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Page 58
"From hence I go, Madame, to engage, to-morrow morning, his Majesty's
ship, Drake, of twenty guns, now lying at Carrickfergus. I should meet
the enemy with more than wonted resolution, could I flatter myself that,
through this unhandsome conduct on the part of my officers, I lie not
under the disesteem of the sweet lady of the Isle of St. Mary's. But
unconquerable as Mars should I be, could but dare to dream, that in some
green retreat of her charming domain, the Countess of Selkirk offers up a
charitable prayer for, my dear lady countess, one, who coming to take a
captive, himself has been captivated.
"Your ladyship's adoring enemy,
"JOHN PAUL JONES."
How the lady received this super-ardent note, history does not relate.
But history has not omitted to record, that after the return of the
Ranger to France, through the assiduous efforts of Paul in buying up
the booty, piece by piece, from the clutches of those among whom it had
been divided, and not without a pecuniary private loss to himself, equal
to the total value of the plunder, the plate was punctually restored,
even to the silver heads of two pepper-boxes; and, not only this, but
the Earl, hearing all the particulars, magnanimously wrote Paul a
letter, expressing thanks for his politeness. In the opinion of the
noble Earl, Paul was a man of honor. It were rash to differ in opinion
with such high-born authority.
Upon returning to the ship, she was instantly pointed over towards the
Irish coast. Next morning Carrickfergus was in sight. Paul would have
gone straight in; but Israel, reconnoitring with his glass, informed him
that a large ship, probably the Drake, was just coming out.
"What think you, Israel, do they know who we are? Let me have the
glass."
"They are dropping a boat now, sir," replied Israel, removing the glass
from his eye, and handing it to Paul.
"So they are--so they are. They don't know us. I'll decoy that boat
alongside. Quick--they are coming for us--take the helm now yourself, my
lion, and keep the ship's stern steadily presented towards the advancing
boat. Don't let them have the least peep at our broadside."
The boat came on, an officer in its bow all the time eyeing the Ranger
through a glass. Presently the boat was within hail.
"Ship ahoy! Who are you?"
"Oh, come alongside," answered Paul through his trumpet, in a rapid
off-hand tone, as though he were a gruff sort of friend, impatient at
being suspected for a foe.
In a few moments the officer of the boat stepped into the Ranger's
gangway. Cocking his bonnet gallantly, Paul advanced towards him, making
a very polite bow, saying: "Good morning, sir, good morning; delighted
to see you. That's a pretty sword you have; pray, let me look at it."
"I see," said the officer, glancing at the ship's armament, and turning
pale, "I am your prisoner."
"No--my guest," responded Paul, winningly. "Pray, let me relieve you of
your--your--cane."
Thus humorously he received the officer's delivered sword.
"Now tell me, sir, if you please," he continued, "what brings out his
Majesty's ship Drake this fine morning? Going a little airing?"
"She comes out in search of you, but when I left her side half an hour
since she did not know that the ship off the harbor was the one she
sought."
"You had news from Whitehaven, I suppose, last night, eh?"
"Aye: express; saying that certain incendiaries had landed there early
that morning."
"What?--what sort of men were they, did you say?" said Paul, shaking his
bonnet fiercely to one side of his head, and coming close to the
officer. "Pardon me," he added derisively, "I had forgot you are my
_guest_. Israel, see the unfortunate gentleman below, and his men
forward."
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