Avith ladies and other pas- sengers, he took off his hat, and politely begged them to leave the deck. " You can have no part in the action," said he, " and I only await your retirhig to begin." Ere this the ships had come close to each other, and at the same moment their guns opened. An houi- of fierce strife succeeded ; and when it Avas over, one French ship had struck to the " Dun- kirk," the other to the " Defiance." Many pris- oners and an immense sum of money fell into the hands of the English. Time passed on; and in 1758, when Eurojie was excited and agitated by the Seven Years' Wai*, Howe, then in command of the "Essex," EARL HOWE. 297 on the 6th of August anchored with a squadron in the Bay of Cherbourg with the intention of attacking the port. At niglit a few shells were thrown into the town, and the troops, having landed next morning, took possession of the for- tifications, levied a contribution on the inhabit- ants, ruined the celebrated basin, destroyed twen- ty-seven vessels in the harbor, rendered useless two hundred iron guns and mortars, took twenty pieces of brass cannon on board the ships, and, sailing in triumph toward England, anchored off Weymouth. Soon after this successful exploit Howe was in- structed to proceed with his squadron toward St. Maloes, to make frequent descents, and keep the French coast in alarm. The town of St. Maloes, however, was the point at which he chiefly aimed, and troops were Landed to make an attack. Ev- ery thing seemed to promise success; but, at the last moment, the officers in command of the land forces hesitated, deliberated, and finally declaring that victory was not to be hoped for, determined that the troops should re-embark. This, however, was no such easy operation. In fact, they had to march overland to St. Casse ; and in getting into the boats, they had to stand a nnn-derous fire from the French guns. In the midst of this fire, -which daunted the bravest, and cost more lives than it would have cost to take St. Maloes, Howe's courage shone 298 SZA KINGS AND NAVAL HEROES. conspicuously. Ordering his boat to be rowed into the thickest of the fire, he stood up, and both by words and gestures encouraged the men to persevere. Animated by his voice and example, they made every possible exertion, and he had the satisfaction of saving hundreds, who, without his aid, must have perished. In 1759, Howe, who had just married a lady named Hartop, and succeeded his brother as fourth viscount, was stationed in the Channel, of which Hawke then had the command. In this position he took part in the great action between Hawke and the naval force of Louis the Fifteenth under De Conflans, which resulted in the defeat of the French admiral and the destruction of the French fleet. Xext year Howe reduced the French fort on the island of Dumet ; and having continued at sea till the peace of 1 V63, he was ap- pointed to a seat at the Board of Admiralty, and gradually promoted to the rank of Vice Admiral of the Blue. His promotion appeared so rapid as to occasion some discussion in the House of Lords ; but Hawke, then First Lord of the Ad- miralty, answered in the most conclusive tone. "I advised his majesty to make the apjioint- ments," said Hawke ; " I have tried my Lord Howe on very important occasions, and he never asked me how to execute any service — he went and ])erfornied it." "My lord," observed King George, when Howe EARL HOWE. 299 was presented at court, " your life has been a con- tinued series of services to your country." Howe's services had indeed been arduous. His career, however, was not yet closed. In fact, he was destined to associate his name with three great events. These were the struggle between England and the American colonists, the war of England with the French and Spanish Bourbons, and that long contest on the sea and on the land between England and revolutionized France, which was brought to a close at Trafalgar and Waterloo. When Parliament, nndcr the auspices of George Grenville, prime minister of England, passed an act imposing a stamp act on the American colo- nies, the colonists, indignant and irritated at the idea of being taxed by an assembly to which they sent no representative, resolved on resistance; and when government made formidable prepara- tions to enforce submission, Howe was appointed to the command of the fleet on the American sta- tion. Hoisting his flag on board the "Eagle," Howe, in July, IVTG, about the time when blood was shed at Lexington, arrived at Halifax, and signalized his term of command by taking New- York, Rhode Island, and Philadelphia. At one period of the war, indeed, the cause of the colonists appeared hopeless. But the aspect of affairs suddenly changed. France, eager by any process, however impolitic, to gain some tem- 300 SEA KINGS AND NAVAL HEROES. pornry advantage over the foe by whom she liad a liundred times been castigated and humbled, formed an alliance with the Americans ; and in 1778, the Count D'Estaing unexpectedly appear- ed Avith a large fleet. Howe's sliips were in no condition to can-y on an offensive war. He con- tented himself, therefore, with standing on his de- fense, and, in spite of countless disadvantages, contrived to baflle the foe and to close the cam- paign with honor. Meanwhile France and England had declared war, and France, having doubled her naval strength by an alliance with Spain, threatened England with a descent. The menace resulted in notliing; but in 1782, the Duke of Crillon having seized upon the island of Minorca, laid siege to Gibral- tar, of which Sir Gilbert Elliot was then governor, and erected floating batteries opposite those of the town, while the combined navies of France and Spain, under the command of Don Louis do Cordova, were prepared to prevent relief from England reaching the garrison. Nevertheless, government mustered a fleet to relieve the be- leaguered strong-liold, and IIoAve, wlio had re- cently been created a peer of Great Britain, took the command. It was the autunm of 1782 wlien Howe left the shores of England with thirty-four sail of the line. Entering the Straits on the 11th of October, he anchored off the Bav of Gibrnltnr. A storm hav- EARL HOWE. 301 ing dispersed the French fleet, two of Howe's vessels without delay passed in with the store- ships and tenders under the guns of the fort, while the English admiral, with the remainder of his force, defied the French to a combat. Don Louis de Cordova, however, declined the challenge ; and Howe, having relieved the garrison without firing a shot, dispersed the squadron to their various stations, and returned to England. Next year, when Lord Shelburne became prime minister, and Pitt, then twenty -three, became Chancellor of the Exchequer, peace was con- cluded, and Howe, Avhose services were not re- quired ^t sea, undertook the duties of First Lord of the Admiralty. In this position he continued during Pitt's first administration till 1793, having in the interval been advanced to the dignity of earl, and promoted to the rank of Admiral of the Blue. Meanwhile the French llevolutiou had startled Europe. In 1789, the financial embarrassment caused by the interference of France in the Amer- ican war led to the assembling of the States-Gen- eral at Versailles, and to the beginning of the Revolution. Soon after, the States-General form- ed themselves into the National Assembly, and Paris became the scene of sanguinary insurrec- tions. Events hurried rapidly onward. The Bas- tile was taken ; the princes of the blood and the French nobles were under the nccessitv of leav- 302 SEA KINGS AND NAVAL HEROES. ing the country ; Louis tlie Sixteentli, brought forcibly from Versailles to the Tuileries, was forced to accept the Declaration of the Rights of Man ; monastic institutions and titles of nobility were suppressed ; the king, intercepted at Varen- nes in endeavoring to escape, was brought back :i prisoner ; the palace of the Tuileries was forced by an armed mob ; the king and his family, hav- ing taken refuge in the National Assembly, were incarcerated in the Temple; the National Con- vention having been constituted, abolished mon- archy, proclaimed France a republic, decreed fra- ternity and assistance to all nations in the recov- ery of their liberty, brought the king to trial, condenmed him to death, and sent him to exe- cution. While these events "were occurring, England looked on Avithout attempting to interfere ; but, after the execution of Louis the Sixteenth, the government of England declined to recognize the French embassadors, and the Convention retali- ated by a declaration of war. The English then entered on the struggle with confidence ; and Howe, invested with extraordinary power, left the Admiralty to take the command of the Chan- nel fleet. For some time after going on board the "Queen Charlotte," Howe occujued himself with watch- ing a formidable French fleet, which, under the command of .Vdmiral Villaret Joveusc, lay in the EARL HOWE. 303 port of Brest. The watch was long, and doubt- less somewhat Avearisorne to the English sailors, burning with that eagerness natural in the cir- cumstances to the lighting men of " an old and haughty nation, proud in arms." At length, ear- ly in May, 1794, the French admiral did pluck up courage to venture out of Brest, and, concealed by a fog, passed, without being discovered, Avithin earshot of the English fog-signals. On the 21st of May, however, Howe received information that the force under Villaret Joyense was twenty-six ships of the line and five frigates, and set out in pursuit. On the morning of the 28th of May, while the wind Avas blowing fresh with a rough sea, he had the gratification of learning that the enemy Avas in sight ; and the first shot having been fired about two o'clock that day, the fleets for the next tAVO days kept up a running fight, the French getting the Avorst in every encounter. On the night of the 29th of May, however, a dense fog put a stop to all operations ; but on the 31st of May the fog cleared aAvay, and the French W'ere descried about seven miles to the north- ward, Howe immediately bore up and formed, but Villaret Joyeuse held off, and night fell with- out an action taking place. During the night the French kept up a press of sail, to take advantage of any negligence on the pai't of the English ; but Howe, Avho had been apprehensive of their weathering him in the darkness, exercised the ut- 304 SEA KINGS AND NAVAL HEROES. most vigilance, and Avhen morning dawned the hostile fleets drew np in order of battle. It was Snnday morning — the morning of the 1st of June, 1794, a day indissolnbly associated with the memory of Howe, and worthy of being long remembered with pride by Englishmen. At half past seven Howe made a signal that lie should attack the French centre, passing through the enemy's lines, and engaging them to leeward. Villaret Joyeuse, in the "Montaigne," awaited the attack with firmness, and the French guns were the first to open, but at too long a range to provoke reply. At length, however, Avhen the fire had continued for a quarter of an hour along the line, Howe's guns answered heavily, full, and rapidly. After this, little regard was paid to po- sition. Some of the English ships cut through the French line and engaged to leeward ; the others hauled to windward ; but all fought des- perately, each ship bringing her guns to bear on the nearest Frenchman, and rapidly dismantling the fleet of the new republic. About eleven o'clock, indeed, the conflict was virtually at an end, and Howe's victory was as complete as ho could have anticipated. When a lull took place and the smoke cleared away, the Fi'ench line was hopelessly broken. Many ships were totally raastless, six were in the hands of the English, and Admiral Villaret Joyeuse, in the " Montaigne," was making sail ahead with all tho vessels in a condition to flv. P]ARL HOWE 305 liowc, having thoroughly done his Avork, re- turned to England, and on the 19th of June the victorious fleet appeared oif Portsmouth. Sel- dom has that town jDreseuted a scene more ex- citing. Crowds occupied the beach and the ram- parts; a salute from the batteries hailed the "Queen Charlotte" Avhen she came to anchor; and a round of artillery, mingled -with mighty shouts of applause from the multitude, greeted the conquering hero as he stepped ashore. The House of Lords and the House of Com- mons voted Howe thanks for the exertions which had resulted in "the glorious 1st of June;" and on the 26th of that month George the Third, with the queen and three of the princesses, arrived at Portsmouth to visit Howe's ship. Xcxt morning the royal jiarty proceeded in barges to Spithead, where the " Queen Charlotte" lay ; and tlie king, having dined on board, held a naval levee, Avhen he j^resented Howe with a sword of great value, and a gold chain, to which was appended a medal that had been struck for the occasion. " My lord," said King George, " you have ren- dered