Page:Biographia Hibernica volume 2.djvu/118

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li4 DUCHAL. the Trusty, and blowing weather having rendered it necessary to put into the mouth of the Shannon, his ship, being the smallest, anchored according to etiquette, in most of the flag; when orders were given to put to sea, his ship, according to the same etiquette, was the first to weigh, and put about and stand outwards; which he ac cordingly did, with a good deal of canvas set, and the tide running strong, with a stiff breeze off the land; the ship, in consequence, ran at a good rate, and came so close to the admiral, that a great alarm prevailed lest he should run on board, and do great mischief to both. All hands were ordered up on board the admiral, and the greatest bustle and confusion prevailed. The admiral hailed Captain Drury, and, in very angry terms, censured him for the dangerous situation in which he had placed both ships; Captain Drury, in answer, bade him not to be alarmed, for there was not the least danger; and the Trusty having by this time brushed close by without touching, he added, “I knew I should do i t

and I have done i t t o a hair.” Admiral Drury once met with a n accident, i n travelling i n a stage coach i n Ireland, by which his arm was much hurt. On joining his friends a t his journey's end, with his arm i n a sling, they condoled with him o n his misfor tune, which gave rise t o a conversation, o n the hazards o f travelling b y sea and land:—“I d o not know how i t is,” said the admiral, “I have gone frequently into action without experiencing any very unpleasant sensation; but, when going into that machine, I had a feeling that con vinced me I should not get out o f i t without some mischief or another.” JAMES DUCHAL, Was a n eminent non-conformist divine, who, i n the course o f his ministry, displayed talents, learning, sound virtue, and piety, which would have done honour t o any church. He was born probably near Antrim, i n 1697. The early part o f his education was under the superintendence o f his