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diff --git a/old/65099-0.txt b/old/65099-0.txt deleted file mode 100644 index 7a58d2f..0000000 --- a/old/65099-0.txt +++ /dev/null @@ -1,8535 +0,0 @@ -The Project Gutenberg eBook of With John Paul Jones, by John T. McIntyre - -This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere in the United States and -most other parts of the world at no cost and with almost no restrictions -whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or re-use it under the terms -of the Project Gutenberg License included with this eBook or online at -www.gutenberg.org. If you are not located in the United States, you -will have to check the laws of the country where you are located before -using this eBook. - -Title: With John Paul Jones - -Author: John T. McIntyre - -Illustrator: Clyde O. Deland - -Release Date: April 18, 2021 [eBook #65099] - -Language: English - -Character set encoding: UTF-8 - -Produced by: D A Alexander, David E. Brown, and the Online Distributed - Proofreading Team at https://www.pgdp.net (This file was - produced from images generously made available by the Library - of Congress) - -*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK WITH JOHN PAUL JONES *** - - - - - _To - Rebbie and Fanny Graham_ - - -[Illustration: _JOHN PAUL JONES FLUSHED WITH PLEASURE_] - - - - -[Illustration] - - _With_ - JOHN PAUL - JONES - - - _by_ - John T. M^cIntyre - _Author of_ - “Fighting King George” etc. - - Illustrated - _by_ - Clyde O. Deland - - - THE PENN - PUBLISHING - COMPANY - PHILADELPHIA - MCMVI - -[Illustration] - - - - - COPYRIGHT 1906 BY THE PENN PUBLISHING COMPANY - - - - -Contents - - - CHAP. PAGE - - I HOW ETHAN CARLYLE BROUGHT THE NEWS OF BURGOYNE’S SURRENDER 9 - - II HOW A SPY LISTENED AT THE WINDOW 21 - - III HOW THE SHALLOP ATTACKED THE ISLAND QUEEN 32 - - IV SHOWS HOW THE RANGER SAILED FOR FRANCE 46 - - V HOW ETHAN CARLYLE FACED THE BULLY OF THE RANGER 62 - - VI WHAT HAPPENED BY NIGHT IN THE HARBOR OF NANTES 73 - - VII HOW LONGSWORD STRUCK HOME 82 - - VIII SHOWS HOW BENJAMIN FRANKLIN OPENED THE SECRET DISPATCH 104 - - IX HOW ETHAN AND LONGSWORD MET A MAN NAMED FOCHARD 114 - - X THE CRUISE OF THE RANGER 130 - - XI ON ST. MARY’S ISLE 151 - - XII IN WHICH DANVERS APPEARS ONCE MORE 162 - - XIII HOW THE SPY LOST HIS PRISONERS 176 - - XIV HOW ETHAN AND LONGSWORD TOOK THE SCHOONER 192 - - XV HOW THE SCHOONER CAME UPON THE DRAKE IN THE DARKNESS 209 - - XVI HOW THE RANGER FOUGHT THE DRAKE 216 - - XVII THE SECRET AGENT ONCE MORE 230 - - XVIII THE ROAD TO BREST 251 - - XIX HOW THE ERIN PUT TO SEA 266 - - XX SHOWS HOW A SOLDIER CAME OUT OF MILL PRISON 279 - - XXI THE EXPLOIT OF MASTER DIRK HATFIELD 293 - - XXII THE PRESS-GANG 304 - - XXIII HOW THE BON HOMME RICHARD MET THE SERAPIS 319 - - XXIV HOW THE SERAPIS STRUCK HER FLAG 339 - - XXV HOME AND LIBERTY 354 - - - - -Illustrations - - - JOHN PAUL JONES FLUSHED WITH PLEASURE _Frontispiece_ - - PAGE - - “I’LL DO IT,” SAID ETHAN PROMPTLY 26 - - “KEEP THEM AT SWORD’S LENGTH,” SAID CAPTAIN JONES 99 - - DANVERS CAME DOWN INTO THE HOLD 171 - - ETHAN CARLYLE STOOD BEFORE THEM 204 - - AN ANGRY LOOK CAME INTO HATFIELD’S EYES 313 - - HE BEGAN TO THROW THE GRENADES 349 - - - - -With John Paul Jones - - - - -CHAPTER I - -HOW ETHAN CARLYLE BROUGHT THE NEWS OF BURGOYNE’S SURRENDER - - -“Who is that man that is so much at the Wheelocks’ just now?” asked -young Walter Stanton of his friend Philip Morgan. - -“Some Tory friend, I suppose. I don’t like him; see the sneer upon his -face as he looks at the members upon the steps of the State House.” - -It was about noon on a day late in September in the year 1777. A group -of young men and boys were lounging upon some benches in the shade of -two big buttonwoods directly across from the quaint old State House at -Philadelphia. The sun hung almost over the tower whose bell had boomed -freedom to a nation only a little more than a year before; upon the -stone steps of the building stood a number of grave-faced, earnest -gentlemen, members of the first Continental Congress, talking of the -weighty matters that were to be discussed in the approaching session. - -The man who had attracted Walter Stanton’s attention was a person of -striking appearance. He had thick, coal-black hair, a pale, keen face -and a frame that showed strength and endurance. A boy of about nineteen -stood at his side, and they were both talking in low tones and watching -the patriot-legislators as they slowly assembled. Philip Morgan was -right when he said that the stranger wore a sneer upon his face. That -cold look of pitying contempt and the curl of the man’s lip could -mean nothing else. A stir went through the crowd of lads as an erect, -care-worn man passed slowly along, with bent head and an air of great -abstraction, every hat came off with a sweep of respect. - -“Who is that man?” asked the stranger of Walter. - -“That,” answered the boy, “is Mr. Hancock, president of Congress.” - -The stranger’s teeth gleamed in a mocking smile. - -“Ah, yes, I have heard of him,” he said. “It was he that caused this -war with England.” - -Walter and Philip looked at each other; the boy at the man’s side -nudged him in a manner that said as plainly as words: “Be careful of -what you say.” - -“It’s news to me,” spoke Walter Stanton, “to hear that Mr. John Hancock -was the cause of the war.” - -“We had always fancied that it was begun by that old madman, King -George,” said Philip Morgan, who was a blunt spoken lad at best; and -the man’s manner irritated him. The stranger bent his brows and a glint -of anger came into his sharp, black eyes. He seemed upon the point of -making a biting retort; but once more the boy at his side warned him to -beware. - -“Be careful, Danvers,” he whispered. “You’ll get into trouble. They are -all Whigs here.” - -Danvers hesitated a moment; then he turned to Philip with a cold smile -that showed his strong white teeth. - -“If it had not been for Major Pitcairn’s being called out that day -with his men to seize this Mr. Hancock for treason to the crown, there -would have been no fight at Lexington; and had that skirmish not taken -place there would have been no rebellion.” - -“Revolution is a better word, I think,” said Walter Stanton, quietly. - -“Call it what you will,” answered the man sneeringly, “the fact remains -the same.” - -“And I don’t like your calling the fight at Lexington a skirmish,” -spoke the blunt-tongued Philip, who had come to think of that first -exchange of shots as a most glorious engagement. “It resulted in three -hundred British troops being killed, and when Putnam and Arnold hurried -up to take command of the minutemen, they walled General Gage up in -Boston, for all his army and ships.” - -“Putnam!” said the man in his mocking way. “What is he? An old farmer -turned soldier; and Arnold is a swaggering, reckless ruffian.” - -“Be quiet,” whispered Stephen Wheelock, as he dragged at the man’s -sleeve, his face growing pale as he noted the resentful expressions of -those about them. “Be quiet, I tell you!” - -Danvers’ quick eye saw the effect of his words and he smiled coolly. It -seemed as though he rather enjoyed the risk he ran in being so open in -his words. - -“Never fear,” said he, in a low tone to young Wheelock. “I only want to -stir them up a bit. I’ll be careful not to go too far.” - -“You’ll get my father into hot water, Danvers, if you don’t mind -yourself,” warned Stephen, drawing the man aside. “The Whigs know that -our family sympathize with the cause of the king; and it must not be -known that we harbor agents of Lord North’s government.” - -“Hush!” warned Danvers, in his turn. “They will know it soon enough, -and you’ll have my neck in a halter, if you use such terms as that in -this public place.” - -“Give them no cause for suspicion, then,” said young Wheelock. “I’ve -seen them aroused more than once, and it’s not a pleasant thing to look -at, indeed.” - -Philip Morgan’s ire was aroused by the words of Danvers, and he was -talking loudly. - -“Let the English say what they like,” cried he, “we have as good -officers as they, and perhaps better. And we were faithful to the king, -too, until he hired the Brunswickers and Hessians to come and fight -against us. No free men could stand such a thing as that.” - -“No, no,” chorused the boys upon the benches. - -“That was the last straw,” said Walter Stanton. “If King George had -not done that, the gentlemen across the way would never have written, -passed and signed the Declaration of Independence, July a year ago.” - -So interested were all the boys in the talk, which now became general, -that they did not notice a horseman ride up, dismount and tie his nag -to a post near at hand. He was a tall, spare, raw-boned man, with fiery -red hair. He held himself with the rigid bearing of a man trained in -the army; his face was resolute, indeed fierce looking; and an ugly -sword slash had left a red scar across it that did not add to his -appearance. He stood at his horse’s head listening, as Philip Morgan -went on, addressing Danvers. - -“You may sneer at Putnam if you like, sir, but he is a bold and able -officer, and so is General Arnold. Why, Arnold’s invasion of Canada -alone would stamp him as an uncommon man.” - -“He had Richard Montgomery with him,” said Danvers, coldly, “and -Montgomery got what little training he had as an officer in the British -army. The best that one can say of him is that he was brave.” - -At the name of the intrepid and lamented Montgomery, the fierce looking -man with the scar upon his face had bent forward interestedly; but at -the words of Danvers he stepped forward, his strong fingers twisting -nervously. - -“I knew General Montgomery,” said he to Danvers; “he was the cleverest -officer I ever saw.” - -Danvers turned and swept him with an insolent look. - -“And, pray, sir, who are you?” he asked. - -“Shamus O’Moore, once of the Inniskillens,” answered the newcomer, -standing very erect and speaking in a harsh, high voice. - -“Ah,” sneered Danvers, “an English dragoon.” - -“No,” said the other with great promptness, “an Irish dragoon.” - -“It is all the same,” spoke Danvers. - -“Pardon me,” protested the other, still in the same tone, and never -budging an inch in his ramrod like attitude. “There is no sameness -about it at all. Faith, ye could never make an Englishman out of an -Irishman in the world. They are like oil and water, and they won’t mix.” - -“It’s the man they call Longsword,” whispered Walter Stanton to his -chum, Philip Morgan. - -“I know,” answered the latter. “I’ve seen him at Ethan Carlyle’s -several times.” - -“General Montgomery,” said the soldier-like O’Moore, “were an Irishman -like meself and proud he were of it. He gave up his life for this -struggling nation, sir, in the storming of Quebec; and it was no common -life, I’ll have ye know. There was in him the makings of a general -officer that would have astonished the world.” - -“Oh, you fancy yourself a judge, I see,” said Danvers, icily. - -“Man and boy, I’ve soldiered for thirty years,” said the other, -“and I’ve had lots of time to pick up stray bits of knowledge by the -wayside.” - -As Danvers turned away to give his attention to young Wheelock, who was -again plucking warningly at his sleeve, O’Moore noticed Walter Stanton -and favored him instantly with a stiff, formal salute. - -“Hello, O’Moore,” said Walter. “Where is Ethan?” - -“Master Ethan will be here in a few moments,” returned O’Moore. “There -he is beyant, speaking with Mr. Jefferson.” - -The lads turned their eyes in the direction indicated, and saw a -gentleman garbed in sober black standing in the footway some little -distance off conversing excitedly with a clean built, handsome boy of -seventeen, who was seated astride a powerful bay horse. - -“Did you know that Ethan was secretary to Mr. Jefferson, now?” asked -Walter, as they watched the two with interest. - -“Yes,” answered Philip. “His father and Mr. Jefferson were great -friends, O’Moore, were they not?” - -“Indeed, yes, sir,” said the ex-dragoon. “And Mr. Jefferson visited -him at New Orleans before the war came on.” - -“They seem greatly interested in their talk,” observed Walter, still -gazing toward the lad on the bay horse and the black clad statesman. “I -never saw Mr. Jefferson so excited, and I’ve seen him many times and -listened to his speeches.” - -“And it’s no wonder, Master Stanton, that he do be excited now,” said -Shamus. “Sure he’s listening to better news then he’s heard in many a -long day. While taking a gallop on the north roads this morning, Master -Ethan and meself came upon a courier from New York whose horse had -stumbled, thrown him and broken his leg. We carried him to an inn where -he’d be taken care of; and when he found out who Master Ethan were he -handed over his despatches and bid us ride to the city wid them and -give them to Mr. Hancock, the president of the Congress.” - -“There is news from the north, then?” cried Walter, his eyes opening -wider in expectation. - -“Good news, too, you said, O’Moore,” said Philip Morgan. “Come, now, -tell us what it is.” - -The other boys had risen from their seats upon the benches, and all -crowded eagerly about the grim looking dragoon. - -“What’s the news?” they clamored. “Tell us the news.” - -“Ye’ll hear it in another moment,” said O’Moore, a smile flickering on -his lips. “Here comes Master Ethan now.” - -The sober looking gentleman in black, had just waved the boy upon the -horse delightedly away; the lad touched his mount with the spur and -dashed down the street toward the state house. Mr. Hancock stood upon -the low stone steps in the midst of a group of members engaged in -earnest talk, when the bay was pulled up sharply, and the boy upon his -back called in a voice that trembled with excitement: - -“Mr. Hancock.” - -That gentleman raised his brows in some little surprise at this; then -his face wrinkled in a smile and he nodded his recognition. - -“News from the north!” cried the boy as he swung a bulky saddle packet -over his head. - -The expression of every man present changed instantly; every voice was -hushed, every face was strained and anxious. For weeks they had been -swayed, pendulum-like, between hope and fear; and now the result was to -be known. - -“Burgoyne,” shouted the boy, as he swung himself exultantly from his -horse, “has surrendered to General Gates at Saratoga.” - -Then, amidst the clapping of hands and the shouts of the crowd that -had gathered like magic, he strode across the walk, his spurs jingling -on the flags, and handed the despatches to the president of the -Continental Congress. - - - - -CHAPTER II - -HOW A SPY LISTENED AT THE WINDOW - - -Shamus O’Moore took his young master’s horse and his own to a -neighboring stable where they were in the habit of putting them up, and -then returned to the state house. Ethan was busy with a huge portfolio -of Mr. Jefferson’s papers in a small room at the south end; from the -hall came the murmur of voices and now and then a steady flow of words -which showed that some member was addressing the Congress. - -“They do be after talking it over, Master Ethan,” said the ex-dragoon. -“And it’s mighty glad they all are.” - -“And no wonder,” said Ethan Carlyle, looking up from his work with a -smile. “A victory now means a great deal. Defeat has followed defeat so -closely, Shamus, that they, in spite of their hopeful front, began to -despair of ever seeing success crown the American arms.” - -“Well, they’ve got a murderin’ big slice of success this time,” said -the Irish soldier, with great satisfaction. “And it’s pleased I am at -that same; for every true son of Erin, Master Ethan, wants to see the -Saxon beat.” - -Ethan laughed, and there was a twinkle in his eye as he remarked: - -“Why, if you dislike the British so, you old fire eater, how came you -to be so taken with my poor dead father? He was an Englishman.” - -The old dragoon scratched his head in a rather awkward fashion, and -then made reply: - -“Your father was the finest gentleman I ever saw, and it was no fault -of his that he was an Englishman. Sure no man can choose the country -he’s to first see the light in. But he showed his quality when he -resigned from the English army and came to America. If he were alive -and able to hold a sword and head a regiment to-day, he’d be in the -thick of it for freedom and the new land, so he would.” - -There came a dimness to the boy’s eyes and he patted the old trooper -upon the back. - -“You cared a very great deal for my father, didn’t you, Longsword?” - -“I did,” said the other steadily, looking straight before him with -unwinking eyes, “and I think as much of your father’s son, faith.” - -“I know that, old friend. You’ve been with me through everything. You -even gave up your hopes of meeting the British in battle to be with me -here in Philadelphia.” - -“It was a hard wrench,” spoke Shamus, a note of regret in his voice, -“but the war is not over, Master Ethan, and I have hopes that we two -will see service yet.” - -There was some more talk of a like nature, and then Ethan went back to -his work upon Mr. Jefferson’s papers, while the ex-dragoon went outside -the south door and paced slowly up and down in the warm sunlight. -Ethan’s father had been a British cavalry major who sold out and -emigrated to Virginia. Upon a visit to New Orleans he met and married -the daughter of a French merchant and engaged with the old man in his -business. Clarette & Co. had many ships in the Gulf, and Ethan was -practically raised on board of them, as his father was continually -voyaging from one place to another in search of trade. In those -days the Gulf and the Caribbean swarmed with buccaneers, and every -merchantman was armed and strongly manned; the ships of Clarette & Co. -were often called upon to defend themselves from these rovers, and some -of Ethan’s most vivid recollections were of shot-swept decks and men -leaping back from the cut of Shamus O’Moore’s mighty brass-hilted sword. - -The Irish dragoon had been his father’s orderly in the English army, -and had come to America with him; Major Carlyle was an Oxford man, and -attended to his son’s education himself while at sea; but it was the -grim, hard visaged Shamus that taught him how to develop his muscles -to the hardness of steel, and how to use cutlass, sabre, pike, bayonet -and small-sword. The Irishman had spent years in the study of arms; -his sword-play had been the marvel of the British army when he served -in the Inniskillens, and had earned for him the name of “Longsword.” -Day by day this master of fence had drilled the boy in sword-play. -But in spite of his aptness, Ethan never drew a word of praise from -Longsword, who continued to labor with him, between decks, in the -dog watches, relentlessly, remorselessly, mercilessly. The boy could -close his eyes in his bunk, during his watch below, and still see the -angular, powerful figure of the dragoon before him; he could see the -light from the ports falling upon the scarlet scar that crossed his -face, he could see the flashing of the heavy double-edged sword and the -constant movement of the tireless arm. He never complained at the labor -of the drill. - -But one day as they were in the midst of a lesson that had lasted above -an hour, Ethan in a sudden burst of impatience had refused to give way -before the dragoon’s heavy attack; a desperate rally ensued, and to the -astonishment of the watching sailors, the boy actually drove Shamus -back before a storm of lightning-like blows. And then Longsword threw -down his blade, uttered a wild Irish whoop that rang through the ship, -sprang forward and clutched his pupil in a bear-like hug. - -“At last!” he exulted. “Ye’ve done it at last. I’ve taught ye all I -know, and I’ve only been waiting to have ye use it on meself to get -the feel of it. There will be no more lessons, Master Ethan; all ye -need is strength and weight, and then faith, even Shamus O’Moore will -be careful how he stands forninst ye!” - -These things were running through Ethan Carlyle’s head as he sorted -over the papers of Mr. Jefferson. At last Congress adjourned, and the -members streamed out of the building and down the quiet street. Then -Mr. Jefferson and Mr. Hancock entered the room with quiet steps. The -boy arose and bowed and then was about to go on with his work, when his -employer said: - -“Never mind that for a time, Ethan; there is something which we desire -to say to you.” - -The lad looked at the great Virginian wonderingly; then as he and Mr. -Hancock seated themselves at a table near a window, he crossed the room -and stood beside them. - -“Sit down,” said Mr. Hancock, pointing to a chair. - -The boy did so, and then the president of the Congress went on. - -[Illustration: _“I’LL DO IT,” SAID ETHAN PROMPTLY_] - -“There is a service which you can render Congress and your country if -you will.” - -Ethan’s eyes lit up. - -“Then consider it done, sir, if the power to render the service rests -in me.” - -Both the statesmen smiled; and Mr. Hancock proceeded. - -“At this time there is at Portsmouth a new sloop-of-war being made -ready for sea. She is called the Ranger, and is to sail under the -mastership of Captain John Paul Jones.” - -The boy drew in his breath and the grasp of his hands tightened upon -the arms of the chair. The story of the wonderful cruises of this new -sea-king in the Providence and Alfred was ringing through the land; -he had spread such terror by his deeds upon blue water that British -merchants feared to send their vessels to sea, and British frigates -were scouring the Western waters in search of him like a pack of -fierce, baffled hounds. - -“The Ranger is to sail for France,” said Mr. Hancock, “and Captain -Jones is to deliver an important document into the hands of Mr. -Franklin, our commissioner in that country.” - -Mr. Jefferson here laid a packet, sealed with great splotches of red -wax, upon the table. As he did so there came a slight rustling among -some thick bushes that grew beneath the window, and a dark, foreign -looking face appeared, and a pair of burning black eyes looked into the -room. So interested were the three at the table within that the man’s -presence was unnoticed. - -“We want you to proceed to Portsmouth and deliver this packet to -Captain Jones,” spoke Mr. Jefferson. - -“I’ll do it,” said Ethan promptly. - -“And, further, you are to sail with him in his ship and accompany him -to Paris.” - -“Very well, sir,” answered the lad, quietly. - -“As every person knows who is at all interested in the welfare of the -country,” said the president of Congress, “our sole hope of success in -this war lies in the possibility of securing the aid of France against -our enemy. But France has seen us go down in defeat after defeat; she -has feared that we are not strong enough to continue the fight, and so -far has refused to ally herself with us. But this victory of General -Gates will put a different face upon matters. If the news that we send -here, and the secret instructions that accompany it, are placed in the -hands of Mr. Franklin at Paris, the help of France and her fleets are -almost assured us.” - -The boy’s eyes gleamed as he watched the white fingers of Mr. Hancock -tapping the red-sealed packet; and the dark, strange face peering in at -the window was filled with an expression of triumph. - -“Let the contents of these documents, however, come under the eyes of -Lord North, or any other member of King George’s ministry, and all -would be ruined. None but the very highest British officials would -understand their meaning; but these would grasp it instantly, and -a condition for which we have striven for months would at once be -changed, and France would find it to her disadvantage to take sides -with us.” - -“All this means that the instructions are to be guarded carefully,” -said Ethan. - -“As you would guard your life,” said Mr. Jefferson, laying his hand -upon his young secretary’s shoulder. - -“As my life be it,” answered the boy with a resolute lift of the head. - -“It will take some little time for you to reach Portsmouth,” said Mr. -Hancock, “and Captain Jones must be all but ready to put to sea.” - -“Then I go at once?” - -“Yes; there is a schooner called the Island Queen which sails for -Portsmouth at the next tide.” - -“Which will be at ten to-night,” said Mr. Jefferson. - -“I will be ready,” returned the boy as they arose to their feet, and -Mr. Hancock handed him the packet. - -“No one aboard the Ranger will know of this packet but yourself and the -commander,” said the Virginian. “That is why we desire you to accompany -the vessel; it will have another pair of eyes to watch over it.” - -“There will be still another pair, if O’Moore is permitted to go with -me,” said Ethan, anxiously. - -“We had not thought of depriving you of the service of the faithful -Longsword,” smiled Mr. Jefferson. - -As the Virginian spoke, there came a terrific uproar from without, and -Longsword’s voice was heard shouting: - -“You thief of the world, to be listening at daysint people’s windows! -Take that! and that! and that! ye bla’gard!” - -And looking through the window they saw the grim dragoon tearing across -the green behind the state house in pursuit of a dark, foreign looking -man, while with every “and that,” he aimed a vigorous kick at him. - -“Listening at the window!” cried Mr. Hancock. - -“A spy!” echoed Mr. Jefferson. “He must be seized!” - -Ethan, at these words, shot through the door and sprang away in -pursuit; he cried out to Longsword, who at once strove to lay hands -upon the man. But the fugitive was a fleeter runner than either of -them; full speed toward the river he went, and in a little while was -lost in the alleys and winding streets of that district. - - - - -CHAPTER III - -HOW THE SHALLOP ATTACKED THE ISLAND QUEEN - - -The skipper of the schooner Island Queen paced his after deck and -waited for the strength of the tide. There was a two masted fishing -vessel tied up at the other side of the wharf; she was a clean looking -craft of the type called shallop, and carried two good sized lug sails. -Her captain stood upon the pier, talking to the commander of the -schooner. - -“You are not the only one that caught good luck at the last minute,” he -was saying. - -“Who else has got a share of it?” asked the other. - -“I have. An hour after you’d told me that you’d got a couple of -passengers for Portsmouth, a man came along and engaged my vessel for a -run along the coast.” - -“What’s he going to do with her?” - -“I don’t know. But I’m going along; so I’ll be sure that all’s right.” - -“Money’s tight in these days of war,” remarked the skipper of the -schooner, “but,” with a shake of the head, “my boat only goes out with -reg’lar cargoes and on reg’lar business. I don’t like these queer -cruises. I’ve seen strange things happen on ’em.” - -The captain of the shallop nodded his head and answered, soberly enough: - -“You’re right, cap’en; but I don’t have no reg’lar cargoes, and fishing -don’t pay any more, with British privateers always poking their noses -into the lower bay. A man must support his family, you know.” - -Ethan Carlyle and Longsword stood in the waist, leaning against the -schooner’s rail and listening to this conversation. When the skipper -of the shallop crossed the pier and climbed into his own vessel, Ethan -said: - -“Somehow or other I don’t like that.” - -“And why not?” asked the Irish dragoon. - -“It impresses me oddly. It may be that the possession of important -papers has made me nervous, but I can’t help feeling that the sudden -hiring of that fishing-boat over there has something to do with us.” - -“It may be so,” spoke the trooper. “Sure that villain was not -listening to what the gentlemen were saying to ye awhile ago for -nothing, Master Ethan.” - -“He was a strange looking fellow.” - -“Yes; some kind of a brown man like they have in India, and far off -places like that. But he was a rare good runner, though,” continued -Longsword with high admiration, “and I could reach him no more wid me -foot after we’d gone a score of yards.” - -There was a brisk wind blowing down stream when the tide got its fully -swing towards the sea; the skipper cast off his lines and worked the -Island Queen out into the river; then the mainsail, foresail and a -jib were set and the vessel headed away on her journey. As they were -passing the flats below the city, Ethan, who was leaning over the stern -rail with Longsword fancied that he saw a dark loom some distance -toward the New Jersey shore. - -“It looks like a vessel of some kind,” he said to Shamus. - -“Your eyes are younger nor mine,” answered the trooper. “I can see -nothing.” - -“I’ve been watching that for some time,” said the mate of the -schooner, who was at the wheel. “Looks to me like a two master of some -sort; and she’s a smart sailer, too; much faster than the Queen.” - -An hour passed, and the brisk wind carried the schooner well down the -river; but off on her port side clung the creeping low-lying shadow -that had attracted Ethan’s attention. The sky was thickly overcast with -clouds, the moon was hidden, and darkness hung blackly over the face of -the waters. - -“That craft may be a smarter sailer than the schooner,” said Ethan to -the mate, “but she’s not showing it. She’s been hanging there on that -quarter all the way down.” - -“That’s what I can’t understand,” said the mate. “I’m sure she could -walk away from us were she so minded, but they are holding her in for -some reason; they’ve got her out of the wind about half the time.” - -No more was said about the shadowy craft for some time, until they were -off Reedy Island; then the skipper came on deck at the mate’s request, -and scanned the dark waters in search of her. - -“Seems to me I do make out something,” he said, rather anxiously. -“Been following us down the river, has she?” - -“Yes; and she’s headed for us now,” said Ethan, whose eyes were keener -than his elder’s. He gazed at the vessel which, sure enough, was -now rapidly coming up with them; suddenly he grasped the arm of his -companion. “Shamus,” he breathed, “I was right.” - -“About what?” asked the Irish soldier. - -“About the shallop. That’s the same vessel.” - -The captain of the Island Queen turned upon the boy. - -“Do you mean the shallop that lay in the dock next us?” asked he. - -“I feel sure of it,” answered Ethan. - -The captain breathed a sigh of relief. - -“Oh, then, it’s all well enough. You see her captain is a friend of -mine, and I suppose he wants to speak to me.” - -“I think,” said Ethan seriously, “that you’ll find that there is -something more to it than that.” - -“And I agree wid ye,” said Shamus O’Moore; and without another word he -dived below. - -“Your man seems sort of nervous,” laughed the captain. - -“Not he,” smiled Ethan. “If you spoke of nerves to him, I hardly think -he’d know what you were talking about.” - -“He got below mighty sudden.” - -“He’ll be back in a moment. And I fancy he’ll have his tools with him.” - -The captain stared, but said nothing more to the lad. Scanning the -waters toward the island he spoke to the mate at the wheel in low -tones regarding the chart by which he was steering. They were still so -engaged when the big lug sails of the shallop came plainly into view -and a voice from her deck hailed hoarsely, - -“Ahoy, the schooner!” - -“Ahoy,” answered the schooner’s skipper promptly. - -“Is that the Island Queen?” - -“It is. What craft is that?” - -“The Saucy Sue, shallop.” - -“Oh, is that you, Captain Hutchins?” - -There was silence for a moment, then the voice replied: - -“Yes; lay to; I want to come aboard of you.” - -“Very well,” and the schooner’s commander gave the order to his crew. - -But Ethan stepped to his side quickly and said: - -“Be careful of what you do.” - -The captain laughed and answered, “Oh, I see that the Irishman is not -the only person aboard the Queen that’s nervous. You’ve got a touch of -that complaint yourself, my lad.” - -“It’s not a question of nerves,” said Ethan quietly. “But it’s been my -experience that one vessel does not hang in the wake of another for any -good purpose.” - -“Your experience,” cried the skipper good humoredly; “listen to that, -Mr. Jarvis!” - -The mate grinned and said: - -“Sounds kind of curious to hear a boy talk like that to two old salts, -don’t it?” - -“What experience have you had on blue water, and with mysterious craft, -sonny?” asked the Queen’s skipper, humorously. - -“Enough to teach me not to do what you have done,” answered the boy. -“Coasting is easy, steady going work enough here in these northern -waters when there is no Englishman about; but I’ve sailed in ships -that have cleared the decks for action at the beginning of a voyage, -and kept them cleared except for the bodies of half breed pirates who -boarded them.” - -The skipper looked at the mate; in the light of the compass lantern it -was to be seen that that worthy had lost his grin. - -“Where was that, youngster?” asked he. - -“In the Gulf and West Indian waters,” said Ethan. “My grandfather and -my father composed the firm of Clarette & Co.” - -The schooner was, by this time, rocking idly upon the waters of the -bay; and the shallop was drawing nearer with each moment. There was no -man who followed the sea in the western world who had not heard of the -great firm of Clarette & Co., shipowners, now passed out of existence; -and with a quiet smile Ethan noticed the increased respect with which -the captain and mate of the schooner regarded him. Just then Longsword -came stamping upon deck; he had his huge, double-edged blade belted -about him; in his hands he carried Ethan’s sword and a couple of brace -of heavy pistols. - -“We are ready for them, asthore, no matter who they are,” cried he as -he handed the boy his weapons, drew his heavy blade and whirled it -about his head with a swishing sound that caused the seamen in his -neighborhood to duck their heads instinctively. - -“You two are taking a great deal of pains for nothing,” growled the -captain. “I tell you there is no danger of any kind to be expected from -that craft there. I’ve known her captain for years.” - -“Her captain, yes,” said Ethan, evenly. “But you do not know the men -who have engaged her from him, nor what their purpose is.” - -“You are right,” said the captain, after a pause. “He told me only -to-night that some people had chartered his vessel for a cruise of some -kind. Do you reckon,” and he regarded Ethan closely, “that they are -after you folks?” - -“I’m not at all sure,” answered the lad, “but I am inclined to think -that they are.” - -“And come to look at the thing right between the eyes,” spoke the mate, -“I don’t think that was Captain Hutchins or any of his people that -hailed us. It was a strange voice to me.” - -This seemed to settle the matter in the captain’s mind, and whirling -about he gave quick, sharp orders to get the vessel into the wind. But -he was too late. The Island Queen still hung, when the smart shallop -drew alongside. - -“Ahoy,” shouted a voice from the latter’s deck. “Take care there; -you’ll be afoul of us.” - -“Then sheer off,” yelled the schooner’s captain. - -“But we want to speak to you.” - -“Sheer off, I tell you,” bellowed the frightened captain of the -schooner, “or I’ll run you down!” - -“Lay that old tub to, or I’ll send a couple of musket shot into your -hide,” shouted the voice threateningly. - -“He’ll be aboard of us in a minute,” cried the captain. - -“Have you any arms on board?” asked Ethan quietly, as he looked to the -priming of his pistols and slipped his sword in and out of the scabbard -to assure himself that it was free. - -“A couple of cutlasses and pikes,” said the skipper; “and a brace of -pistols in the cabin.” - -“Then get them on deck if ye love me,” cried Longsword. “These are a -couple of stout looking lads ye have here, and wid a few feet of cold -steel in their fists they ought to do good work.” - -As the sides of the two vessels ground together the weapons were -produced. Ethan and the Irish dragoon stationed themselves in the -waist, the mate took two men armed with long handled pikes into the -bow, while the captain and three others were left to defend the after -deck. - -No sooner had they reached these positions overlooking the shallop than -a grapple was thrown aboard and fastened the two craft together. - -“Bad luck to him for an impudent villain,” growled Longsword, “but he -goes about it in workmanlike style.” - -“It’s not the first ship he’s cut out, whoever he is,” answered Ethan. - -“Steady,” grumbled the low-pitched voice of the swordsman. “Here they -come, me jewel!” - -The waist was the point at which it was chosen to board the schooner. A -sharp snapping of pistols that spat redly through the darkness preceded -the rush. Then a dozen active figures swarmed up the sides of the -Island Queen, cutlass and pistol in hand. But bold as they appeared to -be it is doubtful if they would have made the attempt had they known -what awaited them upon the schooner’s deck. - -As they sprang upon the rail they were met with a sharp fusilade of -pistol shots that sent two of their number headlong into the bay; then -Ethan and the grim dragoon drew their blades and fell upon them. - -The officers and crew of the Island Queen could never tell just -what happened there in the schooner’s waist in the dim light of the -lanterns. They saw a dreadful whirl of blows, two swords that looked -like circles of flame, two straining, panting, laboring figures that -seemed to carry death in their hands. Then the decks were cleared; -the shallop drew off slowly, firing an occasional musket shot, while -the cries of pain from her deck showed how fierce had been her crew’s -repulse. - -“Go about after her,” yelled Shamus O’Moore, “we’ll board and take her, -so we will!” - -The officers and crew of the schooner had not struck a blow, and were -very well satisfied to let matters remain as they were. - -“She’s getting up sail,” said the skipper, peering through the -darkness. “And we could never come up with her.” - -This was true, as Ethan saw at once; under press of the two spreading -lugs the shallop was already nothing but a shadow. - -“Did you make out the faces of any of them?” asked Ethan, when the -Island Queen was once more under way. - -“I did not,” answered the trooper, as he cleaned the blade of his sword -with the frayed end of a rope. “I were too busy cracking the heads of -them. And when they went over the side they took all the hurted ones -wid them.” - -There was silence between them for a moment. Ethan was loading his -pistols, the ex-dragoon rubbed industriously at his blade, and the -seamen hurried about their duties. Then Shamus spoke once more. - -“I didn’t see sorra the one of them, Master Ethan; but there is one -thing I feel mortal sure of.” - -“And what’s that, old Longsword?” - -“That brown man was in that craft. He had a crooked kind of a knife and -he were poking it at the ribs of me in the darkness. I didn’t see him; -but just the same I felt that he was there.” - -“I have no doubt,” said Ethan gravely enough, “but what you are right. -And perhaps we’ll hear from him again.” - - - - -CHAPTER IV - -SHOWS HOW THE RANGER SAILED FOR FRANCE - - -Because of a succession of contrary winds the schooner Island Queen did -not enter Portsmouth harbor for almost two weeks after the time she -left the Delaware Capes. As they ran up under light sail, the skipper -pointed to a sloop-of-war riding at anchor, and with a strange looking -flag flying at her peak. - -“That’s the ship you are looking for, I think,” he said. - -“Yes; she seems like a new vessel,” said Ethan Carlyle, gazing -earnestly at the craft. “See, they are only bending her after sails.” - -“She’s a foreigner,” spoke the mate of the schooner who stood by. “Look -at the flag she’s flying.” - -“I hadn’t noticed that,” said the captain staring at the striped emblem -with its cluster of white stars in a blue field. “It can’t be the -Ranger, after all, for she wouldn’t be flying those colors.” - -Ethan looked at the flag and laughed softly, as did Shamus, who was at -his side. - -“Faith, then, captain, dear,” said Longsword with a droll twinkle in -his eye, “it’s a queer thing indeed if ye don’t know the flag of your -own country.” - -“Of my own country!” - -“To be sure, for I take ye to be an American.” - -“You are correct in that,” said the skipper proudly. “But I’ve never -seen that flag before.” - -“No wonder,” said Ethan, “for I very much doubt if it ever flew above a -ship’s deck before. It is the new flag of the United States, recently -adopted. I saw the first one not so long ago. Indeed, I had the honor -of carrying it from the home of mistress Betsy Ross, who made it, to -the State House; and I remember that the members of the Congress and -General Washington, who was in the capitol at the time, admired it very -much.” - -“Well, the design is an improvement over the old rattle-snake and -pine-tree flags,” admitted the captain, after careful inspection. -“It looks well when it ripples in the breeze, doesn’t it?” - -The schooner had drawn near the war ship, and the mate hailed her. - -“Ahoy! is that the American ship, Ranger?” - -“It is,” came the prompt reply from the deck of the other vessel. - -“We are going to send a boat to you.” - -“Heave ahead, my hearty.” - -A skiff was lowered over the schooner’s stern, and Ethan and Longsword -were rowed to the war ship’s side and clambered to the deck. - -“Well, sir,” demanded a harsh looking man in the dress of a lieutenant. - -“I desire to see Captain Jones, if he is aboard,” said Ethan, quietly. - -“The captain is very busy just now. I am Lieutenant Simpson, and will -attend to any business that you may have.” - -There was a studied affront in the man’s manner that angered Ethan; but -he replied, still quietly: - -“My business is with the commander of this ship in person, if you -please.” - -“You will state your business to me, or you go over the side,” rapped -out the harsh faced lieutenant. - -“I will do neither one nor the other. I am here upon a special errand -of much importance, and if Captain Jones is in the ship I demand to see -him.” - -The lieutenant burst into a tirade of abuse, which made Longsword -stiffen and glare menacingly with his hand upon his hilt. But just then -there came a light, brisk step upon the deck and a calm voice asked, - -“Mr. Simpson, what is all this ado about?” - -The first officer of the Ranger colored a trifle, and turning, said: - -“This boy was impudent.” - -“Ah! In what way?” - -“He--he asked to see you.” - -A low laugh of amusement greeted this statement. - -“Well, I must say that I see no great impudence in that.” The speaker -turned to Ethan, and continued: “Do you wish to speak to me?” - -“Are you Captain John Paul Jones?” asked the lad. - -“I am.” - -Ethan stared in surprise. The fame of this new and brilliant sea -chief was so great that he had, somehow, expected to see a huge and -formidable man with fierce, weather-beaten features and the bearing -of a buccaneer. But instead he found before him a rather small, -slightly-built young man with a brisk air, a pair of the keenest dark -eyes in the world, and a pleasant, resolute face. - -“I beg your pardon,” stammered the lad, after he had recovered from -his surprise and realized that he had been staring. He drew out a -paper which the president of Congress had given him, and handed it -to the young commander of the Ranger. The latter broke the seal, and -as he unfolded the sheet of stiff paper Ethan had a glimpse of the -beautifully regular handwriting of Mr. Hancock. A glance was sufficient -to show John Paul Jones the purport of the missive. He glanced at Ethan -in some surprise and then said: - -“Will you kindly come down to my cabin?” - -Ethan descended after him, and when once they were within the cabin and -the door closed, the commander of the Ranger continued: - -“I was expecting the packet which you bring, but hardly expected so -youthful a messenger.” - -Ethan smiled. John Paul Jones was a gentleman who possessed the knack -of manner that causes strangers to feel at their ease; and the boy -replied: - -“And I hardly expected to find the captain of this ship so young a man.” - -“Age on the sea,” said John Paul Jones, humorously, “comes with -experience and not with years.” He regarded Ethan closely for a moment, -and proceeded shrewdly, “And for all your youth, you are not a stranger -to blue water, I take it.” - -“I made my first voyage at five,” answered Ethan, “and witnessed my -first sea fight through an empty port-hole. At ten I swarmed up to the -royal yards of my father’s ship with a musket as tall as myself and -helped to beat off an Algerian corsair just off the African coast.” - -Captain Jones held out his hand, which the boy promptly clasped. - -“Good,” said the former. “I like that; and now sit down and tell me all -that Mr. Hancock and Mr. Jefferson had to say about this business.” - -They seated themselves at the cabin table and Ethan proceeded to relate -all that the president of Congress and the great Virginian had told -him. And all the while he watched the mobile face before him, and an -undercurrent of thought examined the history of the sailor as he had -heard it from Mr. Jefferson some months before. - -John Paul Jones was born on July 6th, in the year 1747, in a cottage -on the estate of Arbigland, in the county of Kirkcudbright, Scotland; -and his parents had been very poor and humble people indeed. It was a -stern, wild place; to the rear was a lofty and rugged mountain, to the -front was the wide Solway, where as a child he could by daylight see -the white sails of the ships, and by night hear the solemn strokes of -their deep-toned bells. He came to love the sea with a great love; he -played at being sailor when he scarce could toddle, and his favorite -toys were the little ships which an elder brother would make for him. - -He went to sea at the age of twelve, and at twenty was a captain in -the Scottish merchantman, John, sailing out of Whitehaven. Coming to -America to settle the estate of a brother who died in Virginia he had -remained, and upon the breaking out of the war between the colonies -and England he had entered the infant navy as first lieutenant of the -Alfred. - -When Ethan had finished he drew out the packet of papers sealed with -the big splotches of red wax, and John Paul Jones locked it carefully -away in a heavy, oaken chest. - -“Mr. Hancock was right,” said he to Ethan. “Everything depends upon an -alliance with France. With the help that her heavy fleets would render -us, the troops that she could send now and then, and above all the -embarrassment that a war between her and England would cause the latter -country, we could gain a peace with perfect freedom and honor.” - -They talked for some time, and then the conversation drifted upon the -subject of the Ranger. - -“Yes,” said her captain, “she is a new ship. It was at first thought -to have her carry twenty-six guns; but I saw at once that she was too -slight in structure to carry so heavy a battery, so I have mounted but -eighteen six-pounders. And when I get her into a French port I’m going -to make some changes that I think the trip across the Atlantic will -show to be necessary.” - -Ethan and Shamus secured lodgings in the town until such time as the -ship would sail. Much trouble was experienced in shipping a crew. The -seamen demanded advance money, and the commander was forced to pay it -to them out of his own private funds, as Congress sent him none for the -purpose. And indeed this was no new thing for this brave and generous -officer to do, as Ethan subsequently discovered. The government was -already in his debt to the amount of seven thousand dollars; and he had -once fitted the brig Providence for sea, paying every copper of the -expense. - -It was in the month of October that the Ranger, everything being ready, -finally dropped down the bay and squared away for France. Ethan and -Longsword were provided with sleeping quarters with the younger officer -of the ship and took their meals in the gun room. Mr. Simpson and Mr. -Hall the first and second officers, were grumbling, discontented -men, and before John Paul Jones was done with them they gave him much -trouble. The third officer, Mr. Wallingford, was a pleasant, good -humored young man with a fund of bright stories and much ability as a -sailor. - -From the first, Simpson did all he could to annoy Ethan; he had -undertaken to do the same for Longsword, but the first petty act of -malice in this direction brought such a long, steady, menacing stare -from that grim faced trooper that the thing was not repeated. - -“Mr. Simpson seems not to like me,” said Ethan, on the second day out, -to Mr. Wallingford. - -“You are apparently a friend to Captain Jones,” said the third -lieutenant. “And as a man with half an eye can see, he hates the -captain like poison.” - -“And why?” - -“Just because he’s the skipper, I suppose,” said Wallingford, with a -shrug. “Simpson is one of those men who hate all those who are placed -over them. He got his rank by influence, and fancies that the command -should have been given him.” - -“I wouldn’t like to sail under him,” said Ethan. - -“It is rather a good thing that you don’t belong to the ship,” agreed -Wallingford. “He’d make life a burden for you, if you did.” - -“And not belonging to the ship I have a right to resent insult even -from the first lieutenant,” said Ethan Carlyle. “And if Mr. Simpson -continues as he has he’ll find that I know how.” - -Wallingford glanced over the lithe, supple, springy young fellow and -realized that these words were no idle vaporings and that the power and -will were behind them to make them good. - -“Perhaps you may have a chance to show what you can do in the fighting -way before we reach Nantes,” said the young third lieutenant. “I heard -Simpson among the middies at eight bells last night trying to get one -of them to thrash you.” - -Ethan’s eyes flashed and his hands clinched. - -“I trust he didn’t succeed,” said he. “For the midshipmen of the Ranger -struck me as being a rather decent lot.” - -“They are,” said Wallingford. “And none of them would accept his hints. -But he didn’t stop there. There is a Canadian master’s mate on board, -a hulking, savage sort of fellow. Simpson has been talking to him; so -you’d better look out unless you want to complain to the skipper.” - -“I’ll not do that,” answered Ethan determinedly. “I’ve always fought my -own battles, and mean to continue to do so.” - -“I think he--Simpson, I mean--judged you to be one of that kind, and -he’s just mean enough to take advantage of it.” - -Ethan told Shamus of this that same evening as they paced the deck -together. - -“The master’s mate, is it?” said the dragoon. “Well, I’ve noticed that -same fellow to-day as he kicked and swore at the small lads and mild -looking men in the crew. He’s a stout lump of a fellow wid a wicked -look, so if there is to be ructions wid him, Master Ethan, leave him to -me, and I’ll engage not to leave a whole bone in his body, so I will.” - -Ethan laughed at his companion’s enthusiasm, but replied, - -“I’d very much prefer it were Simpson himself, if it comes to a fight; -but of course that is out of the question on board; it would not do for -the first officer upon an American sloop-of-war to engage in a fracas -with a passenger; Captain Jones would not permit it.” - -As they were, shortly afterward, about to go below for the night, -Shamus laid his hand upon Ethan’s arm. - -“Master Ethan,” said he, “I’m going to tell ye something that will -surprise ye.” - -Ethan looked into the grim, scarred face of Longsword and was -astonished to see that it was anxious and troubled looking. - -“What is it?” he asked. - -“In the second dog-watch I came on deck,” said the Irishman, “and the -first person me two eyes fell upon as I took me foot from the top step -of the ladder was--guess?” - -“I can’t.” - -“It was the brown man that listened at the window.” - -“Impossible!” - -“That’s what I should have said meself, jewel, if I hadn’t seen him as -plain as day. And he had the crooked knife in his belt that I imagined -him wid the other night on the Island Queen.” - -“Are you quite positive it was the same man?” - -“I’m as sure of it as I am that I am talking wid ye at this minute.” - -“But what is he doing on the Ranger?” - -“Sure he’s a sailor, so he is; the bos’en told me that he shipped on -the day we sailed.” - -Next day Ethan questioned Wallingford. - -“A brown fellow, eh?” mused the ship’s third officer. “Let me see! Oh, -yes, I remember. He’s a Lascar, I think, and gave the name of Siki. I -signed him and the master’s mate whom I told you about yesterday. They -seem to be great cronies. Always to be found in odd corners, whispering -away like all possessed.” - -Ethan waited until he saw the Lascar with his own eyes before he was -satisfied. Then he went to Captain Jones, and told him all that he knew -about the man. - -“So you think that this fellow, Siki, as he calls himself, had -something to do with the attack upon the schooner in Delaware Bay?” -said the commander sternly. - -“I feel sure of it, sir; though of course I did not see him.” - -“And you think that he was after the packet given you by Mr. Hancock?” - -“I think so--yes.” - -“Then he also shipped with us in the hope of still getting his hands -upon it, somehow. I’ll have Simpson clap the villain in irons.” - -Ethan hastily laid his hand upon the captain’s arm. - -“See,” said he, pointing to the after battery, where the tawny Lascar -was busying himself rubbing down one of the six-pounders under the -direction of the gunner’s mate, “there he is, now. And I hardly think -he’s the prime mover in the matter.” - -“No,” said John Paul Jones, “it does not seem likely. He is more apt to -be a subtle, deft-handed instrument, used by a superior mind.” - -“Would it not be wise,” suggested Ethan, “for you to hold your hand a -bit longer; we might also be able to capture the master as well as the -man.” - -The commander patted him on the shoulder approvingly. - -“Excellent,” said he, nodding his head. “That is just what we will do. -The Lascar can be laid by the heels any time we choose to do it; it’s -the mysterious fellow in the shadow that is the dangerous one. We will -leave the trap open--and we will wait for him to show himself.” - - - - -CHAPTER V - -HOW ETHAN CARLYLE FACED THE BULLY OF THE RANGER - - -The knowledge displayed by Ethan in the working of a ship during the -first week out, and his ready courage in the taking of a couple of -British prizes, won the regard of the Ranger’s tars, and he was ever -a welcome visitor to the forecastle when he chose to go there. Many -were the yarns they told him of voyages with Barry, Murray, Whipple and -other hearts of oak; and many were those he told in return of strange -seas, strange ports and stranger people. - -He had finished telling of an adventure in the China Sea in his -grandfather’s ship, Warlock; and during the appreciative pause that -followed, the silence was rudely broken by a loud, sneering laugh. - -“He pulls a long bow for a youngster,” said a voice; “and you seasoned -tars sit around and draw it in like sucking pigs their mammy’s milk.” - -Ethan flushed scarlet, and a murmur went up from the watch below. But -it was the master’s mate that spoke, a huge-chested Canadian named -Blake; and no one among the seamen dared to resent his words, for in -his week among them he had, by his ruffianism, cowed them all. A few, -at the beginning, had dared to defy him; but his brawny fists had soon -beaten them into submission. Indeed, by this time, the forecastle had -come to be a sort of grill upon which the bully toasted his shipmates -one after the other and laughed at their helpless squirming. - -Ethan made no reply to the man’s remark. Longsword, who sat with his -broad back against the heel of the bowsprit, grew crimson, and two -sharp points of light shot into his eyes; but he made no movement; -since the death of Ethan’s father he had come to look upon the lad as -his superior officer, and so strong was the military idea fixed in his -mind that he never took an important step without orders. - -The master’s mate took a seat upon an upturned tub and regarded his -mates with a sneering smile. - -“It’s amusing,” said he, “to stand and watch you taking in all the plum -duff that this boy gives you. I suppose,” with a significant laugh, -“you’re duty bound to do it because he’s a friend to the skipper.” - -Still there was no reply; Ethan sat still, never even glancing at the -man; the seamen shifted uneasily in their places; they felt assured -that the bully meant to pick a quarrel with Ethan, and while they -did not like it, his demeanor had so awed them that they dared not -interfere. Blake seemed to have mapped out his plan of action well in -advance, and proceeded. - -“It may be an honor to be a friend to a captain, but I don’t know. What -sort of captains have you in this American navy of yours? I’ve sailed -in British ships, and I tell you they wouldn’t let your skippers swab -the quarter deck.” - -Still he got no answer, though there was no lack of scowling looks -directed at him. - -“And this Captain Jones,” he went on, his face alive with malice, “was -one time named Paul, I hear, just plain John Paul. He was drove out of -the British merchant service for killing a sailor by flogging, and he -come to America and changed his name.” - -Ethan had come to admire John Paul Jones greatly since he came aboard -the Ranger, and this repetition of an old slander aroused him at once. - -“If you know anything about the matter at all,” said he quietly, “you -know that what you say is false!” - -“What’s that?” shouted the bully, leaping to his feet. - -“I said it was false. It was a thing invented by his enemies; when he -defied them and invited them to prove it, they feared to come forward.” - -“Maybe,” spoke the master’s mate, folding his thick arms across his -bulging chest, “you think that I am afraid to come forward, as you call -it.” - -“It seems to me,” said Ethan as he rose slowly to his feet, “that you -are too ready to bluster and bully people whom you think will not -fight.” His voice had been low and his movements of the most deliberate -as he said this. Then suddenly his manner changed; like a flash he -stripped off his woolen shirt and cried, sharply: “Get ready; I’m going -to make you prove what you’ve said.” - -Longsword came to his feet like a shot, and two long strides took -him to Ethan’s side. The boy’s bared body gleamed like satin under -the glare of the ship’s lanterns, and the strong fingers of the -Irish trooper at once began kneading the long, supple muscles of the -arms, chest and back and performing other services that his years of -experience told him would be of benefit. - -Blake stood, for a moment, dumbfounded, unable to credit his eyes; -there was a clattering of draught boards as sailors who had been -playing sprung up, a hissing of sharply in-drawn breath, and then a -ring of human bodies formed in a twinkling; a circle of tense faces -showed the interest that was excited in the breasts of all. - -The master’s mate was slow of brain; but when he at last realized that -a combat was inevitable, he manifested much savage satisfaction. - -“I’ve got you safe now,” said he, as he stripped off his shirt in -turn. “And I’ll beat you so badly that you’ll think keel-hauling is -play in comparison.” - -“You’ll never beat him by talking about it, my bucko,” said Longsword, -grimly, still grooming his principal in a very workmanlike manner. - -In a moment the two had faced each other. The bulk of the Canadian -seaman and the slenderness of the young American were now, more than -ever, evident. But Blake was muscle bound, ponderous in his movements -and scant of wind; nevertheless he was a formidable foe, for his bulk -suggested power, and his cruel expression denoted a merciless nature. - -Ethan’s frame was strong, but needed the filling that years would -bring; his muscles, thanks to the effort of Longsword, were those of -a trained athlete, but when compared with the bully he looked almost -frail. - -The watch below noted all this; they also saw the panther-like grace -with which the lad advanced to the centre of the human ring, and marked -the lumbering movements of Blake as he did likewise. - -“Mind yourself,” warned the Irish dragoon as he sent his man forward. -“Don’t let him clinch. He’ll have ye then, Master Ethan.” - -The two met in the centre and raised their guards. Ethan’s was free, -swinging and low; Blake’s was high and held as rigid as iron. With -short cat-like steps Ethan wove in and out; the bully watched him -narrowly; the regular opening and closing of his hands showed that he -was meditating a rush--a grapple--and then Ethan would be at his mercy. -The great weight of the man must crush the slighter boy to the deck. - -Around and around crept the soft-footed young athlete; Blake wheeled -constantly to face him, still holding his high, rigid guard. Suddenly -the man’s bulging muscles grew tense; Ethan knew that another moment -would bring the expected rush; with the speed of lightning his right -shot out and landed a smashing blow in the other’s wind; then he went -dancing away, a smile upon his lips. The lad continued to follow these -tactics. Every time Blake stepped in to clinch, Ethan’s left hand would -dart in a quick stab. Each succeeding failure to get within reach -made Blake more and more ferocious; the lad’s tantalizing smile, and -Longsword’s words of advice, served to almost madden him. - -He began to make savage, bull-like rushes; his thick arms thrashed -like flails. Laughter came from the watch below as he failed again -and yet again. Ethan had expected much more from his huge opponent; a -growing contempt took possession of him; he began to step in and out -with little or no caution; his second called to him frantically to be -careful, but he paid no heed. - -A gleam of cunning shot through the brain of the panting giant; he drew -in his breath in gasps; his movements were labored; his knees seemed to -quiver beneath him. - -“Finish him,” came the cry from the sailors, delighting in the bully’s -defeat. - -Longsword shouted his warnings madly, but Ethan was after his foe like -a flash, and driving in short, jarring blows with all the power of his -athletic young body. Suddenly Blake’s burly form stiffened and lurched -forward; his great arms whirled, and one brawny fist landed with -terrific force upon Ethan’s body. It was his first blow of the battle. -Ethan went white and swayed weakly, his hands groping blindly. With a -savage grin Blake dashed at him. - -“Down,” yelled Longsword desperately. The reeling brain of the sorely -hurt boy just managed to grasp the meaning of this advice, and he sank -to his knees just in time to escape the shattering blow that passed -above his head. - -“Stand off,” snarled the Irish dragoon as he worked like mad over his -pupil. He turned his face to glare over his shoulder at Blake, and the -great scar across it seemed to burn like fire. - -A friendly hand dashed cold water over Ethan’s bare back; the shock -cleared the lad’s head, and clinging to Longsword he regained his -feet, his breath wheezing in his throat, his chest laboring in great -spasmodic sobs. - -At this point the ring at the side nearest the forecastle hatch -opened and Captain Paul Jones appeared; behind him showed the face of -Lieutenant Simpson, wrinkled with malicious satisfaction. The commander -half raised his hand for a gesture that would have stopped the combat; -but he paused, hesitated; then he caught the appeal in Ethan’s wide -open eyes. He nodded quickly. The crowd drew a breath of relief. The -fight was to go on. - -Longsword sluiced more water over his charge, taking care to stand -between him and his opponent, so as to give him the benefit of every -second’s delay. - -“Stand out of the way,” raved Blake. “Play fair, there!” - -“Fair play,” came from all hands. They almost to a man desired to see -Blake defeated; but it must be done fairly. Ethan shoved Shamus aside -and faced his foe once more, pale and perceptibly weak. - -The bully rushed, but Ethan evaded him. With each passing moment the -boy felt the glow of fresh life stealing through his numbed limbs, -and to avoid the heavy plunges of Blake grew easy once more. He began -again to rock the other’s head with his straight shoulder drives. But, -for all this, he found himself, little by little, being driven back to -the side of the ring, Blake pressing eagerly after him. Now and then -Ethan would dart in a stinging hit; the man would shake his head in a -bull-like motion, but still come on. - -At length the lad could retreat no farther; he was preparing to feint -and dart aside when he stumbled over an outstretched foot. He shouted -for those behind him to take notice, and then stumbled again. There -came an answering cry from the vigilant Longsword, who hurled himself -across the ring and struck down the Lascar, Siki, whose treacherous -foot was stretched into Ethan’s way. - -The young American’s attention was taken by this incident for a moment; -then Blake came driving at him like a bison; Ethan was penned up, his -back to the throng of seamen, with no hope of escape by his usual -tactics of retreat. - -So he braced himself and met the rush with all the power of his square -young shoulders. Once, twice, thrice he struck, throwing his head from -side to side to avoid the swinging hits of the other. Then, suddenly, -he felt Blake’s big body give before his blows; the next instant he was -standing gazing with dazed eyes, at the prostrate form of the Ranger’s -bully as he lay, with wide flung arms, upon the deck. - - - - -CHAPTER VI - -WHAT HAPPENED BY NIGHT IN THE HARBOR OF NANTES - - -On the evening of December 2d, the Ranger’s cut-water sundered the -ripples of Nantes harbor for the first time, and finding a safe and -convenient anchorage, Captain Jones ordered the bow anchors let go and -the ship stripped. - -It was a middy who had informed the commander of what was going forward -in the forecastle upon the night of Ethan Carlyle’s encounter with -Blake. After much persuasion Ethan was induced to tell the cause of the -struggle. The captain listened with wrinkled brows. - -“It was Simpson who told the man that,” said he at length. “He dislikes -me and takes no pains to conceal it. Before long he’ll have the crew -demoralized. When an officer sets the example of insubordination the -ship’s company rapidly follow in his wake.” - -That night in the French harbor, the officer paced his quarter-deck -with Ethan by his side. All was quiet; the gleam of ships’ lamps shot -thinly across the dark waters; the low murmurous sound of the seamen -came from the forward part of the vessel. The three lieutenants and -some of the crew had gone ashore. Next day the commander, Ethan and -Longsword were to start for Paris with the secret instructions for -Benjamin Franklin. - -Ethan saw that a cloud was upon the spirit of the great seaman, so he -did not speak; at last the officer himself broke the silence. - -“I have not yet thanked you,” said he. “But I do so now.” - -“Thanked me,” exclaimed Ethan, in surprise. - -“For defending my good name, I mean. I have had many enemies, my lad, -and few friends; it is comforting to think that I have gained a new -one.” - -“I should think,” said Ethan, after a pause, “that one like you would -have no lack of friends. There is not an American worthy of the title -but what pronounces the name of John Paul Jones with admiration. You -are known in every hamlet and town throughout the colonies; your deeds -upon the sea in the cause of liberty are upon every lip.” - -The moody captain smiled and patted his young companion upon the -shoulder kindly. - -“It’s kind of you to say this; and I appreciate it all the more because -I know that you mean it. But fame does not always bring content, my -boy, nor friends. Two years ago I should have been proud of the command -of a ship like this, now I aspire to command fleets; and then, again, I -sometimes catch myself wondering if the people who seem glad to grasp -the hand of John Paul Jones, victor in some sea fights, would have been -equally glad to have greeted plain John Paul, emigrant.” - -Ethan shook his head. - -“I suppose not,” he answered. - -They continued talking in this strain for some time. Longsword came on -deck after a time and also began to pace slowly up and down, in the -waist. At length the subject shifted to the secret instructions of -Congress. - -“There does not seem to be any one in the ship,” said Ethan, “who is -at all familiar with the Lascar but Blake.” - -“And he is not the master mind, that’s sure,” smiled the captain. “Siki -is of greater intelligence by far.” - -“The man who sent him to steal the secret dispatch is not in the -vessel,” decided Ethan, who had thought much upon this point during the -run across. - -“My own conclusion exactly,” said the commander. “As like as not the -directing mind of the plot will turn up there,” and he waved his hand -toward the city. “But,” with a short laugh, “he will hear nothing of -his agent, nor will he secure the coveted document. Before dawn Siki -will be in irons; and the papers are safe in the strong box in my -cabin.” - -“I noted the sentry at the cabin door all the way out,” said Ethan -approvingly. “And I suppose you examined the chest frequently?” - -“Twice a day, to see that it was not tampered with. And the sentries -were, in every instance, men whom I could trust.” - -Here one of the middies advanced and drew the commander’s attention to -something forward. Ethan joined Longsword in the waist. - -“We start to-morrow, then?” said the trooper. - -“Yes; after daybreak. Lieutenant Wallingford has procured us horses, so -there will be no delay.” - -“It seems to me, Master Ethan,” grumbled Longsword, ill-humoredly, -“that the captain is making a great mistake.” - -“In what respect?” - -“In not keeping guard over the cabin door. When we were in mid-ocean -and no man could escape he were very strict in that way; but now when -there is a chance for some bla’guard to steal the secret and swim -ashore, it’s leave the cabin unguarded he do be after doing.” - -“Unguarded!” - -“I passed there not five minutes ago. There were no one in sight and -the place was in darkness. I lit the lamp in the companionway and -looked about, for sure I had me suspicions. But there was no one in -sight, good or bad.” - -“That is very strange,” said Ethan. “I was just now speaking to the -captain about that very point and understood that the sentry was still -a fixture at the cabin door.” - -He paused a moment, hesitating; then he said quietly: - -“I will return in a moment.” - -With quick steps he advanced to the companionway and descended. - -“Dark!” he muttered, as his eyes tried vainly to pierce the blackness. -“And Shamus said he had lit the lamp. This looks strange. Why it -would almost seem that some one had”--he caught his breath at the -thought--“blown it out.” - -Creeping along in the darkness toward the commander’s cabin, his -groping hands found the door. - -It was open! - -He paused, standing upright, unable to think what next to do. Then his -ears caught a slight, unmistakable rustling. - -“Who’s there?” he called sharply. - -There was no response. The rustling ceased. For a moment he listened -intently, then advanced boldly into the cabin. - -“There is some one here,” he said, clearly. “You might as well -acknowledge yourself now as later.” - -Scarcely had the words left his mouth than he was thrown violently -aside, and a form rushed past him through the doorway and up the -companion ladder. - -Ethan shouted a warning to the deck as he scrambled up. Quick footsteps -sounded from above, then a sharp cry, and a heavy report. - -When he gained the deck, he saw Captain Jones, pale of face and with a -trickle of blood coming from his forehead, leaning against a gun. The -Irish dragoon stood by the taprail, blowing the smoke from the long -barrel of a pistol and peering downward into the waters of the harbor. - -“He’s overboard, sir,” spoke Shamus, quietly. - -A quick-witted middy had given the word to lower a boat; and when a few -moments later this pulled away in search of the daring swimmer, Ethan -and Longsword followed the commander below. - -The companionway lamp was lighted once more, and a search showed the -sentry senseless beneath a piece of sail cloth. The lock of the cabin -door was broken, but the strong box was securely fastened. - -“I’ll open it and make sure,” said Captain Jones. - -When the lid was thrown back, the first object that struck their eyes -was a sealed packet; and they drew long sighs of relief. - -“You interrupted him before he could complete his work,” said the -commander after he had heard the statements of the two. “Doubtless he -had overpowered the sentry and had not yet forced the door when O’Moore -came along and re-lit the lamp. Then when left alone once more he broke -in, extinguished the light and was searching for the papers with the -aid of this,” holding up the stump of a tallow candle, “when he was -interrupted the second time. He was a daring villain, and another five -minutes would have sufficed him.” - -Returning to the deck, after re-locking the chest and placing two men -under charge of a midshipman to guard the cabin, they found that the -boat had returned. - -“He’s either got well off or been drowned, sir,” reported the middy in -command. “We could see nothing of him.” - -“Pipe all hands on deck,” directed John Paul Jones. - -The boatswain’s call rang through the ship and soon the crew were -assembled. When Blake’s name was called in the roll a man answered: - -“Gone ashore, sir, on leave.” - -The finish of the roll call showed only one man unaccounted for. That -was the Lascar, Siki. When the men had been dismissed, the captain -turned to Ethan and said gravely: - -“It is just as I expected. It was the Lascar, and the chances are that -he is safely ashore at this moment.” - -“And making ready to treat us to another surprise, I have no doubt.” - -“We shall hear from him again, rest assured. It seems to me that the -ride from Nantes to Paris may prove a very eventful one.” - - - - -CHAPTER VII - -HOW LONGSWORD STRUCK HOME - - -Shortly after daybreak next morning John Paul Jones left the Ranger in -charge of his first officer, who had come on board; and then he and -Ethan and Longsword took horse and started upon the road to Paris. - -“The French seem hungry for news,” said Captain Jones, as they rode -along. - -“I suppose the British ministry has received tidings of Burgoyne’s -disaster before this,” said Ethan. “It will set them in a panic when it -does come, anyway, and they’ll be ready to grant some concessions, I -dare say.” - -“Nothing succeeds like success,” remarked the captain of the Ranger. -“For a nation to be free she must first be strong and show a -disposition to use her strength.” - -“I don’t think,” spoke the boy shrewdly, “that this turn of affairs -will hurt the hoped-for alliance with France. I fancy that France has -held off as much through desire not to commit herself as anything -else. The loss of the great colonies across the sea would weaken -England; and France wants her weakened. Rather than see a peace made -with the states still as colonies and a source of strength to her foe, -France will cast her sword into the scale and it will be in our favor.” - -“A good thought,” smiled the captain. “You have not sat at the feet of -Mr. Jefferson for nothing, I see.” - -“Mr. Jefferson is a great man,” replied Ethan. - -“A very great man,” returned John Paul Jones. “It takes a crisis like -this present one to bring out the quality of a people; and then the -temper of a few is bound to ring true.” - -The horses upon which they were mounted were good ones and they put the -miles behind them rapidly. - -“This country of France,” observed Captain Jones during the course of -the day, “is a fine one, but the people of the peasant class seem an -overworked, underfed lot.” - -“They do indeed,” agreed Ethan. “Look at that group there,” pointing -to an aged man, a young woman, apparently his daughter, and a few -children, who stood together in a cottage door to see them ride by. -“There has been little else but want and gloom in those lives, I’ll -venture to say. Freedom is not worshiped here, no matter how much the -French say they admire the desire for it in us.” - -“I always thought,” observed Longsword as they passed a row of -miserable huts, “that the poor people of Ireland were the worst housed -in the world. But, faith, the French beat them. Sure a Galway beggar -would turn up the nose of him at a house like one of those.” - -“The people seem to lack spirit, too,” observed Ethan. “They are sullen -and lowering in their looks sometimes, but they have the appearance of -having given up all hope of betterment, long ago.” - -“I don’t think they ever possessed even the shadow of a hope,” said -the captain, “nor their fathers nor grandfathers before them, for that -matter. However, a betterment will come some day; and then let the -gilded idlers, who crushed this people into the earth and brutalized -them so, beware! That day will dawn red, I think, and will leave a gory -mark upon the pages of history.” - -Evening had already come on when they halted at an inn and applied for -accommodations. The landlord was a small ferret of a man with a furtive -manner and a sidelong look; he received them with smiles, but his -little red eyes seemed to be calculating how much they would willingly -pay for supper and lodgings. - -“The groom will take your horses, monsieurs,” fawned he, as a stout -looking lout came forward, from a tumble down building with a rotten -looking roof of thatch. “He will feed them corn, monsieurs, and give -them dry beds and a rubbing that will make them feel like colts.” - -“I’ve seen better-favored fellows than this spalpeen run away wid a -horse before now,” remarked Longsword, who knew no French, and only -understood what was being said by the movements of the others. “Do you -think we’d better trust them to him, Master Ethan?” - -“Oh, I suppose so,” said Ethan. “They’ll be safe enough.” - -“I don’t believe they have a bed in the place that’s fit to sleep on,” -grumbled the old dragoon, as they entered the inn. “And look at that -little fox of a fellow wid his smirks and his smiles. Faith, I’ll see -to me bit of money while I’m here, so I will. I never yet trusted one -of these sugary villains that ye meet by the roadside. He may be the -biggest thief in all France for all we know.” - -John Paul Jones laughed good humoredly at this. - -“Well, O’Moore,” said he, “it’s fortunate that our host does not -understand English; he’d not be at all flattered at your estimate of -him, could he do so.” - -The food provided them was poor, coarse and ill served. The landlord -hovered about while they ate and told them what a splendid place the -inn was when his grandfather was its owner. - -“It’s sorry enough I am,” remarked Longsword as he looked with distaste -at the piece of sour, black bread which he held in his hand, “that your -grandfather is not here to see how you are ruining the reputation he -worked so hard for. Sure this bread was made widout salt, and the grain -must have been mixed wid sawdust and gravel.” - -Ethan had translated the landlord’s remarks for the Irishman’s benefit; -the ferret-like Frenchman seemed to understand that Shamus was not -pleased with the fare, and proceeded: - -“In the old days, monsieurs, the ‘Burgundian King’ was most -magnificent! But that was when this road was used by the nobles in -their grand chariots. For a slight service they would fling one a -golden Louis as round as that,” drawing a circle in the palm of one -hand with the forefinger of the other. “And the ‘King’ was in good -repair and very much larger than it is now. At times, monsieurs, and I -tell you no falsehood, we’ve had dukes and princes of the blood sleep -under this roof.” - -The host waited for some expression of wonderment at this news; but as -none came he ceased; and a short time later the three withdrew into a -smaller room in which a good fire was burning. - -Through the open door Longsword could see the landlord and his people -moving about their affairs; he fancied that he caught them whispering -and casting sidelong looks now and then, and began to feel troubled for -the safety of the horses. At last he could stand it no longer and arose -to his feet. - -“I believe,” said he, “I’ll go out and give an eye to the cattle. -Something tells me that they are not as safe as they might be.” - -“Oh, I wouldn’t trouble, Shamus, if I were you,” said Ethan. “They’ll -do very well out there. You’re prejudiced against these poor people, -that’s all.” - -“It’s not their poverty that prejudices me against them, then. It’s -their looks and their ways. I’ve come across thieving rogues a-plenty -in my time, sir, and these have the same look, so they have--and worse.” - -Captain Jones and Ethan sat for some time engaged in conversation -relating to the struggle for independence; they had been at the inn for -some hours and the night had fallen long since, black and complete. As -they talked they caught the sound of hoofs approaching along the road -toward the hostelry. - -“More guests,” said the captain, crossing his legs comfortably before -the fire, and enjoying the pleasant warmth. - -The host and his helpers seemed surprised; two parties of travelers -to stop at the Burgundian King in one evening was an unusual thing, -indeed. In a short time the arriving horsemen had dismounted, been -bidden welcome, and came stamping into the supper room. The night was -cold and had turned to snow. The men wore heavy cloaks wound about them -and fur caps pulled low over their eyes; they crossed to a side of -the room which was not swept by the door of the inner room, and here -removed their mufflings. - -“A cold night, landlord,” said one of them, in perfect French. - -“It is, indeed, monsieur,” answered the host of the Burgundian King. -“And it is growing colder.” - -“We’d like supper and beds,” said the guest. - -“Yes, monsieur, with great pleasure. We are rather crowded to-night, -but the King can accommodate you, I’m sure.” - -Supper was provided for the newcomers, and they ate it with much low -grumbling. - -“O’Moore would be pleased to hear that,” smiled Ethan. - -“No doubt,” answered the captain. “But listen.” - -He held up one warning finger and bent forward so that he might be -able to hear the better. The conversation between those in the other -room was very low; but Ethan fancied that now and then he detected an -English expression. - -“Why,” whispered he, “they seem to be talking English.” - -“That is what I thought,” said the captain. “Can you make out what they -are saying?” - -Ethan listened for a moment, then shook his head. - -“No,” said he. “But oddly enough I imagine that I recognize familiar -voices among them. There, do you hear that one rather lighter than the -rest? It sounds to me something like the voice of a boy whom I knew in -Philadelphia. His name was Wheelock, and his family were Tories.” - -John Paul Jones appeared to be greatly interested. - -“I had fancied the same thing myself,” admitted he. “There is one -voice among them that I’ve thought sounded strangely like--whom do you -think?” - -Ethan leaned over and grasped his arm tightly. - -“Not Blake!” whispered he. - -The captain of the Ranger nodded. - -“Yes, Blake,” he answered. “Then you too, have thought the same! It -must be he.” - -“I’ll see in a moment,” and the boy started to his feet. - -“Sit down,” said John Paul Jones. “Before we betray our presence here -let us consider what it might mean.” - -“You are right, sir.” Ethan took his seat once more, and waited for the -other to go on. - -“I think we spoke of a directing mind that Siki would probably meet -in France--the plotter that commanded him to enlist on the Ranger and -endeavor to steal the secret dispatch.” - -“We did.” - -“I think that the Lascar and his master have met, and that they have -not yet given up hope of succeeding.” - -Just then a voice from the supper room spoke out sharp and full. - -“Siki did well, Blake. And if you had given him any aid my plans would -have carried.” - -“You see,” whispered John Paul Jones, “I am right. Siki is there, and -that was the voice of the master.” - -Blake was heard to grumble out some reply; but the other man silenced -him instantly. - -“That will do,” said he. “Excuses will not answer at this stage of the -proceedings. To put yourself back in my good graces you must do more -than invent reasons why you failed in your part of the plan. Rather -than remain and guard the way against the surprise which came, you went -ashore, and so ruined all.” - -“Oh, very well,” grumbled Blake, “put it all on me, if you will.” - -“You are the one to bear the blame, and bear it you shall. Unless you -do something that will lead to our securing this secret paper, you -shall not receive a shilling of that which I promised you.” - -“A bargain’s a bargain,” said Blake. - -“And good faith is good faith,” said the other man. - -“You are right, Danvers,” said a boy’s voice. - -“You keep still, you pup,” growled Blake. “I don’t see what good you -are in this, anyway.” - -“It was my father that found out about the paper and sent for Danvers -to come to Philadelphia so that he might be able to get his hands on -it. Isn’t that so, Danvers?” - -“Yes,” replied Danvers. “The information given me was correct, and if -the paper is found you get your full share of the reward.” - -“I’ve done all I could to make up for any little lapses which I might -have made,” whined Blake. “Only for me you wouldn’t have known that -Captain Jones came this way.” - -Ethan felt a strong pressure upon his arm, and turning found the -commander of the Ranger staring into his face from under frowning brows. - -“They have followed us,” said he. “And they intend to stop at nothing -that will bring them success.” - -“They realize the value of the papers, or this man Danvers does, at -least; and there is a reward offered, it seems, for