your country the most invaluable of serv- ices." " Not I," said Howe ; " but," he added, turning toward the seamen, " those noble fellows who gained the victory." Howe continued for twelve months longer to command the Channel fleet. During the spring U aOC SEA KINGS AND NAVAL HEROES. of 1795, however, his health was in such a state that he was obliged to resign. In the year 1790 he Avas appointed Admiral of the P'leet, and un- dertook the command of the western squadron. But early in 1797, when beyond the age of three- scoi'c and ten, he finally left the pine plank for the peaceful hall. Even when he had thus struck his flag Howe's career was not quite closed. In the very last year of his naval life he rendered to his country a memorable service. When the spirit of insub- ordination which was abroad found its way to his majesty's ships of war, and Avhen mutinies at Portsmouth and the Nore disgraced the navy and alarmed the nation, Howe exerted all his sagacity and influence to save England from the disaster with Avhich she was menaced, and to restore the honor of that profession of which he had long been the pride and the ornament. Intent upon allaying the spirit of miitiny, Howe suggested several measures to the government of the day, and exerted all his personal influence to expel the disloyalty which began to prevail among the seamen of England. Having contrib- uted by every means in his power to bring back the good old temper of the English navy, he re- tired from public life. On the 2d of June, 1797, Howe was invested with the insignia of the Garter ; but he did not long survive his admission into " the noblest of I EARL HOWE. 307 European orders." On the 5th of August, 1799, a few mouths befoi'e Bonaparte Avas declared First Consul, Howe breathed his last. His name was long of high account with the people of En- gland, and his memory, to which a monument was erected in St. Paul's Cathedral, was long held by them in aflfectiouate regard. EARL ST. VINCENT. One day, early iu the year 1748, a few months after the victory achieved by Hawke over the French fleet, and shortly before the peace of Aix- la-Chapelle, a little boy, about thirteen years of age, in a garb somewhat grotesque, arrived at Portsmouth, and Avent on board the " Glouces- ter," then fitting out for the West Indies. His prospects can not be said to have been brilliant. He had no money except the few pounds carried in his pocket ; and, though his blood Avas better and more ancient than that of most aristocrats, he had little or no aristocratic influence on which to rely for aid in fighting the battle of life. But he had, as the result proved, the spirit of a man, the resolution of a hero, much hope, founded on an instinctive confidence in his own capacity, and enough, at all events, of that energy Avhich is hojic in action to struggle upward to distinction, fame, ■wealth, and an earldom, and to leave a memora- ble example to aspiring youth of industry, perse- verance, courage, and self denial, elevating their possessor from obscurity and neglect to renown and rank. John Jervis was descended from a family which EARL ST. VlNCEiNT. 309 had occupied a position of some consideration in Sta£brdshire while the Phintagenets ruled En- gland, and he was born on the 20th of January, 1735, at Meaford, in the parish of Stone. In the neighborhood of that market-town Jervis jjassed the years of his childhood. At an early age, however, he was deemed fit to go from home, and sent to be educated at Burton-on-Trent. The school at which Jervis was placed does not appear to have been quite to his liking. The temper of the master was the reverse of mild ; the temper of the master's wife was not celestial ; and the former, being kept in a state of perpetual irritation by his shrewish dame, treated his pu- pils with a degree of severity Avell-nigh intolera- ble. Jervis, however, applied himself to his stud- ies with diligence, and with such success that he ere long enjoyed the reputation of knowing more of Greek than any boy of whom the seminary could boast. He was, in consequence, put for- ward on great days, and exhibited as " a show scholar." This distinction was not without inconvcn- isnces. It happened that on one occasion a rich London distiller, paying a visit to Burton, and feeling an interest in the institution, expressed a desire to ascertain the proficiency of the boys. The master readily consented ; and Jervis was, as a matter of course, selected for the honorable duty of reading a passage from Homer. This 310 SEA KINGS AND NAVAL UK ROILS. task lie undertook witli ardor, and entered upon with courage But he had been particularly taught "to sing out," as it Avas expressively termed, and consequently read in so loud a tone that the metropolitan distiller could not refrain from indicating his surprise. " I am not deaf," he said. " What, sir ?" stammered Jervis, in confusion. " I am not deaf, sir," cried the distiller ; " but you read, sir, as if you spoke through a speaking- trumpet." Completely discomfited by this cruel interrup- tion, Jervis, with all his natural resolution, could scarcely restrain his tears. But the distiller cool- ly took snuif without evincing any regret for the pain he had caused, and the master had the mor- tification of perceiving that his chosen performer was effectually silenced. Jervis was still learning Greek and Latin at Burton when Prince Charles Edward landed in Scotland, mustered the Highlanders, defeated Sir John Cope at Prestonixans, took possession of Edinburgh, crossed the Border, and carried his standard on English ground as flir as Derby. The excitement pervading the country Avas great, and plaids were sent to most of the boys at school from their homes to wear in honor of the young chevalier. But Jervis and JMeux, afterward the opulent brewer, declined to display the slightest sympathy with the Jacobite cause, and their pol- EARL ST. VINCENT. 311 itics proved somewhat inconvenient. Indeed, Jervis was pelted at Burton-on-Trent for being a Whig as mercilessly as Gibbon at Kingston-on- Thames was persecuted for being a Tory. Almost ere Jervis emerged from early boyhood and entered his teens, his father, Swynfen Jervis, who was a barrister, became counsel for the Ad- miralty and auditor of Greenwich Hospital. This led to the family, of which the embryo hero was a member, moving from Staffordshire and settling at Greenwich ; and Jervis, who had been destined for the legal profession, no sooner exchanged the banks of the Trent for those of the Thames than he began to take new views of life. It seems that, after being removed to Green- wich, Jervis was placed to pursue his studies at a seminary known as "Swinden's Academy," where his associates, one of whom was Edward Wolfe, destined to become so celebrated as the conqueror of Quebec, were for the most part sons of naval officers, and Jervis, being much in their company, conceived an earnest desire to go to sea. Circumstances, however, might have proved stronger than his aspirations after a naval career, had he not met with decided encouragement from a worthy who figured as his father's coachman. '' What line of life are you going to follow, Master Jacky?" asked the coachman, as the boy, musing dreamily of sea-fights, sat on the box, or stood by while the horses were groomed. 312 SEA KINGS AND NAVAL HEROES. "I believe I am to be a lawyer," answered Jervis, simply. " Oh ! don't be a lawyer, Master Jacky," ex- claimed the coachman ; " all lawyers are rogues." " What should I be ?" asked Jervis. " If I were you, I Avould be a sailor," replied the coachman. Jervis was doubtless glad to get so much en- couragement from any j^erson connected with his father's household. But it would seem that the counsel to the Admiralty was by no means of his coachman's opinion. The boy's determination, however, growing day by day, became much too strong to be restrained; and at length, avaihng himself of his father's absence on the Northern Circuit, he formed an adventurous project with a comrade, who told marvelous stories of sea life, took the daring step of running away from school, and, with the resolution never more to expose himself to Swinden's birch, concealed himself on board a ship at Woolwich. At the end of the third day, however, he left his lurking-place, made up his mind to return to Greenwich, and reached home after nightfall. " Oh," said his sisters, " you have behaved so improperly ! W^on't Mr. Swinden give it you for running away from school !" "No," replied Jervis, "he'll certainly have no chance, for I don't intend to go back to school any more." EARL ST. VINCENT. 313 "Not go back to school ?" exckiiraed the youno- ladies. " No," said Jervis, conclusively ; " I intend to be a sailor." It now became evident that the resolution of Jervis was too strong to be overcome, and his fa- ther reluctantly yielded to his will. Seeing that it was no whim, but an earnest aspiration by which the boy was animated, the lawyer wisely endeavored to smooth his son's path ; and Jervis, after having been recommended by a lady of rank to Captain Townshend, had the gratification of hearins: that officer consent to receive him on board the " Gloucester," which was then at Ports- mouth fitting out for Jamaica. "And," asked the captain, who at the time wore his night-cap and slippers, and spoke in the roughest of voices, "how soon will you be ready to join your ship ?" " Directly," Avas the reply. "Then," said Captain Townshend, "I Avill give you a letter to the first lieutenant, and you can go to-morrow." Accordingly, Jervis, having received the bless- ing of his parent, and the sum of twenty pounds to pay for outfit and to serve as pocket-money, found his way to Portsmouth. " My equipment," he afterward said, " was what would be called rather grotesque. My coat was made for me to grow to ; it reached down to my heels, and was 314 SEA KINGS AND NAVAL HEROES. full large in the sleeves. I had a dirk and a gold- laced hat." About the autumn of 1748, Jervis, when little more than thirteen years of age, sailed for Jamai- ca ; and in good time the " Gloucester," reaching her destination, anchored in the harbor of Port Royal, then slowly recovering from the eifects of the terrible hurricane of 1747, and deemed by En- glishmen tlie very reverse of healthy. The cli- mate, the unwholesome water, tropical fruit, rum punch, sharks, and barracudas, caused the death of English seamen by hundreds. Moreover, boys were under strong temptations of indulging in idleness and dissipation, luxuriating in "Jamaica baths," and frequenting dignity balls and cock- lights. Jervis, however, by the exercise of mar- velous prudence, altogether avoided llio many perils that beset him. In fact, it would seem that a circumstance Avhich at the lime must have been most discour- aging, secured Jervis against a too free indul- gence in tlic pleasures of the colony. A bill Avhich he had drawn for twenty pounds was re- turned protested ; and he not only vowed never to draw another bill without the certainty of its being paid, but determined meanwhile to save sufficient money to take up that which had been dishonored. With this view, he completely changed his mode of living: he quitted his mess, ■washed and mended his own clothes, and at one EARL ST. VINCENT. 315 time even submitted to the sacrifice of selling bis bed, and sleeping on the bare deck. But his heart did not sink under hardship and poverty. On the contrary, severe experience strengthened his fac- ilities, and helped to form the boy into the hero he became. It created a high spirit of indepen- dence, taught him to rely on his own resources, and proved of inestimable advantage to him in the struggles of after life. Finding himself without money, and perceiving that his time might be better occupied than on board a guard-ship, Jervis became most alert to volunteer into any vessel that was going to sea, especially if any thing of importance was to be done, instead of lolling lazily on deck, or carous- ing over the punch-bowl, or betting at cock-fights with hospitable planters, or perambulating Kings- ton with an eye to the favor of fair Creoles or fascinating Quadroons. While on the West India station, Jervis, dur- ing one of his cruises, made the acquaintance of an old quarter-master, who in other days had been mate of a merchantman. Struck with the young midshipman's intelligence, this worthy offered to teach him navigation. Jervis accepted the offer with gratitude, and in this way came by the only instruction of the kind he ever received. But, meanwhile, he never ceased to teach himself When unavoidably in port and unoccupied, he devoted himself to books ; and by reading and 316 SEA KINGS AND NAVAL HEROES. SO exercising liis intellectual faculties as to profit by his studies, he greatly added to his profession- al and general knowledge. After having seen six years' service in the West Indies, Jervis, by this time nearly twenty, retui'u- ed in the " Sphinx" to England. The vessel was shortly afterward paid off. But Jervis, being transferred to the " William and Mary" yacht, completed the term required for the rank of lieu- tenant, and having passed his examination with great credit, received his commission, with orders to repair to Chatham, and assist in fitting out the "Prince," commanded by Captain Saunders, and intended for Lord Anson's flag. Xo sooner did Captain Saunders set his foot on board the "Prince" than Jervis hit his fancy. Nor did experience of the young sailor belie the captain's first impressions. In fact, Saunders formed the highest opinion of Jervis, and became eager to advance his interests. The approbation of so distinguished an officer proved of high val- ue; and in the spring of 1755 Jervis was re- moved to the " Nottingham," which was to form part of the fleet dispatched from Portsmouth, un- der Admiral Boscawen, against the French force collected at the Isle of Rhee. Meanwhile Saunders was mindful of the high qualities Jervis had exhibited on board the "Prince." "When, therefore, during the Seven Years' War, General Wolfe was assigned the EARL ST. VINCENT. 