From Powder Monkey to Admiral | Page 8

to sunset
for a strange sail, and it was not probable that they would have to go
long without falling in with one, for England had at that time pretty
nearly all the world in arms against her. She had managed to quarrel
with the Dutch, and was at war with the French and Spaniards, while
she had lately been engaged in a vain attempt to overcome the
American colonies, which had thrown off their allegiance to the British
Crown.
Happily for the country, her navy was staunch, and many of the most
gallant admirals whose names have been handed down to fame
commanded her fleets; the captains, officers, and crews, down to the
youngest ship-boys, tried to imitate their example, and enabled her in
the unequal struggle to come off victorious.
The Foxhound had for some days been cruising in the Bay of Biscay,
and was one morning about the latitude of Ferrol. The watch was
employed in washing down decks, the men and boys paddling about
with their trousers tucked up to their knees, some with buckets of water,
which they were heaving about in every direction, now and then giving
a shipmate, when the first lieutenant's eye was off them, the benefit of a
shower-bath: others were wielding huge swabs, slashing them down
right and left, with loud thuds, and ill would it have fared with any
incautious landsman who might have got within their reach. The men
were laughing and joking with each other, and the occupation seemed
to afford amusement to all employed.

Suddenly there came a shout from the look-out at the masthead of "Five
sail in sight."
"Where away?" asked Lieutenant Saltwell, who was on deck
superintending the operations going forward.
"Dead to leeward, sir," was the answer.
The wind was at the time blowing from the north-west, and the frigate
was standing close hauled, on the starboard tack, to the westward.
The mate of the watch instantly went aloft, with his spy-glass hung at
his back, to take a look at the strangers, while a midshipman was sent
to inform Captain Waring, who, before many minutes had elapsed,
made his appearance, having hurriedly slipped into his clothes.
On receiving the report of the young officer, who had returned on deck,
he immediately ordered the helm to be put up, and the ship to be kept
away in the direction of the strangers.
In a short time it was seen that most of them were large ships; one of
them very considerably larger than the Foxhound.
The business of washing down the decks had been quickly concluded,
and the crew were sent to their breakfasts.
Many remarks of various sorts were made by the men. Some thought
that the captain would never dream of engaging so superior a force;
while others, who knew him well, declared that whatever the odds, he
would fight.
As yet no order had been received to beat to quarters, and many were of
opinion that the captain would only stand on near enough to ascertain
the character of the strangers, and then, should they prove enemies,
make all sail away from them.
Still the frigate stood on, and Bill, who was near one of the officers
who had a glass in his hand, heard him observe that one was a

line-of-battle ship, two at least were frigates, while another was a
corvette, and the fifth a large brig-of-war.
These were formidable odds, but still their plucky captain showed no
inclination to escape from them, but, on the contrary, seemed as if he
had made up his mind to bring them to action.
The question was ere long decided. The drum beat to quarters, the men
went to their guns, powder and shot were handed up from below,
giving ample occupation to the powder-monkeys, and the ship was
headed towards the nearest of the strangers. She was still some distance
off when the crew were summoned aft to hear what the captain had to
say to them.
"My lads!" he said, "some of you have fought under me before now,
and though the odds were against us, we licked the enemy. We have got
somewhat greater odds, perhaps, at present, but I want to take two or
three of those ships; they are not quite as powerful as they look, and if
you will work your guns as I know you can work them, we'll do it
before many hours have passed. We have a fine breeze to help us, and
will tackle one after the other. You'll support me, I know."
Three loud cheers were given as a response to this appeal, and the men
went back to their guns, where they stood stripped to their waists, with
handkerchiefs bound round their heads.
Notwithstanding the formidable array of the enemy,