their delivery to -the proper persons.” - -“This boy who just now spoke,” said Captain Jones, “you said you knew -him, did you not? and that he was of a Tory family?” - -“Yes; his name is Wheelock.” - -“There must be a leak somewhere, when a Tory could get wind of so -secret a document in time to place himself in communication with an -emissary of the crown. But as matters stand there is only one thing to -do; if we cannot avoid them, we must fight them! The papers must reach -the hands of Mr. Franklin without accident.” - -As he spoke the commander of the Ranger drew his sword around so that -it would be nearer his hand and looked to the priming of the pistol -which he carried in his belt. Ethan did likewise, and then they sat -silently before the fire, listening, and waiting for whatever might -happen. The voices of those in the supper room sank lower for a time -and the two could not make out what was being said. At length, -however, Blake cried: - -“I tell you they can’t be very far ahead. If this snow had not come up -we would have overtaken them.” - -“Perhaps,” suggested Stephen Wheelock, “they might even have stopped -here to-night.” - -Silence followed this--a silence that showed the interest which the -remark caused among the newcomers. - -“Landlord,” called Danvers, at last. - -“Yes, monsieur,” quickly responded that individual, crossing the room. - -“Have you seen anything of any travelers to-night?” - -“Only the gentlemen who stopped here, monsieurs.” - -“Stopped here! Ah!” - -Captain Jones and Ethan Carlyle heard a sudden drawing back of stools -and a chorus of sharp, breathless exclamations. - -“So,” continued Danvers, in a slightly lower tone, “some travelers -stopped here to-night, did they?” - -“They did, monsieur, very fine gentlemen indeed. They honored my poor -house by breaking bread in it, and eating of my excellent potato soup.” - -“And when did they leave?” - -“Leave, monsieur! They have not left. There are two of the gentlemen in -the very next room.” - -There was a sound as though a single person had arisen; then footsteps -slowly crossed the floor, and in a moment a tall, fine looking man with -black hair, and a face of remarkable paleness, stood in the doorway and -regarded the two occupants of the smaller room fixedly. There was a -calm insolence in his air that was peculiarly exasperating, and Captain -Paul Jones rapped out in a peppery tone, - -“I trust, sir, that this inspection is affording you as much -satisfaction as it is us discomfort.” - -“Your name, sir,” demanded the man with great coolness. - -“My name is my own,” returned John Paul Jones, “and I don’t choose to -give it to every fellow that asks it in a public house.” - -The man turned and beckoned; in a moment the burly form of Blake was at -his side. - -“Is this the captain and the boy of whom you spoke?” asked he. - -“Yes, it is, Mr. Danvers,” replied Blake, scowling blackly, to hide his -embarrassment. He did not like the look in his captain’s eye. - -“So, sir,” cried the latter, “I find you here, do I? Your leave ashore -was for fifteen hours only.” - -“My leave ashore is for good, as far as your old barkee goes,” growled -the Canadian sailor. - -“You have deserted, then?” inquired the officer, regarding him intently. - -“Call it what you like,” said Blake. “It all comes to the same thing.” - -Here Danvers signed for the seaman to go back into the supper room; -when the man had done so the emissary of the British government -advanced calmly to the fire. - -“I would scarcely style Blake’s little escapade desertion,” spoke he, -easily, as he held his white, strong-looking hands over the blaze. -“You see, he entered on the books of your ship at my request. It was -only intended that he should sail with you to Nantes.” - -“I am quite aware of that,” answered John Paul Jones, leaning back in -his chair and clasping his hands behind his head. - -The Englishman seemed surprised. - -“Indeed!” said he. - -“I am also aware that the Lascar, Siki, was in your pay.” - -“You are a person of considerable penetration,” said Danvers, bowing -politely. - -“Not at all. It requires no keenness of wit to overhear a noisy -conversation at an inn. I should have credited the government of Lord -North with more circumspection in the choice of an agent, really.” - -The pallor of Danvers disappeared before a sudden flush of resentment; -then he laughed. - -“A rather good hit,” commented he, with his white teeth showing. “I -fancied that you might have overheard what was said, when I learned -that you were here.” - -Captain Jones crossed his legs and tapped the toe of his boot with his -brass-tipped scabbard. - -[Illustration: _“KEEP THEM AT SWORD’S LENGTH,” SAID CAPTAIN JONES_] - -“You were in quest of a certain document, were you not?” asked he. - -“I was,” admitted Danvers. “And to be perfectly candid in the matter -and avoid mistakes, I am so still.” - -“Is there any possibility, do you think, of your securing possession of -it?” - -This question was asked in a calm matter-of-fact tone that made Ethan -open his eyes. But Danvers heard it with a self-possession that was -perfect. - -“Oh, yes,” he replied, “there are only two of you----” - -“Three,” corrected Captain Jones. - -“And there are four of us,” continued Danvers. Then he made as though -to seat himself in a vacant chair by the fire; but Ethan toppled it -over with his foot, and the man stood glaring at him angrily. - -“I think,” said the young American, quietly, “that you had better -stand.” - -“Ah! You are the fighting lad who made such sad work of Blake, I take -it.” Danvers favored the boy with an unpleasant smile. “Well, perhaps -you may have an opportunity of using your talent before long.” - -Then he turned to Captain Jones, and demanded: - -“Will you give up the document, peaceably?” - -“The papers are for Dr. Franklin,” answered the commander of the -Ranger, “and not for a British spy!” - -Danvers whipped out the sword that he carried and shouted: - -“Blake! Siki! Wheelock! This way!” - -In response to this call the three persons named darted into the -room; Ethan and the captain leaped up and their blades flashed in the -lamplight, while the chairs in which they had been seated went crashing -to the floor upon the far side. The landlord and his servants also -pressed into the room; it was plain that strife was no new thing within -the walls of the Burgundian King, for each of them had a stout cudgel, -and only seemed to hesitate as to which party they should side with. -Danvers saw this at a glance and cried, - -“Landlord, a dozen Louis d’or if you give me your help against these -robbers.” - -“It is done, monsieur,” answered the landlord promptly. - -“Keep them at sword’s length,” said Captain Jones, in a low voice. - -“Right, sir,” answered Ethan. - -The next instant four swords and a few stout clubs were raining cuts, -thrusts and blows upon them. At the first onset Ethan spitted Blake -through the fleshy part of the neck; the man writhed for a moment, then -fell back out of reach howling and endeavoring to stanch the flow of -blood. Two of the inn people were badly slashed by Captain Jones, and -now he was engaging the Lascar, who was armed with a murderous looking -knife, Wheelock and the landlord. Danvers and the rest of the inn -people had fixed their attention upon Ethan, and the boy was playing -them desperately. - -The spy was a finished swordsman and had a wrist like steel; his -thrusts were rapid and his defense superb. The smashing blows of the -clubs took most of the young American’s attention, and each lunge of -Danvers became more dangerous. - -It was very soon evident that the situation was impossible; nine -against two were hopeless odds, and the captain of the Ranger and his -young friend were gradually driven back before the weapons of their -adversaries. Their backs were against the wall; desperation was written -deep upon their faces, and every ray of hope had gone from their -hearts, when the outer door was flung open with a resounding crash, -feet were heard bounding across the floor of the other room, and in -another instant Longsword had flung himself into the fray with a wild -Irish yell! - -Like a wheel of flame his huge blade swept about him; the Lascar and -one of the stable louts went down like ninepins; Danvers reeled out of -the fight with a thrust through the shoulder. And with that the others -threw down their weapons and fled. - -Breathless, Captain John Paul Jones and Ethan Carlyle leaned upon their -swords; Longsword with his point in one hand and hilt in the other -glared grimly about him. Danvers, his hand pressed to his bleeding -shoulder and his face paler then ever, spoke first. - -“I suppose,” said he, in a cold, even voice, “that we are your -prisoners.” - -“If this were the United States, or the deck of my ship, you would be, -assuredly,” answered Captain Jones. “As it is, the worst that I could -do would be to bring a charge of assault against you before a French -magistrate. So, rather than that, I shall let you go free. I give you -and your people five minutes in which to take yourselves off.” - -Neither Blake nor Siki was badly hurt, and young Wheelock was -uninjured. The latter helped the others out, and their horses were -saddled; well within the time allowed, they were on their way down the -snowy road, while John Paul Jones, Ethan and the Irish dragoon stood in -the door of the Burgundian King and watched the darkness swallow them -up. - - - - -CHAPTER VIII - -SHOWS HOW BENJAMIN FRANKLIN OPENED THE SECRET DISPATCH - - -Upon reaching Paris the three immediately sought out lodgings and -removed the grime of the road. Then the commander and Ethan went to -call upon Dr. Franklin and present their dispatches. - -The rooms of the famous philosopher, sage and statesman were modestly -furnished, but were crowded by a most brilliantly attired company. -No representative of a foreign government at the Court of France had -ever created such a marked impression as this American commissioner. -The imaginative French saw in him one of the sages of ancient Greece -reincarnated. His advanced age, his natural dignity, his virtues, his -undoubted wisdom made him a man of mark. The courtiers of King Louis -admired and respected him, and it was seldom, indeed, that a group of -influential persons and young soldiers were not to be found in his -rooms. - -He received Captain Jones and Ethan with great heartiness, for he was -ever eager for news. - -“My dear sir,” said he, holding the officer’s hand tight clasped within -his own, “I am most happy to meet you. Your exploits upon the sea have -long been known to us here in France, and if every American ship had -a commander like you, we’d have the enemy suing for peace within a -twelve-month.” - -John Paul Jones flushed with pleasure. It is noted of him that he ever -loved to be praised, and praise from such a man as Franklin was praise, -indeed. - -The sage had not at the beginning of the war with England, given much -thought to the sea as a place to meet the foe in the struggle for -liberty; being a landsman this was, perhaps, natural. But upon his -voyage to France in the Reprisal, Captain Lambert Wickes, his eyes had -been opened to the possibilities of what might be done upon deep water. -This was the first American war vessel to cross the Atlantic, and two -rich prizes were captured under the philosopher’s eyes. When these -were sold at a French port and the proceeds added to his slender means -his admiration knew no bounds. He saw at once how the enemy might be -so weakened by a few swift cruisers in the German ocean as to cripple -them permanently; and the dispatching of the Lexington and the other -brave little vessels which carried the war under the very shadow of the -English cliffs was made according to his suggestion. - -It had somehow become noised abroad that the daring and successful -American sailor Paul Jones was to call upon Mr. Franklin that morning, -and the throng present were most anxious to see and lionize him. They -knew too, that he must bring tidings as to the progress of the war. - -Count de Vergennes, minister of foreign affairs, was present, and his -interest was most marked; upon being introduced to Captain Jones he at -once plunged into the subject of the American conflict. - -“You and your countrymen have done excellently upon the sea,” admitted -the count, “but upon the land you have not been so successful.” - -“General Washington is still in the field. He will never surrender.” - -“That may be true. But he is retreating, retreating--ever retreating. -This does not win battles. The British are apparently triumphant upon -every hand. Your army has been driven from Canada; you have evacuated -Long Island; New York is in the hands of your country’s foes; and it -is rumored that the American soldier is throwing down his arms and -taking advantage of the pardon which General Howe offered all who would -return.” - -As he stood at a window some little distance from the group about the -commander of the Ranger and the French minister, Ethan noted the eager -interest of all. He also saw that Dr. Franklin had opened the letters -which had been handed him but still held the secret packet with its -seals unbroken; he smiled over the letters as one smiles who is highly -pleased. - -As the minister continued in the same strain for some time, it dawned -upon Ethan that the news of Gates’ victory had not yet reached him, and -with a thrill he realized that there was a surprise in store for those -present. At length Dr. Franklin lifted his venerable head and said, -with a quiet smile: - -“But, my dear count, you have not yet heard of the affair of Burgoyne.” - -The minister of foreign affairs laughed. - -“You must not think us so far behind the times, monsieur,” he said. -“Burgoyne compelled the Americans to retreat from Ticonderoga some time -ago. And he followed this up by severely defeating them at a place -called Hubbardton. This news reached us promptly and through a channel -which we never question.” - -“My news,” and Franklin fluttered his letters triumphantly, “is very -much later than yours, it would seem. Burgoyne undoubtedly accomplished -what you claim. But it is the result of his subsequent operations of -which I speak.” - -“You have news, monsieur?” The face of the Count de Vergennes shone -with satisfaction; this gentleman was ever a friend to America, and was -always hungry for news of American success. - -“Burgoyne’s troubles began with his advance upon Fort Edward. A -thousand German mercenaries were killed and captured to begin with. -Then he crossed the Hudson in force to turn the American position at -Bemis Heights; but Arnold met him with desperate courage and held him -back.” - -A murmur of admiration went up from the Frenchmen present. - -“A brilliant officer, this General Arnold,” commented the count. - -“Burgoyne’s communications with Lake Champlain were then cut by a -dashing enterprise of my countrymen; forced by the hunger of his men, -the British general risked another battle,” proceeded Dr. Franklin, -“and met with a crushing defeat.” - -Another murmur went up; eyes sparkled with pleasure; hands applauded -softly. - -“But,” argued the Count de Vergennes, “the tables might be turned once -more. Burgoyne may still conquer.” - -Franklin smiled serenely. - -“That is impossible,” said he. - -“An hour ago I would have said as much for Arnold’s chances of -victory,” said the count. - -“I said that Burgoyne’s chance of ultimate victory was impossible, -because after his defeat he retreated upon Saratoga. Finding himself -surrounded he surrendered his entire force to General Gates.” - -A cry of delight went up; the Americans were congratulated heartily. - -“It was such news as this that we have been waiting for,” whispered -the minister of foreign affairs to the aged commissioner. “From now -on things will take a turn; success will await your negotiations now, -where only delay and disappointment met you in the past.” - -When all had gone save Captain Jones and Ethan Carlyle, Dr. Franklin -said: - -“You will pardon me, I’m sure. These letters spoke of a document of -much importance as being in this packet.” - -He broke the great red seals and tore off the covering; then, as they -watched him, they saw his face take on a bewildered look. - -“What is it?” cried Captain Jones. - -“Strange,” said Dr. Franklin. “The entire page is blank save only for -one word. Look.” - -He held out the sheet, and they found staring them in the face, -scrawled in huge, sprawling letters, the name: - -“Siki.” - -“Robbed!” exclaimed John Paul Jones. - -“He got the packet after all,” cried Ethan, with a great leap at his -heart. - -“Explain your meaning,” said Dr. Franklin, still bewildered. “I do not -understand.” - -In as few words as possible the entire story of the attempt made to -steal the papers was told him. He listened intently, and shook his head -gloomily at the end. - -“He was a cunning rascal, indeed, that Lascar,” said he. “He took the -packet and substituted another resembling it in order to delay the -alarm long enough to permit him to get safe away.” - -“But,” cried Paul Jones, “how could he know anything about the -appearance of the packet?” - -“You forget our young friend’s statement that the Lascar saw it lying -upon the table between him and Mr. Hancock. For a fellow as keen as he -it only required a glance and he carried away a picture of it in his -mind.” - -“The attack at the inn is more than I can understand,” said Ethan. -“If they already had the dispatch why should they set upon us after -demanding it? The matter has a queer look.” - -“Most queer,” agreed the sage, wrinkling his brows. “And, to me, there -seems to be only one explanation: The Lascar stole the dispatch and -kept the fact hidden from his employer and comrades. He had come to -understand that it was a very valuable thing and made up his mind that -the profit to come from it was to be all his own.” - -“Bravo,” cried John Paul Jones. “That must be it--and that fact holds -out a promise.” - -“Of what nature?” - -“We may recover the dispatch! The Lascar will be forced to sound every -step of his way toward the disposal of the paper. He may know that it -is valuable but he will not know to whom.” - -“A good thought,” said Mr. Franklin. “As long as it does not reach the -British ministers, who alone would understand it, the paper can do no -harm.” - -“It shall not reach them,” cried Ethan. “I’ll hunt this man, Siki, all -over Europe but what I’ll have the dispatch from him!” - -And Captain Jones reached forward and clasped him by the hand. - - - - -CHAPTER IX - -HOW ETHAN AND LONGSWORD MET A MAN NAMED FOCHARD - - -Captain Jones did not propose to leave Paris for a few days, and this -gave Ethan an idea. - -“When Danvers and Siki and the rest of them rode away from the -Burgundian King the other night they came in the direction of Paris. -I think that it would be as well were Shamus and myself to look about -in the districts most frequented by sailors; we might come upon the -Lascar, somewhere.” - -As the commander of the Ranger approved of this, the two set out that -afternoon. - -“We’ll take our blades wid us,” said the Irish dragoon; “the civil -authorities of Paris don’t look out for things very well, so I’ve -heard, Master Ethan, and as there are lots of cut-purses in all big -cities we’d as well be on the safe side.” - -Paris of pre-revolutionary days was vastly different from the present -city. Its poor, like those of the country places, were poor indeed, -while its rich were magnificently superior in manner and most splendid -in dress. Squalor and grandeur were to be seen on every hand; the -noisome dens of the Faubourg San Antoine, which less than a score of -years afterward were to hurl their hordes of red-capped, blood-hungry -maniacs into the vortex of the “Terror,” and the beautiful structures -of the rich were not far separated. Ethan and Longsword, as they walked -about, wondered how such a state of things could exist among a people -apparently so highly schooled in all the refinements of civilization. - -Evening drew on and still they were afoot; both began to grow somewhat -hungry. - -“I think,” said Ethan, “that we had better be getting back to our -lodgings.” - -“I’ve been thinking that same for some time,” said Longsword. “A -rasher of bacon and eggs, as that landlady cooks them, would be mighty -comforting, so it would.” - -They proceeded along for some time; then their progress became a -hesitating sort of thing, and at last they stopped. - -“Shamus,” asked Ethan, a laugh in his voice, “where do we live?” - -“Faith, then, Master Ethan, I don’t know. Ye see I have no French, and -these bla’guard names that they give these streets get the better of -me.” - -“Then,” said Ethan, “we are lost.” - -“But we can ask some one the way.” - -“We could if we knew what street to ask for--but we don’t.” - -Longsword pulled a long face, and pondered. - -“Sorra the taste of supper will we get to-night,” mourned he. - -“Did the street sound anything to you like Rue Constantine?” asked -Ethan, after a pause. - -“It did,” answered Shamus eagerly. “It is very much like it, faith!” - -“Then we’ll try for that.” - -A shopman was appealed to and he directed them with much earnestness. - -“You will not take the next turn, nor the next,” he explained in rapid -French. “But the next after that you will take, for that is the Rue -Constantine. It runs but the one direction from here, so if you walk -along it and look carefully you cannot miss your house, monsieurs.” - -They thanked the man and made their way in the direction indicated. -When they turned into the Rue Constantine, Longsword said: - -“Here it is, sure enough. I remember us passing that great building -over there some time since. Faix, and it’d be a queer thing entirely if -we hadn’t found our way back, so it would.” - -But Ethan seemed rather doubtful. Gazing about, he said: - -“Don’t be quite so sure about your big building, Shamus. We’ve passed -quite a number of them in the last few hours.” - -“Ah, but we are right anyway, Master Ethan, as you’ll find. A half hour -will see us doing justice to that good French woman’s fine cooking.” - -They strode along for more than a half hour; at length Ethan saw that -doubt was shaking the confidence of Longsword. He laughed gleefully. - -“Well, we may yet stay in the streets supperless all night,” said he. -“Are you very hungry, Shamus?” - -“Master Ethan,” said the trooper, “this walk has given me an appetite -such as I haven’t had since I were a bit of a gossoon at home in -Tipperary.” - -This solemn assurance and the feeling manner with which it was -delivered was too much for Ethan. He leaned against a pillar of a -building which they were passing and shouted with mirth. - -“You’ll kill me yet, you old death’s head,” cried he at length. “But, -go on, let’s see if we can’t make you happy by finding the house and -the supper that you so long for.” - -Some distance farther along Shamus uttered an exclamation of delight. - -“Here we are, sure,” said he. “The brown building with the railings -about it and the wide roof like a bird box.” - -“There are many such houses in Paris,” said Ethan. “And we’ve passed -some of them within the last ten minutes.” - -“But none wid the window gardens at the second floor,” declared -Longsword. “Sure, the landlady’s wee bit of a daughter were telling -me the names of all the flowers while ye and the captain were off to -the commissioner’s this morning. Of course I couldn’t understand a word -she said, but that made no differ at all, at all. Oh, yes, this is the -house.” - -The window gardens settled it with Ethan, so they went up the high -stone steps and beat a sharp rat-tat upon the big brass knocker. - -The Rue Constantine was dark; there were few people abroad, as the -night was cold and the frozen snow upon the walks made the footing -treacherous. Lights gleamed from a few windows, the curtains of which -had not been drawn; now and then a vehicle would go rattling heavily -by, crunching the ice under its wheels. The door opened and a bald old -man with spectacles looked at them sharply from the threshold. - -“Where are you from?” he asked, in an odd sort of way. - -“The United States,” answered Ethan, wonderingly. - -The bald man stood aside and allowed them to enter; then he closed the -door and said rather angrily, - -“You should have answered, America.” - -Ethan and Longsword exchanged glances and smiled. They had not seen the -old man before, and looked at him curiously. Of course, the Irishman -did not understand what he said, but his shining pall and his jerky -way of looking over the rims of his big spectacles was sufficient for -Longsword; he nodded and smiled to the old man, in great good humor. - -“Is the captain at home, do you know?” asked Ethan. - -The bald man cackled shrilly. - -“The captain,” said he. “So you call him that, do you?” - -“Of course.” - -“Ah! Very good. And a splendid captain he is, I think.” - -As he spoke the old man opened a door disclosing a very well-appointed -room lighted by a number of wax candles. - -“Will you step in?” he asked. “The captain said that you were to wait -for him here.” - -The two stepped wonderingly into the room. The old man followed them -just beyond the doorway, and then paused. - -“He is within there,” spoke he, with a nod of the head toward a door -that communicated, apparently, with another room. “He is engaged with -the person whom you have been in search of.” - -“Not Siki,” exclaimed Ethan. - -“We are to mention no names, if you please,” warned the old man, -looking over the horn rims of his glasses, and wagging his head in -strong disapproval. - -While Ethan was yet gazing at him in astonishment, he nodded and -disappeared, closing the door behind him. - -“What a queer looking old codger,” said the Irish trooper. “What talk -had he?” - -Ethan translated the words of the man and Longsword opened his eyes in -wonder. - -“Is it possible that Captain Jones told this old fellow about the -document and its loss,” cried he. “Faith and it don’t seem likely, so -it don’t.” - -“Indeed it does not,” responded Ethan. “And yet what else are we to -understand by his words? He knew that you and I were out in search -of some one; and he said that that some one was at present with the -captain.” - -“It has a queer look to me,” said Longsword, scratching his head in a -puzzled fashion. “And do ye know, Master Ethan, the house seems to have -a strange look, too; faith it don’t seem the same at all, at all.” - -“Nonsense,” laughed Ethan. “Don’t let your imagination run riot, old -fellow. You and I are not well enough acquainted with the house to know -how it looks.” - -Just then there was the sound of a door opening and closing. Then they -heard voices in the hall, as though some one had stepped out of the -adjoining room. - -“Yes,” said one of the voices, “I understood that you were being sought -for anxiously all the afternoon.” - -“By whom?” asked another voice. - -“By Messieurs Danvers and Wheelock. They are in my reception room -waiting for me at this moment.” - -“Had you better not introduce me; you know that I have not met them as -yet.” - -“No more have I. You’d better wait until I’ve settled this matter with -them. Come to-morrow and I’ll be able to give you full information as -to the price that will be paid if the dispatch is recovered.” - -“I’m afraid it never will be. These Lascars are cunning dogs.” - -“But Siki made the mistake of trying to dispose of the paper in Paris. -That is how we found him out. No one would have suspected that he had -it, but for that. And a man who makes a mistake once, may do so again.” - -“You are right. Good-night, Monsieur Fochard. I will call upon you -to-morrow as you request.” - -The door leading to the street opened, and the other voice returned. - -“Good-night, monsieur. Have no fear. I think all will be well in the -end.” - -The door then closed, and the man Fochard returned to the room -adjoining. Ethan gripped Longsword’s arm in a clasp that made even that -man of iron wince. - -“No matter what happens,” said he, “express no surprise. Act as though -you considered it all as a matter of course.” - -“What is it?” queried Longsword, astonished at his young master’s -manner. - -“We are in the wrong house. And we have stumbled upon a clue to the -missing dispatch.” - -The door leading into the next room was now thrown open, and a stout, -florid man in a velvet coat and with a great bunch of seals hanging -from a heavy gold watch chain, stepped into the room. - -“Gentlemen,” said he, advancing and holding out both hands, “I am most -delighted to meet you.” - -When he had shaken hands with them he continued, addressing Longsword, - -“You are Monsieur Danvers, I take it.” - -“He does not speak French,” Ethan informed the man. - -Fochard expressed his surprise with a shrug. - -“Not speak French! That is odd. How then did his government come to -choose him for this work in France?” - -“You forget, monsieur,” said Ethan coolly, “that his coming to -France was by accident. The dispatch got this far because our plans -miscarried. Danvers’ working ground is the United States, and a -knowledge of the French language is not necessary there.” - -“True, true,” answered Fochard. “I had forgotten that. Then Monsieur -Wheelock, I will express myself through you, if you will be so kind, as -I speak no English.” - -“I shall be pleased to do anything that I can to help the matter along.” - -Fochard laughed and patted him upon the back. - -“We shall all be pleased to do what we can in this matter,” chuckled -he. “Ah, the dispatch must indeed be an important one! Ten thousand -pounds in English gold! Think of it. No wonder the rascally Lascar -desired to secure it all for himself.” - -While he was speaking Fochard led the way into the adjoining room and -closing the door, bowed them into chairs with the utmost politeness. -The apartment was much smaller than the one they had just left; the -walls were lined with walnut cabinets, each numbered and lettered; a -desk piled with papers stood beneath a huge, swinging lamp. - -“I am most glad,” said Monsieur Fochard, “that this matter came to my -notice while there was yet some chance of success.” - -Ethan bowed, and repeated the man’s words in English to Longsword. The -latter seemed astonished and was about to ask some questions, but a -secret signal from Ethan stopped him. - -“At first I thought,” said the Frenchman, “that the Lascar would try to -sell the paper back to the Americans. And in this I was not very far -wrong. He would have endeavored to do so had he not discovered that -they could not afford to pay so much for it as the English.” - -“How do you manage to find these things out?” asked Ethan curiously. - -Fochard laughed, clasped his plump white hands before him and twirled -his thumbs. - -“My agents are everywhere, even in King Louis’ bedchamber,” he replied. -“The system that I have built up is the result of years of labor. There -is nothing of importance happens in Paris that I do not know. When -the loss of this American dispatch filtered through to me, I at once -communicated with you and appointed this meeting.” - -“It was most kind of you,” said Ethan after he had acquainted Longsword -with the outline of what Fochard had said. He did this because he had -a lurking suspicion that the man might not be so ignorant of English -as he professed to be. “But,” the boy proceeded, “has anything further -been discovered?” - -“There has been important information brought to me within the past -hour; in fact the agent who brought it was Garvace, and he left but a -few moments ago. The Lascar once served the English Earl of Selkirk in -some capacity and is, so it is understood, now on his way to some port -where he can get a ship for England or Scotland and so place the papers -in the Earl’s hands for the crown.” - -“Do you know what port he is headed for?” - -“No; but like as not it is Brest or Nantes; or perhaps L’Orient.” - -“He is wounded and may perhaps be delayed upon that account,” said -Ethan. - -“Yes, that is true; however, I have taken no chances with him, for he -is a most cunning rascal. My agents are after him. Not a vessel will -leave any French port until it has been searched for him in my secret -way.” - -“Can we do anything to assist you?” - -“Not in France, no. But we have learned that the Earl of Selkirk is -most likely to be found at this time of the year at his place on St. -Mary’s Isle. It is there Siki will make his way should he succeed in -eluding us. My advice to you is to go there with your men, and wait for -him.” - -“Your advice,” said Ethan, who had been repeating all this to his -companion, “is good.” - -“That, then,” said Fochard, rising as a sign that the interview was at -an end, “is all that I can do for you, now. You will pardon me, I know; -but I have most important matters that claim my attention.” - -“Then we will not detain you,” said Ethan. - -As he led them out of the room, and toward the street door, Fochard -continued: - -“The division of the reward is understood, then, to be as I desired. -Half to me and half to Monsieur Danvers to be shared among our -respective agents as we see fit.” - -“Monsieur Danvers will be perfectly satisfied with that arrangement, I -have no doubt,” said Ethan. - -“Tell him to consider the matter and send me word by messenger before -he leaves Paris. I like these little matters settled at the beginning. -And now, gentlemen, I will bid you good-night.” - -They then found themselves shaking hands with the secret agent upon his -door-step; a moment later the door had closed and they were standing -upon the frozen walk, gazing at each other in astonishment. - - - - -CHAPTER X - -THE CRUISE OF THE RANGER - - -It was a good two hours later when Ethan and the Irish dragoon finally -discovered their lodgings. Captain Jones was busy over some papers in -his room when Ethan knocked upon his door. - -“Come in,” said the sailor. “I had just about finished.” He sealed up -some documents, and then went on, “Your search was longer than you -intended, was it not? and, I suppose, without much success.” - -“Our search resulted in nothing,” returned Ethan. “But by sheer luck we -stumbled upon a most remarkable discovery.” - -Then he related the main incident of the night, and Captain Jones -listened with the greatest attention. - -“Quite remarkable,” commented he, as the lad finished. “But, really, -except for the fact that we now know where Siki expects to dispose of -the paper, we learned all this from Dr. Franklin’s judgment in the -matter. St. Mary’s Isle, eh,” he continued, musingly. “I know the place -well; and, who knows, perhaps I may touch there in the Ranger and look -into this matter.” - -Not having had any definite instructions from Mr. Jefferson about when -he should return to America, Ethan had considered that he should remain -in France until the paper was recovered or proven to be lost for good -and all. He had had no notion of continuing the cruise with Captain -Jones, but now that the Ranger and the recovery of the dispatch seemed -linked, as it were, he eagerly asked to be allowed to go. - -“The chances are,” he reasoned, “that the Lascar will slip through -their fingers. If you can land Longsword and me upon St. Mary’s Isle we -may be in time to do some good.” - -“I shall be most glad to have you,” said the Ranger’s captain. “And -somehow it seems to me that a landing at St. Mary’s Isle is going to -lead to good of some sort. I sometimes get impressions like that, and -they usually point pretty close to facts in the end.” - -Three or four days later John Paul Jones, Ethan Carlyle and Longsword -once more reached Nantes; and the former immediately set about getting -his ship ready for the voyage that was to strike terror to the hearts -of the British and fill those of the struggling Americans with delight. - -Upon the trip across the Atlantic the prediction that the commander had -made to Ethan in Portsmouth harbor had been realized. Many defects and -weaknesses were discovered in the Ranger, and these he now set about -remedying as far as possible. - -The ship’s trim was altered; her ballast was taken out and restowed; -her masts were shortened, also, by some feet. No man ever sailed the -ocean who knew more about the small details of seamanship than John -Paul Jones; after he had been in a vessel a few weeks it was an assured -thing that she had come to do all that there was in her. Many a cranky, -slow answering tub had been transformed, by his knowledge, into a -speedy, amenable ship. - -After they had cleared the harbor the Ranger showed marked evidence of -improvement in her work. - -“She’ll answer, now,” said her captain, with satisfaction. - -Off Cape Clear a British brig was captured and sent into Brest, as was -the Lord Chatham, a ship out of London, which they took a little later. - -While heading up the Irish channel one day during the first dog-watch, -Ethan and the commander were pacing the quarter-deck. - -“Do you intend to head directly for St. Mary’s Isle?” asked the boy. - -“No; I had thought of a plan by which an attempt might be made upon -Whitehaven. There is a great deal of shipping in the harbor there I -know; and if it could be destroyed it would be a damaging blow.” - -“You are quite familiar with that port, are you not?” - -“I sailed out of it upon my first voyage, and first saw the light of -day not many miles from it. Let me once get into the harbor with a fire -boat and I’ll forever put a stop to the burnings and ravagings that the -British are so free with upon our undefended coast. A blaze that would -sweep every hull from Whitehaven would show them that we have the power -to retaliate; and after that they would be more apt to hold their -savagery in check.” - -“I think you are right,” agreed Ethan. “There is nothing like a swift -retaliation to teach a brutal and insolent enemy to be merciful.” - -There was a strong wind blowing when the Ranger came in sight of -Whitehaven and beat up toward it. The boats had been lowered, manned, -and were about to be called away, when the wind suddenly shifted and -blew on shore. The position of the American was now most dangerous, so -the boats were promptly hoisted in once more and the Ranger beat out to -sea. - -Off Carrickfergus they took a small fishing-boat. The skipper was a -hot-tempered little Celt, and he made a great ado about the matter. - -“Faith, then, captain,” said he to the smiling commander of the -sloop-of-war, “I think it’s a shame, so I do, that an honest man can’t -cast his nests into the say for the bits of fish that do be swimming -about, widout being dragged on board a Yankee that he don’t want to get -acquainted wid.” - -“Well,” replied Captain Jones, “we are not quite so discourteous. We -desired your acquaintance and went to some little trouble to make it.” - -“Sure, then,” snapped the other, “if I carried the guns aboard of me -that the Drake do, as she lies there in Belfast Lough, you would not be -so ready to come near me, perhaps.” - -“The Drake?” questioned Captain Jones, with interest. “You mean, I -suppose, the British ship-of-war of that name?” - -“I do,” returned the fisherman. “And she is a fine vessel, for she -carries twenty guns and a hundred and fifty men.” - -The commander of the Ranger turned to his first officer, briskly. - -“I think, Mr. Simpson,” said he, “that we’ll change our course for -Belfast Lough and see what can be done with that vessel.” - -“We are not out to engage warships,” growled Simpson, sullenly. - -“We are out to engage anything that promises to injure the enemy,” said -the captain sharply. “You will please pass my order along.” - -The lieutenant did as requested. It is noted of this insubordinate -officer that he seemed to regard the voyage of the Ranger more as an -enterprise for private gain than anything else; a rich merchantman -pleased him greatly; but he had little or no stomach for a fight with a -vessel that carried any weight of metal. - -More sail was made upon the ship when she was brought into her new -course; in the mouth of the Lough she beat to and fro until night, then -she ran into the harbor. - -The Drake lay well up in the harbor, and it was Captain Jones’ -intention to lay the Ranger alongside her and board. - -“When I give the word,” said he to the boatswain, who was in charge of -a group of men on the forecastle deck, “let go the bow anchors.” - -Cutlasses, boarding-pikes and pistols were distributed, and the crew -stood ready. With a magnificent display of seamanship John Paul Jones -brought the Ranger up and laid her athwart the Drake. - -“Let go the anchor,” he commanded in a low voice. - -There was a scuffling and stumbling among the seamen in the bow; -the anchor-chain rattled, then stopped; the American sloop-of-war -drifted down past the lee quarter of the Englishman; at this point the -anchor fell with a loud plunge, and the Ranger lay directly under the -broadside of the Drake. - -There was a stir among the watch upon the British ship’s deck. - -“Ahoy, there, you blundering lubber!” yelled a voice. “What are you -about?” - -“No harm done,” answered Captain Jones, promptly. “Anchor-chain -fouled.” Then in a low tone he added: “Cut that cable and let the -anchor go.” - -Ethan Carlyle seized an axe from the rack, and with a deft, sure blow -severed the thick line; the Ranger drifted slowly out of her dangerous -position; as another attempt of the same sort could not be risked, sail -was clapped upon her and she raced out of the Lough like a hunted hare. - -“It’s a rare good thing she took us for a clumsy merchantman,” -commented Ethan to Captain Jones, as they stood together upon the deck. -“She could have raked us from stem to stern as we lay there, and we -could not have brought a single gun to bear on her.” - -“Fate seems to fight against us,” laughed Captain Jones. “Now for -Whitehaven once more, and let us hope for a favorable wind.” - -They reached that port once more about eight in the evening upon the -twenty-second of the month; but the boats were not called away until -after midnight. - -There were two of these, and were manned by crews of heavily-armed -volunteers. Ethan and Longsword had volunteered for the captain’s boat. - -“I will advance and attack the forts,” said the commander to Lieutenant -Wallingford, who was in charge of the other boat. “Your share in the -enterprise is to get well in among the shipping and set fire to it.” - -These were all the instructions given. Day began to dawn as they -reached the outer pier of the harbor. - -“Take the north side,” directed Captain Jones, “and pull hard.” - -“Ay, ay, sir,” answered the third officer; his boat drew away from the -other and made into the harbor. - -“There are the forts upon the south side, are they not?” asked Ethan. - -“Yes,” said John Paul Jones, “and they are likely to be slimly manned. -I know the custom here, you see.” - -“It reminds me of old times, faith,” whispered Longsword to Ethan, as -he sat in the stern with his great brass-hilted blade between his knees. - -Captain Jones was right; the first fort was garrisoned by about a half -dozen heavy-eyed soldiers. Ethan, Longsword and a few of the more -daring seamen scaled the wall and overpowered these without trouble. - -“Into the guard house with them,” ordered Ethan, “and fasten them in.” - -When the gate was thrown open and Jones and the remainder of the boat’s -crew entered, the former said briskly, - -“Spike the guns; we may have them roaring about our ears soon if we -don’t.” - -Longsword drove the plugs of iron into the vents of the cannon with -swift and hearty blows. - -“Now, Mr. Browne,” continued the captain, “station a few men to guard -the approaches from the town. Mr. Carlyle, come with me.” - -While Browne, middy, was stationing the men, Ethan hurried away with -the captain toward the point where they had landed. - -“That is Wallingford’s boat that I see advancing,” said the commander, -pointing to a craft slowly emerging from a wall of mist. “And I see no -indications from the harbor that he has carried out my orders.” - -As a matter of fact there was no blaze among the shipping and Ethan saw -that the face of the commander was set and stern. Wallingford’s boat -touched and the lieutenant sprang ashore. - -“Well, sir,” rapped out the captain. - -“My lights went out, sir, just as I was about to begin work, and so I -could not carry out my orders.” - -This was long before the day of “brimstone” matches. The two boats -carried lanterns in which were placed lighted candles, and to these -most uncertain things they had to trust for the success or failure of a -most brilliantly planned expedition. - -“You will find lights in my boats there, I think,” said Captain Paul -Jones. “Take them and try once more; there may yet be time.” - -His face was white with anger; he had worked hard and dared much for -success, and that such a trivial thing as this should threaten failure -almost made him lose control of himself. - -Ethan bounded toward the captain’s boat to get the lights; but here, -too, the candles had guttered out, and all that was left was a smear of -tallow and the blackened end of a wick. - -“Lights are out here, too,” he cried. Captain Jones drew in his breath -sharply. - -“It seems that we are to have our share of misfortune indeed,” said he -with a mirthless laugh. “But lights must be had.” - -“There is a house a little way below there,” volunteered Ethan. “I saw -it as we came along. It’s farther from the town than any other.” - -“Tell Browne to give you a few men, and go there, then,” said the -commander instantly. “Knock and ask decently at first; but if they -refuse, or delay, beat down the door and help yourself.” - -Ethan was back at the fort in a few moments’ sharp run. Longsword and -a seaman named Freeman were given him and they started toward the -house which Ethan had in mind. Now as it happened this Freeman was an -Englishman and the very worst man in the Ranger to be selected for the -work in hand. - -The house proved to be a small public inn, and the young American -hammered upon the door loudly with the heavy butt of a pistol. As no -answer came Longsword dealt the door a brace of lusty kicks that made -the entire structure rattle. - -“They seem to be sound sleepers,” said Freeman, who had remained very -quiet up till then. “Suppose I go around to the rear and see what can -be done.” - -He did not wait for Ethan’s permission but at once disappeared around a -corner of the building. A nervous tremble in the man’s voice caused the -Irishman to instinctively suspect something. He also turned the corner -a moment later, and saw Freeman speeding away towards the town. - -“Master Ethan,” roared the dragoon. “He’s off.” - -“Whom do you mean?” - -“The Englishman. There he goes, as fast as his legs can take him.” - -“We’ll have the whole of Whitehaven here in short order now,” said -Ethan. “He’s gone to give the alarm.” - -“Not if I can stop him,” shouted the ex-trooper. He threw up his pistol -with a quick, expert snap of the arm, and fired. Freeman half-halted, -tottered a little, but continued on toward the town almost as fast as -before. - -“You got him,” said Ethan. - -“But not enough,” grumbled Longsword. “It hardly cut the skin of him.” - -“Try for him, once more, with this,” and Ethan offered Shamus his own -pistol. The Irishman was a wonderful shot with these awkward weapons; -but the range caused him to shake his head. - -“Too late,” said he. “It’d take a musket to find a man at that -distance.” - -The sound of the shot had the effect of arousing the house; a window -was thrown open above, a night-capped head was protruded, while a pair -of sleep heavy eyes blinked down at them in the pale light of the dawn. - -“Hello,” cried the owner of the night cap in a husky sort of bellow. -“What’s wanted below there?” - -“Arrah, come down wid ye and open the door,” requested Longsword with -great promptness. - -“And have myself killed for my trouble,” said the man at the window. - -“Ye’ll get yourself killed if you don’t do as you’re told, my friend,” -said Longsword with a reckless flourish of his empty pistol. The man -withdrew his head with a jerk; and though they continued to call to -him, he refused to show himself. - -“Down with the door,” cried Ethan at last. And putting their shoulders -to it they sent it crashing inward. There now came a perfect storm of -screams and yells from the regions above. - -They found themselves in a room in which a sea coal fire was burning; -after a short search Ethan found a couple of fat pine billets which he -stuck partly into the fire. While they awaited such time as the torches -should ignite, they stood in the broken doorway and looked earnestly -toward the town. The noises from the rooms above had died away; and now -a long, low murmur as of many voices was carried to their ears by the -wind, which was toward the harbor. With each moment the sound increased -in volume; it would rise sharply and then fall away, only to rise once -more. - -“The town is up, sure enough,” said Longsword, grimly. “Freeman has -lost no time.” - -Once more the murmur of the distant voices rose and fell; it had a -fierce intensity that came awesomely to the listeners as they shivered -in the chill of that spring morning. From far down the street a huddle -of people swept around a corner; in their hands they bore all sorts of -hastily snatched weapons; and by their gesticulations Ethan saw that -they were wrought up to a pitch of frenzy. - -“We have no time to waste,” said the young American, rapidly. “In a few -moments more they will be here.” - -He ran into the room and snatched the torches from the coals; the ends -were smoldering only, but he swung them about his head a few times and -they burst into a blaze. - -“Now we are ready,” he cried. In a moment they were out in the road. -The shrill cries of the advancing townspeople sounded fiercer still; -the heavy tramp of their feet was swift and menacing. - -“They mean business, sure,” cried Longsword. “Look out!” - -Two or three bullets struck near them and the vengeful cries increased. -From the window of the inn the landlord was clamoring at the top of his -lusty voice. - -“Come on,” shouted Ethan to the Irishman as he darted down the road. -Longsword followed close at his heels; now and then he flourished his -empty pistol and defied the crowd mutely. - -John Paul Jones was awaiting them eagerly. - -“Hah! You have the lights. Good! But what is that noise I hear? You -have injured none of the folks at the house, I hope.” - -“No,” answered Ethan. “Freeman, the sailor whom we took with us, -slipped into the town and aroused the people. They are coming in -crowds.” - -A frown wrinkled the commander’s brow. - -“I had hoped that this would not happen, at least, until we had kindled -a good blaze. But we must do our best, as it is. Ahoy, there, into the -brig, and put the torch to her.” - -There were a great number of vessels which had been taking in or -discharging cargoes; for the most part they lay close together, and a -fire started in one would probably mean the destruction of all. - -The brig to which Paul Jones referred was one of the largest vessels -at hand, and a great quantity of combustible matter had been scattered -through her while Ethan had been securing the lights. Those set to -apply the torch did not perform that duty quickly enough for the -impatient commander; so he sprang forward, snatched a blazing brand -from one of them and leaped aboard the brig. Plunging below decks he -applied the torch; as he gained the deck once more he was followed by a -thick cloud of smoke and a shower of sparks. - -The people of Whitehaven had, by this time, reached the entrance to the -wharf, though the sight of a number of heavily-armed seamen halted them -promptly. But with each passing moment their numbers increased, their -shouts and execrations filled the air; every now and then a flight of -missiles would patter about the Americans. Then the fired brig burst -into a fierce blaze; from every port and seam smoke and flame jetted -and curled; and as no more was now to be done, Paul Jones shouted: - -“To the boats, men. But take your time. Show any evidence of haste, and -we’ll have all those people upon us.” - -The men obeyed. With Lieutenant Wallingford’s eye upon them, they -climbed into the boats. Captain Jones, however, remained upon the pier. -Ethan was about to follow the others when he noticed this. - -“All hands in the boats, sir,” said he. - -“Very well,” answered the other coolly. - -The fire in the brig had suddenly begun to die away, and he feared that -it was about to go out. Ethan realized that this was the cause of his -delay. - -“It needs more draught, I think,” said the boy. - -“If the hatches were all off it would have more chance,” said the -captain. - -Without a word Ethan sprang to the vessel’s rail and climbed aboard. -As luck would have it an axe was at hand; and in a moment his sturdy -blows were ringing and crashing in the ears of the mob. This latter had -constantly grown larger; from every direction the people were hastening -to the scene. When the throng realized what the axe blows meant, a wild -howl went up from them. - -“Down with the Yankee pirate,” came the cry. - -“They are burning the ship!” shrilled a newcomer. - -“Look,” shouted another; “there is only one man. Shall five hundred -loyal subjects of the king be braved by one American cut-throat?” - -“Never!” roared the mob. - -Like a fury Ethan hacked and hewed at the hatches until he had them all -cut away; he was delivering the finishing strokes when the press from -the rear of the crowd became so great that those in front were hurled -forward. - -“Back!” cried the intrepid John Paul Jones, presenting his heavy -pistols in their faces. “Keep back!” - -This ready action and the coolness of the man filled the angry mob with -fear. With cries of alarm they fled back to their former positions at -the head of the pier. The brig was now wrapped in a solid sheet of -flame; and as there was nothing that demanded the further detaining of -the Ranger’s boats, the captain sprang into one of them, followed by -Ethan, and they pushed off. - -Immediately the crowd surged down the pier; some sprang to fight the -flames; others stood at the harbor’s edge and shrieked their threats -of vengeance; but the tars in the rapidly-receding boats only answered -by a derisive laugh. Some one released the guard at the fort; the -hastily-driven spikes were wrenched from one or two of the guns; and -they were loaded and trained upon the boats. - -But by the time their sullen reports broke upon the morning air the -Americans were out of range; and in a very little while later the -dashing sloop-of-war, under a press of white canvas, had disappeared -beyond the vision of those upon the shore. - - - - -CHAPTER XI - -ON ST. MARY’S ISLE - - -Expresses dashed about and signal fires burned along the coast from -one end of England to the other. Fear fell upon the folk of every -commercial port and fishing hamlet. Invasion had been the very last -thing that the British had thought possible; no enemy had set his foot -upon their soil before in the memory of living man; and now that the -despised Americans had accomplished the feat, a wave of mingled fear -and fury swept through the “tight little isle.” - -The British had thought it very right and proper to burn and destroy -along the American coast; they considered it a rather quick and -effective method of suppressing the rebellious subjects of the king. - -But when the youthful republic sent this daring sailor, Paul Jones, -across the sea and through him applied the torch to British property -and in a British harbor, the thing seemed vastly different. Pirate was -the mildest term they could find for the chief of the Ranger; and -indeed so they affect to regard him to this day. - -Parliament was appealed to by the populace, and it was implored to have -armed vessels sent out after the daring Yankee, and to scour the seas -until he was either taken or sunk. - -News of all this reached John Paul Jones through vessels that he -captured in the Irish Channel; but he only laughed and glanced proudly -about at his trim, swift, well-armed ship. - -“It is about time that our friend the Lascar was due at St. Mary’s -Isle,” said he to Ethan, one evening as they sat in the cabin talking -over the secret dispatch and its probable fate. “I am thinking of -heading for there and giving you a chance to see.” - -“Do,” said the lad eagerly. “Think what the loss of this paper might -mean to our country. We should use every means in our power to recover -it; and St. Mary’s Isle offers at least a possibility.” - -“What you say is very true,” said the commander gravely. “But I have -still another reason for making this landing.” - -“Indeed.” - -“From time to time the people of the United States have heard of the -dreadful treatment meted out to American prisoners of war in the -British hulks and jails; but in spite of the protests of Congress, -nothing has been done by the English king to alter this state of -affairs.” - -“It is believed to be growing constantly worse.” - -“The only hope of relief to our imprisoned countrymen,” said Paul -Jones, “lies in our ability to effect a system of exchange.” - -“But this has been tried many times before,” said Ethan. “I copied the -papers for Mr. Jefferson upon one occasion. But nothing ever came of -it.” - -“The reason of that is very clear. We have had no prominent captives. -Let us once get a man of great name into our power and we can compel -the beginning of such a system.” - -“That seems very likely,” said the lad. - -“Here is the Earl of Selkirk, one of England’s most exalted personages. -If we had him in our power it would not be many months before the -treatment of American prisoners would change. And when we land upon -St. Mary’s Isle, the Lascar, Siki, will not be the only person sought; -if it is possible to do so, I shall leave there with the earl in this -cabin a prisoner and hostage.” - -Upon the beautiful headland at the mouth of the River Dee, the noble -Earl of Selkirk had a magnificent seat. It was not long before the -Ranger came in sight of this; the news of what the commander had -resolved to do had leaked out and the entire ship hummed with it. - -The sloop-of-war ran in close and the boatswain’s call rang through -her. Two boats’ crews, armed with cutlass and pistol, were called away, -under the command of Captain Jones and Lieutenants Simpson and Hall. An -old, white-haired man met them as the bows of the boats ran up upon the -sand; and he bowed low, hat in hand. - -“Welcome, sir,” said he, the tremble of age in his voice. “The king’s -officers are always welcome. It has been many months since we have been -favored by a visit from a ship of his Majesty’s navy.” - -The old man had the appearance of a steward or an upper servant of some -sort; the Ranger flew no flag and he mistook her for a king’s ship. -Captain Jones smiled kindly upon the old fellow. - -“Thank you for your kind words,” said he. “I only hope that the earl -will be equally glad to see us.” - -“The earl, sir, would be pleased, I know. But, ah,” and the ancient -shook his white head sorrowfully, “he has been called away.” - -“Called away!” The captain exchanged glances with Ethan and his -officers, while the boats’ crews muttered their disappointment. - -“Yes, sir,” said the old servant. “He has been a-gone for some time -now. Do you know, sir,” and he came nearer to John Paul Jones and -lowered his voice, “I can’t abide these blackamoors.” - -Ethan Carlyle started; and the commander said quickly: - -“What do you mean by that?” - -“I mean the man who haunted the grounds, sir, for days. He wanted to -see the earl; and when, at last, he did see him, the earl went away to -London or some other place. No, sir, I don’t like these blackamoors.” - -“Too late,” said Ethan Carlyle, with a great feeling of weight at his -heart. - -“It would seem that we are to be disappointed in both quests,” said the -captain, in a low tone. “The earl is gone and he has taken the paper -with him. Perhaps it is even now in the hands of the British ministers.” - -Then he turned to Simpson and Hall. “We may as well return to the ship. -There seems to be nothing for us here.” - -“There is the hall,” said Simpson, pointing toward the great white -building whose top appeared above the trees. “I have no doubt but what -there is rich plunder there.” - -“Hah!” ejaculated Paul Jones, staring into the lieutenant’s sullen face -through his puckered eyelids. - -“Simpson is right,” said Hall. “We have taken this risk, and should not -be asked to go back to the ship empty handed.” - -“Who is it at the hall?” asked Jones of the old servant. - -“Only the countess, sir,” replied the bewildered old man. - -“Do you hear?” and the Ranger’s commander wheeled upon his officers -with stormy eyes. “There is only a helpless woman then at the house. -Are my ship’s company to turn buccaneers, indeed?” - -“It is all very well for you to hold your high notions,” said -Lieutenant Simpson with something like a sneer, “but the officers of -the Ranger sailed in her for profit. And as here is an excellent chance -for booty, I am for seizing it.” - -“If you sail for glory, Captain Jones,” said Hall, “very well. -Patriotism is a very good thing; but plunder is not so bad.” - -There was a murmur of assent from the boats’ crews; the continued -insubordination of these two officers during the voyage had spoiled the -men of the Ranger; there had been times when only the utmost firmness -had prevented a mutiny. - -“The cruise of the Ranger has not been as fortunate as we could wish,” -remarked Simpson, “and now that this little chance for plunder presents -itself we have no desire to see it slip by.” - -“Nor the crew either,” said Hall, meaningly. And the men shot frowning -glances at their captain. - -The latter’s face was white with anger and his hand clutched the pistol -in his belt. Ethan and Longsword stepped to his side with weapons ready -in case of need; the commander gave them a quick look of thanks. But a -moment had served to change his mind. To shoot down Simpson and Hall -would only bring on a bloody and unnecessary encounter, and the loss of -the Ranger to the cause of freedom might result. So the captain’s hand -dropped away from his pistol butt, and he said in an icy voice: - -“You do this thing against my will. I want that understood; and both of -you will answer for it before a naval board.” - -“If you are so very particular about the matter,” said Simpson, “why, -when the booty is appraised by the prize court, you can buy it in and -return it to the noble earl if you so desire.” - -“I thank you for the suggestion,” said the captain, coldly, “and I will -act upon it.” - -They stared at him in silence for a moment; then Hall asked: - -“Have we then your permission to proceed, sir?” - -“You have both announced your determination to do as you like,” said -Paul Jones, bitterly, “and I will raise no hand to prevent you carrying -out your plans. But the responsibility shall be your own; I will have -no hand in the affair.” - -Without another word, the mutinous officers ordered the men to advance; -and away they went toward the hall, their side arms clanking and their -sullen eyes avoiding the glance of their angry commander. - -History relates how they found the countess in the hall, and surrounded -it; how they demanded the plate chest, and how it was given up to them -by the lady almost without protest. Ethan and Longsword had followed -the party, and with face scarlet with shame the former watched the -seamen bear off the chest. - -“It seems, Longsword,” said the lad, his eyes smoldering with rage, -“that we have turned thieves.” - -“Yes, faith, and nasty, low-down thieves in the bargain,” agreed the -Irish dragoon. - -“Look at the captain,” said Ethan, pointing to the slight figure of the -Ranger’s young commander as he paced up and down beneath the trees, -with bent head and hands clasped behind him. - -There was a set, hard look upon his face as he raised it, and saw the -men returning with their plunder. But he said not a word, and at once -proceeded to make ready for their return to the Ranger. - -Ethan and Longsword were some distance behind the party; the shame that -they felt in this act of knavery would not permit them to mingle with -the others; and as they were passing a high and beautifully trimmed -hedge, the first man clambered into one of the boats. - -“Make haste,” said Longsword, “we shall be left behind.” - -They broke into a trot; but hardly had they taken a half dozen steps at -the increased pace, when a score of men leaped over or burst through -the hedge and fell upon them. Rough hands were clapped upon their -mouths; they struggled desperately, but were borne to the ground and -pinned there by strong arms. It took some little time to accomplish -this, and when at last they were overcome the Ranger’s boats were well -upon their way, the men bending strongly to their oars. - - - - -CHAPTER XII - -IN WHICH DANVERS APPEARS ONCE MORE - - -After their captors had them securely trussed up with strong ropes, -they paid very little attention to Ethan or his companion. Something at -sea seemed to interest them greatly, and, filled with curiosity, the -two struggled to see what it could be. - -“Look how the Ranger’s men are dragging at the sweeps,” said Ethan. - -“They pull like mad,” agreed Longsword as he sat up in the sand in -spite of his bonds. “And look how the officers are urging them on!” - -“Something has happened,” said the lad. - -“Something will happen within the next half hour,” said one of the -Englishmen who stood near. “His Majesty’s frigate Thunderer is going to -have a word to say in this matter pretty soon.” - -“An English ship!” cried both captives. - -“Ay, and a smart craft, too, with plenty of guns and men. She’s been -lying further up behind the headland; but we’ve sent word and she’s -coming down.” - -As the man spoke there came the deep boom of a gun; the Ranger, with -her sails filled, went flying seaward; from around the headland swept -the huge, dark hull and towering sail spread of a British ship-of-war, -a column of white smoke arising from her bow. - -“The Yankee are running away,” cried a voice. “They can rob defenceless -people, but they won’t stand and fight.” - -“What’s the matter wid them?” growled Longsword as he watched the -Ranger. “Sure our ship can beat that fellow wid ease.” - -“And she’s going to do it,” cried Ethan. “Look there. She only stood -out for sea-room.” - -Sure enough the American vessel now wore around and opened fire; from -that distance the puffs of smoke from her sides could be seen long -before the reports were heard; and when they did come, they were dull -and sullen and ominous. - -“Hello,” cried one of the men on the beach, “that Yankee can shoot a -bit.” - -At the first fire the Thunderer’s bowsprit hung limply, her foresails -trailing in the sea; a clutter of spars and a broken topmast hung over -the deck, and the rent canvas flapped helplessly and wrapped itself -about the masts and shrouds. - -The Ranger then stood in to take up a more effective position; but the -skipper of the British frigate seemed to already have more than enough -of the fight; and making what sail he could he quickly scuttled back in -the direction from which he had come. The Englishmen were much wrought -up over this defeat; but Ethan and Longsword were well pleased. - -“She came out like a conqueror,” said the lad, “and she went back like -a hen caught in a shower of rain.” - -“You keep quiet,” growled one of the men. “You’ll have all the trouble -you can attend to in a few moments without making more for yourself.” - -“I and my companion are to be treated as prisoners of war, I suppose,” -said Ethan. - -“You are to be treated just as this gentleman sees fit,” answered the -man. - -As he spoke, he pointed to a newcomer who came sauntering coolly -along, his eyes turned seaward upon the Ranger, which was dressing her -yards and about to put to sea. - -“Danvers!” exclaimed Ethan, instantly recognizing the jetty hair and -the remarkable pallor. - -The man turned and darted a swift, searching look at the boy as the cry -reached his ears. Then his face lighted up in triumph and he laughed in -a short, sharp way that bespoke malicious satisfaction. - -“So, it is you, my young friend, is it?” he cried, advancing toward -them. “I had heard that my men had made a capture, but had no idea that -it was any one but a brace of seamen.” He stood looking down at them, a -smile showing his white, even teeth, and one hand tapping the hilt of -his sword. “So,” he went on after a pause, “you have joined with the -Lascar, have you?” - -“Joined with him,” repeated Ethan in surprise. - -“Ay, and don’t seek to deceive me. I am not Monsieur Fochard.” - -Ethan and the Irish dragoon laughed at this, and Danvers glowered at -them blackly. - -“You have seen Monsieur Fochard, then,” smiled the young American. - -“Less than a half hour after you had gone. Your trick was a most clever -one; I am an admirer of cleverness, even when it is displayed against -me, and I beg of you to accept my congratulations.” - -Despite the man’s evident anger, it seemed as though he meant this; as -an adept in trickery himself, he was forced to admiration at Ethan’s -apparent excellence in this line. - -“But tell me,” he went on, bending over them, “how did you know that -Fochard was concerned in this matter? and how did you learn that I was -to visit him upon the night you and this man,” indicating Longsword, -“impersonated Wheelock and myself?” - -Ethan smiled, but shook his head. It was plain that the man was -mystified, and, of course the lad had no desire to enlighten him. - -“That,” he replied, “is a secret.” - -Danvers bent his brows still more, and his lips tightened. - -“A secret--yes, I suppose it is. And you thought to have the later -developments a secret, too, didn’t you?” - -“What do you mean?” - -“I mean with regard to the man Siki.” - -“This,” said Ethan in a puzzled way, “is the second time within a very -few minutes that you have hinted a mysterious something about this -slippery Lascar. But I don’t just grasp your meaning.” - -“You may evade the fact as you please,” said Danvers, “but it remains -the same. I’ll tell you what I have found out. When you discovered who -had the dispatch that night in your visit to the secret agent, Fochard, -you conceived the idea which you and your friend, Captain Jones, have -so admirably carried out.” - -“And what was that?” - -“To seek the Lascar, and enter into a compact with him to sell the -dispatch.” - -Ethan turned white; his eyes blazed and he struggled desperately with -the stout ropes that bound him. - -“If I were free,” he gasped, “I’d make you regret those words.” - -“Oh, spare me any heroics,” sneered the British spy. “I know that both -you and that Scottish renegade, John Paul Jones, profess a most lofty -patriotism. But neither of you can deceive me.” - -“That,” cried Longsword, who had not been able to speak before, so -great was his astonishment, “is the most bla’guardly accusation I ever -heard in me life, so it is. D’ye mean to say that this lad whom I held -in me two arms as a babe, would sell his country to your mad old king?” - -“If the price of his treachery were sufficient, of course he would,” -jeered Danvers. “It was the end of country and all else when he knew -that ten thousand pounds would be gained by the delivery of the -dispatch. I have met many men; and I am a fair judge of these little -things, believe me.” - -“If I were as sharp as you,” growled the Irish trooper, “I’d be afraid -to associate wid meself, so I would.” - -“I was here when the Lascar came,” said Danvers to Ethan, and ignoring -Longsword. “I saw him meet the earl; I overheard what they said.” - -“Ah!” said Ethan, with an eagerness that he was unable to conceal. - -“The fellow told the earl of the paper; he said that it was then in -the possession of another. I met him afterward in the road; it was -after dark, and I was soon squeezing his story from his throat.” - -“And he told you----?” - -“He told me how he sailed from France in the Ranger; how you were now -leagued with him, and Jones, also; and you, he said, were the person -who had the paper.” - -“I understand the matter now,” said Ethan. “He told you what it suited -him to have you believe.” - -Danvers laughed. - -“Oh, don’t try to throw the dust in my eyes like that,” he said. “I’m -too old a hand for that sort of thing.” - -Ethan at once saw that it would be the merest folly to attempt to -convince the man of the Lascar’s deception, so he said nothing more. - -“Our friend, Siki,” said Danvers, “is now safe on board the frigate, -Drake, which is lying at Carrickfergus; she was in these waters at the -time of my capture of him, and I had him sent aboard for safe keeping.” - -“I suppose,” said Ethan after a short silence, “that we two are -destined for some hulk or prison.” - -“For a prison, you may be sure,” laughed the emissary of the crown, -“but a private prison of my own. You’ll be safe enough there until I -can end the whole matter. And now, where is the dispatch?” - -“I only wish I could say,” said Ethan. “But I assure you I know nothing -of its whereabouts.” - -Danvers smiled coldly. - -“Here, men!” he cried to some of his followers, who had withdrawn some -little distance during the above conversation, “search these prisoners; -and do it thoroughly.” - -The men did as they were bidden; their search was complete, but, of -course it resulted in nothing. Danvers bit his lip and was savage in -his disappointment. - -“Jones has it, then,” he said. “The villain; I’ll have it from him yet.” - -“You seem very ready, Mr. Danvers, to apply harsh names to Americans.” - -“Jones is not an American.” - -[Illustration: _DANVERS CAME DOWN INTO THE HOLD_] - -“You are wrong. By accident of birth he was a Scotchman; but love of -liberty and the willingness to dare death in her cause has made him -American.” - -“He is a rascally ex-slaver,” growled Danvers. - -“If a lad of eighteen was a rascal for taking employment in a slave -ship, then the English government must be a government of rascals for -encouraging that hideous traffic that they might gain money by it.” - -“How dare you!” cried the Englishman. “How dare you talk so against the -king’s government while in the king’s country!” - -“I have not stopped at words against the king’s government,” said Ethan -proudly. - -“No; I’ve heard of the doings of your pirate ship in the channel. But -she’ll soon meet her fate. British ships and British tars are in search -of her.” - -Ethan laughed amusedly. - -“You saw what happened to a British ship less than a half hour ago, did -you not? The Ranger will not be so easily taken.” - -Danvers was a man of violent temper; he could not answer this in the -calm manner that he desired; so he turned away without a reply, and -gave an order to his men in a low tone. In a few moments the young -American and the Irishman were deposited in the bottom of a large -skiff, still trussed up with the ropes, and were being rowed toward -the Dee, where a small schooner-rigged tender lay. They were lifted on -board of this vessel, which toward night made sail out of the harbor -and down the coast. - -Ethan and Longsword were eased of the ropes, but were at once ironed -in the tender’s hold. It was dark there, not a ray of light penetrated -anywhere; but they lay and listened to the beat of the channel waters -against the sides, and talked in low tones. - -“It looks,” said Longsword, gloomily, “as though we two were laid up -for the rest of the war. Wid British irons upon our legs and arms -things don’t seem very bright, me lad.” - -“Don’t say that,” cried Ethan in a sharp, pained voice. “I can’t stand -it, Shamus; the thought that we may be chained up in an English ship or -a prison of some sort when our country needs every pair of hands that -can oppose her foes, makes me desperate. It’s like despair itself!” - -About an hour after the schooner had got well under way, Danvers came -down into the hold with a lantern. He stood over them and stared coldly -from one to the other. - -“Ironed like thieves,” he said with a sneer. “It would delight the -heart of your grandfather, old Clarette, boy, or your English father, -to see you so, wouldn’t it?” - -“They would be glad to think that I have suffered something for my -country.” - -“Your country!” snarled Danvers. “Bah, that nest of rats which you call -a Congress will be broken up before long; the arch-traitor, Washington, -will dangle from the end of a rope, while his tatterdemalions will be -hunted through the woods like foxes.” - -“That was said long ago,” replied Ethan. “But it is all as far from -accomplishment as ever. The American people will never bow the knee to -a king’s will again.” - -Danvers had not yet overcome his anger of the day, and now he seemed -upon the point of bursting into a blaze of fury. But with an effort he -calmed himself; flashing the rays of the lantern into Ethan’s face, he -said: - -“Boy, somehow or other you have the knack of angering me, and when -people anger me they are in danger, especially when they are enemies to -the king. In certain crises I even possess the legal power of life and -death; and were I so minded I could string you from the rigging of this -vessel. What do you say to that?” - -“Nothing,” returned Ethan, looking him unflinchingly in the eye. - -“Ask me that question,” said Longsword, “and, faith, I’ll say plenty.” - -“Be still, you Irish hound!” hissed the spy; “or I’ll have you -stretched across a grating, and let you see how the boatswain can use -the cat.” - -“Arrah, don’t go to any bother on my account,” said the dragoon coolly. -“I am willing enough to believe that the gentleman is an artist wid the -cat-o’-nine-tails. Your word, sir, is enough for me.” - -But Danvers paid no attention to him. Bending over Ethan, he said: - -“For the last time, will you tell me where the dispatch is hidden?” - -“For the last time,” said Ethan boldly, “I answer that I do not know.” - -The emissary of the crown remained staring in his face for a moment; -then he turned away; his footsteps sounded upon the ladder, the hatch -above was closed and they were left once more in darkness. - - - - -CHAPTER XIII - -HOW THE SPY LOST HIS PRISONERS - - -In the pale dawn of the early morning the tender dropped anchor in a -small cove, and the two prisoners were brought upon the deck. The leg -irons had been removed, but their arms were still chained behind them. - -Once more they were placed in a small boat, and were rowed ashore. -Under guard of Danvers and a couple of seamen they were marched through -the streets of a small, poor-looking town, and at last brought to a -halt before a gloomy, half-ruined stone building. Danvers knocked -loudly upon the door. - -“This,” said he, turning to Ethan and Longsword as he waited for the -door to be opened, “is to be your place of residence until such time as -you make up your mind to tell me what has become of the dispatch.” - -“Have you not said that you thought Captain Jones had it?” - -“But the Lascar said that you were to deliver it to the earl; and -I think that that was why the landing was made.” The man paused a -moment, then added with a great deal of eagerness in his voice, “Tell -me, did you conceal it anywhere upon St. Mary’s Isle before you were -taken?” - -“I have told you that I know nothing of the dispatch save that Siki -took it from the cabin of the Ranger.” - -There was plain disbelief upon the face of the spy; but before he could -make any reply, the door opened slightly, as though upon a chain, and a -woman’s face appeared--a bony, fierce-looking countenance with a mop of -unkempt hair above it. - -“What is wanted at this hour?” she demanded harshly. - -“It’s I, Meg,” replied Danvers; “I’ve brought some lodgers for you.” - -The woman seemed to recognize the voice, for she at once threw the -door wide, and stood before them. She was a huge, raw-boned creature, -and looked as strong as a man; she was attired in a tattered gown, -and a cloak was wound about her shoulders. Gazing sharply at the two -prisoners, she burst into a grating chuckle. - -“Yankees, eh,” she said, as though highly pleased. “But, no,” gazing at -Longsword once more, “this one is Irish, even the scar does not hide -that, though it covers the greater part of his face.” - -“I’ll thank ye,” growled the dragoon, “not to indulge in any personal -remarks, mam.” - -The woman laughed gleefully, and wagged her head. - -“The Irish all have tempers,” she said, “but that don’t do them any -harm. I like them the better for it.” - -She then gave her attention to another examination of Ethan. - -“This one is younger,” she said, “but he’ll give the most trouble; -I can see it in his face. A strong room with a grated door will be -needed here, Mr. Danvers,” she chuckled. “If the young gentleman is not -provided with these luxuries he may slip through my fingers.” - -“That must not happen,” said Danvers, sharply. “None of your nonsense, -Meg! Put them in a place where they will be safe.” - -“But that will cost more, Mr. Danvers,” said the woman, with a grin, “a -very great deal more, sir.” - -“Let it,” returned Danvers, shortly. “But don’t keep us standing here -until wide daylight.” - -The woman favored him with no mild look; nevertheless she did as -she was bidden. A moment later they found themselves in a narrow, -low-ceilinged room, cluttered with broken furniture and cooking -utensils; then the woman opened a heavy door, disclosing a flight of -steep steps leading into a deep cellar; descending these, Meg still -leading the way and holding a reeking oil lamp above her head, they -brought up before a wall of massive stone work into which were set some -heavy grated doors of iron. - -“I love to look at them,” cried the woman, setting the lamp upon the -floor and fumbling at her belt for the bunch of keys that hung there. -“Ah, they are beautiful doors, as safe and as strong as any in Europe. -Any one whom they ever closed upon has been held as fast as a rat in a -trap. Not one has ever escaped. The great noble whose private prison -this was in the old days, Mr. Danvers, knew how to build. Ah, yes, -indeed. But,” with a chuckle, “he never dreamed how his handiwork was -to bring me my living long years after he was in his grave. Oh, no, he -never knew that.” - -She unlocked the door before which she stood, and slowly swung it open, -creaking and groaning. Then she stood aside and bowed mockingly to -Ethan. - -“Enter,” she invited with a grin. “Enter, my young Yankee, and never -hope to leave this pretty cell until Mr. Danvers gives me the word.” - -The boy glanced into the dungeon; the pale light of the lamp showed -that the walls were of rough stone, and that years of dampness had made -them a hideous, slimy black. A rat scurried across the floor as the -light rays penetrated; there were no windows and no furniture of any -sort, not even a stool. In one corner was a heap of foul-looking straw, -presumably to be used as a bed. - -Ethan hesitated upon the threshold of this den, and the woman laughed. - -“What!” she cried. “You don’t seem pleased. Perhaps my lord would like -a rug upon the floor and paintings upon the walls.” - -“You see what is in store for you,” said Danvers. “And you’ll remain -here until you tell me what you have done with the dispatch.” - -Then the spy made a sign; the seamen from the schooner pushed the -boy roughly into the dungeon. Longsword was about to follow, but Meg -prevented him. - -“Oh, no,” she cried with her mirthless laugh. “I never have two -together. Mischief is apt to be plotted that way. Here is your room, -my brave Irelander; it is just next door. You may talk as much as you -like. But I’ll give you no chance to join your strength. Oh, no, no.” - -Another door was swung open and Longsword stepped into a cell as damp -and as unwholesome as Ethan’s. The irons were then taken from their -arms and the doors were securely locked; and as they stood staring -through the gratings they saw Meg pick up her lamp and prepare to lead -the men from the cellar. - -“Have you much smuggled goods in the place just now, Meg?” said the -spy, looking about. - -“Ah, Mr. Danvers, sir, you will have your little joke. The king’s -revenue never loses anything through me, as you know.” - -Danvers laughed. - -“You have changed your way of making a living, then,” said he. “When I -was on the cutter that patrolled this coast there was no hiding-place -that required more watching than this.” - -He did not wait for the woman’s reply, but turned to the dungeon door -behind which Ethan stood and said: - -“For the last time, will you answer?” - -“I have nothing to say,” answered the boy. - -“In a week I will return,” said the spy. “Let us see how you stand this -place. I fancy that by that time you will be ready to tell me anything -I desire to know.” - -And with a disagreeable laugh he followed the others. Ethan heard the -stamping of their feet as they climbed the stairs; the light from the -receding lamp flickered dimly along the stone passage; then a door -slammed heavily and all was dark. - -“Well,” called the voice of Longsword, “what do ye think of this, -Master Ethan?” - -“It looks as though we were in for it, Shamus,” answered Ethan. - -Longsword rattled at the grated door of his cell and laughed. - -“It was hung here to stay, sure enough,” he said. “It would take a -blast of powder to budge it.” - -“Have you any rats over there with you?” asked Ethan, after a time. - -“Faith and I have; I can see a dozen pairs of little, red, shining eyes -looking at me from the corners now.” Longsword stamped heavily upon the -stone floor and then chuckled. “Sure they are easy frightened, though. -They run off at a sound.” - -The day passed slowly. They became heavy-eyed and weary of talking -through the darkness, and stretching themselves upon the damp floor -they slept. They were awakened by the rays of the woman’s lamp shining -in upon them. Meg stood in the passage without, and in her hands were -some mouldy, hard-looking crusts, and two cracked