the cessation of the roar
of the guns made Sam Smatch careless, is uncertain; but just as a
ninety-gun ship was bearing down on the gallant _Fame_, who should
appear on the quarterdeck but little Billy True Blue! At that moment
the Frenchmen let fly a crashing broadside, speedily returned by the
crew of the _Fame_. Round-shot and bullets were flying about like hail,
blocks and yards and splinters were rattling down from aloft, and blood
and brains and mangled limbs were being scattered here and there.
Unharmed and undaunted, the little fellow stood amid the wild uproar and
the havoc and destruction and the scenes of horror taking place on every
side.

The Captain at length turned round and saw the child standing near him.

"Oh, go below, boy! go below! You may be hurt, my child!" he exclaimed
in a voice of the deepest concern. He turned to young Garland, who was
near him, repeating, "Take him below instantly out of harm's way."

Billy had never disobeyed the Captain's commands before; but he
struggled violently in the midshipman's arms and cried out, "No, no!
Billy stay on deck and fight French!"

The fine old Captain was raising his hand as a sign that he must be
obeyed, when he was seen to stagger. Nat Garland let go the child and
ran to catch him; but before he could get up, he had sunk on the deck,
just raising himself on one arm; but that slowly gave way, and he lay
still on the deck.

Billy True Blue flew up to him with a cry of grief.

"Oh, Captain, Captain, what is the matter?" he exclaimed. Young Garland
and those who stood near with deep grief thought that their gallant
chief was dead.

"Captain, Captain, do speak--tell Billy what is the matter?" said the
child.

At length the old man opened his eyes and smiled as he saw that innocent
infantine face looking down upon him.

"Alfred--Edgar," he whispered slowly. "Yes, dears, I know you; but I am
going--going to another world of peace and quiet, where we shall all
meet. I have had a rough life away from you; but duty, dears, duty kept
me from home--always follow duty wherever it leads."

Billy could not make out what the Captain was talking about, and others
thought that he was speaking to him. In a little time he came more to
himself, and they were about to take him below, but he insisted on being
left on deck.

"I am shot through and through," he said. "I will breathe the open air
and see how the fight goes as long as I live. But take