New Hampshire Statesman And Concord Register

NELSON'S HUMANITY

Lord Nelson was loath to inflict punishment, and
when he was obliged as he called it, "to endure
the torture of seeing men flogged," he came out
of his cabin with hurried steps, ran into the gang
way—made his bow to the Marine General, and
reading the article of war the culprit had infringed,
said, "Boatswain, do your duty." The lash was
instantly applied, and consequently the sufferer
exclaimed, "forgive me, Admiral, forgive me:"
he would look round with wild anxiety, and as all
his officers kept silence [when the fellow really
merited his punishment] "what! none of you
speak for him—avast—cast him off—Jack, in the
day of battle remember me, and be a good fel-
low in future." A poor devil was about to be
flogged; he was a landsman, and few pitied him.
His offence was drunkenness. As he was tying
up, a lovely girl, contrary to all rules, rushed
through the officers, and falling on her knees,
clasped Nelson's hands in which were the articles
of war; "pray, forgive him, your honor, and he
shall never offend again." "Your ace," said he,
"is security for his good behavior. Let him go;
the fellow cannot be bad who has such a lovely
creature in his care."

The man rose to be a
Lieutenant; his name was William Pye.