The Boy who sailed with Blake | Page 3

town; but
though we shall have a hard struggle to beat them back, God will
protect the right."
The bells we had heard had been set ringing on the announcement of
the approach of Colonel Blake; and now, as he and his brave followers
entered the town, they pealed forth with redoubled energy.
While the men were sent to their quarters, he, accompanied by the
Governor and Mayor, and several officers, rode round the outskirts of
the town, to point out the spots where he judged it necessary that
batteries and entrenchments should be thrown up.
He was accompanied by a young nephew, also named Robert Blake,
son of his brother Samuel, who was killed some time before at
Bridgwater, while commanding a company in Colonel Popham's
regiment. I afterwards became well acquainted with young Robert
Blake, as we were much drawn together by the fondness for a sea life
which we both possessed. His was rather a passion than mere
fondness--indeed, like his noble uncle, he was enthusiastic in all his
aspirations, and a more gallant, noble-minded lad I never met.
That evening the newly arrived troops, as well as every man in the
place capable of labouring, set to work with pickaxes, spades, and
barrows to throw up embankments, to cut trenches, to erect batteries, to
barricade the roads, and to loophole all the outer walls of the houses
and gardens. Officers were in the meantime despatched by the
Governor and the Mayor to obtain volunteers from Charmouth, Uplyme,

and other villages; while foraging parties were sent out in all directions
to collect provisions, cattle, and fodder. Although, in addition to
Colonel Blake's five hundred regulars, scarcely more than three
hundred fighting men could be mustered in the town, there were no
signs of wavering; but high and low endeavoured to make amends for
the paucity of their numbers by their dauntless courage, their energy,
and unceasing toil; and even women and children were to be seen in all
directions, filling baskets with sods, and carrying materials to the
labourers at the earthworks.
Lancelot and I kept together, and did our best to be of use, though I
could not do much, being a little fellow; but I know that I worked away
as hard as my strength would allow me. Colonel Blake was everywhere,
superintending the operations and encouraging the men. Stopping near
where my friends and I were at work, he addressed the labourers.
"The haughty Cavaliers fancy that they can ride roughshod into your
little town, my lads," he said; "but I want you to show them that you
can fight for your hearths and homes as well as did my brave fellows at
Prior's Hill; and I do not fear that a traitor will be found within our
trenches to deliver up the place, while we have a cask of powder in our
magazines, or a musket to fire it. And even should our ammunition run
short, the Lord of Hosts being with us, we'll drive them back with pike
and sword."
"Rightly spoken, Colonel Blake," said my father, who had just then
reached the spot where the Colonel was standing. "I am an old man,
and had looked forward to ending my days in peace; but willingly will I
promise you that the enemy shall march over my dead body before they
get within our entrenchments. I served on board the ships of your
honoured father, when we had many a tough fight with corsairs,
Spaniards, Portingales, and Dutchmen; and I feel sure that I shall not
draw my sword in vain when his son commands. Maybe you may
remember Richard Bracewell?"
"Well indeed I do," answered Colonel Blake, putting out his hand and
warmly shaking that of my father. "And many a long yarn about your
adventures have I listened to with eager interest, while I longed to sail

over the wide ocean and to visit the strange countries you described.
Who is that youngster standing by you?" he then asked in a kindly tone,
looking down on me.
"My only boy, the son of my old age," answered my father. "Though
young now, he will, I trust, ere long grow big enough to fight for the
civil and religious liberties of our country, or to defend her from
foreign foes."
"Judging by his looks, and knowing whose son he is, I would gladly
have him with me when he is old enough, should heaven spare our lives;
but at present he is too young to be exposed to the dangers of war, and I
would advise you to keep him under lock and key when the fight is
going on, or he will be running where bullets and round shot are falling,
and perhaps his young life will be taken before he has