Hearts of Oak. A story of Nelson and the Navy

Front matter

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Preface

. HAVE ho need, I trust, to apologise for the introduction of the name and chief exploits of so great a naval hero as Horatio Nelson into this story of sea life. It is due to nry readers as well as myself, however, to state that it is a tale of the sea, and not intended as a life of Nelson. Nevertheless I have endeavoured throughout to paint his character to the life by a series of tableaux vivants, which I humbly hope will not be found altogether ineffective. With the exception of the calm and peaceful days that Nelson spent at the old parsonage of Burnham- Thorpe, I have dealt solely with his doings and deeds afloat, and from the time he joined the grand old service until the day of his death on board the Victory the sword is seldom out of his hand. My Nelson is Nelson on the quarter-deck.

With Nelson at Court, Preface. X whether at home or abroad, I have nothing whatever to say. The young fellows for whom I write, I know well, infinitely prefer the sailor's cutlass to a lady's fan. And Nelson is notably a boy's hero ; so good, so gentle, and yet withal so brave ! And never during all his career was his mind so overwhelmed with his own cares on shipboard, as to preclude him from interesting himself in what pertained to his junior officers, with a tenderness too that was almost fatherly. Another trait in his character that must cause every true boy to look upon Nelson as a hero, was his love of duty and justice. Says Alison, "He was gifted too by nature with undaunted courage, with indomitable resolution, and undecaying energy. He possessed also the eagle glance, the quick determination, and coolness in danger, that constitute the rarest qualities in a consummate commander."

I pray heaven that in our next naval war — and it cannot be very long ere this rages over the seas — our country may be in possession of a few admirals who sliall emulate the dash and dan of our great and mighty Nelson. Descending to my lesser heroes, young Lord Baven tree, and Tom Bure, they are neither greater nor less Preface. XI than any true-hearted British boy may be, who ' has the honour to draw dirk or sword in the dashing days of warfare which most assuredly are before us. Descending to still humbler heroes, it will do the reader no harm to know that poor Uncle Bob, and his honest and gentle old brother Dan, have had their counterparts in rear life. So, too, has the faithful collie dog Meg, with all her gentle, winning ways, who so cheered the last sad days of her helpless invalid master.

May we not love even a dog for the possession of virtues higher far than many mortals can lay claim to ? Gordon Stables. Twyford, Berks, March, 1892. CONTENTS. 13oofe JE. IN PEACE AND AT HOME. Chapter Page I. Poor Uncle Bob . . ... 17 II. The Wreck on the Corton Sands . 27 III. "I SEE IT ALL," HE SAID; "I SEE IT ALL" . . 38 IV. Uncle Bob tells Tom's stort . . 48 V. A Mountain Wave comes swelling o'er the Sands 59 VI. Summer Morning on a Norfolk Broad . . 66 VII. The Launch of the " Queen of the Broads " . 80 VIII. "Stay at Home, my Lad, and plant Cabbages" . 89 IX. Horatio Nelson's Earlier Days . 98 X. " I will be a Heko, and trusting to Providence BRAVE EVERY DANGER " . . . 108 XI. " There 's a Storm brewing, and you 'll be in it, Tom " 121 XII. "Dan will ne'er be Dan again," they said . . 132 &ook EL WILD WAR'S BLAST.

I. Tom's Baptism of Blood . ./ 141 II. How Tom Bure joined the Service . . 154 III. In the Gunroom Mess — The great War Game . 163 IV. Were there really Tears in Nelson's Eyes ? . Contents. XIV Chapter Pahe V. The glorious old "Agamemnon" . . .188 VI. A Duel to the Death . ... 199 VII. The Battle of St. Vincent . ... 207 VIII. Life in Nelson's Ship . . . 220 IX. Bombarding Cadiz — A madcap Expedition . 229 X. A Dark Night's Work . . . 240 XI. A Happy Home-coming . ... 255 iSooft ___. 72V HONOUR'S CAUSE. I. A Gipsy's Warning . . ... 263 II. The Fight on Blackmuir Marsh . . . 275 III. "Volunteers" for the Navy — The Burning of the " Highflyer " . ... 285 IV. The Search for the French Fleet — At Last . 296 V. The Battle of the Nile — Horrors of the Cockpit — Nelson Wounded . ... 307 VI. The Burning of the " Orient " — A Heart of Oak . 320 VII.

Face to Face with the Danish Ships . . . 332 VIII. A "Glorious Day's Renown" . . . 342 IX. Nelson's Last Days and Hours . . . 351 X. "Jack, I Feel there is Something Wanting in my Life" . . ... Book I. |n JP^ttjg nnb ai ]|nnq. "Behold! how good a thing it is, And how becoming well, Together, such as brethren are, In unity to dwell." HJearts of #ak