317 duty of wresting Quebec from the French, and when Saunders, now an admiral, was appointed to command the naval force sent to co-operate, Jervis was immediately selected as first lieuten- ant of the " Prince," Avhich was to bear the ad- miral's flag. The fleet, consisting of twenty-two line-of-battle ships and an equal number of frig- ates, set sail early in February, 1758, and, after much imavoidable delay, entered the St. Lawrence in June. During the expedition Jervis was pro- moted to the command of the "Porcupine" sloop, and after the capture of Quebec and the death of Wolfe, who fell in the hour of victory, he was dispatched to England with intelligence of the great triumph that had been achieved. After his return from Quebec, Jervis was, about the time Avhen George the Third began to reign, promoted to the rank of post captain in the " Gos- port." But the war soon after came to a close, and the " Gosport" having been paid off", he did not again serve for six years. At the end of that time, however, Jervis A\as appointed to the " Alarm," and, Avhile commanding that frigate on the coast of Barbary, had a controversy with the Bey of Tunis. It happened that when the "Alarm" was in the waters of Tunis, and one of her boats was one day ashore, two runaway slaves swam to the boat, and, after concealing them- selves to escape observation, sought protection under the English flag. When the circumstance 318 SEA KINGS AND NAVAL HEROES. became known in Tunis, the Bey "vvas informed of what had happened, and demanded in peremp- tory language that they should be sent ashore. "No," answered Jervis, "I must decline to comply ; for the moment men take refuge under the British flag they are free." "In that case," said the messenger, "the Bey will certainly fire on your ship." " Tell him," said Jervis, " that in the event of a single shot being fired, the castle shall be level- ed with the ground." Having sent this message to the Bey, Jervis prepai-ed to execute his threat, and placed the "Alarm" abreast of the Castle of Tunis. It was not, however, found necessary to proceed to ex- tremities. The Bey, seeing that the English cap- tain was not a man to be trifled Avith, and daunt- ed by the attitude of the frigate, refrained from taking any steps likely to provoke hostilities, and Jervis had the satisfaction of bringing ofl'thc es- caped slaves without molestation. Fortune, hitherto favorable to Jervis, now amused herself by playing him a trick. Soon after being the means of liberating the slaves, he was shipwrecked in the Bay of Marseilles. But, appointed ere long to the " Foudroyant," he was present at the drawn battle with the French oflT Ushant, and, in consequence, examined as a wit- ness before the court-martial held at Portsmouth on Admiral Keppel. EARL ST. VINCExNT. 319 But England, weary of a long struggle, was on the eve of peace, and Jervis Avas soon to figure in contests very different from those connected with naval warfare. In 1783 he was nominated com- modore of an expedition against the Spanish West Indies ; but when the American war subsided into what was termed the "armed neutrality," the project Avas abandoned, and Jervis, instead of going to the West Indies, was returned as member of Parliament for East Yarmouth. While occupying a seat in the House of Commons, he took an earnest and active interest in political af- fairs. A Whig by nature, he admiied Fox, dis- liked Pitt, and held flist by the creed for which he had been beaten by the schoolboys at Burton. On subjects connected with the navy he was lis- tened to with respect, and considerably increased his reputation by the facility with which he en- gaged in discussions relating to his profession. While such was the position of Jervis, now a knight, and holding the rank of Admiral of the Blue, the States-General assembled at Paris in May, 1789, and commenced that revolution in France which caused the exile of the nobility, the overthrow of the monarchy, and the execution of the king. At first Pitt did not interfere. In- deed, that minister, whose influence was then su- preme, struggled hard to keep England out of the contest that Avas agitating Europe. Events and public feeling, however, proved too much for his 320 SEA KINGS AND NAVAL HKIiOES. 2:)otent Avill and iuipevial mind; and in 1793, ilic government of England having declined to rec- ognize the embassadors of the French Republic, the Convention declared war. When events hurried England into that con- test destined to continue for nearly a quarter of a century, Jervis was one of the first officers call- ed into active service. After having been sent with a squadron to attack the French West In- dies, he was appointed to the command in the Mediterranean. While cruising about, Jervis had his indignation aroused by the Emperor of Mo- rocco, and sent a threatening message to that po- tentate. "Why, what harm can he do me?" asked the emperor, in amazement. " He can destroy a number of your forts along the coast," was the answer. " Is that all ?" said the emperor. " Tell him I will destroy them for half the money." But Jervis soon had to contend with an adver- sary of more importance. The King of Spain, at the beginning of the Kevolutionary war, had ranked among the enemies of France, and even gained some slight successes on his frontier ; but in 1794, the Kcpublican generals, marching thith- er, and speedily repairing the early reverses sus- tained by the French, penetrated into the Penin- sula, and took possession of St. Sebastian, Fonta- rabia, and a number of other places. Alarmed, EARL ST. VINCENT. 321 the King of Spain signed a peace with France,^ and, soon after doing so, formed an offensive al- liance against England. It was this circumstance which gave Jervis the opportunity of winning that great battle with which his name is insepa- rably associated. It was the 5th of February, 1797, and Don Jo- seph de Cordova, the Spanish admiral, sailing from Carthagena to Cadiz, was informed by an American that the English fleet on the station off St. Vincent consisted only of nine ships. Not doubting the accuracy ot the information, and being at the time in command of twenty-seven ships, besides ten frigates and a brig, Don Joseph could not help deeming the opportunity of secur- ing an easy victory much too favorable to be lost. Instead, therefore, of proceeding to Cadiz with a view of forming a junction with the fleets of France and Holland, he determined upon seeking the enemy, and, owing to the report given by the American, felt so certain of conquering that he al- lowed his ships to remain somewhat dispersed and in disorder. At daybreak on the morning of the 14th of February, however, the English fleet appeared in sight, and when the fog that for some time concealed the number of the ships cleared away, the captain of the Spanish vessel appointed to look out saw that the odds against the English were not quite so large as had been anticipated. Fancving that his first siijnal had 322 SEA KINGS AND NAVAL HEROES. ♦been disregarded, and anxious at such a crisis to rouse liis commander, the Spaniard made anotlier signal to the effect that the EngUsh fleet consisted of forty sail of the line ; and this not only attract- ed attention, but sadly perplexed the Spanish ad- miral, while alarming each of the officers under his command. It would seem that Jervis, when seen by the American, had only nine ships, but that he had subsequently been re-enforced by an arrival from England. It happened, therefore, that when, on the 13th of February, Commodore Nelson, in the " Minerve," reached the station with information that he had seen the Spanish fleet oft' the mouth of the Straits, Jervis had in reality under his command fifteen ships of the line, with four frig- ates, a sloop, and a cutter. No time was lost. It was late in the day when Jervis received the information off St. Vincent, and before sunset ho gave the signal to his ships to prepare for action, and to keep daring the night in close order. Every preparation was made, and next morn- ing, when day dawned, and the fog dispersed, and the fleet of Don Joseph de Cordova came in sight, Jervis, who was on board the " Victory," com- menced operations with his wonted spirit. Ere the Spaniards had sufficiently recovered from the alarm caused by the signal from their look-out ship, or found time to form in regular order of battle. Jorvis, carrying a press of sail, came up EARL ST. VINCENT. 323 with them, passed through their fleet, and then tacking, contrived to cut off nine of their ships from the main body. Astonished at the manoiu- vre Avhich liad separated them from tlieir com- panions, the nine ships attempted to form on tlie larboard tacl<; with tlic object of rejoining tlieir fleet. The effort proved unsuccessful. One of them, indeed, flxvored by the smoke, which so covered her that the intention was not perceived till too late, accomplished her object ; but the others, in endeavoring to pass through the En- glish lines, met witli a reception so wavm that they deemed it prudent to put about, take to flight, and not again to interfere with the action. Having thus dexterously freed himself from eight formidable adversaries, Jervis had still to deal with a force infinitely superior to his own in numbers, and still more in weight of metal. How- ever, he knew that his officers and seamen had every advantage in skill and discipline ; and with little doubt as to the issue of the conflict, he made the signal to his ships to tack in succession. But Nelson, who had shifted his pendant on board the " Captain," and taken his station in the rear of the English line, was not satisfied with the expediency of this order. The movements of the Spaniards filled that hero's mind with sus- picion. "It is clear," he said to himself, "that the enemy are bearing up before the wind with an intention of forming their line, Sfoing large. 324 SEA KINGS AND NAVAL HEROES. and juining their separate ships, or else getting oft' without an engagement ; it is necessary to fnistrate their purposes." Accordingly Nelson, disobeying the signal, ordered the " Captain" to be wore, and this bold manoeuvre at once brought him into action Avith a four-decker called the " Santissima Trinidad," and six other vessels, among which were the " San Nicholas" and the " San Joseph." The position occupied by the " Captain" was of course somewhat perilous ; but the " Culloden," coming up, lent powerful sup- port ; and after the struggle had lasted an hour, the " Blenheim," passing betw^een the combat- ants, gave the English a respite, and poured her fire into the Spaniards. At the same time, two of the Spanish ships, dropping astern, were fired into and forced to strike by Captain Collingwood in the " Excellent," Avho, observing that Nelson Avas in a critical situation, ranged up, and hauling up his mainsail just astern, passed close to the " San Nicholas," gave her a tremendous fire, and then went on to deal witli the "Santissima Trin- idad." By this time the " Captain" had been rendered incapable of farther service. Every sail, every shroud, every rope was gone ; her Avheel Avas shot aAvay, and she had lost her fore-topmast. Nel- son therefore directed the helm to be put a-star- boavd, called for the boarders, pointed to the "San Nicholas," and ordered them to board. EARL ST. VINCENT. 