Chapter XVII: Victory

To men who had come from such a scene of ruin as had we, the _Niagara_ appeared to be in perfect condition. But few of her crew were wounded, and she was in as perfect order for the conflict as if having just come from the navy-yard.

Before I could clamber up on her deck, being, as a matter of course, some distance behind Alec and his brother, the commodore’s pennant had been displayed, and with it was run up the blue banner which bore the letters in white, and I venture to say that the death of the gallant Lawrence was fresh in the mind of every American on Lake Erie this 10th day of September in the year of grace 1813.

It was some such signal as this which our brave fellows aboard the other vessels needed to assure them that the commander in whom they trusted was still directing the course of events, and as the two bits of bunting were run up we heard a volley of cheers from every craft in the line, telling that the courage of all was strengthened.

“Now we shall win the day,” Alec said confidently, as for a moment I came to his side, although, strictly speaking, my place was forward of the quarter, while he, released from duty as a member of the gun’s crew under old Silas, had liberty to remain by the side of the commodore. “Now we shall win the day, for it is as if we were come into action with a fresh vessel, thanks to the timorousness of Captain Elliott.”

Even as he spoke, and as if to check the exultation which had come upon us all when the commodore’s flag was safely transferred, we saw the stars and stripes drop slowly down from the masthead of the _Lawrence_, in token that she had surrendered.

Dr. Parsons has since told me that when Lieutenant Yarnall, after consulting with Lieutenant Forrest and Sailing-Master Taylor, decided to show signs of submission, those poor wounded wretches in the cockpit, mangled and hacked until some of them no longer had the semblance of humanity, begged that the ship be sunk rather than surrendered, and refused to allow the surgeon to attend to their wounds, hoping they might die before the Britishers could take possession of the craft which had been fought so gallantly, yet so vainly.

However, it was not long that they were forced to remain thus hopeless.

Once our young commander had beneath him a craft which could be manœuvred, he changed his plan of action so far as the situation seemed to require, hoisting a signal once more for close action as the _Niagara_ was steered straight toward the British line of battle, half a mile away.

As he had fought the _Lawrence_, so did he count on fighting her sister ship, and, inspirited by what they had seen, every man aboard our fleet was ready to follow at his beck wherever he might lead.

We had seen sharp fighting before; but now was come the time, as it seemed to me, when we were to take part in such an action as would dim all previous efforts, and even amid the noise and confusion of the conflict I found myself wishing that Silas Boyd might be with us, to have a share in the glorious dash which I knew was near at hand.

Now, indeed, was gone from my mind all sensations of fear. I ceased to have any thought of self, but lived only with those around me, making their fate as much a part of mine as if we were linked together in body, as in purpose.

Having come on board a vessel which had suffered comparatively small loss during the two hours of conflict, and, as has been said, was the best manned in the fleet, there was little Alec and I could do save to jump here or there, wherever a spare hand was needed, and set our shoulders to whatsoever portion of the wheel needed uplifting.

Therefore it was we had more of an opportunity to observe the battle. We could see, when the clouds of smoke were not too dense, each particular vessel, and knew, almost as well as did the commodore himself, what was taking place on the bosom of that lake whose waters, it seemed to me, should by this time have been stained crimson by the blood of brave men.

If I have made it appear that, up to this time, we two lads had seen the most desperate portion of the conflict, my purpose has been overrun, for once on board the _Niagara_ the action became so fierce and deadly as to make it seem that until now we had been outside the range of the deadliest fire.

With the new flag-ship in the lead, and the signals for every craft to use both sails and oars so that they close in more quickly, we went straight forward toward the enemy, passing within half a pistol-shot distance of the _Lady Prevost_ and the _Chippewa_ on the larboard hand, and the _Detroit_, _Queen Charlotte_, and _Hunter_ on the starboard.

We broke directly through the enemy’s line, and not until we were come within such short range that I could have tossed my hat aboard either vessel, did we open fire.

Then it was that both broadsides were discharged; the _Niagara_ rolled to and fro under the shock of the heavy guns, until it seemed as if every timber would be riven asunder; and from either side poured in upon us a cross firing, until a perfect network of whistling shot and bullets was formed above our heads, but fortunately so high that we suffered comparatively little loss of life.

Here and there men fell, pierced by a musket-shot, or literally cut asunder by the heavy cannon-balls; but it was not as we had known it on the deck of the _Lawrence_, when nearly four-fifths of our people were disabled.