stone jugs containing -water. - -“Good-evening, my gallant rebels,” she saluted, grinning. - -“Is it evening?” asked Longsword, his eyes blinking at the light. - -“Ay, that it is; and I’ve brought your suppers.” She passed the bread -and water through small openings at the bottoms of their cell doors. -“Bread and water,” she chuckled. “Hah, you’ll not grow very plump upon -such fare as that.” - -“Plump,” growled the Irish dragoon, regarding the crust in his hand -with high disfavor. “Why a rat would starve upon such stuff. And it’s -as hard as a block of wood.” - -He hammered the bread against the wall as he spoke; it gave out a sound -not unlike that which a block of wood would give. The woman writhed -with laughter. - -“Ah, you are a rogue, I can see that,” she cried. “And like all the -Irish, you will joke. But this one,” and she turned to the door of -Ethan’s cell, “is different.” - -Somehow the laughter had gone out of her voice now, and she held up -the lamp so that she might get a better view. Ethan stood silently -leaning against the damp wall, and her eyes snapped with dislike as she -regarded him. - -“This is the sullen one,” she continued. “This is the one who is -thinking--thinking, always thinking how he can give me trouble. But -I’ll tame your spirit, my lad, if you are here long. I’ve done it with -your betters when the smugglers brought them here for safe keeping. So -don’t be high and mighty with me or you’ll rue it.” - -Ethan made no answer; he stood watching her quietly, and this seemed to -rouse her anger; she went muttering away, after a space, and once more -left them in darkness. - -They grew to know when morning and evening came, for the woman always -brought them the bread and water at these times. And with each visit -her spite against Ethan seemed to increase; the silence of the young -American seemed to anger her beyond measure; once she thrust her arm -through the grating and struck at him. - -“Faith and you’re no favorite of hers,” chuckled Longsword, when Ethan -told him of this after the woman had gone. “It’s too select ye are for -her. She seems to like her boarders to be talkative and sociable.” - -But the incident gave Ethan an idea. They had been confined in this -unwholesome underground den for a week, and the boy had become almost -desperate, and was inclined to try almost anything that gave even the -faintest hope of escape. - -The next time the woman came with their food, he made it a point to -stand close to the grating, silent, cold-mannered, watchful. He could -see Meg’s eyes snap with anger as she glanced in at him. She shoved the -food into his cell; then in a sudden fit of cat-like fury she thrust -her arm through the grating once more and aimed a blow at him. - -Like lightning the boy grasped her by the wrist, and throwing the full -weight of his sinewy young body into the effort, he dragged her close -against the cell door and held her fast. She struggled and fought like -a tigress, but it was useless. He had but to wrench her arm slightly -backward in order to bring a shriek from her. - -“Let me go,” she panted, glaring through the grating at him in a fury. -“Let me go, I say.” - -“I will when you unlock this door.” - -“Let go,” cried Meg, resuming her frantic struggles. But a backward -twitch of the fast held arm brought a scream of pain from her, and she -was quiet once more. - -“The key,” demanded Ethan, firmly. “Unlock the door.” - -“I have no key.” - -“I see it among those at your belt,” said Ethan. - -With a snarl, Meg whipped out a murderous looking knife with her free -hand, and reaching through the grating made a lunge at him. But, held -as she was, she could not touch him, and another severe twist at the -arm caused her to drop the knife and writhe with pain. - -By this time Longsword was storming up and down in his cell. He could -hear what they said, but, because of his situation, could not see -anything of what was transpiring; his repeated calls to Ethan received -no answer, for Ethan was too engrossed in his work to heed him. - -“Once more,” said he, ignoring the woman’s cries, “give me the key.” - -“I can’t reach it,” she said. “Let my arm go and I’ll give it to you.” - -“You’ll give it to me now,” he replied steadily. - -“I’ll give you my word,” she whimpered. - -But he knew better than to let slip his advantage; for once free she -would laugh at him. So he persisted in his demand, his strong fingers -clasped like steel about her wrist; and finally, groaning and lamenting -the fate that would be meted out to her by Danvers, she selected the -key from the bunch at her belt, fitted it in the lock and turned it. -Slowly the door swung open, then Ethan released her and sprang out into -the passage. - -“Hurra!” shouted Longsword, as he caught sight of him. “Well done, -Master Ethan.” - -“Now the other key,” said the youthful American. - -The woman hesitated, casting a look at the knife upon the floor; but -Ethan kicked it beyond her reach and snatched the keys. She then -sullenly indicated the one that opened Longsword’s dungeon, and in a -moment the Irish ex-dragoon was free also. - -But scarcely had the latter executed the first intricate steps of a -joyful Irish jig upon the flags of the passage, when there came the -sound of a closing door from above, followed by footfalls upon the -floor directly over their heads. The woman uttered a cry of delight. - -“They have come!” she cried. - -“Whom?” asked Ethan. - -“Mr. Danvers and his men,” she answered exultantly. “This was the day -which he had set for a visit to you.” - -“Caught,” cried Longsword, his hands clinching and his tall raw-boned -body growing tense for the struggle which he knew was sure to come. - -“Ay, caught like rats!” chuckled the woman. “You thought to give me the -slip, did you?” to Ethan. “But you are going to fail. I’ll have you -here for many a day yet; and I’ll be even with you for the little trick -you played upon me just now.” - -“What’s to be done?” asked Ethan of the dragoon. - -“Fight,” answered that worthy with great promptness. - -Ethan smiled. - -“Good for you, old fire eater,” he said. “So we will. There may not be -so many of them after all.” - -“But they are armed, and we have nothing but our bare hands,” mourned -Longsword. - -“But we’ll have the advantage of a surprise,” said Ethan. - -All hope of this advantage, however, was blasted a moment later, for -the woman, upon hearing the boy’s words, uttered a warning shriek that -rang through the cellar with ear splitting shrillness. - -Instantly there came a trampling of feet upon the floor above, and Meg -laughed in their faces triumphantly. But the laugh had scarcely died -upon her lips when Longsword pushed her into one of the open cells and -closed and locked the door. - -“Now, then,” cried Ethan, “let’s meet them at the foot of the stairs.” - -As he spoke he kicked over the lamp, plunging the cellar into complete -darkness. As they reached the foot of the stairs the door at the top -opened, and the yellow rays of a candle, in the hands of Danvers, dimly -lit up the narrow way. Ethan drew Longsword under the stairs out of -sight. - -“Hello,” called the British spy. “What is the matter?” - -The cries of the woman from the dungeon and the rattling of the grated -door answered him. - -“Something is wrong,” said he, hurriedly. “Come along, two of you; the -other two remain here, and keep your eyes open.” - -As Danvers led the way into the cellar, Ethan nudged Longsword. - -“Only two in the room above,” said he in a whisper. - -“One apiece,” said the grim dragoon with a chuckle. - -Danvers and the two seamen passed quickly along toward the dungeons; -instantly Ethan and his companion were out of their hiding-place and -softly climbing the stairs. When they reached the top, they suddenly -flung open the door and leaped into the room. In the middle of the -floor stood the two remaining sailors from the tender; and before -they could recover from the surprise which the sudden appearance of -the prisoners occasioned, they were beaten down by a series of swift -stunning blows. Then Ethan and Longsword pushed into the street and -went speeding away through the silent town toward the sea. - - - - -CHAPTER XIV - -HOW ETHAN AND LONGSWORD TOOK THE SCHOONER - - -They ran for some little time, and then Ethan looked back and saw no -signs of pursuit. - -“Take it easy,” said he to Longsword. “There is no one after us.” - -“There will be in a few minutes,” panted the Irishman, distrustfully. -“They’ll lose no time, sure, when they find which way we’ve gone.” - -However, they slackened their pace, but still headed toward the sea. - -“We must get a boat,” said Ethan. “It’s our only hope. To be seen -ashore means arrest; and this part of the coast is too thickly -populated for hiding.” - -“You are right,” answered Longsword. “We’ll have to get afloat; it’s -very little chance we’ll have to do anything but starve; but if we can -get across the channel into Ireland, I’ll go bail that we’ll be safe -enough. There is many a colleen or gossoon that would hide us away, if -it was only because we are enemies of the Saxon.” - -A few moments later Ethan remarked, “We are near the wharf where we -landed; see that tall signal mast; I remember passing it.” - -“Sure enough,” said Longsword; “and here is the wharf.” - -It was a stout wooden pier built out into the cove for some distance; -almost directly opposite it, about a musket shot away, were the lights -of the schooner that had brought them to the town. They stood at the -head of the pier for some moments; then Ethan said, suddenly, - -“I have an idea.” - -“What is it?” - -“Danvers and his men must have landed at this pier; and if so we’ll be -sure to find their boat at the end of it.” - -“Bravo!” breathed Longsword. “Sure, ye have a clear head on your -shoulders, Master Ethan, so ye have.” - -“Shall we try for it?” - -“We shall, more power to us!” - -They walked slowly down the pier; as they neared the end Longsword -caught Ethan by the arm. - -“Sh-h!” warned he. - -“What is it?” asked the boy. - -“There is some one beyant there.” - -Ethan strained his eyes through the darkness, and at last he made out -the shadowy forms of several men standing at the end of the pier. - -“A guard over the boat,” he whispered to the Irish dragoon. - -“That Danvers is a suspicious bla’guard,” grumbled Longsword. “Sure -here we have sorra the weapon--not even a lump of a stick--and we have -the luck to come across a couple of able bodied lads wid cutlasses and -pistols, I have no doubt.” - -“Those we knocked down a few moments ago had the same,” said Ethan -evenly. “And we had no trouble in disposing of them.” - -“Right! Ah, but it’s yourself that’s your father’s son, me lad.” - -They crept softly down the pier; at one side was a huge fisherman’s net -hung upon a frame to dry; they placed this between themselves and the -seamen from the schooner so that they might not detect any movement in -the shadow. As they drew nearer they could hear the sailors’ voices. - -“A quiet night, mate,” said one. - -“Yes,” answered the other, “quiet enough. But I’d rather spend it in my -hammock than watching the lights on the water.” - -“I wonder what it is that this government fellow Danvers is up to.” - -“I don’t know. I don’t even think the skipper knows.” - -“He must be well thought of at the admiralty, shipmate, to have a -schooner placed at his service like this.” - -“Ay! You’re right there. But it’s government work he’s on; those two -prisoners he took on St. Mary’s Isle seem mighty important to him.” - -“Did you hear where he took ’em? Up to old Meg Rawlins’. She’s the -widow of old Rawlins the smuggler; Ben Kaye was in the party that went -there; he said the boy and the Irishman were locked in cells in the -underground vault where Rawlins used to hide his ‘run’ goods.” - -“I wonder why he didn’t take ’em to a reg’lar government prison?” - -“Private reasons, I guess. These secret service agents are queer fish, -mate.” - -The men continued to talk in the same strain for some little time. -Ethan and Longsword crouched behind the hanging net and listened. - -“I say,” remarked one, at last, “suppose we take a walk up the pier and -see if they are coming. My eyes are closing for want of sleep.” - -“But who’ll watch the boat?” - -“Oh, let it take care of itself. There is no one awake here in this -sleepy old town. And then who wants a few old government cutlasses and -pistols?” - -“Come along, then, mate.” - -The two seamen started up the pier; and as they disappeared in the -shadows, Ethan and the Irish soldier crept from behind the net. - -“Cutlasses and pistols in the boat,” whispered Longsword with a joyous -chuckle. - -“It couldn’t be better,” said Ethan. “In with you, now; and we’ll push -off.” - -They clambered into the jolly-boat that was tied to a ring in the wharf -log. Ethan cast off, placed the blade of an oar against one of the -piles, and with a strong shove sent the craft well clear of the pier. -But they had scarcely placed the oars into the rowlocks and settled -themselves for the pull out of the cove when they heard running feet -coming down the pier and the sound of angry voices. - -“It’s Danvers!” cried Ethan. “Pull, Shamus!” - -They bent to their oars manfully and the jolly-boat shot away from the -wharf, just as a shadowy group appeared through the darkness. - -“The boat!” cried the voice of Danvers. “It’s gone!” - -“There she is, sir,” said a seaman, pointing, “and dowse my tops if -your prisoners ain’t in her.” - -With an inarticulate cry of rage Danvers whipped out a pistol. - -“Stop!” he shouted. - -“Pull hard,” said Ethan coolly to Longsword. - -“Hard it is,” came the voice of the ex-dragoon, as his powerful arms -and shoulders labored at the oars. - -Seeing that no attention was paid to his command, Danvers raised his -pistol and fired. The flash and report lit and wakened the night; then -the ping-g-g of the bullet came to the ears of the two in the boat as -it went past them. A series of quick, snapping shots followed as the -seamen also discharged their pieces. When the steady splash of the -oars in the water told the British emissary that the shots had been -ineffective, he shouted in a voice that could be plainly heard by the -two rowers: - -“Boats! After them!” - -“There are no boats, sir, except those of the fishermen around on the -other side of the inlet.” - -“Lead the way then and show me where they are. We’ll make the schooner, -and we’ll soon overhaul these Yankees.” - -Ethan signaled Longsword silently to stop pulling, and the dragoon -obeyed. Running feet could be heard thudding dully upon the planking of -the pier. - -“Did you hear that?” asked the boy. - -“I did, faith,” answered Longsword. “And he speaks the truth. Let them -get out to the schooner and it’s all up with us. There’s a good breeze -blowing and these clouds will not hang before the moon long. So wid -the wind in their sails and floods of light to see by, we can’t escape -them.” - -Ethan felt with his foot for the cutlasses and pistols that lay in the -stern. - -“Could we prevent them gaining the schooner?” he asked. - -“All you want is encouragement,” declared Longsword, “and you’d face an -army. No, Master Ethan, we couldn’t stop them. Ye know that I’m never -anyways backward in a fight; but, faith, this would be mere folly, so -it would.” - -There was a silence, during which they resumed pulling. At length Ethan -dropped his oars and whirled about, facing the dragoon. - -“I have it!” he cried. - -“Ye have what?” - -“The solution. We’ll take the schooner!” - -“Boy, dear, are ye mad?” gasped the astonished Irishman. - -“Not a bit of it,” said the lad excitedly. “Listen. There were only -about ten men in the vessel all told. There were four with Danvers -and two upon the pier. That makes six, and leaves only four on the -schooner.” - -Longsword drew in a long, deep breath and then said: - -“Good! But let’s look to the weapons before we begin.” - -They examined the pistols and found there were four of them; they -were ready charged and primed; the cutlasses were of the short-bladed -“hanger” type of the British navy. - -“Sure, what makes people turn out such weeney little blades?” said -Longsword. “Faith, Master Ethan, these are not a man’s size at all, at -all. I like a sword a good three feet long, and wid some weight in it, -faix.” - -“I suppose you’ll have to do with what we can find here, old fire -eater,” smiled Ethan. “These cutlasses are not so bad for close work. -They are short, but remember the Romans conquered the world with a -short sword.” - -“If they’d had long ones they’d done the job in half the time,” said -Longsword. - -“Ready?” asked the boy. - -“Ready,” answered the dragoon. - -They headed for the schooner and began to pull swiftly, but softly. On -shore all was silent, and darkness still hung pall-like over the water, -though the heavy clouds were visibly thinning before the wind, and here -and there a silver spot glimmered among them. - -The lights of the schooner became more and more distinct; and at length -they were under her bow, clinging to the chains, and listening. The low -murmur of voices came from the after part of the vessel, but forward -all was still. - -“It’s going to be easy work,” said Ethan. - -They made fast the jolly-boat to the chains, then thrust the loaded -pistols into their belts. Ethan, with a naked cutlass between his -teeth, went up the side like a cat; and in a moment the tall Irishman -stood beside him on the schooner’s deck. - -“Ahoy,” suddenly called a startled voice from the after deck. “Who’s -that for’ard?” - -“Don’t answer,” breathed Ethan. - -They maintained silence; then came the voice once more. - -“Is that you, Mr. Blake?” - -No answer. - -“I don’t see anything,” said a second voice, after a pause. - -“Well, I do. Some one came over the side just now; it looked like two, -but I can see only one, now.” - -“Better go below, and sing out to the skipper.” - -“Not till I’m sure about what or who it is.” - -Footsteps advanced; from behind the cabin top two forms came into view. - -“Now,” breathed Ethan Carlyle. - -“I’m right here, wid ye,” answered Longsword in the same low tone. - -The sailors of the schooner had advanced no more than a dozen steps -when the two desperate boarders bounded upon them, and the cold barrel -of a pistol pressed against the forehead of each. - -“Not a word,” said Longsword, harshly. - -“Who are you?” asked one of the startled men. - -“Never mind that,” said Ethan. “Shamus, tie them up.” - -The grim dragoon stuck his pistol in his belt: with the keen edge -of his cutlass he cut some ropes, and in a few moments both men were -securely lashed to the mainmast, back to back. - -“A piece of sail cloth would do for a gag,” said Ethan. - -“And here is just the thing,” said Longsword as he picked up a topsail, -apparently used as a tarpaulin. He cut some broad strips from this; and -despite the protests of the seamen, these were bound tightly over their -mouths. - -“Keep a watch over them,” said Ethan to his companion, after all was -finished. - -“Where are you going?” asked the other. - -“Below. I think I’ll treat the commander of the schooner to a small -surprise.” - -Longsword made no comment, though his face, had Ethan been able to see -it, took on an anxious expression. The youthful American advanced, -pistol and hanger in hand, to the companionway. A glimmer attracted his -attention, and looking down through a small open skylight he saw two -men at the cabin table, engaged in an earnest conversation. - -The capture of the watch had been accomplished with almost no noise, -so the two below were unconscious of what had taken place. - -Softly Ethan descended the companion ladder and reached the cabin door. -He paused a moment listening, and heard one of the men say, - -“I tell you, Blake, it is growing desperate. British shipping is in -the greatest danger. That rascal Paul Jones is a menace to the entire -coast. The Drake is out after him, and I hope she comes up with him -soon.” - -“You may be correct,” said the second voice, “but my opinion, Captain -Spencer, is that there is not a Yankee nearer to us this minute than -the coast of France.” - -The door opened at that exact moment, and the stalwart form of Ethan -Carlyle stood before them, his pistol pointed at their heads and his -hanger ready in his hand. - -“You are wrong in that, sir,” remarked the lad coolly; “for here is one -at your side.” - -“What does this mean?” exclaimed Captain Spencer, leaping up. - -“It means that you are my prisoners,” observed Ethan, in an even -tone. “Sit down and don’t become excited. It will do no good.” - -[Illustration:_ETHAN CARLYLE STOOD BEFORE THEM_] - -“Draw, Blake,” roared the schooner’s captain, as he flashed out his -blade. But he had scarcely lifted it when the sword of the young -American swept downward like a flash and knocked it from his hand; then -a blow from the flat of the weapon sent him back against the cabin wall. - -“The next effort at resistance,” said Ethan, “will meet with a shot -from this,” and he presented the pistol once more. - -“What do you want, boy?” demanded Blake, as he stood hesitating, his -hand upon his sword. - -“I want you to take your belt and tie the captain’s hands behind him.” - -“I’ll not do it,” cried Blake. - -“I’ll give you just one minute to make up your mind,” said Ethan. - -The mate of the British schooner looked into the boy’s set, determined -face: nothing but resolve were in the quiet eyes; and so the man -reluctantly did as he was commanded. Then Ethan called to the dragoon -and Longsword came down into the cabin with a couple of lengths of -rope; in a short time the two officers were safely bound, and the cabin -ransacked for arms; all the muskets, pistols and other things of the -sort were taken upon deck; then the cabin was locked with the glowering -officers within it. - -“Now then, look alive,” cried Ethan as they reached the deck once more. - -Across the waters of the cove stole a faint thread of light; the wind -had continued to blow steadily, and the clouds had almost drifted off -the face of the moon. - -“Hark!” said Longsword, lifting a silencing hand. - -From the direction of the shore came the steady “creak, creak” of oars; -across the trail of moonlight a large boat was seen to dart, coming -toward the schooner. - -“It’s Danvers and the rest of the men,” cried Ethan. - -“They’ll be here before we can get up the anchor,” said Longsword. - -“Then we’ll impress help,” said Ethan briefly. Stepping to the sides of -the men lashed to the mast he cut their bonds with his hanger. - -“Now then, my lads,” said he, “lend a hand at the capstan.” - -For a moment the men hesitated; they had caught sight of the advancing -boat, and knew that it meant help; but the Irish dragoon’s pistol poked -itself into their faces without any parleying, and in another instant -the capstan was clanking merrily, and the heavy anchor was being drawn -from the bottom of the cove. Then the seamen lent a reluctant hand at -hoisting the mainsail and the jibs. As the wheel whirled under the -skilful hands of Ethan Carlyle, the hanging canvas filled and the foot -of the schooner broke the first ripple on her way seaward. - -The boat was now near at hand, and the voice of Danvers came booming -across the water. - -“Schooner, ahoy.” - -“Ahoy, the boat,” was Ethan’s answer as he leaned his weight upon the -wheel and watched the press of wind in the sheets with satisfaction. - -“Heave to,” shouted Danvers. “What do you mean by this, Spencer?” - -Another sail went up on the schooner and filled; the handy little -craft responded to this increased speed instantly and went flowing -ahead, with a wake of spume behind her. - -The moon had just slipped from behind a cloud and lit up the cove with -the brilliancy of day. Danvers was standing up in the stern of the -boat. With a cry of rage he saw his vessel filling rapidly away; he -saw Ethan at the wheel waving a mocking hand to him; he saw the Irish -dragoon, with a brace of pistols, hovering over the two English seamen -in the waist. Then the moon hid her face once more; the creaking of -blocks came to his ears, and the wash of the waters as the flying -vessel dashed it from her bow. Danvers shook his fist in the direction -of the sound and his voice reached the ears of Ethan through the -darkness. - -“You have the best of it this time. But he laughs best who laughs last, -my lad!” - - - - -CHAPTER XV - -HOW THE SCHOONER CAME UPON THE DRAKE IN THE DARKNESS - - -Within a few hours the schooner was well out in the channel and -bowling along at a spanking pace; the two seamen, now that there was -no immediate hope of rescue, as the boat had promised, were quiet and -willing enough to work the vessel under her new masters. But Longsword -kept his eye upon them for all that; he had no confidence in the faith -of captured men; long experience in warfare had taught him that they -were only to be depended upon when they could not help themselves. - -“Is it for Ireland you’ll be making?” asked the trooper of Ethan, who -still held the wheel. - -“I don’t see the need of that, now,” said the lad, thoughtfully. “It -was a good idea enough when we had only an open boat; but now that we -have a vessel like this what is the matter with taking her up through -the channel and running her into some French port?” - -“Nothing in the world,” answered Longsword with great promptness. He -seemed vastly taken by the notion, but for all that, added: “But there -will be many British ships of war in these waters now, Master Ethan, -looking for the Ranger.” - -“This little craft is a clean, free sailor,” said the boy. “If we come -upon an enemy we can run for it.” - -“And we can make a bit of a fight, too,” said the Irishman. “There are -two six-pounders in the bow, and the four carronades, beyant there, -look as though they would give good service, faith.” - -Ethan laughed. - -“But we have no gun crews, Longsword,” protested he. - -The Celt scratched his head. - -“That’s so, sure,” he admitted. “I never once thought of that.” - -They held a course up the channel all night; the moon rode grandly in -the starlit heavens, and bathed the chopping waters with radiance. But -toward morning her glory waned, and the darkness that ensued was of -that complete pall-like sort that usually precedes dawn. - -Then a fog settled slowly down--the wet, clinging mist that is common -in those waters, and they sailed on through it, chilled and silent. -Deeper and thicker it grew as the moments went by; they had sighted no -vessel since they had run out; but now, with the suddenness of magic, -the gleaming bow lights of a large ship appeared ahead like the angry -eyes of some sea monster glaring upon them. - -Ethan threw the wheel down hard; the nose of the schooner swung about -in answer and she plunged across the bow of the ship like a ghost. A -startled cry came from the larger vessel’s deck, then followed a hubbub -of sounds; and at last a voice hailed them. - -“Ahoy! What vessel is that?” - -The creaking of the yards of the ship showed that she was about to -investigate the schooner; but at the hail, Ethan and Shamus O’Moore -looked at one another blankly. - -“I never thought to ask the name of this craft,” said the boy. - -“Nor I,” answered the Irishman, “but we’ll know in a minute, faith.” - -“Ahoy,” came from the ship, which had run off some little distance -before her yards could be dressed to meet the change of course. She was -now looming up huge and grim through the mists of the early morning. -“What ship is that?” - -“Answer,” Longsword said to one of the British seamen. - -The man hesitated sullenly: but the fierce, crushing grip that the -dragoon suddenly put upon his shoulder caused him to call out at the -top of his voice: - -“His Majesty’s schooner, Condor.” - -The ship was now very close at hand, indeed the two vessels were within -easy pistol shot of each other. - -“This is the frigate, Drake,” came the voice from the ship deck. “Who’s -your commander?” - -“Captain Spencer.” - -“Have you run across any other vessel since dark?” - -“No,” answered the sailor at Longsword’s prompting. - -“We are looking for the pirate, Paul Jones; he’s reported to be in -these waters. Look out for him.” - -There was then a sharp altercation between the speaker and another -person who appeared to have just come upon deck. After a moment the new -voice cried harshly: “Condor, ahoy!” - -“Ahoy!” answered Ethan. - -“Heave to; I’m coming aboard of you.” - -“We can’t have him do that,” said the boy to Longsword. - -“The moment he set foot on this deck, the men would tell him -everything,” agreed the Irish soldier. - -“Clap on more sail,” said Ethan; “we’ll run for it.” - -The men, at Longsword’s stern command, set the foresail and a couple -of topsails; under the increased pressure, the Condor drew away, and -the Drake faded to a blur and at last the mist swallowed her up all -altogether. - -“Put out all the lights,” called Ethan. “We can give her the slip in -this fog.” - -Longsword promptly extinguished all the lanterns; shouts from the Drake -came ever more dimly through the night; a drum throbbed dully. - -“They are beating to quarters,” said Ethan. - -“Let them,” laughed Longsword. “Sure if they begin firing in a fog like -this it’s only waste good powder they’ll be doing.” - -Ethan had changed the course of the Condor until she stood as before -the meeting; the wind blew briskly once more and the fog began to lift -before it. The schooner had made some little distance before this died -away, and the mist settled once more. Nothing was seen of the British -ship. - -“We have eluded them very nicely,” laughed Ethan, as he gazed into the -gray wall behind them, vainly endeavoring to catch a glimpse of the -Englishman. - -He had no sooner uttered these words than a shout rang out from -Longsword in the bow. Whirling about, his hand upon the butt of a -pistol, he was dumbfounded to see the red and green bow lights glaring -at the schooner for the second time that night. - -“The Drake once more,” cried Longsword in amazement. - -“It can’t be,” answered Ethan, easing the schooner a trifle. “We left -the Drake behind us.” - -“You’ve been sailing in a circle,” shouted one of the English seamen, -exultantly. “The Drake is a smart craft, and she’s got you now.” - -“Ahoy!” came through the gloom of the misty morning. “What craft is -that?” - -“British schooner Condor,” cried the sailor before he could be -prevented. “What ship is that?” - -Ethan heard the man chuckle as he waited for the expected answer. But -the chuckle died in the British tar’s throat when the voice from the -newcomer shouted, - -“The American sloop-of-war Ranger; heave to, or I’ll blow you out of -the water!” - - - - -CHAPTER XVI - -HOW THE RANGER FOUGHT THE DRAKE - - -With cries of joy both Ethan and Longsword heard these welcome words. -Ethan brought the schooner to; in a few moments a boat was lowered and -rowed away from the American ship. When Wallingford, third lieutenant -of the Ranger, climbed over the schooner’s rail he was astonished to -find himself grasped by the hand. - -“What, Carlyle,” he cried in amazement. - -“None other,” laughed the boy. “You aren’t rid of me yet, you see.” - -“We thought you taken by the enemy on St. Mary’s Isle.” - -“So I was; but it’s a long story and will keep. You’d better have some -men sent on board to take charge of this craft. It’s a prize that -Longsword and I took some distance up the coast.” - -Lieutenant Wallingford looked his surprise, but said nothing. A crew -was soon placed on board the Condor, and Ethan and the Irish dragoon -were taken to the Ranger. - -John Paul Jones was undisguisedly delighted at the unexpected return of -the two adventurers. He shook their hands and expressed his pleasure -warmly. - -“We are headed for Carrickfergus,” he said. “We understand that the -frigate Drake has orders to come out after us.” - -“She is already out,” said Ethan eagerly. “We met her and slipped away -from her less than an hour ago.” - -“Hah!” said the commander of the Ranger, “then the struggle may be -nearer at hand than I fancied.” - -He took Ethan down into the cabin, and listened to the news which the -lad had of the dispatch. - -“The villain,” cried the captain, with flushed face, when he heard of -Danvers’ charge against Ethan and himself regarding the paper. “It will -go hard with him if I ever come within reach of him.” - -They talked for some time; the Ranger was once more under way and her -nose was headed for Carrickfergus as before. Ethan and Longsword slept -well that morning after they turned in, and awoke just as the Ranger -ran into the outer harbor of the Irish port. - -The Drake was there, having arrived some hours earlier, and just as -Ethan came on deck her captain was sending off a boat to the Ranger to -find out what she was. The boat was in charge of a hectoring British -lieutenant, and as it came alongside the American vessel he cried -sharply, - -“Now you, sir, what ship is this?” - -There came no answer from the Ranger; the lieutenant saw a long line -of grinning faces looking down at him over her rail and he grew purple -with rage. - -“You unmannerly rascals,” he roared, “I’ll teach you respect to a -king’s officer.” - -He gave a command to his men; they dropped their oars, seized their -arms and followed him up the Ranger’s side. The vessel’s ports were -closed and the lieutenant had mistaken her for a saucy merchantman. -But imagine his consternation when he found himself upon the deck of -a fully armed ship and face to face with a smiling young officer who -politely demanded his sword. - -“What ship is this?” he demanded weakly. - -“The Continental sloop-of-war, Ranger,” answered John Paul Jones, still -smiling. “I think your commander has been in search of us.” - -“He has,” answered the lieutenant, filled with anger at the result of -his own and his captain’s lack of caution. “And he’ll sink you now, -sir, you may be sure.” - -“That remains to be seen.” - -The American looked toward the Drake, which was now hoisting her -anchors and apparently preparing to come out, and added: - -“The Drake seems a pretty ship, indeed, in daylight. I have only seen -her once before, and that was under cover of night. She looks as though -she would offer a very interesting battle indeed.” - -“You may be sure of that, sir,” answered the British officer stiffly. - -Both he and his boat’s crew were disarmed and sent below; then their -boat was cast off and the Ranger made ready for action. While this was -being done Ethan cried suddenly to Captain Jones: - -“Look there, sir!” - -He pointed toward the British ship as he spoke; and the captain saw a -number of boats containing soldiers, pulling out to her. - -“Oh, Captain Burdon of the Drake is adding to his ship’s company,” -commented he, evenly. “Well, perhaps he’ll need them.” - -“They look like volunteers, by their uniform,” remarked Longsword. - -In this the Irish dragoon was right. A Lieutenant William Dobbs had -been engaged in recruiting a band for coast defense in the neighborhood -of Carrickfergus; he had offered them to Captain Burdon for service -upon the Drake at this crisis, and they had been accepted. - -The regular ship’s company of the frigate was one hundred and fifty -officers and men; she carried two more guns than the Ranger, but they -were lighter; and so the vessels were pretty evenly matched. - -The Drake finally stood out to sea toward the Ranger; the wind was -blowing toward the shore and her progress was rather slow. Captain -Jones remarked quietly to Ethan, - -“In an hour or less the story will be told. I trust that the Lascar, -Siki, is aboard this ship, as Danvers said; for after I take her I -should very much like to question him.” - -Just then Longsword came aft with a serious look upon his face. -Saluting he said, - -“Captain dear, there’s a ruction among the men, so there is.” - -“What do you mean?” asked the officer quickly. - -“I mean that they are growling among themselves like a pack of sullen -dogs for’ard, there. It shames me to say it, sir, but I fancy that they -have little stomach for the fight.” - -The commander swept the deck of his ship with angry eye. The crew stood -in groups, sullen and lowering; Lieutenants Simpson and Hall were upon -the quarter-deck, and every action and word that they uttered seemed to -add to the growing feeling among the men. - -“This vessel is no match for a well set up frigate,” said Simpson, in -a voice that carried to the ears of his captain. “We’ve come out after -prizes, and not to be slaughtered by the guns of men-of-war.” - -“The Drake carries more weight of metal than we,” agreed Hall, “and if -I were in command of this ship I’d make a clean run for it. To wait for -this frigate is to wait for plenty of hard knocks, little credit and no -plunder.” - -With a few swift steps John Paul Jones was at his side; there had -been a low murmur of approval from the seamen at these words of their -officers; and the commander’s eyes were stormy, and flashed menacingly -as they rested upon his lieutenants’ dogged faces. - -“So, gentlemen,” said he in a voice like ice, “I find you still at your -old trick of demoralization, do I?” - -“I don’t understand you, sir,” said Simpson drawing himself erect. - -“Nor I, Captain Jones,” said Hall. - -“Then allow me to make my meaning plain. Since this ship sailed from -Portsmouth you have been daily increasing in your insubordination. -Things have come to such a pass that it almost seems necessary for me -to consult you before issuing a command.” - -“A good captain always consults his officers,” said Simpson with a -thinly-veiled sneer. - -“In spite of the protestations which I offered that day on St. Mary’s -Isle, you plundered the home of a defenseless woman. I submitted rather -than risk a mutiny that would deprive my country of a valuable vessel. -But if you think that I will continue to submit, you are very much -mistaken.” - -Simpson and Hall exchanged glances and smiled. The captain saw this and -his eyes flashed with a more dangerous light. - -“You are inciting to mutiny in the face of the enemy,” said he, still -in the same cold, even voice. “And that is punishable by death.” - -The two men started, and the smiles fled from their faces. - -“I order you to your stations and expect you to carry out my orders to -the letter. At the slightest sign of disinclination upon your part to -do so, I’ll clap you in irons and take you to France for trial before -the commissioners. To your posts, gentlemen.” - -The two officers, pale of face and furtive-eyed, went to their places -at the batteries as commanded. John Paul Jones followed them with his -eyes for a moment. Then he said to Wallingford, who had stood by ready -to support him in case of need, - -“Mr. Wallingford, have the bos’en pipe all hands.” - -The hoarse call rang through the ship and all the seamen stood at -attention. The commander spoke to them from his quarter-deck. - -“Men of the Ranger,” he said, “on this cruise we have taken many prizes -and struck some good blows. We have made the British government fear us -as it never feared ship before. But they have resolved to take us; they -have said that we do not dare to stand and fight their armed ships man -to man and gun for gun. The world has heard this, or at least that part -of it which we care about; the young republic of the west is waiting to -hear of the deeds of the ships which she sent to defy Britain in her -own seas.” - -There was a visible stirring among the men; for the greater part they -were mercenary mariners, men of many nations who had shipped for the -booty alone; but there were many Yankees among them, and these felt the -appeal of their chief. - -“Shall it be said of us that the first vessel of equal strength which -we have met has daunted us?” - -“No!” shouted a voice. And there was a murmur among the crew. - -“Then I call upon you to help me fight this ship,” cried the captain, -in ringing tones. “Stand to your guns manfully, and I promise, in one -hour, to give you victory.” - -A cheer swelled up and broke into a frantic hurrah; then with a wave of -the hand the chief dismissed them to their stations. - -“They will fight now,” remarked Ethan to Longsword. - -“They will, faith,” said the Irish dragoon. “And it’s little chance of -defeat we have if they do their best, for there are some useful lads -among them, Master Ethan.” - -John Paul Jones now stood out to sea and drew his foe as far away from -shore as possible. - -“In case he is defeated,” said the commander to Ethan, “Burdon might -escape back into the harbor if we fought too far in shore.” - -“Look at the yachts coming out with her,” said the young American who -had watched every movement of the Englishman. - -Paul Jones laughed. - -“They desire to be eye-witnesses of an English victory, doubtless. It -is a pity to dash their hopes, but I’m afraid that we will be forced to -do so.” - -When at last the British frigate had come within easy distance, she -hailed. - -“What vessel is that?” demanded Captain Burdon. - -“The Ranger, Paul Jones, commander. We are waiting for you, so strip -for the fight.” - -As he spoke the American captain gave a signal and the stars and -stripes shot up to the masthead; then the helm was suddenly thrown up -and the Ranger darted across the bows of the British vessel and poured -a raking broadside into her. The captain of the Drake tried to bring -the frigate across the Ranger’s stern, but Paul Jones prevented this; -the two ships were now yard arm to yard arm and poured a terrific fire -into each other’s rigging and hulls. - -Ethan Carlyle, whose ability as a gunner had been discovered by Captain -Jones long before, had charge of a six pounder in the bow. He and -Longsword, stripped to the waists, and all begrimed with powder smoke, -served this piece with deadly effect. - -In the heat of the battle the gallant young Lieutenant Wallingford -rushed up to Ethan. - -“Captain Jones desires you to try for her forerigging,” panted he. “If -we can cripple her badly aloft we’ll make her strike.” - -Longsword had just rammed a charge into the gun, and Ethan sighted -it coolly. A rain of musket shots was being poured into them by the -soldier volunteers upon the Drake; but the young gunner paid no heed to -this. Applying the match the gun roared redly; the foretop-gallant yard -of the British ship splintered and hung down the mast in a tangle of -rigging. - -“Hurrah,” yelled Longsword. “A fine shot, faith!” - -“And placed in the right spot,” said Wallingford. Almost as the words -left his mouth, this brave young officer uttered a smothered groan, -clasped both hands to his breast and sank into the arms of the Irish -dragoon. - -“Is he hit?” cried Ethan, anxiously, springing forward. “Is he badly -wounded?” - -“He have his death, sir,” replied Longsword solemnly. “It’s a -musket-ball, and from the spot it struck, it split the boy’s brave -heart.” - -As he spoke the grim Irishman tenderly lowered the still, white form -to the deck; then in silence, and with set, hard faces, he and Ethan -Carlyle once more turned to the serving of the gun. - -At length the Drake was little more than a wreck; her rigging and yards -were a wilderness of broken spars and ropes; her canvas was in shreds -and two flags had been shot away. Half her guns were dismounted and out -of action, and forty of her crew were killed or disabled when at last -she struck. - -Ethan was with Captain Jones when he boarded the prize; when the -prisoners were lined up for inspection they were bitterly disappointed -to find that the Lascar was not among them. While Captain Jones was -giving his attention to the repairing of the worst damages and the care -of the wounded Ethan questioned the boatswain’s mate of the defeated -ship. - -“A blackamoor, eh,” said the man, thoughtfully. “Now let me see! Oh, -yes! I remember. He was taken on board when we stopped in the harbor -near St. Mary’s Isle not so long ago. We kept him safely guarded and -ironed, sir, for it was said that he was an important prisoner; but on -our second day at Carrickfergus he gave us the slip, somehow, and none -of us have seen anything of him since.” - - - - -CHAPTER XVII - -THE SECRET AGENT ONCE MORE - - -Lieutenant Simpson, as first officer of the Ranger, was placed in -command of the Drake, and that vessel was taken in tow and the American -man-of-war sailed in quest of more prizes along the Irish coast and -then toward Brest. - -Sighting a sail, one day, Captain Jones cut the Drake loose after -instructing his first officer to make the best of his way into Brest. -But Simpson, true to his instincts, changed his course to southward and -Paul Jones was compelled to give up the pursuit of several promising -prizes in order that he might come up with the captured frigate. - -Incensed beyond measure by the insolence of Simpson, he placed the man -under arrest, and the command of the Drake was given to Lieutenant -Hall, who finally took her into port. - -When they reached France once more they discovered that a treaty of -alliance between the colonies and that kingdom had been signed. The -American ministers had been received at the French court; the French -ambassador had left London, and the English envoy, Lord Stormont, had -departed from France. War was on between these two great European -powers, and in the heat of that great struggle the colonies at last had -a chance to be free. - -Once again Paul Jones, Ethan Carlyle and Longsword rode to Paris to -consult with Dr. Franklin. They were warmly greeted by the sage, and he -listened to their experiences with interest and appreciation. - -“Captain Jones,” he said at the conclusion, “there is nothing in the -gift of your country too great for your deserving. In the name of the -colonies, I thank you.” - -“I suppose,” remarked Ethan, after a time, “that the lost dispatch is -now valueless, seeing that the alliance has already been accomplished.” - -“On the contrary,” said Dr. Franklin, “it is now more important that -it should be recovered than ever. I have communicated with Congress, -and a duplicate of the dispatch has been sent me; it was by means -of its contents that this treaty has been effected. But were the -facts contained in the dispatch to come, even now, under the eyes -of Lord North, such pressure would be brought upon France that she -would drop all connection with us at once and again make a peace with -England. Indeed, the fact that the information is in the way of being -discovered, were the French aware of it, might be fatal. The dispatch -must be recovered at all hazards.” - -As they sat in their lodgings that night Ethan told Longsword of this: -and the Irish dragoon wrinkled his brow and looked infinitely wise. - -“Politics,” remarked he, sagely, “is a great thing, faith. Sure the -statesmen are always burrowing under the ground and cutting it away -from beneath each others’ feet. It wouldn’t surprise me if the loss of -this dispatch should bring about the recall of the French fleets that -have sailed for America, and the ruin of the hopes for liberty.” - -“Don’t say that, Longsword,” said Ethan, a pained look in his eyes. “I -hate to even think of such a thing.” - -“If we could only come upon the bla’guard Lascar we might gain -something by it. Oh, but it’s him that’s the fox; sure nobody can hold -him, it seems.” - -“The fact that the Earl of Selkirk went away upon a journey soon after -his interview with the Lascar troubles me,” said Ethan. “It looks as -though he had learned something of the paper and had set out to try to -gain possession of it.” - -“True for ye, and it seems to me that Paris, somehow, is the place he -would come for it.” - -“Paris! And why?” - -“Sure, I don’t know. But it presents itself to me that way, Master -Ethan.” - -“Perhaps you may be right. This man Fochard is here, and it would not -be at all surprising if he knew something of the matter.” - -“Suppose,” suggested Longsword after a pause, “that we pay a visit to -this gentleman in the Rue Constantine?” - -“An excellent idea,” cried Ethan. “And we will put it into operation at -once.” - -They put on their heaviest clothing, for the night was a cold one in -February, and set forth. The hard frosty ground rang beneath their -feet as they trudged along the rather gloomy streets. Turning into the -Rue Constantine they had no trouble in finding the house of M. Fochard. -The same little man in the spectacles and with the shining bald head -opened the door upon the chain and looked out at them. Recognizing them -at a single glance he cried: - -“Oh, you rogues, so you have returned. A very nice trick that was to -play upon an old clerk, was it not? Shame! I almost lost my place -because of you. But you will not fool me again, no, no!” - -“Is M. Fochard within?” asked Ethan. - -“He is not, and would not see you if he were! You are rogues, -monsieurs; and we have nothing to do with such here!” And with that, he -clapped the door in their faces and left them standing in the darkness -and cold. - -“The old fellow seems angry,” chuckled Longsword. “I suppose his -employer hauled him over the coals for letting us in that night.” - -“There is no use in our trying again to-night at any rate,” said -Ethan. “Are you cold, Shamus?” he continued after they had turned away -and retraced their steps along the Rue Constantine. - -“I am, faith!” answered the Irish soldier. - -“There is a bright, clean looking coffee house across the way. Suppose -we step in and take the chill off with some coffee and a little -snack--say a buttered roll or something of that sort.” - -“A very thoughtful suggestion. Sure, nothing would please me better.” - -They crossed the street and entered the coffee house. Each had a -cutlass hanging from his belt, and their foreign air at once attracted -the attention of the people in the place. But they sought out a small -table at the far end of the room and seating themselves quietly ordered -and sipped their coffee and nibbled at the white rolls that were -brought with it. - -“A very respectable looking place,” said Longsword as his eyes roved -about, examining its patrons. - -“Yes,” answered Ethan. “And the coffee is excellent.” - -As they talked in low tones upon various topics, the door opened and -three men entered the room. One of them was queerly huddled up in a -huge cloak; the others were lowering looking fellows, apparently of the -class of cut-purses or bravos which infested the city at that time. -They took seats at a side table near the door. - -“There are three bla’guards, or I never saw any,” declared Longsword -to Ethan as he looked at the newcomers. “Sure and ye can see villainy -written all over them.” - -“They are not very prepossessing looking persons at all events,” -admitted Ethan. He went on sipping his coffee for a time and then -leaning toward his companion he said in a low tone, “They are watching -us.” - -“No!” exclaimed Longsword, glaring at the trio. - -“Don’t stare so at them. Yes; it’s true. The man in the cloak seems to -be some one in authority; he pointed us out as soon as they came in; -they have been furtively eyeing us ever since.” - -“I wonder why?” said Longsword, puzzled. - -“I couldn’t say. Perhaps because we are Americans. I’ve noticed that -that causes the French people to stare always, as we pass along the -street.” - -The young American and his companion watched the three closely while -pretending to inspect the room. The conversation of the men was carried -on in a very low tone; their gestures were guarded; their whole manner -was secret; and while they ate sparingly of the food placed before them -they never took their eyes, so it seemed, from Ethan and Longsword. -While deep in the observation of all this Ethan was surprised to hear a -quiet voice say, almost in his ear: - -“Our friends by the door seem like most peculiar people.” - -Ethan turned quickly, for the voice had a strangely familiar sound; and -to his great astonishment he found himself looking into the smiling -face of Monsieur Fochard. Longsword was equally astonished; the -language was French and so of course he did not understand what the man -said; but he recognized the features of the secret agent instantly. The -man saw this and smiled and nodded. - -“I had not thought,” said he to Ethan, “to see you again so soon. I -fancied, monsieur, that you would be at St. Mary’s Isle, awaiting the -coming of Siki, the Lascar.” - -Ethan fancied that he detected a chuckle in the man’s voice--a chuckle -of intense satisfaction. But he made no reply and the agent went on: - -“I forgive you for the deception which you allowed me to practice upon -myself that night when you came to my house. It was a clever ruse, -monsieur, and most remarkable for a boy of your years. My best man -could scarcely excel it.” - -Ethan laughed. - -“You do me too much honor, M. Fochard. It was chance that took me to -your house, and chance that carried the matter on.” - -“Very modest--very commendable,” said the other with a wave of his -hand. “But I prefer to believe that it was a set plan; it would not do -for Fochard to admit that he was outwitted by blind chance.” - -He had been sitting sipping his black coffee at a table directly -behind; now he dragged his chair forward to theirs and sat twirling the -heavy seals upon his watch-guard. He spent a few moments in silent -contemplation of both; then he asked: - -“Would it be too much if I inquired how you learned that Siki had -returned to Paris?” - -“I did not know that he had,” returned Ethan. - -The secret agent regarded him with a smile. - -“My dear fellow,” said he stretching his trim silk stockinged legs -beneath the table, “how can you say that when the man sits before you?” - -As he spoke he made a gesture toward the three men at the door; -Ethan glanced at the man in the cloak; he caught sight of a dark, -long-fingered subtle looking hand which was thrust from beneath it. It -was true; this man must be the Lascar. - -“You must not think to deceive me again, young gentleman,” said -Fochard. He rearranged his elaborate shirt frill and the huge ruffles -of lace which he wore at his wrists, and smiled. “There sits Siki, -bravely before us,” he continued. “But tell me what you think of the -other two.” - -“They look to me like rascals,” answered Ethan, promptly. - -“Ah!” and the secret agent seemed greatly interested. “You have studied -physiognomy then.” - -But Ethan shook his head. - -“Ah! that is a pity! The study of the human countenance is a great and -vital thing; all men, especially those engaged in duties that bring -them into contact with the motives and secret doings of other men -should study this grand science.” - -He seemed to be upon a subject which interested him greatly, and -continued: - -“By it we are forearmed, safeguarded. We at once know the tendencies of -strangers, and so it saves us many disasters in our affairs; for those -whom this philosophy warns us against we do not trust.” - -“I suppose not,” answered Ethan, vaguely. - -“It is a matter of great ease,” went on the man, crossing his silk -stockinged legs and smoothing his ruffles with one many-ringed hand, -“to discover the tendencies of our friends there at the door, for they -carry their vocations plainly writ upon their faces. Note the leaner -of the two Frenchmen--the pointed and protruding jaw, the outstanding -ears, the eyes set close together, the low brow, the nose slightly -hooked. It is a countenance whose message is unmistakable. To one who -knows it cries out ceaselessly--beware, beware!” - -Ethan nodded; science or no science he knew that the stranger spoke the -truth. - -“The other face,” continued Fochard, “is of a decidedly lower type. -Note the huge jaw, the small round head set upon the great torso, with -scarcely the sign of a neck. This is a common sort of ruffian--one who -will make much noise about his wrong-doing and be easily caught.” - -Ethan looked at the secret agent curiously; somehow he had the -impression that the man’s talk was for the purpose of gaining time; -also that he desired the three at the table near the door to see -them, apparently, earnestly engaged together. Drawing a large silver -snuff-box from his waistcoat pocket Fochard took a dainty pinch and -then offered it to Ethan and Longsword in turn. Upon their refusing -he smiled and delicately applied the snuff to his nostrils; then he -dusted the fallen grains from his clothing and put the box away. - -“I think,” said Ethan, “that you must have encountered these men before -to know their characteristics so well. A single glance at the face does -not tell so much.” - -The Frenchman gestured his admiration of this remark, and his jeweled -hands sparkled in the candle-light. - -“You Americans are keen and most practical,” he said. “And for that -reason,” he went on, bending toward Ethan, “I am going to do something -for you to-night which will surprise you much--and out of sheer -admiration of your nation.” - -“Indeed.” - -“I have here a ring,” and Fochard drew from his finger a sparkling -circlet and held it up so that the light would fall upon it. “I am -going to give it to you.” - -He noted the lad’s look of surprise, and added with a smile: - -“It is not because of the ring itself--oh, no. But the person who -stands, with this ring upon the third finger of his right hand and -with the hand held so, at the great gate of Versailles at ten in the -morning, will receive--a packet. Do you understand?” - -“A packet,” Ethan shot a keen glance at the man. - -“Exactly--a packet sealed with great splotches of red wax.” - -“Ah!” The boy drew in a deep breath, and his eyes narrowed and began to -burn. - -“Ten thousand pounds is a great sum,” and Fochard shrugged his fat -shoulders. “But I am a Frenchman, and all Frenchmen love the Americans. -For this reason I forego all hope of the profit that a great labor -should bring me.” He grasped Ethan by the right wrist and placed the -ring upon his finger. As he did so the men at the far table quietly -arose and drew nearer, seating themselves at another table. Their -watchful eyes never lost a movement of Fochard’s or Ethan’s; their -heads were bent in an effort to hear what was being said. - -“So,” said Fochard, in a low tone, “that is done, monsieur, and I am -pleased.” - -“Is this packet,” demanded Ethan eagerly, “what I suppose it is?” - -“It is,” replied Fochard in a somewhat louder tone. “But guard the ring -carefully; for it alone will bring you what you desire.” - -And once more he repeated his instructions to the boy. The three -listening men drank in his words eagerly, and when he had finished they -paid their score and went out. - -“They overheard what you said,” spoke Ethan. - -“I know it,” smiled Fochard. “Since the time when I caught the Lascar -in his attempt to leave France with the dispatch, he has been hounding -me.” - -“But,” said Ethan, “if you secured it from him why did he go to St. -Mary’s Isle to see the Earl of Selkirk?” - -“To induce that gentleman to purchase the paper. But now that the time -has come, I’d rather see liberty result than my own enrichment. If the -American government should see its way clear to rewarding me, why, well -and good, if not it will not matter much. This resolution has angered -the Lascar, for he hoped to share in the English gold.” - -“I see,” said Ethan. “But Danvers did not know of this compact between -you.” - -“Indeed no,” smiled Fochard. “I gave him to understand that Siki was -safely out of France with the papers and--ahem--that you assisted him.” - -“So he said,” replied the young American. - -“And now,” said Fochard, arising, “I will be going. You will not fail -to bring these matters to the attention of Dr. Franklin at once, I -trust. As things are,” with a most expressive wave of the hand, “I -cannot act for myself. It would be misconstrued--for it is generally -supposed that Fochard works only for pay. Good-evening.” - -He bowed to both Ethan and Longsword, then walked gravely through the -lines of small tables and departed. Ethan at once informed Longsword -of all that had been said; and the latter shook his head, the grim -expression of his face increasing. - -“I don’t like it,” declared the Irishman, decidedly. “And I don’t trust -the man.” - -“But it seems possible,” protested Ethan. “The French are almost mad -with admiration of the Americans just now, and a man may do such a -thing in his enthusiasm for a cause.” - -“But not a man like that, faith! He’s as cold blooded as a fish. He has -some sort of a plot behind all this, mark my words.” - -“But what can it be?” asked the lad. - -The dragoon shook his head again. “I don’t know,” he answered. “But -time will tell, I think.” - -They left the coffee house; and as they stepped into the shadows of the -Rue Constantine, Ethan noticed his companion pull his scabbard about so -that his cutlass would be ready at his hand. - -“What’s that for?” he asked, in surprise. - -“It’s always good to have your blade handy on a dark night,” said -Longsword, briefly. - -Ethan made no reply, and so they continued on their way in silence for -a time. Finally the lad spoke. - -“I suppose it would have been better had we given an alarm and had the -Lascar seized by the authorities,” said he. - -“And have the whole matter of the dispatch come out,” cried the Irish -soldier. “That would never do. Remember what Dr. Franklin said.” - -The way to their lodgings was narrow and dark; the hour was still -fairly early, but there were very few people abroad. As they proceeded -along at a smart pace they caught a short, sharp whistle from directly -ahead; and immediately it was repeated from behind. Longsword grasped -the lad’s arm tightly. - -“It sounded very much like a signal of some sort,” said Ethan coolly. -He cast a long look into the darkness as he spoke; a shadow seemed to -move silently away and melt into the murk; the soft patter of guarded -footsteps fell upon their ears, and then all was still. - -“We are being followed,” breathed Longsword, his strong hand upon the -hilt of his hanger. “And it’s all because of that rascal Fochard, I’ll -be bound.” - -“Perhaps,” said Ethan soberly. - -Once more they started on their way; all was soundless save for the -ring of their own footsteps upon the flags; but suddenly they turned -a sharp corner, and caught sight of another skulking shadow flitting -before them in the gloom; and as they paused, the patter of muffled -feet fell softly behind them. - -“We are in for it,” said Ethan Carlyle, as he quietly plucked his -cutlass from its scabbard. “I wonder how many there are of them.” - -“Let them come from the front and it makes no differ,” said Longsword, -blade in hand. “Faith, Master Ethan, it’s meself that loves a bit of -a fight now and then, but I like a little daylight along wid it by -choice.” - -Ethan drew the dragoon into an open archway, and here they awaited -developments. A number of dark figures stole through the shadows and -gathered directly opposite. - -“There they are, beneath the arch,” Ethan heard a voice say in French. -“Now then, men, upon them in a body. I must have that ring.” - -The voice was that of the Lascar; Ethan recognized its thin tones at -once. As the man spoke there came the clear bold ring of advancing -footsteps upon the frosty ground. - -“There is some one coming,” said a second voice. - -“Make haste!” cried the Lascar, “or we will be too late!” - -A quick rush of feet followed this. - -“Strike hard!” breathed Longsword through his set teeth. His cutlass -swung through the air with a “swish” and the foremost man fell back -with a howl of agony. Ethan’s blade hissed downward in a favorite -stroke and another of the party was out of the fight with a slash -across the shoulder. But the remainder closed in. They were armed with -swords, knives and heavy bludgeons; but the deftly played cutlasses of -the two master swordsmen seemed to threaten all at once, and though the -ruffians struck madly and often, the sharp points were ever in their -faces, and the keen edges slashed and bit at them with fury. - -A pistol shot rang out sharply. Ethan felt a sudden scorching line run -across his forehead; then a gush of blood almost blinded him. - -“I’m hit,” he said to Longsword, as he strove to dash the blood from -his eyes. - -This seemed to turn the grim Irelander into a demon. Ethan, dazed by -the shot, had sunk upon one knee; the dragoon stood over him playing -his weapon with the speed of light and the rage of a Berserker. But -even his great skill and matchless endurance would not have served -to beat the crowd of ruffians off; they were closing about him in a -circle and about beating him down when a sudden gleam of light shot -into the archway, and a stern voice called: - -“What, you rascals! At them, men.” - -Ethan’s dazed eyes caught one glimpse of the evil faces as the rays -of a flaring torch lit them up. The circle broke at once and the men -turned swiftly; the next instant they were fighting frantically against -a new sword and a brace of heavy clubs in the hands of two stout -porters. - -With a gasp of delight Ethan saw that the new swordsman was Paul Jones; -then all grew suddenly dark, and he pitched forward and fell upon his -face. - - - - -CHAPTER XVIII - -THE ROAD TO BREST - - -The wound in Ethan Carlyle’s head was not a very severe one; so next -day he was about, looking a trifle pale, and with a bandage about his -brow, but almost as well as ever. - -When he came down from his room he found Longsword awaiting him. - -“How are ye?” asked the dragoon anxiously. - -“Just a little hazy in the head,” answered Ethan, “but that will pass -in a few hours.” - -“Could ye stand a bit of news if it were broken to ye gently?” - -“I think so.” - -“Well, among those who were wounded in the fight last night was Siki.” - -“Ah!” - -“We have him here. We carried him on the same litter as yourself. He is -willing to talk, so the captain says. They are only waiting for you.” - -“Take me to him.” - -Longsword promptly led the way into a room off that of Captain -Jones’. They found that officer sitting at a table engaged in some -correspondence; upon a couch was the lean form of the Lascar; his dark -face was drawn with pain and his eyes roved about restlessly. Captain -Jones sprang up as Ethan and the dragoon entered. - -“I’m delighted,” he said, grasping the lad’s hand. “You seemed to be -resting so easily during the night, though, that I felt sure you would -be all right by morning.” - -“Thank you,” said Ethan. Then nodding toward the Lascar he continued, -“And so we took a prisoner?” - -“Yes,” smiled the officer, “and rather an important one, too; he will -tell you many things that will surprise you.” - -Siki raised himself upon one elbow and broke in. - -“But, what will be the good if you don’t act? You must hurry. The -dispatch will be in England in two days if the wind is good.” - -“What do you mean?” asked Ethan. - -“I mean that Fochard is even now preparing to cross the channel to -deliver the papers to Danvers.” - -The man spoke English now; and upon hearing his words Longsword asked -quickly: - -“Why did ye attack us last night?” - -“To get the ring. It was not until I was brought here that I saw what -a cunning trick that rascal played upon me. He had the dispatch in his -pocket; he feared that we meant to attack him; so he planned this thing -of the ring on the moment, and so threw me off the right track. While -my men and I were following you, he was, maybe, on the way to Brest.” - -“Just as I thought, sure!” exclaimed Longsword. “He used us as decoys -to draw off the hounds when they were closing in on himself.” - -“What a ready rascal,” cried Ethan, forced to admiration of the man’s -wit. Then turning to the Lascar he continued: - -“You are sure he had the dispatch?” - -“I am. He took it from me at Nantes as I was about to leave the country -some time ago.” - -“Did he send you to the Earl of Selkirk?” - -“He did. He promised me a share if the earl would buy the papers for -the crown.” - -“Why did he not deal with the English government himself?” - -“The war has made him afraid. He wanted a go-between. But when I -returned I found that he was playing me false. He is to take ship at -Brest and meet Danvers at Plymouth with the dispatch. Fochard is to get -the ten thousand pounds, and Danvers is to get all the credit.” - -“It would seem,” said Captain Jones, “that this man has but one object -in view--and that is his own profit. He keeps faith with no one.” - -“No,” cried the Lascar, clinching his fist and setting his strong white -teeth, “he plays false with all--with you, with Danvers--with me. But I -will be revenged! If you start in pursuit at once you will overtake him -on the way to Brest or on the sea; and the dispatch will be your own -once more.” - -They talked for some little time, then the three went into another room -and consulted. - -“I cannot leave Paris at this time,” said the captain, “but as the -man seems to be speaking the truth, now, you two might act upon his -suggestion. A couple of fast horses would take you to Brest in little -time, and you may be able to prevent the man’s escape.” - -“But should he reach Brest before us--if he gets to sea--we cannot -follow him.” - -Captain Jones drew out a wallet and took from it a number of French -bills of exchange. - -“This,” said he, “will secure a vessel. If it is not sufficient say -that I will make up the balance.” - -Ethan hesitated, but at length took the bills, and shook the officer by -the hand. - -“This is generous of you; and you may depend upon me to do my best,” he -said. - -Within an hour himself and Longsword were in the saddle and riding -along the road toward Brest. - -“Like as not he took a carriage,” said the dragoon: “these well-fed -gentlemen like Monsieur Fochard don’t care much about riding.” - -“Perhaps the story told us by the Lascar is not true,” suggested Ethan, -who still felt most doubtful upon this point. - -“Maybe not. But it won’t be long before we satisfy ourselves upon that -point. We’ll not ride many miles before we know who is ahead of us; -innkeepers have good memories if they are paid for it.” - -In this Longsword was right. They paused for food at a small hostelry -about noon, and Ethan questioned the landlord. - -“A traveler? Oh, yes, monsieur, there have been many pass by to-day and -yesterday. You are trying to overtake a friend, I suppose? It will be -difficult, because all who went by seemed in a very great hurry, and -scarce had time to spend a sou even. But what sort of a man is he whom -you ride after? Stout? Ah! And with a great white frill and many seals? -I have him. He passed early this morning in a carriage with postilions; -and he drove very fast after he had had his breakfast.” - -This news made them increase the pace of their nags along the road. - -“He will probably get fresh horses at given points along the road,” -said Ethan, “so he will have that advantage of us.” - -Their mounts were big-boned, lean beasts with plenty of bottom and -great willingness; the miles flowed by under their hoofs; but still no -indication of their overtaking the carriage of the secret agent. It was -late in the afternoon when they entered a long stretch of road bordered -by thick woods upon each side; the trees were tall and bare of leaves; -their frost-dry branches swung and rattled in the wind. They had met no -person or come upon no human habitation for a long time; and now were -astonished to hear a hearty, rollicking sort of a voice roaring out: - - “‘Oh, the French are on the sea,’ says the Shan Van Vogh; - ‘The French are on the sea,’ says the Shan Van Vogh; - ‘Oh, the French are in the bay, they’ll be here without delay, - And the Orange will decay,’ says the Shan Van Vogh.” - -“Hurro,” cried Longsword in delight. “Faith, that’s a countryman of my -own, I’ll go bail.” - -“There can be little doubt of that,” said Ethan smiling. “And a hearty, -joyful blade he must be, judging from his voice.” - -Rounding a bend in the road they overtook a strongly built young man -with a great shock of yellow hair and the bluest of blue eyes; he -bestrode a tall gray horse; and with his head thrown back he trolled -forth his song. - -“The top of the morning to you,” saluted Longsword. - -The song was checked so suddenly that it seemed as though the yellow -haired young man had bitten it off short. He gazed at the dragoon in -astonishment. - -“What’s that?” demanded he. - -“The top of the morning to ye,” repeated Longsword, with a smile. - -With a whoop of delight the stranger wheeled his gray horse alongside -the other and seized his hand in a powerful grip. - -“An Irishman, be the hooky!” shouted he. “Faith, then, I’m as glad to -see ye as I would be to see me own mother, and I haven’t laid eyes on -her these many years.” - -Longsword seemed equally pleased, and his hand grip was fully as warm -as that of the other. - -“It was like a dream to hear the old Shan Van Vogh upon a lonely French -road, so far away from home,” he said. “And faith it warmed the heart -of me, so it did.” - -They exchanged some remarks in the Erse tongue; then Longsword turned -to Ethan. - -“This,” said he formally, “is Rory McHale, captain of the lugger, Erin, -now lying at Brest.” Then, speaking to McHale, he went on: “And this -is Mr. Ethan Carlyle, in the service of the Confederated Colonies of -America.” - -The two thus introduced shook hands, and McHale said: - -“Faith, sir, the tide have turned at last; ye’ll bate the English, so -ye will; for ye have the French with ye now, and that is all ye needed.” - -“I trust that you are right,” said the lad. “England will now be forced -to divide her attention between the Colonies and France; and so our -chances will be increased.” - -“Are ye riding to Brest, may I ask?” inquired the Irishman. - -“We are,” answered Ethan. - -“So am I; and if it’s not pushing meself for’ard too much I’ll be glad -to ride in your company, sir.” - -“You are very welcome, Captain McHale. You are going to join your -vessel, I suppose.” - -“I am. She is all ready for another cruise, and I’ve been to Paris to -see her owners and get instructions.” - -“You are in the merchant service, then?” - -“Not a bit of it. The Erin is a privateer, faith, and as smart a little -vessel as ever cut the water.” - -“Ah, indeed.” - -“She’s French built and Irish manned,” continued Captain McHale. “And -though I do say it meself, she’s done more damage to the Saxon than any -other craft of her tonnage that ever slipped out to sea by the light of -the stars.” - -Longsword had been examining the young sailor carefully while he talked -to Ethan. Now he asked: - -“Are ye of the west of Ireland, Captain McHale?” - -“I am, sure,” answered the other. - -“I thought so. When ye see an Irishman wid straw colored hair and blue -eyes he’s always a sailor. There’s some of the blood of the old Vikings -in ye all. King Brian beat the Danes at Clontarf, but he didn’t drive -them all out of the land. And if ye went back far enough, McHale, I’ll -go bail ye’d find your ancestors wid winged helmets on the heads of -them and beards a foot long.” - -The yellow haired man laughed. - -“Maybe so,” said he. “I’ll not be denying it.” - -After they had ridden together for some minutes, Ethan asked: - -“Have you seen anything of a carriage on the road, Captain McHale?” - -“I have. One passed me some hours ago. A fat Frenchman in it demanded -the road of me and flew into a rage because I would not leap me horse -into a ditch to accommodate him. He seemed to be in a great hurry, so -he did.” - -“Our man,” said Ethan to Longsword. - -“No doubt of it,” answered the dragoon. - -The seaman looked from one to the other questioningly. - -“Ye are wanting this gentleman, then?” asked he. - -“We are,” said Longsword. “And we’re wanting him more than we ever -wanted anything in our lives before.” - -“You may come up wid him.” - -“It’s not likely, if he is hours ahead of us.” - -“One of his horses had a limp; I think it had cast a shoe. This was the -real cause of the Frenchman’s anger, I think.” The speaker looked from -one to the other once more. “Does he know that ye are after him, may I -ask?” - -“He may suspect. But he is not sure.” - -“Well, he’s running no risks, faith, and is making the best of his time -on the road.” - -Night came on and they put up at a quiet little place upon the edge of -the forest through which they had been passing. - -“Yes,” replied the landlord to Ethan’s question, “a stout gentleman -passed in a carriage some time ago. He was very angry because I had no -horse to give him. One of his was lame, I think, and when he drove off, -he went at a very slow pace.” - -“We’ll overtake him in the morning,” said Longsword in English. “If his -horse was as badly lamed as all that he’ll be forced to put up before -he reaches the next town where he can get relays.” - -“We will be on the road by daylight,” said the young American. “If our -horses could stand it I’d be in favor of pressing on to-night.” - -Next morning while the pale moon was still lighting up the snowy -countryside they were stirring; a quick breakfast and then they climbed -into their saddles and were off. - -“I’m not so comfortable upon the quarter-deck of a horse as I am upon -the Erin,” said Captain McHale as they rode along. - -“And it’s a long distance to Brest, so it is,” said Longsword. - -The moon grew paler and the few stars disappeared before the touch of -dawn; some distance along the road they caught a gleam of a fire. - -“Some wayfarers who had not the money for a bed,” said Ethan. “It must -have been a cold night, indeed, in the open air.” - -It was a matter of five or more miles from the inn; the fire seemed to -burn close by the roadside, and in the red glare a number of people -could be seen sitting beside it. Suddenly Ethan pulled up, and uttered -a smothered cry of surprise. - -“Look,” said he. “There upon the other side of the road.” - -They followed the direction of his outstretched finger, and saw a -carriage drawn up, with horses tied up by the bridles behind it. - -“Fochard!” exclaimed Longsword exultantly. - -“It can be no one else,” said Ethan. - -“It’s the carriage that I spoke to ye of, I feel sure,” said Captain -McHale. “The lame horse must have broken down entirely at this point.” - -Ethan put his horse into a run and the others followed his example. -When they reached the fire they halted; and with his hand upon the butt -of a pistol, Ethan cried out: - -“Stand forth, Monsieur Fochard. We have a small matter of business with -you.” - -One of the men arose to his feet and touched his hat, tremblingly. - -“We are postilions, sir, waiting for daylight. The brown horse, there, -cast a shoe and went lame. Monsieur Fochard took one of the other -horses and rode on to the next town in the night, as he could not wait -for us.” - -“How far is it to the next town?” asked Ethan. - -“About eight miles, monsieur.” - -Ethan wheeled his horse into the middle of the road once more. - -“Come on,” he called. “He may be delayed in getting a carriage. We have -a chance of overtaking him yet.” - -And away they dashed, with loose reins, down the frosty road. - - - - -CHAPTER XIX - -HOW THE ERIN PUT TO SEA - - -However, they did not overtake him. Fochard had secured a fresh -equipage at the next town, and at once resumed his journey. “He must -be at least five hours ahead of us,” said Ethan, as they stood at the -heads of their panting horses after receiving this news. - -“Yes,” agreed Longsword. “But Brest is still a long way off, and many -accidents may happen on the road.” - -They mounted once more and set off. All day they heard reports from -hostlers and country people of the progress of the secret agent toward -the seaport. But they had not, apparently, gained upon him in the least -when night overtook them. Next morning they secured fresh horses, as -their own were stiff with the hard work of the two preceding days; and -then the chase was resumed. However, Fochard traveled like the light; -the housetops of Brest were in sight and still they had not sighted -him. - -“There is small chance of getting any information of his movements -after we get into the town,” said Ethan, disheartened. - -“Don’t lose hope,” said Longsword. “It’s the unexpected that happens, -Master Ethan.” - -“You are right, sure,” said Captain McHale. “Many’s the time things -looked black enough wid me; and then like a flash they’ve changed when -I least expected it.” - -And so it proved in this case. They had scarcely entered Brest when a -voice cried out from a shop door, - -“Ah, monsieur rides hard to-day.” - -The Irish sailor turned toward the shop, and his face took on a broad -grin as he caught sight of the fat French chandler who had spoken. - -“Monsieur Dubois, good-day,” he cried. “Yes, we ride hard because our -business is urgent.” - -The chandler elevated his plump hands. - -“Oh, this war!” he exclaimed, “it makes all hurry. Did not a carriage -almost run down my eldest son an hour ago, because its passenger was in -a very great hurry to see La Tour.” - -McHale pulled in his horse, sharply, as did Ethan. - -“La Tour--a carriage!” he ejaculated. “Did you notice the man, -particularly?” - -“Indeed I did, monsieur, and made him give me two louis for the fright -he gave me.” - -“A stout man,” suggested Ethan, “from Paris, by his look, with many -seals on his watch-guard?” - -“The same, monsieur,” answered the stout chandler, wonderingly. - -“Come on,” said McHale, eagerly. “To La Tour’s; it’s not far from here.” - -Ethan and Longsword, who had also paused, put spurs to their horses -after the sailor. - -“Who is La Tour?” asked the young American. - -“He is a shipping-agent,” answered McHale. “And the owner of some small -vessels, too. If a man wanted a ship to embark on any questionable or -desperate enterprise it is to this same La Tour he’d go, faith.” - -The office of Jean La Tour was near the water front, and was a dusty, -cobwebbed, low-ceilinged place, indeed. La Tour was seated at a -broad, flat, green-covered table, carefully docketing some items of -his traffic in a book, when the three pulled up, threw themselves -from their horses and came stamping in upon him. Upon hearing their -business, he shrugged his shoulders and spread his hands wide. - -“I am afraid that it is too late,” said he. “The gentleman engaged -the Montespan some days ago, by agent; he paid me the balance of the -charter money a short time ago--less than an hour, perhaps--and is now -on his way out of the harbor for all I know.” - -Longsword, when Ethan translated the shipping-agent’s words, uttered a -cry of anger. - -“The fox is gone,” said he; “and he’s gone for good unless we can -follow him to sea.” - -“And that is the very thing that we will do,” cried Ethan, his face -flushed with determination. He turned to La Tour and said, “We want a -vessel, the swiftest at your command, and we want it at once. Name your -price.” - -Once more the agent shrugged his shoulders and spread out his hands. - -“Impossible,” he said. “I have not a vessel in port at this time that -would be of any sort of service to you.” Then he added with a cheerful -air of resignation, - -“It is most unfortunate, for I can see that you are very anxious to -overtake this gentleman. But I hardly think you can do so, for there is -no other ship owner in Brest who would risk his vessels putting to sea -at this time. The English are as thick as herrings in the channel.” - -“No ship!” said Ethan, blankly. - -“No, not one,” answered La Tour. - -“You are mistaken there,” spoke Captain McHale; “there is a small bit -of a lugger wid eight four pounders in her and as much speed as can be -found anywhere.” He turned to Ethan and continued, eagerly, “If ye want -the Erin, Mister Carlyle, she’s at your service, and welcome.” - -Ethan wrung the speaker’s hand. - -“Thank you,” said he. “This is very good of you, indeed.” - -“Don’t speak of it,” answered McHale. “But to horse and let’s be off to -where the lugger is tied up.” - -As they climbed into their saddles Longsword asked, - -“How soon can you be ready to put to sea?” - -“The minute I put me foot upon the deck, my lads will be ready to cast -off. The secret of the lugger’s success is in her always being ready.” - -A sharp quick gallop of a quarter of an hour brought them to the wharf -where the Erin was moored. She was a trim looking three-master and the -length of the yards showed that her spread of canvas would be immense -for her tonnage. Ethan hurriedly made arrangements for the return of -the horses to their owner, and then followed the two Irishmen on board -the Erin. - -The lugger’s crew were stout, hardy looking young men, with the air of -having braved danger many times and not fearing to look it in the face. -True to Captain McHale’s word, they had cast off the lines, towed the -vessel into the stream and had the sails drawing within a very short -time after he came aboard. - -“You are right,” said Ethan as he noted the little vessel’s progress -with satisfaction. “The Erin has speed.” - -“She sails like a hawk, sir, before the wind,” said her captain proudly. - -There were still some hours of daylight and every vessel they passed -was carefully studied by McHale. - -“I know the Montespan very well,” said he. “There is a rake to her tall -masts that I could recognize anywhere above the horizon.” - -But night came on and still there was no sign of the desired vessel. -The lugger squared away for Plymouth, and morning found her cutting the -choppy seas of the channel, well upon her way. While the captain and -his two passengers were at breakfast the lookout shouted: - -“Sail ho!” - -Instantly Captain McHale was upon deck, glass in hand. - -“Where away?” he asked. - -“Right ahead, sir.” - -The skipper of the privateer took a long, thirsty look, and then cried, -delightedly, - -“It’s the Montespan, by the gods of war!” - -Ethan and Longsword each took a look at the chase through the glass. -Then the former said, - -“How many hours is Plymouth off, with this breeze?” - -“We should reach there by night if we were going there,” answered the -skipper. - -“Do you think it is possible for the lugger to overtake the vessel -ahead in that time?” - -“The Erin, sir, can outsail the Montespan in any slant of the wind. -We’ll overhaul her within five hours, if