HOW A BOY HELPED TO SAVE THE DAY

New Zealand Tablet, 26 June 1913, Page 61

HOW A BOY HELPED TO SAVE THE DAY

A great naval battle was in progress between the Dutch and the English, and the former were fast getting the better of it. They had shot off the masts of the English flagship; and its Admiral, Sir John Marlborough, plainly saw that, unless something was done very speedily, the colors of old England would certainly have to be lowered. Some distance away, several English ships were stationed in reserve, and the time had come to call them into action. But the code of signals previously arranged was now impracticable, and there was but one way to communicate to them the fact that they were wanted—wanted very much and very quickly. (The dense smoke prevented the officers from seeing the disaster to the flagship.) This way was to send a written message. But who would take it? Between the ships there was a stretch of water, perilously long for even the most practised swimmer, and the bullets were literally raining down. Whoever undertook the dangerous errand was almost sure to bo a victim of the enemy’s fire, or to become exhausted and sink into the hungry sea. Yet, forlorn as the hope was, there was no other. Sir John, with an anxious heart, wrote the order, and said: ‘ Now, then, my men, who will volunteer to carry this? It is-a grave undertaking, and the chances of a safe return narrow. Who will risk his life for England?’ I, sir!’ And I!’—‘And I!’ came at once from the lips of many brave men, as they stepped forward, without a moment’s hesitation, at the call of duty. But at that moment a childish voice was heard. One of the cabin-boys—a very little fellowcalled out: X think X am the one to go, if you please, Admiral. I can swim quite as well as if I were big; and if I never come back, it will not matter very much, because I am not grown up.’ ’ The men stared, and many eyes grew suddenly dim. J The Admiral considered for a moment, then said: ‘Here is the dispatch, my lad; and God be with you!’ The boy took it between his teeth, slid over the ship’s side into the water, and struck out for the reserve vessels with all his might. Everyone on board the flagship watched him until he looked no larger than a cork borne up by the waves. He was making progress;

no bullet touched him';, and .in time, very tired, but also very triumphant, he was lifted on to the deck of one of the reserve ships, and handed his dispatch to its commander, who at once went to the relief of the crippled flagship, and helped to end the fight and save, the day, ‘ , . - That night, at sunset, the little cabin-boy was called before the Admiral to be publicly and sincerely thanked and rewarded. ' 4 *You are indeed a brave lad, said the Admiral; and I believe that you will on© day have a flagship of your own. r He was a true prophet. The little bearer of dispatches—Cloudy Shovel, as he was then calledbecame Sir Cloudesley Shovel, an English Admiral whose distinguished bravery is known wherever his language is spoken. Ave Maria.