Chapter II: Preface

I have no 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 my 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, 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 shall emulate the dash and _elan_ of our great and mighty Nelson.

* * * * *

Descending to my lesser heroes, young Lord Raventree, and Tom Bure, they are neither greater nor less 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 real 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._

Dedication.

TO

FRANK SMITH, ESQ.,

JOURNALIST, ETC.,

A FRIEND WHOM I HAVE NEVER YET SEEN,

BUT WHO SO VERY OFTEN

CHEERS ME WITH BRIGHT AND WITTY LETTERS,

Himself a Heart of Oak,

THIS BOOK

IS DEDICATED WITH EVERY KINDLY WISH

BY

THE AUTHOR.

CONTENTS.

Book I.

_IN PEACE AND AT HOME._

CHAPTER

I. Poor Uncle Bob
II. The Wreck on the Gorton Sands
III. "I see it all," He said; "I see it all"
IV. Uncle Bob tells Tom's story
V. A Mountain Wave comes swelling o'er the Sands
VI. Summer Morning on a Norfolk Broad
VII. The Launch of the "Queen of the Broads"
VIII. "Stay at Home, my Lad, and plant Cabbages"
IX. Horatio Nelson's Earlier Days
X. "I will be a Hero, and trusting to Providence
brave every Danger"
XI. "There's a Storm brewing, and you'll be in it, Tom"
XII. "Dan will ne'er be Dan again," they said

Book II

_WILD WAR'S BLAST._

I. Tom's Baptism of Blood
II. How Tom Bure joined the Service
III. In the Gunroom Mess--The Great War Game
IV. Were there really Tears in Nelson's Eyes?
V. The glorious old "Agamemnon"
VI. A Duel to the Death
VII. The Battle of St. Vincent
VIII. Life in Nelson's Ship
IX. Bombarding Cadiz--A madcap Expedition
X. A Dark Night's Work
XI. A Happy Home-coming

Book III.

_IN HONOUR'S CAUSE._

I. A Gipsy's Warning
II. The Fight on Blackmuir Marsh
III. "Volunteers" for the Navy--The Burning of the "Highflyer"
IV. The Search for the French Fleet--At Last
V. The Battle of the Nile--Horrors of the Cockpit--Nelson Wounded
VI. The Burning of the "Orient"--A Heart of Oak
VII. Face to Face with the Danish Ships
VIII. A "Glorious Day's Renown"
IX. Nelson's Last Days and Hours
X. "Jack, I Feel there is Something Wanting in my Life"

HEARTS OF OAK