nothing happens, and you can -talk to Monsieur Fochard about any matter of business you might have -wid him, below in my cabin.” - -The steadiness with which the lugger hung upon the track of the -Montespan attracted the attention of those on board that vessel before -long. A topsail was run up, and a jib set, which increased her speed -greatly. Captain McHale smiled, and his blue eyes twinkled. - -“See to that, now, how bashful they are. Sure, sorra the bit do they -want to become acquainted wid us.” - -The great, square canvases of the lugger were trimmed and hauled taut; -she heeled a little more, and the white spume that boiled in her wake -showed an increase in her speed also. Mile after mile was covered; -the Montespan constantly lifted higher and higher, until at length -they could plainly see, with the naked eye, the people upon her decks. -However, the lugger was not making the speed that her skipper expected -of her, and he seemed vexed when the chase spread more canvas and began -to slowly slip away. - -The lug sails were drenched with water to make them draw better; this -improved matters, but not much, and the sun was low in the west, the -gray coast of England lay ahead, and still the Montespan was beyond the -reach of the Erin. - -Longsword, as he realized that night was about to close in and rob them -of their prey, looked hungrily over the lugger’s tarpaulin-covered guns. - -“A shot from one of those,” he said, “might bring her to.” - -“She is a French craft,” said Captain McHale, “and I dare not try it.” - -“Could ye not explain away the small matter of a broken spar?” -suggested the crafty Longsword. “As you see, she flies no flag; ye -might be mistaken about her being a French vessel, after all. She may -be English, and as a French privateer it is your duty to your owners to -examine her near at hand.” - -The skipper ran his fingers through his yellow hair and grinned. - -“Troth, then,” remarked he, “there is a good deal in what ye say, -Mister O’Moore; and now that ye put it afore me I have a great mind to -see what effect a ball would have on her. The Erin would catch her in -the long run; but night is coming, and the English coast is too near at -hand.” - -He gave orders to his mate, who at once stripped one of the forward -guns. The powder and shot had just been brought upon deck when Ethan -suddenly cried to McHale: - -“See, there! What vessel is that?” - -Upon the lee, a large ship was bearing down upon the Montespan and -the pursuing lugger. All eyes upon the Erin had been centred upon the -chase and had given no attention to anything else; consequently, the -appearance of the ship was something like magic to the lugger’s crew. - -“She flies the British flag,” cried Longsword. “There’s ructions -coming too, for she is stripping her decks for a fight.” - -A sudden rending roar came from the British ship’s bow, a red tongue of -flame darted from a port and a haze of smoke curled upward. In answer -the Montespan ran up the English flag; but Captain McHale cried bravely: - -“No sailing under false colors for the Erin. We sink or swim with our -own colors at the peak.” - -The French flag went up to the lugger’s mainmast a moment later, and -with a swing of the wheel McHale headed her toward the coast. - -“We’ll get shallow water further in,” said he, “and some ugly looking -rocks. A vessel of her draft will not venture in after us.” - -But the frigate seemed to give her attention to the Montespan; the -ensign did not appear to deceive her, for another shot rang out, and -the French vessel’s fore topmast was carried away. Then another and -another shot followed in quick succession; and the Montespan signaled -her surrender, with her rudder shot away and a hole knocked in her hull -just above the water line. - -“Good firing,” said Ethan, admiringly. Then he continued with a change -of tone, “And again the dispatch is lost to me.” - -He was standing by the after rail and watching the beautiful handling -of the frigate’s guns; as he spoke he saw a boat pull away from her to -the Montespan; and then she turned her attention to the lugger. - -“Are we out of range?” asked the young American of the skipper. - -“We’ll know in a moment,” answered McHale, grimly. - -And so they did; as the frigate swept around she let go her forward -battery at the Erin and the shot shrilled above her in the dusk. But -McHale held the little vessel upon her way; night was all but upon -them, and he hoped that shoal water and darkness would assist him to -elude the enemy. The gunnery of the latter was not now so good; she -fired many times and did little or no damage; night had spread her -bat-like wings above the waters when a last shot splintered the mizzen -mast, and it fell in a tangle of rigging over the stern. - -“Take care,” roared Longsword to Ethan, who stood directly in its way. - -But the warning came too late; with a wild cry the lad was swept over -the side into the sea; the lugger went rushing by, having changed -her course to down coast; the lanterns of the frigate could be seen -gleaming for a time further out to sea. But at last these, too, -disappeared and Ethan Carlyle was left to utter darkness, struggling -with the waves. - - - - -CHAPTER XX - -SHOWS HOW A SOLDIER CAME OUT OF MILL PRISON - - -It was fortunate for Ethan that he was a powerful swimmer, and at no -great distance from the shore. He took the matter very coolly until -he got his bearings; then he struck out for the beach. The pull of -the undertow made landing rather difficult, but after a long struggle -he finally accomplished it. He had no fear of detection, and boldly -presented himself at a fisherman’s cabin and asked permission to dry -his clothes. - -The fisherman and his wife gladly took him in; and they insisted upon -providing him with supper and a bed. - -“I know what it is to fall into the sea in the night,” said the man -with a shake of his head. “And I’ll not refuse an English lad like -yourself any help I can give.” - -Ethan, of course, did not undeceive him; to have told that he was an -American would have meant imprisonment; so he merely thanked the good -people, and accepted their many little kindnesses without revealing his -nationality. - -Next morning he discovered that he was but a half dozen miles from -Plymouth; so, after insisting that the fisher folks take an English -gold piece which he happened to have, he set out for the town. And as -he tramped along the road his thoughts were upon the probable fate of -the dispatch and of the lugger. - -“Both in the hands of the British,” he murmured dispiritedly. “There -can be nothing else for it. And who knows, before another sun sets I -may be suspected and taken myself.” - -He had no definite idea as to what he should do when he reached -Plymouth; but something might be learned of the Erin, and that more -than anything else induced him to enter the town. After wandering about -for some time and watching the shipping and other things, his lagging -steps halted before a great stone structure, grim looking and solid -like a fortress. - -“A prison,” he muttered as soon as his eyes traveled over it. “Mill -prison, where they treat the American seamen so cruelly, I have no -doubt. And perhaps Shamus and that brave fellow McHale will be behind -those walls before long.” - -As he looked, the huge door of the place opened and a tall, erect young -man, in the scarlet coat of an English soldier, emerged, paused a -moment, his eyes on Ethan, then came directly across toward him. For a -moment the lad’s impulse was to run; but second thought showed him how -useless this would be, and he stood his ground. - -“You are a sailor, I see,” said the soldier, his eyes running over -the dress that Ethan had worn since his first day in the Ranger. The -speaker was a handsome young fellow, with clear honest eyes, and a -resolute face; in spite of himself Ethan liked his looks. - -“I am,” he answered, promptly. - -“Out of a man-of-war, I take it?” - -“Yes, and looking for another of the same sort,” said Ethan. - -The other regarded him with a peculiar expression, then asked: - -“What part of England are you from?” - -Ethan laughed lightly, and put the question aside. - -“I’ll not answer that for certain reasons,” said he. - -“No harm done, I hope, comrade,” spoke the young soldier. - -“None at all,” said Ethan, easily. - -The other turned and was about to walk away down the street; but he -paused and said slowly and distinctly: - -“London, I think, is the place for you.” - -Then he wheeled about on his heel and walked, with military erectness, -down along the prison wall, which he turned and so disappeared from -view. - -“What could he have meant by that?” thought Ethan, astonished. -“‘London, I think, is the place for you.’” He remained silent a moment, -and then resumed, “And I think he is right. London is the place for me. -There I can lose myself in the throngs; and perhaps I can somehow get a -ship for France.” - -He gave up all hope of Longsword and McHale; bitter as was the thought -he made up his mind that it would be useless to linger about Plymouth -in the hope of helping them; he began to think, also, that it was -dangerous for him, in his sailor’s dress, to be seen upon the streets; -at any time a press-gang might happen along, for the king’s ships were -badly in need of men for the American war. So before the city was well -astir he had laid it behind him. On the road he met many wagons in from -the farms with loads of fresh butter and eggs and other things for the -town. - -“Oh, lad,” cried one old man pointing at the young tar with his whip, -and speaking in a broad dialect, “hast left thy ship? It’s main queer, -so it is, that first I should meet with a soldier, and now with a -sailor, upon the road to town.” - -“A soldier,” thought Ethan, as he trudged along. “I wonder if it could -be the same one?” - -Many times during the day he inquired his way of simple country folk -along the way. They stared when they heard that he was going up to -London; it was a very large place and very far away. That night he -stopped at a small wayside inn; he saw the young soldier whom he had -noticed coming out of the prison at Plymouth, and who had spoken to -him. But the youth studiously avoided him, and as Ethan was not at -all anxious to form the acquaintance of king’s men, he did not force -himself upon him. - -When he arose next morning the soldier was not to be seen. The boy -breakfasted at his leisure; the landlord and his wife, who took the -young American to be a seaman of a British ship, off, perhaps, upon a -visit to his old home in some inland town, began to question him about -the progress of the war. - -“And have you seen any of these American privateers that we hear -so much about?” asked the landlord. Ethan nodded, and the man went -on, “Ah, they must be very desperate fellows, indeed; and stubborn -fighters, too, I have heard tell.” - -“They are,” said Ethan. - -“Englishmen will have to stand together to gain the victory over such -enemies,” said the landlord, shaking his head. “And Englishmen in the -service should trust one another; they shouldn’t be like the soldier -who slept here over night. Do you know, he seemed afraid of you; and -slipped away before you got up, without waiting for his breakfast. He -said he’d take some bread and cheese to eat upon the road.” - -When Ethan once more resumed his journey toward London, his mind was -full of conjectures regarding this queer person in uniform. Several -times during the day he felt confident that he caught a glimpse of -the scarlet coat dodging behind hedges and haystacks. The lad became -suspicious of this and left the highroad for a small and badly cut up -wagon way which a farmer informed him would land him on the London road -some ten miles farther on. - -“I’ll be out of sight of him now,” said the young seaman, as he plodded -along. “It can’t be that he suspects me for what I am; if that were so -he’d have summoned help and taken me long ago. But I don’t like his -actions for all that, and it’s best that I see no more of him.” - -But his ruse to avoid any further meeting with the redcoat was not a -success. Night brought him to another roadside hostelry, and the first -person whom he saw, sitting upon a bench before the door, was that -identical person. As they stood staring at each other in wondering -surprise, Ethan noticed a sudden spasm of laughter sweep across the -young man’s face; the thing seemed infectious for, unable to control -himself, the young American threw back his head and burst into a peal -that made the old inn ring and caused the white-capped landlady to come -rushing out to see what was the matter. - -The soldier regarded Ethan with somewhat puzzled eyes; it seemed that -there was something about the boy that he did not quite understand, nor -altogether trust. - -“I see that you have followed my advice,” said he. - -“Yes,” replied Ethan. “I am going to London.” - -“You have chosen a rather out-of-the-way route,” said the soldier. - -“Perhaps,” answered the other, “but the highroad is not always -desirable.” - -The young man regarded Ethan intently; then he said: - -“Somehow, I can’t quite make up my mind about you.” - -Ethan thought of the odd conduct of the speaker and replied, - -“The feeling is mutual, then; for you have puzzled me some.” - -The landlady had gone in once more, seeing that there was nothing -wrong, and Ethan had taken a seat upon a bench facing the man in the -scarlet coat. There was a short silence between them, then the latter -asked: - -“Will you lend me your knife; I want to trim my cane a bit.” - -He held a light cane in his hand; through constant contact with the -ground this had become worn and splintered at one end. Ethan noticed -that the man carried a knife in his own belt, but thinking it in bad -condition, he handed over his own without a word. The soldier began to -chip at his cane with great deliberation. - -“It’s a good blade,” said he. “Where did you get it?” - -“Aboard ship,” said Ethan. - -“Ah,” the man darted a quick look at him and then went on chipping. -“You got it from some other sailor, I suppose.” - -“No,” answered the lad, all unsuspecting, “the knife was supplied all -hands by----” - -He stopped suddenly and bit his lip. The soldier looked at him, a laugh -in his frank eyes. - -“You were going to say--Congress,” spoke he, with great calmness. Ethan -stared at him in astonished silence, and then the man continued, “I -recall the knife well; I had one myself. It was given me while on board -the Lexington.” - -“The Lexington,” said Ethan, his breath coming hard. “Were you on board -her?” He continued to stare; then added, “As a prisoner, I suppose.” - -“Prisoners are not supplied with knives on board American vessels of -war,” said the other. “I was master’s mate in the Lexington.” - -“Then,” breathed Ethan excitedly, “you are an American.” - -“I am,” laughed the other. “I am of Norfolk, in Virginia, and my name -is Richard Dale.” - -“But,” and Ethan’s eyes ran over the British uniform, “you are now----” - -He hesitated; and the other leaned over and tapped him upon the knee -with one finger. - -“I am still an American. I wear a British uniform, but it is a -disguise.” - -Then looking all about so as to assure himself that he was not -overheard, Richard Dale told Ethan Carlyle his story. He told how -the Lexington on that September day, when short of powder and ball, -encountered the British cutter Alert. A desperate cannonading of two -hours’ duration ensued; then the Lexington, running out of ball, -clapped on sail and stood away. But the Alert was the swifter craft and -overhauled her, renewing the engagement. The Lexington’s crew broke up -all the iron on board and rammed it into her guns, but when this was -exhausted she was forced to strike her colors. - -The officers and crew were landed at Plymouth and confined in Mill -prison, where they suffered greatly. - -“The men were actually starved,” said Richard Dale, his eyes shining -with anger. “You will better understand their dreadful condition when -I tell you that one day they caught a stray dog and killed and cooked -it for food. But Captain Johnson and some of the officers dug a hole -beneath the wall of the prison, and one night about a dozen of us -escaped. We held together for a week or more, wandering by night about -the countryside; then we separated and I made my way to London with one -companion. We had taken a ship for France when a press-gang boarded her -and we were seized, recognized and sent back to Mill prison in chains. -I have been there ever since,” said the young man in conclusion. “My -first breath of freedom in a year was taken when I stepped through the -door of the prison yesterday morning and saw you standing across the -way.” - -“I don’t exactly understand,” said Ethan bewilderedly. “No one -attempted to stop you.” - -“Of course not,” answered Dale with a smile. “A kind hearted person -of rank who pitied me provided me with this uniform; and I passed, -unsuspected, through the keepers to freedom.” - -“Who was the person?” asked Ethan. But Richard Dale smiled and shook -his head. He lived a long life and died at the head of the American -navy, but he ever refused to tell who had assisted him that day to -escape from the Mill prison at Plymouth. - -“When I saw you standing across the way,” said Dale, “your intent -expression unnerved me for a moment. I thought you had penetrated my -disguise. But when I heard your voice I fancied that you might be an -American.” - -“And that is why you warned me to go to London,” said Ethan. - -“Yes. But when I saw you at the inn last night I began to suspect you -again. I fancied you were following me on the road to-day, and changed -my route and came this way.” - -“And I,” laughed Ethan, “thought the same of you, and left the highroad -for the same reason.” - -They talked together while the landlady prepared some bacon and eggs -for them. A light carriage drawn by a pair of swift gray horses drew up -at the inn door; a man and a well grown boy leaped out; and at sight of -them Ethan Carlyle shrank back out of sight. - -“What is it?” asked Dale in astonishment as the newcomers entered the -inn. - -But Ethan did not reply; his eyes were following the forms of Stephen -Wheelock and the spy, Danvers, as they disappeared through the doorway. - - - - -CHAPTER XXI - -THE EXPLOIT OF MASTER DIRK HATFIELD - - -Ethan recovered himself in a very few moments; and then he told Dale -the story of the dispatch and the part which Danvers had played in its -disappearance. - -“And so it has fallen into British hands at last,” said Dale, -regretfully. “Too bad; for you and Captain Jones did all you could to -save it, I can see that.” - -Just then the landlady came out and announced that their supper was -ready. In a few moments they were seated with the smoking bacon and -eggs before them, also some golden butter and a white loaf. There was a -broad window looking out upon a sort of porch at the side of the inn, -and just outside this window Danvers and young Wheelock sat engaged in -an earnest conversation. - -“The bacon is good,” said Dale with great satisfaction, “and the eggs -are perfect. It’s a dish for a king after the food of the prison.” - -Hoof-beats sounded upon the road. Looking through the window they -saw a man, mounted upon a powerful black horse, draw up and dismount. -He wore long boots, a full skirted coat and a cocked hat with a star -of silver metal at one side. In his belt were a pair of long heavy -pistols; and as he gave his horse to a groom he lilted a rollicking -air. The landlady, who had just brought in a fresh dish of eggs, at -sight of him dropped it upon the floor, at the same time uttering an -exclamation of alarm. - -“Again,” she cried, in apparent terror, “he’ll have the magistrates -upon me next, the villain!” - -“What is it, good woman?” asked Dale, curiously. - -“That I can’t tell, sir,” replied the hostess. “It would be as much as -my life would be worth, perhaps.” - -“Don’t take the saddle off,” directed the newcomer in a deep voice, -“and stand ready to bring him out immediately when I give the word.” He -tossed the groom a crown piece, then raised his voice to a shout. “Ho, -the house,” he cried. “Mistress Parsons, why do you not come out to -welcome an old patron?” - -“A patron whom I wish I’d never laid eyes upon,” said the landlady. -But, nevertheless, she bustled out at once, and they could hear her -greeting the man in the cocked hat with well assumed effusiveness. -There was a slow-moving, chuckle-headed fellow employed at the inn in -some capacity, who happened to be in the room at the time. He shook his -head from side to side, and grinned widely. - -“Mistress Parsons don’t like Dirk Hatfield to come here,” he -volunteered, to Ethan and Dale. “But she daren’t order him away.” - -“Why not?” asked Ethan for want of something better to say. The man -opened his round eyes still wider and exclaimed in tones of wonder, - -“What, drive off Dirk Hatfield! Why he’d kill us all in our beds. Don’t -you know him, sirs? He’s a highwayman,” in a low voice of terror; “they -say that once he stopped the Lord Mayor of London himself and made him -deliver. Oh, he’s a daring rogue, indeed.” - -Before they had time to comment upon this the landlady ushered Master -Hatfield into the room. He was a large man with wide shoulders and -deep chest, and he walked with the swagger of a bravo. At sight of -Dale’s scarlet coat he started; but he recovered himself immediately, -hitched one of his heavy pistols nearer to his hand, and took a seat at -a table near the window. - -“Now, Mistress Parsons,” said he, “I’ll have some food; and make all -the speed you can, for I must hurry on.” - -“Very well, sir,” said the landlady with a bow, “I’ll attend to it -myself, sir.” - -She bustled out of the room to the kitchen, and the highwayman spread -his booted legs under the table, tucked his thumbs into his belt and -regarded Ethan and Dale with careless indifference. But his attention -was soon drawn from them to Danvers and Wheelock who still sat -conversing upon the side porch near the window. Their tones had grown -louder, and Ethan could plainly hear what passed between them, as could -Dale and Master Dirk Hatfield. - -“And how did you learn that Fochard had deceived you?” Wheelock was -saying. - -“He sent me word himself that he had the paper--that he had taken it -from Siki. He had intended disposing of it himself, but at the last -moment he grew afraid; the French might call it treason, you know, to -give comfort to the enemy in the way of news. So he crossed the channel -in a French vessel----” - -“Why,” exclaimed Wheelock, “it was the British frigate Sea Horse he was -in at Plymouth, was it not?” - -“It was. The Sea Horse took the vessel in which he had crossed: but -when the captain learned that Fochard had secret business with me he -knew that for the time at least he was an important personage and so -entered the river and sent for me.” - -He drew out a packet, stained and soiled, and sealed with great -splotches of red wax, and laid it upon the table between them with much -satisfaction. Ethan drew in his breath sharply at sight of it and his -hand closed like a vise upon Dale’s arm. - -“The secret dispatch,” he whispered. - -The boy was in such a position that Danvers, even should he look into -the room, could not see him; but Ethan had a clear view of the two upon -the porch, and kept his eyes upon them constantly. - -“Ten thousand pounds,” said Wheelock in a brooding sort of way. “It’s a -great deal of money to give up to that French rascal.” - -“I know it,” said Danvers, “but those were his terms. He wanted all the -money and kindly offered the credit to me. And that was something; for -he could have just as well as not have taken the papers to Lord North -and received both.” - -“The ten thousand pounds will be delivered to whoever turns over the -paper, and no questions asked, I suppose,” said Wheelock. - -“Yes,” laughed Danvers, once more stuffing the packet into the breast -pocket of his coat, “but don’t think to make off with it, my lad; I -have it safely here, and mean to keep it.” - -All this seemed to interest Master Hatfield vastly. He leaned intently -forward, and the expression upon his face was eager and alert. Dale -nudged Ethan and the latter nodded that he saw this sudden display of -attention. - -“It will not now be long before the dispatch is in the hands of the -ministry at London,” continued Danvers, “if these horses hold out.” - -He paused suddenly, for he had caught sight of the intent face of -the highwayman and the covetous snap of his eyes. His voice, when he -resumed, had fallen much lower; and in a few moments the two left the -porch and entered a private room of the inn. - -While he ate his supper of capon pie and smacked his lips over his -stone mug the gentleman of the road smiled grimly. Ethan and Hale -shortly withdrew, and once clear of the room they looked at each other -significantly. - -“The paper,” said Dale, “will soon be sought by good Master Hatfield, -if I am not much mistaken.” - -Just then the chuckle-headed attendant at the inn came out and called -to a hostler who stood at the stable door. - -“What’s wanted?” asked the latter. - -“You’re to bring up the carriage for the two gentlemen immediately,” -said the other. - -His mistress, her eyes full of anger, appeared behind him at this and -whirled him within as she hissed, - -“You thick-head! Were you not told to give the order quietly?” - -“They have taken the alarm,” commented Dale, referring to Danvers and -Wheelock. “The knight of the road did not impress them.” - -“They will not wait for refreshments, even,” said Ethan. “And night is -falling, too. They would be safer if they remained.” - -Night had come upon the still countryside while they stood talking -before the inn; and the darkness was growing deeper and deeper with -each passing moment. When the stable-men brought the carriage around to -the front its lamps were lit and glimmered redly. - -“These two travelers must be in a hurry,” said one of the men to the -other. - -“Indeed, yes,” answered the second. “It’s going to be a dark night, and -they’ll have trouble before they reach the highroad to London. This one -is badly cut up a piece below here.” - -“But the road won’t be their greatest hindrance,” whispered the first -speaker. “Don’t you see that Master Hatfield has ordered out Black -George? There is Will Hampton with him now.” - -The two Americans turned their eyes instantly toward a side door to the -stable, from which came the faint glimmer of a lantern. A third groom -was leading the great black horse of Hatfield out into the yard; and in -the sickly flare of the light they also made out the tall figure of the -highwayman, bending over and looking to the priming of his pistols. - -“I must get the dispatch at once,” said Ethan hurriedly. - -He was about darting into the inn, but Dale caught him by the arm. - -“Not so fast,” said the Virginian. “Let Danvers know who you are and -he’ll sell us out without hesitation.” - -“You are right,” said Ethan. - -A clatter of hoofs upon the stones caused them to turn once more toward -the stable-yard. Master Dirk Hatfield had thrown himself into the -saddle, and now with a wave of his hand to the hostler, which looked -much like a warning to silence, he disappeared in the gloom. Danvers -and Wheelock soon came out and entered their vehicle. - -“Well?” said Dale inquiringly. - -“I’ll follow behind and stop them on the road,” said Ethan, resolutely. -“Then I can get the paper, if possible, and slip away before Danvers -can reach the ear of any one to betray me.” - -“I’m with you,” said Richard Dale. - -Ethan clasped his hand in silence. At that moment the carriage started -up the dark road. A boy was driving it, and he was compelled to go -slowly, so they had no trouble in keeping it within hearing; for it was -impossible to see more than a dozen yards ahead, and the lamps were but -pin points of flame invisible from behind. - -Suddenly there was a shout, a shrill cry and the sound of plunging -horses. - -“He’s upon them already,” shouted Ethan. - -Both he and Dale broke into a stumbling run down the dark road toward -the sounds. Then came a pistol shot, another cry, the confused sound -of voices, and at last rapid hoofbeats flying along the road. When -they reached the scene they found the driver crouched in fear by -the roadside, one of his horses lying in a tangle of harness, while -Danvers, supported by Wheelock, was bleeding and unconscious. Ethan -seized one of the carriage lamps, flashed its dim rays about, and took -in all this. But he kept his face hidden as much as possible. - -“Help!” called Wheelock, eagerly, as the footsteps of the newcomers -fell upon his hearing. “A highwayman has attacked and has robbed us.” - -“Of your money?” said Ethan, a tremble in his voice. - -“No; of a paper--a very valuable paper. Get horses; pursue him; take -him dead or alive, and the reward will open your eyes.” - -Ethan and Dale looked at each other, but neither spoke; from far down -the dark road the hoofs of the great black horse rang ever more faintly -upon the frozen ground. - - - - -CHAPTER XXII - -THE PRESS-GANG - - -To hasten back to the inn and secure a couple of horses was the work of -but a few minutes. Then Ethan and Richard Dale started in pursuit of -the gentleman of the road. - -“He’s making his way toward the highway to London,” said Ethan as their -mounts dashed bravely along the dark road. “And as I suppose he knows -every cross-path and turn of the way there is not much hope of our -overtaking him.” - -“I’m afraid not,” answered Dale. - -“But we’ll after him for all that,” said Ethan. “We must take advantage -of every chance to recover the dispatch.” - -But it was as the boy feared. Master Dirk Hatfield knew all the roads -and cross-paths, even in the darkness, and, like a fox, his first -efforts were devoted to winding and doubling upon his trail. But -they felt that he was headed for London, and so pressed on in that -direction. - -They reached the capital late one afternoon, and sent the horses to a -person whom their owner had indicated. - -“Now,” said Ethan, after this had been attended to, “I think the first -thing that we should do is to get a change of costume--something less -noticeable than we are now wearing.” - -“I have been thinking of that,” said Dale. “This scarlet coat makes me -a marked man, and that is not good for one who does not desire to be -observed.” - -They sought out the district down near the water-side where they knew -there would be slop-shops whose proprietors would be only too glad -to turn an honest penny and keep silent. They came upon such a place -within a few moments after entering the quarter frequented by the -seamen who came into that port. There were old clothes in great variety -hung about the door upon pegs, and a long-bearded, hook-nosed man -prowled up and down, his sharp eyes ever alert for customers. - -“Oh,” said he, rubbing his hands together as they paused before the -place. “How do you do, Jack? Soldier, I am glad to see you, my son. -Just step inside. If it is clothing you want, or jewelry, you have come -to the right place. I have a stock, my dears, that can’t be matched in -London.” - -“For badness, I suppose you mean,” said Ethan, as they followed him in. - -The hook-nosed man laughed and jagged the boy playfully with his elbow. - -“Jack-tars,” said he, “always like their joke. But I enjoy it, my son; -for I understand your fun.” - -He looked at them from under shaggy brows, with eyes that twinkled with -cunning. - -“It is not jewelry you want?” he said. - -“No,” answered Ethan. - -Again the man laughed. - -“I knew it,” he said. “It is clothing--clothing such as most citizens -of London wear--clothing that will pass you in the crowd along with the -thousand and one others and will cause no man to look at you twice.” - -He leered at them knowingly; and Dale said, - -“You are a wise man, friend; so let us see these garments of which you -speak.” - -The man promptly spread many suits of more or less worn clothing before -them. - -“Youth,” spoke he, sagely, as they were selecting, “is ever desiring -a change. They are not satisfied with the dull life they lead--and so -go into the navy, or army. And,” with a chuckle of malice, “they grow -tired of that very soon, as a rule; and then they come to me, change -their clothes and slip away.” - -“You think us deserters, then,” said Ethan. - -“My son, I think nothing. I take your money and give you the goods you -buy. I never question my customers. But,” with one dirty finger laid -alongside his nose, “I sometimes hazard a guess.” - -They selected the garments which they preferred, and a few moments -later they had donned them. - -“We’ll leave the others,” said Ethan, as he paid the bill. “You can do -what you like with them.” - -“You are very kind,” smirked the hook-nosed man. “And I thank you much.” - -He followed them outside and stood watching them as they went down the -street. - -“A knave, or I never saw one,” remarked Dale with a backward glance -over his shoulder. - -“I think you are right,” said Ethan. “I suppose most of these -water-side characters are alike; they’d sell any one if the price were -high enough.” - -They turned a corner, out, as they supposed, of the man’s view; a -little further on Ethan suddenly grasped Dale’s arm. - -“Look there,” he whispered, his face paling with sudden excitement. - -“What is it?” asked the ex-master’s mate of the Lexington. - -“Under the shed, there by the pastry cook’s. The horse, I mean.” - -Dale gazed at the large, coal-black beast hitched to a post and -munching a feed of corn out of a small tub. - -“Dirk Hatfield’s horse,” cried the sailor. - -“The same,” said Ethan. “And where the horse is the master cannot be -far away.” - -“In the cook’s shop,” said Dale, eagerly. - -“As like as not. Let us go in.” - -They crossed toward the glass fronted shop; through the window they saw -a neatly appointed place whose counters were filled with the flaky -products of its ovens; a white-capped, round faced man presided over -it; and at a table, knife and fork in hand and napkin tucked under his -shirt collar, sat the worthy Master Hatfield, attacking with gusto a -smoking dish of pigeon stew. As the two Americans stalked in, he gave -them a glance; but their change of dress saved them from recognition. -They took seats, and the white-capped man served them with food, all -the time continuing the conversation which he had been holding with the -highwayman. - -“Yes,” he was saying, “the king’s ships are in a bad way indeed for -lack of men. They say the frigate Serapis is almost unmanned.” - -“Too bad,” growled the gentleman of the road, who though his hand was -constantly raised against the law and its officers was a stout Briton -at heart. “How do we expect to beat the French and the Yankees if our -ships can’t put to sea?” - -“You speak truth,” said the pastry cook. “And the impudent Yankees -need a beating badly. Their insolence in crossing the ocean in their -cockle-shells and attacking English ports is more than can be borne.” - -The man puffed his round cheeks with indignation and rattled the plates -with vigor. Dirk Hatfield paused in his assault upon the pigeon stew -long enough to reply: - -“Oh, but they’ll get their trouncing before long, mark me. English tars -and English ships rule the sea; it’s not for the Yankees to hoist a -flag without British permission, and their colored rags will soon be -trailed in the dirt of their decks, and Britannia queen of them all, as -is her place.” - -“Are you up from the water-side, friends?” asked the cook, as Ethan and -Dale calmly ate of the dishes he had placed before them, and watched -the highwayman cautiously. - -“No,” answered Ethan; “from Plymouth.” - -The highwayman lifted his head and gave the boy a long look of interest. - -“Are the press-gangs out, there, as in London?” asked the proprietor. - -“I’ve heard that they were busy there,” said Ethan. - -“It’s the same all over the kingdom, I suppose.” - -Neither of the Americans replied; and in a few moments Hatfield spoke -up. - -“Plymouth is a brisk little place; it is no great size, indeed, but -many things happen there.” - -“Right,” said the pastry cook; “the fleets sail from there very often.” - -“It’s not by sea alone that Plymouth is brisk,” continued the gentleman -of the road; “but by land as well. And the country between that town -and London offers many opportunities to a man of parts.” - -“Ay. I’ve heard it said often that it was a most excellent farming -section.” - -“Good strokes of business are to be done thereabouts,” continued -Hatfield. “My last visit there,” and he slapped the breast of his coat -with a chuckle, “promises to pay me a pretty penny, indeed.” - -“The luck was with you, then?” cried the pastry cook with innocent -interest. - -“It was,” laughed Hatfield. “It was very much with me, sir.” - -“He still has the dispatch,” whispered Ethan to Dale. - -“In his breast pocket,” returned the sailor, in the same low tone. -“But he is armed.” - -“If we take him suddenly we’ll have the advantage for all that.” - -The pastry cook and the highwayman continued their talk; the two -Americans had their heads together, thrashing out the situation. - -“It’s dark without,” said Ethan at last, guardedly. “We’ll take him -unawares when he is about to mount his horse.” - -Dale now and then glanced with much interest into the street through -the glass of the doors. He leaned forward at length and spoke to the -proprietor. - -“Your place,” said he, “appears to attract much attention, sir.” - -The man seemed greatly pleased and smiled broadly. - -“I have often marked that,” he said. “It increases business, sir, to -make one’s shop bright and attractive.” - -“You have much custom among the sailors in the district, I suppose?” - -The pastry cook pursed up his mouth and shook his head doubtfully. - -[Illustration:_AN ANGRY LOOK CAME INTO HATFIELD’S EYES_] - -“No,” he said, “I think not. The grog shops attract them most.” - -“I have noticed,” said Dale calmly, his gaze once more directed toward -the street, “that there are many sailors about just now, and they all, -somehow, seem to feel much interest in this place.” - -A number of seamen with cutlasses belted at their sides were to be seen -across the way; two or three stood at the window; and as Dale spoke -their leader, evidently a boatswain, opened the door and swaggered in. -The proprietor advanced with an uneasy smile. - -“Good-evening, sir,” said he, with a bow. - -“How do you do?” returned the other. As he said this he glanced at -the shop’s three patrons with an air of calm inspection. The powerful -figure of Dirk Hatfield seemed to attract him, and he coolly advanced -to his side. - -“Sailor, I think,” he said. - -“Wrong,” said the gentleman of the road, looking up from his meal. - -“I think not,” persisted the man-of-war’s-man quietly. - -An angry look came into Hatfield’s fierce eyes; he laid down his knife -and fork, leaned back in his chair and growled out, - -“Well, my man, you are a pert lad enough: but be careful how you speak -to a gentleman. You are in danger of having your face spoiled if you -talk like that.” - -The sailor laughed. He swung one leg over the corner of the table at -which the other sat and tapped with one finger tip upon the butt of a -pistol. - -“I’m not much afraid of that--my man,” he said. - -The pastry cook leaned over Ethan and whispered, “There is a door in -the rear that leads through the kitchen and into a small court.” - -The young American looked at the man in surprise; then he felt Dale -touch his sleeve, and turned toward him. - -“Look outside there,” whispered the ex-master’s mate. - -Ethan did as requested; to his surprise he saw the hook-nosed bearded -man, of whom they had bought the clothing a short time before, -conversing, with much gesticulation, with the seamen without. - -“He’s a crimp,” said Dale, in a whisper, “and has betrayed us. The -place is surrounded by a press-gang.” - -“A press-gang!” Ethan stared at his companion. - -“Yes,” said Dale, with set face; “and as I have had one experience with -this sort of gentry before, I don’t care for another.” - -“The rear door, gentlemen, the rear door,” whispered the pastry cook. -“Here they come.” - -A half dozen seamen crowded into the shop; the boatswain, who still sat -nonchalantly upon the corner of the table, said, briefly: - -“You’ll find over there the two we are after, lads.” - -He jerked his thumb toward the Americans as he spoke. The hook-nosed -man stood in the doorway and grinned with satisfaction. The highwayman -still lay back in his chair; his teeth showed, wolf-like, and his -strong hands gripped the edge of the table. - -“The paper,” whispered Ethan. His face was white as he leaned toward -Dale and uttered the words. Once more the longed-for dispatch was -almost within his reach, and once more it was about to elude him. - -“Don’t think of that now,” said Dale, guardedly. “It is impossible for -us to recover it here. Let us escape first, and help Hatfield to escape -if we can. We can gain possession of the dispatch later, if all is -well.” - -The sailors now advanced upon the two. - -“Do ye strike your colors, shipmates?” asked an old gunner with a -laugh. “The king needs men too badly to have likely young chaps such as -you run off like this.” - -He was about to lay hands upon Dale when Ethan struck him a quick, -heavy blow that sent him reeling. Dale was up in an instant, and as the -men of the press-gang sprang forward, planted blow after blow among -them with telling effect. A rush of additional seamen came through the -door; Dirk Hatfield was upon his feet, also, by now; his heavy pistol -barked sullenly among the crowd and then rose and fell with battering -force as he used it hammer like. Ethan found himself shoulder to -shoulder with the man for an instant. - -“When the lights go out,” he said, “make for the rear door.” - -Hatfield nodded understandingly, striking out viciously all the while. - -A number of candles had been overturned in the struggle; now only a -single branch illuminated the room. Ethan, with a quick pass, knocked -this over, also, and the shop was instantly plunged into darkness. - -“Now,” cried the young American. - -He and Dale gained the door in the rear; but the highwayman’s nasty -temper played its part here, and he paused to deal a shower of blows -upon the boatswain, whom he had seized by the throat just as the light -was extinguished. - -Ethan and Dale plunged into the little court at the back of the place -and found a single seaman guarding it with drawn cutlass. A quick rush -together disposed of him, and in a moment they were upon the street, -lurking in the shadows, and hearkening to the fierce conflict that -raged within the room which they had just left. - -This lasted but a few moments, however; then the press-gang appeared, -dragging in the midst of them the grim figure of the highwayman. - -“Caught!” breathed Ethan, despairingly. - -“Master Hatfield,” said Dale in a low voice, “has stopped his last -traveler for many a long day, and is now in a fair way toward serving -his king upon the sea.” - - - - -CHAPTER XXIII - -HOW THE BON HOMME RICHARD MET THE SERAPIS - - -Ethan Carlyle and his friend Richard Dale, after their experience with -the press-gang, made it a point to keep themselves as much in the -background as possible during the remainder of their stay in London. -This latter was very much longer than they had expected; days grew into -weeks and weeks into months, but still they found no means of crossing -the narrow seas to France. - -Dale had little or no money, and Ethan’s supply had all but given out -when, at length, they found a Scotch skipper who agreed to give them -passage in his vessel. On the way across the two young men talked much -about the future and of what they still hoped to do in the cause of -liberty. - -“If it is my good fortune to fall in with Captain Paul Jones once -more,” said Ethan, “I shall bless my lucky stars.” - -“That is a gallant sailor and an excellent commander,” spoke Richard -Dale, admiringly. “I should like to serve under him.” - -Ethan had told Dale many times of the captain’s bravery, skill and -splendid love of freedom; his tales had fired the young Virginian’s -imagination to such an extent that he desired nothing better than to -sail under such an able officer. - -“It’s a disappointment to him, I suppose,” continued Dale, “not to have -recovered the dispatch.” - -“A very bitter one, indeed. And the fact that it was stolen while in -his care makes it all the more so.” - -“There is a slim chance of its ever being recovered now,” said Dale. - -“I have thought a good deal about it since the impressment of that man, -Dirk Hatfield,” answered Ethan. “And I fancy that the paper may not -come under the eye of the British ministry in such a hurry, after all.” - -“What makes you think that?” - -“Well, in the first place, Hatfield would be forced to acknowledge -himself a highwayman and tell how he came to have the dispatch in his -possession.” - -“You forget that Danvers said that no questions would be asked the -person handing it over to Lord North.” - -“I hold that saying in mind very well. But Hatfield would not trust to -it; a hunted wolf has no confidence in the hunter, even though he have -no weapon in his hands.” - -“What do you suppose, then, would be the man’s plan of action?” - -“Like Fochard, he will hold the dispatch until he can secure the -service of an intermediary. A man of his desperate and enterprising -nature will not remain in a king’s ship very long; he’ll escape at the -first opportunity. Then he will seek to dispose of the paper, and it -may be my luck to once more stumble upon some trace of it.” - -“Fate does, indeed, seem to lead you by the hand in the matter,” smiled -Richard Dale. “But she has, up to the present, held you back when upon -the very threshold of success.” - -“It will not be always so, perhaps,” said Ethan earnestly. “Let us hope -so, at least.” - -The vessel landed them at Brest secretly; the Scotch skipper seemed to -have some sort of an understanding with the authorities, and though -they gave him no trouble when he ran in, still he did the thing with -all speed, and immediately made sail once more. - -After securing lodgings they began making inquiries regarding American -warships in French waters. - -“There was a fleet of four ships sailed out of L’Orient not long -since,” replied the person asked. “The French government provided the -vessels, I think, but the commander was an American.” - -“And who was he?” - -“Why, none other than your great Captain John Paul Jones.” - -Ethan and Dale uttered exclamations of bitter disappointment. - -“You are positive of this, I suppose,” said the former. - -“Quite so, monsieur. The sailing of the squadron was upon every one’s -tongue a short time ago.” - -“There is no use in crying over spilled milk,” said Dale, with a sigh -as they walked away. “As Captain Jones is gone, I’ll have a try for -some other American skipper.” - -But there was none in Brest at that time; and after a two days’ stay -Dale said to Ethan, - -“I think I’ll go to L’Orient. There at least must be an American -privateer there that I can get a berth in.” - -“I’ll go with you,” said Ethan; “then I shall go on to Paris, report my -further failure to Dr. Franklin, and after that sail for home.” - -They traveled by diligence to L’Orient, which was no great distance -from Brest. Dale at once sought out a shipping office which he knew to -be much frequented by American shipmen in search of hands to man their -crafts. - -A trim looking midshipman stood near the door, and he looked at them -with attention as they entered. Directly behind him loomed a tall, -spare, large boned man of singular erectness. He had an ugly sabre -stroke across his face. - -“Longsword!” cried Ethan as his delighted eyes fell upon him. - -“Master Ethan,” came a deep chested shout from the Irish dragoon. Then -with a wild Irish “hurro!” he leaped forward and clasped the boy in a -bear-like hug. - -“I thought you had been taken prisoner,” gasped the young American, -breathless from the pressure which the powerful trooper had put upon -his ribs. - -“And so I would have been had it not been for that broth of a gossoon -Rory McHale. I never saw such seamanship as he put out of him. When -the mast went he had it cleared away in a few minutes; then he sailed -so close in shore that me heart was in me mouth for fear of the rocks. -But he slipped the Englishman, and by daylight we were far away. But, -lad,” and his voice sank lower and a note of feeling crept into it that -sounded strange in so grim a veteran, “I thought ye gone, indeed, when -ye went over the stern. I thought to follow ye, but McHale held me -back.” - -Ethan gripped the warm hearted fellow’s hand, with the tears standing -in his eyes. - -“Good old Longsword!” he said, quietly. “There was never a time in my -life that you were not willing and anxious to stand by me.” - -While they were speaking the middy had accosted Dale. - -“Looking for a ship?” asked he. - -“I am,” said Dale. - -“I’m shipping men for the Bon Homme Richard.” - -“Is she a privateer?” - -The middy laughed. - -“I should say not,” he replied. “Her commander is John Paul Jones.” - -Ethan heard these words, and both he and Dale uttered cries of surprise. - -“Captain Jones,” said the former. “Why, we heard that he had just put -to sea.” - -“Right,” said the middy. “And he returned when one of his frigates ran -into the flagship and stove a hole in her. We are laid up for repairs.” - -“Hurrah!” shouted Ethan, exultantly. Then turning to Dale he said: -“You’ll ship with him after all, you see.” - -The trim young midshipman was all attention in a moment; good seamen -were very scarce, and he liked Dale’s looks. - -“The captain will be here in a few moments,” he said, “and you can sign -if you like. We need able seamen and warrant officers of a likely sort.” - -As he spoke the door opened and the slight, smartly uniformed figure of -John Paul Jones entered the shipping office. His eyes lighted up at -sight of Ethan, and in a moment they had clasped hands. - -When Ethan had sketched his experiences briefly, the captain said: - -“I am delighted that you have come through it all safely. After -Longsword returned and told me how you were carried over the stern of -the lugger by the falling mast, I gave you up for lost. And this is Mr. -Dale, is it?” - -“Yes,” said Ethan; “and he wants to sail with you.” - -The American commander’s eyes gleamed with satisfaction as they took in -all the fine qualities of the young sailor. - -“You are a seaman, then?” he said to Dale. - -“Yes, sir. My last berth was master’s mate aboard the Lexington.” Dale -stood stiffly erect and saluted as he spoke. - -“I’ll ship you at the same rating,” said Jones. “I wish I could get -more Americans to man my vessel.” - -“That should be very easy now, captain, dear,” said Longsword, -eagerly. “That is if what I’ve just heard is true.” - -“And what is that?” - -“A lot of more than a hundred exchanged prisoners have just arrived at -Nantes.” - -“Mr. Lunt,” and the captain turned to an officer who had accompanied -him, “we want those men for the Richard, and must have them.” - -“We will have them, sir, if it is possible,” said Lunt, promptly. “I’ll -send messengers to Nantes at once.” - -During the conversation that followed Lunt’s departure, Ethan had an -opportunity to examine Paul Jones carefully. Deep lines of care were -in his face--lines that had not been there before, and a sprinkling -of silver also showed in his hair. And little wonder. Since returning -from his voyage upon the Ranger, he had encountered nothing but -heart-breaking delays, rebuffs and disappointments. - -Since France had also gone to war with England he had expected to -receive command of a French ship to sail under the stars and stripes. -But nothing had come of it. Hopes of one kind or another were held out -to him from time to time, but all resulted in bitter disappointments. - -At length a rich banker of Paris, Le Ray de Chaumont, who admired the -Americans and earnestly desired victory for the cause of liberty, took -an active part in Jones’ affairs; and at last the king was moved to do -something for the American officer. - -“We will place him in command of a squadron, make a descent upon -Liverpool, and land a military force. Lafayette has just arrived from -America in good time; we shall have him in command of the troops.” - -But there were no warships at hand for this venture; so, by request, -Jones had gone from port seeking vessels that could be converted. -At L’Orient he came upon a huge old-fashioned merchantman that had -sailed for some fifteen years in the India trade and had been finally -condemned, dismantled and allowed to gradually fall into a state of -ruin. This old vessel was called the Due de Duras, and was the most -likely one that the hard pressed officer could find. - -“She was eventually purchased for me,” John Paul Jones said, in telling -Ethan the story, “and so were two other and smaller merchant ships--the -Pallas and the Vengeance. A fine American frigate was also placed under -my command; she is called the Alliance; then there is also the Cerf, a -king’s cutter. - -“I at once set about getting these vessels into condition for the -cruise. The name of the Due de Duras I changed to that of Bon Homme -Richard. That, as I suppose you know, is the title of the French -translation of Dr. Franklin’s ‘Poor Richard’s Almanac,’ of which I am a -great admirer.” - -As Ethan learned, the Richard was a ship of obsolete type; her towering -poop and top-gallant forecastle gave her a strange and ancient look. -Neglect had rotted her timbers and weakened her frame; and she was -scarcely sound enough to stand the necessary repairs. - -Nevertheless, her captain went bravely ahead and did all he could to -strengthen her. He pierced her for twenty-eight guns on her main deck, -and six on the tall forecastle and poop. - -“It was my intention to arm her with eighteen pounders,” the captain -continued; “but could get nothing heavier than nine pounders for the -quarter-deck and forecastle; but I got six eighteens for the deck -below; they are poorly-made guns, however, and to speak the plain -truth, I’m rather afraid of them.” - -“A poor ship,” commented Ethan, soberly. “It’s a great pity that -something better could not be done for you.” - -“A vessel ill-adapted to warfare is not the worst that I have had to -contend with,” returned Captain Jones, rather bitterly. “The crew -that I was forced to ship is a most curious mixture of races, and -the fiercest and most unruly body of men that I ever saw gathered -upon a ship’s deck. There are a very few Americans; England, Ireland, -Scotland, France and Norway have all contributed to my ship’s company, -as have Africa, India and the Malayan Peninsula. - -“When my squadron sailed and I had brought my crew into some sort of -discipline I fancied that my troubles were about over for a time. But -then my captains, under the leadership of Pierre Landais, commander -of the Alliance, began to show their teeth; and one night the Alliance -ran afoul of the Richard, and we were compelled to put back for -overhauling.” - -“It may not prove a bad thing either,” said Ethan at this point. “If -you secure this cartel of exchanges at Nantes you’ll have a crew that -you can rely upon.” - -As it afterward appeared, Ethan guessed the truth. The American -prisoners about whom Longsword had spoken had just arrived in France, -burning with the desire to fight against the country which had treated -them so cruelly in its prisons. They were a fine body of men, stalwart -and skilled in the handling of sea-going ships, and they leavened -the mass of the Richard’s crew wonderfully when they came on board; -from a semi-rabble of mutinous ruffians it came, in the end, to be as -effective and steady a ship’s company as an officer could desire. - -The repairs upon the Bon Homme Richard were carried on rapidly. Dale -took his place on board and his practical judgment and sound sense -soon attracted the attention of all. He had a knack of handling men, -and could get more labor out of them by a cheerful, encouraging manner -than most of the others could by their hectoring and loud impatience. -Captain Jones noticed this; the quiet, thorough manner of the young -Virginian pleased him, for it spoke of an alert and ready mind. - -Ethan was aware of all this, and when, one day, Dale came to him with -sparkling eyes and face flushed with pleasure, he was not at all -surprised at his bursting out, - -“Old fellow, great news! Captain Jones has secured me a commission.” - -“I knew he would,” cried Ethan, delightedly. “He approved of your work -from the first.” - -“But in my wildest flights, I’ve never hoped for so long a step,” said -Dale. “I’m to be first lieutenant of the Richard.” - -Ethan whistled; Longsword, who stood at his side, raised his brows. - -“Well, I call that going up the ladder at a pretty stiff speed,” the -Irishman remarked. “But, sure, it’s nothing more than your due, Mr. -Dale; ye can handle men and things better nor any one I ever saw -before.” - -It was one of the qualities of John Paul Jones that he recognized -exceptional ability at a glance; and that he possessed this knack was -a most fortunate thing for him at this most critical period in his -career, for the time was fast approaching when the sterling metal of -Richard Dale turned the scale in his favor and snatched victory from -the very jaws of defeat. - -The little squadron left the roads of Groix on the morning of August -14th, 1779, and ventured once more into the narrow seas. The expedition -against Liverpool had been abandoned long before, and the further -crippling of the commerce of England was now the object of the cruise. - -After some days out, and the capturing of a number of prizes, the -Cerf, because of the insubordination of her crew, returned to France; -the Alliance, whose captain, Landais, continued to give Jones trouble -whenever he could, parted from the little fleet, and when the Firth of -Forth was entered the Bon Homme Richard was accompanied only by the -Vengeance and the Pallas. - -Many prizes were taken and many adventures were met with. Near -Flamborough Head one evening the Richard sunk a collier; the Vengeance -was near at hand, but the Pallas had borne off to the northeast in -chase of a sloop. A pilot taken from the collier gave information -regarding a fleet of forty-one sail from the Baltic and under convoy of -two British ships of war. This immediately fired the ambition of John -Paul Jones; if he could get into the midst of this huge, helpless fleet -he could, perhaps, cut out a score of them. - -Toward daylight next morning he chased two ships for several hours; -dawn revealed these to be the Alliance and the Pallas. Captain Jones at -once communicated to their commanders the news of the nearness of the -fleet of merchantmen. - -Ethan Carlyle had borne the news to the Alliance, and when the boat was -once more hoisted into the Bon Homme Richard he said to Captain Jones: - -“Captain Landais does not seem at all delighted at the prospect. He -seemed to fear that some of the vessels might be armed.” - -Paul Jones’ eyes flashed scornfully. - -“He’s of the same kidney as Simpson, then. I fancied as much.” - -They were still in the latitude of Flamborough Head, about two leagues -off the English coast, when the Baltic fleet hove in sight. The great -mass of merchantmen came stretching out from behind the Head, bearing -northeast from the Richard. - -“Lay the ship as close to them as you can, Mr. Dale,” directed the -commander. - -Dale put a press of sail upon the flagship and made for the convoy as -the Richard passed the Alliance and Pallas, which hung close together. -Paul Jones heard Landais call to the commander of the other vessel, - -“If they have above fifty guns there will be nothing left to do but run -for it!” - -This was said, of course, in the presence of the crews of both ships, -and had a most demoralizing effect upon them. In a very little while -both vessels began beating to and fro in a hesitating, alarmed way, -showing no disposition to advance. - -“We’ll have to attack alone, I think,” said Ethan to the commander. - -“It looks very much like it,” replied Jones, bitterly. “But we will do -it, for there is no halting or turning back now.” - -And so the Bon Homme Richard bore down upon the fleet alone. - -As the pilot of the collier had said, the Baltic merchantmen were -convoyed by two vessels of war. One of these was the Serapis, a new -and splendid ship, mounting forty-four guns on two decks and carrying -a crew of three hundred and twenty men. The other was the Countess of -Scarborough, armed with twenty-four guns on her main deck and with a -ship’s company of one hundred and fifty men. - -As the Richard came down upon them some of the frightened merchantmen -began firing with their light guns. An alarm spread through the fleet -at the sound of the guns; the two men-of-war were astern of them all, -keeping them in place; but now at the signals of danger they both -came to the front with great promptness, while the convoy scurried -toward the shore once more. Captain Pearson of the Serapis knew with -whom he had to deal; a little time before the bailiff of Scarborough -Castle had put off in a boat and informed him that John Paul Jones was -operating on the coast. - -The Englishman trusted to the guns of Scarborough Castle to protect the -merchantmen while they stood out to sea and prepared for action. - -It was night before the Richard came up with them, as the breeze was -very light; about eight bells both British ships tacked and stood in -for shore; Jones at once altered his course with a view of cutting them -off. At sight of this manœuvre the skipper of the Pallas thought the -crew of the Richard had mutinied in the face of the foe; so he hauled -his wind quickly and stood out. Landais brought the Alliance to a long -distance to windward, and most coolly awaited developments, never -seeming to trouble himself a moment over the fact that his duty called -him to render the Richard all the aid in his power. - -As the ship of John Paul Jones drew near, a deep voice from the -quarter-deck of the Serapis hailed her. - -“Ahoy! What ship is that?” - -It was then a quarter past eight; the moon swung like a great disc of -silver in the heavens; the sea was scarcely ruffled, so still was the -air. It was Richard Dale who answered the hail. - -“Come a little nearer,” he shouted, “and we’ll tell you!” - -The tall poop and forecastle of the Richard seemed to excite derision -upon the British ship; she stood hugely out of the water with an -ark-like loom; and she had a dull, slow-moving air, vastly different -from the smart and powerful Serapis. - -“What are you laden with, old Noah’s ark?” called the voice from the -Englishman, and the question was accompanied by contemptuous laughter. - -“We carry round, grape and double-headed shot,” answered Richard Dale. - -And no sooner had he uttered the words than a sheet of red flame burst -from the side of the Serapis and she poured her range of upper and -quarter-deck guns into the high hull of the Richard. - - - - -CHAPTER XXIV - -HOW THE SERAPIS STRUCK HER FLAG - - -John Paul Jones, a dark, slender figure, paced calmly to and fro upon -his quarter-deck. - -“You may fire, Mr. Dale,” he said composedly. - -Dale passed the word; the gunners applied their matches and the whole -broadside of the Richard hurled destruction at the grim Englishman. -From that moment the night was ablaze; broadside answered broadside -with echoing fury; the men at the guns, stripped to the waist, with -hard set mouths and scowling brows, charged, rammed and fired like -clockwork. Men standing behind screens, drenched with water, handed -out charges of powder to boys who darted up and down the ladders like -monkeys, passing the explosive to the guns. - -Every man was belted with cutlass and pistol; stands of grape and round -shot, and boarding-pikes stood about. Grappling irons and boarding -nettings were ready for instant use in case the ships should touch. -Aloft the yards of the Richard swarmed with marines, muskets in hand; -another large body of the sea-soldiery were also upon the poop and -forecastle. These were Frenchmen; they were under the command of a -colonel and, for the most part, were good marksmen. - -The rending thunder of the cannonade never halted for a moment. Ethan -Carlyle and Longsword worked an after gun like furies; their bare -bodies, in the light of the battle lanterns, were black with the grime -of the guns; from beneath their sweat-matted shocks of hair their eyes -glowed like coals. - -The Countess of Scarborough at the beginning of the fight had not dared -to fire into the Richard for fear of injuring the Serapis; but as the -battle grew older she began to seek a position from which she might -venture to take part. - -Ethan noted this, for the moonlight showed them the ship’s actions; he -said to Longsword, - -“There goes the other one; hot work, Shamus.” - -“The Pallas is going to meet her, faith,” cried the dragoon as that -vessel suddenly darted into the blaze of the guns and made for the -second Englishman. - -“No fear of the Alliance doing anything of the kind,” said Ethan, -darting a fierce glance toward that splendid but silent frigate as -she rose and fell to the seas, off in the moonlight. “If I were the -commander of this squadron I’d hang that fellow Landais from his own -yard arm as soon as this action was over!” - -The main deck batteries were working famously but soon Dale rushed up -from below with news of disaster. - -“Three of the long eighteens on the starboard side have exploded, sir,” -he reported to Captain Jones. “Most of their crews have been killed or -injured.” - -The firm mouth of the chief tightened; then he replied: - -“Abandon those other eighteens upon the port side. I have always -suspected the quality of those pieces, and feared that something like -this might happen.” - -This order was carried out. From that time on all the heavy guns of the -Richard were out of action; to win she must depend upon her lighter -ones alone. - -For some time Pearson had been trying to get his vessel under the stern -of the American ship; Jones prevented this by masterly seamanship. But -the Richard answered her helm slowly, while the swift Serapis moved -like a hawk. At length the Englishman secured the coveted position -and the American’s deck was raked murderously by whole broadsides and -showers of musketry. Some of the heavy shot went through and through -the Richard’s rotten timbers; great holes were blown in her that gaped -like windows. - -The marines fore and aft were killed in crowds; and at length the -French colonel in charge of them withdrew what few remained to safer -positions. In spite of the sand which had been thrown about, the decks -of the converted Indiaman were slippery with blood; the killed lay upon -every side, and the horrid, hopeless cries of the wounded were dreadful -to hear. The guns of the Richard were useless while the Serapis held -her present position; the only damage that the Americans were doing was -by the small arms’ fire from the top. - -With his deck reeling beneath him, and the very frame of his crazy old -ship almost rent asunder by the shocks of her own guns, the dauntless -commander of the Bon Homme Richard sprang along his shot-swept rail -into that sleet of death. He had seen the desperate efforts of Ethan -Carlyle and Longsword to drag a gun to a position from which it could -be brought to bear upon the enemy, and now lent his aid in placing it. - -“Warm work, sir!” panted the Irish dragoon. - -“Ay,” answered the commander grimly, as he sighted the gun, “and ’twill -be hotter still before we are done.” - -“They don’t seem to be hulling us with their lower battery as they -did some time ago,” said Ethan, who had noted this remarkable fact. -Although the ships were within pistol shot of one another and the big -guns of the Serapis roared incessantly they seemed to be doing no -damage. - -“The reason is simple enough,” said the captain coolly, as he took the -blazing match from Longsword’s hand. “Dale reports that they have shot -six port holes into one on both sides and their balls are passing -clear through us without striking.” - -As he fired the gun a man sprang upon deck and saluted. It was Richard -Dale. - -“We are leaking badly, sir,” he said. “They have struck us repeatedly -below the water line, and the surgeon has been forced to clear the -cock-pit of all the wounded.” - -“Have you manned the pumps?” - -“Yes, sir.” - -Paul Jones gave a quick command. A number of guns were dragged to -positions from which they could play upon the British ship. Their roar -was growing in volume and steadiness, when suddenly the supply of -powder ceased to be handed through the hatches. - -Richard Dale and Ethan Carlyle, at Jones’ command, plunged below to -learn the cause of this. - -“Ammunition for the main deck,” roared Dale in a voice to be heard -above the Englishman’s guns. - -The warrant officer in charge of the magazine stood at its locked door, -a pistol in his hand, and when Dale and Ethan seized him roughly he -said: - -“There was nothing else to do but lock the door, sir. The news came -that the ship was sinking and the quartermaster released all the -prisoners so that they might have a chance for their lives. See, the -deck below here is crowded with them.” - -As Dale and Ethan looked they saw the truth of this; the gun deck -was thronged with desperate looking men who greatly out-numbered the -Richard’s crew, and they were huddling together, apparently for a rush -to the main deck for an attempt to take the ship. The quick wit of -Dale was equal to this new and novel danger. He leaped toward them and -shouted in a voice that all could hear: - -“Men, the ship is sinking!” - -The faces of the great throng of released prisoners blanched; then Dale -continued: - -“You have one chance for your lives; to the pumps, or you are all dead -men!” - -With eager haste the British seamen sprang to obey; if they had known -it, they could now have crawled through the ports of the Richard into -the Serapis, for Captain Jones, by a masterly stroke of seamanship, had -at length placed his vessel alongside the Englishman, and locked their -yards together. But fate would have it that British brawn should keep -the Richard afloat while her crew strove against their countrymen. As -Ethan and Dale regained the main deck, the ammunition once more began -to come through the hatches; but the guns were still silent. - -All this time the Serapis had been pouring death into the huge, -helpless hulk of the American. The Richard was a wreck--shattered, -reeling and all but sinking. Her crew had deserted her main deck, her -dead lay about in heaps. The moonlight, streaming down upon the scene -showed the slight figure of John Paul Jones as he worked desperately at -a dismounted gun, almost alone, but with a determination to win that -only death could destroy. Captain Pearson, of the Serapis, astonished -at the Richard’s silence, now shouted: - -“Have you struck?” - -Jones lifted his head and his answer rang proudly above the din of the -battle. - -“I have not yet begun to fight!” - -There was something in this answer that gave renewed courage to the -American seamen; they manned their pieces once more; a steady fire -from the tops slackened the gunnery of the Serapis, perceptibly; then a -sudden flare showed the latter to be on fire, and her gun crews rushed -to extinguish the blaze. - -In the meantime the Pallas had engaged the Countess of Scarborough, -and after a brisk action had forced her to strike. The Alliance now -advanced, and to the astonishment of all she poured a broadside into -the Richard. - -“She’s been taken by the British!” gasped Longsword. - -“It’s that mad Frenchman, Landais,” cried Richard Dale, in a fury. -“See, the signal is set,” pointing to the lights on the Richard’s side. -“He cannot have mistaken us for the enemy.” - -The Alliance managed to dismount some guns and do the Richard -considerable other damage before she silenced her fire, and hauled off -once more. - -The fire from the Richard’s top had succeeded in clearing the Serapis -above board; but her heavy guns on the lower deck were still pounding -away in a most murderous fashion. The heavy lashings that Captain -Jones had brought into use when the Richard’s bow touched the Serapis -some time before were all that saved the former; had the Englishman -managed to get free and been able to haul away, she could have sunk the -American at her leisure. - -Under these conditions the battle continued to rage; hour after hour -passed and still the bulldog Briton and the dauntless Yankee grappled -in their death struggle, the red flare of the guns blazing paths of -fire along the still waters of the sea. The pumps were still at work -and the prisoners labored in relays; but the Richard sank lower and -still lower in the water. Captain Jones was pounding away with two guns -at the masts of the Serapis thinking to cripple her in this way and -then secure a position in which he could rake her with his main deck -battery. As this was proceeding Longsword plucked Dale by the sleeve. - -“Look there, on the main top.” - -Dale glanced upward, and saw Ethan Carlyle crawling out upon the yard. -He had a ship’s bucket filled to the top with hand grenades; from the -spar of the Richard he crept to that of the Serapis; when he reached -a position directly over the deck of the British ship he paused and -slung his bucket to the spar by a hook. - -[Illustration: _HE BEGAN TO THROW THE GRENADES_] - -Then he began to throw the grenades. There were but few men upon the -deck of the Englishman, as has been said before, the musketry fire -having driven most of them below; the grenades cleared these few away -like magic; and then Ethan began to throw his explosives into the -hatches. As fate would have it some loose powder upon the lower gun -deck of the Serapis caught, and an instant later a sheet of flame went -up, followed by the roar of a terrific explosion. A panic seized the -crew of the Englishman; they rushed upon the deck throwing down their -arms and crying for quarter. - -Ethan came down the ratlines of the Serapis like a flash, just as -Richard Dale swung himself from a broken brace upon the quarter-deck, -and the English captain with his own hands hauled down his flag. - -“Have you struck?” asked the gallant first officer of the Richard. - -“I have,” answered Captain Pearson. - -No sooner had the words been spoken than a man with a blood-stained -bandage swathed about his head sprang upon deck; he had a sword in his -hand and his fierce face was black with powder smoke and smeared with -blood. - -“The officer below inquires if the enemy has surrendered,” he said to -Captain Pearson. - -“Report to him that it is I who have surrendered,” returned Pearson, -bitterly. - -“You!” exclaimed the man. “Why, in a few more broadsides they are ours. -A prisoner just crawled through a port and says that they are sinking.” - -Captain Pearson cast a swift glance at the seamen of the Richard, who -were now leaping upon his deck; but he drooped his head with a groan -when he saw that he was powerless. - -“The Serapis has struck,” said Dale to the man with the bandaged head. -“Pass the word below.” - -“Very well, sir,” said the man. - -Ethan was watching this man curiously, and when he turned to spring -below he found the young American confronting him with ready cutlass. - -“Mr. Dale said pass the word,” said Ethan, sternly. “You need not -bother about going below in person.” - -That it had been the man’s intention to tell his officer to continue -the fight was clear from the baffled look which he gave Ethan. The -latter then stepped close to him and continued in a low voice, - -“And another thing--I would very much like to have the paper which you -took that night upon the by-road to London, Master Dirk Hatfield.” - -At the sound of his name, the highwayman made a sudden forward leap and -cut desperately at Ethan; but the young American’s guard was up and -he caught the descending blade upon his own; then with a twist of the -wrist he disarmed his opponent and held his point at his throat. - -By this time the decks of the Serapis swarmed with American seamen. -Longsword pinned the highwayman’s arms at his sides, while Ethan’s -eager hands sought out the much desired dispatch. At length he drew it -from an inner pocket and held it up with a cry of triumph. - -John Paul Jones, who stood near, turned upon the boy as he heard the -cry. - -“What have you there?” he asked. - -“The dispatch,” exclaimed Ethan joyfully. “Here is the highwayman of -whom I spoke to you,” pointing to Hatfield, “and he still had it in his -possession.” - -“Fortune still follows you,” cried Jones as he took the paper which the -lad held out to him. - -“And misfortune seems to follow me,” spoke the knight of the road as -they led him away among the other prisoners. “There is ten thousand -pounds gone to pot.” - -The crew of the Serapis was disarmed and imprisoned below. Then, as the -shattered Richard threatened to sink at any moment, the prisoners and -wounded were hastily distributed between the Pallas and the captured -Englishman; the American commander and his crew shifting to the latter -ship which, though badly crippled in the rigging, was still seaworthy. - -The Richard’s own crew and some from the Pallas strove at the pumps to -keep out the inrushing water from the doomed vessel; but their efforts -were of no avail, and on the morning of the twenty-fifth their officers -called them away. - -As the last man was going over the side into Lieutenant Dale’s boat, -Ethan Carlyle swarmed up the damaged shrouds of the American ship. - -“Come back,” shouted Dale. “She is going down.” - -But the boy continued upward till he reached the main top; then he drew -from beneath his arm a flag, and with a few rapid blows nailed it to -the mast. He had descended and clambered into the boat, which pulled -rapidly away, before the Richard gave her last heavy shuddering lurch; -then, with her battle flag streaming above her, she dipped grandly and -sank slowly beneath the waves. - - - - -CHAPTER XXV - -HOME AND LIBERTY - - -The American squadron and its prizes put into the Texal; Landais was at -once removed from his command and sent home to France. In a short time -Paul Jones, with Ethan and Longsword, sailed in the Alliance for that -country also, the commander having shifted his crew and officers into -that vessel. - -The delight of Dr. Franklin at receiving the long lost dispatch was -very great; and he thanked the three over and over again. The day -following their arrival at Paris, he took Ethan aside. - -“There are many important things which I desire to say to Congress,” -said the philosopher, “and I want a trusty messenger to carry my -report. Will you go?” - -For some time Ethan had felt a longing for home and friends; and now -that the paper was recovered he had nothing further to keep him in -France. So he answered eagerly: - -“I will.” - -“Very well,” said Dr. Franklin in a pleased tone. “A French cruiser -sails for Baltimore within a week.” - -“If your report is ready I will cross in her,” said Ethan, promptly. - -The minister’s dispatches were ready next day, and Ethan bid good-bye -to Captain Jones and Richard Dale. - -“We stay to fight the English,” said the former, as he clasped the -lad’s hand, “and you will return to fight them, I know.” - -“They are striking good blows at home,” said Dale, “and we upon this -side must look to ourselves or we’ll be left far behind.” - -The last that Ethan saw of this gallant pair they were standing upon -the flags of a Paris street waving their hats in farewell as he and -Longsword once more took the road for Brest. - -The young American and Irish dragoon arrived in good time at that -seaport and boarded the cruiser the day before she sailed. After -a voyage of six weeks against contrary winds they were landed at -Baltimore, and at once set out for Philadelphia. - -Since they had set foot in that city it had been in the hands of the -British, and Sir Henry Clinton had only evacuated it a short time -before. - -Dr. Franklin’s dispatches were delivered to Mr. Hancock, and were -eagerly received and laid before Congress. - -“I hope, sir,” said Ethan to Mr. Jefferson when he presented himself -to the great Virginian, “that you did not object to my sailing with -Captain Jones and so delaying my return.” - -“Not in the least,” said Mr. Jefferson. “Dr. Franklin wrote me the -reason for it; you did what I would have expected you to do--and you -did it well.” - -“Things are going badly for the cause, sir, I hear.” - -“You arrive home at the country’s most gloomy period,” said Jefferson, -gravely. “Dark shadows seem to overhang us, and the British press -upon us from every side; the want of money makes Congress all but -helpless; our armies are lately scattered in the south, and in the -north Washington can do little more than fly before the battalions of -Clinton.” - -There was a silence between them for some time; then Ethan said -quietly: - -“In that case, sir, it seems to me that the nation wants a soldier much -more than you want a secretary.” - -Jefferson took his meaning instantly, and wrung his hand. - -“You are right,” said he heartily. “But why not the navy? You are a -born sailor.” - -“I have witnessed too much of the delays of that branch of the -service,” said Ethan. “Constant waiting ashore for a ship while my -country needed my strength would be more than I could stand.” - -“Then the army it shall be,” cried Mr. Jefferson. “You shall have a -commission within the week.” - -The Virginian was as good as his word. The commission was in Ethan’s -hands in a week’s time; and in a fortnight he was serving as a -lieutenant in a regiment of horse in the army under Washington. - -As the years of the conflict unrolled he rose in rank and in the esteem -of his commanders. Was there a hard-fought field, where only desperate -courage and shrewd blows carried the patriots to victory? Then there -you would be sure to find Ethan Carlyle, in the press of it, and at -his side the grim old war dog, Longsword. - -And when peace spread her glittering wings above a new-born nation, the -gallant boy, now grown a young man, and with the epaulets of a major -upon his broad shoulders, laid down his bright sword with a sigh of -mingled regret and satisfaction. - -“The war is done,” said Longsword. - -“Yes,” replied Ethan, soberly. “The war is done; and now comes the -longer struggle to give the nation permanent life.” - - -THE END - - - - -TRANSCRIBER’S NOTES: - - - Italicized text is surrounded by underscores: _italics_. - - Obvious typographical errors have been corrected. - - Inconsistencies in hyphenation have been standardized. - - Superscript letters are preceded by a carat character: M^cIntyre. - -*** END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK WITH JOHN PAUL JONES *** - -Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions will -be renamed. - -Creating the works from print editions not protected by U.S. copyright -law means that no one owns a United States copyright in these works, -so the Foundation (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the -United States without permission and without paying copyright -royalties. 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McIntyre</div> - -<div style='display:block; margin:1em 0'> -This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere in the United States and -most other parts of the world at no cost and with almost no restrictions -whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or re-use it under the terms -of the Project Gutenberg License included with this eBook or online -at <a href="https://www.gutenberg.org">www.gutenberg.org</a>. If you -are not located in the United States, you will have to check the laws of the -country where you are located before using this eBook. -</div> - -<div style='display:block; margin-top:1em; margin-bottom:1em; margin-left:2em; text-indent:-2em'>Title: With John Paul Jones</div> - -<div style='display:block; margin-top:1em; margin-bottom:1em; margin-left:2em; text-indent:-2em'>Author: John T. McIntyre</div> - -<div style='display:block; margin-top:1em; margin-bottom:1em; margin-left:2em; text-indent:-2em'>Illustrator: Clyde O. Deland</div> - -<div style='display:block; margin:1em 0'>Release Date: April 18, 2021 [eBook #65099]</div> - -<div style='display:block; margin:1em 0'>Language: English</div> - -<div style='display:block; margin:1em 0'>Character set encoding: UTF-8</div> - -<div style='display:block; margin-left:2em; text-indent:-2em'>Produced by: D A Alexander, David E. Brown, and the Online Distributed Proofreading Team at https://www.pgdp.net (This file was produced from images generously made available by the Library of Congress)</div> - -<div style='margin-top:2em; margin-bottom:4em'>*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK WITH JOHN PAUL JONES ***</div> - -<div class="figcenter"><img src="images/cover.jpg" width="40%" alt="" /></div> - -<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop" /> - -<div class="chapter"> -<p class="center"><span class="large"><i>To<br /> -Rebbie and Fanny Graham</i></span></p></div> - -<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop" /> - -<div class="chapter"> -<span class="pagenum" id="Page_0"></span> -<div class="figcenter"><img src="images/i_frontispiece.jpg" alt="" /></div> -<p class="drop-cap"><i>JOHN PAUL JONES FLUSHED WITH<br /> PLEASURE</i></p></div> - - -<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop" /> - -<div class="chapter"> -<div class="figcenter"><img src="images/i_titlepage.jpg" alt="" /></div> -</div> - - -<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop" /> - -<div class="titlepage"> -<div class="chapter"> - - - -<h1> -<i>With</i><br /> -JOHN PAUL<br /> -JONES</h1> - - -<p><i>by</i><br /> -<span class="large">John T. M<sup>c</sup>Intyre</span><br /> -<i>Author of</i><br /> -“Fighting King George” etc.