In our Library - where Books are free

Books - Factual

Sociology

Poverty - by James Platt

Lion, 64, signalled to us to anchor and prepare for battle, as the French were expected out to run for Toulon about midnight. We came to an anchor, the lighthouse S.S.E. about six miles, having the Alexander between us and the eastern shore. At twelve o'clock we heard a great firing to the S.B., and saw a great many fireworks, but did not understand them. We immediately weighed anchor and hove to. At 2 a.m. a brig bailed us, and said that the French were out, and on the starboard tack. We then made all possible sail, with the wind blowing very fresh about S.S.E. At daybreak we discovered a large French man-of-war, Guillaume Tell, 80, standing for us with her main topmast gone. Immediately we shortened sail and cleared for action. I was on duty on the loop, my office being to con the ship; that is, to give orders to the man at the wheel steering, by calling out larboard, or starboard, etc. Our men were eager for the fray, but Sir Edward Berry was anxious that they should not fire until we were nearer, and slung himself from