The din was fearful. One ceased to think of the loss of life, because in that terrific uproar it seemed only natural men must die.

The hue of blood which stained the white planking and the black bulwarks was no longer an ominous color, because that was needed to make the picture of war more perfect; and I believe every person on board the _Niagara_, save the commodore himself, lost, as I did, all thought of self in that pandemonium of destruction.

Right and left came broadsides from double-shotted guns; here, there, and everywhere poured in musket-balls from sharpshooters, who, in their excitement, had ceased to take aim.

Spars fell from aloft, or crashed on either side as our balls tore them from their fastenings on the enemy’s ships; there were shouts of anger, cries of pain, moans and imprecations, while over all could be heard the crackle of musketry and the roar of heavy guns that was like to burst one’s ear-drums.

It was no longer war, but had become a fever of death, wherein each man strove to kill, and regarded not his own life.

I would that some worthier hand could set down clearly the varied and rapidly-passing sensations which floated through my brain, for then might it be possible to describe to another what one experiences at such a time.

As for myself, I no longer thought of country or of the enemy. There was simply an intense desire to kill; an eagerness to see blood flow--for the time being we were become as brutes.

I know, because of having been told at a later day, that we passed straight through the British line; broke it, and, ranging ahead on the other side, rounded to, pouring great broadsides of hot iron into the _Detroit_ and the _Queen Charlotte_, which vessels had fouled each other and were lying at our mercy.

I have since read the following description of what we did when I was no longer capable of seeing, or, seeing, was so overcome by feverish excitement as not to be conscious of that which lay fair before my eyes:[5]--

“Ranging ahead of the vessels on the starboard, Perry rounded to and raked the _Detroit_ and _Queen Charlotte_. Close and deadly was his fire upon them with great guns and musketry. Meanwhile the _Lawrence_, having drifted out of her place in the line, her position against the _Detroit_ was taken by the _Caledonia_; the latter’s place in line, as opposed to the _Hunter_, was occupied by the _Trippe_, the two vessels being commanded by Captain Turner and Lieutenant Holdup. These gallant young officers had exchanged signals to board the _Detroit_ when they saw the _Niagara_ with the commodore’s pennant bearing down to break the British line. Turner followed closely with the _Caledonia_; but the freshening breeze having brought up the _Somers_ under Mr. Almy, the _Tigress_, under Lieutenant Concklin, and the _Porcupine_, under Acting-Master Senat, the whole American squadron, excepting the _Lawrence_, was for the first time engaged in the conflict. The fight was terrible for a few minutes, and the combatants were completely enveloped in smoke.”

How long we were engaged after all the ships, save the poor wounded _Lawrence_, were brought into the conflict, I cannot say; so far as my own knowledge is concerned, it might have been five minutes, or as many hours, for I ceased to exist as a distinct human being; but had become simply a fraction, wherein the whole was the crew of the _Niagara_.

It so chanced that when the cloud of smoke lifted so that we might be able to distinguish objects at a distance, Alec Perry was standing by my side, having come forward with some order for his brother, and at that instant the British flag-ship, the _Detroit_, was lying plainly within our range of vision.

“We have at least given _her_ a lesson!” Alec said, pointing to the shattered spars and fragments of rigging that had been cut by our shot, and even as we looked the British ensign was lowered from the masthead, fluttering in the breeze as it came nearer and nearer the deck, until I distinctly saw one of the seamen gather it up in his arms.

During an instant the full significance of this act escaped me. I stood, with my arm linked in Alec’s, wondering what it all meant, when a great cheer rose from round about us, echoed by the crews of all the other vessels near at hand.

Then we knew that the _Detroit_, like the _Lawrence_, was out of the fight.

“We have whipped one of them!” Alec cried in glee, clapping his blood-stained hands childishly. “Commodore Barclay’s ship has given up the fight, and now we shall see if he has pluck enough to transfer his flag in the heat of battle, as did my brother!”

At that instant, and when the crew of every gun was working with feverish haste to reload that they might take advantage of this first sign of submission, there came from the quarterdeck the command, loud, triumphant, and cheery:--

“Hold your fire, lads! The enemy is whipped!”

I wondered that our commodore could be so sanguine, for it seemed to me the Britishers would not admit themselves beaten until every craft was disabled; but, involuntarily glancing toward the right, I saw the cross of St. George being lowered from the masthead of the _Queen Charlotte_, and almost before I could call Alec’s attention to the fact, every vessel in all that squadron, excepting the _Little Belt_ and the _Chippewa_, were showing the same signs of submission.