</p> - -<p>Illustrated<br /> -<i>by</i><br /> -Clyde O. Deland</p> - - -<p><span class="large">THE PENN<br /> -PUBLISHING<br /> -COMPANY<br /> -PHILADELPHIA<br /> -MCMVI</span></p> -</div></div> - -<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop" /> - - - -<p class="center"> -<span class="smcap">Copyright 1906 by The Penn Publishing Company</span></p> - - -<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop" /> - -<div class="chapter"> -<span class="pagenum" id="Page_5">[5]</span> - -<h2 class="nobreak">Contents</h2> -</div> - - -<table border="0" cellpadding="2" cellspacing="2" summary="table"> - -<tr><td class="tdr"><small>CHAP.</small></td><td> </td><td class="tdr"><small>PAGE</small></td></tr> - -<tr><td class="tdr">I</td><td> <span class="smcap">How Ethan Carlyle Brought the -News of Burgoyne’s Surrender</span></td><td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_9"> 9</a></td></tr> - -<tr><td class="tdr">II</td><td> <span class="smcap">How a Spy Listened at the Window</span></td><td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_21"> 21</a></td></tr> - -<tr><td class="tdr">III</td><td> <span class="smcap">How the Shallop Attacked the Island -Queen</span></td><td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_32"> 32</a></td></tr> - -<tr><td class="tdr">IV</td><td> <span class="smcap">Shows How the Ranger Sailed for -France</span></td><td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_46"> 46</a></td></tr> - -<tr><td class="tdr">V</td><td> <span class="smcap">How Ethan Carlyle Faced the Bully -of the Ranger</span></td><td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_62"> 62</a></td></tr> - -<tr><td class="tdr">VI</td><td> <span class="smcap">What Happened by Night in the -Harbor of Nantes</span></td><td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_73"> 73</a></td></tr> - -<tr><td class="tdr">VII</td><td> <span class="smcap">How Longsword Struck Home</span></td><td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_82"> 82</a></td></tr> - -<tr><td class="tdr">VIII</td><td> <span class="smcap">Shows How Benjamin Franklin -Opened the Secret Dispatch</span></td><td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_104"> 104</a></td></tr> - -<tr><td class="tdr">IX</td><td> <span class="smcap">How Ethan and Longsword Met a -Man Named Fochard</span></td><td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_114"> 114</a></td></tr> - -<tr><td class="tdr">X</td><td> <span class="smcap">The Cruise of the Ranger</span></td><td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_130"> 130</a></td></tr> - -<tr><td class="tdr">XI</td><td> <span class="smcap">On St. Mary’s Isle</span></td><td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_151"> 151</a></td></tr> - -<tr><td class="tdr">XII</td><td> <span class="smcap">In Which Danvers Appears Once -More</span></td><td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_162"> 162</a></td></tr> - -<tr><td class="tdr">XIII</td><td> <span class="smcap">How the Spy Lost His Prisoners</span></td><td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_176"> 176</a></td></tr> - -<tr><td class="tdr">XIV</td><td> <span class="smcap">How Ethan and Longsword Took -the Schooner</span></td><td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_192"> 192</a></td></tr> - -<tr><td class="tdr">XV</td><td> <span class="smcap">How the Schooner Came Upon the -Drake in the Darkness</span></td><td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_209"> 209</a><span class="pagenum" id="Page_6">[6]</span></td></tr> - -<tr><td class="tdr">XVI</td><td> <span class="smcap">How the Ranger Fought the Drake</span></td><td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_216"> 216</a></td></tr> - -<tr><td class="tdr">XVII</td><td> <span class="smcap">The Secret Agent Once More</span></td><td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_230"> 230</a></td></tr> - -<tr><td class="tdr">XVIII</td><td> <span class="smcap">The Road to Brest</span></td><td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_251"> 251</a></td></tr> - -<tr><td class="tdr">XIX</td><td> <span class="smcap">How the Erin Put to Sea</span></td><td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_266"> 266</a></td></tr> - -<tr><td class="tdr">XX</td><td> <span class="smcap">Shows How a Soldier Came out of -Mill Prison</span></td><td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_279"> 279</a></td></tr> - -<tr><td class="tdr">XXI</td><td> <span class="smcap">The Exploit of Master Dirk Hatfield</span></td><td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_293"> 293</a></td></tr> - -<tr><td class="tdr">XXII</td><td> <span class="smcap">The Press-Gang</span></td><td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_304"> 304</a></td></tr> - -<tr><td class="tdr">XXIII</td><td> <span class="smcap">How the Bon Homme Richard Met -the Serapis</span></td><td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_319"> 319</a></td></tr> - -<tr><td class="tdr">XXIV</td><td> <span class="smcap">How the Serapis Struck Her Flag</span></td><td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_339"> 339</a></td></tr> - -<tr><td class="tdr">XXV</td><td> <span class="smcap">Home and Liberty</span></td><td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_354"> 354</a></td></tr> -</table> - - - -<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop" /> - -<div class="chapter"> -<span class="pagenum" id="Page_7">[7]</span> - -<h2 class="nobreak">Illustrations</h2> -</div> - - -<table border="0" cellpadding="2" cellspacing="2" summary="table"> -<tr><td><span class="smcap">John Paul Jones Flushed with Pleasure</span></td><td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_0"> <i>Frontispiece</i></a></td></tr> - -<tr><td> </td><td class="tdr"><small>PAGE</small></td></tr> - -<tr><td><span class="smcap">“I’ll do it,” said Ethan Promptly</span></td><td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_26"> 26</a></td></tr> - -<tr><td><span class="smcap">“Keep them at Sword’s Length,” said Captain -Jones</span></td><td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_99"> 99</a></td></tr> - -<tr><td><span class="smcap">Danvers came down into the Hold</span></td><td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_171"> 171</a></td></tr> - -<tr><td><span class="smcap">Ethan Carlyle stood before them</span></td><td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_204"> 204</a></td></tr> - -<tr><td><span class="smcap">An Angry Look came into Hatfield’s Eyes</span></td><td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_313"> 313</a></td></tr> - -<tr><td><span class="smcap">He Began to throw the Grenades</span></td><td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_349"> 349</a></td></tr> -</table> -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_8">[8]</span></p> - -<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop" /> - -<div class="chapter"> -<span class="pagenum" id="Page_9">[9]</span> -</div> - -<p class="ph1">With John Paul Jones</p> - -<p> </p> - -<h2 class="nobreak">CHAPTER I<br /> - -<small>HOW ETHAN CARLYLE BROUGHT THE NEWS OF<br /> -BURGOYNE’S SURRENDER</small></h2> - - -<p>“<span class="smcap">Who</span> is that man that is so much at the -Wheelocks’ just now?” asked young Walter -Stanton of his friend Philip Morgan.</p> - -<p>“Some Tory friend, I suppose. I don’t like -him; see the sneer upon his face as he looks -at the members upon the steps of the State -House.”</p> - -<p>It was about noon on a day late in September -in the year 1777. A group of young men -and boys were lounging upon some benches in -the shade of two big buttonwoods directly -across from the quaint old State House at -Philadelphia. The sun hung almost over the -tower whose bell had boomed freedom to a -nation only a little more than a year before; -upon the stone steps of the building stood a<span class="pagenum" id="Page_10">[10]</span> -number of grave-faced, earnest gentlemen, -members of the first Continental Congress, -talking of the weighty matters that were to -be discussed in the approaching session.</p> - -<p>The man who had attracted Walter Stanton’s -attention was a person of striking appearance. -He had thick, coal-black hair, a -pale, keen face and a frame that showed -strength and endurance. A boy of about -nineteen stood at his side, and they were both -talking in low tones and watching the patriot-legislators -as they slowly assembled. Philip -Morgan was right when he said that the -stranger wore a sneer upon his face. That -cold look of pitying contempt and the curl of -the man’s lip could mean nothing else. A -stir went through the crowd of lads as an -erect, care-worn man passed slowly along, with -bent head and an air of great abstraction, -every hat came off with a sweep of respect.</p> - -<p>“Who is that man?” asked the stranger of -Walter.</p> - -<p>“That,” answered the boy, “is Mr. Hancock, -president of Congress.”</p> - -<p>The stranger’s teeth gleamed in a mocking -smile.</p> - - - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_11">[11]</span>“Ah, yes, I have heard of him,” he said. -“It was he that caused this war with England.”</p> - -<p>Walter and Philip looked at each other; the -boy at the man’s side nudged him in a manner -that said as plainly as words: “Be careful -of what you say.”</p> - -<p>“It’s news to me,” spoke Walter Stanton, -“to hear that Mr. John Hancock was the -cause of the war.”</p> - -<p>“We had always fancied that it was begun -by that old madman, King George,” said -Philip Morgan, who was a blunt spoken lad -at best; and the man’s manner irritated him. -The stranger bent his brows and a glint of -anger came into his sharp, black eyes. He -seemed upon the point of making a biting retort; -but once more the boy at his side warned -him to beware.</p> - -<p>“Be careful, Danvers,” he whispered. -“You’ll get into trouble. They are all Whigs -here.”</p> - -<p>Danvers hesitated a moment; then he turned -to Philip with a cold smile that showed his -strong white teeth.</p> - -<p>“If it had not been for Major Pitcairn’s being<span class="pagenum" id="Page_12">[12]</span> -called out that day with his men to seize -this Mr. Hancock for treason to the crown, -there would have been no fight at Lexington; -and had that skirmish not taken place there -would have been no rebellion.”</p> - -<p>“Revolution is a better word, I think,” -said Walter Stanton, quietly.</p> - -<p>“Call it what you will,” answered the man -sneeringly, “the fact remains the same.”</p> - -<p>“And I don’t like your calling the fight at -Lexington a skirmish,” spoke the blunt-tongued -Philip, who had come to think of -that first exchange of shots as a most glorious -engagement. “It resulted in three hundred -British troops being killed, and when Putnam -and Arnold hurried up to take command -of the minutemen, they walled General -Gage up in Boston, for all his army and -ships.”</p> - -<p>“Putnam!” said the man in his mocking -way. “What is he? An old farmer turned -soldier; and Arnold is a swaggering, reckless -ruffian.”</p> - -<p>“Be quiet,” whispered Stephen Wheelock, -as he dragged at the man’s sleeve, his face -growing pale as he noted the resentful expressions<span class="pagenum" id="Page_13">[13]</span> -of those about them. “Be quiet, I tell -you!”</p> - -<p>Danvers’ quick eye saw the effect of his -words and he smiled coolly. It seemed as -though he rather enjoyed the risk he ran in -being so open in his words.</p> - -<p>“Never fear,” said he, in a low tone to -young Wheelock. “I only want to stir them -up a bit. I’ll be careful not to go too far.”</p> - -<p>“You’ll get my father into hot water, Danvers, -if you don’t mind yourself,” warned -Stephen, drawing the man aside. “The -Whigs know that our family sympathize with -the cause of the king; and it must not be -known that we harbor agents of Lord North’s -government.”</p> - -<p>“Hush!” warned Danvers, in his turn. -“They will know it soon enough, and you’ll -have my neck in a halter, if you use such -terms as that in this public place.”</p> - -<p>“Give them no cause for suspicion, then,” -said young Wheelock. “I’ve seen them -aroused more than once, and it’s not a pleasant -thing to look at, indeed.”</p> - -<p>Philip Morgan’s ire was aroused by the -words of Danvers, and he was talking loudly.</p> - - - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_14">[14]</span>“Let the English say what they like,” cried -he, “we have as good officers as they, and -perhaps better. And we were faithful to the -king, too, until he hired the Brunswickers -and Hessians to come and fight against us. -No free men could stand such a thing as -that.”</p> - -<p>“No, no,” chorused the boys upon the -benches.</p> - -<p>“That was the last straw,” said Walter -Stanton. “If King George had not done -that, the gentlemen across the way would -never have written, passed and signed the -Declaration of Independence, July a year ago.”</p> - -<p>So interested were all the boys in the talk, -which now became general, that they did not -notice a horseman ride up, dismount and tie -his nag to a post near at hand. He was a tall, -spare, raw-boned man, with fiery red hair. -He held himself with the rigid bearing of a -man trained in the army; his face was resolute, -indeed fierce looking; and an ugly -sword slash had left a red scar across it that -did not add to his appearance. He stood at -his horse’s head listening, as Philip Morgan -went on, addressing Danvers.</p> - - - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_15">[15]</span>“You may sneer at Putnam if you like, -sir, but he is a bold and able officer, and so is -General Arnold. Why, Arnold’s invasion of -Canada alone would stamp him as an uncommon -man.”</p> - -<p>“He had Richard Montgomery with him,” -said Danvers, coldly, “and Montgomery got -what little training he had as an officer in the -British army. The best that one can say of -him is that he was brave.”</p> - -<p>At the name of the intrepid and lamented -Montgomery, the fierce looking man with the -scar upon his face had bent forward interestedly; -but at the words of Danvers he stepped -forward, his strong fingers twisting nervously.</p> - -<p>“I knew General Montgomery,” said he to -Danvers; “he was the cleverest officer I ever -saw.”</p> - -<p>Danvers turned and swept him with an insolent -look.</p> - -<p>“And, pray, sir, who are you?” he asked.</p> - -<p>“Shamus O’Moore, once of the Inniskillens,” -answered the newcomer, standing very erect -and speaking in a harsh, high voice.</p> - -<p>“Ah,” sneered Danvers, “an English dragoon.”</p> - - - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_16">[16]</span>“No,” said the other with great promptness, -“an Irish dragoon.”</p> - -<p>“It is all the same,” spoke Danvers.</p> - -<p>“Pardon me,” protested the other, still in -the same tone, and never budging an inch in -his ramrod like attitude. “There is no -sameness about it at all. Faith, ye could -never make an Englishman out of an Irishman -in the world. They are like oil and -water, and they won’t mix.”</p> - -<p>“It’s the man they call Longsword,” whispered -Walter Stanton to his chum, Philip -Morgan.</p> - -<p>“I know,” answered the latter. “I’ve seen -him at Ethan Carlyle’s several times.”</p> - -<p>“General Montgomery,” said the soldier-like -O’Moore, “were an Irishman like meself -and proud he were of it. He gave up his life -for this struggling nation, sir, in the storming -of Quebec; and it was no common life, I’ll -have ye know. There was in him the makings -of a general officer that would have astonished -the world.”</p> - -<p>“Oh, you fancy yourself a judge, I see,” -said Danvers, icily.</p> - -<p>“Man and boy, I’ve soldiered for thirty<span class="pagenum" id="Page_17">[17]</span> -years,” said the other, “and I’ve had lots of -time to pick up stray bits of knowledge by -the wayside.”</p> - -<p>As Danvers turned away to give his attention -to young Wheelock, who was again -plucking warningly at his sleeve, O’Moore -noticed Walter Stanton and favored him instantly -with a stiff, formal salute.</p> - -<p>“Hello, O’Moore,” said Walter. “Where is -Ethan?”</p> - -<p>“Master Ethan will be here in a few moments,” -returned O’Moore. “There he is -beyant, speaking with Mr. Jefferson.”</p> - -<p>The lads turned their eyes in the direction -indicated, and saw a gentleman garbed in -sober black standing in the footway some little -distance off conversing excitedly with a clean -built, handsome boy of seventeen, who was -seated astride a powerful bay horse.</p> - -<p>“Did you know that Ethan was secretary -to Mr. Jefferson, now?” asked Walter, as they -watched the two with interest.</p> - -<p>“Yes,” answered Philip. “His father and -Mr. Jefferson were great friends, O’Moore, -were they not?”</p> - -<p>“Indeed, yes, sir,” said the ex-dragoon.<span class="pagenum" id="Page_18">[18]</span> -“And Mr. Jefferson visited him at New Orleans -before the war came on.”</p> - -<p>“They seem greatly interested in their -talk,” observed Walter, still gazing toward the -lad on the bay horse and the black clad statesman. -“I never saw Mr. Jefferson so excited, -and I’ve seen him many times and listened to -his speeches.”</p> - -<p>“And it’s no wonder, Master Stanton, that -he do be excited now,” said Shamus. “Sure -he’s listening to better news then he’s heard -in many a long day. While taking a gallop -on the north roads this morning, Master -Ethan and meself came upon a courier from -New York whose horse had stumbled, thrown -him and broken his leg. We carried him to -an inn where he’d be taken care of; and when -he found out who Master Ethan were he -handed over his despatches and bid us ride to -the city wid them and give them to Mr. Hancock, -the president of the Congress.”</p> - -<p>“There is news from the north, then?” -cried Walter, his eyes opening wider in expectation.</p> - -<p>“Good news, too, you said, O’Moore,” said -Philip Morgan. “Come, now, tell us what it is.”</p> - - - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_19">[19]</span>The other boys had risen from their seats -upon the benches, and all crowded eagerly -about the grim looking dragoon.</p> - -<p>“What’s the news?” they clamored. “Tell -us the news.”</p> - -<p>“Ye’ll hear it in another moment,” said -O’Moore, a smile flickering on his lips. “Here -comes Master Ethan now.”</p> - -<p>The sober looking gentleman in black, had -just waved the boy upon the horse delightedly -away; the lad touched his mount with the -spur and dashed down the street toward the -state house. Mr. Hancock stood upon the low -stone steps in the midst of a group of members -engaged in earnest talk, when the bay -was pulled up sharply, and the boy upon his -back called in a voice that trembled with excitement:</p> - -<p>“Mr. Hancock.”</p> - -<p>That gentleman raised his brows in some -little surprise at this; then his face wrinkled -in a smile and he nodded his recognition.</p> - -<p>“News from the north!” cried the boy as -he swung a bulky saddle packet over his -head.</p> - -<p>The expression of every man present<span class="pagenum" id="Page_20">[20]</span> -changed instantly; every voice was hushed, -every face was strained and anxious. For -weeks they had been swayed, pendulum-like, -between hope and fear; and now the result -was to be known.</p> - -<p>“Burgoyne,” shouted the boy, as he swung -himself exultantly from his horse, “has surrendered -to General Gates at Saratoga.”</p> - -<p>Then, amidst the clapping of hands and -the shouts of the crowd that had gathered -like magic, he strode across the walk, his spurs -jingling on the flags, and handed the despatches -to the president of the Continental -Congress.</p> -<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop" /> - -<div class="chapter"> -<span class="pagenum" id="Page_21">[21]</span> - -<h2 class="nobreak">CHAPTER II<br /> - - -<small>HOW A SPY LISTENED AT THE WINDOW</small></h2> -</div> - -<p><span class="smcap">Shamus O’Moore</span> took his young master’s -horse and his own to a neighboring stable -where they were in the habit of putting them -up, and then returned to the state house. -Ethan was busy with a huge portfolio of Mr. -Jefferson’s papers in a small room at the south -end; from the hall came the murmur of -voices and now and then a steady flow of -words which showed that some member was -addressing the Congress.</p> - -<p>“They do be after talking it over, Master -Ethan,” said the ex-dragoon. “And it’s -mighty glad they all are.”</p> - -<p>“And no wonder,” said Ethan Carlyle, -looking up from his work with a smile. “A -victory now means a great deal. Defeat has -followed defeat so closely, Shamus, that they, -in spite of their hopeful front, began to despair -of ever seeing success crown the American -arms.”</p> - - - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_22">[22]</span>“Well, they’ve got a murderin’ big slice of -success this time,” said the Irish soldier, with -great satisfaction. “And it’s pleased I am at -that same; for every true son of Erin, Master -Ethan, wants to see the Saxon beat.”</p> - -<p>Ethan laughed, and there was a twinkle in -his eye as he remarked:</p> - -<p>“Why, if you dislike the British so, you -old fire eater, how came you to be so taken -with my poor dead father? He was an Englishman.”</p> - -<p>The old dragoon scratched his head in a -rather awkward fashion, and then made -reply:</p> - -<p>“Your father was the finest gentleman I -ever saw, and it was no fault of his that he -was an Englishman. Sure no man can choose -the country he’s to first see the light in. But -he showed his quality when he resigned from -the English army and came to America. If -he were alive and able to hold a sword and -head a regiment to-day, he’d be in the thick -of it for freedom and the new land, so he -would.”</p> - -<p>There came a dimness to the boy’s eyes and -he patted the old trooper upon the back.</p> - - - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_23">[23]</span>“You cared a very great deal for my father, -didn’t you, Longsword?”</p> - -<p>“I did,” said the other steadily, looking -straight before him with unwinking eyes, -“and I think as much of your father’s son, -faith.”</p> - -<p>“I know that, old friend. You’ve been -with me through everything. You even gave -up your hopes of meeting the British in battle -to be with me here in Philadelphia.”</p> - -<p>“It was a hard wrench,” spoke Shamus, a -note of regret in his voice, “but the war is not -over, Master Ethan, and I have hopes that we -two will see service yet.”</p> - -<p>There was some more talk of a like nature, -and then Ethan went back to his work upon -Mr. Jefferson’s papers, while the ex-dragoon -went outside the south door and paced slowly -up and down in the warm sunlight. Ethan’s -father had been a British cavalry major who -sold out and emigrated to Virginia. Upon a -visit to New Orleans he met and married the -daughter of a French merchant and engaged -with the old man in his business. Clarette & -Co. had many ships in the Gulf, and Ethan -was practically raised on board of them, as<span class="pagenum" id="Page_24">[24]</span> -his father was continually voyaging from one -place to another in search of trade. In those -days the Gulf and the Caribbean swarmed -with buccaneers, and every merchantman was -armed and strongly manned; the ships of -Clarette & Co. were often called upon to defend -themselves from these rovers, and some -of Ethan’s most vivid recollections were of -shot-swept decks and men leaping back from -the cut of Shamus O’Moore’s mighty brass-hilted -sword.</p> - -<p>The Irish dragoon had been his father’s -orderly in the English army, and had come to -America with him; Major Carlyle was an Oxford -man, and attended to his son’s education -himself while at sea; but it was the grim, -hard visaged Shamus that taught him how to -develop his muscles to the hardness of steel, -and how to use cutlass, sabre, pike, bayonet -and small-sword. The Irishman had spent -years in the study of arms; his sword-play -had been the marvel of the British army when -he served in the Inniskillens, and had earned -for him the name of “Longsword.” Day by -day this master of fence had drilled the boy -in sword-play. But in spite of his aptness,<span class="pagenum" id="Page_25">[25]</span> -Ethan never drew a word of praise from -Longsword, who continued to labor with him, -between decks, in the dog watches, relentlessly, -remorselessly, mercilessly. The boy -could close his eyes in his bunk, during his -watch below, and still see the angular, powerful -figure of the dragoon before him; he could -see the light from the ports falling upon the -scarlet scar that crossed his face, he could see -the flashing of the heavy double-edged sword -and the constant movement of the tireless -arm. He never complained at the labor of -the drill.</p> - -<p>But one day as they were in the midst of a -lesson that had lasted above an hour, Ethan -in a sudden burst of impatience had refused -to give way before the dragoon’s heavy attack; -a desperate rally ensued, and to the astonishment -of the watching sailors, the boy actually -drove Shamus back before a storm of lightning-like -blows. And then Longsword threw -down his blade, uttered a wild Irish whoop -that rang through the ship, sprang forward -and clutched his pupil in a bear-like hug.</p> - -<p>“At last!” he exulted. “Ye’ve done it at -last. I’ve taught ye all I know, and I’ve<span class="pagenum" id="Page_26">[26]</span> -only been waiting to have ye use it on meself -to get the feel of it. There will be no more -lessons, Master Ethan; all ye need is strength -and weight, and then faith, even Shamus -O’Moore will be careful how he stands forninst -ye!”</p> - -<p>These things were running through Ethan -Carlyle’s head as he sorted over the papers of -Mr. Jefferson. At last Congress adjourned, -and the members streamed out of the building -and down the quiet street. Then Mr. Jefferson -and Mr. Hancock entered the room with -quiet steps. The boy arose and bowed and -then was about to go on with his work, when -his employer said:</p> - -<p>“Never mind that for a time, Ethan; there -is something which we desire to say to -you.”</p> - -<div class="figcenter"><img src="images/i_026.jpg" alt="" /></div> -<p class="drop-cap2"><i>“I’LL DO IT,” SAID ETHAN PROMPTLY</i></p> - -<p> </p> - -<p>The lad looked at the great Virginian wonderingly; -then as he and Mr. Hancock seated -themselves at a table near a window, he -crossed the room and stood beside them.</p> - -<p>“Sit down,” said Mr. Hancock, pointing to -a chair.</p> - -<p>The boy did so, and then the president of -the Congress went on.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_27">[27]</span>“There is a service which you can render -Congress and your country if you will.”</p> - -<p>Ethan’s eyes lit up.</p> - -<p>“Then consider it done, sir, if the power to -render the service rests in me.”</p> - -<p>Both the statesmen smiled; and Mr. Hancock -proceeded.</p> - -<p>“At this time there is at Portsmouth a new -sloop-of-war being made ready for sea. She -is called the Ranger, and is to sail under the -mastership of Captain John Paul Jones.”</p> - -<p>The boy drew in his breath and the grasp -of his hands tightened upon the arms of the -chair. The story of the wonderful cruises of -this new sea-king in the Providence and Alfred -was ringing through the land; he had -spread such terror by his deeds upon blue -water that British merchants feared to send -their vessels to sea, and British frigates were -scouring the Western waters in search of him -like a pack of fierce, baffled hounds.</p> - -<p>“The Ranger is to sail for France,” said Mr. -Hancock, “and Captain Jones is to deliver an -important document into the hands of Mr. -Franklin, our commissioner in that country.”</p> - -<p>Mr. Jefferson here laid a packet, sealed with<span class="pagenum" id="Page_28">[28]</span> -great splotches of red wax, upon the table. -As he did so there came a slight rustling -among some thick bushes that grew beneath -the window, and a dark, foreign looking face -appeared, and a pair of burning black eyes -looked into the room. So interested were the -three at the table within that the man’s presence -was unnoticed.</p> - -<p>“We want you to proceed to Portsmouth -and deliver this packet to Captain Jones,” -spoke Mr. Jefferson.</p> - -<p>“I’ll do it,” said Ethan promptly.</p> - -<p>“And, further, you are to sail with him in -his ship and accompany him to Paris.”</p> - -<p>“Very well, sir,” answered the lad, quietly.</p> - -<p>“As every person knows who is at all interested -in the welfare of the country,” said -the president of Congress, “our sole hope of -success in this war lies in the possibility of -securing the aid of France against our enemy. -But France has seen us go down in defeat -after defeat; she has feared that we are not -strong enough to continue the fight, and so -far has refused to ally herself with us. But -this victory of General Gates will put a different -face upon matters. If the news that<span class="pagenum" id="Page_29">[29]</span> -we send here, and the secret instructions that -accompany it, are placed in the hands of Mr. -Franklin at Paris, the help of France and her -fleets are almost assured us.”</p> - -<p>The boy’s eyes gleamed as he watched the -white fingers of Mr. Hancock tapping the red-sealed -packet; and the dark, strange face -peering in at the window was filled with an -expression of triumph.</p> - -<p>“Let the contents of these documents, however, -come under the eyes of Lord North, or -any other member of King George’s ministry, -and all would be ruined. None but the very -highest British officials would understand -their meaning; but these would grasp it instantly, -and a condition for which we have -striven for months would at once be changed, -and France would find it to her disadvantage -to take sides with us.”</p> - -<p>“All this means that the instructions are to -be guarded carefully,” said Ethan.</p> - -<p>“As you would guard your life,” said Mr. -Jefferson, laying his hand upon his young -secretary’s shoulder.</p> - -<p>“As my life be it,” answered the boy with -a resolute lift of the head.</p> - - - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_30">[30]</span>“It will take some little time for you to -reach Portsmouth,” said Mr. Hancock, “and -Captain Jones must be all but ready to put to -sea.”</p> - -<p>“Then I go at once?”</p> - -<p>“Yes; there is a schooner called the Island -Queen which sails for Portsmouth at the next -tide.”</p> - -<p>“Which will be at ten to-night,” said Mr. -Jefferson.</p> - -<p>“I will be ready,” returned the boy as they -arose to their feet, and Mr. Hancock handed -him the packet.</p> - -<p>“No one aboard the Ranger will know of -this packet but yourself and the commander,” -said the Virginian. “That is why we desire -you to accompany the vessel; it will have -another pair of eyes to watch over it.”</p> - -<p>“There will be still another pair, if O’Moore -is permitted to go with me,” said Ethan, anxiously.</p> - -<p>“We had not thought of depriving you of -the service of the faithful Longsword,” smiled -Mr. Jefferson.</p> - -<p>As the Virginian spoke, there came a terrific<span class="pagenum" id="Page_31">[31]</span> -uproar from without, and Longsword’s voice -was heard shouting:</p> - -<p>“You thief of the world, to be listening at -daysint people’s windows! Take that! and -that! and that! ye bla’gard!”</p> - -<p>And looking through the window they saw -the grim dragoon tearing across the green -behind the state house in pursuit of a dark, -foreign looking man, while with every “and -that,” he aimed a vigorous kick at him.</p> - -<p>“Listening at the window!” cried Mr. -Hancock.</p> - -<p>“A spy!” echoed Mr. Jefferson. “He -must be seized!”</p> - -<p>Ethan, at these words, shot through the -door and sprang away in pursuit; he cried -out to Longsword, who at once strove to lay -hands upon the man. But the fugitive was a -fleeter runner than either of them; full speed -toward the river he went, and in a little while -was lost in the alleys and winding streets of -that district.</p> -<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop" /> - -<div class="chapter"> -<span class="pagenum" id="Page_32">[32]</span> - -<h2 class="nobreak">CHAPTER III<br /> - - -<small>HOW THE SHALLOP ATTACKED THE ISLAND QUEEN</small></h2> -</div> - -<p><span class="smcap">The</span> skipper of the schooner Island Queen -paced his after deck and waited for the -strength of the tide. There was a two masted -fishing vessel tied up at the other side of the -wharf; she was a clean looking craft of the -type called shallop, and carried two good sized -lug sails. Her captain stood upon the pier, -talking to the commander of the schooner.</p> - -<p>“You are not the only one that caught -good luck at the last minute,” he was saying.</p> - -<p>“Who else has got a share of it?” asked -the other.</p> - -<p>“I have. An hour after you’d told me -that you’d got a couple of passengers for Portsmouth, -a man came along and engaged my -vessel for a run along the coast.”</p> - -<p>“What’s he going to do with her?”</p> - -<p>“I don’t know. But I’m going along; so -I’ll be sure that all’s right.”</p> - - - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_33">[33]</span>“Money’s tight in these days of war,” remarked -the skipper of the schooner, “but,” -with a shake of the head, “my boat only goes -out with reg’lar cargoes and on reg’lar business. -I don’t like these queer cruises. I’ve -seen strange things happen on ’em.”</p> - -<p>The captain of the shallop nodded his -head and answered, soberly enough:</p> - -<p>“You’re right, cap’en; but I don’t have no -reg’lar cargoes, and fishing don’t pay any -more, with British privateers always poking -their noses into the lower bay. A man must -support his family, you know.”</p> - -<p>Ethan Carlyle and Longsword stood in the -waist, leaning against the schooner’s rail and -listening to this conversation. When the -skipper of the shallop crossed the pier and -climbed into his own vessel, Ethan said:</p> - -<p>“Somehow or other I don’t like that.”</p> - -<p>“And why not?” asked the Irish dragoon.</p> - -<p>“It impresses me oddly. It may be that -the possession of important papers has made -me nervous, but I can’t help feeling that the -sudden hiring of that fishing-boat over there -has something to do with us.”</p> - -<p>“It may be so,” spoke the trooper. “Sure<span class="pagenum" id="Page_34">[34]</span> -that villain was not listening to what the -gentlemen were saying to ye awhile ago for -nothing, Master Ethan.”</p> - -<p>“He was a strange looking fellow.”</p> - -<p>“Yes; some kind of a brown man like they -have in India, and far off places like that. -But he was a rare good runner, though,” continued -Longsword with high admiration, “and -I could reach him no more wid me foot after -we’d gone a score of yards.”</p> - -<p>There was a brisk wind blowing down -stream when the tide got its fully swing -towards the sea; the skipper cast off his lines -and worked the Island Queen out into the -river; then the mainsail, foresail and a jib -were set and the vessel headed away on her -journey. As they were passing the flats below -the city, Ethan, who was leaning over the -stern rail with Longsword fancied that he saw -a dark loom some distance toward the New -Jersey shore.</p> - -<p>“It looks like a vessel of some kind,” he -said to Shamus.</p> - -<p>“Your eyes are younger nor mine,” answered -the trooper. “I can see nothing.”</p> - -<p>“I’ve been watching that for some time,”<span class="pagenum" id="Page_35">[35]</span> -said the mate of the schooner, who was at the -wheel. “Looks to me like a two master of -some sort; and she’s a smart sailer, too; much -faster than the Queen.”</p> - -<p>An hour passed, and the brisk wind carried -the schooner well down the river; but off on -her port side clung the creeping low-lying -shadow that had attracted Ethan’s attention. -The sky was thickly overcast with clouds, the -moon was hidden, and darkness hung blackly -over the face of the waters.</p> - -<p>“That craft may be a smarter sailer than -the schooner,” said Ethan to the mate, “but -she’s not showing it. She’s been hanging -there on that quarter all the way down.”</p> - -<p>“That’s what I can’t understand,” said -the mate. “I’m sure she could walk away -from us were she so minded, but they are holding -her in for some reason; they’ve got her -out of the wind about half the time.”</p> - -<p>No more was said about the shadowy craft -for some time, until they were off Reedy -Island; then the skipper came on deck at the -mate’s request, and scanned the dark waters in -search of her.</p> - -<p>“Seems to me I do make out something,”<span class="pagenum" id="Page_36">[36]</span> -he said, rather anxiously. “Been following -us down the river, has she?”</p> - -<p>“Yes; and she’s headed for us now,” said -Ethan, whose eyes were keener than his -elder’s. He gazed at the vessel which, sure -enough, was now rapidly coming up with -them; suddenly he grasped the arm of his -companion. “Shamus,” he breathed, “I was -right.”</p> - -<p>“About what?” asked the Irish soldier.</p> - -<p>“About the shallop. That’s the same -vessel.”</p> - -<p>The captain of the Island Queen turned -upon the boy.</p> - -<p>“Do you mean the shallop that lay in the -dock next us?” asked he.</p> - -<p>“I feel sure of it,” answered Ethan.</p> - -<p>The captain breathed a sigh of relief.</p> - -<p>“Oh, then, it’s all well enough. You see -her captain is a friend of mine, and I suppose -he wants to speak to me.”</p> - -<p>“I think,” said Ethan seriously, “that -you’ll find that there is something more to -it than that.”</p> - -<p>“And I agree wid ye,” said Shamus<span class="pagenum" id="Page_37">[37]</span> -O’Moore; and without another word he -dived below.</p> - -<p>“Your man seems sort of nervous,” laughed -the captain.</p> - -<p>“Not he,” smiled Ethan. “If you spoke -of nerves to him, I hardly think he’d know -what you were talking about.”</p> - -<p>“He got below mighty sudden.”</p> - -<p>“He’ll be back in a moment. And I fancy -he’ll have his tools with him.”</p> - -<p>The captain stared, but said nothing more -to the lad. Scanning the waters toward the -island he spoke to the mate at the wheel in -low tones regarding the chart by which he -was steering. They were still so engaged -when the big lug sails of the shallop came -plainly into view and a voice from her deck -hailed hoarsely,</p> - -<p>“Ahoy, the schooner!”</p> - -<p>“Ahoy,” answered the schooner’s skipper -promptly.</p> - -<p>“Is that the Island Queen?”</p> - -<p>“It is. What craft is that?”</p> - -<p>“The Saucy Sue, shallop.”</p> - -<p>“Oh, is that you, Captain Hutchins?”</p> - - - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_38">[38]</span>There was silence for a moment, then the -voice replied:</p> - -<p>“Yes; lay to; I want to come aboard of -you.”</p> - -<p>“Very well,” and the schooner’s commander -gave the order to his crew.</p> - -<p>But Ethan stepped to his side quickly and -said:</p> - -<p>“Be careful of what you do.”</p> - -<p>The captain laughed and answered, “Oh, -I see that the Irishman is not the only person -aboard the Queen that’s nervous. You’ve got -a touch of that complaint yourself, my lad.”</p> - -<p>“It’s not a question of nerves,” said -Ethan quietly. “But it’s been my experience -that one vessel does not hang in the wake of -another for any good purpose.”</p> - -<p>“Your experience,” cried the skipper good -humoredly; “listen to that, Mr. Jarvis!”</p> - -<p>The mate grinned and said:</p> - -<p>“Sounds kind of curious to hear a boy -talk like that to two old salts, don’t it?”</p> - -<p>“What experience have you had on blue -water, and with mysterious craft, sonny?” -asked the Queen’s skipper, humorously.</p> - -<p>“Enough to teach me not to do what<span class="pagenum" id="Page_39">[39]</span> -you have done,” answered the boy. “Coasting -is easy, steady going work enough here -in these northern waters when there is no -Englishman about; but I’ve sailed in ships -that have cleared the decks for action at the -beginning of a voyage, and kept them cleared -except for the bodies of half breed pirates who -boarded them.”</p> - -<p>The skipper looked at the mate; in the -light of the compass lantern it was to be seen -that that worthy had lost his grin.</p> - -<p>“Where was that, youngster?” asked he.</p> - -<p>“In the Gulf and West Indian waters,” -said Ethan. “My grandfather and my father -composed the firm of Clarette & Co.”</p> - -<p>The schooner was, by this time, rocking -idly upon the waters of the bay; and the -shallop was drawing nearer with each moment. -There was no man who followed the -sea in the western world who had not heard -of the great firm of Clarette & Co., shipowners, -now passed out of existence; and with -a quiet smile Ethan noticed the increased respect -with which the captain and mate of -the schooner regarded him. Just then Longsword -came stamping upon deck; he had his<span class="pagenum" id="Page_40">[40]</span> -huge, double-edged blade belted about him; -in his hands he carried Ethan’s sword and -a couple of brace of heavy pistols.</p> - -<p>“We are ready for them, asthore, no matter -who they are,” cried he as he handed the -boy his weapons, drew his heavy blade and -whirled it about his head with a swishing -sound that caused the seamen in his neighborhood -to duck their heads instinctively.</p> - -<p>“You two are taking a great deal of pains -for nothing,” growled the captain. “I tell -you there is no danger of any kind to be -expected from that craft there. I’ve known -her captain for years.”</p> - -<p>“Her captain, yes,” said Ethan, evenly. -“But you do not know the men who have -engaged her from him, nor what their purpose -is.”</p> - -<p>“You are right,” said the captain, after -a pause. “He told me only to-night that -some people had chartered his vessel for a -cruise of some kind. Do you reckon,” and -he regarded Ethan closely, “that they are -after you folks?”</p> - -<p>“I’m not at all sure,” answered the lad, -“but I am inclined to think that they are.”</p> - - - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_41">[41]</span>“And come to look at the thing right between -the eyes,” spoke the mate, “I don’t -think that was Captain Hutchins or any of -his people that hailed us. It was a strange -voice to me.”</p> - -<p>This seemed to settle the matter in the -captain’s mind, and whirling about he gave -quick, sharp orders to get the vessel into -the wind. But he was too late. The Island -Queen still hung, when the smart shallop -drew alongside.</p> - -<p>“Ahoy,” shouted a voice from the latter’s -deck. “Take care there; you’ll be afoul of -us.”</p> - -<p>“Then sheer off,” yelled the schooner’s -captain.</p> - -<p>“But we want to speak to you.”</p> - -<p>“Sheer off, I tell you,” bellowed the frightened -captain of the schooner, “or I’ll run -you down!”</p> - -<p>“Lay that old tub to, or I’ll send a couple -of musket shot into your hide,” shouted the -voice threateningly.</p> - -<p>“He’ll be aboard of us in a minute,” cried -the captain.</p> - -<p>“Have you any arms on board?” asked<span class="pagenum" id="Page_42">[42]</span> -Ethan quietly, as he looked to the priming of -his pistols and slipped his sword in and out -of the scabbard to assure himself that it was -free.</p> - -<p>“A couple of cutlasses and pikes,” said -the skipper; “and a brace of pistols in the -cabin.”</p> - -<p>“Then get them on deck if ye love me,” -cried Longsword. “These are a couple of -stout looking lads ye have here, and wid a few -feet of cold steel in their fists they ought to -do good work.”</p> - -<p>As the sides of the two vessels ground -together the weapons were produced. Ethan -and the Irish dragoon stationed themselves -in the waist, the mate took two men armed -with long handled pikes into the bow, while -the captain and three others were left to defend -the after deck.</p> - -<p>No sooner had they reached these positions -overlooking the shallop than a grapple -was thrown aboard and fastened the two craft -together.</p> - -<p>“Bad luck to him for an impudent -villain,” growled Longsword, “but he goes -about it in workmanlike style.”</p> - - - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_43">[43]</span>“It’s not the first ship he’s cut out, -whoever he is,” answered Ethan.</p> - -<p>“Steady,” grumbled the low-pitched voice -of the swordsman. “Here they come, me -jewel!”</p> - -<p>The waist was the point at which it was -chosen to board the schooner. A sharp snapping -of pistols that spat redly through the -darkness preceded the rush. Then a dozen -active figures swarmed up the sides of the Island -Queen, cutlass and pistol in hand. But -bold as they appeared to be it is doubtful if -they would have made the attempt had they -known what awaited them upon the schooner’s -deck.</p> - -<p>As they sprang upon the rail they were -met with a sharp fusilade of pistol shots that -sent two of their number headlong into the -bay; then Ethan and the grim dragoon drew -their blades and fell upon them.</p> - -<p>The officers and crew of the Island Queen -could never tell just what happened there in -the schooner’s waist in the dim light of the -lanterns. They saw a dreadful whirl of blows, -two swords that looked like circles of flame, -two straining, panting, laboring figures that<span class="pagenum" id="Page_44">[44]</span> -seemed to carry death in their hands. Then -the decks were cleared; the shallop drew off -slowly, firing an occasional musket shot, while -the cries of pain from her deck showed how -fierce had been her crew’s repulse.</p> - -<p>“Go about after her,” yelled Shamus -O’Moore, “we’ll board and take her, so we -will!”</p> - -<p>The officers and crew of the schooner had -not struck a blow, and were very well satisfied -to let matters remain as they were.</p> - -<p>“She’s getting up sail,” said the skipper, -peering through the darkness. “And we -could never come up with her.”</p> - -<p>This was true, as Ethan saw at once; under -press of the two spreading lugs the -shallop was already nothing but a shadow.</p> - -<p>“Did you make out the faces of any of -them?” asked Ethan, when the Island Queen -was once more under way.</p> - -<p>“I did not,” answered the trooper, as he -cleaned the blade of his sword with the -frayed end of a rope. “I were too busy -cracking the heads of them. And when they -went over the side they took all the hurted -ones wid them.”</p> - - - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_45">[45]</span>There was silence between them for a moment. -Ethan was loading his pistols, the ex-dragoon -rubbed industriously at his blade, -and the seamen hurried about their duties. -Then Shamus spoke once more.</p> - -<p>“I didn’t see sorra the one of them, -Master Ethan; but there is one thing I feel -mortal sure of.”</p> - -<p>“And what’s that, old Longsword?”</p> - -<p>“That brown man was in that craft. He -had a crooked kind of a knife and he were -poking it at the ribs of me in the darkness. -I didn’t see him; but just the same I felt -that he was there.”</p> - -<p>“I have no doubt,” said Ethan gravely -enough, “but what you are right. And -perhaps we’ll hear from him again.”</p> -<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop" /> - -<div class="chapter"> -<span class="pagenum" id="Page_46">[46]</span> - -<h2 class="nobreak">CHAPTER IV<br /> - - -<small>SHOWS HOW THE RANGER SAILED FOR FRANCE</small></h2> -</div> - -<p><span class="smcap">Because</span> of a succession of contrary winds -the schooner Island Queen did not enter Portsmouth -harbor for almost two weeks after the -time she left the Delaware Capes. As they ran -up under light sail, the skipper pointed to a -sloop-of-war riding at anchor, and with a -strange looking flag flying at her peak.</p> - -<p>“That’s the ship you are looking for, I -think,” he said.</p> - -<p>“Yes; she seems like a new vessel,” said -Ethan Carlyle, gazing earnestly at the craft. -“See, they are only bending her after sails.”</p> - -<p>“She’s a foreigner,” spoke the mate of the -schooner who stood by. “Look at the flag -she’s flying.”</p> - -<p>“I hadn’t noticed that,” said the captain -staring at the striped emblem with its cluster -of white stars in a blue field. “It can’t be -the Ranger, after all, for she wouldn’t be flying -those colors.”</p> - - - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_47">[47]</span>Ethan looked at the flag and laughed -softly, as did Shamus, who was at his side.</p> - -<p>“Faith, then, captain, dear,” said Longsword -with a droll twinkle in his eye, “it’s -a queer thing indeed if ye don’t know the -flag of your own country.”</p> - -<p>“Of my own country!”</p> - -<p>“To be sure, for I take ye to be an -American.”</p> - -<p>“You are correct in that,” said the skipper -proudly. “But I’ve never seen that flag -before.”</p> - -<p>“No wonder,” said Ethan, “for I very -much doubt if it ever flew above a ship’s deck -before. It is the new flag of the United -States, recently adopted. I saw the first one -not so long ago. Indeed, I had the honor of -carrying it from the home of mistress Betsy -Ross, who made it, to the State House; and -I remember that the members of the Congress -and General Washington, who was in -the capitol at the time, admired it very -much.”</p> - -<p>“Well, the design is an improvement over -the old rattle-snake and pine-tree flags,” admitted -the captain, after careful inspection.<span class="pagenum" id="Page_48">[48]</span> -“It looks well when it ripples in the breeze, -doesn’t it?”</p> - -<p>The schooner had drawn near the war ship, -and the mate hailed her.</p> - -<p>“Ahoy! is that the American ship, -Ranger?”</p> - -<p>“It is,” came the prompt reply from the -deck of the other vessel.</p> - -<p>“We are going to send a boat to you.”</p> - -<p>“Heave ahead, my hearty.”</p> - -<p>A skiff was lowered over the schooner’s -stern, and Ethan and Longsword were rowed to -the war ship’s side and clambered to the deck.</p> - -<p>“Well, sir,” demanded a harsh looking -man in the dress of a lieutenant.</p> - -<p>“I desire to see Captain Jones, if he -is aboard,” said Ethan, quietly.</p> - -<p>“The captain is very busy just now. I -am Lieutenant Simpson, and will attend -to any business that you may have.”</p> - -<p>There was a studied affront in the man’s -manner that angered Ethan; but he replied, -still quietly:</p> - -<p>“My business is with the commander of -this ship in person, if you please.”</p> - -<p>“You will state your business to me, or<span class="pagenum" id="Page_49">[49]</span> -you go over the side,” rapped out the harsh -faced lieutenant.</p> - -<p>“I will do neither one nor the other. I -am here upon a special errand of much importance, -and if Captain Jones is in the ship -I demand to see him.”</p> - -<p>The lieutenant burst into a tirade of abuse, -which made Longsword stiffen and glare -menacingly with his hand upon his hilt. -But just then there came a light, brisk step -upon the deck and a calm voice asked,</p> - -<p>“Mr. Simpson, what is all this ado about?”</p> - -<p>The first officer of the Ranger colored a -trifle, and turning, said:</p> - -<p>“This boy was impudent.”</p> - -<p>“Ah! In what way?”</p> - -<p>“He—he asked to see you.”</p> - -<p>A low laugh of amusement greeted this -statement.</p> - -<p>“Well, I must say that I see no great impudence -in that.” The speaker turned to -Ethan, and continued: “Do you wish to -speak to me?”</p> - -<p>“Are you Captain John Paul Jones?” -asked the lad.</p> - -<p>“I am.”</p> - - - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_50">[50]</span>Ethan stared in surprise. The fame of this -new and brilliant sea chief was so great that -he had, somehow, expected to see a huge and -formidable man with fierce, weather-beaten -features and the bearing of a buccaneer. But -instead he found before him a rather small, -slightly-built young man with a brisk air, a -pair of the keenest dark eyes in the world, -and a pleasant, resolute face.</p> - -<p>“I beg your pardon,” stammered the lad, -after he had recovered from his surprise and -realized that he had been staring. He drew -out a paper which the president of Congress -had given him, and handed it to the young -commander of the Ranger. The latter broke -the seal, and as he unfolded the sheet of stiff -paper Ethan had a glimpse of the beautifully -regular handwriting of Mr. Hancock. A -glance was sufficient to show John Paul Jones -the purport of the missive. He glanced at -Ethan in some surprise and then said:</p> - -<p>“Will you kindly come down to my cabin?”</p> - -<p>Ethan descended after him, and when once -they were within the cabin and the door -closed, the commander of the Ranger continued:</p> - - - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_51">[51]</span>“I was expecting the packet which you -bring, but hardly expected so youthful a -messenger.”</p> - -<p>Ethan smiled. John Paul Jones was a -gentleman who possessed the knack of manner -that causes strangers to feel at their ease; -and the boy replied:</p> - -<p>“And I hardly expected to find the captain -of this ship so young a man.”</p> - -<p>“Age on the sea,” said John Paul Jones, -humorously, “comes with experience and not -with years.” He regarded Ethan closely for -a moment, and proceeded shrewdly, “And for -all your youth, you are not a stranger to blue -water, I take it.”</p> - -<p>“I made my first voyage at five,” answered -Ethan, “and witnessed my first sea fight -through an empty port-hole. At ten I -swarmed up to the royal yards of my father’s -ship with a musket as tall as myself and -helped to beat off an Algerian corsair just -off the African coast.”</p> - -<p>Captain Jones held out his hand, which the -boy promptly clasped.</p> - -<p>“Good,” said the former. “I like that; -and now sit down and tell me all that Mr.<span class="pagenum" id="Page_52">[52]</span> -Hancock and Mr. Jefferson had to say about -this business.”</p> - -<p>They seated themselves at the cabin table -and Ethan proceeded to relate all that the -president of Congress and the great Virginian -had told him. And all the while he watched -the mobile face before him, and an undercurrent -of thought examined the history of -the sailor as he had heard it from Mr. Jefferson -some months before.</p> - -<p>John Paul Jones was born on July 6th, in -the year 1747, in a cottage on the estate of -Arbigland, in the county of Kirkcudbright, -Scotland; and his parents had been very poor -and humble people indeed. It was a stern, -wild place; to the rear was a lofty and rugged -mountain, to the front was the wide Solway, -where as a child he could by daylight see the -white sails of the ships, and by night hear -the solemn strokes of their deep-toned bells. -He came to love the sea with a great love; -he played at being sailor when he scarce -could toddle, and his favorite toys were the -little ships which an elder brother would -make for him.</p> - -<p>He went to sea at the age of twelve, and at<span class="pagenum" id="Page_53">[53]</span> -twenty was a captain in the Scottish merchantman, -John, sailing out of Whitehaven. Coming -to America to settle the estate of a brother -who died in Virginia he had remained, and -upon the breaking out of the war between the -colonies and England he had entered the infant -navy as first lieutenant of the Alfred.</p> - -<p>When Ethan had finished he drew out the -packet of papers sealed with the big splotches -of red wax, and John Paul Jones locked it -carefully away in a heavy, oaken chest.</p> - -<p>“Mr. Hancock was right,” said he to Ethan. -“Everything depends upon an alliance with -France. With the help that her heavy fleets -would render us, the troops that she could -send now and then, and above all the embarrassment -that a war between her and England -would cause the latter country, we could gain -a peace with perfect freedom and honor.”</p> - -<p>They talked for some time, and then the -conversation drifted upon the subject of the -Ranger.</p> - -<p>“Yes,” said her captain, “she is a new ship. -It was at first thought to have her carry -twenty-six guns; but I saw at once that she -was too slight in structure to carry so heavy<span class="pagenum" id="Page_54">[54]</span> -a battery, so I have mounted but eighteen -six-pounders. And when I get her into a -French port I’m going to make some changes -that I think the trip across the Atlantic will -show to be necessary.”</p> - -<p>Ethan and Shamus secured lodgings in the -town until such time as the ship would sail. -Much trouble was experienced in shipping a -crew. The seamen demanded advance money, -and the commander was forced to pay it to -them out of his own private funds, as Congress -sent him none for the purpose. And indeed -this was no new thing for this brave and generous -officer to do, as Ethan subsequently discovered. -The government was already in his -debt to the amount of seven thousand dollars; -and he had once fitted the brig Providence for -sea, paying every copper of the expense.</p> - -<p>It was in the month of October that the -Ranger, everything being ready, finally -dropped down the bay and squared away for -France. Ethan and Longsword were provided -with sleeping quarters with the younger officer -of the ship and took their meals in the -gun room. Mr. Simpson and Mr. Hall the -first and second officers, were grumbling, discontented<span class="pagenum" id="Page_55">[55]</span> -men, and before John Paul Jones -was done with them they gave him much -trouble. The third officer, Mr. Wallingford, -was a pleasant, good humored young man -with a fund of bright stories and much ability -as a sailor.</p> - -<p>From the first, Simpson did all he could to -annoy Ethan; he had undertaken to do the -same for Longsword, but the first petty act of -malice in this direction brought such a long, -steady, menacing stare from that grim faced -trooper that the thing was not repeated.</p> - -<p>“Mr. Simpson seems not to like me,” said -Ethan, on the second day out, to Mr. Wallingford.</p> - -<p>“You are apparently a friend to Captain -Jones,” said the third lieutenant. “And as a -man with half an eye can see, he hates the -captain like poison.”</p> - -<p>“And why?”</p> - -<p>“Just because he’s the skipper, I suppose,” -said Wallingford, with a shrug. “Simpson is -one of those men who hate all those who are -placed over them. He got his rank by influence, -and fancies that the command should -have been given him.”</p> - - - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_56">[56]</span>“I wouldn’t like to sail under him,” said -Ethan.</p> - -<p>“It is rather a good thing that you don’t -belong to the ship,” agreed Wallingford. -“He’d make life a burden for you, if you -did.”</p> - -<p>“And not belonging to the ship I have a -right to resent insult even from the first lieutenant,” -said Ethan Carlyle. “And if Mr. -Simpson continues as he has he’ll find that I -know how.”</p> - -<p>Wallingford glanced over the lithe, supple, -springy young fellow and realized that these -words were no idle vaporings and that the -power and will were behind them to make -them good.</p> - -<p>“Perhaps you may have a chance to show -what you can do in the fighting way before -we reach Nantes,” said the young third lieutenant. -“I heard Simpson among the middies -at eight bells last night trying to get one -of them to thrash you.”</p> - -<p>Ethan’s eyes flashed and his hands clinched.</p> - -<p>“I trust he didn’t succeed,” said he. “For -the midshipmen of the Ranger struck me as -being a rather decent lot.”</p> - - - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_57">[57]</span>“They are,” said Wallingford. “And none -of them would accept his hints. But he didn’t -stop there. There is a Canadian master’s mate -on board, a hulking, savage sort of fellow. -Simpson has been talking to him; so you’d -better look out unless you want to complain -to the skipper.”</p> - -<p>“I’ll not do that,” answered Ethan determinedly. -“I’ve always fought my own battles, -and mean to continue to do so.”</p> - -<p>“I think he—Simpson, I mean—judged you -to be one of that kind, and he’s just mean -enough to take advantage of it.”</p> - -<p>Ethan told Shamus of this that same evening -as they paced the deck together.</p> - -<p>“The master’s mate, is it?” said the dragoon. -“Well, I’ve noticed that same fellow to-day -as he kicked and swore at the small lads and -mild looking men in the crew. He’s a stout -lump of a fellow wid a wicked look, so if there -is to be ructions wid him, Master Ethan, leave -him to me, and I’ll engage not to leave a -whole bone in his body, so I will.”</p> - -<p>Ethan laughed at his companion’s enthusiasm, -but replied,</p> - -<p>“I’d very much prefer it were Simpson<span class="pagenum" id="Page_58">[58]</span> -himself, if it comes to a fight; but of course -that is out of the question on board; it would -not do for the first officer upon an American -sloop-of-war to engage in a fracas with a passenger; -Captain Jones would not permit -it.”</p> - -<p>As they were, shortly afterward, about to go -below for the night, Shamus laid his hand -upon Ethan’s arm.</p> - -<p>“Master Ethan,” said he, “I’m going to tell -ye something that will surprise ye.”</p> - -<p>Ethan looked into the grim, scarred face of -Longsword and was astonished to see that it -was anxious and troubled looking.</p> - -<p>“What is it?” he asked.</p> - -<p>“In the second dog-watch I came on deck,” -said the Irishman, “and the first person me -two eyes fell upon as I took me foot from the -top step of the ladder was—guess?”</p> - -<p>“I can’t.”</p> - -<p>“It was the brown man that listened at the -window.”</p> - -<p>“Impossible!”</p> - -<p>“That’s what I should have said meself, -jewel, if I hadn’t seen him as plain as day. -And he had the crooked knife in his belt that<span class="pagenum" id="Page_59">[59]</span> -I imagined him wid the other night on the -Island Queen.”</p> - -<p>“Are you quite positive it was the same -man?”</p> - -<p>“I’m as sure of it as I am that I am talking -wid ye at this minute.”</p> - -<p>“But what is he doing on the Ranger?”</p> - -<p>“Sure he’s a sailor, so he is; the bos’en -told me that he shipped on the day we sailed.”</p> - -<p>Next day Ethan questioned Wallingford.</p> - -<p>“A brown fellow, eh?” mused the ship’s -third officer. “Let me see! Oh, yes, I remember. -He’s a Lascar, I think, and gave -the name of Siki. I signed him and the -master’s mate whom I told you about yesterday. -They seem to be great cronies. Always -to be found in odd corners, whispering away -like all possessed.”</p> - -<p>Ethan waited until he saw the Lascar with -his own eyes before he was satisfied. Then -he went to Captain Jones, and told him all -that he knew about the man.</p> - -<p>“So you think that this fellow, Siki, as he -calls himself, had something to do with the -attack upon the schooner in Delaware Bay?” -said the commander sternly.</p> - - - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_60">[60]</span>“I feel sure of it, sir; though of course I -did not see him.”</p> - -<p>“And you think that he was after the packet -given you by Mr. Hancock?”</p> - -<p>“I think so—yes.”</p> - -<p>“Then he also shipped with us in the hope -of still getting his hands upon it, somehow. -I’ll have Simpson clap the villain in irons.”</p> - -<p>Ethan hastily laid his hand upon the captain’s -arm.</p> - -<p>“See,” said he, pointing to the after battery, -where the tawny Lascar was busying himself -rubbing down one of the six-pounders under -the direction of the gunner’s mate, “there he -is, now. And I hardly think he’s the prime -mover in the matter.”</p> - -<p>“No,” said John Paul Jones, “it does not -seem likely. He is more apt to be a subtle, -deft-handed instrument, used by a superior -mind.”</p> - -<p>“Would it not be wise,” suggested Ethan, -“for you to hold your hand a bit longer; we -might also be able to capture the master as -well as the man.”</p> - -<p>The commander patted him on the shoulder -approvingly.</p> - - - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_61">[61]</span>“Excellent,” said he, nodding his head. -“That is just what we will do. The Lascar -can be laid by the heels any time we choose -to do it; it’s the mysterious fellow in the -shadow that is the dangerous one. We will -leave the trap open—and we will wait for him -to show himself.”</p> -<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop" /> - -<div class="chapter"> -<span class="pagenum" id="Page_62">[62]</span> - -<h2 class="nobreak">CHAPTER V<br /> - - -<small>HOW ETHAN CARLYLE FACED THE BULLY OF -THE RANGER</small></h2> -</div> - -<p><span class="smcap">The</span> knowledge displayed by Ethan in the -working of a ship during the first week out, -and his ready courage in the taking of a couple -of British prizes, won the regard of the Ranger’s -tars, and he was ever a welcome visitor to the -forecastle when he chose to go there. Many -were the yarns they told him of voyages with -Barry, Murray, Whipple and other hearts of -oak; and many were those he told in return -of strange seas, strange ports and stranger -people.</p> - -<p>He had finished telling of an adventure in -the China Sea in his grandfather’s ship, Warlock; -and during the appreciative pause that -followed, the silence was rudely broken by a -loud, sneering laugh.</p> - -<p>“He pulls a long bow for a youngster,” -said a voice; “and you seasoned tars sit around<span class="pagenum" id="Page_63">[63]</span> -and draw it in like sucking pigs their mammy’s -milk.”</p> - -<p>Ethan flushed scarlet, and a murmur went -up from the watch below. But it was the -master’s mate that spoke, a huge-chested -Canadian named Blake; and no one among -the seamen dared to resent his words, for in -his week among them he had, by his ruffianism, -cowed them all. A few, at the beginning, -had dared to defy him; but his brawny -fists had soon beaten them into submission. -Indeed, by this time, the forecastle had come -to be a sort of grill upon which the bully -toasted his shipmates one after the other and -laughed at their helpless squirming.</p> - -<p>Ethan made no reply to the man’s remark. -Longsword, who sat with his broad back -against the heel of the bowsprit, grew crimson, -and two sharp points of light shot into his -eyes; but he made no movement; since the -death of Ethan’s father he had come to look -upon the lad as his superior officer, and so -strong was the military idea fixed in his mind -that he never took an important step without -orders.</p> - -<p>The master’s mate took a seat upon an upturned<span class="pagenum" id="Page_64">[64]</span> -tub and regarded his mates with a -sneering smile.</p> - -<p>“It’s amusing,” said he, “to stand and -watch you taking in all the plum duff that -this boy gives you. I suppose,” with a significant -laugh, “you’re duty bound to do it -because he’s a friend to the skipper.”</p> - -<p>Still there was no reply; Ethan sat still, -never even glancing at the man; the seamen -shifted uneasily in their places; they felt assured -that the bully meant to pick a quarrel -with Ethan, and while they did not like it, -his demeanor had so awed them that they -dared not interfere. Blake seemed to have -mapped out his plan of action well in advance, -and proceeded.</p> - -<p>“It may be an honor to be a friend to a -captain, but I don’t know. What sort of captains -have you in this American navy of -yours? I’ve sailed in British ships, and I tell -you they wouldn’t let your skippers swab the -quarter deck.”</p> - -<p>Still he got no answer, though there was no -lack of scowling looks directed at him.</p> - -<p>“And this Captain Jones,” he went on, his -face alive with malice, “was one time named<span class="pagenum" id="Page_65">[65]</span> -Paul, I hear, just plain John Paul. He was -drove out of the British merchant service for -killing a sailor by flogging, and he come to -America and changed his name.”</p> - -<p>Ethan had come to admire John Paul Jones -greatly since he came aboard the Ranger, and -this repetition of an old slander aroused him -at once.</p> - -<p>“If you know anything about the matter at -all,” said he quietly, “you know that what -you say is false!”</p> - -<p>“What’s that?” shouted the bully, leaping -to his feet.</p> - -<p>“I said it was false. It was a thing invented -by his enemies; when he defied them -and invited them to prove it, they feared to -come forward.”</p> - -<p>“Maybe,” spoke the master’s mate, folding -his thick arms across his bulging chest, “you -think that I am afraid to come forward, as you -call it.”</p> - -<p>“It seems to me,” said Ethan as he rose -slowly to his feet, “that you are too ready to -bluster and bully people whom you think will -not fight.” His voice had been low and his -movements of the most deliberate as he said<span class="pagenum" id="Page_66">[66]</span> -this. Then suddenly his manner changed; -like a flash he stripped off his woolen shirt -and cried, sharply: “Get ready; I’m going to -make you prove what you’ve said.”</p> - -<p>Longsword came to his feet like a shot, and -two long strides took him to Ethan’s side. -The boy’s bared body gleamed like satin under -the glare of the ship’s lanterns, and the -strong fingers of the Irish trooper at once began -kneading the long, supple muscles of the -arms, chest and back and performing other -services that his years of experience told him -would be of benefit.</p> - -<p>Blake stood, for a moment, dumbfounded, -unable to credit his eyes; there was a clattering -of draught boards as sailors who had been -playing sprung up, a hissing of sharply in-drawn -breath, and then a ring of human bodies -formed in a twinkling; a circle of tense faces -showed the interest that was excited in the -breasts of all.</p> - -<p>The master’s mate was slow of brain; but -when he at last realized that a combat was inevitable, -he manifested much savage satisfaction.</p> - -<p>“I’ve got you safe now,” said he, as he<span class="pagenum" id="Page_67">[67]</span> -stripped off his shirt in turn. “And I’ll beat -you so badly that you’ll think keel-hauling is -play in comparison.”</p> - -<p>“You’ll never beat him by talking about it, -my bucko,” said Longsword, grimly, still -grooming his principal in a very workmanlike -manner.</p> - -<p>In a moment the two had faced each other. -The bulk of the Canadian seaman and the -slenderness of the young American were now, -more than ever, evident. But Blake was -muscle bound, ponderous in his movements -and scant of wind; nevertheless he was a formidable -foe, for his bulk suggested power, and -his cruel expression denoted a merciless nature.</p> - -<p>Ethan’s frame was strong, but needed the -filling that years would bring; his muscles, -thanks to the effort of Longsword, were those -of a trained athlete, but when compared with -the bully he looked almost frail.</p> - -<p>The watch below noted all this; they also -saw the panther-like grace with which the lad -advanced to the centre of the human ring, and -marked the lumbering movements of Blake as -he did likewise.</p> - - - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_68">[68]</span>“Mind yourself,” warned the Irish dragoon -as he sent his man forward. “Don’t let him -clinch. He’ll have ye then, Master Ethan.”</p> - -<p>The two met in the centre and raised their -guards. Ethan’s was free, swinging and low; -Blake’s was high and held as rigid as iron. -With short cat-like steps Ethan wove in and -out; the bully watched him narrowly; the -regular opening and closing of his hands -showed that he was meditating a rush—a grapple—and -then Ethan would be at his mercy. -The great weight of the man must crush the -slighter boy to the deck.</p> - -<p>Around and around crept the soft-footed -young athlete; Blake wheeled constantly to -face him, still holding his high, rigid guard. -Suddenly the man’s bulging muscles grew -tense; Ethan knew that another moment -would bring the expected rush; with the speed -of lightning his right shot out and landed a -smashing blow in the other’s wind; then he -went dancing away, a smile upon his lips. -The lad continued to follow these tactics. -Every time Blake stepped in to clinch, Ethan’s -left hand would dart in a quick stab. Each -succeeding failure to get within reach made<span class="pagenum" id="Page_69">[69]</span> -Blake more and more ferocious; the lad’s tantalizing -smile, and Longsword’s words of advice, -served to almost madden him.</p> - -<p>He began to make savage, bull-like rushes; -his thick arms thrashed like flails. Laughter -came from the watch below as he failed again -and yet again. Ethan had expected much -more from his huge opponent; a growing contempt -took possession of him; he began to -step in and out with little or no caution; his -second called to him frantically to be careful, -but he paid no heed.</p> - -<p>A gleam of cunning shot through the brain -of the panting giant; he drew in his breath -in gasps; his movements were labored; his -knees seemed to quiver beneath him.</p> - -<p>“Finish him,” came the cry from the sailors, -delighting in the bully’s defeat.</p> - -<p>Longsword shouted his warnings madly, -but Ethan was after his foe like a flash, and -driving in short, jarring blows with all the -power of his athletic young body. Suddenly -Blake’s burly form stiffened and lurched forward; -his great arms whirled, and one brawny -fist landed with terrific force upon Ethan’s -body. It was his first blow of the battle.<span class="pagenum" id="Page_70">[70]</span> -Ethan went white and swayed weakly, his -hands groping blindly. With a savage grin -Blake dashed at him.</p> - -<p>“Down,” yelled Longsword desperately. -The reeling brain of the sorely hurt boy just -managed to grasp the meaning of this advice, -and he sank to his knees just in time to escape -the shattering blow that passed above his head.</p> - -<p>“Stand off,” snarled the Irish dragoon as he -worked like mad over his pupil. He turned -his face to glare over his shoulder at Blake, -and the great scar across it seemed to burn -like fire.</p> - -<p>A friendly hand dashed cold water over -Ethan’s bare back; the shock cleared the -lad’s head, and clinging to Longsword he -regained his feet, his breath wheezing in his -throat, his chest laboring in great spasmodic -sobs.</p> - -<p>At this point the ring at the side nearest -the forecastle hatch opened and Captain Paul -Jones appeared; behind him showed the face -of Lieutenant Simpson, wrinkled with malicious -satisfaction. The commander half raised -his hand for a gesture that would have stopped -the combat; but he paused, hesitated; then<span class="pagenum" id="Page_71">[71]</span> -he caught the appeal in Ethan’s wide open -eyes. He nodded quickly. The crowd drew -a breath of relief. The fight was to go on.</p> - -<p>Longsword sluiced more water over his -charge, taking care to stand between him and -his opponent, so as to give him the benefit of -every second’s delay.</p> - -<p>“Stand out of the way,” raved Blake. -“Play fair, there!”</p> - -<p>“Fair play,” came from all hands. They -almost to a man desired to see Blake defeated; -but it must be done fairly. Ethan shoved -Shamus aside and faced his foe once more, -pale and perceptibly weak.</p> - -<p>The bully rushed, but Ethan evaded him. -With each passing moment the boy felt the -glow of fresh life stealing through his numbed -limbs, and to avoid the heavy plunges of -Blake grew easy once more. He began again -to rock the other’s head with his straight -shoulder drives. But, for all this, he found -himself, little by little, being driven back to -the side of the ring, Blake pressing eagerly -after him. Now and then Ethan would dart -in a stinging hit; the man would shake his -head in a bull-like motion, but still come on.</p> - - - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_72">[72]</span>At length the lad could retreat no farther; -he was preparing to feint and dart aside when -he stumbled over an outstretched foot. He -shouted for those behind him to take notice, -and then stumbled again. There came an -answering cry from the vigilant Longsword, -who hurled himself across the ring and struck -down the Lascar, Siki, whose treacherous foot -was stretched into Ethan’s way.</p> - -<p>The young American’s attention was taken -by this incident for a moment; then Blake -came driving at him like a bison; Ethan was -penned up, his back to the throng of seamen, -with no hope of escape by his usual tactics of -retreat.</p> - -<p>So he braced himself and met the rush with -all the power of his square young shoulders. -Once, twice, thrice he struck, throwing his -head from side to side to avoid the swinging -hits of the other. Then, suddenly, he felt -Blake’s big body give before his blows; the -next instant he was standing gazing with -dazed eyes, at the prostrate form of the -Ranger’s bully as he lay, with wide flung -arms, upon the deck.</p> -<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop" /> - -<div class="chapter"> -<span class="pagenum" id="Page_73">[73]</span> - -<h2 class="nobreak">CHAPTER VI<br /> - - -<small>WHAT HAPPENED BY NIGHT IN THE HARBOR -OF NANTES</small></h2> -</div> - -<p><span class="smcap">On</span> the evening of December 2d, the -Ranger’s cut-water sundered the ripples of -Nantes harbor for the first time, and finding a -safe and convenient anchorage, Captain Jones -ordered the bow anchors let go and the ship -stripped.</p> - -<p>It was a middy who had informed the -commander of what was going forward -in the forecastle upon the night of Ethan -Carlyle’s encounter with Blake. After much -persuasion Ethan was induced to tell the -cause of the struggle. The captain listened -with wrinkled brows.</p> - -<p>“It was Simpson who told the man that,” -said he at length. “He dislikes me and takes -no pains to conceal it. Before long he’ll have -the crew demoralized. When an officer sets -the example of insubordination the ship’s -company rapidly follow in his wake.”</p> - - - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_74">[74]</span>That night in the French harbor, the officer -paced his quarter-deck with Ethan by his side. -All was quiet; the gleam of ships’ lamps shot -thinly across the dark waters; the low murmurous -sound of the seamen came from the -forward part of the vessel. The three lieutenants -and some of the crew had gone ashore. -Next day the commander, Ethan and Longsword -were to start for Paris with the secret -instructions for Benjamin Franklin.</p> - -<p>Ethan saw that a cloud was upon the -spirit of the great seaman, so he did not -speak; at last the officer himself broke the -silence.</p> - -<p>“I have not yet thanked you,” said he. -“But I do so now.”</p> - -<p>“Thanked me,” exclaimed Ethan, in surprise.</p> - -<p>“For defending my good name, I mean. I -have had many enemies, my lad, and few -friends; it is comforting to think that I have -gained a new one.”</p> - -<p>“I should think,” said Ethan, after a pause, -“that one like you would have no lack of -friends. There is not an American worthy of -the title but what pronounces the name of<span class="pagenum" id="Page_75">[75]</span> -John Paul Jones with admiration. You are -known in every hamlet and town throughout -the colonies; your deeds upon the sea in the -cause of liberty are upon every lip.”</p> - -<p>The moody captain smiled and patted his -young companion upon the shoulder kindly.</p> - -<p>“It’s kind of you to say this; and I appreciate -it all the more because I know that you -mean it. But fame does not always bring -content, my boy, nor friends. Two years ago -I should have been proud of the command of -a ship like this, now I aspire to command -fleets; and then, again, I sometimes catch -myself wondering if the people who seem -glad to grasp the hand of John Paul Jones, -victor in some sea fights, would have been -equally glad to have greeted plain John Paul, -emigrant.”</p> - -<p>Ethan shook his head.</p> - -<p>“I suppose not,” he answered.</p> - -<p>They continued talking in this strain for -some time. Longsword came on deck after a -time and also began to pace slowly up and -down, in the waist. At length the subject -shifted to the secret instructions of Congress.</p> - -<p>“There does not seem to be any one in the<span class="pagenum" id="Page_76">[76]</span> -ship,” said Ethan, “who is at all familiar -with the Lascar but Blake.”</p> - -<p>“And he is not the master mind, that’s -sure,” smiled the captain. “Siki is of greater -intelligence by far.”</p> - -<p>“The man who sent him to steal the secret -dispatch is not in the vessel,” decided Ethan, -who had thought much upon this point during -the run across.</p> - -<p>“My own conclusion exactly,” said the commander. -“As like as not the directing mind -of the plot will turn up there,” and he waved -his hand toward the city. “But,” with a -short laugh, “he will hear nothing of his -agent, nor will he secure the coveted document. -Before dawn Siki will be in irons; -and the papers are safe in the strong box in -my cabin.”</p> - -<p>“I noted the sentry at the cabin door all -the way out,” said Ethan approvingly. “And -I suppose you examined the chest frequently?”</p> - -<p>“Twice a day, to see that it was not tampered -with. And the sentries were, in every -instance, men whom I could trust.”</p> - -<p>Here one of the middies advanced and drew<span class="pagenum" id="Page_77">[77]</span> -the commander’s attention to something forward. -Ethan joined Longsword in the waist.</p> - -<p>“We start to-morrow, then?” said the -trooper.</p> - -<p>“Yes; after daybreak. Lieutenant Wallingford -has procured us horses, so there will -be no delay.”</p> - -<p>“It seems to me, Master Ethan,” grumbled -Longsword, ill-humoredly, “that the captain -is making a great mistake.”</p> - -<p>“In what respect?”</p> - -<p>“In not keeping guard over the cabin door. -When we were in mid-ocean and no man -could escape he were very strict in that way; -but now when there is a chance for some -bla’guard to steal the secret and swim ashore, -it’s leave the cabin unguarded he do be after -doing.”</p> - -<p>“Unguarded!”</p> - -<p>“I passed there not five minutes ago. There -were no one in sight and the place was in -darkness. I lit the lamp in the companionway -and looked about, for sure I had me suspicions. -But there was no one in sight, good -or bad.”</p> - -<p>“That is very strange,” said Ethan. “I<span class="pagenum" id="Page_78">[78]</span> -was just now speaking to the captain about -that very point and understood that the sentry -was still a fixture at the cabin door.”</p> - -<p>He paused a moment, hesitating; then he -said quietly:</p> - -<p>“I will return in a moment.”</p> - -<p>With quick steps he advanced to the companionway -and descended.</p> - -<p>“Dark!” he muttered, as his eyes tried -vainly to pierce the blackness. “And Shamus -said he had lit the lamp. This looks strange. -Why it would almost seem that some one had”—he -caught his breath at the thought—“blown -it out.”</p> - -<p>Creeping along in the darkness toward the -commander’s cabin, his groping hands found -the door.</p> - -<p>It was open!</p> - -<p>He paused, standing upright, unable to -think what next to do. Then his ears caught -a slight, unmistakable rustling.</p> - -<p>“Who’s there?” he called sharply.</p> - -<p>There was no response. The rustling -ceased. For a moment he listened intently, -then advanced boldly into the cabin.</p> - -<p>“There is some one here,” he said, clearly.<span class="pagenum" id="Page_79">[79]</span> -“You might as well acknowledge yourself now -as later.”</p> - -<p>Scarcely had the words left his mouth than -he was thrown violently aside, and a form -rushed past him through the doorway and up -the companion ladder.</p> - -<p>Ethan shouted a warning to the deck as he -scrambled up. Quick footsteps sounded from -above, then a sharp cry, and a heavy report.</p> - -<p>When he gained the deck, he saw Captain -Jones, pale of face and with a trickle of blood -coming from his forehead, leaning against a -gun. The Irish dragoon stood by the taprail, -blowing the smoke from the long barrel of a -pistol and peering downward into the waters -of the harbor.</p> - -<p>“He’s overboard, sir,” spoke Shamus, -quietly.</p> - -<p>A quick-witted middy had given the word -to lower a boat; and when a few moments -later this pulled away in search of the daring -swimmer, Ethan and Longsword followed the -commander below.</p> - -<p>The companionway lamp was lighted once -more, and a search showed the sentry senseless -beneath a piece of sail cloth. The lock<span class="pagenum" id="Page_80">[80]</span> -of the cabin door was broken, but the strong -box was securely fastened.</p> - -<p>“I’ll open it and make sure,” said Captain -Jones.</p> - -<p>When the lid was thrown back, the first -object that struck their eyes was a sealed -packet; and they drew long sighs of relief.</p> - -<p>“You interrupted him before he could complete -his work,” said the commander after he -had heard the statements of the two. “Doubtless -he had overpowered the sentry and had -not yet forced the door when O’Moore came -along and re-lit the lamp. Then when left -alone once more he broke in, extinguished -the light and was searching for the papers -with the aid of this,” holding up the stump -of a tallow candle, “when he was interrupted -the second time. He was a daring villain, -and another five minutes would have sufficed -him.”</p> - -<p>Returning to the deck, after re-locking the -chest and placing two men under charge of a -midshipman to guard the cabin, they found -that the boat had returned.</p> - -<p>“He’s either got well off or been drowned,<span class="pagenum" id="Page_81">[81]</span> -sir,” reported the middy in command. “We -could see nothing of him.”</p> - -<p>“Pipe all hands on deck,” directed John -Paul Jones.</p> - -<p>The boatswain’s call rang through the ship -and soon the crew were assembled. When -Blake’s name was called in the roll a man -answered:</p> - -<p>“Gone ashore, sir, on leave.”</p> - -<p>The finish of the roll call showed only one -man unaccounted for. That was the Lascar, -Siki. When the men had been dismissed, the -captain turned to Ethan and said gravely:</p> - -<p>“It is just as I expected. It was the Lascar, -and the chances are that he is safely ashore at -this moment.”