BOBBIE, THE POWDER BOY

In which a young boy shows great courage in the face of danger.

There was a time when our country needed many men to protect her against her enemies—especially the British. She had to have soldiers on land and on sea. Sometimes boys were accepted to help in the camps and on the vessels.

On board the ship United States was a boy only ten years of age. His name was Bobbie. He was allowed to help but his name could not be placed upon the roll of the ship until he had served a certain length of time. He was very young to be aboard a war vessel, but he was faithful to his duty and served as bravely as he could. At times it was very hard on Bobbie, but even in places of great danger he remained just as brave as ever. One time it looked as if their ship would be lost. A great British vessel was coming towards them. How could the little United States stand against a much larger British vessel?

“Well, Bob,” cried his older comrades, “are you afraid?”

“No, indeed,” cried Bobbie, and he hurried away to find the captain.

“What’s wanting, Bobbie?” said the captain.

“Please, Commodore, will you put my name on the roll before the battle begins?”

“What for, my lad?” asked the Commodore kindly.

“So that I can take a position at the front of the ship when the firing begins,” replied the boy bravely. “We must take that British ship, and I believe we are going to do it.”

“All right,” said the captain. “You are on the roll.”

The battle began. Bobbie was stationed on the main deck in the thickest of the fight. He was powder boy. He stood close to one of the great guns, and it was his duty to keep powder ready for this particular gun. Back and forth between the powder magazines and the gun he went, the cartridges hidden beneath his jacket so that no spark of fire might touch them. All about him on every side, whizzed the deadly leaden balls, but Bob took no heed of them.

“Well, Bob,” said the captain, after the battle was over, “we did capture the British after all.”

“Yes, sir; yes, sir,” answered Bobbie, his smoke-stained face radiant with joy. “I knew we would.”

“And now,” said the captain, “if we get the old hulk into port, there will be part of the reward for you. Would you mind telling me what you are going to do with the money you get?”

“Half of it I shall send to my mother; with the other half I shall get me a bit of schooling.”

The captain’s heart was touched, and the brave little boy ever after had a warm friend in the captain.