The admiral's house commanded an extensive view of the Solent, looking
across to Portsmouth, down the channel towards Cowes and up over
Spithead. One bright morning after breakfast, the admiral, as usual,
with his eye at the telescope, was watching the ever-varying scene on
the waters before him, when he exclaimed, "Two frigates standing in, and
one is French, a prize to the other. To my eye the Frenchman seems the
biggest of the two; I must send over and learn all about it." He rang
the bell, his old coxswain appeared. "Judson, take the wherry and board
that frigate, and give my compliments and learn the particulars of the
action, and if her captain can spare time I shall be very glad to see
him. Here, give this note if--" The admiral spoke a few words in an
under tone heard by no one else.
Judson hurried off. There was a fair breeze to Spithead, and back--a
soldier's wind. Alice watched the progress of the boat with great
interest. She reached the English frigate, remained a short time, and
was speedily on her way back. Before she had long left the frigate she
was followed by another boat which overtook her as she reached the
shore.
A short time afterwards, Judson appeared, and put a card into his
master's hand, "Say that I shall be delighted to see him when he can
come up."
"What about the action, Judson?" asked the admiral.
"Just the finest, sir, that has been fought during the war," answered
Judson. "He'll be up here presently, and tell you more about it than I
can."
Scarcely ten minutes had passed by, when Judson announced "Captain Sir
Pearce Ripley!" The admiral received the young captain with every mark
of regard. "And now let me introduce you to my guests, General and Miss
Verner; but, by the by, you know them, I think."
Alice, lost to all sense of decorum, sprang forward to receive him. The
general put out his hand in a cordial manner, and with many compliments
congratulated him on his success. The admiral having listened to an
account of the action, dragged off the general to see some improvements
on the farm; the Indies of the family left the room, and Pearce Ripley
heard from Alice's own lips that her father fully sanctioned their
union. He claimed a sailor's privilege, and before a month had passed
their marriage took place.
Bonham obtained his post rank, and though he had not the talent of his
friend, he ever proved himself an active efficient officer. Harry
Verner quitted the service, finding that, notwithstanding his
connections, his merits were not appreciated, and that he was not likely
to obtain his promotion. He soon afterwards broke his neck out hunting.
Sir Pearce Ripley commanded several line of battle ships, and took an
active part in three of England's greatest naval victories. He in due
course became an admiral, and was created a baronet, and his sons
entering the navy rose to the highest rank in their noble profession.