</p> - -<p>“And making ready to treat us to another -surprise, I have no doubt.”</p> - -<p>“We shall hear from him again, rest assured. -It seems to me that the ride from -Nantes to Paris may prove a very eventful -one.”</p> -<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop" /> - -<div class="chapter"> -<span class="pagenum" id="Page_82">[82]</span> - -<h2 class="nobreak">CHAPTER VII<br /> - - -<small>HOW LONGSWORD STRUCK HOME</small></h2> -</div> - -<p><span class="smcap">Shortly</span> after daybreak next morning John -Paul Jones left the Ranger in charge of his -first officer, who had come on board; and -then he and Ethan and Longsword took horse -and started upon the road to Paris.</p> - -<p>“The French seem hungry for news,” said -Captain Jones, as they rode along.</p> - -<p>“I suppose the British ministry has received -tidings of Burgoyne’s disaster before this,” -said Ethan. “It will set them in a panic -when it does come, anyway, and they’ll be -ready to grant some concessions, I dare say.”</p> - -<p>“Nothing succeeds like success,” remarked -the captain of the Ranger. “For a nation to -be free she must first be strong and show a -disposition to use her strength.”</p> - -<p>“I don’t think,” spoke the boy shrewdly, -“that this turn of affairs will hurt the hoped-for -alliance with France. I fancy that France -has held off as much through desire not to<span class="pagenum" id="Page_83">[83]</span> -commit herself as anything else. The loss of -the great colonies across the sea would weaken -England; and France wants her weakened. -Rather than see a peace made with the states -still as colonies and a source of strength to -her foe, France will cast her sword into the -scale and it will be in our favor.”</p> - -<p>“A good thought,” smiled the captain. -“You have not sat at the feet of Mr. Jefferson -for nothing, I see.”</p> - -<p>“Mr. Jefferson is a great man,” replied -Ethan.</p> - -<p>“A very great man,” returned John Paul -Jones. “It takes a crisis like this present -one to bring out the quality of a people; and -then the temper of a few is bound to ring -true.”</p> - -<p>The horses upon which they were mounted -were good ones and they put the miles behind -them rapidly.</p> - -<p>“This country of France,” observed Captain -Jones during the course of the day, “is a fine -one, but the people of the peasant class seem -an overworked, underfed lot.”</p> - -<p>“They do indeed,” agreed Ethan. “Look -at that group there,” pointing to an aged<span class="pagenum" id="Page_84">[84]</span> -man, a young woman, apparently his daughter, -and a few children, who stood together in -a cottage door to see them ride by. “There -has been little else but want and gloom in -those lives, I’ll venture to say. Freedom is -not worshiped here, no matter how much the -French say they admire the desire for it in -us.”</p> - -<p>“I always thought,” observed Longsword -as they passed a row of miserable huts, “that -the poor people of Ireland were the worst -housed in the world. But, faith, the French -beat them. Sure a Galway beggar would turn -up the nose of him at a house like one of -those.”</p> - -<p>“The people seem to lack spirit, too,” observed -Ethan. “They are sullen and lowering -in their looks sometimes, but they have -the appearance of having given up all hope -of betterment, long ago.”</p> - -<p>“I don’t think they ever possessed even -the shadow of a hope,” said the captain, -“nor their fathers nor grandfathers before -them, for that matter. However, a betterment -will come some day; and then let the -gilded idlers, who crushed this people into<span class="pagenum" id="Page_85">[85]</span> -the earth and brutalized them so, beware! -That day will dawn red, I think, and will -leave a gory mark upon the pages of history.”</p> - -<p>Evening had already come on when they -halted at an inn and applied for accommodations. -The landlord was a small ferret of a -man with a furtive manner and a sidelong -look; he received them with smiles, but his -little red eyes seemed to be calculating how -much they would willingly pay for supper -and lodgings.</p> - -<p>“The groom will take your horses, monsieurs,” -fawned he, as a stout looking lout -came forward, from a tumble down building -with a rotten looking roof of thatch. “He -will feed them corn, monsieurs, and give -them dry beds and a rubbing that will make -them feel like colts.”</p> - -<p>“I’ve seen better-favored fellows than this -spalpeen run away wid a horse before now,” -remarked Longsword, who knew no French, -and only understood what was being said by -the movements of the others. “Do you -think we’d better trust them to him, Master -Ethan?”</p> - - - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_86">[86]</span>“Oh, I suppose so,” said Ethan. “They’ll -be safe enough.”</p> - -<p>“I don’t believe they have a bed in the -place that’s fit to sleep on,” grumbled the -old dragoon, as they entered the inn. “And -look at that little fox of a fellow wid his -smirks and his smiles. Faith, I’ll see to me -bit of money while I’m here, so I will. I -never yet trusted one of these sugary villains -that ye meet by the roadside. He may be the -biggest thief in all France for all we know.”</p> - -<p>John Paul Jones laughed good humoredly -at this.</p> - -<p>“Well, O’Moore,” said he, “it’s fortunate -that our host does not understand English; -he’d not be at all flattered at your estimate -of him, could he do so.”</p> - -<p>The food provided them was poor, coarse -and ill served. The landlord hovered about -while they ate and told them what a splendid -place the inn was when his grandfather was -its owner.</p> - -<p>“It’s sorry enough I am,” remarked Longsword -as he looked with distaste at the piece -of sour, black bread which he held in his -hand, “that your grandfather is not here to<span class="pagenum" id="Page_87">[87]</span> -see how you are ruining the reputation he -worked so hard for. Sure this bread was -made widout salt, and the grain must have -been mixed wid sawdust and gravel.”</p> - -<p>Ethan had translated the landlord’s remarks -for the Irishman’s benefit; the ferret-like -Frenchman seemed to understand that -Shamus was not pleased with the fare, and -proceeded:</p> - -<p>“In the old days, monsieurs, the ‘Burgundian -King’ was most magnificent! But -that was when this road was used by the -nobles in their grand chariots. For a slight -service they would fling one a golden Louis -as round as that,” drawing a circle in the -palm of one hand with the forefinger of the -other. “And the ‘King’ was in good repair -and very much larger than it is now. At -times, monsieurs, and I tell you no falsehood, -we’ve had dukes and princes of the blood -sleep under this roof.”</p> - -<p>The host waited for some expression of -wonderment at this news; but as none came -he ceased; and a short time later the three -withdrew into a smaller room in which a good -fire was burning.</p> - - - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_88">[88]</span>Through the open door Longsword could -see the landlord and his people moving about -their affairs; he fancied that he caught them -whispering and casting sidelong looks now -and then, and began to feel troubled for the -safety of the horses. At last he could stand -it no longer and arose to his feet.</p> - -<p>“I believe,” said he, “I’ll go out and give -an eye to the cattle. Something tells me that -they are not as safe as they might be.”</p> - -<p>“Oh, I wouldn’t trouble, Shamus, if I were -you,” said Ethan. “They’ll do very well out -there. You’re prejudiced against these poor -people, that’s all.”</p> - -<p>“It’s not their poverty that prejudices me -against them, then. It’s their looks and their -ways. I’ve come across thieving rogues -a-plenty in my time, sir, and these have the -same look, so they have—and worse.”</p> - -<p>Captain Jones and Ethan sat for some time -engaged in conversation relating to the struggle -for independence; they had been at the -inn for some hours and the night had fallen -long since, black and complete. As they -talked they caught the sound of hoofs approaching -along the road toward the hostelry.</p> - - - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_89">[89]</span>“More guests,” said the captain, crossing his -legs comfortably before the fire, and enjoying -the pleasant warmth.</p> - -<p>The host and his helpers seemed surprised; -two parties of travelers to stop at the Burgundian -King in one evening was an unusual -thing, indeed. In a short time the arriving -horsemen had dismounted, been bidden welcome, -and came stamping into the supper -room. The night was cold and had turned to -snow. The men wore heavy cloaks wound -about them and fur caps pulled low over their -eyes; they crossed to a side of the room which -was not swept by the door of the inner room, -and here removed their mufflings.</p> - -<p>“A cold night, landlord,” said one of them, -in perfect French.</p> - -<p>“It is, indeed, monsieur,” answered the host -of the Burgundian King. “And it is growing -colder.”</p> - -<p>“We’d like supper and beds,” said the guest.</p> - -<p>“Yes, monsieur, with great pleasure. We -are rather crowded to-night, but the King can -accommodate you, I’m sure.”</p> - -<p>Supper was provided for the newcomers, and -they ate it with much low grumbling.</p> - - - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_90">[90]</span>“O’Moore would be pleased to hear that,” -smiled Ethan.</p> - -<p>“No doubt,” answered the captain. “But -listen.”</p> - -<p>He held up one warning finger and bent -forward so that he might be able to hear the -better. The conversation between those in -the other room was very low; but Ethan -fancied that now and then he detected an -English expression.</p> - -<p>“Why,” whispered he, “they seem to be -talking English.”</p> - -<p>“That is what I thought,” said the captain. -“Can you make out what they are saying?”</p> - -<p>Ethan listened for a moment, then shook -his head.</p> - -<p>“No,” said he. “But oddly enough I -imagine that I recognize familiar voices -among them. There, do you hear that one -rather lighter than the rest? It sounds to me -something like the voice of a boy whom I -knew in Philadelphia. His name was Wheelock, -and his family were Tories.”</p> - -<p>John Paul Jones appeared to be greatly interested.</p> - -<p>“I had fancied the same thing myself,” admitted<span class="pagenum" id="Page_91">[91]</span> -he. “There is one voice among them -that I’ve thought sounded strangely like—whom -do you think?”</p> - -<p>Ethan leaned over and grasped his arm -tightly.</p> - -<p>“Not Blake!” whispered he.</p> - -<p>The captain of the Ranger nodded.</p> - -<p>“Yes, Blake,” he answered. “Then you -too, have thought the same! It must be he.”</p> - -<p>“I’ll see in a moment,” and the boy started -to his feet.</p> - -<p>“Sit down,” said John Paul Jones. “Before -we betray our presence here let us consider -what it might mean.”</p> - -<p>“You are right, sir.” Ethan took his seat -once more, and waited for the other to go -on.</p> - -<p>“I think we spoke of a directing mind that -Siki would probably meet in France—the -plotter that commanded him to enlist on the -Ranger and endeavor to steal the secret dispatch.”</p> - -<p>“We did.”</p> - -<p>“I think that the Lascar and his master -have met, and that they have not yet given -up hope of succeeding.”</p> - - - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_92">[92]</span>Just then a voice from the supper room spoke -out sharp and full.</p> - -<p>“Siki did well, Blake. And if you had -given him any aid my plans would have carried.”</p> - -<p>“You see,” whispered John Paul Jones, -“I am right. Siki is there, and that was the -voice of the master.”</p> - -<p>Blake was heard to grumble out some reply; -but the other man silenced him instantly.</p> - -<p>“That will do,” said he. “Excuses will not -answer at this stage of the proceedings. To -put yourself back in my good graces you must -do more than invent reasons why you failed -in your part of the plan. Rather than remain -and guard the way against the surprise -which came, you went ashore, and so ruined -all.”</p> - -<p>“Oh, very well,” grumbled Blake, “put it -all on me, if you will.”</p> - -<p>“You are the one to bear the blame, and -bear it you shall. Unless you do something -that will lead to our securing this secret paper, -you shall not receive a shilling of that -which I promised you.”</p> - -<p>“A bargain’s a bargain,” said Blake.</p> - - - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_93">[93]</span>“And good faith is good faith,” said the -other man.</p> - -<p>“You are right, Danvers,” said a boy’s -voice.</p> - -<p>“You keep still, you pup,” growled Blake. -“I don’t see what good you are in this, anyway.”</p> - -<p>“It was my father that found out about the -paper and sent for Danvers to come to Philadelphia -so that he might be able to get his -hands on it. Isn’t that so, Danvers?”</p> - -<p>“Yes,” replied Danvers. “The information -given me was correct, and if the paper is found -you get your full share of the reward.”</p> - -<p>“I’ve done all I could to make up for any -little lapses which I might have made,” -whined Blake. “Only for me you wouldn’t -have known that Captain Jones came this -way.”</p> - -<p>Ethan felt a strong pressure upon his arm, -and turning found the commander of the -Ranger staring into his face from under -frowning brows.</p> - -<p>“They have followed us,” said he. “And -they intend to stop at nothing that will bring -them success.”</p> - - - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_94">[94]</span>“They realize the value of the papers, or -this man Danvers does, at least; and there is -a reward offered, it seems, for their delivery to -the proper persons.”</p> - -<p>“This boy who just now spoke,” said -Captain Jones, “you said you knew him, -did you not? and that he was of a Tory -family?”</p> - -<p>“Yes; his name is Wheelock.”</p> - -<p>“There must be a leak somewhere, when a -Tory could get wind of so secret a document -in time to place himself in communication -with an emissary of the crown. But as matters -stand there is only one thing to do; if we -cannot avoid them, we must fight them! The -papers must reach the hands of Mr. Franklin -without accident.”</p> - -<p>As he spoke the commander of the Ranger -drew his sword around so that it would be -nearer his hand and looked to the priming of -the pistol which he carried in his belt. Ethan -did likewise, and then they sat silently before -the fire, listening, and waiting for whatever -might happen. The voices of those in the -supper room sank lower for a time and the<span class="pagenum" id="Page_95">[95]</span> -two could not make out what was being said. -At length, however, Blake cried:</p> - -<p>“I tell you they can’t be very far ahead. -If this snow had not come up we would have -overtaken them.”</p> - -<p>“Perhaps,” suggested Stephen Wheelock, -“they might even have stopped here to-night.”</p> - -<p>Silence followed this—a silence that showed -the interest which the remark caused among -the newcomers.</p> - -<p>“Landlord,” called Danvers, at last.</p> - -<p>“Yes, monsieur,” quickly responded that -individual, crossing the room.</p> - -<p>“Have you seen anything of any travelers -to-night?”</p> - -<p>“Only the gentlemen who stopped here, -monsieurs.”</p> - -<p>“Stopped here! Ah!”</p> - -<p>Captain Jones and Ethan Carlyle heard a -sudden drawing back of stools and a chorus of -sharp, breathless exclamations.</p> - -<p>“So,” continued Danvers, in a slightly -lower tone, “some travelers stopped here to-night, -did they?”</p> - - - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_96">[96]</span>“They did, monsieur, very fine gentlemen -indeed. They honored my poor house by -breaking bread in it, and eating of my excellent -potato soup.”</p> - -<p>“And when did they leave?”</p> - -<p>“Leave, monsieur! They have not left. -There are two of the gentlemen in the very -next room.”</p> - -<p>There was a sound as though a single -person had arisen; then footsteps slowly -crossed the floor, and in a moment a tall, fine -looking man with black hair, and a face of -remarkable paleness, stood in the doorway and -regarded the two occupants of the smaller -room fixedly. There was a calm insolence in -his air that was peculiarly exasperating, and -Captain Paul Jones rapped out in a peppery -tone,</p> - -<p>“I trust, sir, that this inspection is affording -you as much satisfaction as it is us discomfort.”</p> - -<p>“Your name, sir,” demanded the man with -great coolness.</p> - -<p>“My name is my own,” returned John -Paul Jones, “and I don’t choose to give it to -every fellow that asks it in a public house.”</p> - - - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_97">[97]</span>The man turned and beckoned; in a -moment the burly form of Blake was at his -side.</p> - -<p>“Is this the captain and the boy of whom -you spoke?” asked he.</p> - -<p>“Yes, it is, Mr. Danvers,” replied Blake, -scowling blackly, to hide his embarrassment. -He did not like the look in his captain’s -eye.</p> - -<p>“So, sir,” cried the latter, “I find you here, -do I? Your leave ashore was for fifteen hours -only.”</p> - -<p>“My leave ashore is for good, as far as -your old barkee goes,” growled the Canadian -sailor.</p> - -<p>“You have deserted, then?” inquired the -officer, regarding him intently.</p> - -<p>“Call it what you like,” said Blake. “It -all comes to the same thing.”</p> - -<p>Here Danvers signed for the seaman to go -back into the supper room; when the man -had done so the emissary of the British government -advanced calmly to the fire.</p> - -<p>“I would scarcely style Blake’s little escapade -desertion,” spoke he, easily, as he held -his white, strong-looking hands over the blaze.<span class="pagenum" id="Page_98">[98]</span> -“You see, he entered on the books of your ship -at my request. It was only intended that he -should sail with you to Nantes.”</p> - -<p>“I am quite aware of that,” answered John -Paul Jones, leaning back in his chair and -clasping his hands behind his head.</p> - -<p>The Englishman seemed surprised.</p> - -<p>“Indeed!” said he.</p> - -<p>“I am also aware that the Lascar, Siki, was -in your pay.”</p> - -<p>“You are a person of considerable penetration,” -said Danvers, bowing politely.</p> - -<p>“Not at all. It requires no keenness of wit -to overhear a noisy conversation at an inn. -I should have credited the government of -Lord North with more circumspection in the -choice of an agent, really.”</p> - - - -<p>The pallor of Danvers disappeared before a -sudden flush of resentment; then he laughed.</p> - -<p>“A rather good hit,” commented he, with -his white teeth showing. “I fancied that you -might have overheard what was said, when I -learned that you were here.”</p> - -<p>Captain Jones crossed his legs and tapped -the toe of his boot with his brass-tipped scabbard.</p> - - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_99">[99]</span>“You were in quest of a certain document, -were you not?” asked he.</p> - -<p>“I was,” admitted Danvers. “And to be -perfectly candid in the matter and avoid mistakes, -I am so still.”</p> - -<div class="figcenter"><img src="images/i_098.jpg" alt="" /></div> -<p class="drop-cap2"><i>“KEEP THEM AT SWORD’S LENGTH,”<br /> -SAID CAPTAIN JONES</i></p> - -<p>“Is there any possibility, do you think, of -your securing possession of it?”</p> - -<p>This question was asked in a calm matter-of-fact -tone that made Ethan open his eyes. -But Danvers heard it with a self-possession -that was perfect.</p> - -<p>“Oh, yes,” he replied, “there are only two -of you——”</p> - -<p>“Three,” corrected Captain Jones.</p> - -<p>“And there are four of us,” continued Danvers. -Then he made as though to seat himself -in a vacant chair by the fire; but Ethan -toppled it over with his foot, and the man -stood glaring at him angrily.</p> - -<p>“I think,” said the young American, -quietly, “that you had better stand.”</p> - -<p>“Ah! You are the fighting lad who made -such sad work of Blake, I take it.” Danvers -favored the boy with an unpleasant smile. -“Well, perhaps you may have an opportunity -of using your talent before long.”</p> - - - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_100">[100]</span>Then he turned to Captain Jones, and demanded:</p> - -<p>“Will you give up the document, peaceably?”</p> - -<p>“The papers are for Dr. Franklin,” answered -the commander of the Ranger, “and not for a -British spy!”</p> - -<p>Danvers whipped out the sword that he -carried and shouted:</p> - -<p>“Blake! Siki! Wheelock! This way!”</p> - -<p>In response to this call the three persons -named darted into the room; Ethan and -the captain leaped up and their blades flashed -in the lamplight, while the chairs in which -they had been seated went crashing to the floor -upon the far side. The landlord and his servants -also pressed into the room; it was plain -that strife was no new thing within the walls -of the Burgundian King, for each of them -had a stout cudgel, and only seemed to hesitate -as to which party they should side with. Danvers -saw this at a glance and cried,</p> - -<p>“Landlord, a dozen Louis d’or if you give -me your help against these robbers.”</p> - -<p>“It is done, monsieur,” answered the landlord -promptly.</p> - - - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_101">[101]</span>“Keep them at sword’s length,” said Captain -Jones, in a low voice.</p> - -<p>“Right, sir,” answered Ethan.</p> - -<p>The next instant four swords and a few stout -clubs were raining cuts, thrusts and blows -upon them. At the first onset Ethan spitted -Blake through the fleshy part of the neck; -the man writhed for a moment, then fell back -out of reach howling and endeavoring to stanch -the flow of blood. Two of the inn people were -badly slashed by Captain Jones, and now he -was engaging the Lascar, who was armed with -a murderous looking knife, Wheelock and the -landlord. Danvers and the rest of the inn -people had fixed their attention upon Ethan, -and the boy was playing them desperately.</p> - -<p>The spy was a finished swordsman and had -a wrist like steel; his thrusts were rapid and -his defense superb. The smashing blows of -the clubs took most of the young American’s -attention, and each lunge of Danvers became -more dangerous.</p> - -<p>It was very soon evident that the situation -was impossible; nine against two were hopeless -odds, and the captain of the Ranger and -his young friend were gradually driven back<span class="pagenum" id="Page_102">[102]</span> -before the weapons of their adversaries. Their -backs were against the wall; desperation was -written deep upon their faces, and every ray -of hope had gone from their hearts, when the -outer door was flung open with a resounding -crash, feet were heard bounding across the -floor of the other room, and in another instant -Longsword had flung himself into the fray -with a wild Irish yell!</p> - -<p>Like a wheel of flame his huge blade swept -about him; the Lascar and one of the stable -louts went down like ninepins; Danvers -reeled out of the fight with a thrust through -the shoulder. And with that the others -threw down their weapons and fled.</p> - -<p>Breathless, Captain John Paul Jones and -Ethan Carlyle leaned upon their swords; -Longsword with his point in one hand and -hilt in the other glared grimly about him. -Danvers, his hand pressed to his bleeding -shoulder and his face paler then ever, spoke -first.</p> - -<p>“I suppose,” said he, in a cold, even voice, -“that we are your prisoners.”</p> - -<p>“If this were the United States, or the -deck of my ship, you would be, assuredly,”<span class="pagenum" id="Page_103">[103]</span> -answered Captain Jones. “As it is, the worst -that I could do would be to bring a charge of -assault against you before a French magistrate. -So, rather than that, I shall let you -go free. I give you and your people five -minutes in which to take yourselves off.”</p> - -<p>Neither Blake nor Siki was badly hurt, -and young Wheelock was uninjured. The -latter helped the others out, and their horses -were saddled; well within the time allowed, -they were on their way down the snowy road, -while John Paul Jones, Ethan and the Irish -dragoon stood in the door of the Burgundian -King and watched the darkness swallow -them up.</p> -<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop" /> - -<div class="chapter"> -<span class="pagenum" id="Page_104">[104]</span> - -<h2 class="nobreak">CHAPTER VIII<br /> - - -<small>SHOWS HOW BENJAMIN FRANKLIN OPENED THE -SECRET DISPATCH</small></h2> -</div> - -<p><span class="smcap">Upon</span> reaching Paris the three immediately -sought out lodgings and removed the grime -of the road. Then the commander and Ethan -went to call upon Dr. Franklin and present -their dispatches.</p> - -<p>The rooms of the famous philosopher, sage -and statesman were modestly furnished, but -were crowded by a most brilliantly attired -company. No representative of a foreign government -at the Court of France had ever -created such a marked impression as this -American commissioner. The imaginative -French saw in him one of the sages of ancient -Greece reincarnated. His advanced age, his -natural dignity, his virtues, his undoubted -wisdom made him a man of mark. The -courtiers of King Louis admired and respected -him, and it was seldom, indeed, that -a group of influential persons and young -soldiers were not to be found in his rooms.</p> - - - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_105">[105]</span>He received Captain Jones and Ethan with -great heartiness, for he was ever eager for -news.</p> - -<p>“My dear sir,” said he, holding the officer’s -hand tight clasped within his own, “I am -most happy to meet you. Your exploits -upon the sea have long been known to us -here in France, and if every American ship -had a commander like you, we’d have the -enemy suing for peace within a twelve-month.”</p> - -<p>John Paul Jones flushed with pleasure. It -is noted of him that he ever loved to be -praised, and praise from such a man as -Franklin was praise, indeed.</p> - -<p>The sage had not at the beginning of the -war with England, given much thought to -the sea as a place to meet the foe in the -struggle for liberty; being a landsman this -was, perhaps, natural. But upon his voyage -to France in the Reprisal, Captain Lambert -Wickes, his eyes had been opened to the -possibilities of what might be done upon deep -water. This was the first American war -vessel to cross the Atlantic, and two rich -prizes were captured under the philosopher’s<span class="pagenum" id="Page_106">[106]</span> -eyes. When these were sold at a French -port and the proceeds added to his slender -means his admiration knew no bounds. He -saw at once how the enemy might be so -weakened by a few swift cruisers in the German -ocean as to cripple them permanently; -and the dispatching of the Lexington and the -other brave little vessels which carried the -war under the very shadow of the English -cliffs was made according to his suggestion.</p> - -<p>It had somehow become noised abroad that -the daring and successful American sailor -Paul Jones was to call upon Mr. Franklin -that morning, and the throng present were -most anxious to see and lionize him. They -knew too, that he must bring tidings as to -the progress of the war.</p> - -<p>Count de Vergennes, minister of foreign -affairs, was present, and his interest was most -marked; upon being introduced to Captain -Jones he at once plunged into the subject of -the American conflict.</p> - -<p>“You and your countrymen have done excellently -upon the sea,” admitted the count, -“but upon the land you have not been so -successful.”</p> - - - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_107">[107]</span>“General Washington is still in the field. -He will never surrender.”</p> - -<p>“That may be true. But he is retreating, -retreating—ever retreating. This does not -win battles. The British are apparently triumphant -upon every hand. Your army has -been driven from Canada; you have evacuated -Long Island; New York is in the hands -of your country’s foes; and it is rumored that -the American soldier is throwing down his -arms and taking advantage of the pardon -which General Howe offered all who would -return.”</p> - -<p>As he stood at a window some little distance -from the group about the commander -of the Ranger and the French minister, Ethan -noted the eager interest of all. He also saw -that Dr. Franklin had opened the letters which -had been handed him but still held the secret -packet with its seals unbroken; he smiled -over the letters as one smiles who is highly -pleased.</p> - -<p>As the minister continued in the same strain -for some time, it dawned upon Ethan that the -news of Gates’ victory had not yet reached -him, and with a thrill he realized that there<span class="pagenum" id="Page_108">[108]</span> -was a surprise in store for those present. At -length Dr. Franklin lifted his venerable head -and said, with a quiet smile:</p> - -<p>“But, my dear count, you have not yet -heard of the affair of Burgoyne.”</p> - -<p>The minister of foreign affairs laughed.</p> - -<p>“You must not think us so far behind the -times, monsieur,” he said. “Burgoyne compelled -the Americans to retreat from Ticonderoga -some time ago. And he followed this -up by severely defeating them at a place called -Hubbardton. This news reached us promptly -and through a channel which we never question.”</p> - -<p>“My news,” and Franklin fluttered his -letters triumphantly, “is very much later -than yours, it would seem. Burgoyne undoubtedly -accomplished what you claim. But -it is the result of his subsequent operations of -which I speak.”</p> - -<p>“You have news, monsieur?” The face of -the Count de Vergennes shone with satisfaction; -this gentleman was ever a friend to -America, and was always hungry for news of -American success.</p> - -<p>“Burgoyne’s troubles began with his advance<span class="pagenum" id="Page_109">[109]</span> -upon Fort Edward. A thousand German -mercenaries were killed and captured to -begin with. Then he crossed the Hudson in -force to turn the American position at Bemis -Heights; but Arnold met him with desperate -courage and held him back.”</p> - -<p>A murmur of admiration went up from the -Frenchmen present.</p> - -<p>“A brilliant officer, this General Arnold,” -commented the count.</p> - -<p>“Burgoyne’s communications with Lake -Champlain were then cut by a dashing enterprise -of my countrymen; forced by the hunger -of his men, the British general risked another -battle,” proceeded Dr. Franklin, “and met -with a crushing defeat.”</p> - -<p>Another murmur went up; eyes sparkled -with pleasure; hands applauded softly.</p> - -<p>“But,” argued the Count de Vergennes, “the -tables might be turned once more. Burgoyne -may still conquer.”</p> - -<p>Franklin smiled serenely.</p> - -<p>“That is impossible,” said he.</p> - -<p>“An hour ago I would have said as much -for Arnold’s chances of victory,” said the -count.</p> - - - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_110">[110]</span>“I said that Burgoyne’s chance of ultimate -victory was impossible, because after his defeat -he retreated upon Saratoga. Finding -himself surrounded he surrendered his entire -force to General Gates.”</p> - -<p>A cry of delight went up; the Americans -were congratulated heartily.</p> - -<p>“It was such news as this that we have -been waiting for,” whispered the minister of -foreign affairs to the aged commissioner. -“From now on things will take a turn; success -will await your negotiations now, where -only delay and disappointment met you in -the past.”</p> - -<p>When all had gone save Captain Jones and -Ethan Carlyle, Dr. Franklin said:</p> - -<p>“You will pardon me, I’m sure. These -letters spoke of a document of much importance -as being in this packet.”</p> - -<p>He broke the great red seals and tore off -the covering; then, as they watched him, -they saw his face take on a bewildered look.</p> - -<p>“What is it?” cried Captain Jones.</p> - -<p>“Strange,” said Dr. Franklin. “The entire -page is blank save only for one word. Look.”</p> - -<p>He held out the sheet, and they found<span class="pagenum" id="Page_111">[111]</span> -staring them in the face, scrawled in huge, -sprawling letters, the name:</p> - -<p>“Siki.”</p> - -<p>“Robbed!” exclaimed John Paul Jones.</p> - -<p>“He got the packet after all,” cried Ethan, -with a great leap at his heart.</p> - -<p>“Explain your meaning,” said Dr. Franklin, -still bewildered. “I do not understand.”</p> - -<p>In as few words as possible the entire story -of the attempt made to steal the papers was -told him. He listened intently, and shook -his head gloomily at the end.</p> - -<p>“He was a cunning rascal, indeed, that Lascar,” -said he. “He took the packet and substituted -another resembling it in order to delay -the alarm long enough to permit him to -get safe away.”</p> - -<p>“But,” cried Paul Jones, “how could he -know anything about the appearance of the -packet?”</p> - -<p>“You forget our young friend’s statement -that the Lascar saw it lying upon the table between -him and Mr. Hancock. For a fellow as -keen as he it only required a glance and he -carried away a picture of it in his mind.”</p> - -<p>“The attack at the inn is more than I can<span class="pagenum" id="Page_112">[112]</span> -understand,” said Ethan. “If they already -had the dispatch why should they set upon us -after demanding it? The matter has a queer -look.”</p> - -<p>“Most queer,” agreed the sage, wrinkling -his brows. “And, to me, there seems to be -only one explanation: The Lascar stole the -dispatch and kept the fact hidden from his employer -and comrades. He had come to understand -that it was a very valuable thing and -made up his mind that the profit to come from -it was to be all his own.”</p> - -<p>“Bravo,” cried John Paul Jones. “That -must be it—and that fact holds out a -promise.”</p> - -<p>“Of what nature?”</p> - -<p>“We may recover the dispatch! The Lascar -will be forced to sound every step of his -way toward the disposal of the paper. He -may know that it is valuable but he will not -know to whom.”</p> - -<p>“A good thought,” said Mr. Franklin. -“As long as it does not reach the British ministers, -who alone would understand it, the paper -can do no harm.”</p> - -<p>“It shall not reach them,” cried Ethan.<span class="pagenum" id="Page_113">[113]</span> -“I’ll hunt this man, Siki, all over Europe but -what I’ll have the dispatch from him!”</p> - -<p>And Captain Jones reached forward and -clasped him by the hand.</p> -<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop" /> - -<div class="chapter"> -<span class="pagenum" id="Page_114">[114]</span> - -<h2 class="nobreak">CHAPTER IX<br /> - - -<small>HOW ETHAN AND LONGSWORD MET A MAN -NAMED FOCHARD</small></h2> -</div> - -<p><span class="smcap">Captain Jones</span> did not propose to leave -Paris for a few days, and this gave Ethan an -idea.</p> - -<p>“When Danvers and Siki and the rest of -them rode away from the Burgundian King -the other night they came in the direction of -Paris. I think that it would be as well were -Shamus and myself to look about in the districts -most frequented by sailors; we might -come upon the Lascar, somewhere.”</p> - -<p>As the commander of the Ranger approved -of this, the two set out that afternoon.</p> - -<p>“We’ll take our blades wid us,” said the -Irish dragoon; “the civil authorities of Paris -don’t look out for things very well, so I’ve -heard, Master Ethan, and as there are lots of -cut-purses in all big cities we’d as well be on -the safe side.”</p> - -<p>Paris of pre-revolutionary days was vastly<span class="pagenum" id="Page_115">[115]</span> -different from the present city. Its poor, like -those of the country places, were poor indeed, -while its rich were magnificently superior in -manner and most splendid in dress. Squalor -and grandeur were to be seen on every hand; -the noisome dens of the Faubourg San Antoine, -which less than a score of years afterward -were to hurl their hordes of red-capped, -blood-hungry maniacs into the vortex of the -“Terror,” and the beautiful structures of the -rich were not far separated. Ethan and Longsword, -as they walked about, wondered how -such a state of things could exist among a -people apparently so highly schooled in all -the refinements of civilization.</p> - -<p>Evening drew on and still they were afoot; -both began to grow somewhat hungry.</p> - -<p>“I think,” said Ethan, “that we had better -be getting back to our lodgings.”</p> - -<p>“I’ve been thinking that same for some -time,” said Longsword. “A rasher of bacon -and eggs, as that landlady cooks them, would -be mighty comforting, so it would.”</p> - -<p>They proceeded along for some time; then -their progress became a hesitating sort of thing, -and at last they stopped.</p> - - - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_116">[116]</span>“Shamus,” asked Ethan, a laugh in his -voice, “where do we live?”</p> - -<p>“Faith, then, Master Ethan, I don’t know. -Ye see I have no French, and these bla’guard -names that they give these streets get the better -of me.”</p> - -<p>“Then,” said Ethan, “we are lost.”</p> - -<p>“But we can ask some one the way.”</p> - -<p>“We could if we knew what street to ask -for—but we don’t.”</p> - -<p>Longsword pulled a long face, and pondered.</p> - -<p>“Sorra the taste of supper will we get to-night,” -mourned he.</p> - -<p>“Did the street sound anything to you like -Rue Constantine?” asked Ethan, after a -pause.</p> - -<p>“It did,” answered Shamus eagerly. “It -is very much like it, faith!”</p> - -<p>“Then we’ll try for that.”</p> - -<p>A shopman was appealed to and he directed -them with much earnestness.</p> - -<p>“You will not take the next turn, nor the -next,” he explained in rapid French. “But -the next after that you will take, for that is -the Rue Constantine. It runs but the one<span class="pagenum" id="Page_117">[117]</span> -direction from here, so if you walk along it -and look carefully you cannot miss your house, -monsieurs.”</p> - -<p>They thanked the man and made their -way in the direction indicated. When they -turned into the Rue Constantine, Longsword -said:</p> - -<p>“Here it is, sure enough. I remember us -passing that great building over there some -time since. Faix, and it’d be a queer thing -entirely if we hadn’t found our way back, so -it would.”</p> - -<p>But Ethan seemed rather doubtful. Gazing -about, he said:</p> - -<p>“Don’t be quite so sure about your big -building, Shamus. We’ve passed quite a number -of them in the last few hours.”</p> - -<p>“Ah, but we are right anyway, Master -Ethan, as you’ll find. A half hour will see -us doing justice to that good French woman’s -fine cooking.”</p> - -<p>They strode along for more than a half -hour; at length Ethan saw that doubt was -shaking the confidence of Longsword. He -laughed gleefully.</p> - -<p>“Well, we may yet stay in the streets supperless<span class="pagenum" id="Page_118">[118]</span> -all night,” said he. “Are you very -hungry, Shamus?”</p> - -<p>“Master Ethan,” said the trooper, “this -walk has given me an appetite such as I -haven’t had since I were a bit of a gossoon at -home in Tipperary.”</p> - -<p>This solemn assurance and the feeling -manner with which it was delivered was too -much for Ethan. He leaned against a pillar -of a building which they were passing and -shouted with mirth.</p> - -<p>“You’ll kill me yet, you old death’s head,” -cried he at length. “But, go on, let’s see if we -can’t make you happy by finding the house -and the supper that you so long for.”</p> - -<p>Some distance farther along Shamus uttered -an exclamation of delight.</p> - -<p>“Here we are, sure,” said he. “The brown -building with the railings about it and the -wide roof like a bird box.”</p> - -<p>“There are many such houses in Paris,” said -Ethan. “And we’ve passed some of them -within the last ten minutes.”</p> - -<p>“But none wid the window gardens at the -second floor,” declared Longsword. “Sure, -the landlady’s wee bit of a daughter were telling<span class="pagenum" id="Page_119">[119]</span> -me the names of all the flowers while ye -and the captain were off to the commissioner’s -this morning. Of course I couldn’t understand -a word she said, but that made no -differ at all, at all. Oh, yes, this is the -house.”</p> - -<p>The window gardens settled it with Ethan, -so they went up the high stone steps and beat -a sharp rat-tat upon the big brass knocker.</p> - -<p>The Rue Constantine was dark; there were -few people abroad, as the night was cold and -the frozen snow upon the walks made the -footing treacherous. Lights gleamed from a -few windows, the curtains of which had not -been drawn; now and then a vehicle would -go rattling heavily by, crunching the ice under -its wheels. The door opened and a bald old -man with spectacles looked at them sharply -from the threshold.</p> - -<p>“Where are you from?” he asked, in an -odd sort of way.</p> - -<p>“The United States,” answered Ethan, -wonderingly.</p> - -<p>The bald man stood aside and allowed them -to enter; then he closed the door and said -rather angrily,</p> - - - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_120">[120]</span>“You should have answered, America.”</p> - -<p>Ethan and Longsword exchanged glances -and smiled. They had not seen the old man -before, and looked at him curiously. Of -course, the Irishman did not understand what -he said, but his shining pall and his jerky -way of looking over the rims of his big -spectacles was sufficient for Longsword; he -nodded and smiled to the old man, in great -good humor.</p> - -<p>“Is the captain at home, do you know?” -asked Ethan.</p> - -<p>The bald man cackled shrilly.</p> - -<p>“The captain,” said he. “So you call him -that, do you?”</p> - -<p>“Of course.”</p> - -<p>“Ah! Very good. And a splendid captain -he is, I think.”</p> - -<p>As he spoke the old man opened a door -disclosing a very well-appointed room lighted -by a number of wax candles.</p> - -<p>“Will you step in?” he asked. “The captain -said that you were to wait for him here.”</p> - -<p>The two stepped wonderingly into the room. -The old man followed them just beyond the -doorway, and then paused.</p> - - - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_121">[121]</span>“He is within there,” spoke he, with a -nod of the head toward a door that communicated, -apparently, with another room. -“He is engaged with the person whom you -have been in search of.”</p> - -<p>“Not Siki,” exclaimed Ethan.</p> - -<p>“We are to mention no names, if you -please,” warned the old man, looking over -the horn rims of his glasses, and wagging his -head in strong disapproval.</p> - -<p>While Ethan was yet gazing at him in -astonishment, he nodded and disappeared, -closing the door behind him.</p> - -<p>“What a queer looking old codger,” said -the Irish trooper. “What talk had he?”</p> - -<p>Ethan translated the words of the man and -Longsword opened his eyes in wonder.</p> - -<p>“Is it possible that Captain Jones told this -old fellow about the document and its loss,” -cried he. “Faith and it don’t seem likely, so -it don’t.”</p> - -<p>“Indeed it does not,” responded Ethan. -“And yet what else are we to understand by -his words? He knew that you and I were out -in search of some one; and he said that that -some one was at present with the captain.”</p> - - - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_122">[122]</span>“It has a queer look to me,” said Longsword, -scratching his head in a puzzled -fashion. “And do ye know, Master Ethan, -the house seems to have a strange look, -too; faith it don’t seem the same at all, at -all.”</p> - -<p>“Nonsense,” laughed Ethan. “Don’t let -your imagination run riot, old fellow. You -and I are not well enough acquainted with -the house to know how it looks.”</p> - -<p>Just then there was the sound of a door -opening and closing. Then they heard voices -in the hall, as though some one had stepped -out of the adjoining room.</p> - -<p>“Yes,” said one of the voices, “I understood -that you were being sought for anxiously -all the afternoon.”</p> - -<p>“By whom?” asked another voice.</p> - -<p>“By Messieurs Danvers and Wheelock. -They are in my reception room waiting for -me at this moment.”</p> - -<p>“Had you better not introduce me; you -know that I have not met them as yet.”</p> - -<p>“No more have I. You’d better wait until -I’ve settled this matter with them. Come to-morrow -and I’ll be able to give you full information<span class="pagenum" id="Page_123">[123]</span> -as to the price that will be paid if -the dispatch is recovered.”</p> - -<p>“I’m afraid it never will be. These Lascars -are cunning dogs.”</p> - -<p>“But Siki made the mistake of trying to -dispose of the paper in Paris. That is how -we found him out. No one would have -suspected that he had it, but for that. And -a man who makes a mistake once, may do so -again.”</p> - -<p>“You are right. Good-night, Monsieur -Fochard. I will call upon you to-morrow as -you request.”</p> - -<p>The door leading to the street opened, and -the other voice returned.</p> - -<p>“Good-night, monsieur. Have no fear. I -think all will be well in the end.”</p> - -<p>The door then closed, and the man Fochard -returned to the room adjoining. Ethan -gripped Longsword’s arm in a clasp that made -even that man of iron wince.</p> - -<p>“No matter what happens,” said he, “express -no surprise. Act as though you considered -it all as a matter of course.”</p> - -<p>“What is it?” queried Longsword, astonished -at his young master’s manner.</p> - - - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_124">[124]</span>“We are in the wrong house. And we have -stumbled upon a clue to the missing dispatch.”</p> - -<p>The door leading into the next room was -now thrown open, and a stout, florid man in -a velvet coat and with a great bunch of seals -hanging from a heavy gold watch chain, -stepped into the room.</p> - -<p>“Gentlemen,” said he, advancing and holding -out both hands, “I am most delighted to -meet you.”</p> - -<p>When he had shaken hands with them he -continued, addressing Longsword,</p> - -<p>“You are Monsieur Danvers, I take it.”</p> - -<p>“He does not speak French,” Ethan informed -the man.</p> - -<p>Fochard expressed his surprise with a shrug.</p> - -<p>“Not speak French! That is odd. How -then did his government come to choose him -for this work in France?”</p> - -<p>“You forget, monsieur,” said Ethan coolly, -“that his coming to France was by accident. -The dispatch got this far because our plans -miscarried. Danvers’ working ground is the -United States, and a knowledge of the French -language is not necessary there.”</p> - - - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_125">[125]</span>“True, true,” answered Fochard. “I had -forgotten that. Then Monsieur Wheelock, I -will express myself through you, if you will -be so kind, as I speak no English.”</p> - -<p>“I shall be pleased to do anything that I -can to help the matter along.”</p> - -<p>Fochard laughed and patted him upon the -back.</p> - -<p>“We shall all be pleased to do what we can -in this matter,” chuckled he. “Ah, the dispatch -must indeed be an important one! -Ten thousand pounds in English gold! -Think of it. No wonder the rascally Lascar -desired to secure it all for himself.”</p> - -<p>While he was speaking Fochard led the -way into the adjoining room and closing the -door, bowed them into chairs with the utmost -politeness. The apartment was much smaller -than the one they had just left; the walls -were lined with walnut cabinets, each numbered -and lettered; a desk piled with papers -stood beneath a huge, swinging lamp.</p> - -<p>“I am most glad,” said Monsieur Fochard, -“that this matter came to my notice while -there was yet some chance of success.”</p> - -<p>Ethan bowed, and repeated the man’s words<span class="pagenum" id="Page_126">[126]</span> -in English to Longsword. The latter seemed -astonished and was about to ask some questions, -but a secret signal from Ethan stopped -him.</p> - -<p>“At first I thought,” said the Frenchman, -“that the Lascar would try to sell the paper -back to the Americans. And in this I was -not very far wrong. He would have endeavored -to do so had he not discovered that they -could not afford to pay so much for it as the -English.”</p> - -<p>“How do you manage to find these things -out?” asked Ethan curiously.</p> - -<p>Fochard laughed, clasped his plump white -hands before him and twirled his thumbs.</p> - -<p>“My agents are everywhere, even in King -Louis’ bedchamber,” he replied. “The system -that I have built up is the result of years of -labor. There is nothing of importance happens -in Paris that I do not know. When -the loss of this American dispatch filtered -through to me, I at once communicated with -you and appointed this meeting.”</p> - -<p>“It was most kind of you,” said Ethan -after he had acquainted Longsword with the -outline of what Fochard had said. He did<span class="pagenum" id="Page_127">[127]</span> -this because he had a lurking suspicion -that the man might not be so ignorant of -English as he professed to be. “But,” the -boy proceeded, “has anything further been -discovered?”</p> - -<p>“There has been important information -brought to me within the past hour; in fact -the agent who brought it was Garvace, and -he left but a few moments ago. The Lascar -once served the English Earl of Selkirk in -some capacity and is, so it is understood, now -on his way to some port where he can get a -ship for England or Scotland and so place -the papers in the Earl’s hands for the crown.”</p> - -<p>“Do you know what port he is headed -for?”</p> - -<p>“No; but like as not it is Brest or Nantes; -or perhaps L’Orient.”</p> - -<p>“He is wounded and may perhaps be delayed -upon that account,” said Ethan.</p> - -<p>“Yes, that is true; however, I have taken -no chances with him, for he is a most cunning -rascal. My agents are after him. Not -a vessel will leave any French port until it -has been searched for him in my secret way.”</p> - -<p>“Can we do anything to assist you?”</p> - - - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_128">[128]</span>“Not in France, no. But we have learned -that the Earl of Selkirk is most likely to be -found at this time of the year at his place on -St. Mary’s Isle. It is there Siki will make -his way should he succeed in eluding us. My -advice to you is to go there with your men, -and wait for him.”</p> - -<p>“Your advice,” said Ethan, who had been -repeating all this to his companion, “is good.”</p> - -<p>“That, then,” said Fochard, rising as a sign -that the interview was at an end, “is all that -I can do for you, now. You will pardon me, -I know; but I have most important matters -that claim my attention.”</p> - -<p>“Then we will not detain you,” said Ethan.</p> - -<p>As he led them out of the room, and toward -the street door, Fochard continued:</p> - -<p>“The division of the reward is understood, -then, to be as I desired. Half to me and half -to Monsieur Danvers to be shared among our -respective agents as we see fit.”</p> - -<p>“Monsieur Danvers will be perfectly satisfied -with that arrangement, I have no doubt,” -said Ethan.</p> - -<p>“Tell him to consider the matter and send -me word by messenger before he leaves Paris.<span class="pagenum" id="Page_129">[129]</span> -I like these little matters settled at the beginning. -And now, gentlemen, I will bid you -good-night.”</p> - -<p>They then found themselves shaking hands -with the secret agent upon his door-step; a -moment later the door had closed and they -were standing upon the frozen walk, gazing -at each other in astonishment.</p> -<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop" /> - -<div class="chapter"> -<span class="pagenum" id="Page_130">[130]</span> - -<h2 class="nobreak">CHAPTER X<br /> - - -<small>THE CRUISE OF THE RANGER</small></h2> -</div> - -<p><span class="smcap">It</span> was a good two hours later when Ethan -and the Irish dragoon finally discovered their -lodgings. Captain Jones was busy over some -papers in his room when Ethan knocked upon -his door.</p> - -<p>“Come in,” said the sailor. “I had just -about finished.” He sealed up some documents, -and then went on, “Your search was -longer than you intended, was it not? and, I -suppose, without much success.”</p> - -<p>“Our search resulted in nothing,” returned -Ethan. “But by sheer luck we stumbled -upon a most remarkable discovery.”</p> - -<p>Then he related the main incident of the -night, and Captain Jones listened with the -greatest attention.</p> - -<p>“Quite remarkable,” commented he, as the -lad finished. “But, really, except for the fact -that we now know where Siki expects to dispose -of the paper, we learned all this from Dr.<span class="pagenum" id="Page_131">[131]</span> -Franklin’s judgment in the matter. St. Mary’s -Isle, eh,” he continued, musingly. “I know -the place well; and, who knows, perhaps I -may touch there in the Ranger and look into -this matter.”</p> - -<p>Not having had any definite instructions -from Mr. Jefferson about when he should return -to America, Ethan had considered that -he should remain in France until the paper -was recovered or proven to be lost for good -and all. He had had no notion of continuing -the cruise with Captain Jones, but now that -the Ranger and the recovery of the dispatch -seemed linked, as it were, he eagerly asked to -be allowed to go.</p> - -<p>“The chances are,” he reasoned, “that the -Lascar will slip through their fingers. If you -can land Longsword and me upon St. Mary’s -Isle we may be in time to do some good.”</p> - -<p>“I shall be most glad to have you,” said the -Ranger’s captain. “And somehow it seems -to me that a landing at St. Mary’s Isle is going -to lead to good of some sort. I sometimes get -impressions like that, and they usually point -pretty close to facts in the end.”</p> - -<p>Three or four days later John Paul Jones,<span class="pagenum" id="Page_132">[132]</span> -Ethan Carlyle and Longsword once more -reached Nantes; and the former immediately -set about getting his ship ready for the voyage -that was to strike terror to the hearts of the -British and fill those of the struggling Americans -with delight.</p> - -<p>Upon the trip across the Atlantic the prediction -that the commander had made to -Ethan in Portsmouth harbor had been realized. -Many defects and weaknesses were discovered -in the Ranger, and these he now set about -remedying as far as possible.</p> - -<p>The ship’s trim was altered; her ballast was -taken out and restowed; her masts were -shortened, also, by some feet. No man ever -sailed the ocean who knew more about the -small details of seamanship than John Paul -Jones; after he had been in a vessel a few -weeks it was an assured thing that she had -come to do all that there was in her. Many a -cranky, slow answering tub had been transformed, -by his knowledge, into a speedy, -amenable ship.</p> - -<p>After they had cleared the harbor the Ranger -showed marked evidence of improvement -in her work.</p> - - - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_133">[133]</span>“She’ll answer, now,” said her captain, with -satisfaction.</p> - -<p>Off Cape Clear a British brig was captured -and sent into Brest, as was the Lord Chatham, -a ship out of London, which they took a little -later.</p> - -<p>While heading up the Irish channel one -day during the first dog-watch, Ethan and the -commander were pacing the quarter-deck.</p> - -<p>“Do you intend to head directly for St. -Mary’s Isle?” asked the boy.</p> - -<p>“No; I had thought of a plan by which an -attempt might be made upon Whitehaven. -There is a great deal of shipping in the harbor -there I know; and if it could be destroyed -it would be a damaging blow.”</p> - -<p>“You are quite familiar with that port, are -you not?”</p> - -<p>“I sailed out of it upon my first voyage, and -first saw the light of day not many miles from -it. Let me once get into the harbor with a -fire boat and I’ll forever put a stop to the burnings -and ravagings that the British are so free -with upon our undefended coast. A blaze -that would sweep every hull from Whitehaven -would show them that we have the power to<span class="pagenum" id="Page_134">[134]</span> -retaliate; and after that they would be more -apt to hold their savagery in check.”</p> - -<p>“I think you are right,” agreed Ethan. -“There is nothing like a swift retaliation to -teach a brutal and insolent enemy to be merciful.”</p> - -<p>There was a strong wind blowing when the -Ranger came in sight of Whitehaven and beat -up toward it. The boats had been lowered, -manned, and were about to be called away, -when the wind suddenly shifted and blew on -shore. The position of the American was now -most dangerous, so the boats were promptly -hoisted in once more and the Ranger beat out -to sea.</p> - -<p>Off Carrickfergus they took a small fishing-boat. -The skipper was a hot-tempered little -Celt, and he made a great ado about the -matter.</p> - -<p>“Faith, then, captain,” said he to the smiling -commander of the sloop-of-war, “I think -it’s a shame, so I do, that an honest man can’t -cast his nests into the say for the bits of fish -that do be swimming about, widout being -dragged on board a Yankee that he don’t want -to get acquainted wid.”</p> - - - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_135">[135]</span>“Well,” replied Captain Jones, “we are not -quite so discourteous. We desired your acquaintance -and went to some little trouble to -make it.”</p> - -<p>“Sure, then,” snapped the other, “if I carried -the guns aboard of me that the Drake do, -as she lies there in Belfast Lough, you would -not be so ready to come near me, perhaps.”</p> - -<p>“The Drake?” questioned Captain Jones, -with interest. “You mean, I suppose, the -British ship-of-war of that name?”</p> - -<p>“I do,” returned the fisherman. “And she -is a fine vessel, for she carries twenty guns and -a hundred and fifty men.”</p> - -<p>The commander of the Ranger turned to his -first officer, briskly.</p> - -<p>“I think, Mr. Simpson,” said he, “that -we’ll change our course for Belfast Lough -and see what can be done with that vessel.”</p> - -<p>“We are not out to engage warships,” -growled Simpson, sullenly.</p> - -<p>“We are out to engage anything that -promises to injure the enemy,” said the captain -sharply. “You will please pass my order -along.”</p> - -<p>The lieutenant did as requested. It is noted<span class="pagenum" id="Page_136">[136]</span> -of this insubordinate officer that he seemed -to regard the voyage of the Ranger more as an -enterprise for private gain than anything else; -a rich merchantman pleased him greatly; but -he had little or no stomach for a fight with a -vessel that carried any weight of metal.</p> - -<p>More sail was made upon the ship when she -was brought into her new course; in the -mouth of the Lough she beat to and fro until -night, then she ran into the harbor.</p> - -<p>The Drake lay well up in the harbor, and -it was Captain Jones’ intention to lay the -Ranger alongside her and board.</p> - -<p>“When I give the word,” said he to the -boatswain, who was in charge of a group of -men on the forecastle deck, “let go the bow -anchors.”</p> - -<p>Cutlasses, boarding-pikes and pistols were -distributed, and the crew stood ready. With -a magnificent display of seamanship John Paul -Jones brought the Ranger up and laid her -athwart the Drake.</p> - -<p>“Let go the anchor,” he commanded in a -low voice.</p> - -<p>There was a scuffling and stumbling among -the seamen in the bow; the anchor-chain<span class="pagenum" id="Page_137">[137]</span> -rattled, then stopped; the American sloop-of-war -drifted down past the lee quarter of the -Englishman; at this point the anchor fell -with a loud plunge, and the Ranger lay -directly under the broadside of the Drake.</p> - -<p>There was a stir among the watch upon the -British ship’s deck.</p> - -<p>“Ahoy, there, you blundering lubber!” -yelled a voice. “What are you about?”</p> - -<p>“No harm done,” answered Captain Jones, -promptly. “Anchor-chain fouled.” Then in -a low tone he added: “Cut that cable and let -the anchor go.”</p> - -<p>Ethan Carlyle seized an axe from the rack, -and with a deft, sure blow severed the thick -line; the Ranger drifted slowly out of her -dangerous position; as another attempt of the -same sort could not be risked, sail was clapped -upon her and she raced out of the Lough like -a hunted hare.</p> - -<p>“It’s a rare good thing she took us for a -clumsy merchantman,” commented Ethan to -Captain Jones, as they stood together upon -the deck. “She could have raked us from -stem to stern as we lay there, and we could not -have brought a single gun to bear on her.”</p> - - - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_138">[138]</span>“Fate seems to fight against us,” laughed -Captain Jones. “Now for Whitehaven once -more, and let us hope for a favorable wind.”</p> - -<p>They reached that port once more about -eight in the evening upon the twenty-second -of the month; but the boats were not called -away until after midnight.</p> - -<p>There were two of these, and were manned -by crews of heavily-armed volunteers. Ethan -and Longsword had volunteered for the captain’s -boat.</p> - -<p>“I will advance and attack the forts,” said -the commander to Lieutenant Wallingford, -who was in charge of the other boat. “Your -share in the enterprise is to get well in among -the shipping and set fire to it.”</p> - -<p>These were all the instructions given. Day -began to dawn as they reached the outer pier -of the harbor.</p> - -<p>“Take the north side,” directed Captain -Jones, “and pull hard.”</p> - -<p>“Ay, ay, sir,” answered the third officer; -his boat drew away from the other and made -into the harbor.</p> - -<p>“There are the forts upon the south side, -are they not?” asked Ethan.</p> - - - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_139">[139]</span>“Yes,” said John Paul Jones, “and they are -likely to be slimly manned. I know the custom -here, you see.”</p> - -<p>“It reminds me of old times, faith,” -whispered Longsword to Ethan, as he sat in -the stern with his great brass-hilted blade between -his knees.</p> - -<p>Captain Jones was right; the first fort was -garrisoned by about a half dozen heavy-eyed -soldiers. Ethan, Longsword and a few of the -more daring seamen scaled the wall and overpowered -these without trouble.</p> - -<p>“Into the guard house with them,” ordered -Ethan, “and fasten them in.”</p> - -<p>When the gate was thrown open and Jones -and the remainder of the boat’s crew entered, -the former said briskly,</p> - -<p>“Spike the guns; we may have them roaring -about our ears soon if we don’t.”</p> - -<p>Longsword drove the plugs of iron into the -vents of the cannon with swift and hearty -blows.</p> - -<p>“Now, Mr. Browne,” continued the captain, -“station a few men to guard the approaches -from the town. Mr. Carlyle, come with me.”</p> - -<p>While Browne, middy, was stationing the<span class="pagenum" id="Page_140">[140]</span> -men, Ethan hurried away with the captain toward -the point where they had landed.</p> - -<p>“That is Wallingford’s boat that I see advancing,” -said the commander, pointing to a -craft slowly emerging from a wall of mist. -“And I see no indications from the harbor that -he has carried out my orders.”</p> - -<p>As a matter of fact there was no blaze -among the shipping and Ethan saw that the -face of the commander was set and stern. -Wallingford’s boat touched and the lieutenant -sprang ashore.</p> - -<p>“Well, sir,” rapped out the captain.</p> - -<p>“My lights went out, sir, just as I was about -to begin work, and so I could not carry out -my orders.”</p> - -<p>This was long before the day of “brimstone” -matches. The two boats carried lanterns in -which were placed lighted candles, and to -these most uncertain things they had to trust -for the success or failure of a most brilliantly -planned expedition.</p> - -<p>“You will find lights in my boats there, I -think,” said Captain Paul Jones. “Take them -and try once more; there may yet be time.”</p> - -<p>His face was white with anger; he had<span class="pagenum" id="Page_141">[141]</span> -worked hard and dared much for success, and -that such a trivial thing as this should threaten -failure almost made him lose control of himself.</p> - -<p>Ethan bounded toward the captain’s boat -to get the lights; but here, too, the candles -had guttered out, and all that was left was a -smear of tallow and the blackened end of a -wick.</p> - -<p>“Lights are out here, too,” he cried. Captain -Jones drew in his breath sharply.</p> - -<p>“It seems that we are to have our share of -misfortune indeed,” said he with a mirthless -laugh. “But lights must be had.”</p> - -<p>“There is a house a little way below there,” -volunteered Ethan. “I saw it as we came -along. It’s farther from the town than any -other.”</p> - -<p>“Tell Browne to give you a few men, and -go there, then,” said the commander instantly. -“Knock and ask decently at first; but if -they refuse, or delay, beat down the door and -help yourself.”</p> - -<p>Ethan was back at the fort in a few moments’ -sharp run. Longsword and a seaman -named Freeman were given him and they<span class="pagenum" id="Page_142">[142]</span> -started toward the house which Ethan had in -mind. Now as it happened this Freeman was -an Englishman and the very worst man in the -Ranger to be selected for the work in hand.</p> - -<p>The house proved to be a small public inn, -and the young American hammered upon the -door loudly with the heavy butt of a pistol. -As no answer came Longsword dealt the door -a brace of lusty kicks that made the entire -structure rattle.</p> - -<p>“They seem to be sound sleepers,” said -Freeman, who had remained very quiet up till -then. “Suppose I go around to the rear and -see what can be done.”</p> - -<p>He did not wait for Ethan’s permission but -at once disappeared around a corner of the -building. A nervous tremble in the man’s -voice caused the Irishman to instinctively suspect -something. He also turned the corner a -moment later, and saw Freeman speeding -away towards the town.</p> - -<p>“Master Ethan,” roared the dragoon. -“He’s off.”</p> - -<p>“Whom do you mean?”</p> - -<p>“The Englishman. There he goes, as fast -as his legs can take him.”</p> - - - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_143">[143]</span>“We’ll have the whole of Whitehaven here -in short order now,” said Ethan. “He’s gone -to give the alarm.”</p> - -<p>“Not if I can stop him,” shouted the ex-trooper. -He threw up his pistol with a quick, -expert snap of the arm, and fired. Freeman -half-halted, tottered a little, but continued on -toward the town almost as fast as before.</p> - -<p>“You got him,” said Ethan.</p> - -<p>“But not enough,” grumbled Longsword. -“It hardly cut the skin of him.”</p> - -<p>“Try for him, once more, with this,” and -Ethan offered Shamus his own pistol. The -Irishman was a wonderful shot with these -awkward weapons; but the range caused him -to shake his head.</p> - -<p>“Too late,” said he. “It’d take a musket -to find a man at that distance.”</p> - -<p>The sound of the shot had the effect of arousing -the house; a window was thrown open -above, a night-capped head was protruded, -while a pair of sleep heavy eyes blinked -down at them in the pale light of the dawn.</p> - -<p>“Hello,” cried the owner of the night cap -in a husky sort of bellow. “What’s wanted -below there?”</p> - - - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_144">[144]</span>“Arrah, come down wid ye and open the -door,” requested Longsword with great -promptness.</p> - -<p>“And have myself killed for my trouble,” -said the man at the window.</p> - -<p>“Ye’ll get yourself killed if you don’t do -as you’re told, my friend,” said Longsword with -a reckless flourish of his empty pistol. The -man withdrew his head with a jerk; and -though they continued to call to him, he refused -to show himself.</p> - -<p>“Down with the door,” cried Ethan at last. -And putting their shoulders to it they sent it -crashing inward. There now came a perfect -storm of screams and yells from the regions -above.</p> - -<p>They found themselves in a room in which -a sea coal fire was burning; after a short -search Ethan found a couple of fat pine -billets which he stuck partly into the fire. -While they awaited such time as the torches -should ignite, they stood in the broken doorway -and looked earnestly toward the town. -The noises from the rooms above had died -away; and now a long, low murmur as of -many voices was carried to their ears by the<span class="pagenum" id="Page_145">[145]</span> -wind, which was toward the harbor. With -each moment the sound increased in volume; -it would rise sharply and then fall away, only -to rise once more.</p> - -<p>“The town is up, sure enough,” said Longsword, -grimly. “Freeman has lost no time.”</p> - -<p>Once more the murmur of the distant -voices rose and fell; it had a fierce intensity -that came awesomely to the listeners as they -shivered in the chill of that spring morning. -From far down the street a huddle of people -swept around a corner; in their hands they -bore all sorts of hastily snatched weapons; -and by their gesticulations Ethan saw that -they were wrought up to a pitch of frenzy.</p> - -<p>“We have no time to waste,” said the -young American, rapidly. “In a few moments -more they will be here.”</p> - -<p>He ran into the room and snatched the -torches from the coals; the ends were -smoldering only, but he swung them about -his head a few times and they burst into a -blaze.</p> - -<p>“Now we are ready,” he cried. In a moment -they were out in the road. The shrill -cries of the advancing townspeople sounded<span class="pagenum" id="Page_146">[146]</span> -fiercer still; the heavy tramp of their feet was -swift and menacing.</p> - -<p>“They mean business, sure,” cried Longsword. -“Look out!”</p> - -<p>Two or three bullets struck near them and -the vengeful cries increased. From the window -of the inn the landlord was clamoring at -the top of his lusty voice.</p> - -<p>“Come on,” shouted Ethan to the Irishman -as he darted down the road. Longsword -followed close at his heels; now and then he -flourished his empty pistol and defied the -crowd mutely.</p> - -<p>John Paul Jones was awaiting them -eagerly.</p> - -<p>“Hah! You have the lights. Good! -But what is that noise I hear? You have -injured none of the folks at the house, I -hope.”</p> - -<p>“No,” answered Ethan. “Freeman, the -sailor whom we took with us, slipped into -the town and aroused the people. They are -coming in crowds.”</p> - -<p>A frown wrinkled the commander’s brow.</p> - -<p>“I had hoped that this would not happen, -at least, until we had kindled a good blaze.<span class="pagenum" id="Page_147">[147]</span> -But we must do our best, as it is. Ahoy, -there, into the brig, and put the torch to -her.”</p> - -<p>There were a great number of vessels which -had been taking in or discharging cargoes; -for the most part they lay close together, and -a fire started in one would probably mean the -destruction of all.</p> - -<p>The brig to which Paul Jones referred was -one of the largest vessels at hand, and a great -quantity of combustible matter had been -scattered through her while Ethan had been -securing the lights. Those set to apply the -torch did not perform that duty quickly -enough for the impatient commander; so he -sprang forward, snatched a blazing brand -from one of them and leaped aboard the brig. -Plunging below decks he applied the torch; -as he gained the deck once more he was followed -by a thick cloud of smoke and a -shower of sparks.</p> - -<p>The people of Whitehaven had, by this -time, reached the entrance to the wharf, -though the sight of a number of heavily-armed -seamen halted them promptly. But -with each passing moment their numbers increased,<span class="pagenum" id="Page_148">[148]</span> -their shouts and execrations filled -the air; every now and then a flight of -missiles would patter about the Americans. -Then the fired brig burst into a fierce blaze; -from every port and seam smoke and flame -jetted and curled; and as no more was now -to be done, Paul Jones shouted:</p> - -<p>“To the boats, men. But take your time. -Show any evidence of haste, and we’ll have -all those people upon us.”</p> - -<p>The men obeyed. With Lieutenant Wallingford’s -eye upon them, they climbed into -the boats. Captain Jones, however, remained -upon the pier. Ethan was about to follow -the others when he noticed this.</p> - -<p>“All hands in the boats, sir,” said he.</p> - -<p>“Very well,” answered the other coolly.</p> - -<p>The fire in the brig had suddenly begun to -die away, and he feared that it was about to -go out. Ethan realized that this was the -cause of his delay.</p> - -<p>“It needs more draught, I think,” said the -boy.</p> - -<p>“If the hatches were all off it would have -more chance,” said the captain.</p> - -<p>Without a word Ethan sprang to the vessel’s<span class="pagenum" id="Page_149">[149]</span> -rail and climbed aboard. As luck would have -it an axe was at hand; and in a moment his -sturdy blows were ringing and crashing in -the ears of the mob. This latter had constantly -grown larger; from every direction -the people were hastening to the scene. When -the throng realized what the axe blows meant, -a wild howl went up from them.</p> - -<p>“Down with the Yankee pirate,” came the -cry.</p> - -<p>“They are burning the ship!” shrilled a -newcomer.</p> - -<p>“Look,” shouted another; “there is only -one man. Shall five hundred loyal subjects -of the king be braved by one American cut-throat?”</p> - -<p>“Never!” roared the mob.</p> - -<p>Like a fury Ethan hacked and hewed at -the hatches until he had them all cut away; -he was delivering the finishing strokes when -the press from the rear of the crowd became -so great that those in front were hurled forward.</p> - -<p>“Back!” cried the intrepid John Paul -Jones, presenting his heavy pistols in their -faces. “Keep back!”</p> - - - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_150">[150]</span>This ready action and the coolness of the -man filled the angry mob with fear. With -cries of alarm they fled back to their former -positions at the head of the pier. The brig -was now wrapped in a solid sheet of flame; -and as there was nothing that demanded the -further detaining of the Ranger’s boats, the -captain sprang into one of them, followed by -Ethan, and they pushed off.</p> - -<p>Immediately the crowd surged down the -pier; some sprang to fight the flames; others -stood at the harbor’s edge and shrieked their -threats of vengeance; but the tars in the -rapidly-receding boats only answered by a derisive -laugh. Some one released the guard -at the fort; the hastily-driven spikes were -wrenched from one or two of the guns; and -they were loaded and trained upon the boats.</p> - -<p>But by the time their sullen reports broke -upon the morning air the Americans were -out of range; and in a very little while later -the dashing sloop-of-war, under a press of -white canvas, had disappeared beyond the -vision of those upon the shore.</p> -<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop" /> - -<div class="chapter"> -<span class="pagenum" id="Page_151">[151]</span> - -<h2 class="nobreak">CHAPTER XI<br /> - - -<small>ON ST. MARY’S ISLE</small></h2> -</div> - -<p><span class="smcap">Expresses</span> dashed about and signal fires -burned along the coast from one end of England -to the other. Fear fell upon the folk of -every commercial port and fishing hamlet. -Invasion had been the very last thing that -the British had thought possible; no enemy -had set his foot upon their soil before in the -memory of living man; and now that the -despised Americans had accomplished the -feat, a wave of mingled fear and fury swept -through the “tight little isle.”</p> - -<p>The British had thought it very right and -proper to burn and destroy along the American -coast; they considered it a rather quick -and effective method of suppressing the rebellious -subjects of the king.</p> - -<p>But when the youthful republic sent this -daring sailor, Paul Jones, across the sea and -through him applied the torch to British -property and in a British harbor, the thing -seemed vastly different. Pirate was the mildest<span class="pagenum" id="Page_152">[152]</span> -term they could find for the chief of the -Ranger; and indeed so they affect to regard -him to this day.</p> - -<p>Parliament was appealed to by the populace, -and it was implored to have armed vessels sent -out after the daring Yankee, and to scour the -seas until he was either taken or sunk.</p> - -<p>News of all this reached John Paul Jones -through vessels that he captured in the Irish -Channel; but he only laughed and glanced -proudly about at his trim, swift, well-armed -ship.</p> - -<p>“It is about time that our friend the Lascar -was due at St. Mary’s Isle,” said he to Ethan, -one evening as they sat in the cabin talking -over the secret dispatch and its probable fate. -“I am thinking of heading for there and giving -you a chance to see.”</p> - -<p>“Do,” said the lad eagerly. “Think what -the loss of this paper might mean to our -country. We should use every means in our -power to recover it; and St. Mary’s Isle offers -at least a possibility.”</p> - -<p>“What you say is very true,” said the commander -gravely. “But I have still another -reason for making this landing.”</p> - - - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_153">[153]</span>“Indeed.”</p> - -<p>“From time to time the people of the -United States have heard of the dreadful -treatment meted out to American prisoners of -war in the British hulks and jails; but in -spite of the protests of Congress, nothing has -been done by the English king to alter this -state of affairs.”</p> - -<p>“It is believed to be growing constantly -worse.”</p> - -<p>“The only hope of relief to our imprisoned -countrymen,” said Paul Jones, “lies in our -ability to effect a system of exchange.”</p> - -<p>“But this has been tried many times before,” -said Ethan. “I copied the papers for -Mr. Jefferson upon one occasion. But nothing -ever came of it.”</p> - -<p>“The reason of that is very clear. We -have had no prominent captives. Let us -once get a man of great name into our power -and we can compel the beginning of such a -system.”</p> - -<p>“That seems very likely,” said the lad.</p> - -<p>“Here is the Earl of Selkirk, one of England’s -most exalted personages. If we had -him in our power it would not be many<span class="pagenum" id="Page_154">[154]</span> -months before the treatment of American -prisoners would change. And when we land -upon St. Mary’s Isle, the Lascar, Siki, will not -be the only person sought; if it is possible to -do so, I shall leave there with the earl in this -cabin a prisoner and hostage.”</p> - -<p>Upon the beautiful headland at the mouth -of the River Dee, the noble Earl of Selkirk -had a magnificent seat. It was not long before -the Ranger came in sight of this; the news of -what the commander had resolved to do -had leaked out and the entire ship hummed -with it.</p> - -<p>The sloop-of-war ran in close and the boatswain’s -call rang through her. Two boats’ -crews, armed with cutlass and pistol, were -called away, under the command of Captain -Jones and Lieutenants Simpson and Hall. -An old, white-haired man met them as the -bows of the boats ran up upon the sand; and -he bowed low, hat in hand.</p> - -<p>“Welcome, sir,” said he, the tremble of age -in his voice. “The king’s officers are always -welcome. It has been many months since we -have been favored by a visit from a ship of -his Majesty’s navy.”</p> - - - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_155">[155]</span>The old man had the appearance of a -steward or an upper servant of some sort; the -Ranger flew no flag and he mistook her for a -king’s ship. Captain Jones smiled kindly -upon the old fellow.</p> - -<p>“Thank you for your kind words,” said he. -“I only hope that the earl will be equally -glad to see us.”</p> - -<p>“The earl, sir, would be pleased, I know. -But, ah,” and the ancient shook his white -head sorrowfully, “he has been called away.”</p> - -<p>“Called away!” The captain exchanged -glances with Ethan and his officers, while -the boats’ crews muttered their disappointment.</p> - -<p>“Yes, sir,” said the old servant. “He has -been a-gone for some time now. Do you -know, sir,” and he came nearer to John Paul -Jones and lowered his voice, “I can’t abide -these blackamoors.”</p> - -<p>Ethan Carlyle started; and the commander -said quickly:</p> - -<p>“What do you mean by that?”</p> - -<p>“I mean the man who haunted the grounds, -sir, for days. He wanted to see the earl; and -when, at last, he did see him, the earl went<span class="pagenum" id="Page_156">[156]</span> -away to London or some other place. No, sir, -I don’t like these blackamoors.”</p> - -<p>“Too late,” said Ethan Carlyle, with a great -feeling of weight at his heart.</p> - -<p>“It would seem that we are to be disappointed -in both quests,” said the captain, in a -low tone. “The earl is gone and he has taken -the paper with him. Perhaps it is even now -in the hands of the British ministers.”</p> - -<p>Then he turned to Simpson and Hall. -“We may as well return to the ship. There -seems to be nothing for us here.”</p> - -<p>“There is the hall,” said Simpson, pointing -toward the great white building whose top -appeared above the trees. “I have no doubt -but what there is rich plunder there.”</p> - -<p>“Hah!” ejaculated Paul Jones, staring into -the lieutenant’s sullen face through his puckered -eyelids.</p> - -<p>“Simpson is right,” said Hall. “We have -taken this risk, and should not be asked to go -back to the ship empty handed.”</p> - -<p>“Who is it at the hall?” asked Jones of the -old servant.</p> - -<p>“Only the countess, sir,” replied the bewildered -old man.</p> - - - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_157">[157]</span>“Do you hear?” and the Ranger’s commander -wheeled upon his officers with stormy -eyes. “There is only a helpless woman then -at the house. Are my ship’s company to turn -buccaneers, indeed?”</p> - -<p>“It is all very well for you to hold your -high notions,” said Lieutenant Simpson with -something like a sneer, “but the officers of the -Ranger sailed in her for profit. And as here -is an excellent chance for booty, I am for -seizing it.”</p> - -<p>“If you sail for glory, Captain Jones,” said -Hall, “very well. Patriotism is a very good -thing; but plunder is not so bad.”</p> - -<p>There was a murmur of assent from the -boats’ crews; the continued insubordination -of these two officers during the voyage had -spoiled the men of the Ranger; there had been -times when only the utmost firmness had prevented -a mutiny.</p> - -<p>“The cruise of the Ranger has not been as -fortunate as we could wish,” remarked Simpson, -“and now that this little chance for plunder -presents itself we have no desire to see it -slip by.”</p> - -<p>“Nor the crew either,” said Hall, meaningly.<span class="pagenum" id="Page_158">[158]</span> -And the men shot frowning glances at their -captain.</p> - -<p>The latter’s face was white with anger and -his hand clutched the pistol in his belt. Ethan -and Longsword stepped to his side with weapons -ready in case of need; the commander -gave them a quick look of thanks. But a -moment had served to change his mind. To -shoot down Simpson and Hall would only -bring on a bloody and unnecessary encounter, -and the loss of the Ranger to the cause of -freedom might result. So the captain’s hand -dropped away from his pistol butt, and he said -in an icy voice:</p> - -<p>“You do this thing against my will. I want -that understood; and both of you will answer -for it before a naval board.”</p> - -<p>“If you are so very particular about the -matter,” said Simpson, “why, when the booty -is appraised by the prize court, you can buy -it in and return it to the noble earl if you so -desire.”</p> - -<p>“I thank you for the suggestion,” said the -captain, coldly, “and I will act upon it.”</p> - -<p>They stared at him in silence for a moment; -then Hall asked:</p> - - - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_159">[159]</span>“Have we then your permission to proceed, -sir?”</p> - -<p>“You have both announced your determination -to do as you like,” said Paul Jones, bitterly, -“and I will raise no hand to prevent you -carrying out your plans. But the responsibility -shall be your own; I will have no hand -in the affair.”</p> - -<p>Without another word, the mutinous officers -ordered the men to advance; and away they -went toward the hall, their side arms clanking -and their sullen eyes avoiding the glance of -their angry commander.</p> - -<p>History relates how they found the countess -in the hall, and surrounded it; how they demanded -the plate chest, and how it was given -up to them by the lady almost without protest. -Ethan and Longsword had followed the -party, and with face scarlet with shame the -former watched the seamen bear off the -chest.</p> - -<p>“It seems, Longsword,” said the lad, his -eyes smoldering with rage, “that we have -turned thieves.”</p> - -<p>“Yes, faith, and nasty, low-down thieves in -the bargain,” agreed the Irish dragoon.</p> - - - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_160">[160]</span>“Look at the captain,” said Ethan, pointing -to the slight figure of the Ranger’s young -commander as he paced up and down beneath -the trees, with bent head and hands clasped -behind him.</p> - -<p>There was a set, hard look upon his face as -he raised it, and saw the men returning with -their plunder. But he said not a word, and -at once proceeded to make ready for their return -to the Ranger.</p> - -<p>Ethan and Longsword were some distance -behind the party; the shame that they felt in -this act of knavery would not permit them to -mingle with the others; and as they were -passing a high and beautifully trimmed hedge, -the first man clambered into one of the boats.</p> - -<p>“Make haste,” said Longsword, “we shall -be left behind.”