It seemed incredible that we should have won the fight after having suffered such loss as had been inflicted upon the _Lawrence_.

It was impossible for the moment to believe that this British squadron, whose commander had claimed he need only “come out and show himself in order to send the Yankees to their knees,” had surrendered to a force much smaller than his own, and without discipline!

Even when I could realize that we had earned the victory,--bought it by the blood of those brave fellows whom I had seen lying in the cockpit of the _Lawrence_,--it was difficult to understand, even though we had fought so valiantly, how it all came about.

We were the victors in the first naval engagement fought on the lakes.

Commodore Perry had earned for himself that fame and that glory which his brother predicted, and I was his brother’s friend.

Alec, delirious with joy, flung his arms around my neck as one British ensign after another fluttered down from its masthead, and we two danced here and there over the blood-stained deck, unconscious almost, that we were making such an exhibition of ourselves, until we saw the sailors--old men bleeding from wounds that needed a surgeon’s attention--hugging each other around the waist as they swung to and fro, cheering and yelling as if it were not possible to show their happiness save by movement and by noise.

The battle was ended, and Commodore Perry, Alec’s brother, was the one hero, to my eyes, among all who had proven their valor since the war began.

Here it is that my poor attempt at describing what befell my comrade and I while we served with Perry on Lake Erie, must come to an end, for the tale is done.

After a certain time I returned to my home at Presque Isle, and Alec accompanied his brother on what was little less than a triumphal tour to Washington.

Perhaps it is well to gather up the scattered threads of the story by explaining, what is most likely known to every one who shall chance to read these lines, that before sunset the _Little Belt_ and the _Chippewa_ were captured by the _Scorpion_ and the _Trippe_, and brought to an anchor under the stern of the _Lawrence_.

It was hardly more than half an hour from the time our commodore left the flag-ship, and the dying men in the cockpit were sorrowing because of what seemed defeat, when he went on board again.

There, among all the evidences of what had well-nigh been a disaster, he received the swords of the Britishers who had been worsted in a fair fight wherein the odds were in their favor.

The _Lawrence_ had lowered her flag; but so hot had been the engagement immediately afterward that the enemy did not have an opportunity to take possession of her, and when we returned, for I accompanied Alec and our commodore, it was the same as if she had never submitted.

I have heard it said that never before had an American fleet or squadron encountered the enemy in regular line of battle, and never before, since England possessed a navy, had a whole British fleet been captured.

Even before we returned to our flag-ship, the commodore wrote on the back of an old letter this message to General Harrison, and sent it at once by special messenger:--

“We have met the enemy, and they are ours: Two ships, two brigs, one schooner and one sloop.

“Yours with great respect and esteem,

“O. H. PERRY.”

[BY THE EDITOR.] It seems fitting that Master Dobbins’s story should be concluded with the following extract from the “War of 1812,” written by that eminent historian, Benson J. Lossing:--

“Then the ceremony of taking possession of the conquered vessels, and receiving the formal submission of the vanquished, was performed. Perry gave the signal to anchor, and started for his battered flag-ship, determined, on her deck, and in the presence of her surviving officers and crew, to receive the commanders of the captured squadron. ‘It was a time of conflicting emotions,’ says Dr. Parsons, ‘when he stepped upon deck. The battle was won, and he was safe, but the deck was slippery with blood, and strewn with the bodies of twenty officers and men, seven of whom had sat at table with us at our last meal, and the ship resounded everywhere with the groans of the wounded. Those of us who were spared and able to walk, met him at the gangway to welcome him on board, but the salutation was a silent one on both sides; not a word could find utterance.’

“The next movement in the solemn drama was the reception of the British officers, one from each of the captured vessels. Perry stood on the after-part of the deck, and his sad visitors were compelled to pick their way to him among the slain. He received them with solemn dignity and unaffected kindness. As they presented their swords, with the hilts toward the victor, he spoke in a low but firm tone, without the betrayal of the least exultation, and requested them to retain their weapons....

