"I CAN SWIM, SIR."

Thames Star, Volume XIV, Issue 4521, 2 July 1883, Page 2

"I CAN SWIM, SIR."

During a terrible naval battle b^twieu the English and Dutch, the /.English, flagship, commanded by Admiral N«r--,~ borough, was' drawn into the thickest of * the fight. Two masts were-soon 'shot away, aud the mainmast foil with a fearful crash upon the deck. Admiral Warborough saw that all, was tost unless he could briog up his ships from'the "right. Hastily scrawling an oMer, lie called for volunteers to swim across, the. boi'iag water, under the hail blnfhetaa<t shell! 7 A dozen sailors at; once; offered their services, and among then* a cabin boy. "Why," said the admiral;'« what can you do, my fearless lad P" ; 's -r I " I can swim, sir, 1' the boy replied. 1 V if I be shot, I can be.easier spared than anyone else.". ' " ''"' Narborough hesitated, his mea wereV^ few, and his position was desperate . The V^ boy plunged into the sea amid the eheerc of the sailors, and was soon lost to sight. The battle raged fiercer, and as time went on defeat seemed inevitable. Bat just M hope was'fading a thundering ca onad* was heard from the right, and the rea«f>Tt - were seen bearing down upon the enemy. By sunset the Dutch fleet were ;scat;te>ed far and wide, and the cabin boy, the hero of the hour, was called to receive the honor due to him. His modesty » B d bearing so won the heart, of the old admiral that he exclaimed : ' "I shall live to see you have a flaeshirv of your own." . . .' The prediction was fulfilled wh*n the, boy, having become Admiral Cloudsley' Shotel, was knighted by the king.