</p> - -<p>They broke into a trot; but hardly had they -taken a half dozen steps at the increased pace, -when a score of men leaped over or burst -through the hedge and fell upon them. Rough -hands were clapped upon their mouths; they -struggled desperately, but were borne to the -ground and pinned there by strong arms. It -took some little time to accomplish this, and<span class="pagenum" id="Page_161">[161]</span> -when at last they were overcome the Ranger’s -boats were well upon their way, the men bending -strongly to their oars.</p> -<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop" /> - -<div class="chapter"> -<span class="pagenum" id="Page_162">[162]</span> - -<h2 class="nobreak">CHAPTER XII<br /> - - -<small>IN WHICH DANVERS APPEARS ONCE MORE</small></h2> -</div> - -<p><span class="smcap">After</span> their captors had them securely -trussed up with strong ropes, they paid very -little attention to Ethan or his companion. -Something at sea seemed to interest them -greatly, and, filled with curiosity, the two -struggled to see what it could be.</p> - -<p>“Look how the Ranger’s men are dragging -at the sweeps,” said Ethan.</p> - -<p>“They pull like mad,” agreed Longsword as -he sat up in the sand in spite of his bonds. -“And look how the officers are urging them -on!”</p> - -<p>“Something has happened,” said the lad.</p> - -<p>“Something will happen within the next -half hour,” said one of the Englishmen who -stood near. “His Majesty’s frigate Thunderer -is going to have a word to say in this matter -pretty soon.”</p> - -<p>“An English ship!” cried both captives.</p> - -<p>“Ay, and a smart craft, too, with plenty of<span class="pagenum" id="Page_163">[163]</span> -guns and men. She’s been lying further up -behind the headland; but we’ve sent word and -she’s coming down.”</p> - -<p>As the man spoke there came the deep boom -of a gun; the Ranger, with her sails filled, -went flying seaward; from around the headland -swept the huge, dark hull and towering -sail spread of a British ship-of-war, a column -of white smoke arising from her bow.</p> - -<p>“The Yankee are running away,” cried a -voice. “They can rob defenceless people, but -they won’t stand and fight.”</p> - -<p>“What’s the matter wid them?” growled -Longsword as he watched the Ranger. “Sure -our ship can beat that fellow wid ease.”</p> - -<p>“And she’s going to do it,” cried Ethan. -“Look there. She only stood out for sea-room.”</p> - -<p>Sure enough the American vessel now wore -around and opened fire; from that distance -the puffs of smoke from her sides could be -seen long before the reports were heard; and -when they did come, they were dull and sullen -and ominous.</p> - -<p>“Hello,” cried one of the men on the beach, -“that Yankee can shoot a bit.”</p> - - - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_164">[164]</span>At the first fire the Thunderer’s bowsprit -hung limply, her foresails trailing in the sea; -a clutter of spars and a broken topmast hung -over the deck, and the rent canvas flapped -helplessly and wrapped itself about the masts -and shrouds.</p> - -<p>The Ranger then stood in to take up a more -effective position; but the skipper of the British -frigate seemed to already have more than -enough of the fight; and making what sail he -could he quickly scuttled back in the direction -from which he had come. The Englishmen -were much wrought up over this defeat; -but Ethan and Longsword were well pleased.</p> - -<p>“She came out like a conqueror,” said the -lad, “and she went back like a hen caught in a -shower of rain.”</p> - -<p>“You keep quiet,” growled one of the men. -“You’ll have all the trouble you can attend to -in a few moments without making more for -yourself.”</p> - -<p>“I and my companion are to be treated as -prisoners of war, I suppose,” said Ethan.</p> - -<p>“You are to be treated just as this gentleman -sees fit,” answered the man.</p> - -<p>As he spoke, he pointed to a newcomer who<span class="pagenum" id="Page_165">[165]</span> -came sauntering coolly along, his eyes turned -seaward upon the Ranger, which was dressing -her yards and about to put to sea.</p> - -<p>“Danvers!” exclaimed Ethan, instantly recognizing -the jetty hair and the remarkable -pallor.</p> - -<p>The man turned and darted a swift, searching -look at the boy as the cry reached his ears. -Then his face lighted up in triumph and he -laughed in a short, sharp way that bespoke -malicious satisfaction.</p> - -<p>“So, it is you, my young friend, is it?” he -cried, advancing toward them. “I had heard -that my men had made a capture, but had no -idea that it was any one but a brace of seamen.” -He stood looking down at them, a -smile showing his white, even teeth, and one -hand tapping the hilt of his sword. “So,” he -went on after a pause, “you have joined with -the Lascar, have you?”</p> - -<p>“Joined with him,” repeated Ethan in surprise.</p> - -<p>“Ay, and don’t seek to deceive me. I am -not Monsieur Fochard.”</p> - -<p>Ethan and the Irish dragoon laughed at -this, and Danvers glowered at them blackly.</p> - - - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_166">[166]</span>“You have seen Monsieur Fochard, then,” -smiled the young American.</p> - -<p>“Less than a half hour after you had gone. -Your trick was a most clever one; I am an -admirer of cleverness, even when it is displayed -against me, and I beg of you to accept -my congratulations.”</p> - -<p>Despite the man’s evident anger, it seemed -as though he meant this; as an adept in -trickery himself, he was forced to admiration -at Ethan’s apparent excellence in this line.</p> - -<p>“But tell me,” he went on, bending over -them, “how did you know that Fochard was -concerned in this matter? and how did you -learn that I was to visit him upon the night -you and this man,” indicating Longsword, -“impersonated Wheelock and myself?”</p> - -<p>Ethan smiled, but shook his head. It was -plain that the man was mystified, and, of -course the lad had no desire to enlighten him.</p> - -<p>“That,” he replied, “is a secret.”</p> - -<p>Danvers bent his brows still more, and his -lips tightened.</p> - -<p>“A secret—yes, I suppose it is. And you -thought to have the later developments a -secret, too, didn’t you?”</p> - - - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_167">[167]</span>“What do you mean?”</p> - -<p>“I mean with regard to the man Siki.”</p> - -<p>“This,” said Ethan in a puzzled way, “is -the second time within a very few minutes -that you have hinted a mysterious something -about this slippery Lascar. But I don’t just -grasp your meaning.”</p> - -<p>“You may evade the fact as you please,” -said Danvers, “but it remains the same. I’ll -tell you what I have found out. When you -discovered who had the dispatch that night -in your visit to the secret agent, Fochard, you -conceived the idea which you and your -friend, Captain Jones, have so admirably -carried out.”</p> - -<p>“And what was that?”</p> - -<p>“To seek the Lascar, and enter into a compact -with him to sell the dispatch.”</p> - -<p>Ethan turned white; his eyes blazed and -he struggled desperately with the stout ropes -that bound him.</p> - -<p>“If I were free,” he gasped, “I’d make -you regret those words.”</p> - -<p>“Oh, spare me any heroics,” sneered the -British spy. “I know that both you and that -Scottish renegade, John Paul Jones, profess a<span class="pagenum" id="Page_168">[168]</span> -most lofty patriotism. But neither of you -can deceive me.”</p> - -<p>“That,” cried Longsword, who had not been -able to speak before, so great was his astonishment, -“is the most bla’guardly accusation -I ever heard in me life, so it is. D’ye mean -to say that this lad whom I held in me two -arms as a babe, would sell his country to your -mad old king?”</p> - -<p>“If the price of his treachery were sufficient, -of course he would,” jeered Danvers. “It -was the end of country and all else when -he knew that ten thousand pounds would be -gained by the delivery of the dispatch. I -have met many men; and I am a fair judge -of these little things, believe me.”</p> - -<p>“If I were as sharp as you,” growled the -Irish trooper, “I’d be afraid to associate wid -meself, so I would.”</p> - -<p>“I was here when the Lascar came,” said -Danvers to Ethan, and ignoring Longsword. -“I saw him meet the earl; I overheard what -they said.”</p> - -<p>“Ah!” said Ethan, with an eagerness that -he was unable to conceal.</p> - -<p>“The fellow told the earl of the paper; he<span class="pagenum" id="Page_169">[169]</span> -said that it was then in the possession of another. -I met him afterward in the road; it -was after dark, and I was soon squeezing his -story from his throat.”</p> - -<p>“And he told you——?”</p> - -<p>“He told me how he sailed from France in -the Ranger; how you were now leagued with -him, and Jones, also; and you, he said, were -the person who had the paper.”</p> - -<p>“I understand the matter now,” said Ethan. -“He told you what it suited him to have you -believe.”</p> - -<p>Danvers laughed.</p> - -<p>“Oh, don’t try to throw the dust in my -eyes like that,” he said. “I’m too old a hand -for that sort of thing.”</p> - -<p>Ethan at once saw that it would be the -merest folly to attempt to convince the man -of the Lascar’s deception, so he said nothing -more.</p> - -<p>“Our friend, Siki,” said Danvers, “is now -safe on board the frigate, Drake, which is -lying at Carrickfergus; she was in these -waters at the time of my capture of him, and -I had him sent aboard for safe keeping.”</p> - -<p>“I suppose,” said Ethan after a short<span class="pagenum" id="Page_170">[170]</span> -silence, “that we two are destined for some -hulk or prison.”</p> - -<p>“For a prison, you may be sure,” laughed -the emissary of the crown, “but a private -prison of my own. You’ll be safe enough -there until I can end the whole matter. And -now, where is the dispatch?”</p> - -<p>“I only wish I could say,” said Ethan. -“But I assure you I know nothing of its -whereabouts.”</p> - -<p>Danvers smiled coldly.</p> - -<p>“Here, men!” he cried to some of his -followers, who had withdrawn some little distance -during the above conversation, “search -these prisoners; and do it thoroughly.”</p> - -<p>The men did as they were bidden; their -search was complete, but, of course it resulted -in nothing. Danvers bit his lip and was -savage in his disappointment.</p> - -<p>“Jones has it, then,” he said. “The -villain; I’ll have it from him yet.”</p> - -<p>“You seem very ready, Mr. Danvers, to -apply harsh names to Americans.”</p> - -<p>“Jones is not an American.”</p> - - - - - -<p>“You are wrong. By accident of birth he -was a Scotchman; but love of liberty and the<span class="pagenum" id="Page_171">[171]</span> -willingness to dare death in her cause has -made him American.”</p> - -<p>“He is a rascally ex-slaver,” growled -Danvers.</p> - -<p>“If a lad of eighteen was a rascal for taking -employment in a slave ship, then the English -government must be a government of rascals -for encouraging that hideous traffic that they -might gain money by it.”</p> - -<div class="figcenter"><img src="images/i_170.jpg" alt="" /></div> -<p class="drop-cap2"><i>DANVERS CAME DOWN INTO THE HOLD</i></p> -<p> </p> - -<p>“How dare you!” cried the Englishman. -“How dare you talk so against the king’s -government while in the king’s country!”</p> - -<p>“I have not stopped at words against the -king’s government,” said Ethan proudly.</p> - -<p>“No; I’ve heard of the doings of your -pirate ship in the channel. But she’ll soon -meet her fate. British ships and British tars -are in search of her.”</p> - -<p>Ethan laughed amusedly.</p> - -<p>“You saw what happened to a British ship -less than a half hour ago, did you not? The -Ranger will not be so easily taken.”</p> - -<p>Danvers was a man of violent temper; he -could not answer this in the calm manner -that he desired; so he turned away without -a reply, and gave an order to his men in a<span class="pagenum" id="Page_172">[172]</span> -low tone. In a few moments the young -American and the Irishman were deposited -in the bottom of a large skiff, still trussed up -with the ropes, and were being rowed toward -the Dee, where a small schooner-rigged tender -lay. They were lifted on board of this vessel, -which toward night made sail out of the -harbor and down the coast.</p> - -<p>Ethan and Longsword were eased of the -ropes, but were at once ironed in the tender’s -hold. It was dark there, not a ray of light -penetrated anywhere; but they lay and listened -to the beat of the channel waters against the -sides, and talked in low tones.</p> - -<p>“It looks,” said Longsword, gloomily, “as -though we two were laid up for the rest of -the war. Wid British irons upon our legs -and arms things don’t seem very bright, me -lad.”</p> - -<p>“Don’t say that,” cried Ethan in a sharp, -pained voice. “I can’t stand it, Shamus; the -thought that we may be chained up in an -English ship or a prison of some sort when -our country needs every pair of hands that -can oppose her foes, makes me desperate. It’s -like despair itself!”</p> - - - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_173">[173]</span>About an hour after the schooner had got -well under way, Danvers came down into the -hold with a lantern. He stood over them -and stared coldly from one to the other.</p> - -<p>“Ironed like thieves,” he said with a sneer. -“It would delight the heart of your grandfather, -old Clarette, boy, or your English -father, to see you so, wouldn’t it?”</p> - -<p>“They would be glad to think that I have -suffered something for my country.”</p> - -<p>“Your country!” snarled Danvers. “Bah, -that nest of rats which you call a Congress -will be broken up before long; the arch-traitor, -Washington, will dangle from the end -of a rope, while his tatterdemalions will be -hunted through the woods like foxes.”</p> - -<p>“That was said long ago,” replied Ethan. -“But it is all as far from accomplishment as -ever. The American people will never bow -the knee to a king’s will again.”</p> - -<p>Danvers had not yet overcome his anger -of the day, and now he seemed upon the point -of bursting into a blaze of fury. But with an -effort he calmed himself; flashing the rays of -the lantern into Ethan’s face, he said:</p> - -<p>“Boy, somehow or other you have the<span class="pagenum" id="Page_174">[174]</span> -knack of angering me, and when people -anger me they are in danger, especially when -they are enemies to the king. In certain -crises I even possess the legal power of life -and death; and were I so minded I could -string you from the rigging of this vessel. -What do you say to that?”</p> - -<p>“Nothing,” returned Ethan, looking him -unflinchingly in the eye.</p> - -<p>“Ask me that question,” said Longsword, -“and, faith, I’ll say plenty.”</p> - -<p>“Be still, you Irish hound!” hissed the spy; -“or I’ll have you stretched across a grating, -and let you see how the boatswain can use -the cat.”</p> - -<p>“Arrah, don’t go to any bother on my account,” -said the dragoon coolly. “I am willing -enough to believe that the gentleman is -an artist wid the cat-o’-nine-tails. Your word, -sir, is enough for me.”</p> - -<p>But Danvers paid no attention to him. -Bending over Ethan, he said:</p> - -<p>“For the last time, will you tell me where -the dispatch is hidden?”</p> - -<p>“For the last time,” said Ethan boldly, “I -answer that I do not know.”</p> - - - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_175">[175]</span>The emissary of the crown remained staring -in his face for a moment; then he turned -away; his footsteps sounded upon the ladder, -the hatch above was closed and they were -left once more in darkness.</p> -<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop" /> - -<div class="chapter"> -<span class="pagenum" id="Page_176">[176]</span> - -<h2 class="nobreak">CHAPTER XIII<br /> - - -<small>HOW THE SPY LOST HIS PRISONERS</small></h2> -</div> - -<p><span class="smcap">In</span> the pale dawn of the early morning the -tender dropped anchor in a small cove, and -the two prisoners were brought upon the deck. -The leg irons had been removed, but their -arms were still chained behind them.</p> - -<p>Once more they were placed in a small -boat, and were rowed ashore. Under guard -of Danvers and a couple of seamen they were -marched through the streets of a small, poor-looking -town, and at last brought to a halt -before a gloomy, half-ruined stone building. -Danvers knocked loudly upon the door.</p> - -<p>“This,” said he, turning to Ethan and -Longsword as he waited for the door to be -opened, “is to be your place of residence until -such time as you make up your mind to tell -me what has become of the dispatch.”</p> - -<p>“Have you not said that you thought Captain -Jones had it?”</p> - -<p>“But the Lascar said that you were to deliver -it to the earl; and I think that that was<span class="pagenum" id="Page_177">[177]</span> -why the landing was made.” The man paused -a moment, then added with a great deal of -eagerness in his voice, “Tell me, did you conceal -it anywhere upon St. Mary’s Isle before -you were taken?”</p> - -<p>“I have told you that I know nothing of -the dispatch save that Siki took it from the -cabin of the Ranger.”</p> - -<p>There was plain disbelief upon the face of -the spy; but before he could make any reply, -the door opened slightly, as though upon a -chain, and a woman’s face appeared—a bony, -fierce-looking countenance with a mop of unkempt -hair above it.</p> - -<p>“What is wanted at this hour?” she demanded -harshly.</p> - -<p>“It’s I, Meg,” replied Danvers; “I’ve -brought some lodgers for you.”</p> - -<p>The woman seemed to recognize the voice, -for she at once threw the door wide, and stood -before them. She was a huge, raw-boned -creature, and looked as strong as a man; she -was attired in a tattered gown, and a cloak -was wound about her shoulders. Gazing -sharply at the two prisoners, she burst into a -grating chuckle.</p> - - - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_178">[178]</span>“Yankees, eh,” she said, as though highly -pleased. “But, no,” gazing at Longsword -once more, “this one is Irish, even the scar -does not hide that, though it covers the greater -part of his face.”</p> - -<p>“I’ll thank ye,” growled the dragoon, “not -to indulge in any personal remarks, mam.”</p> - -<p>The woman laughed gleefully, and wagged -her head.</p> - -<p>“The Irish all have tempers,” she said, “but -that don’t do them any harm. I like them -the better for it.”</p> - -<p>She then gave her attention to another examination -of Ethan.</p> - -<p>“This one is younger,” she said, “but he’ll -give the most trouble; I can see it in his face. -A strong room with a grated door will be -needed here, Mr. Danvers,” she chuckled. -“If the young gentleman is not provided with -these luxuries he may slip through my fingers.”</p> - -<p>“That must not happen,” said Danvers, -sharply. “None of your nonsense, Meg! Put -them in a place where they will be safe.”</p> - -<p>“But that will cost more, Mr. Danvers,” -said the woman, with a grin, “a very great -deal more, sir.”</p> - - - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_179">[179]</span>“Let it,” returned Danvers, shortly. “But -don’t keep us standing here until wide daylight.”</p> - -<p>The woman favored him with no mild look; -nevertheless she did as she was bidden. A -moment later they found themselves in a narrow, -low-ceilinged room, cluttered with broken -furniture and cooking utensils; then the -woman opened a heavy door, disclosing a flight -of steep steps leading into a deep cellar; descending -these, Meg still leading the way and -holding a reeking oil lamp above her head, -they brought up before a wall of massive stone -work into which were set some heavy grated -doors of iron.</p> - -<p>“I love to look at them,” cried the woman, -setting the lamp upon the floor and fumbling -at her belt for the bunch of keys that hung -there. “Ah, they are beautiful doors, as safe -and as strong as any in Europe. Any one -whom they ever closed upon has been held as -fast as a rat in a trap. Not one has ever escaped. -The great noble whose private prison -this was in the old days, Mr. Danvers, knew -how to build. Ah, yes, indeed. But,” with -a chuckle, “he never dreamed how his handiwork<span class="pagenum" id="Page_180">[180]</span> -was to bring me my living long years -after he was in his grave. Oh, no, he never -knew that.”</p> - -<p>She unlocked the door before which she -stood, and slowly swung it open, creaking and -groaning. Then she stood aside and bowed -mockingly to Ethan.</p> - -<p>“Enter,” she invited with a grin. “Enter, -my young Yankee, and never hope to leave -this pretty cell until Mr. Danvers gives me -the word.”</p> - -<p>The boy glanced into the dungeon; the pale -light of the lamp showed that the walls were -of rough stone, and that years of dampness -had made them a hideous, slimy black. A -rat scurried across the floor as the light rays -penetrated; there were no windows and no -furniture of any sort, not even a stool. In one -corner was a heap of foul-looking straw, presumably -to be used as a bed.</p> - -<p>Ethan hesitated upon the threshold of this -den, and the woman laughed.</p> - -<p>“What!” she cried. “You don’t seem -pleased. Perhaps my lord would like a rug -upon the floor and paintings upon the walls.”</p> - -<p>“You see what is in store for you,” said<span class="pagenum" id="Page_181">[181]</span> -Danvers. “And you’ll remain here until you -tell me what you have done with the dispatch.”</p> - -<p>Then the spy made a sign; the seamen from -the schooner pushed the boy roughly into the -dungeon. Longsword was about to follow, -but Meg prevented him.</p> - -<p>“Oh, no,” she cried with her mirthless -laugh. “I never have two together. Mischief -is apt to be plotted that way. Here is -your room, my brave Irelander; it is just next -door. You may talk as much as you like. -But I’ll give you no chance to join your -strength. Oh, no, no.”</p> - -<p>Another door was swung open and Longsword -stepped into a cell as damp and as unwholesome -as Ethan’s. The irons were then -taken from their arms and the doors were securely -locked; and as they stood staring -through the gratings they saw Meg pick up -her lamp and prepare to lead the men from -the cellar.</p> - -<p>“Have you much smuggled goods in the -place just now, Meg?” said the spy, looking -about.</p> - -<p>“Ah, Mr. Danvers, sir, you will have your<span class="pagenum" id="Page_182">[182]</span> -little joke. The king’s revenue never loses -anything through me, as you know.”</p> - -<p>Danvers laughed.</p> - -<p>“You have changed your way of making a -living, then,” said he. “When I was on the -cutter that patrolled this coast there was no -hiding-place that required more watching than -this.”</p> - -<p>He did not wait for the woman’s reply, but -turned to the dungeon door behind which -Ethan stood and said:</p> - -<p>“For the last time, will you answer?”</p> - -<p>“I have nothing to say,” answered the -boy.</p> - -<p>“In a week I will return,” said the spy. -“Let us see how you stand this place. I -fancy that by that time you will be ready to -tell me anything I desire to know.”</p> - -<p>And with a disagreeable laugh he followed -the others. Ethan heard the stamping of -their feet as they climbed the stairs; the light -from the receding lamp flickered dimly along -the stone passage; then a door slammed heavily -and all was dark.</p> - -<p>“Well,” called the voice of Longsword, -“what do ye think of this, Master Ethan?”</p> - - - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_183">[183]</span>“It looks as though we were in for it, -Shamus,” answered Ethan.</p> - -<p>Longsword rattled at the grated door of his -cell and laughed.</p> - -<p>“It was hung here to stay, sure enough,” -he said. “It would take a blast of powder to -budge it.”</p> - -<p>“Have you any rats over there with you?” -asked Ethan, after a time.</p> - -<p>“Faith and I have; I can see a dozen pairs -of little, red, shining eyes looking at me from -the corners now.” Longsword stamped heavily -upon the stone floor and then chuckled. “Sure -they are easy frightened, though. They run -off at a sound.”</p> - -<p>The day passed slowly. They became heavy-eyed -and weary of talking through the darkness, -and stretching themselves upon the damp -floor they slept. They were awakened by the -rays of the woman’s lamp shining in upon -them. Meg stood in the passage without, and -in her hands were some mouldy, hard-looking -crusts, and two cracked stone jugs containing -water.</p> - -<p>“Good-evening, my gallant rebels,” she -saluted, grinning.</p> - - - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_184">[184]</span>“Is it evening?” asked Longsword, his eyes -blinking at the light.</p> - -<p>“Ay, that it is; and I’ve brought your -suppers.” She passed the bread and water -through small openings at the bottoms of -their cell doors. “Bread and water,” she -chuckled. “Hah, you’ll not grow very -plump upon such fare as that.”</p> - -<p>“Plump,” growled the Irish dragoon, regarding -the crust in his hand with high disfavor. -“Why a rat would starve upon such -stuff. And it’s as hard as a block of wood.”</p> - -<p>He hammered the bread against the wall as -he spoke; it gave out a sound not unlike that -which a block of wood would give. The -woman writhed with laughter.</p> - -<p>“Ah, you are a rogue, I can see that,” she -cried. “And like all the Irish, you will joke. -But this one,” and she turned to the door of -Ethan’s cell, “is different.”</p> - -<p>Somehow the laughter had gone out of her -voice now, and she held up the lamp so that -she might get a better view. Ethan stood -silently leaning against the damp wall, and -her eyes snapped with dislike as she regarded -him.</p> - - - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_185">[185]</span>“This is the sullen one,” she continued. -“This is the one who is thinking—thinking, -always thinking how he can give me trouble. -But I’ll tame your spirit, my lad, if you are -here long. I’ve done it with your betters -when the smugglers brought them here for -safe keeping. So don’t be high and mighty -with me or you’ll rue it.”</p> - -<p>Ethan made no answer; he stood watching -her quietly, and this seemed to rouse her -anger; she went muttering away, after a space, -and once more left them in darkness.</p> - -<p>They grew to know when morning and -evening came, for the woman always brought -them the bread and water at these times. -And with each visit her spite against Ethan -seemed to increase; the silence of the young -American seemed to anger her beyond measure; -once she thrust her arm through the -grating and struck at him.</p> - -<p>“Faith and you’re no favorite of hers,” -chuckled Longsword, when Ethan told him -of this after the woman had gone. “It’s too -select ye are for her. She seems to like her -boarders to be talkative and sociable.”</p> - -<p>But the incident gave Ethan an idea. They<span class="pagenum" id="Page_186">[186]</span> -had been confined in this unwholesome underground -den for a week, and the boy had become -almost desperate, and was inclined to -try almost anything that gave even the faintest -hope of escape.</p> - -<p>The next time the woman came with their -food, he made it a point to stand close to the -grating, silent, cold-mannered, watchful. He -could see Meg’s eyes snap with anger as she -glanced in at him. She shoved the food into -his cell; then in a sudden fit of cat-like fury -she thrust her arm through the grating once -more and aimed a blow at him.</p> - -<p>Like lightning the boy grasped her by the -wrist, and throwing the full weight of his -sinewy young body into the effort, he dragged -her close against the cell door and held her -fast. She struggled and fought like a tigress, -but it was useless. He had but to wrench her -arm slightly backward in order to bring a -shriek from her.</p> - -<p>“Let me go,” she panted, glaring through -the grating at him in a fury. “Let me go, -I say.”</p> - -<p>“I will when you unlock this door.”</p> - -<p>“Let go,” cried Meg, resuming her frantic<span class="pagenum" id="Page_187">[187]</span> -struggles. But a backward twitch of the fast -held arm brought a scream of pain from her, -and she was quiet once more.</p> - -<p>“The key,” demanded Ethan, firmly. “Unlock -the door.”</p> - -<p>“I have no key.”</p> - -<p>“I see it among those at your belt,” said -Ethan.</p> - -<p>With a snarl, Meg whipped out a murderous -looking knife with her free hand, and -reaching through the grating made a lunge -at him. But, held as she was, she could not -touch him, and another severe twist at the -arm caused her to drop the knife and writhe -with pain.</p> - -<p>By this time Longsword was storming up -and down in his cell. He could hear what -they said, but, because of his situation, could -not see anything of what was transpiring; his -repeated calls to Ethan received no answer, -for Ethan was too engrossed in his work to -heed him.</p> - -<p>“Once more,” said he, ignoring the woman’s -cries, “give me the key.”</p> - -<p>“I can’t reach it,” she said. “Let my arm -go and I’ll give it to you.”</p> - - - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_188">[188]</span>“You’ll give it to me now,” he replied -steadily.</p> - -<p>“I’ll give you my word,” she whimpered.</p> - -<p>But he knew better than to let slip his advantage; -for once free she would laugh at him. -So he persisted in his demand, his strong -fingers clasped like steel about her wrist; and -finally, groaning and lamenting the fate that -would be meted out to her by Danvers, she -selected the key from the bunch at her belt, -fitted it in the lock and turned it. Slowly -the door swung open, then Ethan released her -and sprang out into the passage.</p> - -<p>“Hurra!” shouted Longsword, as he caught -sight of him. “Well done, Master Ethan.”</p> - -<p>“Now the other key,” said the youthful -American.</p> - -<p>The woman hesitated, casting a look at the -knife upon the floor; but Ethan kicked it beyond -her reach and snatched the keys. She -then sullenly indicated the one that opened -Longsword’s dungeon, and in a moment the -Irish ex-dragoon was free also.</p> - -<p>But scarcely had the latter executed the -first intricate steps of a joyful Irish jig upon -the flags of the passage, when there came the<span class="pagenum" id="Page_189">[189]</span> -sound of a closing door from above, followed -by footfalls upon the floor directly over their -heads. The woman uttered a cry of delight.</p> - -<p>“They have come!” she cried.</p> - -<p>“Whom?” asked Ethan.</p> - -<p>“Mr. Danvers and his men,” she answered -exultantly. “This was the day which he had -set for a visit to you.”</p> - -<p>“Caught,” cried Longsword, his hands -clinching and his tall raw-boned body growing -tense for the struggle which he knew was -sure to come.</p> - -<p>“Ay, caught like rats!” chuckled the -woman. “You thought to give me the slip, -did you?” to Ethan. “But you are going to -fail. I’ll have you here for many a day yet; -and I’ll be even with you for the little trick -you played upon me just now.”</p> - -<p>“What’s to be done?” asked Ethan of the -dragoon.</p> - -<p>“Fight,” answered that worthy with great -promptness.</p> - -<p>Ethan smiled.</p> - -<p>“Good for you, old fire eater,” he said. -“So we will. There may not be so many of -them after all.”</p> - - - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_190">[190]</span>“But they are armed, and we have nothing -but our bare hands,” mourned Longsword.</p> - -<p>“But we’ll have the advantage of a surprise,” -said Ethan.</p> - -<p>All hope of this advantage, however, was -blasted a moment later, for the woman, upon -hearing the boy’s words, uttered a warning -shriek that rang through the cellar with ear -splitting shrillness.</p> - -<p>Instantly there came a trampling of feet -upon the floor above, and Meg laughed in their -faces triumphantly. But the laugh had -scarcely died upon her lips when Longsword -pushed her into one of the open cells and -closed and locked the door.</p> - -<p>“Now, then,” cried Ethan, “let’s meet them -at the foot of the stairs.”</p> - -<p>As he spoke he kicked over the lamp, -plunging the cellar into complete darkness. -As they reached the foot of the stairs the door -at the top opened, and the yellow rays of a -candle, in the hands of Danvers, dimly lit up -the narrow way. Ethan drew Longsword -under the stairs out of sight.</p> - -<p>“Hello,” called the British spy. “What is -the matter?”</p> - - - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_191">[191]</span>The cries of the woman from the dungeon and -the rattling of the grated door answered him.</p> - -<p>“Something is wrong,” said he, hurriedly. -“Come along, two of you; the other two remain -here, and keep your eyes open.”</p> - -<p>As Danvers led the way into the cellar, -Ethan nudged Longsword.</p> - -<p>“Only two in the room above,” said he in -a whisper.</p> - -<p>“One apiece,” said the grim dragoon with -a chuckle.</p> - -<p>Danvers and the two seamen passed quickly -along toward the dungeons; instantly Ethan -and his companion were out of their hiding-place -and softly climbing the stairs. When -they reached the top, they suddenly flung -open the door and leaped into the room. In -the middle of the floor stood the two remaining -sailors from the tender; and before they -could recover from the surprise which the -sudden appearance of the prisoners occasioned, -they were beaten down by a series -of swift stunning blows. Then Ethan and -Longsword pushed into the street and went -speeding away through the silent town toward -the sea.</p> -<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop" /> - -<div class="chapter"> -<span class="pagenum" id="Page_192">[192]</span> - -<h2 class="nobreak">CHAPTER XIV<br /> - - -<small>HOW ETHAN AND LONGSWORD TOOK THE -SCHOONER</small></h2> -</div> - -<p><span class="smcap">They</span> ran for some little time, and then -Ethan looked back and saw no signs of -pursuit.</p> - -<p>“Take it easy,” said he to Longsword. -“There is no one after us.”</p> - -<p>“There will be in a few minutes,” panted -the Irishman, distrustfully. “They’ll lose no -time, sure, when they find which way we’ve -gone.”</p> - -<p>However, they slackened their pace, but -still headed toward the sea.</p> - -<p>“We must get a boat,” said Ethan. “It’s -our only hope. To be seen ashore means -arrest; and this part of the coast is too -thickly populated for hiding.”</p> - -<p>“You are right,” answered Longsword. -“We’ll have to get afloat; it’s very little -chance we’ll have to do anything but starve; -but if we can get across the channel into -Ireland, I’ll go bail that we’ll be safe enough.<span class="pagenum" id="Page_193">[193]</span> -There is many a colleen or gossoon that would -hide us away, if it was only because we are -enemies of the Saxon.”</p> - -<p>A few moments later Ethan remarked, -“We are near the wharf where we landed; -see that tall signal mast; I remember passing -it.”</p> - -<p>“Sure enough,” said Longsword; “and -here is the wharf.”</p> - -<p>It was a stout wooden pier built out into -the cove for some distance; almost directly -opposite it, about a musket shot away, were -the lights of the schooner that had brought -them to the town. They stood at the head -of the pier for some moments; then Ethan -said, suddenly,</p> - -<p>“I have an idea.”</p> - -<p>“What is it?”</p> - -<p>“Danvers and his men must have landed -at this pier; and if so we’ll be sure to find -their boat at the end of it.”</p> - -<p>“Bravo!” breathed Longsword. “Sure, -ye have a clear head on your shoulders, -Master Ethan, so ye have.”</p> - -<p>“Shall we try for it?”</p> - -<p>“We shall, more power to us!”</p> - - - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_194">[194]</span>They walked slowly down the pier; as -they neared the end Longsword caught Ethan -by the arm.</p> - -<p>“Sh-h!” warned he.</p> - -<p>“What is it?” asked the boy.</p> - -<p>“There is some one beyant there.”</p> - -<p>Ethan strained his eyes through the darkness, -and at last he made out the shadowy -forms of several men standing at the end of -the pier.</p> - -<p>“A guard over the boat,” he whispered to -the Irish dragoon.</p> - -<p>“That Danvers is a suspicious bla’guard,” -grumbled Longsword. “Sure here we have -sorra the weapon—not even a lump of a stick—and -we have the luck to come across a -couple of able bodied lads wid cutlasses and -pistols, I have no doubt.”</p> - -<p>“Those we knocked down a few moments -ago had the same,” said Ethan evenly. “And -we had no trouble in disposing of them.”</p> - -<p>“Right! Ah, but it’s yourself that’s your -father’s son, me lad.”</p> - -<p>They crept softly down the pier; at one -side was a huge fisherman’s net hung upon a -frame to dry; they placed this between themselves<span class="pagenum" id="Page_195">[195]</span> -and the seamen from the schooner so -that they might not detect any movement in -the shadow. As they drew nearer they could -hear the sailors’ voices.</p> - -<p>“A quiet night, mate,” said one.</p> - -<p>“Yes,” answered the other, “quiet enough. -But I’d rather spend it in my hammock than -watching the lights on the water.”</p> - -<p>“I wonder what it is that this government -fellow Danvers is up to.”</p> - -<p>“I don’t know. I don’t even think the -skipper knows.”</p> - -<p>“He must be well thought of at the admiralty, -shipmate, to have a schooner placed -at his service like this.”</p> - -<p>“Ay! You’re right there. But it’s government -work he’s on; those two prisoners -he took on St. Mary’s Isle seem mighty important -to him.”</p> - -<p>“Did you hear where he took ’em? Up to -old Meg Rawlins’. She’s the widow of old -Rawlins the smuggler; Ben Kaye was in the -party that went there; he said the boy and the -Irishman were locked in cells in the underground -vault where Rawlins used to hide his -‘run’ goods.”</p> - - - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_196">[196]</span>“I wonder why he didn’t take ’em to a -reg’lar government prison?”</p> - -<p>“Private reasons, I guess. These secret -service agents are queer fish, mate.”</p> - -<p>The men continued to talk in the same -strain for some little time. Ethan and Longsword -crouched behind the hanging net and -listened.</p> - -<p>“I say,” remarked one, at last, “suppose -we take a walk up the pier and see if they -are coming. My eyes are closing for want of -sleep.”</p> - -<p>“But who’ll watch the boat?”</p> - -<p>“Oh, let it take care of itself. There is no -one awake here in this sleepy old town. And -then who wants a few old government cutlasses -and pistols?”</p> - -<p>“Come along, then, mate.”</p> - -<p>The two seamen started up the pier; and -as they disappeared in the shadows, Ethan -and the Irish soldier crept from behind the -net.</p> - -<p>“Cutlasses and pistols in the boat,” whispered -Longsword with a joyous chuckle.</p> - -<p>“It couldn’t be better,” said Ethan. “In -with you, now; and we’ll push off.”</p> - - - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_197">[197]</span>They clambered into the jolly-boat that was -tied to a ring in the wharf log. Ethan cast -off, placed the blade of an oar against one of -the piles, and with a strong shove sent the -craft well clear of the pier. But they had -scarcely placed the oars into the rowlocks and -settled themselves for the pull out of the cove -when they heard running feet coming down -the pier and the sound of angry voices.</p> - -<p>“It’s Danvers!” cried Ethan. “Pull, -Shamus!”</p> - -<p>They bent to their oars manfully and the -jolly-boat shot away from the wharf, just -as a shadowy group appeared through the -darkness.</p> - -<p>“The boat!” cried the voice of Danvers. -“It’s gone!”</p> - -<p>“There she is, sir,” said a seaman, pointing, -“and dowse my tops if your prisoners ain’t in -her.”</p> - -<p>With an inarticulate cry of rage Danvers -whipped out a pistol.</p> - -<p>“Stop!” he shouted.</p> - -<p>“Pull hard,” said Ethan coolly to Longsword.</p> - -<p>“Hard it is,” came the voice of the ex-dragoon,<span class="pagenum" id="Page_198">[198]</span> -as his powerful arms and shoulders -labored at the oars.</p> - -<p>Seeing that no attention was paid to his -command, Danvers raised his pistol and fired. -The flash and report lit and wakened the -night; then the ping-g-g of the bullet came to -the ears of the two in the boat as it went past -them. A series of quick, snapping shots followed -as the seamen also discharged their -pieces. When the steady splash of the oars -in the water told the British emissary that -the shots had been ineffective, he shouted in -a voice that could be plainly heard by the two -rowers:</p> - -<p>“Boats! After them!”</p> - -<p>“There are no boats, sir, except those of -the fishermen around on the other side of the -inlet.”</p> - -<p>“Lead the way then and show me where -they are. We’ll make the schooner, and we’ll -soon overhaul these Yankees.”</p> - -<p>Ethan signaled Longsword silently to stop -pulling, and the dragoon obeyed. Running -feet could be heard thudding dully upon the -planking of the pier.</p> - -<p>“Did you hear that?” asked the boy.</p> - - - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_199">[199]</span>“I did, faith,” answered Longsword. “And -he speaks the truth. Let them get out to the -schooner and it’s all up with us. There’s a -good breeze blowing and these clouds will not -hang before the moon long. So wid the wind -in their sails and floods of light to see by, we -can’t escape them.”</p> - -<p>Ethan felt with his foot for the cutlasses and -pistols that lay in the stern.</p> - -<p>“Could we prevent them gaining the -schooner?” he asked.</p> - -<p>“All you want is encouragement,” declared -Longsword, “and you’d face an army. No, -Master Ethan, we couldn’t stop them. Ye -know that I’m never anyways backward in a -fight; but, faith, this would be mere folly, so -it would.”</p> - -<p>There was a silence, during which they -resumed pulling. At length Ethan dropped -his oars and whirled about, facing the dragoon.</p> - -<p>“I have it!” he cried.</p> - -<p>“Ye have what?”</p> - -<p>“The solution. We’ll take the schooner!”</p> - -<p>“Boy, dear, are ye mad?” gasped the astonished -Irishman.</p> - - - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_200">[200]</span>“Not a bit of it,” said the lad excitedly. -“Listen. There were only about ten men in -the vessel all told. There were four with Danvers -and two upon the pier. That makes six, -and leaves only four on the schooner.”</p> - -<p>Longsword drew in a long, deep breath and -then said:</p> - -<p>“Good! But let’s look to the weapons -before we begin.”</p> - -<p>They examined the pistols and found there -were four of them; they were ready charged -and primed; the cutlasses were of the short-bladed -“hanger” type of the British navy.</p> - -<p>“Sure, what makes people turn out such -weeney little blades?” said Longsword. -“Faith, Master Ethan, these are not a man’s -size at all, at all. I like a sword a good three -feet long, and wid some weight in it, faix.”</p> - -<p>“I suppose you’ll have to do with what we -can find here, old fire eater,” smiled Ethan. -“These cutlasses are not so bad for close work. -They are short, but remember the Romans -conquered the world with a short sword.”</p> - -<p>“If they’d had long ones they’d done the -job in half the time,” said Longsword.</p> - -<p>“Ready?” asked the boy.</p> - - - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_201">[201]</span>“Ready,” answered the dragoon.</p> - -<p>They headed for the schooner and began to -pull swiftly, but softly. On shore all was -silent, and darkness still hung pall-like over -the water, though the heavy clouds were -visibly thinning before the wind, and here -and there a silver spot glimmered among -them.</p> - -<p>The lights of the schooner became more and -more distinct; and at length they were under -her bow, clinging to the chains, and listening. -The low murmur of voices came from the -after part of the vessel, but forward all was -still.</p> - -<p>“It’s going to be easy work,” said Ethan.</p> - -<p>They made fast the jolly-boat to the chains, -then thrust the loaded pistols into their belts. -Ethan, with a naked cutlass between his teeth, -went up the side like a cat; and in a moment -the tall Irishman stood beside him on the -schooner’s deck.</p> - -<p>“Ahoy,” suddenly called a startled voice -from the after deck. “Who’s that for’ard?”</p> - -<p>“Don’t answer,” breathed Ethan.</p> - -<p>They maintained silence; then came the -voice once more.</p> - - - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_202">[202]</span>“Is that you, Mr. Blake?”</p> - -<p>No answer.</p> - -<p>“I don’t see anything,” said a second voice, -after a pause.</p> - -<p>“Well, I do. Some one came over the side -just now; it looked like two, but I can see -only one, now.”</p> - -<p>“Better go below, and sing out to the skipper.”</p> - -<p>“Not till I’m sure about what or who it is.”</p> - -<p>Footsteps advanced; from behind the cabin -top two forms came into view.</p> - -<p>“Now,” breathed Ethan Carlyle.</p> - -<p>“I’m right here, wid ye,” answered Longsword -in the same low tone.</p> - -<p>The sailors of the schooner had advanced -no more than a dozen steps when the two -desperate boarders bounded upon them, and -the cold barrel of a pistol pressed against the -forehead of each.</p> - -<p>“Not a word,” said Longsword, harshly.</p> - -<p>“Who are you?” asked one of the startled -men.</p> - -<p>“Never mind that,” said Ethan. “Shamus, -tie them up.”</p> - -<p>The grim dragoon stuck his pistol in his<span class="pagenum" id="Page_203">[203]</span> -belt: with the keen edge of his cutlass he cut -some ropes, and in a few moments both men -were securely lashed to the mainmast, back to -back.</p> - -<p>“A piece of sail cloth would do for a gag,” -said Ethan.</p> - -<p>“And here is just the thing,” said Longsword -as he picked up a topsail, apparently -used as a tarpaulin. He cut some broad strips -from this; and despite the protests of the seamen, -these were bound tightly over their -mouths.</p> - -<p>“Keep a watch over them,” said Ethan to -his companion, after all was finished.</p> - -<p>“Where are you going?” asked the other.</p> - -<p>“Below. I think I’ll treat the commander -of the schooner to a small surprise.”</p> - -<p>Longsword made no comment, though his -face, had Ethan been able to see it, took on an -anxious expression. The youthful American -advanced, pistol and hanger in hand, to the -companionway. A glimmer attracted his attention, -and looking down through a small -open skylight he saw two men at the cabin -table, engaged in an earnest conversation.</p> - -<p>The capture of the watch had been accomplished<span class="pagenum" id="Page_204">[204]</span> -with almost no noise, so the two below -were unconscious of what had taken -place.</p> - -<p>Softly Ethan descended the companion ladder -and reached the cabin door. He paused a -moment listening, and heard one of the men -say,</p> - -<p>“I tell you, Blake, it is growing desperate. -British shipping is in the greatest danger. -That rascal Paul Jones is a menace to the -entire coast. The Drake is out after him, and -I hope she comes up with him soon.”</p> - -<p>“You may be correct,” said the second -voice, “but my opinion, Captain Spencer, is -that there is not a Yankee nearer to us this -minute than the coast of France.”</p> - -<div class="figcenter"><img src="images/i_206.jpg" alt="" /></div> -<p class="drop-cap2"><i>ETHAN CARLYLE STOOD BEFORE THEM</i></p> - -<p> </p> - -<p>The door opened at that exact moment, and -the stalwart form of Ethan Carlyle stood -before them, his pistol pointed at their heads -and his hanger ready in his hand.</p> - -<p>“You are wrong in that, sir,” remarked the -lad coolly; “for here is one at your side.”</p> - -<p>“What does this mean?” exclaimed Captain -Spencer, leaping up.</p> - -<p>“It means that you are my prisoners,” observed -Ethan, in an even tone. “Sit down<span class="pagenum" id="Page_205">[205]</span> -and don’t become excited. It will do no -good.”</p> - - - - -<p>“Draw, Blake,” roared the schooner’s captain, -as he flashed out his blade. But he had -scarcely lifted it when the sword of the young -American swept downward like a flash and -knocked it from his hand; then a blow from -the flat of the weapon sent him back against -the cabin wall.</p> - -<p>“The next effort at resistance,” said Ethan, -“will meet with a shot from this,” and he -presented the pistol once more.</p> - -<p>“What do you want, boy?” demanded -Blake, as he stood hesitating, his hand upon -his sword.</p> - -<p>“I want you to take your belt and tie the -captain’s hands behind him.”</p> - -<p>“I’ll not do it,” cried Blake.</p> - -<p>“I’ll give you just one minute to make up -your mind,” said Ethan.</p> - -<p>The mate of the British schooner looked -into the boy’s set, determined face: nothing -but resolve were in the quiet eyes; and so the -man reluctantly did as he was commanded. -Then Ethan called to the dragoon and Longsword -came down into the cabin with a couple<span class="pagenum" id="Page_206">[206]</span> -of lengths of rope; in a short time the two -officers were safely bound, and the cabin ransacked -for arms; all the muskets, pistols and -other things of the sort were taken upon deck; -then the cabin was locked with the glowering -officers within it.</p> - -<p>“Now then, look alive,” cried Ethan as -they reached the deck once more.</p> - -<p>Across the waters of the cove stole a faint -thread of light; the wind had continued to -blow steadily, and the clouds had almost -drifted off the face of the moon.</p> - -<p>“Hark!” said Longsword, lifting a silencing -hand.</p> - -<p>From the direction of the shore came the -steady “creak, creak” of oars; across the -trail of moonlight a large boat was seen to -dart, coming toward the schooner.</p> - -<p>“It’s Danvers and the rest of the men,” -cried Ethan.</p> - -<p>“They’ll be here before we can get up the -anchor,” said Longsword.</p> - -<p>“Then we’ll impress help,” said Ethan -briefly. Stepping to the sides of the men -lashed to the mast he cut their bonds with his -hanger.</p> - - - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_207">[207]</span>“Now then, my lads,” said he, “lend a -hand at the capstan.”</p> - -<p>For a moment the men hesitated; they had -caught sight of the advancing boat, and knew -that it meant help; but the Irish dragoon’s -pistol poked itself into their faces without -any parleying, and in another instant the -capstan was clanking merrily, and the heavy -anchor was being drawn from the bottom of -the cove. Then the seamen lent a reluctant -hand at hoisting the mainsail and the jibs. As -the wheel whirled under the skilful hands of -Ethan Carlyle, the hanging canvas filled and -the foot of the schooner broke the first ripple -on her way seaward.</p> - -<p>The boat was now near at hand, and the -voice of Danvers came booming across the -water.</p> - -<p>“Schooner, ahoy.”</p> - -<p>“Ahoy, the boat,” was Ethan’s answer as -he leaned his weight upon the wheel and -watched the press of wind in the sheets with -satisfaction.</p> - -<p>“Heave to,” shouted Danvers. “What do -you mean by this, Spencer?”</p> - -<p>Another sail went up on the schooner and<span class="pagenum" id="Page_208">[208]</span> -filled; the handy little craft responded to this -increased speed instantly and went flowing -ahead, with a wake of spume behind her.</p> - -<p>The moon had just slipped from behind a -cloud and lit up the cove with the brilliancy -of day. Danvers was standing up in the stern -of the boat. With a cry of rage he saw his -vessel filling rapidly away; he saw Ethan at -the wheel waving a mocking hand to him; -he saw the Irish dragoon, with a brace of -pistols, hovering over the two English seamen -in the waist. Then the moon hid her face -once more; the creaking of blocks came to his -ears, and the wash of the waters as the flying -vessel dashed it from her bow. Danvers shook -his fist in the direction of the sound and his -voice reached the ears of Ethan through the -darkness.</p> - -<p>“You have the best of it this time. But he -laughs best who laughs last, my lad!”</p> -<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop" /> - -<div class="chapter"> -<span class="pagenum" id="Page_209">[209]</span> - -<h2 class="nobreak">CHAPTER XV<br /> - - -<small>HOW THE SCHOONER CAME UPON THE DRAKE -IN THE DARKNESS</small></h2> -</div> - -<p><span class="smcap">Within</span> a few hours the schooner was well -out in the channel and bowling along at a -spanking pace; the two seamen, now that -there was no immediate hope of rescue, as the -boat had promised, were quiet and willing -enough to work the vessel under her new -masters. But Longsword kept his eye upon -them for all that; he had no confidence in the -faith of captured men; long experience in -warfare had taught him that they were only -to be depended upon when they could not -help themselves.</p> - -<p>“Is it for Ireland you’ll be making?” -asked the trooper of Ethan, who still held the -wheel.</p> - -<p>“I don’t see the need of that, now,” said the -lad, thoughtfully. “It was a good idea -enough when we had only an open boat; but -now that we have a vessel like this what is -the matter with taking her up through the<span class="pagenum" id="Page_210">[210]</span> -channel and running her into some French -port?”</p> - -<p>“Nothing in the world,” answered Longsword -with great promptness. He seemed -vastly taken by the notion, but for all that, -added: “But there will be many British -ships of war in these waters now, Master -Ethan, looking for the Ranger.”</p> - -<p>“This little craft is a clean, free sailor,” -said the boy. “If we come upon an enemy -we can run for it.”</p> - -<p>“And we can make a bit of a fight, too,” -said the Irishman. “There are two six-pounders -in the bow, and the four carronades, -beyant there, look as though they would give -good service, faith.”</p> - -<p>Ethan laughed.</p> - -<p>“But we have no gun crews, Longsword,” -protested he.</p> - -<p>The Celt scratched his head.</p> - -<p>“That’s so, sure,” he admitted. “I never -once thought of that.”</p> - -<p>They held a course up the channel all night; -the moon rode grandly in the starlit heavens, -and bathed the chopping waters with radiance. -But toward morning her glory waned,<span class="pagenum" id="Page_211">[211]</span> -and the darkness that ensued was of that -complete pall-like sort that usually precedes -dawn.</p> - -<p>Then a fog settled slowly down—the wet, -clinging mist that is common in those waters, -and they sailed on through it, chilled and -silent. Deeper and thicker it grew as the moments -went by; they had sighted no vessel -since they had run out; but now, with the -suddenness of magic, the gleaming bow lights -of a large ship appeared ahead like the -angry eyes of some sea monster glaring upon -them.</p> - -<p>Ethan threw the wheel down hard; the -nose of the schooner swung about in answer -and she plunged across the bow of the ship -like a ghost. A startled cry came from the -larger vessel’s deck, then followed a hubbub -of sounds; and at last a voice hailed them.</p> - -<p>“Ahoy! What vessel is that?”</p> - -<p>The creaking of the yards of the ship -showed that she was about to investigate the -schooner; but at the hail, Ethan and Shamus -O’Moore looked at one another blankly.</p> - -<p>“I never thought to ask the name of this -craft,” said the boy.</p> - - - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_212">[212]</span>“Nor I,” answered the Irishman, “but -we’ll know in a minute, faith.”</p> - -<p>“Ahoy,” came from the ship, which had run -off some little distance before her yards could -be dressed to meet the change of course. She -was now looming up huge and grim through -the mists of the early morning. “What ship -is that?”</p> - -<p>“Answer,” Longsword said to one of the -British seamen.</p> - -<p>The man hesitated sullenly: but the fierce, -crushing grip that the dragoon suddenly put -upon his shoulder caused him to call out at -the top of his voice:</p> - -<p>“His Majesty’s schooner, Condor.”</p> - -<p>The ship was now very close at hand, indeed -the two vessels were within easy pistol -shot of each other.</p> - -<p>“This is the frigate, Drake,” came the voice -from the ship deck. “Who’s your commander?”</p> - -<p>“Captain Spencer.”</p> - -<p>“Have you run across any other vessel since -dark?”</p> - -<p>“No,” answered the sailor at Longsword’s -prompting.</p> - - - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_213">[213]</span>“We are looking for the pirate, Paul Jones; -he’s reported to be in these waters. Look out -for him.”</p> - -<p>There was then a sharp altercation between -the speaker and another person who appeared -to have just come upon deck. After a moment -the new voice cried harshly: “Condor, -ahoy!”</p> - -<p>“Ahoy!” answered Ethan.</p> - -<p>“Heave to; I’m coming aboard of you.”</p> - -<p>“We can’t have him do that,” said the boy -to Longsword.</p> - -<p>“The moment he set foot on this deck, the -men would tell him everything,” agreed the -Irish soldier.</p> - -<p>“Clap on more sail,” said Ethan; “we’ll -run for it.”</p> - -<p>The men, at Longsword’s stern command, set -the foresail and a couple of topsails; under the -increased pressure, the Condor drew away, and -the Drake faded to a blur and at last the mist -swallowed her up all altogether.</p> - -<p>“Put out all the lights,” called Ethan. -“We can give her the slip in this fog.”</p> - -<p>Longsword promptly extinguished all the -lanterns; shouts from the Drake came ever<span class="pagenum" id="Page_214">[214]</span> -more dimly through the night; a drum -throbbed dully.</p> - -<p>“They are beating to quarters,” said Ethan.</p> - -<p>“Let them,” laughed Longsword. “Sure -if they begin firing in a fog like this it’s only -waste good powder they’ll be doing.”</p> - -<p>Ethan had changed the course of the Condor -until she stood as before the meeting; the -wind blew briskly once more and the fog began -to lift before it. The schooner had made -some little distance before this died away, -and the mist settled once more. Nothing was -seen of the British ship.</p> - -<p>“We have eluded them very nicely,” -laughed Ethan, as he gazed into the gray wall -behind them, vainly endeavoring to catch a -glimpse of the Englishman.</p> - -<p>He had no sooner uttered these words than -a shout rang out from Longsword in the bow. -Whirling about, his hand upon the butt of a -pistol, he was dumbfounded to see the red and -green bow lights glaring at the schooner for the -second time that night.</p> - -<p>“The Drake once more,” cried Longsword -in amazement.</p> - -<p>“It can’t be,” answered Ethan, easing the<span class="pagenum" id="Page_215">[215]</span> -schooner a trifle. “We left the Drake behind -us.”</p> - -<p>“You’ve been sailing in a circle,” shouted -one of the English seamen, exultantly. “The -Drake is a smart craft, and she’s got you -now.”</p> - -<p>“Ahoy!” came through the gloom of the -misty morning. “What craft is that?”</p> - -<p>“British schooner Condor,” cried the sailor -before he could be prevented. “What ship is -that?”</p> - -<p>Ethan heard the man chuckle as he waited -for the expected answer. But the chuckle -died in the British tar’s throat when the voice -from the newcomer shouted,</p> - -<p>“The American sloop-of-war Ranger; heave -to, or I’ll blow you out of the water!”</p> -<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop" /> - -<div class="chapter"> -<span class="pagenum" id="Page_216">[216]</span> - -<h2 class="nobreak">CHAPTER XVI<br /> - - -<small>HOW THE RANGER FOUGHT THE DRAKE</small></h2> -</div> - -<p><span class="smcap">With</span> cries of joy both Ethan and Longsword -heard these welcome words. Ethan -brought the schooner to; in a few moments a -boat was lowered and rowed away from the -American ship. When Wallingford, third -lieutenant of the Ranger, climbed over the -schooner’s rail he was astonished to find himself -grasped by the hand.</p> - -<p>“What, Carlyle,” he cried in amazement.</p> - -<p>“None other,” laughed the boy. “You -aren’t rid of me yet, you see.”</p> - -<p>“We thought you taken by the enemy on -St. Mary’s Isle.”</p> - -<p>“So I was; but it’s a long story and will keep. -You’d better have some men sent on board to -take charge of this craft. It’s a prize that -Longsword and I took some distance up the -coast.”</p> - -<p>Lieutenant Wallingford looked his surprise, -but said nothing. A crew was soon placed on<span class="pagenum" id="Page_217">[217]</span> -board the Condor, and Ethan and the Irish -dragoon were taken to the Ranger.</p> - -<p>John Paul Jones was undisguisedly delighted -at the unexpected return of the two -adventurers. He shook their hands and expressed -his pleasure warmly.</p> - -<p>“We are headed for Carrickfergus,” he said. -“We understand that the frigate Drake has -orders to come out after us.”</p> - -<p>“She is already out,” said Ethan eagerly. -“We met her and slipped away from her less -than an hour ago.”</p> - -<p>“Hah!” said the commander of the Ranger, -“then the struggle may be nearer at hand -than I fancied.”</p> - -<p>He took Ethan down into the cabin, and -listened to the news which the lad had of the -dispatch.</p> - -<p>“The villain,” cried the captain, with flushed -face, when he heard of Danvers’ charge against -Ethan and himself regarding the paper. “It -will go hard with him if I ever come within -reach of him.”</p> - -<p>They talked for some time; the Ranger -was once more under way and her nose was -headed for Carrickfergus as before. Ethan<span class="pagenum" id="Page_218">[218]</span> -and Longsword slept well that morning after -they turned in, and awoke just as the Ranger -ran into the outer harbor of the Irish port.</p> - -<p>The Drake was there, having arrived some -hours earlier, and just as Ethan came on deck -her captain was sending off a boat to the -Ranger to find out what she was. The boat -was in charge of a hectoring British lieutenant, -and as it came alongside the American vessel -he cried sharply,</p> - -<p>“Now you, sir, what ship is this?”</p> - -<p>There came no answer from the Ranger; -the lieutenant saw a long line of grinning -faces looking down at him over her rail and -he grew purple with rage.</p> - -<p>“You unmannerly rascals,” he roared, “I’ll -teach you respect to a king’s officer.”</p> - -<p>He gave a command to his men; they -dropped their oars, seized their arms and followed -him up the Ranger’s side. The vessel’s -ports were closed and the lieutenant had mistaken -her for a saucy merchantman. But -imagine his consternation when he found -himself upon the deck of a fully armed ship -and face to face with a smiling young officer -who politely demanded his sword.</p> - - - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_219">[219]</span>“What ship is this?” he demanded weakly.</p> - -<p>“The Continental sloop-of-war, Ranger,” -answered John Paul Jones, still smiling. “I -think your commander has been in search of -us.”</p> - -<p>“He has,” answered the lieutenant, filled -with anger at the result of his own and his -captain’s lack of caution. “And he’ll sink -you now, sir, you may be sure.”</p> - -<p>“That remains to be seen.”</p> - -<p>The American looked toward the Drake, -which was now hoisting her anchors and apparently -preparing to come out, and added:</p> - -<p>“The Drake seems a pretty ship, indeed, in -daylight. I have only seen her once before, -and that was under cover of night. She looks -as though she would offer a very interesting -battle indeed.”</p> - -<p>“You may be sure of that, sir,” answered -the British officer stiffly.</p> - -<p>Both he and his boat’s crew were disarmed -and sent below; then their boat was cast off -and the Ranger made ready for action. While -this was being done Ethan cried suddenly to -Captain Jones:</p> - -<p>“Look there, sir!”</p> - - - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_220">[220]</span>He pointed toward the British ship as he -spoke; and the captain saw a number of boats -containing soldiers, pulling out to her.</p> - -<p>“Oh, Captain Burdon of the Drake is adding -to his ship’s company,” commented he, -evenly. “Well, perhaps he’ll need them.”</p> - -<p>“They look like volunteers, by their uniform,” -remarked Longsword.</p> - -<p>In this the Irish dragoon was right. A -Lieutenant William Dobbs had been engaged -in recruiting a band for coast defense in the -neighborhood of Carrickfergus; he had offered -them to Captain Burdon for service upon -the Drake at this crisis, and they had been -accepted.</p> - -<p>The regular ship’s company of the frigate -was one hundred and fifty officers and men; -she carried two more guns than the Ranger, -but they were lighter; and so the vessels were -pretty evenly matched.</p> - -<p>The Drake finally stood out to sea toward -the Ranger; the wind was blowing toward -the shore and her progress was rather slow. -Captain Jones remarked quietly to Ethan,</p> - -<p>“In an hour or less the story will be told. -I trust that the Lascar, Siki, is aboard this<span class="pagenum" id="Page_221">[221]</span> -ship, as Danvers said; for after I take her I -should very much like to question him.”</p> - -<p>Just then Longsword came aft with a serious -look upon his face. Saluting he said,</p> - -<p>“Captain dear, there’s a ruction among the -men, so there is.”</p> - -<p>“What do you mean?” asked the officer -quickly.</p> - -<p>“I mean that they are growling among -themselves like a pack of sullen dogs for’ard, -there. It shames me to say it, sir, but I -fancy that they have little stomach for the -fight.”</p> - -<p>The commander swept the deck of his ship -with angry eye. The crew stood in groups, -sullen and lowering; Lieutenants Simpson -and Hall were upon the quarter-deck, and -every action and word that they uttered -seemed to add to the growing feeling among -the men.</p> - -<p>“This vessel is no match for a well set up -frigate,” said Simpson, in a voice that carried -to the ears of his captain. “We’ve come out -after prizes, and not to be slaughtered by the -guns of men-of-war.”</p> - -<p>“The Drake carries more weight of metal<span class="pagenum" id="Page_222">[222]</span> -than we,” agreed Hall, “and if I were in command -of this ship I’d make a clean run for it. -To wait for this frigate is to wait for plenty -of hard knocks, little credit and no plunder.”</p> - -<p>With a few swift steps John Paul Jones was -at his side; there had been a low murmur of -approval from the seamen at these words of -their officers; and the commander’s eyes were -stormy, and flashed menacingly as they rested -upon his lieutenants’ dogged faces.</p> - -<p>“So, gentlemen,” said he in a voice like -ice, “I find you still at your old trick of demoralization, -do I?”</p> - -<p>“I don’t understand you, sir,” said Simpson -drawing himself erect.</p> - -<p>“Nor I, Captain Jones,” said Hall.</p> - -<p>“Then allow me to make my meaning -plain. Since this ship sailed from Portsmouth -you have been daily increasing in -your insubordination. Things have come to -such a pass that it almost seems necessary -for me to consult you before issuing a command.”</p> - -<p>“A good captain always consults his -officers,” said Simpson with a thinly-veiled -sneer.</p> - - - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_223">[223]</span>“In spite of the protestations which I offered -that day on St. Mary’s Isle, you plundered the -home of a defenseless woman. I submitted -rather than risk a mutiny that would deprive -my country of a valuable vessel. But if you -think that I will continue to submit, you are -very much mistaken.”</p> - -<p>Simpson and Hall exchanged glances and -smiled. The captain saw this and his eyes -flashed with a more dangerous light.</p> - -<p>“You are inciting to mutiny in the face of -the enemy,” said he, still in the same cold, -even voice. “And that is punishable by -death.”</p> - -<p>The two men started, and the smiles fled -from their faces.</p> - -<p>“I order you to your stations and expect -you to carry out my orders to the letter. At -the slightest sign of disinclination upon your -part to do so, I’ll clap you in irons and take -you to France for trial before the commissioners. -To your posts, gentlemen.”</p> - -<p>The two officers, pale of face and furtive-eyed, -went to their places at the batteries as -commanded. John Paul Jones followed them -with his eyes for a moment. Then he said to<span class="pagenum" id="Page_224">[224]</span> -Wallingford, who had stood by ready to support -him in case of need,</p> - -<p>“Mr. Wallingford, have the bos’en pipe all -hands.”</p> - -<p>The hoarse call rang through the ship and -all the seamen stood at attention. The commander -spoke to them from his quarter-deck.</p> - -<p>“Men of the Ranger,” he said, “on this -cruise we have taken many prizes and struck -some good blows. We have made the British -government fear us as it never feared ship before. -But they have resolved to take us; -they have said that we do not dare to stand -and fight their armed ships man to man and -gun for gun. The world has heard this, or at -least that part of it which we care about; the -young republic of the west is waiting to hear -of the deeds of the ships which she sent to -defy Britain in her own seas.”</p> - -<p>There was a visible stirring among the men; -for the greater part they were mercenary mariners, -men of many nations who had shipped -for the booty alone; but there were many -Yankees among them, and these felt the appeal -of their chief.</p> - -<p>“Shall it be said of us that the first vessel<span class="pagenum" id="Page_225">[225]</span> -of equal strength which we have met has -daunted us?”</p> - -<p>“No!” shouted a voice. And there was a -murmur among the crew.</p> - -<p>“Then I call upon you to help me fight -this ship,” cried the captain, in ringing tones. -“Stand to your guns manfully, and I promise, -in one hour, to give you victory.”</p> - -<p>A cheer swelled up and broke into a frantic -hurrah; then with a wave of the hand the -chief dismissed them to their stations.</p> - -<p>“They will fight now,” remarked Ethan -to Longsword.</p> - -<p>“They will, faith,” said the Irish dragoon. -“And it’s little chance of defeat we have if -they do their best, for there are some useful -lads among them, Master Ethan.”</p> - -<p>John Paul Jones now stood out to sea and -drew his foe as far away from shore as possible.</p> - -<p>“In case he is defeated,” said the commander -to Ethan, “Burdon might escape back into the -harbor if we fought too far in shore.”</p> - -<p>“Look at the yachts coming out with her,” -said the young American who had watched -every movement of the Englishman.</p> - - - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_226">[226]</span>Paul Jones laughed.</p> - -<p>“They desire to be eye-witnesses of an English -victory, doubtless. It is a pity to dash -their hopes, but I’m afraid that we will be -forced to do so.”</p> - -<p>When at last the British frigate had come -within easy distance, she hailed.</p> - -<p>“What vessel is that?” demanded Captain -Burdon.</p> - -<p>“The Ranger, Paul Jones, commander. We -are waiting for you, so strip for the fight.”</p> - -<p>As he spoke the American captain gave a -signal and the stars and stripes shot up to the -masthead; then the helm was suddenly thrown -up and the Ranger darted across the bows of -the British vessel and poured a raking broadside -into her. The captain of the Drake tried -to bring the frigate across the Ranger’s stern, -but Paul Jones prevented this; the two ships -were now yard arm to yard arm and poured -a terrific fire into each other’s rigging and -hulls.</p> - -<p>Ethan Carlyle, whose ability as a gunner -had been discovered by Captain Jones long -before, had charge of a six pounder in the -bow. He and Longsword, stripped to the<span class="pagenum" id="Page_227">[227]</span> -waists, and all begrimed with powder smoke, -served this piece with deadly effect.</p> - -<p>In the heat of the battle the gallant young -Lieutenant Wallingford rushed up to Ethan.</p> - -<p>“Captain Jones desires you to try for her -forerigging,” panted he. “If we can cripple -her badly aloft we’ll make her strike.”</p> - -<p>Longsword had just rammed a charge into -the gun, and Ethan sighted it coolly. A rain -of musket shots was being poured into them -by the soldier volunteers upon the Drake; -but the young gunner paid no heed to this. -Applying the match the gun roared redly; -the foretop-gallant yard of the British ship -splintered and hung down the mast in a tangle -of rigging.</p> - -<p>“Hurrah,” yelled Longsword. “A fine -shot, faith!”</p> - -<p>“And placed in the right spot,” said Wallingford. -Almost as the words left his mouth, -this brave young officer uttered a smothered -groan, clasped both hands to his breast and -sank into the arms of the Irish dragoon.</p> - -<p>“Is he hit?” cried Ethan, anxiously, springing -forward. “Is he badly wounded?”</p> - -<p>“He have his death, sir,” replied Longsword<span class="pagenum" id="Page_228">[228]</span> -solemnly. “It’s a musket-ball, and -from the spot it struck, it split the boy’s -brave heart.”</p> - -<p>As he spoke the grim Irishman tenderly -lowered the still, white form to the deck; then -in silence, and with set, hard faces, he and -Ethan Carlyle once more turned to the serving -of the gun.</p> - -<p>At length the Drake was little more than a -wreck; her rigging and yards were a wilderness -of broken spars and ropes; her canvas -was in shreds and two flags had been shot -away. Half her guns were dismounted and -out of action, and forty of her crew were -killed or disabled when at last she struck.</p> - -<p>Ethan was with Captain Jones when he -boarded the prize; when the prisoners were -lined up for inspection they were bitterly -disappointed to find that the Lascar was -not among them. While Captain Jones -was giving his attention to the repairing of -the worst damages and the care of the wounded -Ethan questioned the boatswain’s mate of the -defeated ship.</p> - -<p>“A blackamoor, eh,” said the man, thoughtfully. -“Now let me see! Oh, yes! I remember.<span class="pagenum" id="Page_229">[229]</span> -He was taken on board when we -stopped in the harbor near St. Mary’s Isle not -so long ago. We kept him safely guarded -and ironed, sir, for it was said that he was an -important prisoner; but on our second day at -Carrickfergus he gave us the slip, somehow, -and none of us have seen anything of him -since.”</p> -<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop" /> - -<div class="chapter"> -<span class="pagenum" id="Page_230">[230]</span> - -<h2 class="nobreak">CHAPTER XVII<br /> - - -<small>THE SECRET AGENT ONCE MORE</small></h2> -</div> - -<p><span class="smcap">Lieutenant Simpson</span>, as first officer of the -Ranger, was placed in command of the Drake, -and that vessel was taken in tow and the -American man-of-war sailed in quest of more -prizes along the Irish coast and then toward -Brest.</p> - -<p>Sighting a sail, one day, Captain Jones cut -the Drake loose after instructing his first -officer to make the best of his way into Brest. -But Simpson, true to his instincts, changed -his course to southward and Paul Jones was -compelled to give up the pursuit of several -promising prizes in order that he might come -up with the captured frigate.</p> - -<p>Incensed beyond measure by the insolence -of Simpson, he placed the man under arrest, -and the command of the Drake was given to -Lieutenant Hall, who finally took her into -port.</p> - -<p>When they reached France once more they<span class="pagenum" id="Page_231">[231]</span> -discovered that a treaty of alliance between -the colonies and that kingdom had been -signed. The American ministers had been received -at the French court; the French ambassador -had left London, and the English envoy, -Lord Stormont, had departed from France. -War was on between these two great European -powers, and in the heat of that great struggle -the colonies at last had a chance to be free.</p> - -<p>Once again Paul Jones, Ethan Carlyle and -Longsword rode to Paris to consult with Dr. -Franklin. They were warmly greeted by the -sage, and he listened to their experiences with -interest and appreciation.</p> - -<p>“Captain Jones,” he said at the conclusion, -“there is nothing in the gift of your country -too great for your deserving. In the name of -the colonies, I thank you.”</p> - -<p>“I suppose,” remarked Ethan, after a time, -“that the lost dispatch is now valueless, seeing -that the alliance has already been accomplished.”</p> - -<p>“On the contrary,” said Dr. Franklin, “it -is now more important that it should be recovered -than ever. I have communicated -with Congress, and a duplicate of the dispatch<span class="pagenum" id="Page_232">[232]</span> -has been sent me; it was by means of its contents -that this treaty has been effected. But -were the facts contained in the dispatch to -come, even now, under the eyes of Lord North, -such pressure would be brought upon France -that she would drop all connection with us at -once and again make a peace with England. -Indeed, the fact that the information is in the -way of being discovered, were the French -aware of it, might be fatal. The dispatch -must be recovered at all hazards.”</p> - -<p>As they sat in their lodgings that night -Ethan told Longsword of this: and the Irish -dragoon wrinkled his brow and looked infinitely -wise.</p> - -<p>“Politics,” remarked he, sagely, “is a great -thing, faith. Sure the statesmen are always -burrowing under the ground and cutting it -away from beneath each others’ feet. It -wouldn’t surprise me if the loss of this dispatch -should bring about the recall of the -French fleets that have sailed for America, -and the ruin of the hopes for liberty.”</p> - -<p>“Don’t say that, Longsword,” said Ethan, -a pained look in his eyes. “I hate to even -think of such a thing.”</p> - - - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_233">[233]</span>“If we could only come upon the bla’guard -Lascar we might gain something by it. Oh, -but it’s him that’s the fox; sure nobody can -hold him, it seems.”</p> - -<p>“The fact that the Earl of Selkirk went -away upon a journey soon after his interview -with the Lascar troubles me,” said Ethan. -“It looks as though he had learned something -of the paper and had set out to try to gain -possession of it.”</p> - -<p>“True for ye, and it seems to me that Paris, -somehow, is the place he would come for it.”</p> - -<p>“Paris! And why?”</p> - -<p>“Sure, I don’t know. But it presents itself -to me that way, Master Ethan.”</p> - -<p>“Perhaps you may be right. This man -Fochard is here, and it would not be at all -surprising if he knew something of the -matter.”</p> - -<p>“Suppose,” suggested Longsword after a -pause, “that we pay a visit to this gentleman -in the Rue Constantine?”</p> - -<p>“An excellent idea,” cried Ethan. “And -we will put it into operation at once.”</p> - -<p>They put on their heaviest clothing, for the -night was a cold one in February, and set<span class="pagenum" id="Page_234">[234]</span> -forth. The hard frosty ground rang beneath -their feet as they trudged along the rather -gloomy streets. Turning into the Rue Constantine -they had no trouble in finding the -house of M. Fochard. The same little man in -the spectacles and with the shining bald head -opened the door upon the chain and looked -out at them. Recognizing them at a single -glance he cried:</p> - -<p>“Oh, you rogues, so you have returned. A -very nice trick that was to play upon an old -clerk, was it not? Shame! I almost lost my -place because of you. But you will not fool -me again, no, no!”</p> - -<p>“Is M. Fochard within?” asked Ethan.</p> - -<p>“He is not, and would not see you if he -were! You are rogues, monsieurs; and we -have nothing to do with such here!” And -with that, he clapped the door in their faces -and left them standing in the darkness and -cold.</p> - -<p>“The old fellow seems angry,” chuckled -Longsword. “I suppose his employer hauled -him over the coals for letting us in that -night.”</p> - -<p>“There is no use in our trying again to-night<span class="pagenum" id="Page_235">[235]</span> -at any rate,” said Ethan. “Are you -cold, Shamus?” he continued after they had -turned away and retraced their steps along the -Rue Constantine.</p> - -<p>“I am, faith!” answered the Irish soldier.</p> - -<p>“There is a bright, clean looking coffee -house across the way. Suppose we step in -and take the chill off with some coffee and a -little snack—say a buttered roll or something -of that sort.”</p> - -<p>“A very thoughtful suggestion. Sure, -nothing would please me better.”</p> - -<p>They crossed the street and entered the coffee -house. Each had a cutlass hanging from his -belt, and their foreign air at once attracted the -attention of the people in the place. But -they sought out a small table at the far end of -the room and seating themselves quietly ordered -and sipped their coffee and nibbled at -the white rolls that were brought with it.</p> - -<p>“A very respectable looking place,” said -Longsword as his eyes roved about, examining -its patrons.</p> - -<p>“Yes,” answered Ethan. “And the coffee -is excellent.”</p> - -<p>As they talked in low tones upon various<span class="pagenum" id="Page_236">[236]</span> -topics, the door opened and three men entered -the room. One of them was queerly huddled -up in a huge cloak; the others were lowering -looking fellows, apparently of the class of cut-purses -or bravos which infested the city at -that time. They took seats at a side table -near the door.</p> - -<p>“There are three bla’guards, or I never saw -any,” declared Longsword to Ethan as he -looked at the newcomers. “Sure and ye can -see villainy written all over them.”</p> - -<p>“They are not very prepossessing looking -persons at all events,” admitted Ethan. He -went on sipping his coffee for a time and then -leaning toward his companion he said in a low -tone, “They are watching us.”</p> - -<p>“No!” exclaimed Longsword, glaring at the -trio.</p> - -<p>“Don’t stare so at them. Yes; it’s true. -The man in the cloak seems to be some one in -authority; he pointed us out as soon as they -came in; they have been furtively eyeing us -ever since.”</p> - -<p>“I wonder why?” said Longsword, puzzled.</p> - -<p>“I couldn’t say. Perhaps because we are<span class="pagenum" id="Page_237">[237]</span> -Americans. I’ve noticed that that causes the -French people to stare always, as we pass -along the street.”</p> - -<p>The young American and his companion -watched the three closely while pretending to -inspect the room. The conversation of the -men was carried on in a very low tone; their -gestures were guarded; their whole manner -was secret; and while they ate sparingly of -the food placed before them they never took -their eyes, so it seemed, from Ethan and -Longsword. While deep in the observation -of all this Ethan was surprised to hear a quiet -voice say, almost in his ear:</p> - -<p>“Our friends by the door seem like most -peculiar people.”</p> - -<p>Ethan turned quickly, for the voice had a -strangely familiar sound; and to his great -astonishment he found himself looking into -the smiling face of Monsieur Fochard. Longsword -was equally astonished; the language -was French and so of course he did not understand -what the man said; but he recognized -the features of the secret agent instantly. The -man saw this and smiled and nodded.</p> - -<p>“I had not thought,” said he to Ethan, “to<span class="pagenum" id="Page_238">[238]</span> -see you again so soon. I fancied, monsieur, -that you would be at St. Mary’s Isle, awaiting -the coming of Siki, the Lascar.”</p> - -<p>Ethan fancied that he detected a chuckle in -the man’s voice—a chuckle of intense satisfaction. -But he made no reply and the agent -went on:</p> - -<p>“I forgive you for the deception which you -allowed me to practice upon myself that night -when you came to my house. It was a clever -ruse, monsieur, and most remarkable for a boy -of your years. My best man could scarcely -excel it.”</p> - -<p>Ethan laughed.</p> - -<p>“You do me too much honor, M. Fochard. -It was chance that took me to your house, and -chance that carried the matter on.”</p> - -<p>“Very modest—very commendable,” said -the other with a wave of his hand. “But I -prefer to believe that it was a set plan; it -would not do for Fochard to admit that he -was outwitted by blind chance.”</p> - -<p>He had been sitting sipping his black coffee -at a table directly behind; now he dragged -his chair forward to theirs and sat twirling -the heavy seals upon his watch-guard. He<span class="pagenum" id="Page_239">[239]</span> -spent a few moments in silent contemplation -of both; then he asked:</p> - -<p>“Would it be too much if I inquired -how you learned that Siki had returned to -Paris?”</p> - -<p>“I did not know that he had,” returned -Ethan.</p> - -<p>The secret agent regarded him with a -smile.</p> - -<p>“My dear fellow,” said he stretching his -trim silk stockinged legs beneath the table, -“how can you say that when the man sits -before you?”</p> - -<p>As he spoke he made a gesture toward the -three men at the door; Ethan glanced at the -man in the cloak; he caught sight of a dark, -long-fingered subtle looking hand which was -thrust from beneath it. It was true; this man -must be the Lascar.</p> - -<p>“You must not think to deceive me again, -young gentleman,” said Fochard. He rearranged -his elaborate shirt frill and the huge -ruffles of lace which he wore at his wrists, and -smiled. “There sits Siki, bravely before us,” -he continued. “But tell me what you think -of the other two.”</p> - - - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_240">[240]</span>“They look to me like rascals,” answered -Ethan, promptly.</p> - -<p>“Ah!” and the secret agent seemed greatly -interested. “You have studied physiognomy -then.”</p> - -<p>But Ethan shook his head.</p> - -<p>“Ah! that is a pity! The study of the -human countenance is a great and vital thing; -all men, especially those engaged in duties -that bring them into contact with the motives -and secret doings of other men should study -this grand science.”