“Vessels of both squadrons were dreadfully shattered, especially the two flag-ships. Sixty-eight persons had been killed and one hundred and ninety wounded during the three hours that the battle lasted. Of these, the Americans lost one hundred and twenty-three, twenty-seven of whom were killed. Barclay, of the _Detroit_, the British commander, who had lost an arm at Trafalgar, was first wounded in the thigh, and then so severely injured in the shoulder as to deprive him of the use of the other arm. Finnis, of the _Queen Charlotte_, the second in command, was mortally wounded, and died that evening....

“Perry’s victory proved to be one of the most important events of the war. At that moment two armies, one on the north and the other on the south of the warring squadrons, were waiting for the result most anxiously. Should the victory remain with the British, Proctor and Tecumtha[6] were ready at Malden, with their motley army five thousand strong, to rush forward and lay waste the entire country. Should the victory rest with the Americans, Harrison, with his army in the vicinity of Sandusky bay, was prepared to press forward by land or water for the seizure of Malden and Detroit, the recovery of Michigan, and the invasion of Canada.

“All along the borders of the lake within sound of the cannon in the battle (and they were heard from Cleveland to Malden), women with terrified children, and decrepit old men, sat listening with the deepest anxiety; for they knew not but with the setting sun they would be compelled to flee to the interior to escape the fangs of the red bloodhounds who were ready to be let loose upon helpless innocency by the approved servants of the government that boasted of its civilization and Christianity. Happily for America--happily for the fair fame of Great Britain--happily for the cause of humanity--the victory was left with the Americans, and the savage allies of the British were not allowed to repeat the tragedies in which they had already been permitted to engage....

“That victory led to the destruction of the Indian confederacy, and wiped out the stigma of the surrender at Detroit thirteen months before. It opened the way for Harrison’s army to repossess the territory then surrendered, and to penetrate Canada. It was speedily followed by the overthrow of British power in the Canadian peninsula, and the country bordering on the upper lakes, and the absolute security forever of the whole northwestern frontier from British invasion and Indian depredations.”

FOOTNOTES:

[5] Lossing’s “War of 1812.”

[6] Tecumseh [ED.].

THE END.

_With Preble at Tripoli_

A STORY OF “OLD IRONSIDES” AND THE TRIPOLITAN WAR

BY JAMES OTIS

349 pages. Cloth. 12mo. $1.50

Second Volume in “_The Great Admiral Series_”

It is a typical, dashing, instructive, and thrilling story. It is intended for boys, but there is hardly a person, young or old, who would not be intensely interested in it. Such a book as this should be welcomed by every parent.--_Boston Journal._

This volume gives us a most vivid description of the exploits of the old “Constitution” and the brave men under Commander Preble’s command. It is of the best juvenile literature.--_The Indianapolis Journal._

It is a thrilling account of the loss of the “Philadelphia,” and of the most famous “cutting out” party in our naval history. It adds a second volume to one of the most interesting series of books for young people.--_The Dial._

The ever-stimulating account of “Old Ironsides” and her famous campaign against the Tripolitan pirates forms the basis of one of Mr. Otis’s best stories; correct in its historical facts, interesting from beginning to end, it will be welcomed not only by the younger reader, but by the older one as well.--_The Presbyterian._

WITH PORTER IN THE ESSEX

A STORY OF HIS FAMOUS CRUISE _in_ SOUTHERN WATERS DURING THE WAR OF 1812.

_By James Otis._

_344 pages. Cloth. 12mo. $1.50._

One of the best books that this favorite writer has ever penned, for it is full of life and vigor.--_Inter-Ocean._

It is an ideal boys’ story book and will inspire the youthful reader alike with patriotism and courage.--_Library Bulletin._

The book is historically instructive and the story admirably told.--_Chicago Evening Post._

Mr. Otis has a style peculiarly interesting to boys, and in this book he is up to his usual mark of excellence both as to accuracy of historical knowledge and fluency of narration.--_The Examiner._

The events and issues of the war of 1812 have never received the attention they deserve at the hand of American students of history. This book will help to give life and reality to a subject at once thrilling and memorable in many ways.--_The Union._

This story purports to be the personal experience of two boys, who enlist and the early age of fourteen, and who were with the Essex until the time of its capture. The book is sufficiently full of excitement to please boys, and while it pleases them it will also instruct them.--_The Intelligencer._

BOSTON W. A. WILDE COMPANY CHICAGO

_The Treasury Club_

A STORY OF THE UNITED STATES TREASURY DEPARTMENT

BY

WILLIAM DRYSDALE

330 pp. Ill. 12mo. Cloth, $1.50

First Volume in the United States Government Series.

