A Boy Who Obeyed Orders

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park, Washington, D. C. · Jul 25, 1912

A Boy Who Obeyed Orders

ON a wet, cold October evening a boy trudged wearily into the seaport town of Chatham, England, with a bundle on his shoulder. He was covered with mud, and from under the long black locks that fell on his forehead, two large eyes stared out at the world, and his thin cheeks were pinched with cold and wet with rain. He met a sailor as he entered the town outskirts, and, stopping him, said, "If you please, which way to the docks?"

The sailor directed him, and he went forward down the narrow streets till he came to the waterside. There he wandered around for a time without seeing any one, for it was supper-time; but presently he came upon an old man, and asked, "Are those ships out there warships?"

"Aye," replied the man, "they be, sure enough, lad. Be ye agoin' to the wars?" And he grinned.

"Yes; but I don't know how to get on board," said the puzzled boy. "Where do the boats land?"

"Right here," and the old man waved his hand at the landing-stage before them. "See! yon is one acomin' now."

Sure enough, a boat was rowing swiftly in. It drew up to the landing-stage, and an officer stepped out. The boy approached the officer, and, touching his cap, said: "Please, Sir, can you tell me how to get on board the frigate 'Raisonnable'?"

The officer looked down, and, staring at the thin, pale face with its big eyes and firm mouth, replied: "Why, that is my ship. But what do you want on board of her?"

"Please, sir, I want to join. Her commander, Captain Suckling, is my uncle, and I was to report to him."

The officer looked again at the boy. "Well, in that case I can take you aboard when I return. But you look cold and hungry, my lad. Have you had supper?"

"No, sir; I left home early this morning, and have not eaten anything since."

"My! Here, you have reported to me. I am a lieutenant on board, so come on up and have something to eat with me. Why didn't you stop in town as you came?"

"Well, you see, sir," replied the boy, "I promised father that I would come straight up to the ship and report for duty, without stopping in town; so I couldn't very well."

"Good boy!" cried the officer. "If you obey orders as well in the navy, you should get on capitally. What is your name?"

"Horatio Nelson, sir."

And the man who as a boy had learned to obey orders unflinchingly, later became the great sea hero of England, Lord Nelson.—Boys' World.