and many of our shipmates lay bleeding on the deck, but not a shot had we returned.”  “Stand by there, upon the main deck,” cried the first lieutenant.  “Steady, my men!  Wait for command, and don’t throw your fire away!” “All ready, sir,” was responded fore and aft.  At this moment a seaman advanced upon the quarter-deck, attended by a young lad (one of the fore-top men) whose pale face and quivering lip betrayed the tremulous agitation of fear.  The lieutenant gazed at him for a few seconds with marked contempt and indignation, but all stood silent.  The officer turned towards the admiral, and on again looking round, perceived that the lad had fainted, and lay lifeless in the seaman’s arms, who gazed upon the bloodless countenance of his charge with a look of anguish and despair.  “Carry him below,” said the lieutenant, “and let him skulk from his duty; this day must be a day of glory!” The poor fellow seemed unconscious that he was spoken to, but still continued to gaze upon the lad.  The officer beckoned to a couple of men, who immediately advanced, and were about to execute his orders, when the seaman put them back with his hand, exclaiming, ’No! she is mine, and we will live or die together!’ Oh! lady, what a scene was that!  The frown quitted the lieutenant’s brow, and a tear trembled in his eye.  The generous Howe and his brave companions gathered round, and there was not a heart that did not feel what it was to be beloved.  Yes! mine alone was dreary, like the lightning-blasted wreck.  We were rapidly approaching the French admiral’s ship, the Montague:  the main decks fired, and the lower deck followed the example.  The noise brought her to her recollection; she gazed wildly on all, and then clinging closer to her lover, sought relief in tears.  ‘T——­,’ said his lordship, mildly, ’this must not be—­Go, go, my lad; see her safe in the cockpit, and then I know that you will do your duty.’  A smile of animation lighted up his agitated face.  ‘I will!  I will!’ cried he, God bless your lordship, I will! for I have always done my duty;’—­and taking his trembling burthen in his arms, supported her to a place of safety.  In a few minutes he was again at his gun, and assisted in pouring the first raking broadside into our opponents stern.  Since that time I have served in most of the general actions; and knelt by the side of the hero Nelson, when he resigned himself to the arms of death.  But, whether stationed upon deck amidst the blood and slaughter of battle—­the shrieks of the wounded, and groans of the dying—­or clinging to the shrouds during the tempestuous howling of the storm, while the wild waves were beating over me—­whether coasting along the luxuriant shores of the Mediterranean, or surrounded by ice-bergs in the Polar sea,—­one thought, one feeling possessed my soul, and that was devoted to the being I adored.  Years rolled away; but that deep, strong, deathless passion distance could not subdue, nor old age founder.  ’Tis now about seven years