This, the first volume in the United States Government Series, blends true information with an interesting story; it teaches and entertains at the same time.--_Congregationalist._

It is an intelligently written narrative in story form, and will prove most interesting to all up-to-date young people. The idea of the book is both good in itself and most commendably worked out.--_Dial._

“The Treasury Club” is a unique book, full of useful and valuable information. Parents will be glad to be able to get such a book as this to place in the hands of their children.--_Boston Journal._

We welcome most heartily this most recent book by Mr. Drysdale. Should the subsequent volumes in this series be as entertaining as is this one, the entire set will be worthy of a high place among young people’s books.--_The Standard._

The underlying idea of the United States Government Series, of which this volume is the first, is a most excellent one. It is to give young readers an idea of the practical workings of the various departments of the United States Government, imparting special interest to the descriptions by putting them into story form. This volume, treating as it does of persons who may be seen to-day in and around the Treasury Department, and treating of facts gathered on the ground, is an exceedingly valuable addition to our young people’s literature. Certainly it is a most useful, instructive, and interesting volume.--_Boston Transcript._

_IN “WAR OF THE REVOLUTION SERIES.”_

THREE COLONIAL BOYS:

A STORY OF THE TIMES OF ’76.

_By Everett T. Tomlinson, Ph. D._

_12 mo. 368 pp. Cloth, $1.50. Ill._

“Colonial Boys” a story patriotic, exciting, pleasing and helpful, and instructs without appearing to. The number of really good stories for young people on the Revolutionary period of American History is surprisingly small, therefore we welcome this volume. The customs of our forefathers’ time are admirably portrayed, and strong lessons of patriotism are taught in “Three Colonial Boys,” and for this reason it is a book which should be in every library.--_Boston Transcript._

There is no more interesting period of American History as a background for fiction than the days leading up to the Revolution. Colonial Boys works in most happily historical scenes and incidents, and follows three manly boys through numerous exciting episodes.--_Boston Journal._

A healthful and very readable story for young people. It deals with one of the most interesting periods of American History, and is based on facts. Pure in tone, it is admirably suited for school libraries because of its historic teaching.--_The Advance._

Our literature for the young is none too well supplied with books of interest on their country’s history, so we gladly welcome the “Three Colonial Boys,” the first of a promised War of the Revolution Series, dealing with events prior to and during the war. We are impressed by the wholesome lessons of patriotism inculcated by the three youths. Our boys need it, and the work is well begun.--_Congregationalist._

THREE YOUNG CONTINENTALS:

A STORY OF THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION.

_By Everett T. Tomlinson, Ph. D._

_12 mo. 364 pp. Cloth, $1.50. Ill._

A splendid book for boys is “Three Young Continentals.”--_Bookseller, Newsdealer & Stationer._

It is a book which deserves special mention. The story gives a vivid and accurate picture of events which culminated in the battle of Long Island, and the part taken in them by the three Colonial boys.--_Independent._

The author in the “Three Young Continentals” has left no stone unturned to make his romance both attractive and reliable.--_Interior._

An historical story which will not only entertain, but inculcate a desire for the study of history. The exciting incidents related are true. By the use of such a book as this, boys can learn as a pastime that which is not only good in itself, but is very likely to set their minds on eager inquiry for further information on the subject, and so develop in them a taste for history.--_San Francisco Call._

Such a book as this is one of the best educators of our young, both in history and in patriotism.--_The Outlook._

WASHINGTON’S YOUNG AIDS:

A STORY OF THE NEW JERSEY CAMPAIGN OF 1776-1777.

_By Everett T. Tomlinson, Ph. D._

_12 mo. 391 pp. Cloth, $1.50. Ill._

“Washington’s Young Aids” deals in a way dear to the boyish hearts with thrilling events of the New Jersey Campaign of 1776-7. Into the story are interwoven historical facts of great value, taken from old records and less familiar than those relating to other periods in the struggle for liberty. Thus the boys who read this delightful tale will be absorbing history as well as enjoying the story.--_Examiner._

Few stories show so close a study of history combined with story-telling power.--_The Outlook._

“Washington’s Young Aids” makes pleasant and effective use of familiar historical matter. It is spirited and high-toned, and the boys and girls will enjoy thoroughly and gain from it a good idea of the events of the period selected.--_Congregationalist._

In “Washington’s Young Aids” the author makes his boy heroes resourceful and devoted, serving Washington with ardor and skill. Numerous vivid word-picturing and the making of his figureheads very real, characterizes the author’s method and manner.--_Sunday School Times._

The author’s greatest success in “Washington’s Young Aids” lies in the clearness with which he draws the picture of the actual conditions which existed during the Revolution. The boys will be eager for this new volume, which is the third in the “War of the Revolution Series.”--_Boston Transcript._

TWO YOUNG PATRIOTS:

A STORY OF BURGOYNE’S INVASION.