325 This was done; and a marine ha\ ing broken the windoAV of the upper quarter galley, leaped in, followed among others by Nelson, who, disdain- ing all danger, burst open the door of the cabin, puslied on to the poop, hauled down the Spanish ensign, and made the Spanish officers surrender their swords. While tliis was taking place, a fire of small- arms opened from the admiral's stern-galley of the " San Joseph ;" but Nelson, giving orders to board her from the " San Nicholas," led the way Avith the exclamation, " Westminster Abbey or victory!" and soon reached the quarter-deck, where he took possession of the prize, and re- ceived the swords of the Spanish officers. At the same time the " Victory," passing with Jer- vis on board, saluted Nelson with three cheers, and the example was followed by every ship of the fleet. A pause now took place, and the action was discontinued ; but Don Joseph de Cordova felt not yet quite content to yield to his fate. Hav- ing no decided opinion of his own as to the con- dition and prospects of the fleet, he assembled his captains, and asked whether the battle ouglit to be renewed or not. " Let us fight it out," said two of these of- ficers, braver or more desperate tlian their com- rades. "No," said nine, " il is not expedient." 326 SEA KINGS AND NAVAL HEROES. " At any rate," said the others, " it will be well to delay the business." The opinion of the mnjority prevailed ; and the contest being at an end, Jervis received Nelson on the deck of the " Victory," took the hero in his arms, and exclaimed, " I can not sufficiently thank you." Nelson presented to Jervis the sword of the Spanish rear admiral, but Jervis in- sisted on Nelson keeping the weapon which he bad won in a way so heroic. In England the probability of tlie Spanisli ad- miral forming a junction with the French and Dutch fleets had been much dreaded, and the news of the victory off St. Vincent was peculiar- ly welcome. Nor was the nation slow to evince gratitude to the men who had freed England from such a danger. For his distinguished services, Jervis was created a peer with the title of Earl St. Vincent, and for some time after he employed himself in the blockade of Cadiz. But old age was now coming rapidly upon hmi, and his health giving way, he, in the month of August, 1799, re- signed his command, and with the prospect of quietly enjoying repose and his laurels, landed at Portsmouth. But it soon appeared that there was still much life in the old sea king, and in 1800 he took the command of the Channel fleet. At that time, however, he was called upon to serve 'ms country in another sphere. When, in 180C, Addington EARL ST. VIXCENT. 327 became prime minister, Lord St. Vincent accept- ed office as First Lord of the Admiralty. In that position he figured with credit. Being frugal of time and money, and having a most systematic notion of affiiirs, he rectified many abuses, and l)roved an admirable man of business. After the retirement of Addington and the death of Pitt, Lord St. Vincent resumed com- mand of the Channel. But he had now passed the age of threescore and ten, and doubtless felt his energies somewhat decayed since the days when he had defied the Bey of Tunis and threat- ened the Emperor of Morocco. Accordingly, he, in 1807, resigned his command, and passed much of his time in retirement. In the course of his career he had married his cousin Martha, daugh- ter of Chief Baron Parker, and he had acquired an estate named Ilochetts. In this place Lord St. Vincent took great delight, and he had it or- namented in a style that did credit to his taste. In his retirement, he regularly commenced the business of the day with sunrise, and during sum- mer was sometimes in his grounds as early as two o'clock. Lord St. Vincent survived the king whom he had so long served, and the close of the maritime war in which he had enacted so conspicuous a part. He lived to receive from George the Fourth a commission as an admiral of the fleet, and his last public appearance was on board the royal 328 SEA KINGS AND NAVAL HEROES. yacht on the occasion of the king's embarkation for Scotland. Soon after, on the 15th of Marcli, 1823, when nearly ninety years of age, Lord St. Vincent breathed his last at Rochetts, and subse- quently a monument was erected to his memory in St. Paul's Cathedral. LORD DUNCAN. About the time Avhen Prince Charles Edward was making his marvelous escape to France, and when the Jacobite lords were dying on the scaf- fold for the house of Stuart, a stripling of sixteen, tall for his age, and inclining to be handsome, left Dundee, under the auspices of a carrier, to go on board a man-of-war, and push his fortune at sea. He traveled in a somewhat unostentatious style, but not from any lack of pretensions to gen- tility ; for he was cadet of a family that had for centuries ilourislied with respectability at Lun- die, in Perthshire. It was at Dundee, on the 1st of July, 1731, that Adam Duncan drew his first breath, lie was ed- ucated in his native town, and passed his time very much like other boys of his station in life, till he reached the age of sixteen, and dedicated himself to the naval profession. Leaving Dun- dee with the carrier's cart, walking part of the way, riding part, he reached Leith, took his pas- sage in a smack, sailed from Scotland, and, reach- ing London in safety, found his way on board tlio "Shoreham." After serving two years in the "Shoreham," 330 SEA KINGS AND NAVAL HEROES. and growing to tlie heiglit of six feet four inelics, Duncan, at the age of eighteen, removed as mid- shipman into the " Centurion," then fitting out to carry the broad pendant of Commodore Kcp- pcl, who had been appointed to the command of the Mediterranean. This exchange was destined to exercise no inconsiderable influence on Dun- can's career. In the tall young Scot, whose coun- tenance was so mild, and whose manners were so simple, Keppel recognized an embryo hero of ex- traordinary ability and energy; and, during the three years that Duncan remained in the " Cen- turion," he Avon the commodore's friendship by the diligence which he displayed in the discharge of his duties. At length Keppel found an opportunity of ad- vancing Duncan's fortunes. In 1755, when the government of England, alarmed at the encroach- ments of the French in North America, resolved on sending out a strong military force, the com- modore was appointed to convoy the transports. Anxious to reward Duncan's zeal, Kci)pel strong- ly recommended him to the Admiralty ; and, at the opening of 1'756, Duncan was promoted to the rank of lieutenant, and ajipointed to the "Nor- wich," which sailed as one of Keppel's squadron. Fortune proved favorable to Duncan in this ex- pedition. The armament had scarcely reached Virginia, when the promotion of some officers from the "Centurion" mnde room for Duncan; LORD DUNCAN. 331 and, removing to Keppel's sliip, lie had the ad- vaiitage of piirsiinig his career under the eyes of his friend and patron. After the return of Keppel's squadron to En- gland, the commodore removed to the "Torbay," and Duncan accompanied him to that ship. After taking part in an expedition against the French settlements of Goree, on the coast of Africa, dur- ing which he was wounded, and figuring as first lieutenant of the "Torbay," Duncan returned to England, and rose to the rank of post-captain. At this period the Seven Years' War was rag- ing; and Keppel, having been intrusted with the duty of attacking Belleisle, Duncan, appointed to the " Valiant," took part in the enterprise. The operations were crowned Avith triumph, and the whole island fell into the hands of the English. Soon after the capture of Belleisle, an expedi- tion was projected against Havana, and Duncan accompanied that division of the fleet which, un- der Keppel, was appointed to protect the troops while landing. The expedition was attended with complete success ; and Duncan, Avho greatly dis- tinguished himself during the siege, had the hon- or, when the place surrendered, of being sent to take possession of the Spanish ships. In the beginning of 1763, however, the Seven Years' War, so glorious for England, came to a close ; and Duncan, returning home, remained long without employment. While ashore he 332 SEA KINGS AND NAVAL HEROES. married a lady of the fixmily of Dundas, daughter of the President of the Court of Session. But soon after this, the war consequent on tlie league between the French king and the American colo- nists recalled Duncan to his professional duties. It was in 1778 that hostilities commenced be- tween England and both branches of the house of Bourbon ; and Duncan, appointed to the "Mon- arch," was sent as one of the fleet with which Rodney went to the relief of Gibraltar, then be- sieged by the Spaniards. In this expedition Dun- can had an opportunity of exhibiting his ardor and his courage. One day, early in the year 1780, Rodney was informed that fourteen Spanish ships of the line, under Don Juan de Langara, were cruising off Cape St. Vincent. The intelligence was welcome, and Rodney, ordering his fleet to sail abreast, came, about noon on the IGth of January, in sight of the enemy. Unaware at first of Rodney's force, the Spanish admii-al showed no wish to shirk an encounter ; but no sooner did the En- o-lish fleet appear fully in view than the Spaniards began to retreat. Rodney, however, not to be baflled, gave the signal for close chase ; and, or- dering each ship to engage on coming up with the enemy, approached the Spanish fleet about four o'clock with a determination to conquer. It was now that Duncan showed his skill and energy. In spite of the " ^Monarch" being the re- LORD DUNCAN. 333 verse of a swift ship, lie contrived to get into ac- tion before any other of Rodney's fleet, and, in- deed, manifested such ardent eagerness to come up witli the Spaniards, that he was warned of the danger of dashing so hastily into the hostile fleet. "There are three of the enemy immediately ahead of you," was the warning cry. " So I see," answered Duncan ; " and to be among them is precisely Avhat I wish." Ere a few minutes passed, Duncan's aspiration was so far gratified that he found himself within gunshot of three antagonists. The " Monarch" immediately opened fire, and while one of the Spaniards, named the " St. Augustin," ran along- side, the two others, lying within musket range, rendered his situation most dangerous ; but Dun- can, undismayed by the odds against him, calmly maintained his position till the approach of the English fleet freed him from two adversaries, and left the " Monarch" to fight it out with the " St. Augustin." Nor did Duncan find this a matter of very great difiiculty. In fact, the Spaniard soon hauled down her colors ; but, owing to the rigging of the " Monarch" being completely shat- tered, and the wind blowing hard, Duncan found it impossible to take possession of the " St. Au- gustin," and was fain to leave his beaten enemy to be seized as a prize by the ship that next came up astern. Doubtless this was mortifying; but the gallant captain had the ennobling conscious- 331 SEA KINGS AND NAVAL HEROES. ness of having done his duty, and the consolation of having contributed to a great and glorious victory. After having taken so heroic a part in Rod- ney's victory, Duncan returned to England ; and having for some time been attached, in the " Blen- heim," to the Channel fleet under Lord Howe, he was, at the peace of 1783, removed to the "Ed- gar," one of the guard-ships stationed at Ports- mouth. In 1787, liowcver, he became Rear Ad- miral of the Blue; in 1 793, Vice Admiral of the Blue; in 1794, Vice Admiral of the White; and in 1795, Admiral of the Blue. But during that long period all his efforts to obtain employment proved futile ; and, baffled in his wish to serve his country on the sea, he was abandoning dreams of farther distinction, and contemplating a civil appointment connected Avith the navy, when, at the age of sixty-four, he found himself favored with an opportunity which he turned no- bly to account. At the opening of the Revolutionary War, the French Convention reckoned Holland as an ene- my, and a French army invaded the United Provinces. In order to save the Dutch from be- ing conquered, the Duke of York was sent with an army from England to aid them in their strug- gle ; but, after having found his efforts vain, he was obliged to retire, and the French, pursuing their success, overrnn TInllnnd. Imbued Avith LOKD DUNCAN. 