大约在本世纪初，比尔·鲍尔斯被压榨，送到海上;他毫不迟延地把“水女巫号”送上了船，几乎来不及向费尔韦村的村民们告别。一上了“水女巫号”，他就决心履行自己的职责，而且，上帝保佑，他要娶村里的美人耐莉·布莱斯;他会为老英格兰而战，像个快活的英国水手，但他会在战争中想起耐莉·布莱斯。这个可怜的家伙几乎没有想到他将要经历的一切，但在他所有的海上考验中，他从来没有后悔过;没有;勇敢的水手终于接受了自己的命运，他为自己的指挥官，伟大的沃德船长感到骄傲。“水女巫”号上有汤姆·里格尔斯，他的老同志，和汤姆·里格尔斯这样的人在一起，他很少感到害怕，因为他们在船上讲的故事使时间飞逝，使他们的同伴们感到轻松愉快。那是一个阳光明媚的早晨，沃德船长的目光清晰可见，他引起了部下们的密切注意:瞧!他喊道，有两个法国人在我们的右边，所以，马上准备我的人开始战斗。于是，“水女巫号”驶向离得最近的船，每个人都决心献出自己最宝贵的生命; But the French commander, disinclined to commence the fight, Ordered his men to put on a press of canvas and take to flight. But Captain Ward quickly gave the order to fire, Then Bill Bowls cried, Now we'll get fighting to our heart's desire! And for an hour and more a running fight was maintained, Until the two ships of the enemy near upon the "Waterwitch" gained. Captain Ward walked the deck with a firm tread, When a shot from the enemy pierced the ship's side above his head; And with a splinter Bill Bowls was wounded on the left arm, And he cried, Death to the frog-eaters! they have done me little harm. Then Captain Ward cried, Fear not, we will win the day, Now, courage my men, pour in broadsides without delay; Then they sailed round the "St. Denis" and the "Gloire," And in at their cabin windows they poured a deadly fire. The effect on the two ships was fearful to behold, But still the Frenchmen stuck to their guns with courage, be it told; And the crash and din of artillery was deafening to the ear, And the cries of the wounded men on deck were pitiful to hear. Then Captain Ward to his men did say, We must board these French ships without dismay; Then he seized his cutlass, ashe fearlessly spoke, And jumped on board the "St. Denis" in the midst of the smoke. Then Bill Bowls and Tom Riggles quickly followed him, Then hand to hand the battle in earnest did begin; And the men sprang upon their foes and beat them back, And they hauled down their colours, and hoisted the Union Jack. But the men on board the "St. Denis" fought desperately hard, But, alas! as the "St Denis" was captured, a ball struck Captain Ward Right on the forehead, and he fell dead with a groan, And for the death of Captain Ward the sailors did cry and moan. Then the first lieutenant, who was standing by, Loudly to the men did cry: Come men, and carry your noble commander to his cabin below, But there is one consolation, we have beaten the foe. And thus fell Captain Ward in the prime of his life, And I hope he is now in the better land, free from strife: But, alas! 'tis sad to think he was buried in the mighty deep, Where too many of our brave seamen do silently sleep. The "St. Denis" and the "Gloire" were towed to Gibraltar, the nearest port, But by capturing of them, they felt but little sport, Because, for the loss of Captain Ward, the men felt woebegone, Because in bravery, they said, he was next to Admiral Nelson.