CHAPTER XIV.

THE DEATH-BED.

HUGH, upon his marriage day being

settled, had, by the advice of his wife's

relations, taken a small cottage called Clatterford, under the ruins of the beautiful old Castle of Carisbrooke, only two miles from Newport, so that Anne would be near her relations dur

ing his absence. He had furnished it prettily, and the beautiful gifts they brought with them from Hooknorton added immensely to the elegance of the little rooms.

Anne was charmed with her cottage-home, promising herself great improvements in the flower garden, and lovely walks round the old

Castle. But alas! the improvement of the garden, the evening walks upon the ramparts, round the moat, the toil up to the keep, and down the uneven and steep stone steps in descending, were soon left to her alone. The summons came, and the sloop was ordered with despatches to the Leeward Island station. Hugh was desired to sail immediately. Scarcely a month had they been married, when the separation came for an indefinite period. Hugh arranged all for his wife's comfort, and leaving her under the care of her relations, he left her sad but full of courage for her solitary life, until his return, as became a sailor's bride.

While on the Leeward Island station, he met again Captain Andrew Hamond, whose home was in the Isle of Wight, and this circumstance gave him an additional interest in Hugh Christian. Having been entrusted by Lord Howe, Commander-in-Chief in America,

with the command of a squadron of frigates sent on a cruise, and having put into Antigua, Captain Hamond was there informed that a considerable number of the hired armed ships, laden with provisions for the army in America, had, instead of going direct to New York, been cruising about among the islands all the winter; and knowing the necessity of their early arrival to the army, and being satisfied of the zeal and activity of Hugh Christian, obtained permission from the admiral on the Leeward Island station, to send him round to collect the victuallers, and hurry them on to New York.

Hugh gladly undertook the charge, and speedily collected the vessels, and with great firmness and despatch conveyed them direct to their destination, and this in so short a time, and with such despatch and ability, that his conduct in the affair gained Lord Howe's openly-expressed approbation; and in proof of

his recognition of this service, Lord Howe took Lieutenant Christian on board his own ship with himself, and, in the course of the year, promoted him to the rank of Commander, his first appointment being to the "Kingfisher." Hugh Christian remained all his life a great favourite of Lord Howe's; in proof of which is the following letter, written years after the above event, by Lord Howe to Captain Christian, who, as Post-Captain, accepted a command under his lordship.

"Grafton Street,

"11th April, 1791.

"DEAR SIR,

"Not having a suitable opportunity when I had the pleasure of seeing you at Porter's Lodge, to make my acknowledgments for your obliging readiness again to forego the possession of an independent charge, to indulge me with the benefit of your assistance, I take this

occasion to assure you I am most sensible of it. I have not yet heard that any extensive addition to the present armament is intended; and all the requisite steps having been taken for the most satisfactory conduct of it wherever it is destined, I have no reason to imagine any necessity for your declining to accept of the employment suggested for you by Lord Chatham in favour of "Your much obliged and faithful servant, "HOWE."

While under the command of Lord Howe, Hugh was suddenly ordered home in the "Vigilant" sloop of war, of 20 guns, intrusted with despatches for the Admiral at Portsmouth. It was again August, one year since his marriage; none will wonder at the alacrity with which the young commander, husband, and father, obeyed an order, which would give him an opportunity of meeting those so dear to him again.