335 revolutionary principles, the Dutch patriots sec- onded the efforts of the invaders, and the Stadt- holder having taken refuge in England, they gave the United Provinces the title of the Batavian Republic, and formed a close alliance with France. It now became necessary for the government of England to guard against the maritime power of Holland, and in 1V95, Duncan was summoned from retirement, and appointed to the command of the North Seas. Hoisting his flag on board the " Venerable," the admiral for some time ful- filled his functions without the excitement of a conflict. Indeed, he had to perform duties the reverse of agreeable ; for the state of feeling in the navy Avas such as sevei'ely to try ofiicers in high command, and Duncan had his share of the troubles of the period. In 1797, the mutiny which broke out at Ports- mouth and the Xore speedily made its influence felt in the North Sea fleet. Duncan, as might have been expected, showed himself equal to the crisis, and by firmness and sagacity contrived for a time to keep down discontent. But the spirit of insubordination was too strong to be long sup- pressed ; and one day, Avhen the admiral, about to sail from Yarmouth Roads, made a signal for a frigate called the " Trent" to get under way, he found that he was not obeyed. Duncan was doubtless mortified, but he acted with characteristic couracre and decision. Issu- 336 SEA KINGS AND NAVAL HEROES. ing orders without delay that all the men of the "Venerable" should assemble on the quarter- deck, he presented himself before them with that tall stature, that athletic and finely-formed per- son, and that countenance Avhieh expressed such frankness of heart and such benevolence of mind. " It is my intention," said Duncan, after in- forming them of the insubordination of the crew of the "Trent," and expressing his indignation at their conduct, "it is my intention to-morrow morning to go alongside the frigate and compel the men to return to their duty. And," asked the admiral, in conclusion, " who is there, who, on such an occasion, would desert me ?" " None !" was the answer that rose loud and high from the quarter-deck. But the danger was not overpast. The crew of the "Trent," indeed, warned by the spirit dis- played on board the "Venerable," promptly re- turned to a sense of their duty. But in May, a few months after the victory off St. Vincent, Avhen Duncan was about to leave Yarmouth for the Texel, two ships of his fleet positively refused to put to sea; and their example was too readily followed. In fact, the admiral found that of all the ships of his fleet, only the " Venerable" and the " Adamant" recognized his authority. Nor was this the worst. In a short time it ap- peared that even the "Venerable" had been in- fected with the spirit of mutiny ; and Duncan LuKD DUNCAN. 337 fourd, to his horror, that a plot had been formed for carrying the ship to Enghvud. On being in- formed of this, the admiral instantly ordered all hands on deck ; and after addressing them on the folly of being disloyal, told six men, whom he knew to be the ringleaders, to stand forward. " My lads," said the admiral, " I am not the least apprehensive of any violent measures you may have in contemplation ; and though 1 assure you I would rather have your love than your ha- tred, I will shoot with my own hand the first man who displays a symptom of rebellious conduct." " Tush !" muttered one of the ringleaders. " What, sir," exclaimed Duncan, turning sud- denly and fixing his eye upon the mutineer, " do you really want to take the command of the ship out of my hands ?" " Yes, sir," replied the man, boldly. Exasperated at the mutineer's audacity, Dun- can drew his sword, and, raising the weapon, was about to slay the man where he stood. Luckily, liowever, the chaplain interposed, arrested the admiral's arm, and prevented the blow being struck. Recovering his presence of mind, Dun- can, in a voice still agitated, appealed to the crew. " Hearken !" he said. " Let those who will stand by me and my ofticers pass over to star- board, that I may see who are my friends and who are my enemies." " Yes," cried the crew, Avith a loud voice ; and Y 338 SEA KINGS AND NAVAL HEROES. every man, except the six ringleaders, rushed to the starboard side. Inexpressibly relieved, Duncan sheathed his sword, and ordered the cul})rits to be seized, put in irons, and confined in the gun-i-oom. These orders were promptly executed ; and the ring- leaders, having time to repent of their folly, ex- pressed such remorse that they were one by one liberated. While Duncan was contending with desertion and mutiny, the Dutch fleet, consisting of fifteen ships of the line, six frigates, and five sloops, was ready for action, under the command of Admiral De Winter, a man of high courage, great ability, and of a stature which almost equaled that of Duncan. Moreover, Avhen, Avith his two ships, Duncan appeared in the Texel, the wind Avas fa- vorable for De Winter putting to sea ; but, by a variety of signals, as if to ships in the offing, Dun- can managed to convey the impression that he was in command of a force superior to that of the Dutch ; and De Winter, completely deceived, re- frained from coming out. Availing himself of the success of liis strata- gem, and of the channel through which the Dutch fleet had to pass only admitting one vessel at a time, Duncan brought the " Venerable" and the "Adamant" to anchor at the entrance. While in this position, he had the satisfaction of seeing ship after ship of his fleet appear, and of being LOUD DUNCAN. 339 joined by so many lliat lie no longer looked for- ward to an engagement as an affair to be avoided. But Duncan soon found that De Winter Avas in no hurry to put to sea, and week after Aveek the English lay off the Texel, in vain awaiting the foe. De Winter still tarried ; and Duncan, at length compelled to go into port to retit and revictual, determined to return to Yarmouth. Before doing so, however, he sent orders to have every thing in readiness, that he might lose no time in returning to his station. No sooner did Do Winter hear of Duncan hav- ing sailed, than he resolved to make a movement. Going on board the " Vryheid," therefore, he put to sen, but rather to gratify the vanity of his countrymen than with any idea of emulating the exploits of Van Tromp. Indeed, De Winter knew too well the prowess of the enemy to feel any eagerness for a battle ; and he hoped that the same breeze which brought the English fleet from Yarmouth would waft that of Holland back to port. De Winter found, ere long, that he had not sufficiently estimated the prescience and activity of the adversary with whom he was contending. At the earliest possible moment, Duncan liad in- telligence of De Winter having come out of port, and within eight days of his arrival at Yarmouth the old admiral was at sea. With every sail set, and every faculty in full exercise, he went tilting 340 SEA KINGS AND NAVAL HEROES. over the water to resume his post, and found his exertions rewarded when, one morning, a little after sunrise, the headmost ship of his fleet made a signal that the enemy was in sight. It was the 11th of October, 1V97, when, about nine o'clock, the Dutch fleet became visible to leeward. Duncan stood toward them, and by midday came in sight of the land between the vil~ lages of Camperdown and Egmont. De Winter was gradually making toward his own shores, and it Avas apparent that, in the event of the Dutch ships getting within a certain distance of their own coast, there Avould be no possibility of following them with any prospect of advantage. Duncan, however, was determined that De Winter should not escape without an engage- ment, and about twelve an order was given " to pass through the enemy's line and engage them to leeward ;" soon after, the signal for close ac- tion was made, and kept flying on board the " Venerable." All was now excitement ; and at half past twelve, Avhile the weather Avas variable and rain fell in showers, the action was begun by the " Monarch," which broke the line of the Dutch, and passed under the stern of their vice admiral. When afl*airs reached this stage, Duncan press- ed eagerly on to engage De Winter, and there was every prospect of the " Venerable" coming to close quarters with the " Vryheid." But an I LORD DUNCAN. 341 obslacle presented itself in the shape of the "States-General," a Dutch ship of seventy-six guns. The "Venerable," however, put helm to port, ran under the Dutchman's stern, engaged him close, and, compelling him forcibly to get out of line, fell alongside the " Vryheid." The two admirals now engaged in close con- flict, and Avhile the action became general around them, a desperate struggle took place between the " Venerable" and the " Vryheid." De Win- ter, who was well supported, kept up a heavy fire, Avhilc Duncan was gallantly aided by the "Ar- dent," by the "Triumph," and by the "Power- ful," which, having taken her antagonist, ran up and rendered the admiral eflectual assistance when surrounded and struggling Avith enemies. Meanwhile the starboard broadside of the " Ven- erable" Avas doing fearful execution among the rigging of her chief adversary ; and, iinally, De Winter, no longer deluding himself with the hope of fighting with advantage, struck his colors and surrendered. It was nearly three o'clock when the Aveather cleared, and the aspect of aflairs Avas gratifying to the British admiral. By that time, nine of the enemy's ships and two of their frigates had struck ; and about four, De Winter, conducted by the captain of the " Circe," came on board the " Venerable," and stared to find that his conquer- or was a still taller man than himself 342 SEA KINGS AND NAVAL HEROES. "Ha!" exclaimed the Dutch admiral, in sur- prise, "Yes, upon ray soul, sir," said Duncan, inter- preting his prisoner's look and exclamation, " I do wonder how you and I have escaped the balls in this hot battle!" In the conflict at Camperdown, the " Venera- ble" was so much injured that she Avas with dif- ficulty brought into port. Duncan therefore shifted his flag into the "Kent," a ship newly launched, and continued in command of the North squadron. But meanwhile the news of the victory caused London to be lighted up ; his ])raise Avas on every tongue ; he was eagerly voted the thanks of Parliament and the freedom of the city, with a sword valued at two hundred pears to have been, Avhen a month old, baptized at St. Nicholas's church in that town. But noth- 392 SEA KINGS AND NAVAL HEROES. ing that occurred to liini during his childhood has been deemed worthy of record. After being carried about the quays and streets of his native town, taught to run about the margin of the Tyne, and taken on tine afternoons to buy short- cake at the neighboring village of Chester-le- Street, he was sent to be educated at the gram- mar-school, and placed at that time-honored sem- inary with other boys of his age, among whom were the two Scotts, sons of a coal-fitter, and des- tined to be celebrated in after years as Lord Stowell and Lord Eldon. Fortunately, when Collingwood took his seat on the benches of the granmaar-school of New- castle, that institution, which a few years earlier had been well-nigh deserted, was flourishing un- der the auspices of the Rev. Hugh Moises, Avho exercised his functions with great dignity, ap- peared every morning in a gown which remind- ed his pupils that he had taken a degree at Cam- bridge, conducted the business of the school with sio'nal vigor and success, instilled into the minds of the boys during the week Avholesome ideas of reverence and obedience, taught them to fear God and honor the king, and on Sunday marched them to church in a body under his own eye. Moises, it seems, was a teacher of the old stamp, who never spared the rod Avhen punishment was likely to do good ; but he was inclined to treat his scholars with kindness, and disinclined to LORD COLLINGWOOD. 393 withhold praise Avhen praise Avas likely to en- courage exertion. Such was the training under which were cherished in Collingwood's heart the sentiments of chivalry and piety wliich he inher- ited from his ancestors, and whicli, during a long and arduous career, he exhibited to his contem- poraries. But the scholars of Moises were not those "de- mure hoys," who, as Falstaif hath it, never come to any proof. Many anecdotes have been related which vindicate them from any such charge as being deficient in the spirit of* mischief They engaged in frays witli boys belonging to the oth- er schools, mobbed old ladies in the street, rode during play -hours on the tomb-stones in St. John's church-yard, and even on one occasion, according to Lord Eldon, went the length of plundering an orchard. Whether Collingwood Avas the rival of the embryo chancellor in those pranks does not appear; but it is certain that, Hke the legal sage, he profited by the tuition of Moises, and that he left the seminary with a considerable knowledge of Latin, and with the faculty of writ- ing English with correctness and propriety. At an early age Collingwood was dedicated to that profession of which he became so useful a member and so bright an ornament. A naval of- ficer named Braithwaite, who had married Col- lingwood's aunt, was then in command of the "Shannon," and the young Northumbrian was 394 SEA KINGS AND NAVAL HEROES. got ready to go to sea under his kinsman's pro- tection. Accordingly, liis chest having been packed, and his motlier having placed therein a phun-cake as a token of maternal affection, he took leave of his friends, and, when scarcely more than eleven years of age, left home to " rough it out at sea." No sooner was Collingwood on board the " Shannon," and surrounded by unfamiliar faces, than he was overcome by a sense of solitude. During his first days at sea he experienced the utmost sadness, and sat on deck, his eyes filled with tears, which flowed the faster as he looked at the shore, and thought of the friends he had left. But the first lieutenant, perceiving that the comely little sailor was downcast, and perhaps remembering his own feelings under similar cir- cumstances, considered that a few words of com- fort would not be wasted. Approaching, there- fore, he laid his hand on CoUingwood's shoulder, and addressed him in a tone of kindness. " Cheer up, youngster," he said ; " this is all, no doubt, very strange to you ; but keep a good heart, and you'll soon get used to it." Looking up through his tears, and seeing sym- pathy in the speaker's face, Collingwood felt par- ticularly grateful. Indeed, he led the first lieu- tenant to his chest, and gratefully presented the oflicer Avith a large piece of the plum-cake which his mother had given him when parting. LORD COLLINGWOOD. 