_By Everett T. Tomlinson, Ph. D._

_12 mo. 366 pp. Cloth, $1.50. Ill._

“Two Young Patriots” takes up as its pivotal point, Burgoyne’s invasion, and the narrative deals particularly with the historic events connected with the campaign. It not only gives to the reader a story, but also a most correct outline of the Invasion itself. The book is full of fervor, fire and fun, and its author here reasserts his claim to consideration as a high-class writer for first-rate books for boys.--_S. S. Times._

A story of Burgoyne’s invasion. Indians and Indian warfare naturally have a very large place in these picturesque pages, and the reader will travel on through the book with breathless interest until he reaches the culmination of the story in the surrender of Saratoga.--_Book Buyer._

A very shrewdly-planned campaign was Burgoyne’s invasion, but it was equally shrewdly met by the colonists. Such is the basis of “Two Young Patriots,” and the story loses nothing in the author’s telling, for he has spared no pains with his historic accuracy, and it will doubtless convey to its readers a clearer idea of this pivotal point in the Revolution than they have ever enjoyed before.--_The Interior._

It is exciting and thrilling, maintaining a strong interest throughout its pages. The make-up of the book is remarkably good, and the illustrations form a splendid addition.--_Journal of Education._

A story of Burgoyne’s invasion must take the boy reader by storm.--_Christian Endeavor World._

_BOOKS BY WILLIAM DRYSDALE_

THE YOUNG REPORTER

A STORY OF PRINTING HOUSE SQUARE

_300 pp. Cloth. $1.50_

If ever a writer knew how to tell a rattling story that almost lifts you off your feet on the first page, it is William Drysdale. His style is vivacious and racy, and the events hurry along like the current of a stream above a cascade. The story in itself is intensely interesting, but, aside from its interest, it gives an insight into the life of a great daily paper of the city that it would be hard to find elsewhere. Thus the book is instructive as well as captivating.--_Lutheran Evangelist._

“The Young Reporter” is a rattling book for boys. It is written by Mr. William Drysdale, a retired journalist, who has held responsible desks upon the Sun, the Recorder and other papers, and who knows just what he is talking about.--_New York Recorder._

A genuine boys’ book for genuine boys. It is full of life, clean, clear cut, and inspiring. We can commend this book to any lover of boys’ stories. It is illustrated with spirit, the pictures adding greatly to the attractiveness of the book.--_Journal of Education._

This is a story of real power, full of life and action, and will enlist the interest of every stirring and wide-awake boy.--_Herald & Presbyter._

CADET STANDISH OF THE ST. LOUIS

A STORY OF OUR NAVAL CAMPAIGN IN CUBAN WATERS.

_352 pages. Cloth. $1.50._

In “Cadet Standish of the St. Louis” Mr. William Drysdale tells the story of an American boy to whom the Spanish war brought some novel and exciting experiences. The lad took part in the cable cutting off Guantanamo, the first exploit in which the great “merchant cruiser” distinguished herself. Not only is Mr. Drysdale an accomplished writer, but he has an intimate knowledge of the West Indian regions where most of the scenes are laid. The result is a most graphic and entertaining volume.--_Boston Journal._

This is a story of the recent naval combat in Cuban waters. The book is picturesque and interesting from cover to cover. The local color is presented in a series of vivid touches and is skillfully interwoven with the narrative interest. The story is that of a young cadet on board the _St. Louis_, who is detailed for dangerous shore duty. His adventures make up the story that at once attracts and informs the reader.--_The Baptist Union._

It is pleasant to be able to say that this tale of Cadet Standish is interesting, wholesome, natural, even among exciting scenes. The hero is a fine fellow in every way: in his relations to his widowed mother, as a young business man, and with his associates in the navy.--_The Literary World._

Transcriber’s Notes

Obvious errors in punctuation have been fixed.

Page 56: “was so necesssary” changed to “was so necessary”

Page 148: “Captian Perry” changed to “Captain Perry”