395 For one so young as Collingwood was when lie went on board the " Shannon," tlie Hfe on which he had entered was doubtless harsh ; but, experiencing much kindness from Captain Braith- waite, he soon got over his feeling of loneliness, and afterward acknowledged the obligations which, as concerned professional knowledge, he owed to his gallant kinsman. Meanwhile his own sagacity and energy stood him in good stead, and he was far from trusting to the aid or inspiration of others in his brave struggle for fame and for- tune. In the ordinary course of events, Collingwood parted with his friend. Captain Braithwaite, and sailed for some time under another officer. Be- tween these two services the young Northum- brian passed thirteen long years of his life with- out promotion. But, cheerless as might have been the circumstances, and distant as might have been the prospect of brighter days, he turned his time to good account, and arduously prepared to avail himself of the chances in store. While working diligently, he studied earnestly. Not only did he peruse books on naval affairs, but he devoted much time to historical works, and made a point of never neglecting the cultivation of his intellect. He strongly recommended to others the steadiness and self-culture which he j^racticed. " A man," he said, " should, before arriving at his twenty-fifth year, establish for himself a character 39G SEA KINGS AND NAVAL HEROES. and reputation of sucli n kind as lie would liave no cause to be ashamed of in after life." At length, when Collingwood had reached the ao-e of twenty-five, Fortune, which had previous- ly been so coy, condescended to favor him with a chance. In 1774, when the War of Indepen- dence was commencing in America, and when the soldiers of England and the exasperated colonists were about to cross bayonets, Collingwood sailed in the "Preston" under Vice Admiral Graves, landed at an oj^portune period at Boston, and took part in the battle fought in June, 1775, at Bunker's Hill. On that occasion Collingwood commanded a party of seamen sent to assist the troops. The Americans, exhibiting high cour- ao-e, convinced their adversaries that they were no contemptible foes. Victory, however, i-emain- ed with the English ; and Collingwood, promoted for his exertions on the field to the rank of lieu- tenant, joined the "Somerset" in that capacity. Collingwood returned with Admiral Graves to England. But his stay was brief Appointed to the " Hornet," he sailed in that sloop to Ja- maica, and on the West India station formed nn intimate friendship with Nelson, which lasted to the day of Trafalgar. At the same time. Sir Hyde Parker, ' commander- in - chief, recognized both as officers of remarkable promise, and did his best to advance their fortunes ; and so man- aged that whenever Nelson got a step, Colling- LORD COLLIN GWOOD. 397 wood came in for a share of promotion. When Nelson was removed into the " Bristol" flag-ship, Collingwood succeeded Nelson in the " Lowe- stoffe ;" when Nelson became commander of the " Badger," Collingwood succeeded Nelson in the " Bristol ;" when Nelson Avas transferred to the " Hinchenbrook," Collingwood was appointed commander of the "Badger;" and when, during the siege of San Juan, Nelson was nominated to the " Janus," Collingwood, as post-captain, took command of the " Hinchenbrook." But, notwithstanding these frequent promo- tions, the position of Collingwood was at this pe- riod the reverse of enviable. The climate at St. Juan proved most fatal to the English. Of eight- een hundred men sent upon the expedition, not four hundred returned. The " Hinchenbrook's" complement consisted of nearly two hundred men. Eighty-seven took to their beds in one night ; and of the whole crew, not more than a score survived. "My constitution," says Col- lingwood, " resisted many attacks, and I survived most of my shijVs company, having buried in four months a hundred and eighty out of the two hundred who composed it." After escaping from the pestilential climate of San Juan, Collingwood Avas appointed to the " Pelican." In this vessel he fell in with a French ship, which had seized a richly-laden merchant- man belonging to the port of Glasgow. Making 398 SEA KINGS AND NAVAL HEROES. an attack, he captured the Frenchman and lib- erated the prize. But his connection with the " Pelican" was not destined to have a lucky ter- mination. On the 1st of August, 1786, the frig- ate was driven by a tremendous gale on the rocks of the Morant Keys. " The next day," says Col- lingwood, "the ship's company Avith great diffi- culty got ashore on rafts made of the small and broken yards, and upon these sandy islands, with little food, we remained ten days, until a boat went to Jamaica, and the ' Diamond' frigate came and took us off." After the Avreck of the " Pelicau," Collingwood, gradually rising in his profession, was appointed to the command of the " Samson," a ship of sixty- four guns. But in this position he had no oppor- tunity of distinguishing himself. At the peace declared in 1793 the " Samson" was paid off, and Collingwood Avas dispatched in the " Mediator" to the "West Indies. By this time the Americans, headed by Gen- eral Washington and aided by the French, had been so successful in their struggle with England that George the Third had been reluctantly com- pelled to acknowledge their independence. On that point there was now no dispute; but the Americans, having severed their connection with England, were still nnich disinclined to abandon the privileges which they had enjoyed as sub- jects of England's king, and, taking advantage of LORD COLLINGWOOD. 399 the ships' registers they had obtained in other days, they attempted to trade as before with the West India Islands which belonged to the En- glish crown. Nelson, who was then in the " Bo- reas," perceiving the illegality of such commerce, expressed strong objections, and Collingwood perfectly agreed Avith his okl friend. Accordingly, Nelson, accompanied by Colling- wood, went to the connnander on the station, and represented the necessity of enforcing the pro- visions of the Navigation Act. No encom-age- ment, however, did that functionary afford to the daring captain of the " Boreas." Nevertheless, Nelson held resolutely to his purpose ; and Col- lingwood, in the " Mediator," Avith his brother Winifred, Avho commanded the " Rattler," lent all the aid in their power. The steps taken by Nelson, and the energy shown by the Colling- Avoods, proved successful ; and the Treasury trans- mitted thanks to the commander-in-chief for his zeal in protecting English commerce. " Had they known all," said Nelson, "I do not think they Avould have bestoAved thanks in that quar- ter and neglected me." In 1786 CoUingAvood left the West Indies and returned to England. It Avas the year of the cel- ebrated treaty of commerce betAveen England and France; and perhaps, Avith half tlie country indulging in dreams of perpetual peace, Colling- Avood thought his occupation gone. However, 400 SEA KINGS AND NAVAL HEROFS. lie climbed to the top of the coach, turned his face northward, and consoled himself Avith the prospect of making the acquaintance of his rela- tives, of whom he had hitherto seen very little. At this period CoUingwood was in his thirty- sixth year, and Avas a man of Avhom his friends might well be proud. He was of middle stature, with a slender but Avell-formed person, a saga- cious countenance, and a full, dark eye, that shone Avith resolution and beamed Avith intelligence. His manner and his heart Avere equally admira- ble : his heart was one of the kindest that ever beat in a human bosom; and his manner Avas characterized by an antique kind of politeness, which Avas gradually disappearing from society. Imagine such a man Avith excellent conversation- al powers, lively Avit, and a propensity to speak- ing on most subjects Avith interest, and not with- out a smack of that Danish burr Avhich the Nor- thumbrians have inherited from their northern an- cestry, and you will have some idea of what Col- lingwood Avas Avhen, after a long absence, he re- turned to the banks of the Tyne, leaped from the coach, and stood in the streets of his native tOAvn. After reaching Northumberland, CollingAvood appears to have spent four years in quiet and peace. At the end of that time, hoAvever, dis- putes Avith Spain led to an idea that Avar AA^as in- evitable ; and CoUingwood, nominated to the command of the " INIcrmaid," hastened at the call LORD COLLINGWOOD. 401 of duty to his post. But the dispute was speed- ily accommodated ; and the " Mermaid" having been paid oif, the gallant captain again made for his native north. In fact, Collingwood liad now a more powerful motive in croino; to Northumberland than even the desire of making the acquaintance of his kin- dred. During his four years' residence he had become attached to a lady of that great province named Blackett ; and being now turned of forty, an age at which, according to the poet, there is no dallying with life, he probably considered that he had little time to lose. At all events, he re- solved without delay to venture on matrimony; and at Newcastle, one day in the month of June, 1791, received the hand of his bride in St. Nich- olas's Church. His marriage solemnized, Collingwood took up his residence at Morpeth, an ancient and interest- ing town, with an old church dedicated to St. Mary, and a castle which calls to memory the feudal grandeur of the Merleys, as the doorway of the conventual church at Newminster reminds visitors of the magnificent abbey which long com- memorated their piety. In his retreat at Mor- peth, wliere he had a garden situated on the banks of the beautiful Wansbeck, Collingwood appears to have spent three happy years ; and with two daughters, who soon appeared to claim his pater- nal affection, he looked forward to a long sea- C r 402 SEA KINGS AND NAVAL HEROES. son of domestic enjoyment. But he was disap- pointed. When, in 1793, war was declared with France, ColUngwood was appointed to the " Prince," the flag-ship of Admiral Bowyer. As the Northum- brian captain hated the French, and beUeved that every Englishman was in duty bound to consider every Frenchman as an enemy, he had no scru- ples about the contest in which he was going to take part on that element where he was destined to spend so many years, and to acquire so great a name. Ere long, howevei*. Admiral Bowyer shifted his flag, and Collingwood, removing with tlie admiral to the " Barfleur," was on boai'd that vessel when she formed part of the fleet with Avhich Lord Howe encountered the French oflT Ushant. It was Sunday, the 1st of June, 1794, and the French having appeared in sight, the English fleet drew up and dressed ranks. About eight o'clock the signal for action was given. Every vessel then bore down upon her adversary. About ten o'clock Lord Howe began the battle, but Admiral Bowyer and Collingwood, who, be- fore firing a gun, had to go through the fire of three of the enemy, in one of which was the French admiral, were somewhat later in getting into action. " Warm work," remarked Bowyer, as they re- ceived the Frenchman's broadsides. LORD COLLINGWOOD. 403 " And at home, about this time, the church hells will be ringing, and our wives will be going to church^" said Collingwood, as his tlioughts strayed to the abode of his family, to the Wans- beck flouring through a succession of fertile val- leys, and to the green woodlands and the blue mountains of Northumberland. " But," he add- ed, turning from the scene conjured up by liis I'ancy, "I think the ringing of the church bells ■will not be quite so loud as the peal we are going to ring about the Frenchman's ears." At length the "Barfleur" opened fire, and in the battle that ensued Collingwood bore himself with singular gallantry. Nevertheless, when the victory was won, liis services were not acknowl- edged by Lord Howe ; and when medals w^ere distributed, he Avas imaccountably passed over. This circumstance caused much surprise in the fleet; and the officers who had fought by Col- lingwood's side, and witnessed his exertions, ex- pressed their amazement. " Collingwood without a medal !" they ex- claimed. " I'm sure," said Captain Pakenham, of the; "Invincible," "if Collingwood has not deserved a medal, neither have I, for we were together the whole day." Collingwood could not, of course, overlook this injustice. But he had too much pride and too much sense of propriety to waste words on the 404 SEA KINGS AND NAVAL HEROES. subject. A man of real merit can afford to bide his time mider such circumstances ; and Colling- wood, no doubt, felt certain that ere iilany years passed over an opportunity of obtaining redress Mould occur. Meanwhile he was removed from the "Barfleur," appointed to the "Excellent," and sent to join Sir John Jervis, Avho had taken the command of the Mediterranean. Nelson, who had previously joined the fleet, hailed the arrival of his old friend with a shout of joy. " Here," lie exclaimed, " comes the ' Excellent,' and she is as good as two added to our number." At the battle ofll:' Cape St. Vincent, where Jer- vis Avon his earldom, Collingwood gained high honor. "When Nelson, in the " Captain," was maintaining a desperate contest with several of the Spaniards, and when the " Salvador del Mun- do" and the " San Isidro," two of the " Captain's" adversaries, dropped astern, Collingwood fired into them in masterly style. The " San Isidro" struck, and some thought the " Salvador" struck also. " But Collingwood," says Nelson, " dis- daining the parade of taking ])ossession of beaten enemies, most gallantly pushed up with every sail set to save liis old friend and messmate, who was to all appearance in a critical situation." After the victory off Cape St. Vincent, Sir John Jervis, in Avriting to the First Lord of the Admi- ralty, mentioned Collingwood in terms of praise ; and he soon after announced that the captain of LORD COLLINGWOOD. 405 the " Excellent" was to receive one of the med- als distributed to commemorate the event. The time thus came when Collingwood could, without loss of dignity, speak of the injustice done him by Lord Howe, and he expressed his sentiments with characteristic firmness of tone. " I must decline to receive this mark of dis- tinction," he said, as his eye flashed with pride and his heart swelled with emotion ; " I must de- cline to receive this medal Avhilc the former one is Avithheld." "Such is your answer:'" asked Lord St. Vin- cent. "Yes," replied Collingwood; "I feel that I was improperly passed over ; and to receive such a distinction in this case Avonld be to acknowl- edge the propriety of that injustice." "That," said Lord St. Vincent, with admira- tion, "is precisely the answer I expected from you, Captain Collingwood." After this conversation Collingwood had the jxratification of receivinir two medals from the Admiralty, and with them an apology for the for- mer one having been kept back. But man at his best estate can not readily forget what appears a deliberate injury, and it may be doubted whether the high-spirited Northumbrian, with all his good- ness of heart, ever mentioned the name of Rich- ard Lord Howe, or " Black Dick," as that distin- guished personage was called by the sailors, with- out a feeling of antipathy. 406 SEA KINGS AND NAVAL HEROES. But the reputation of Collingwood as a naval officer did not rest entirely on his exploits on the 1st of June, 1*794, and the 14th of February, 1797. The influence he exercised over men under his command was too remarkable not to attract no- tice. His nature, indeed, rendered him averse to severity and opposed to harsh measures, but he had a way of his own of governing men, and never failed in enforcing discipline. According- ly, when the spirit of mutiny, displayed at Ports- mouth and the Nore, agitated the navy, and ex- cited men to insubordination, his talent for main- taining order Avas highly appreciated. " What in the world is to be done with these men ?" officers would say to Lord St. Vincent. "Send them to the ' Excellent,' " Lord St. Vin- cent would answer ; " Collingwood will soor bring them to order." It thus happened that when men proved un manageable they were drafted into the "Excel- lent ;" and such was Collingwood's kindness, so evident his anxiety for their liealth and welfare, and so scrupulous his old-fasbioned politeness, that even the most refractoiy mutineers became in his hands model seamen. Having remained in the " Excellent" till Janu- ary, 1799, when that ship was paid off, Colling- wood was in February promoted to the rank of Rear Admiral of the White, and ordered to hoist his flag on board the " Triumph," and join the LORD COLLINGWOOD. 407 Channel fleet under Lord Bridport, one of the Hoods. However, he was soon after dispatched with a re-enforcement of twelve sail of the line to Lord Keith in the Meditei-ranean, where the chief naval force of France and Spain then lay. In June, 1800, he removed to his old ship the "Bar- fleur," and having, about the opening of 1801, been advanced to the rank of Rear Admiral of the Red, he remained at sea till relieved from duty by the peace of Amiens. It was late in March, 1802, when the treaty was signed, and in May Collingwood found his Avay to Mori^eth. Having passed his fiftieth year, he doubtless sighed for rest from his labors, and he appears to have much relished the repose he had so well earned. He was fond of company, and among his friends he could talk admirably and well. He read, wrote to improve his style, su- perintended the education of his daughters, in- dulged his fancy for drawing, walked about the pleasant paths that curve along the margin of the Wansbeck, and spent much time in gardening, which, like Lord Bacon, he seems to have consid- ered " the purest of pleasures." One day, at this period, a naval officer came to visit Collingwood. Learning that tlie admiral was about his grounds, the visitor went to look for him. After searching some time without see- ing any body, however, he manifested symptoms of impatience. 408 SEA KINGS AND NAVAL HEROES. " Where the deuce," he exclniraecl, " can the admiral be ?" " Here," cried a well-known voice. The naval officer, guided by the sound, renew- ed his search, and soon discovered Collingwood. In fact, the hero of a hundred fights, and the pa- trician of twenty descents, was busily engaged, with an old gardener named Scott, digging at the bottom of a trench. This kind of life, however, was abruptly termi- nated. In May, 1803, the peace with France came to an end, and Collingwood, summoned once more from his tranquil and happy retreat, went forth to guard the coasts of England from the foe, who was earnestly planning her destruc- tion. Domestic quiet, social enjoyment, health, life itself, were not in the eyes of a hero, with Plantagenet blood in his veins, to be compared with the duty of preserving the shores and inde- pendence of England, and he left, without a mur- mur, the home where were those he held most dear. Having been appointed to the "Venera- ble," he sailed to rejoin the squadron under Corn- wallis, off Brest. " Here is the ' Venerable,' " Avas the cry. "Yes," said Cornwallis, gladly; "here comes Collingwood, the last to leave, and the first to re- join us." Month after month Collingwood devoted him- self to the blockade, shifting his flag from ship to I coi.UNGWODi) IM i:i;Tntr.Mi;NT. LORD COLLINGWOOD. 411 ship, SO as never to leave the harbor even for victualing or repairs. " I am lying off the en- trance of the Brest harbor," he wrote, " to watch the motions of the French fleet. Our informa- tion respecting them is very vague, but we know that they have four or five-and-twenty great ships, Avhich makes it necessary to be alert, and keep our eyes open at all times. I therefore bid adieu to snug beds and comfortable naps at night, never lying down but in my clothes." The duty of blockading an enemy's port was not one which Collingwood relished, ^ut grand and stormy scenes were at hand. In the begin- ning of 1805, the Toulon fleet, under the com- mand of Villeneuve, ventured out of port. Nel- son then went off in pursuit, and Collingwood, who had in the previous year become Vice Ad- miral of the Red, was detached with a squadron, and took his station oft' Cadiz. In this position his talent as a naval tactician was conspicuous. Left with four ships of the line, he made his dis- jDositions with such skill as to delude the enemy into a belief that he was at the head of a formi- dable force, and that the sliips visible from the harbor were merely a small part of his fleet. When Villeneuve, after having been chased by Nelson "from hemis])hcre to hemispliere," ap- peared with the combined fleets of France and Spain, Collingwood found it necessary to retire ; but in the autumn he resumed his post in the 412 SEA KINGS AND NAVAL HEROES. " Dreadnought," and continued to watch the foe with the utmost vigihince, sometimes passing the night on deck, seated on a gun. At the close of September, however, Nelson came to perform his threat of " giving M. Yille- neuve a drubbing," and "teaching Bonaparte to respect the British navy ;" and on the 9th of Oc- tober, 1805, Colling wood received what was call- ed "the Nelson touch." "I send you my plan of attack," wrote Nelson, " as far as a man dare venture to guess at the very uncertain position the enemy may be found in ; but it is to place you j^erfectly at ease respecting my intentions, and to give full scope to your judgment for car- rying them into effect. We can, my dear Coll., have no little jealousies. We have only one great object in view, that of annihilating our enemies, and getting a glorious peace for our country. No man has more confidence in another than I have in you, and no man will render your services more justice than your very old friend, Nelson and Bronte." Expectation now sat on every face ; and when, without much delay, Villeneuve came out of Ca- diz, Collingwood, who meanwhile had shifted his flag from the " Dreadnought" to the " Royal Sovereign," hastened on board the " Victory" to hold a last conference. " Coll.," asked Nelson, " where is your cap- tain ?" LORD COLLIN GWOOD. 413 " The feet is," answered Collingwood, " we are not on good terras with each other," " Terms !" exclaimed Nelson ; " not on good terms with each other ! I'll soon arrange that." Accordingly, a boat was dispatched to the "Royal Sovereign," and Captain Kotherhara was brought on board the " Victory." As soon as Rotherham came on deck. Nelson led him to Collingwood. " Look," said Nelson, " yonder is the ene- my." " Yes," said they. " Well," he added, " shake hands like English- men." Matters having been arranged and plans dis- cussed, Collingwood and Nelson parted ; and on that memorable morning, when the hero of the Nile and of Copenhagen came on the deck of the "Victory" decorated Avith stars, and prepared for glory and death, Collingwood, more calmly, but not less courageously than his illustrious compeer, prepared to take his part in the impend- ing conflict. Generally, he gave little attention indeed to his dress, which even on state occasions consisted of a small cocked-hat, a square-cut blue coat with tarnished epaulettes, blue waistcoat and small-clothes, and boots guiltless of blacking. But he perhaps felt that the day of Trafalgar was to be the most important day of his life, and he arrayed himself with extraordinary care. 414 SHA KINGS AND NAVAL HEROES. " Clavel," he said, meeting liis favorite officer as he left the cabin, " are you ready ?" " Quite ready, sir," answered the heutenant, doubtless somewhat surprised at the admiral's attire, "■ But," said CoUingwood, " you had better pull off your boots, and put on silk stockings, as I've done ; for, if we should get a shot in the leg, the stocking would be so much more manageable for the surgeon." Having given this prudent advice, CoUingwood went among the seamen and officers, and enjoin- ed them, with a dignity worthy of the first great Edward or the " stout Earl of Warwick, to per- form their duty as Englishmen and freemen, and to do something tliat would be talked of in time to come. Having thus encouraged the compan- ions of his peril, he awaited the moment which was to bring him into action against his coun- try's foes. As the hour of battle approached, the fleet, as had been arranged, advanced in two lines. Nelson leading one, and CoUingwood the other ; and the ships, crowding all sail, moved gallantly forward, with a light Avind from the southwest. The sun shone on the sails of the French and Spaniards, and so formidable appeared the armament that it would have daunted meaner adversaries. But the English sailors, confident in the genius of their chiefs and the justice of their cause, when LORD COLLINGWOOD. 415 looking? upon the liostile fleet only thought of the beauty of the ships, and loudly expressed their admiration. "What a fine sight!" cried some. "Yes," said others. "What a sight yonder ships would make at Spithead !" Meanwhile Collingwood, leading the lee line in the " Royal Sovereign," steered right for the cen- tre of the enemy's line, and cut through it astern of a Spanish three-decker named the "Santa Anna." "See," cried Nelson at that moment, as he stood on the deck of the " Victory," " see how that noble fellow Collingwood takes his ship into action !" " Rotherham," said Collingwood, delighted at being in the heat of the fire, and at no loss to imagine the feelings of his friend at such a mo- ment, "what would Nelson give to be here?" But this was no time for prolonged specula- tions as to the feelings of others. The " Royal Sovereign," having engaged the " Santa Anna" at the muzzle of her guns on the starboard side, poured a broadside and a half into her stern. The two ships were soon so close that their low- er guns were locked together. Nor was it with a single antagonist that Collingwood had to con- tend, A second vessel was placed on the " Roy- al Sovereign's" lee quarter ; three others bore down upon her bow ; and thus she was at once 41G SEA KINGS AND NAVAL HEROES. engaged in deadly strife with five of the enemy. But the " Royal Sovereign" held her own, and dealt destruction about her in a way that caused astonishment among her assailants. At length, after a severe struggle, the " Royal Sovereign" compelled the " Santa Anna" to strike, and the Spanish captain, coming on board, sur- rendered his sword and seated himself on one of the guns. "What is the name of this ship?" he asked in broken English. " Royal Sovereign," was the answer. " Royal Sovereign !" he exclaimed, patting the gun with his hand ; " I think she should rather be called ' Royal Devil.' " When Xelson fell, a messenger Avas sent to CoUingwood with intelligence that the admiral was wounded, but not dangerously. CoUing- wood, however, suspected that the case was more serious than the message intimated, and, ere long, he found his saddest forebodings realized. About the close of the action, Captain Hardy presented himself on the deck of the "Royal Sovereign," and announced to CoUingwood that Nelson w:is no more. The brilliancy of the triumph achieved by the English at Trafalgar was in some degree dimin- ished by the fall of the conqueror. Nevertheless, it was almost as complete a victory as could have been wished, and one of the most glorious in the LORD COLLINGWOOD. 417 annals of maritime warfare; and CoUingwood, on whom devolved the command of the fleet, ap- pointed the following day for a general thanks- giving to Almighty God. "It Avas well," said George the Third, when Collingwood's dispatches reached England, " that the command devolved on an ofticer of Admiral Collingwood's sense and experience. I was sur- prised," remarked the old king, " how a naval of- ficer could write so excellent a dispatch. But I find he was educated by Moises." "I know not where Admiral CoUingwood got his style," said an eminent diplomatist, " but he writes better than any of us." For his share in the victory of Trafalgar Col- lingwood did not go unrewarded. The king cre- ated him a peer of the realm ; Parliament voted him thanks and a pension ; and many of the chief cities in the kingdom marked their appreciation of his career by granting him their freedom. But leisure, for which he sighed, was what neither Parliament nor his country could grant. True it Avas that the English fleet had so thoroughly done its Avork at Trafalgar that the navy of En- gland's enemies had vanished from the seas, and the maritime Avar was virtually at an end. But the post Avhich CoUingwood occupied Avas still highly responsible, and to none could it be in- trusted save to the man Avho had shared Nelson's glory. Besides commanding the fleet, Colling- D n ^ 418 SEA KINGS AND NAVAL HEROES. wood had the duty of condiicthig the political re- lations of England with the countries bordering on the Mediterranean ; and, his political penetration being keen, he was jjeculiarly fitted for the post. At sea — Avith the soul of a hero, the heart of a patriot, and the spirit of a martyr — Collingwood remained, performing his duty to admiration, ex- hibiting undeviating devotion to the service, and saving government immense sums by the old- fashioned economy he practiced. He Avas strict with his officers, especially if they owed their po- sition to rank and wealth, and not to merit. " I like," he said, " to see a man get in at the port-hole, not at the cabin-Avindow." It was not Avonderful, of course, that a man who, with the blood of princes and cavaliers in his veins, had served for fourteen long years with- out promotion, should have looked with little fa- vor on the spectacle of modern aristocrats being put over the heads of their sujjeriors in«anccstry and intellect. But it would appear that, when in duty bound to find foult, Collingwood did so calmly and with point. On one occasion, when anxious to take in pro- visions and to sail Avithout delay, he ordered that all the boats should be sent on shore, and that not a minute should be lost. " Are the boats all gone ashore ?" he inquired of the cajitain, soon after issuing his instructions, "All but my barge," Avas the reply. LORD COLLINGWOOD. 419 " Oil, of course," said CollingwoocI, " a cap- tain's barge must never be used for such a pur- pose. But I hope they Avill have no scrujjle in making every possible use of mine." On another occasion, when a captain in the fleet, whose ideas were somewhat grand and whose ship Avas rather gay, displayed new sails, Collingwood ordered the old ones to be brought to him for inspection. Finding them in better condition than his own, he caused his mainsail, which was much the worse for wear, to be taken down, and that which had been brought for in- spection to be hoisted instead. Having then in- vited the gay captain to dinner, he introduced the subject. » " AVhat do you think of my mainsail ?" he care- lessly asked. "In fair condition, my lord," unwarily answer- ed the guest. "Well," said Collingwood, "if it's in fiir con- dition for an admiral's ship, I think it might have done for a captain's." In this way Collingwood passed several years^ endeavoring faithfully to serve his country aiul liis God. He was ever vigilant, and sometimes, even when torrents of rain poured through the shrouds, he appeared on deck Avithout a hat, his gray hair floating in the wind, and his eye like the eagle's on the Avatch. It Avas his general rule in stormy Aveather to sleep on his sofa, only 420 SEA KINGS AND NAVAL HEROES. taking off his epauleted coat and donning a flan- nel gown. Tliroughout, he ^vas unpretendingly pious, and never neglected his religious duties ; and on Sundays, when the weather was such that the crew could not assemble on deck, he was in the habit of retiring to his cabin and reading the service for the day. At length Collingw^ood's constitution began to break down. Colds, ague, and rheumatism he had been in the habit of setting at defiance. But they left their traces, and constant toil and expo- sure in the end brought on a disease that could hardly fixil to prove fatal. But still he was held at his post by a sense of duty, and remained rack- ing his brain and shattering his frame. At last his legs began to swell ; and, perceiving that he must yield, he made up his mind to resign his command and proceed to England. Collingwood's last service Avas directing prep- arations which resulted in the destruction of two French ships of the line on their own coast. On the 3d of March, 1810, having well-nigh reached the age of threescore, he embarked on board the " Ville de Paris;" and feeling quite convinced that his end Avas approaching, he, when at Minorca, ordered on board a quantity of lead with which to make a coffin to convey his corpse to England. But when informed that he was again at sea, he slightly rallied, and expressed some hope of re- covery. LORD COLLINGVVOOD. 421 " I may yet," Jie said, " live to meet the French again. And yet," added he, "if I could but see my family, I should die happy." A relapse, however, occurred ; and next moi*n- ing, when the captain of the " Ville de Paris" en- tered the cabin, Collingwood had but very little hope of either once more meeting the French, or again seeing the faces of those he best loved on the banks of the Wansbeck. " I fear," said the captain, scarcely able to con- ceal his emotion, " that the motion of the vessel disturbs you." " No," said Collingwood, " I am now in such a state that nothing in the world can disturb me. I am dying; and I'm sure it will console yon, and all Avho love me, to see how comfortably I meet my end." On the 10th of March no hope remained. Ev- ident it then became to the least observing that the hero's body and soul must part. During his last suiFerings Collingwood bore himself with the resignation of a Christian and the dignity of a gentleman ; and at six in the evening, after hav- ing taken an affectionate farewell of those who stood by his couch, he committed his soul to God. His body was brought to England, and laid, Avith befitting ceremonies, beside the bones of Nelson in St. Paul's Cathedral. THE END. BOOKS BY THE ABBOITS. THE FKAXCONIA STORIES. By Jacob Abbott. Malle- viLLE. — Mary Bell. — Ellkn Linx. — Wallace. — Bkkch- NUT. — Stuyvesast. — Agnes. — Mary Erskink. — Rodolph- us. — Carolixk. lUiistr.nteil. 16mo, Cloth, 75 cents per vol.; tlie set in a box, $7 50 ; also, 10 vols, in 5, $5 per set. MARCO PAUL'S VOYAGES and Travels in the Pursuit of Knowledf;e. By Jacob Abbott. In New York. — On tiik Erie Canal. — Ix the Fore.sts of JIaine. — Ix Vermont. — In Boston. — The Springfield Armory. Iliiistrated. 16mo, Cloth, 75 cents per vol. Price of the set, iu a box, $4 50. :^AIXB0W and lucky series. Bv Jacob Abbott. Haxdie. — Raixbow's Journey. — Selling Lucky. — Up the BivER. — The Three Pines. Illustrated. ]6mo, Cloth, 75 cents each. The set complete, in a box, $3 75. YOUNG CHRISTIAN SERIES. By Jacob Abbott. Illus- trated. 12mo, Cloth. The Young Christian (with Sketch of the Author), |2 00.— The Corner Stone. $1 75.— The Way TO Do Good, $1 75. — Hoaryhead and M'Donxer, f 1 75. ILLUSTRATED HISTORIES. By Jacob Abbott and John S. C. Abbott. 32 vols. Illustrated. 16nio, Cloth, $1 00 per volume. These Histories have been divided into Si.\ Series, each enclosed in a neat box, as follows : Founders of Empires. Earlier British Kings Queens and Heroines. Gyrus, and Queens. CLEorATRA, Darius, Alfred, [queror, Maria Antoinette, Xerxes, William the Con- Josephine, Alexander, Richard I., Hortensk, Genghis Khan, Richard IL, Madame Roland. Peter tiik Great. Margaret of Anjou. , , „.....,. Rulers of Later Timea. Later British Kings and Queens. KiNG PlIILIP, Richard III., Hernando Cortez, Mary Queen of Henry IV., Elizabeth, [Scots, Louis XIV., Charles I., Joseph Bonapap.tk, Charles II. Louis Philippe. lleroes of Roman History. Romulus, Hannibal, Pyrrhus, Julius €iESAR, Nero HARPER'S STORY BOOKS. By Jacob Abbott. Illustrated. Square 4to, 36 volumes, 75 cents each; 36 volumes in 12, $1 25. Full list will be sent on application. Books by the Abbotts. THE LITTLE LEARNER SERIES. By Jacob Abbott. Learning to Talk. 170 Engravings. — Learni.ng to Think. — Learning to Read. — Learning About Common Things. — Learning About Right and Wrong. Illustrated. Five Volumes. Small 4to, Clotli, 75 cents per vol. Complete set, in case, $3 75. THE ROMANCE OF SPANISH HISTORY. Bv John S. C. Abbott. Ilhistrated. I'imo, Cloth, $2 00. THE TEACHER. By Jacob Abbott. Illustrated. 12mo, Cloth, $1 00. GENTLE MEASURES IN TRAINING THE YOUNG. By Jacob Abbott. Illustrated. 12mo, Cloth, $1 25. SCIENCE FOR THE YOUNG. By Jacob Abbott. Heat.— Light. — Water and Land. — Force. With Illustrations. 12mo, Cloth, $1 50 per volume. THE HISTORY OF FREDERICK THE SECOND, called Frederick the Great. By John S. C. Abbott. Illustrated. 8vo, Cloth, $3 50 ; Sheep, $4 00 ; Half Calf, $5 75. THE FRENCH REVOLUTION of 1789, as Viewed in the Light of Republican Institutions. Bv J. S. C. Abbott. Il- lustrated. 8vo, Cloth, $3 50 ; Sheep, $4 00 ; Half Calf, $5 75. THE HISTORY OF NAPOLEON BONAPARTE. By John S.C.Abbott. lUustratod. Two Volumes, 8 vo, Cloth, $7 00; Sheep, $8 00; Half Calf, $11 50. NAPOLEON AT ST. HELENA; or, Interesting Anecdotes and RtMnarkable Conversatio;is of the Emperor during the Five and a Half Years of his Captivity. By John S. C. Abbott. Witii Illustrations. Svo, Clolh, $3 50; Sheep, $4 00 ; Half Calf, $5 75. PRACTICAL CHRISTIANITY. A Treatise Specially De- signed for Young Men. By John S. C. Abbott. 16mo, Cloth, $1 00. PoBLisHED BY HARPER & BROTHERS, New York. Any of the foregoing works will he sent hy mail, postage prepaid, to otnj) part oflhx Unikd States, Canada, or Mexico, on receipt of the price. ^„eT— OF CALIFORNIA LIBRARY UNIVER!^^ Los Angeles ihis book is DUE on the last date stamped below. L9-25(/i-9,'47(A5618)444 UNIVERSITY OF CAUFUKWIA AT LOS ANOyLE? University ot California, Los Angeles DA L 007 116 392 7 UC SOUTHERN REGIONAL LIBRARY FACILITY AA 000 827 328 6