</p> - -<p>He seemed to be upon a subject which interested -him greatly, and continued:</p> - -<p>“By it we are forearmed, safeguarded. -We at once know the tendencies of strangers, -and so it saves us many disasters in our affairs; -for those whom this philosophy warns -us against we do not trust.”</p> - -<p>“I suppose not,” answered Ethan, vaguely.</p> - -<p>“It is a matter of great ease,” went on the -man, crossing his silk stockinged legs and -smoothing his ruffles with one many-ringed -hand, “to discover the tendencies of our -friends there at the door, for they carry their -vocations plainly writ upon their faces.<span class="pagenum" id="Page_241">[241]</span> -Note the leaner of the two Frenchmen—the -pointed and protruding jaw, the outstanding -ears, the eyes set close together, the low brow, -the nose slightly hooked. It is a countenance -whose message is unmistakable. To one -who knows it cries out ceaselessly—beware, -beware!”</p> - -<p>Ethan nodded; science or no science he -knew that the stranger spoke the truth.</p> - -<p>“The other face,” continued Fochard, “is -of a decidedly lower type. Note the huge -jaw, the small round head set upon the great -torso, with scarcely the sign of a neck. This -is a common sort of ruffian—one who will -make much noise about his wrong-doing and -be easily caught.”</p> - -<p>Ethan looked at the secret agent curiously; -somehow he had the impression that the -man’s talk was for the purpose of gaining -time; also that he desired the three at the -table near the door to see them, apparently, -earnestly engaged together. Drawing a large -silver snuff-box from his waistcoat pocket -Fochard took a dainty pinch and then offered -it to Ethan and Longsword in turn. Upon -their refusing he smiled and delicately applied<span class="pagenum" id="Page_242">[242]</span> -the snuff to his nostrils; then he dusted -the fallen grains from his clothing and put -the box away.</p> - -<p>“I think,” said Ethan, “that you must -have encountered these men before to know -their characteristics so well. A single glance -at the face does not tell so much.”</p> - -<p>The Frenchman gestured his admiration of -this remark, and his jeweled hands sparkled -in the candle-light.</p> - -<p>“You Americans are keen and most practical,” -he said. “And for that reason,” he -went on, bending toward Ethan, “I am going -to do something for you to-night which will -surprise you much—and out of sheer admiration -of your nation.”</p> - -<p>“Indeed.”</p> - -<p>“I have here a ring,” and Fochard drew -from his finger a sparkling circlet and held it -up so that the light would fall upon it. “I -am going to give it to you.”</p> - -<p>He noted the lad’s look of surprise, and -added with a smile:</p> - -<p>“It is not because of the ring itself—oh, no. -But the person who stands, with this ring -upon the third finger of his right hand and<span class="pagenum" id="Page_243">[243]</span> -with the hand held so, at the great gate of -Versailles at ten in the morning, will receive—a -packet. Do you understand?”</p> - -<p>“A packet,” Ethan shot a keen glance at -the man.</p> - -<p>“Exactly—a packet sealed with great -splotches of red wax.”</p> - -<p>“Ah!” The boy drew in a deep breath, -and his eyes narrowed and began to burn.</p> - -<p>“Ten thousand pounds is a great sum,” and -Fochard shrugged his fat shoulders. “But I -am a Frenchman, and all Frenchmen love -the Americans. For this reason I forego all -hope of the profit that a great labor should -bring me.” He grasped Ethan by the right -wrist and placed the ring upon his finger. -As he did so the men at the far table quietly -arose and drew nearer, seating themselves at -another table. Their watchful eyes never lost -a movement of Fochard’s or Ethan’s; their -heads were bent in an effort to hear what was -being said.</p> - -<p>“So,” said Fochard, in a low tone, “that is -done, monsieur, and I am pleased.”</p> - -<p>“Is this packet,” demanded Ethan eagerly, -“what I suppose it is?”</p> - - - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_244">[244]</span>“It is,” replied Fochard in a somewhat -louder tone. “But guard the ring carefully; -for it alone will bring you what you desire.”</p> - -<p>And once more he repeated his instructions -to the boy. The three listening men drank -in his words eagerly, and when he had finished -they paid their score and went out.</p> - -<p>“They overheard what you said,” spoke -Ethan.</p> - -<p>“I know it,” smiled Fochard. “Since the -time when I caught the Lascar in his attempt -to leave France with the dispatch, he has been -hounding me.”</p> - -<p>“But,” said Ethan, “if you secured it from -him why did he go to St. Mary’s Isle to see -the Earl of Selkirk?”</p> - -<p>“To induce that gentleman to purchase the -paper. But now that the time has come, I’d -rather see liberty result than my own enrichment. -If the American government should -see its way clear to rewarding me, why, well -and good, if not it will not matter much. -This resolution has angered the Lascar, for he -hoped to share in the English gold.”</p> - -<p>“I see,” said Ethan. “But Danvers did -not know of this compact between you.”</p> - - - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_245">[245]</span>“Indeed no,” smiled Fochard. “I gave -him to understand that Siki was safely out of -France with the papers and—ahem—that you -assisted him.”</p> - -<p>“So he said,” replied the young American.</p> - -<p>“And now,” said Fochard, arising, “I will -be going. You will not fail to bring these -matters to the attention of Dr. Franklin at -once, I trust. As things are,” with a most -expressive wave of the hand, “I cannot act -for myself. It would be misconstrued—for it -is generally supposed that Fochard works -only for pay. Good-evening.”</p> - -<p>He bowed to both Ethan and Longsword, -then walked gravely through the lines of -small tables and departed. Ethan at once informed -Longsword of all that had been said; -and the latter shook his head, the grim expression -of his face increasing.</p> - -<p>“I don’t like it,” declared the Irishman, -decidedly. “And I don’t trust the man.”</p> - -<p>“But it seems possible,” protested Ethan. -“The French are almost mad with admiration -of the Americans just now, and a man may -do such a thing in his enthusiasm for a -cause.”</p> - - - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_246">[246]</span>“But not a man like that, faith! He’s as -cold blooded as a fish. He has some sort of a -plot behind all this, mark my words.”</p> - -<p>“But what can it be?” asked the lad.</p> - -<p>The dragoon shook his head again. “I -don’t know,” he answered. “But time will -tell, I think.”</p> - -<p>They left the coffee house; and as they -stepped into the shadows of the Rue Constantine, -Ethan noticed his companion pull -his scabbard about so that his cutlass would be -ready at his hand.</p> - -<p>“What’s that for?” he asked, in surprise.</p> - -<p>“It’s always good to have your blade handy -on a dark night,” said Longsword, briefly.</p> - -<p>Ethan made no reply, and so they continued -on their way in silence for a time. Finally -the lad spoke.</p> - -<p>“I suppose it would have been better had -we given an alarm and had the Lascar seized -by the authorities,” said he.</p> - -<p>“And have the whole matter of the dispatch -come out,” cried the Irish soldier. -“That would never do. Remember what -Dr. Franklin said.”</p> - -<p>The way to their lodgings was narrow and<span class="pagenum" id="Page_247">[247]</span> -dark; the hour was still fairly early, but there -were very few people abroad. As they proceeded -along at a smart pace they caught a -short, sharp whistle from directly ahead; and -immediately it was repeated from behind. -Longsword grasped the lad’s arm tightly.</p> - -<p>“It sounded very much like a signal of -some sort,” said Ethan coolly. He cast a long -look into the darkness as he spoke; a shadow -seemed to move silently away and melt into -the murk; the soft patter of guarded footsteps -fell upon their ears, and then all was still.</p> - -<p>“We are being followed,” breathed Longsword, -his strong hand upon the hilt of his -hanger. “And it’s all because of that rascal -Fochard, I’ll be bound.”</p> - -<p>“Perhaps,” said Ethan soberly.</p> - -<p>Once more they started on their way; all -was soundless save for the ring of their own -footsteps upon the flags; but suddenly they -turned a sharp corner, and caught sight of -another skulking shadow flitting before them -in the gloom; and as they paused, the patter -of muffled feet fell softly behind them.</p> - -<p>“We are in for it,” said Ethan Carlyle, as -he quietly plucked his cutlass from its scabbard.<span class="pagenum" id="Page_248">[248]</span> -“I wonder how many there are of -them.”</p> - -<p>“Let them come from the front and it -makes no differ,” said Longsword, blade in -hand. “Faith, Master Ethan, it’s meself that -loves a bit of a fight now and then, but I like -a little daylight along wid it by choice.”</p> - -<p>Ethan drew the dragoon into an open archway, -and here they awaited developments. A -number of dark figures stole through the -shadows and gathered directly opposite.</p> - -<p>“There they are, beneath the arch,” Ethan -heard a voice say in French. “Now then, -men, upon them in a body. I must have that -ring.”</p> - -<p>The voice was that of the Lascar; Ethan -recognized its thin tones at once. As the man -spoke there came the clear bold ring of advancing -footsteps upon the frosty ground.</p> - -<p>“There is some one coming,” said a second -voice.</p> - -<p>“Make haste!” cried the Lascar, “or we -will be too late!”</p> - -<p>A quick rush of feet followed this.</p> - -<p>“Strike hard!” breathed Longsword -through his set teeth. His cutlass swung<span class="pagenum" id="Page_249">[249]</span> -through the air with a “swish” and the foremost -man fell back with a howl of agony. -Ethan’s blade hissed downward in a favorite -stroke and another of the party was out of the -fight with a slash across the shoulder. But -the remainder closed in. They were armed -with swords, knives and heavy bludgeons; -but the deftly played cutlasses of the two -master swordsmen seemed to threaten all at -once, and though the ruffians struck madly -and often, the sharp points were ever in their -faces, and the keen edges slashed and bit at -them with fury.</p> - -<p>A pistol shot rang out sharply. Ethan -felt a sudden scorching line run across his -forehead; then a gush of blood almost blinded -him.</p> - -<p>“I’m hit,” he said to Longsword, as he -strove to dash the blood from his eyes.</p> - -<p>This seemed to turn the grim Irelander into -a demon. Ethan, dazed by the shot, had sunk -upon one knee; the dragoon stood over him -playing his weapon with the speed of light -and the rage of a Berserker. But even his -great skill and matchless endurance would not -have served to beat the crowd of ruffians off;<span class="pagenum" id="Page_250">[250]</span> -they were closing about him in a circle and -about beating him down when a sudden gleam -of light shot into the archway, and a stern -voice called:</p> - -<p>“What, you rascals! At them, men.”</p> - -<p>Ethan’s dazed eyes caught one glimpse of -the evil faces as the rays of a flaring torch lit -them up. The circle broke at once and the -men turned swiftly; the next instant they were -fighting frantically against a new sword and a -brace of heavy clubs in the hands of two stout -porters.</p> - -<p>With a gasp of delight Ethan saw that the -new swordsman was Paul Jones; then all -grew suddenly dark, and he pitched forward -and fell upon his face.</p> -<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop" /> - -<div class="chapter"> -<span class="pagenum" id="Page_251">[251]</span> - -<h2 class="nobreak">CHAPTER XVIII<br /> - - -<small>THE ROAD TO BREST</small></h2> -</div> - -<p><span class="smcap">The</span> wound in Ethan Carlyle’s head was not -a very severe one; so next day he was about, -looking a trifle pale, and with a bandage -about his brow, but almost as well as ever.</p> - -<p>When he came down from his room he -found Longsword awaiting him.</p> - -<p>“How are ye?” asked the dragoon -anxiously.</p> - -<p>“Just a little hazy in the head,” answered -Ethan, “but that will pass in a few hours.”</p> - -<p>“Could ye stand a bit of news if it were -broken to ye gently?”</p> - -<p>“I think so.”</p> - -<p>“Well, among those who were wounded in -the fight last night was Siki.”</p> - -<p>“Ah!”</p> - -<p>“We have him here. We carried him on -the same litter as yourself. He is willing to -talk, so the captain says. They are only waiting -for you.”</p> - - - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_252">[252]</span>“Take me to him.”</p> - -<p>Longsword promptly led the way into a -room off that of Captain Jones’. They found -that officer sitting at a table engaged in some -correspondence; upon a couch was the lean -form of the Lascar; his dark face was drawn -with pain and his eyes roved about restlessly. -Captain Jones sprang up as Ethan and the -dragoon entered.</p> - -<p>“I’m delighted,” he said, grasping the lad’s -hand. “You seemed to be resting so easily -during the night, though, that I felt sure you -would be all right by morning.”</p> - -<p>“Thank you,” said Ethan. Then nodding -toward the Lascar he continued, “And so we -took a prisoner?”</p> - -<p>“Yes,” smiled the officer, “and rather an -important one, too; he will tell you many -things that will surprise you.”</p> - -<p>Siki raised himself upon one elbow and -broke in.</p> - -<p>“But, what will be the good if you don’t -act? You must hurry. The dispatch will -be in England in two days if the wind is -good.”</p> - -<p>“What do you mean?” asked Ethan.</p> - - - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_253">[253]</span>“I mean that Fochard is even now preparing -to cross the channel to deliver the papers -to Danvers.”</p> - -<p>The man spoke English now; and upon -hearing his words Longsword asked quickly:</p> - -<p>“Why did ye attack us last night?”</p> - -<p>“To get the ring. It was not until I was -brought here that I saw what a cunning trick -that rascal played upon me. He had the dispatch -in his pocket; he feared that we meant -to attack him; so he planned this thing of the -ring on the moment, and so threw me off the -right track. While my men and I were following -you, he was, maybe, on the way to -Brest.”</p> - -<p>“Just as I thought, sure!” exclaimed Longsword. -“He used us as decoys to draw off the -hounds when they were closing in on himself.”</p> - -<p>“What a ready rascal,” cried Ethan, forced -to admiration of the man’s wit. Then turning -to the Lascar he continued:</p> - -<p>“You are sure he had the dispatch?”</p> - -<p>“I am. He took it from me at Nantes as I -was about to leave the country some time -ago.”</p> - -<p>“Did he send you to the Earl of Selkirk?”</p> - - - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_254">[254]</span>“He did. He promised me a share if the -earl would buy the papers for the crown.”</p> - -<p>“Why did he not deal with the English -government himself?”</p> - -<p>“The war has made him afraid. He -wanted a go-between. But when I returned I -found that he was playing me false. He is to -take ship at Brest and meet Danvers at Plymouth -with the dispatch. Fochard is to get -the ten thousand pounds, and Danvers is to -get all the credit.”</p> - -<p>“It would seem,” said Captain Jones, “that -this man has but one object in view—and that -is his own profit. He keeps faith with no -one.”</p> - -<p>“No,” cried the Lascar, clinching his fist -and setting his strong white teeth, “he plays -false with all—with you, with Danvers—with -me. But I will be revenged! If you start in -pursuit at once you will overtake him on the -way to Brest or on the sea; and the dispatch -will be your own once more.”</p> - -<p>They talked for some little time, then the -three went into another room and consulted.</p> - -<p>“I cannot leave Paris at this time,” said the -captain, “but as the man seems to be speaking<span class="pagenum" id="Page_255">[255]</span> -the truth, now, you two might act upon -his suggestion. A couple of fast horses would -take you to Brest in little time, and you may -be able to prevent the man’s escape.”</p> - -<p>“But should he reach Brest before us—if -he gets to sea—we cannot follow him.”</p> - -<p>Captain Jones drew out a wallet and took -from it a number of French bills of exchange.</p> - -<p>“This,” said he, “will secure a vessel. If -it is not sufficient say that I will make up the -balance.”</p> - -<p>Ethan hesitated, but at length took the -bills, and shook the officer by the hand.</p> - -<p>“This is generous of you; and you may depend -upon me to do my best,” he said.</p> - -<p>Within an hour himself and Longsword -were in the saddle and riding along the road -toward Brest.</p> - -<p>“Like as not he took a carriage,” said the -dragoon: “these well-fed gentlemen like -Monsieur Fochard don’t care much about -riding.”</p> - -<p>“Perhaps the story told us by the Lascar is -not true,” suggested Ethan, who still felt most -doubtful upon this point.</p> - -<p>“Maybe not. But it won’t be long before<span class="pagenum" id="Page_256">[256]</span> -we satisfy ourselves upon that point. We’ll -not ride many miles before we know who is -ahead of us; innkeepers have good memories -if they are paid for it.”</p> - -<p>In this Longsword was right. They paused -for food at a small hostelry about noon, and -Ethan questioned the landlord.</p> - -<p>“A traveler? Oh, yes, monsieur, there -have been many pass by to-day and yesterday. -You are trying to overtake a friend, I suppose? -It will be difficult, because all who -went by seemed in a very great hurry, and -scarce had time to spend a sou even. But -what sort of a man is he whom you ride after? -Stout? Ah! And with a great white frill -and many seals? I have him. He passed -early this morning in a carriage with postilions; -and he drove very fast after he had -had his breakfast.”</p> - -<p>This news made them increase the pace of -their nags along the road.</p> - -<p>“He will probably get fresh horses at given -points along the road,” said Ethan, “so he -will have that advantage of us.”</p> - -<p>Their mounts were big-boned, lean beasts -with plenty of bottom and great willingness;<span class="pagenum" id="Page_257">[257]</span> -the miles flowed by under their hoofs; but -still no indication of their overtaking the carriage -of the secret agent. It was late in the -afternoon when they entered a long stretch of -road bordered by thick woods upon each side; -the trees were tall and bare of leaves; their -frost-dry branches swung and rattled in the -wind. They had met no person or come upon -no human habitation for a long time; and -now were astonished to hear a hearty, rollicking -sort of a voice roaring out:</p> - -<div class="poetry-container"> -<div class="poetry"> -<div class="first">“‘Oh, the French are on the sea,’ says the Shan Van Vogh;</div> -<div class="verse">‘The French are on the sea,’ says the Shan Van Vogh;</div> -<div class="verse">‘Oh, the French are in the bay, they’ll be here without delay,</div> -<div class="verse">And the Orange will decay,’ says the Shan Van Vogh.”</div> -</div></div> - -<p>“Hurro,” cried Longsword in delight. -“Faith, that’s a countryman of my own, I’ll -go bail.”</p> - -<p>“There can be little doubt of that,” said -Ethan smiling. “And a hearty, joyful blade -he must be, judging from his voice.”</p> - - - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_258">[258]</span>Rounding a bend in the road they overtook -a strongly built young man with a great shock -of yellow hair and the bluest of blue eyes; he -bestrode a tall gray horse; and with his head -thrown back he trolled forth his song.</p> - -<p>“The top of the morning to you,” saluted -Longsword.</p> - -<p>The song was checked so suddenly that it -seemed as though the yellow haired young -man had bitten it off short. He gazed at the -dragoon in astonishment.</p> - -<p>“What’s that?” demanded he.</p> - -<p>“The top of the morning to ye,” repeated -Longsword, with a smile.</p> - -<p>With a whoop of delight the stranger -wheeled his gray horse alongside the other -and seized his hand in a powerful grip.</p> - -<p>“An Irishman, be the hooky!” shouted he. -“Faith, then, I’m as glad to see ye as I would -be to see me own mother, and I haven’t laid -eyes on her these many years.”</p> - -<p>Longsword seemed equally pleased, and his -hand grip was fully as warm as that of the -other.</p> - -<p>“It was like a dream to hear the old Shan -Van Vogh upon a lonely French road, so far<span class="pagenum" id="Page_259">[259]</span> -away from home,” he said. “And faith it -warmed the heart of me, so it did.”</p> - -<p>They exchanged some remarks in the Erse -tongue; then Longsword turned to Ethan.</p> - -<p>“This,” said he formally, “is Rory McHale, -captain of the lugger, Erin, now lying at -Brest.” Then, speaking to McHale, he went -on: “And this is Mr. Ethan Carlyle, in -the service of the Confederated Colonies of -America.”</p> - -<p>The two thus introduced shook hands, and -McHale said:</p> - -<p>“Faith, sir, the tide have turned at last; -ye’ll bate the English, so ye will; for ye have -the French with ye now, and that is all ye -needed.”</p> - -<p>“I trust that you are right,” said the lad. -“England will now be forced to divide her -attention between the Colonies and France; -and so our chances will be increased.”</p> - -<p>“Are ye riding to Brest, may I ask?” inquired -the Irishman.</p> - -<p>“We are,” answered Ethan.</p> - -<p>“So am I; and if it’s not pushing meself -for’ard too much I’ll be glad to ride in your -company, sir.”</p> - - - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_260">[260]</span>“You are very welcome, Captain McHale. -You are going to join your vessel, I suppose.”</p> - -<p>“I am. She is all ready for another cruise, -and I’ve been to Paris to see her owners and -get instructions.”</p> - -<p>“You are in the merchant service, then?”</p> - -<p>“Not a bit of it. The Erin is a privateer, -faith, and as smart a little vessel as ever cut -the water.”</p> - -<p>“Ah, indeed.”</p> - -<p>“She’s French built and Irish manned,” -continued Captain McHale. “And though I -do say it meself, she’s done more damage to -the Saxon than any other craft of her tonnage -that ever slipped out to sea by the light of -the stars.”</p> - -<p>Longsword had been examining the young -sailor carefully while he talked to Ethan. -Now he asked:</p> - -<p>“Are ye of the west of Ireland, Captain -McHale?”</p> - -<p>“I am, sure,” answered the other.</p> - -<p>“I thought so. When ye see an Irishman -wid straw colored hair and blue eyes he’s -always a sailor. There’s some of the blood of -the old Vikings in ye all. King Brian beat<span class="pagenum" id="Page_261">[261]</span> -the Danes at Clontarf, but he didn’t drive -them all out of the land. And if ye went -back far enough, McHale, I’ll go bail ye’d find -your ancestors wid winged helmets on the -heads of them and beards a foot long.”</p> - -<p>The yellow haired man laughed.</p> - -<p>“Maybe so,” said he. “I’ll not be denying it.”</p> - -<p>After they had ridden together for some -minutes, Ethan asked:</p> - -<p>“Have you seen anything of a carriage on -the road, Captain McHale?”</p> - -<p>“I have. One passed me some hours ago. -A fat Frenchman in it demanded the road of -me and flew into a rage because I would not -leap me horse into a ditch to accommodate -him. He seemed to be in a great hurry, so -he did.”</p> - -<p>“Our man,” said Ethan to Longsword.</p> - -<p>“No doubt of it,” answered the dragoon.</p> - -<p>The seaman looked from one to the other -questioningly.</p> - -<p>“Ye are wanting this gentleman, then?” -asked he.</p> - -<p>“We are,” said Longsword. “And we’re -wanting him more than we ever wanted anything -in our lives before.”</p> - - - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_262">[262]</span>“You may come up wid him.”</p> - -<p>“It’s not likely, if he is hours ahead of us.”</p> - -<p>“One of his horses had a limp; I think it -had cast a shoe. This was the real cause -of the Frenchman’s anger, I think.” The -speaker looked from one to the other once -more. “Does he know that ye are after him, -may I ask?”</p> - -<p>“He may suspect. But he is not sure.”</p> - -<p>“Well, he’s running no risks, faith, and is -making the best of his time on the road.”</p> - -<p>Night came on and they put up at a quiet -little place upon the edge of the forest through -which they had been passing.</p> - -<p>“Yes,” replied the landlord to Ethan’s -question, “a stout gentleman passed in a carriage -some time ago. He was very angry because -I had no horse to give him. One of his -was lame, I think, and when he drove off, he -went at a very slow pace.”</p> - -<p>“We’ll overtake him in the morning,” said -Longsword in English. “If his horse was as -badly lamed as all that he’ll be forced to put -up before he reaches the next town where he -can get relays.”</p> - -<p>“We will be on the road by daylight,” said<span class="pagenum" id="Page_263">[263]</span> -the young American. “If our horses could -stand it I’d be in favor of pressing on to-night.”</p> - -<p>Next morning while the pale moon was -still lighting up the snowy countryside they -were stirring; a quick breakfast and then -they climbed into their saddles and were -off.</p> - -<p>“I’m not so comfortable upon the quarter-deck -of a horse as I am upon the Erin,” said -Captain McHale as they rode along.</p> - -<p>“And it’s a long distance to Brest, so it is,” -said Longsword.</p> - -<p>The moon grew paler and the few stars disappeared -before the touch of dawn; some -distance along the road they caught a gleam -of a fire.</p> - -<p>“Some wayfarers who had not the money -for a bed,” said Ethan. “It must have been -a cold night, indeed, in the open air.”</p> - -<p>It was a matter of five or more miles from -the inn; the fire seemed to burn close by the -roadside, and in the red glare a number of -people could be seen sitting beside it. Suddenly -Ethan pulled up, and uttered a smothered -cry of surprise.</p> - - - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_264">[264]</span>“Look,” said he. “There upon the other -side of the road.”</p> - -<p>They followed the direction of his outstretched -finger, and saw a carriage drawn up, -with horses tied up by the bridles behind it.</p> - -<p>“Fochard!” exclaimed Longsword exultantly.</p> - -<p>“It can be no one else,” said Ethan.</p> - -<p>“It’s the carriage that I spoke to ye of, I -feel sure,” said Captain McHale. “The lame -horse must have broken down entirely at this -point.”</p> - -<p>Ethan put his horse into a run and the -others followed his example. When they -reached the fire they halted; and with his -hand upon the butt of a pistol, Ethan cried -out:</p> - -<p>“Stand forth, Monsieur Fochard. We have -a small matter of business with you.”</p> - -<p>One of the men arose to his feet and touched -his hat, tremblingly.</p> - -<p>“We are postilions, sir, waiting for daylight. -The brown horse, there, cast a shoe -and went lame. Monsieur Fochard took one -of the other horses and rode on to the next -town in the night, as he could not wait for us.”</p> - - - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_265">[265]</span>“How far is it to the next town?” asked -Ethan.</p> - -<p>“About eight miles, monsieur.”</p> - -<p>Ethan wheeled his horse into the middle of -the road once more.</p> - -<p>“Come on,” he called. “He may be delayed -in getting a carriage. We have a chance -of overtaking him yet.”</p> - -<p>And away they dashed, with loose reins, -down the frosty road.</p> -<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop" /> - -<div class="chapter"> -<span class="pagenum" id="Page_266">[266]</span> - -<h2 class="nobreak">CHAPTER XIX<br /> - - -<small>HOW THE ERIN PUT TO SEA</small></h2> -</div> - -<p><span class="smcap">However</span>, they did not overtake him. -Fochard had secured a fresh equipage at the -next town, and at once resumed his journey. -“He must be at least five hours ahead of us,” -said Ethan, as they stood at the heads of their -panting horses after receiving this news.</p> - -<p>“Yes,” agreed Longsword. “But Brest is -still a long way off, and many accidents may -happen on the road.”</p> - -<p>They mounted once more and set off. All -day they heard reports from hostlers and -country people of the progress of the secret -agent toward the seaport. But they had not, -apparently, gained upon him in the least -when night overtook them. Next morning -they secured fresh horses, as their own were -stiff with the hard work of the two preceding -days; and then the chase was resumed. However, -Fochard traveled like the light; the -housetops of Brest were in sight and still they -had not sighted him.</p> - - - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_267">[267]</span>“There is small chance of getting any information -of his movements after we get into the -town,” said Ethan, disheartened.</p> - -<p>“Don’t lose hope,” said Longsword. “It’s -the unexpected that happens, Master Ethan.”</p> - -<p>“You are right, sure,” said Captain McHale. -“Many’s the time things looked black enough -wid me; and then like a flash they’ve changed -when I least expected it.”</p> - -<p>And so it proved in this case. They had -scarcely entered Brest when a voice cried out -from a shop door,</p> - -<p>“Ah, monsieur rides hard to-day.”</p> - -<p>The Irish sailor turned toward the shop, and -his face took on a broad grin as he caught -sight of the fat French chandler who had -spoken.</p> - -<p>“Monsieur Dubois, good-day,” he cried. -“Yes, we ride hard because our business is -urgent.”</p> - -<p>The chandler elevated his plump hands.</p> - -<p>“Oh, this war!” he exclaimed, “it makes -all hurry. Did not a carriage almost run -down my eldest son an hour ago, because its -passenger was in a very great hurry to see -La Tour.”</p> - - - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_268">[268]</span>McHale pulled in his horse, sharply, as did -Ethan.</p> - -<p>“La Tour—a carriage!” he ejaculated. -“Did you notice the man, particularly?”</p> - -<p>“Indeed I did, monsieur, and made him -give me two louis for the fright he gave me.”</p> - -<p>“A stout man,” suggested Ethan, “from -Paris, by his look, with many seals on his -watch-guard?”</p> - -<p>“The same, monsieur,” answered the stout -chandler, wonderingly.</p> - -<p>“Come on,” said McHale, eagerly. “To -La Tour’s; it’s not far from here.”</p> - -<p>Ethan and Longsword, who had also -paused, put spurs to their horses after the -sailor.</p> - -<p>“Who is La Tour?” asked the young -American.</p> - -<p>“He is a shipping-agent,” answered McHale. -“And the owner of some small vessels, -too. If a man wanted a ship to embark -on any questionable or desperate enterprise -it is to this same La Tour he’d go, faith.”</p> - -<p>The office of Jean La Tour was near the -water front, and was a dusty, cobwebbed, low-ceilinged -place, indeed. La Tour was seated<span class="pagenum" id="Page_269">[269]</span> -at a broad, flat, green-covered table, carefully -docketing some items of his traffic in a book, -when the three pulled up, threw themselves -from their horses and came stamping in -upon him. Upon hearing their business, he -shrugged his shoulders and spread his hands -wide.</p> - -<p>“I am afraid that it is too late,” said he. -“The gentleman engaged the Montespan some -days ago, by agent; he paid me the balance -of the charter money a short time ago—less -than an hour, perhaps—and is now on his -way out of the harbor for all I know.”</p> - -<p>Longsword, when Ethan translated the -shipping-agent’s words, uttered a cry of anger.</p> - -<p>“The fox is gone,” said he; “and he’s -gone for good unless we can follow him to -sea.”</p> - -<p>“And that is the very thing that we will -do,” cried Ethan, his face flushed with determination. -He turned to La Tour and said, -“We want a vessel, the swiftest at your command, -and we want it at once. Name your -price.”</p> - -<p>Once more the agent shrugged his shoulders -and spread out his hands.</p> - - - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_270">[270]</span>“Impossible,” he said. “I have not a vessel -in port at this time that would be of any -sort of service to you.” Then he added with -a cheerful air of resignation,</p> - -<p>“It is most unfortunate, for I can see that -you are very anxious to overtake this gentleman. -But I hardly think you can do so, for -there is no other ship owner in Brest who -would risk his vessels putting to sea at this -time. The English are as thick as herrings in -the channel.”</p> - -<p>“No ship!” said Ethan, blankly.</p> - -<p>“No, not one,” answered La Tour.</p> - -<p>“You are mistaken there,” spoke Captain -McHale; “there is a small bit of a lugger wid -eight four pounders in her and as much speed -as can be found anywhere.” He turned to -Ethan and continued, eagerly, “If ye want -the Erin, Mister Carlyle, she’s at your service, -and welcome.”</p> - -<p>Ethan wrung the speaker’s hand.</p> - -<p>“Thank you,” said he. “This is very good -of you, indeed.”</p> - -<p>“Don’t speak of it,” answered McHale. -“But to horse and let’s be off to where the lugger -is tied up.”</p> - - - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_271">[271]</span>As they climbed into their saddles Longsword -asked,</p> - -<p>“How soon can you be ready to put to sea?”</p> - -<p>“The minute I put me foot upon the deck, -my lads will be ready to cast off. The secret -of the lugger’s success is in her always being -ready.”</p> - -<p>A sharp quick gallop of a quarter of an hour -brought them to the wharf where the Erin was -moored. She was a trim looking three-master -and the length of the yards showed that her -spread of canvas would be immense for her -tonnage. Ethan hurriedly made arrangements -for the return of the horses to their -owner, and then followed the two Irishmen -on board the Erin.</p> - -<p>The lugger’s crew were stout, hardy looking -young men, with the air of having braved -danger many times and not fearing to look it -in the face. True to Captain McHale’s word, -they had cast off the lines, towed the vessel -into the stream and had the sails drawing -within a very short time after he came aboard.</p> - -<p>“You are right,” said Ethan as he noted the -little vessel’s progress with satisfaction. “The -Erin has speed.”</p> - - - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_272">[272]</span>“She sails like a hawk, sir, before the -wind,” said her captain proudly.</p> - -<p>There were still some hours of daylight and -every vessel they passed was carefully studied -by McHale.</p> - -<p>“I know the Montespan very well,” said he. -“There is a rake to her tall masts that I could -recognize anywhere above the horizon.”</p> - -<p>But night came on and still there was no -sign of the desired vessel. The lugger -squared away for Plymouth, and morning -found her cutting the choppy seas of the channel, -well upon her way. While the captain -and his two passengers were at breakfast the -lookout shouted:</p> - -<p>“Sail ho!”</p> - -<p>Instantly Captain McHale was upon deck, -glass in hand.</p> - -<p>“Where away?” he asked.</p> - -<p>“Right ahead, sir.”</p> - -<p>The skipper of the privateer took a long, -thirsty look, and then cried, delightedly,</p> - -<p>“It’s the Montespan, by the gods of war!”</p> - -<p>Ethan and Longsword each took a look at -the chase through the glass. Then the former -said,</p> - - - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_273">[273]</span>“How many hours is Plymouth off, with -this breeze?”</p> - -<p>“We should reach there by night if we were -going there,” answered the skipper.</p> - -<p>“Do you think it is possible for the lugger -to overtake the vessel ahead in that time?”</p> - -<p>“The Erin, sir, can outsail the Montespan -in any slant of the wind. We’ll overhaul her -within five hours, if nothing happens, and -you can talk to Monsieur Fochard about any -matter of business you might have wid him, -below in my cabin.”</p> - -<p>The steadiness with which the lugger hung -upon the track of the Montespan attracted -the attention of those on board that vessel before -long. A topsail was run up, and a jib -set, which increased her speed greatly. Captain -McHale smiled, and his blue eyes -twinkled.</p> - -<p>“See to that, now, how bashful they are. -Sure, sorra the bit do they want to become acquainted -wid us.”</p> - -<p>The great, square canvases of the lugger -were trimmed and hauled taut; she heeled a -little more, and the white spume that boiled -in her wake showed an increase in her speed<span class="pagenum" id="Page_274">[274]</span> -also. Mile after mile was covered; the Montespan -constantly lifted higher and higher, -until at length they could plainly see, with -the naked eye, the people upon her decks. -However, the lugger was not making the -speed that her skipper expected of her, and he -seemed vexed when the chase spread more -canvas and began to slowly slip away.</p> - -<p>The lug sails were drenched with water to -make them draw better; this improved matters, -but not much, and the sun was low in -the west, the gray coast of England lay ahead, -and still the Montespan was beyond the reach -of the Erin.</p> - -<p>Longsword, as he realized that night was -about to close in and rob them of their prey, -looked hungrily over the lugger’s tarpaulin-covered -guns.</p> - -<p>“A shot from one of those,” he said, “might -bring her to.”</p> - -<p>“She is a French craft,” said Captain -McHale, “and I dare not try it.”</p> - -<p>“Could ye not explain away the small matter -of a broken spar?” suggested the crafty -Longsword. “As you see, she flies no flag; -ye might be mistaken about her being a<span class="pagenum" id="Page_275">[275]</span> -French vessel, after all. She may be English, -and as a French privateer it is your duty -to your owners to examine her near at -hand.”</p> - -<p>The skipper ran his fingers through his -yellow hair and grinned.</p> - -<p>“Troth, then,” remarked he, “there is a -good deal in what ye say, Mister O’Moore; -and now that ye put it afore me I have a great -mind to see what effect a ball would have on -her. The Erin would catch her in the long -run; but night is coming, and the English -coast is too near at hand.”</p> - -<p>He gave orders to his mate, who at once -stripped one of the forward guns. The powder -and shot had just been brought upon deck -when Ethan suddenly cried to McHale:</p> - -<p>“See, there! What vessel is that?”</p> - -<p>Upon the lee, a large ship was bearing down -upon the Montespan and the pursuing lugger. -All eyes upon the Erin had been centred -upon the chase and had given no attention to -anything else; consequently, the appearance -of the ship was something like magic to the -lugger’s crew.</p> - -<p>“She flies the British flag,” cried Longsword.<span class="pagenum" id="Page_276">[276]</span> -“There’s ructions coming too, for she -is stripping her decks for a fight.”</p> - -<p>A sudden rending roar came from the -British ship’s bow, a red tongue of flame -darted from a port and a haze of smoke curled -upward. In answer the Montespan ran up -the English flag; but Captain McHale cried -bravely:</p> - -<p>“No sailing under false colors for the Erin. -We sink or swim with our own colors at the -peak.”</p> - -<p>The French flag went up to the lugger’s -mainmast a moment later, and with a swing of -the wheel McHale headed her toward the coast.</p> - -<p>“We’ll get shallow water further in,” said -he, “and some ugly looking rocks. A vessel -of her draft will not venture in after us.”</p> - -<p>But the frigate seemed to give her attention -to the Montespan; the ensign did not appear -to deceive her, for another shot rang out, and -the French vessel’s fore topmast was carried -away. Then another and another shot followed -in quick succession; and the Montespan -signaled her surrender, with her rudder -shot away and a hole knocked in her hull -just above the water line.</p> - - - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_277">[277]</span>“Good firing,” said Ethan, admiringly. -Then he continued with a change of tone, -“And again the dispatch is lost to me.”</p> - -<p>He was standing by the after rail and watching -the beautiful handling of the frigate’s -guns; as he spoke he saw a boat pull away -from her to the Montespan; and then she -turned her attention to the lugger.</p> - -<p>“Are we out of range?” asked the young -American of the skipper.</p> - -<p>“We’ll know in a moment,” answered -McHale, grimly.</p> - -<p>And so they did; as the frigate swept -around she let go her forward battery at the -Erin and the shot shrilled above her in the -dusk. But McHale held the little vessel upon -her way; night was all but upon them, and -he hoped that shoal water and darkness would -assist him to elude the enemy. The gunnery -of the latter was not now so good; she fired -many times and did little or no damage; night -had spread her bat-like wings above the waters -when a last shot splintered the mizzen mast, -and it fell in a tangle of rigging over the stern.</p> - -<p>“Take care,” roared Longsword to Ethan, -who stood directly in its way.</p> - - - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_278">[278]</span>But the warning came too late; with a wild -cry the lad was swept over the side into the -sea; the lugger went rushing by, having -changed her course to down coast; the lanterns -of the frigate could be seen gleaming for -a time further out to sea. But at last these, -too, disappeared and Ethan Carlyle was left to -utter darkness, struggling with the waves.</p> -<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop" /> - -<div class="chapter"> -<span class="pagenum" id="Page_279">[279]</span> - -<h2 class="nobreak">CHAPTER XX<br /> - - -<small>SHOWS HOW A SOLDIER CAME OUT OF MILL -PRISON</small></h2> -</div> - -<p><span class="smcap">It</span> was fortunate for Ethan that he was a -powerful swimmer, and at no great distance -from the shore. He took the matter very -coolly until he got his bearings; then he -struck out for the beach. The pull of the -undertow made landing rather difficult, but -after a long struggle he finally accomplished -it. He had no fear of detection, and boldly -presented himself at a fisherman’s cabin and -asked permission to dry his clothes.</p> - -<p>The fisherman and his wife gladly took him -in; and they insisted upon providing him -with supper and a bed.</p> - -<p>“I know what it is to fall into the sea in -the night,” said the man with a shake of his -head. “And I’ll not refuse an English lad -like yourself any help I can give.”</p> - -<p>Ethan, of course, did not undeceive him; -to have told that he was an American would<span class="pagenum" id="Page_280">[280]</span> -have meant imprisonment; so he merely -thanked the good people, and accepted their -many little kindnesses without revealing his -nationality.</p> - -<p>Next morning he discovered that he was -but a half dozen miles from Plymouth; so, -after insisting that the fisher folks take an -English gold piece which he happened to have, -he set out for the town. And as he tramped -along the road his thoughts were upon the -probable fate of the dispatch and of the -lugger.</p> - -<p>“Both in the hands of the British,” he -murmured dispiritedly. “There can be nothing -else for it. And who knows, before -another sun sets I may be suspected and -taken myself.”</p> - -<p>He had no definite idea as to what he should -do when he reached Plymouth; but something -might be learned of the Erin, and that -more than anything else induced him to enter -the town. After wandering about for some -time and watching the shipping and other -things, his lagging steps halted before a great -stone structure, grim looking and solid like a -fortress.</p> - - - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_281">[281]</span>“A prison,” he muttered as soon as his eyes -traveled over it. “Mill prison, where they -treat the American seamen so cruelly, I have -no doubt. And perhaps Shamus and that -brave fellow McHale will be behind those -walls before long.”</p> - -<p>As he looked, the huge door of the place -opened and a tall, erect young man, in the -scarlet coat of an English soldier, emerged, -paused a moment, his eyes on Ethan, then came -directly across toward him. For a moment -the lad’s impulse was to run; but second -thought showed him how useless this would -be, and he stood his ground.</p> - -<p>“You are a sailor, I see,” said the soldier, -his eyes running over the dress that Ethan -had worn since his first day in the Ranger. -The speaker was a handsome young fellow, -with clear honest eyes, and a resolute face; -in spite of himself Ethan liked his looks.</p> - -<p>“I am,” he answered, promptly.</p> - -<p>“Out of a man-of-war, I take it?”</p> - -<p>“Yes, and looking for another of the same -sort,” said Ethan.</p> - -<p>The other regarded him with a peculiar -expression, then asked:</p> - - - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_282">[282]</span>“What part of England are you from?”</p> - -<p>Ethan laughed lightly, and put the question -aside.</p> - -<p>“I’ll not answer that for certain reasons,” -said he.</p> - -<p>“No harm done, I hope, comrade,” spoke -the young soldier.</p> - -<p>“None at all,” said Ethan, easily.</p> - -<p>The other turned and was about to walk -away down the street; but he paused and -said slowly and distinctly:</p> - -<p>“London, I think, is the place for you.”</p> - -<p>Then he wheeled about on his heel and -walked, with military erectness, down along -the prison wall, which he turned and so disappeared -from view.</p> - -<p>“What could he have meant by that?” -thought Ethan, astonished. “‘London, I -think, is the place for you.’” He remained -silent a moment, and then resumed, “And I -think he is right. London is the place for me. -There I can lose myself in the throngs; and -perhaps I can somehow get a ship for France.”</p> - -<p>He gave up all hope of Longsword and -McHale; bitter as was the thought he made -up his mind that it would be useless to linger<span class="pagenum" id="Page_283">[283]</span> -about Plymouth in the hope of helping them; -he began to think, also, that it was dangerous -for him, in his sailor’s dress, to be seen upon -the streets; at any time a press-gang might -happen along, for the king’s ships were badly -in need of men for the American war. So before -the city was well astir he had laid it behind -him. On the road he met many wagons in -from the farms with loads of fresh butter and -eggs and other things for the town.</p> - -<p>“Oh, lad,” cried one old man pointing at -the young tar with his whip, and speaking in -a broad dialect, “hast left thy ship? It’s main -queer, so it is, that first I should meet with a -soldier, and now with a sailor, upon the road -to town.”</p> - -<p>“A soldier,” thought Ethan, as he trudged -along. “I wonder if it could be the same -one?”</p> - -<p>Many times during the day he inquired his -way of simple country folk along the way. -They stared when they heard that he was going -up to London; it was a very large place and -very far away. That night he stopped at a -small wayside inn; he saw the young soldier -whom he had noticed coming out of the prison<span class="pagenum" id="Page_284">[284]</span> -at Plymouth, and who had spoken to him. -But the youth studiously avoided him, and as -Ethan was not at all anxious to form the acquaintance -of king’s men, he did not force -himself upon him.</p> - -<p>When he arose next morning the soldier -was not to be seen. The boy breakfasted at -his leisure; the landlord and his wife, who -took the young American to be a seaman of a -British ship, off, perhaps, upon a visit to his -old home in some inland town, began to -question him about the progress of the war.</p> - -<p>“And have you seen any of these American -privateers that we hear so much about?” -asked the landlord. Ethan nodded, and the -man went on, “Ah, they must be very desperate -fellows, indeed; and stubborn fighters, -too, I have heard tell.”</p> - -<p>“They are,” said Ethan.</p> - -<p>“Englishmen will have to stand together to -gain the victory over such enemies,” said the -landlord, shaking his head. “And Englishmen -in the service should trust one another; -they shouldn’t be like the soldier who slept -here over night. Do you know, he seemed -afraid of you; and slipped away before you<span class="pagenum" id="Page_285">[285]</span> -got up, without waiting for his breakfast. He -said he’d take some bread and cheese to eat -upon the road.”</p> - -<p>When Ethan once more resumed his journey -toward London, his mind was full of conjectures -regarding this queer person in uniform. -Several times during the day he felt -confident that he caught a glimpse of the -scarlet coat dodging behind hedges and haystacks. -The lad became suspicious of this -and left the highroad for a small and badly -cut up wagon way which a farmer informed -him would land him on the London road -some ten miles farther on.</p> - -<p>“I’ll be out of sight of him now,” said the -young seaman, as he plodded along. “It -can’t be that he suspects me for what I am; -if that were so he’d have summoned help and -taken me long ago. But I don’t like his -actions for all that, and it’s best that I see no -more of him.”</p> - -<p>But his ruse to avoid any further meeting -with the redcoat was not a success. Night -brought him to another roadside hostelry, and -the first person whom he saw, sitting upon a -bench before the door, was that identical person.<span class="pagenum" id="Page_286">[286]</span> -As they stood staring at each other in -wondering surprise, Ethan noticed a sudden -spasm of laughter sweep across the young -man’s face; the thing seemed infectious for, -unable to control himself, the young American -threw back his head and burst into a peal -that made the old inn ring and caused the -white-capped landlady to come rushing out to -see what was the matter.</p> - -<p>The soldier regarded Ethan with somewhat -puzzled eyes; it seemed that there -was something about the boy that he -did not quite understand, nor altogether -trust.</p> - -<p>“I see that you have followed my advice,” -said he.</p> - -<p>“Yes,” replied Ethan. “I am going to -London.”</p> - -<p>“You have chosen a rather out-of-the-way -route,” said the soldier.</p> - -<p>“Perhaps,” answered the other, “but the -highroad is not always desirable.”</p> - -<p>The young man regarded Ethan intently; -then he said:</p> - -<p>“Somehow, I can’t quite make up my mind -about you.”</p> - - - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_287">[287]</span>Ethan thought of the odd conduct of the -speaker and replied,</p> - -<p>“The feeling is mutual, then; for you have -puzzled me some.”</p> - -<p>The landlady had gone in once more, -seeing that there was nothing wrong, and -Ethan had taken a seat upon a bench -facing the man in the scarlet coat. There -was a short silence between them, then the -latter asked:</p> - -<p>“Will you lend me your knife; I want to -trim my cane a bit.”</p> - -<p>He held a light cane in his hand; through -constant contact with the ground this had become -worn and splintered at one end. Ethan -noticed that the man carried a knife in his -own belt, but thinking it in bad condition, he -handed over his own without a word. The -soldier began to chip at his cane with great -deliberation.</p> - -<p>“It’s a good blade,” said he. “Where did -you get it?”</p> - -<p>“Aboard ship,” said Ethan.</p> - -<p>“Ah,” the man darted a quick look at him -and then went on chipping. “You got it -from some other sailor, I suppose.”</p> - - - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_288">[288]</span>“No,” answered the lad, all unsuspecting, -“the knife was supplied all hands by——”</p> - -<p>He stopped suddenly and bit his lip. The -soldier looked at him, a laugh in his frank -eyes.</p> - -<p>“You were going to say—Congress,” spoke -he, with great calmness. Ethan stared at him -in astonished silence, and then the man continued, -“I recall the knife well; I had one -myself. It was given me while on board the -Lexington.”</p> - -<p>“The Lexington,” said Ethan, his breath -coming hard. “Were you on board her?” -He continued to stare; then added, “As a -prisoner, I suppose.”</p> - -<p>“Prisoners are not supplied with knives on -board American vessels of war,” said the other. -“I was master’s mate in the Lexington.”</p> - -<p>“Then,” breathed Ethan excitedly, “you -are an American.”</p> - -<p>“I am,” laughed the other. “I am of Norfolk, -in Virginia, and my name is Richard -Dale.”</p> - -<p>“But,” and Ethan’s eyes ran over the British -uniform, “you are now——”</p> - -<p>He hesitated; and the other leaned over<span class="pagenum" id="Page_289">[289]</span> -and tapped him upon the knee with one -finger.</p> - -<p>“I am still an American. I wear a British -uniform, but it is a disguise.”</p> - -<p>Then looking all about so as to assure himself -that he was not overheard, Richard Dale told -Ethan Carlyle his story. He told how the -Lexington on that September day, when short -of powder and ball, encountered the British -cutter Alert. A desperate cannonading of two -hours’ duration ensued; then the Lexington, -running out of ball, clapped on sail and stood -away. But the Alert was the swifter craft and -overhauled her, renewing the engagement. -The Lexington’s crew broke up all the iron on -board and rammed it into her guns, but when -this was exhausted she was forced to strike her -colors.</p> - -<p>The officers and crew were landed at Plymouth -and confined in Mill prison, where -they suffered greatly.</p> - -<p>“The men were actually starved,” said -Richard Dale, his eyes shining with anger. -“You will better understand their dreadful -condition when I tell you that one day they -caught a stray dog and killed and cooked it<span class="pagenum" id="Page_290">[290]</span> -for food. But Captain Johnson and some of -the officers dug a hole beneath the wall of the -prison, and one night about a dozen of us escaped. -We held together for a week or more, -wandering by night about the countryside; -then we separated and I made my way to London -with one companion. We had taken a -ship for France when a press-gang boarded her -and we were seized, recognized and sent back -to Mill prison in chains. I have been there -ever since,” said the young man in conclusion. -“My first breath of freedom in a year was -taken when I stepped through the door of the -prison yesterday morning and saw you standing -across the way.”</p> - -<p>“I don’t exactly understand,” said Ethan -bewilderedly. “No one attempted to stop -you.”</p> - -<p>“Of course not,” answered Dale with a -smile. “A kind hearted person of rank who -pitied me provided me with this uniform; -and I passed, unsuspected, through the -keepers to freedom.”</p> - -<p>“Who was the person?” asked Ethan. -But Richard Dale smiled and shook his head. -He lived a long life and died at the head of<span class="pagenum" id="Page_291">[291]</span> -the American navy, but he ever refused to tell -who had assisted him that day to escape from -the Mill prison at Plymouth.</p> - -<p>“When I saw you standing across the way,” -said Dale, “your intent expression unnerved -me for a moment. I thought you had penetrated -my disguise. But when I heard your -voice I fancied that you might be an -American.”</p> - -<p>“And that is why you warned me to go to -London,” said Ethan.</p> - -<p>“Yes. But when I saw you at the inn last -night I began to suspect you again. I fancied -you were following me on the road to-day, -and changed my route and came this way.”</p> - -<p>“And I,” laughed Ethan, “thought the -same of you, and left the highroad for the -same reason.”</p> - -<p>They talked together while the landlady -prepared some bacon and eggs for them. A -light carriage drawn by a pair of swift gray -horses drew up at the inn door; a man and a -well grown boy leaped out; and at sight of -them Ethan Carlyle shrank back out of sight.</p> - -<p>“What is it?” asked Dale in astonishment -as the newcomers entered the inn.</p> - - - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_292">[292]</span>But Ethan did not reply; his eyes were -following the forms of Stephen Wheelock and -the spy, Danvers, as they disappeared through -the doorway.</p> -<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop" /> - -<div class="chapter"> -<span class="pagenum" id="Page_293">[293]</span> - -<h2 class="nobreak">CHAPTER XXI<br /> - - -<small>THE EXPLOIT OF MASTER DIRK HATFIELD</small></h2> -</div> - -<p><span class="smcap">Ethan</span> recovered himself in a very few moments; -and then he told Dale the story of the -dispatch and the part which Danvers had -played in its disappearance.</p> - -<p>“And so it has fallen into British hands at -last,” said Dale, regretfully. “Too bad; for -you and Captain Jones did all you could to -save it, I can see that.”</p> - -<p>Just then the landlady came out and announced -that their supper was ready. In a -few moments they were seated with the smoking -bacon and eggs before them, also some -golden butter and a white loaf. There was a -broad window looking out upon a sort of -porch at the side of the inn, and just outside -this window Danvers and young Wheelock -sat engaged in an earnest conversation.</p> - -<p>“The bacon is good,” said Dale with great -satisfaction, “and the eggs are perfect. It’s a -dish for a king after the food of the prison.”</p> - -<p>Hoof-beats sounded upon the road. Looking<span class="pagenum" id="Page_294">[294]</span> -through the window they saw a man, -mounted upon a powerful black horse, draw -up and dismount. He wore long boots, a full -skirted coat and a cocked hat with a star of -silver metal at one side. In his belt were a -pair of long heavy pistols; and as he gave his -horse to a groom he lilted a rollicking air. -The landlady, who had just brought in a fresh -dish of eggs, at sight of him dropped it upon -the floor, at the same time uttering an exclamation -of alarm.</p> - -<p>“Again,” she cried, in apparent terror, -“he’ll have the magistrates upon me next, -the villain!”</p> - -<p>“What is it, good woman?” asked Dale, -curiously.</p> - -<p>“That I can’t tell, sir,” replied the hostess. -“It would be as much as my life would be -worth, perhaps.”</p> - -<p>“Don’t take the saddle off,” directed the -newcomer in a deep voice, “and stand ready -to bring him out immediately when I give the -word.” He tossed the groom a crown piece, -then raised his voice to a shout. “Ho, the -house,” he cried. “Mistress Parsons, why do -you not come out to welcome an old patron?”</p> - - - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_295">[295]</span>“A patron whom I wish I’d never laid eyes -upon,” said the landlady. But, nevertheless, -she bustled out at once, and they could hear -her greeting the man in the cocked hat with -well assumed effusiveness. There was a slow-moving, -chuckle-headed fellow employed at -the inn in some capacity, who happened to be -in the room at the time. He shook his head -from side to side, and grinned widely.</p> - -<p>“Mistress Parsons don’t like Dirk Hatfield -to come here,” he volunteered, to Ethan and -Dale. “But she daren’t order him away.”</p> - -<p>“Why not?” asked Ethan for want of something -better to say. The man opened his -round eyes still wider and exclaimed in tones -of wonder,</p> - -<p>“What, drive off Dirk Hatfield! Why -he’d kill us all in our beds. Don’t you know -him, sirs? He’s a highwayman,” in a low -voice of terror; “they say that once he stopped -the Lord Mayor of London himself and made -him deliver. Oh, he’s a daring rogue, indeed.”</p> - -<p>Before they had time to comment upon this -the landlady ushered Master Hatfield into -the room. He was a large man with wide<span class="pagenum" id="Page_296">[296]</span> -shoulders and deep chest, and he walked with -the swagger of a bravo. At sight of Dale’s -scarlet coat he started; but he recovered himself -immediately, hitched one of his heavy -pistols nearer to his hand, and took a seat at -a table near the window.</p> - -<p>“Now, Mistress Parsons,” said he, “I’ll -have some food; and make all the speed you -can, for I must hurry on.”</p> - -<p>“Very well, sir,” said the landlady with a -bow, “I’ll attend to it myself, sir.”</p> - -<p>She bustled out of the room to the kitchen, -and the highwayman spread his booted legs -under the table, tucked his thumbs into his -belt and regarded Ethan and Dale with careless -indifference. But his attention was soon -drawn from them to Danvers and Wheelock -who still sat conversing upon the side porch -near the window. Their tones had grown -louder, and Ethan could plainly hear what -passed between them, as could Dale and Master -Dirk Hatfield.</p> - -<p>“And how did you learn that Fochard had -deceived you?” Wheelock was saying.</p> - -<p>“He sent me word himself that he had the -paper—that he had taken it from Siki. He<span class="pagenum" id="Page_297">[297]</span> -had intended disposing of it himself, but at -the last moment he grew afraid; the French -might call it treason, you know, to give comfort -to the enemy in the way of news. So he -crossed the channel in a French vessel——”</p> - -<p>“Why,” exclaimed Wheelock, “it was the -British frigate Sea Horse he was in at Plymouth, -was it not?”</p> - -<p>“It was. The Sea Horse took the vessel in -which he had crossed: but when the captain -learned that Fochard had secret business with -me he knew that for the time at least he was -an important personage and so entered the -river and sent for me.”</p> - -<p>He drew out a packet, stained and soiled, -and sealed with great splotches of red wax, -and laid it upon the table between them with -much satisfaction. Ethan drew in his breath -sharply at sight of it and his hand closed like -a vise upon Dale’s arm.</p> - -<p>“The secret dispatch,” he whispered.</p> - -<p>The boy was in such a position that Danvers, -even should he look into the room, could -not see him; but Ethan had a clear view of -the two upon the porch, and kept his eyes -upon them constantly.</p> - - - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_298">[298]</span>“Ten thousand pounds,” said Wheelock in -a brooding sort of way. “It’s a great deal of -money to give up to that French rascal.”</p> - -<p>“I know it,” said Danvers, “but those were -his terms. He wanted all the money and -kindly offered the credit to me. And that -was something; for he could have just as -well as not have taken the papers to Lord -North and received both.”</p> - -<p>“The ten thousand pounds will be delivered -to whoever turns over the paper, and no -questions asked, I suppose,” said Wheelock.</p> - -<p>“Yes,” laughed Danvers, once more stuffing -the packet into the breast pocket of his coat, -“but don’t think to make off with it, my lad; -I have it safely here, and mean to keep it.”</p> - -<p>All this seemed to interest Master Hatfield -vastly. He leaned intently forward, and the -expression upon his face was eager and alert. -Dale nudged Ethan and the latter nodded -that he saw this sudden display of attention.</p> - -<p>“It will not now be long before the dispatch -is in the hands of the ministry at London,” -continued Danvers, “if these horses hold out.”</p> - -<p>He paused suddenly, for he had caught<span class="pagenum" id="Page_299">[299]</span> -sight of the intent face of the highwayman -and the covetous snap of his eyes. His voice, -when he resumed, had fallen much lower; -and in a few moments the two left the porch -and entered a private room of the inn.</p> - -<p>While he ate his supper of capon pie and -smacked his lips over his stone mug the gentleman -of the road smiled grimly. Ethan and -Hale shortly withdrew, and once clear of the -room they looked at each other significantly.</p> - -<p>“The paper,” said Dale, “will soon be -sought by good Master Hatfield, if I am not -much mistaken.”</p> - -<p>Just then the chuckle-headed attendant at -the inn came out and called to a hostler who -stood at the stable door.</p> - -<p>“What’s wanted?” asked the latter.</p> - -<p>“You’re to bring up the carriage for the two -gentlemen immediately,” said the other.</p> - -<p>His mistress, her eyes full of anger, appeared -behind him at this and whirled him -within as she hissed,</p> - -<p>“You thick-head! Were you not told to -give the order quietly?”</p> - -<p>“They have taken the alarm,” commented -Dale, referring to Danvers and Wheelock.<span class="pagenum" id="Page_300">[300]</span> -“The knight of the road did not impress -them.”</p> - -<p>“They will not wait for refreshments, -even,” said Ethan. “And night is falling, -too. They would be safer if they remained.”</p> - -<p>Night had come upon the still countryside -while they stood talking before the inn; and -the darkness was growing deeper and deeper -with each passing moment. When the stable-men -brought the carriage around to the front -its lamps were lit and glimmered redly.</p> - -<p>“These two travelers must be in a hurry,” -said one of the men to the other.</p> - -<p>“Indeed, yes,” answered the second. “It’s -going to be a dark night, and they’ll have -trouble before they reach the highroad to -London. This one is badly cut up a piece -below here.”</p> - -<p>“But the road won’t be their greatest hindrance,” -whispered the first speaker. “Don’t -you see that Master Hatfield has ordered out -Black George? There is Will Hampton with -him now.”</p> - -<p>The two Americans turned their eyes instantly -toward a side door to the stable, from -which came the faint glimmer of a lantern.<span class="pagenum" id="Page_301">[301]</span> -A third groom was leading the great black -horse of Hatfield out into the yard; and in -the sickly flare of the light they also made -out the tall figure of the highwayman, bending -over and looking to the priming of his -pistols.</p> - -<p>“I must get the dispatch at once,” said -Ethan hurriedly.</p> - -<p>He was about darting into the inn, but Dale -caught him by the arm.</p> - -<p>“Not so fast,” said the Virginian. “Let -Danvers know who you are and he’ll sell us -out without hesitation.”</p> - -<p>“You are right,” said Ethan.</p> - -<p>A clatter of hoofs upon the stones caused -them to turn once more toward the stable-yard. -Master Dirk Hatfield had thrown himself -into the saddle, and now with a wave of -his hand to the hostler, which looked much -like a warning to silence, he disappeared in -the gloom. Danvers and Wheelock soon came -out and entered their vehicle.</p> - -<p>“Well?” said Dale inquiringly.</p> - -<p>“I’ll follow behind and stop them on the -road,” said Ethan, resolutely. “Then I can -get the paper, if possible, and slip away before<span class="pagenum" id="Page_302">[302]</span> -Danvers can reach the ear of any one to betray -me.”</p> - -<p>“I’m with you,” said Richard Dale.</p> - -<p>Ethan clasped his hand in silence. At that -moment the carriage started up the dark road. -A boy was driving it, and he was compelled to -go slowly, so they had no trouble in keeping -it within hearing; for it was impossible to -see more than a dozen yards ahead, and the -lamps were but pin points of flame invisible -from behind.</p> - -<p>Suddenly there was a shout, a shrill cry -and the sound of plunging horses.</p> - -<p>“He’s upon them already,” shouted -Ethan.</p> - -<p>Both he and Dale broke into a stumbling -run down the dark road toward the sounds. -Then came a pistol shot, another cry, the confused -sound of voices, and at last rapid hoofbeats -flying along the road. When they -reached the scene they found the driver -crouched in fear by the roadside, one of his -horses lying in a tangle of harness, while -Danvers, supported by Wheelock, was bleeding -and unconscious. Ethan seized one of -the carriage lamps, flashed its dim rays about,<span class="pagenum" id="Page_303">[303]</span> -and took in all this. But he kept his face -hidden as much as possible.</p> - -<p>“Help!” called Wheelock, eagerly, as the -footsteps of the newcomers fell upon his hearing. -“A highwayman has attacked and has -robbed us.”</p> - -<p>“Of your money?” said Ethan, a tremble -in his voice.</p> - -<p>“No; of a paper—a very valuable paper. -Get horses; pursue him; take him dead or -alive, and the reward will open your eyes.”</p> - -<p>Ethan and Dale looked at each other, but -neither spoke; from far down the dark road -the hoofs of the great black horse rang ever -more faintly upon the frozen ground.</p> -<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop" /> - -<div class="chapter"> -<span class="pagenum" id="Page_304">[304]</span> - -<h2 class="nobreak">CHAPTER XXII<br /> - - -<small>THE PRESS-GANG</small></h2> -</div> - -<p><span class="smcap">To</span> hasten back to the inn and secure a -couple of horses was the work of but a few -minutes. Then Ethan and Richard Dale -started in pursuit of the gentleman of the -road.</p> - -<p>“He’s making his way toward the highway -to London,” said Ethan as their mounts -dashed bravely along the dark road. “And -as I suppose he knows every cross-path and -turn of the way there is not much hope of our -overtaking him.”</p> - -<p>“I’m afraid not,” answered Dale.</p> - -<p>“But we’ll after him for all that,” said -Ethan. “We must take advantage of every -chance to recover the dispatch.”</p> - -<p>But it was as the boy feared. Master Dirk -Hatfield knew all the roads and cross-paths, -even in the darkness, and, like a fox, his first -efforts were devoted to winding and doubling -upon his trail. But they felt that he was<span class="pagenum" id="Page_305">[305]</span> -headed for London, and so pressed on in that -direction.</p> - -<p>They reached the capital late one afternoon, -and sent the horses to a person whom their -owner had indicated.</p> - -<p>“Now,” said Ethan, after this had been -attended to, “I think the first thing that we -should do is to get a change of costume—something -less noticeable than we are now wearing.”</p> - -<p>“I have been thinking of that,” said Dale. -“This scarlet coat makes me a marked man, -and that is not good for one who does not desire -to be observed.”</p> - -<p>They sought out the district down near the -water-side where they knew there would be -slop-shops whose proprietors would be only -too glad to turn an honest penny and keep -silent. They came upon such a place within -a few moments after entering the quarter frequented -by the seamen who came into that -port. There were old clothes in great variety -hung about the door upon pegs, and a long-bearded, -hook-nosed man prowled up and -down, his sharp eyes ever alert for customers.</p> - -<p>“Oh,” said he, rubbing his hands together -as they paused before the place. “How do you<span class="pagenum" id="Page_306">[306]</span> -do, Jack? Soldier, I am glad to see you, my -son. Just step inside. If it is clothing you -want, or jewelry, you have come to the right -place. I have a stock, my dears, that can’t be -matched in London.”</p> - -<p>“For badness, I suppose you mean,” said -Ethan, as they followed him in.</p> - -<p>The hook-nosed man laughed and jagged -the boy playfully with his elbow.</p> - -<p>“Jack-tars,” said he, “always like their -joke. But I enjoy it, my son; for I understand -your fun.”</p> - -<p>He looked at them from under shaggy -brows, with eyes that twinkled with cunning.</p> - -<p>“It is not jewelry you want?” he said.</p> - -<p>“No,” answered Ethan.</p> - -<p>Again the man laughed.</p> - -<p>“I knew it,” he said. “It is clothing—clothing -such as most citizens of London wear—clothing -that will pass you in the crowd -along with the thousand and one others and -will cause no man to look at you twice.”</p> - -<p>He leered at them knowingly; and Dale -said,</p> - -<p>“You are a wise man, friend; so let us see -these garments of which you speak.”</p> - - - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_307">[307]</span>The man promptly spread many suits of -more or less worn clothing before them.</p> - -<p>“Youth,” spoke he, sagely, as they were -selecting, “is ever desiring a change. They -are not satisfied with the dull life they lead—and -so go into the navy, or army. And,” with -a chuckle of malice, “they grow tired of that -very soon, as a rule; and then they come to -me, change their clothes and slip away.”</p> - -<p>“You think us deserters, then,” said Ethan.</p> - -<p>“My son, I think nothing. I take your -money and give you the goods you buy. I -never question my customers. But,” with one -dirty finger laid alongside his nose, “I sometimes -hazard a guess.”</p> - -<p>They selected the garments which they preferred, -and a few moments later they had -donned them.</p> - -<p>“We’ll leave the others,” said Ethan, as he -paid the bill. “You can do what you like -with them.”</p> - -<p>“You are very kind,” smirked the hook-nosed -man. “And I thank you much.”</p> - -<p>He followed them outside and stood watching -them as they went down the street.</p> - -<p>“A knave, or I never saw one,” remarked<span class="pagenum" id="Page_308">[308]</span> -Dale with a backward glance over his -shoulder.</p> - -<p>“I think you are right,” said Ethan. “I -suppose most of these water-side characters are -alike; they’d sell any one if the price were -high enough.”</p> - -<p>They turned a corner, out, as they supposed, -of the man’s view; a little further on Ethan -suddenly grasped Dale’s arm.</p> - -<p>“Look there,” he whispered, his face paling -with sudden excitement.</p> - -<p>“What is it?” asked the ex-master’s mate of -the Lexington.</p> - -<p>“Under the shed, there by the pastry cook’s. -The horse, I mean.”</p> - -<p>Dale gazed at the large, coal-black beast -hitched to a post and munching a feed of corn -out of a small tub.</p> - -<p>“Dirk Hatfield’s horse,” cried the sailor.</p> - -<p>“The same,” said Ethan. “And where the -horse is the master cannot be far away.”</p> - -<p>“In the cook’s shop,” said Dale, eagerly.</p> - -<p>“As like as not. Let us go in.”</p> - -<p>They crossed toward the glass fronted shop; -through the window they saw a neatly appointed -place whose counters were filled with<span class="pagenum" id="Page_309">[309]</span> -the flaky products of its ovens; a white-capped, -round faced man presided over it; -and at a table, knife and fork in hand and -napkin tucked under his shirt collar, sat the -worthy Master Hatfield, attacking with gusto -a smoking dish of pigeon stew. As the -two Americans stalked in, he gave them a -glance; but their change of dress saved -them from recognition. They took seats, -and the white-capped man served them with -food, all the time continuing the conversation -which he had been holding with the -highwayman.</p> - -<p>“Yes,” he was saying, “the king’s ships -are in a bad way indeed for lack of men. -They say the frigate Serapis is almost unmanned.”</p> - -<p>“Too bad,” growled the gentleman of the -road, who though his hand was constantly -raised against the law and its officers was a -stout Briton at heart. “How do we expect to -beat the French and the Yankees if our ships -can’t put to sea?”</p> - -<p>“You speak truth,” said the pastry cook. -“And the impudent Yankees need a beating -badly. Their insolence in crossing the ocean<span class="pagenum" id="Page_310">[310]</span> -in their cockle-shells and attacking English -ports is more than can be borne.”</p> - -<p>The man puffed his round cheeks with indignation -and rattled the plates with vigor. -Dirk Hatfield paused in his assault upon the -pigeon stew long enough to reply:</p> - -<p>“Oh, but they’ll get their trouncing before -long, mark me. English tars and English -ships rule the sea; it’s not for the Yankees to -hoist a flag without British permission, and -their colored rags will soon be trailed in the -dirt of their decks, and Britannia queen of -them all, as is her place.”</p> - -<p>“Are you up from the water-side, friends?” -asked the cook, as Ethan and Dale calmly ate -of the dishes he had placed before them, and -watched the highwayman cautiously.</p> - -<p>“No,” answered Ethan; “from Plymouth.”</p> - -<p>The highwayman lifted his head and gave -the boy a long look of interest.</p> - -<p>“Are the press-gangs out, there, as in London?” -asked the proprietor.</p> - -<p>“I’ve heard that they were busy there,” -said Ethan.</p> - -<p>“It’s the same all over the kingdom, I -suppose.”</p> - - - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_311">[311]</span>Neither of the Americans replied; and in -a few moments Hatfield spoke up.</p> - -<p>“Plymouth is a brisk little place; it is no -great size, indeed, but many things happen -there.”</p> - -<p>“Right,” said the pastry cook; “the fleets -sail from there very often.”</p> - -<p>“It’s not by sea alone that Plymouth is -brisk,” continued the gentleman of the road; -“but by land as well. And the country between -that town and London offers many -opportunities to a man of parts.”</p> - -<p>“Ay. I’ve heard it said often that it was a -most excellent farming section.”</p> - -<p>“Good strokes of business are to be done -thereabouts,” continued Hatfield. “My last -visit there,” and he slapped the breast of his -coat with a chuckle, “promises to pay me a -pretty penny, indeed.”</p> - -<p>“The luck was with you, then?” cried the -pastry cook with innocent interest.</p> - -<p>“It was,” laughed Hatfield. “It was very -much with me, sir.”</p> - -<p>“He still has the dispatch,” whispered -Ethan to Dale.</p> - -<p>“In his breast pocket,” returned the<span class="pagenum" id="Page_312">[312]</span> -sailor, in the same low tone. “But he is -armed.”</p> - -<p>“If we take him suddenly we’ll have the -advantage for all that.”</p> - -<p>The pastry cook and the highwayman continued -their talk; the two Americans had -their heads together, thrashing out the situation.</p> - -<p>“It’s dark without,” said Ethan at last, -guardedly. “We’ll take him unawares when -he is about to mount his horse.”</p> - -<p>Dale now and then glanced with much interest -into the street through the glass of the -doors. He leaned forward at length and spoke -to the proprietor.</p> - -<p>“Your place,” said he, “appears to attract -much attention, sir.”</p> - -<p>The man seemed greatly pleased and smiled -broadly.</p> - -<p>“I have often marked that,” he said. “It -increases business, sir, to make one’s shop -bright and attractive.”</p> - -<p>“You have much custom among the sailors -in the district, I suppose?”</p> - -<p>The pastry cook pursed up his mouth and -shook his head doubtfully.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_313">[313]</span>“No,” he said, “I think not. The grog -shops attract them most.”</p> - -<p>“I have noticed,” said Dale calmly, his -gaze once more directed toward the street, -“that there are many sailors about just now, -and they all, somehow, seem to feel much interest -in this place.”</p> - -<div class="figcenter"><img src="images/i_312.jpg" alt="" /></div> - -<p class="drop-cap2"><i>AN ANGRY LOOK CAME INTO HATFIELD’S<br /> EYES</i></p> - -<p>A number of seamen with cutlasses belted -at their sides were to be seen across the way; -two or three stood at the window; and as -Dale spoke their leader, evidently a boatswain, -opened the door and swaggered in. The -proprietor advanced with an uneasy smile.</p> - -<p>“Good-evening, sir,” said he, with a bow.</p> - -<p>“How do you do?” returned the other. -As he said this he glanced at the shop’s -three patrons with an air of calm inspection. -The powerful figure of Dirk Hatfield seemed -to attract him, and he coolly advanced to his -side.</p> - -<p>“Sailor, I think,” he said.</p> - -<p>“Wrong,” said the gentleman of the road, -looking up from his meal.</p> - -<p>“I think not,” persisted the man-of-war’s-man -quietly.</p> - -<p>An angry look came into Hatfield’s fierce<span class="pagenum" id="Page_314">[314]</span> -eyes; he laid down his knife and fork, leaned -back in his chair and growled out,</p> - -<p>“Well, my man, you are a pert lad enough: -but be careful how you speak to a gentleman. -You are in danger of having your face spoiled -if you talk like that.”</p> - -<p>The sailor laughed. He swung one leg -over the corner of the table at which the other -sat and tapped with one finger tip upon the -butt of a pistol.</p> - -<p>“I’m not much afraid of that—my man,” -he said.</p> - -<p>The pastry cook leaned over Ethan and -whispered, “There is a door in the rear that -leads through the kitchen and into a small -court.”</p> - -<p>The young American looked at the man in -surprise; then he felt Dale touch his sleeve, -and turned toward him.</p> - -<p>“Look outside there,” whispered the ex-master’s -mate.</p> - -<p>Ethan did as requested; to his surprise he -saw the hook-nosed bearded man, of whom -they had bought the clothing a short time before, -conversing, with much gesticulation, with -the seamen without.</p> - - - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_315">[315]</span>“He’s a crimp,” said Dale, in a whisper, -“and has betrayed us. The place is surrounded -by a press-gang.”</p> - -<p>“A press-gang!” Ethan stared at his companion.</p> - -<p>“Yes,” said Dale, with set face; “and as I -have had one experience with this sort of -gentry before, I don’t care for another.”</p> - -<p>“The rear door, gentlemen, the rear door,” -whispered the pastry cook. “Here they come.”</p> - -<p>A half dozen seamen crowded into the shop; -the boatswain, who still sat nonchalantly upon -the corner of the table, said, briefly:</p> - -<p>“You’ll find over there the two we are after, -lads.”</p> - -<p>He jerked his thumb toward the Americans -as he spoke. The hook-nosed man stood in -the doorway and grinned with satisfaction. -The highwayman still lay back in his chair; -his teeth showed, wolf-like, and his strong -hands gripped the edge of the table.</p> - -<p>“The paper,” whispered Ethan. His face -was white as he leaned toward Dale and -uttered the words. Once more the longed-for -dispatch was almost within his reach, and -once more it was about to elude him.</p> - - - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_316">[316]</span>“Don’t think of that now,” said Dale, -guardedly. “It is impossible for us to recover -it here. Let us escape first, and help Hatfield -to escape if we can. We can gain possession -of the dispatch later, if all is well.”</p> - -<p>The sailors now advanced upon the two.</p> - -<p>“Do ye strike your colors, shipmates?” -asked an old gunner with a laugh. “The -king needs men too badly to have likely -young chaps such as you run off like -this.”</p> - -<p>He was about to lay hands upon Dale when -Ethan struck him a quick, heavy blow that -sent him reeling. Dale was up in an instant, -and as the men of the press-gang sprang forward, -planted blow after blow among them -with telling effect. A rush of additional seamen -came through the door; Dirk Hatfield -was upon his feet, also, by now; his heavy -pistol barked sullenly among the crowd and -then rose and fell with battering force as he -used it hammer like. Ethan found himself -shoulder to shoulder with the man for an -instant.</p> - -<p>“When the lights go out,” he said, “make -for the rear door.”</p> - - - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_317">[317]</span>Hatfield nodded understandingly, striking -out viciously all the while.</p> - -<p>A number of candles had been overturned -in the struggle; now only a single branch -illuminated the room. Ethan, with a quick -pass, knocked this over, also, and the shop -was instantly plunged into darkness.</p> - -<p>“Now,” cried the young American.</p> - -<p>He and Dale gained the door in the rear; -but the highwayman’s nasty temper played -its part here, and he paused to deal a shower -of blows upon the boatswain, whom he had -seized by the throat just as the light was -extinguished.</p> - -<p>Ethan and Dale plunged into the little court -at the back of the place and found a single -seaman guarding it with drawn cutlass. A -quick rush together disposed of him, and in -a moment they were upon the street, lurking -in the shadows, and hearkening to the fierce -conflict that raged within the room which -they had just left.</p> - -<p>This lasted but a few moments, however; -then the press-gang appeared, dragging in the -midst of them the grim figure of the highwayman.</p> - - - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_318">[318]</span>“Caught!” breathed Ethan, despairingly.</p> - -<p>“Master Hatfield,” said Dale in a low voice, -“has stopped his last traveler for many a long -day, and is now in a fair way toward serving -his king upon the sea.”</p> -<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop" /> - -<div class="chapter"> -<span class="pagenum" id="Page_319">[319]</span> - -<h2 class="nobreak">CHAPTER XXIII<br /> - - -<small>HOW THE BON HOMME RICHARD MET THE SERAPIS</small></h2> -</div> - -<p><span class="smcap">Ethan Carlyle</span> and his friend Richard -Dale, after their experience with the press-gang, -made it a point to keep themselves as -much in the background as possible during -the remainder of their stay in London. This -latter was very much longer than they had -expected; days grew into weeks and weeks -into months, but still they found no means of -crossing the narrow seas to France.</p> - -<p>Dale had little or no money, and Ethan’s -supply had all but given out when, at length, -they found a Scotch skipper who agreed to -give them passage in his vessel. On the way -across the two young men talked much about -the future and of what they still hoped to do -in the cause of liberty.</p> - -<p>“If it is my good fortune to fall in with -Captain Paul Jones once more,” said Ethan, -“I shall bless my lucky stars.”</p> - -<p>“That is a gallant sailor and an excellent<span class="pagenum" id="Page_320">[320]</span> -commander,” spoke Richard Dale, admiringly. -“I should like to serve under him.”</p> - -<p>Ethan had told Dale many times of the -captain’s bravery, skill and splendid love of -freedom; his tales had fired the young Virginian’s -imagination to such an extent that he -desired nothing better than to sail under such -an able officer.</p> - -<p>“It’s a disappointment to him, I suppose,” -continued Dale, “not to have recovered the -dispatch.”</p> - -<p>“A very bitter one, indeed. And the fact -that it was stolen while in his care makes it -all the more so.”</p> - -<p>“There is a slim chance of its ever being recovered -now,” said Dale.</p> - -<p>“I have thought a good deal about it since -the impressment of that man, Dirk Hatfield,” -answered Ethan. “And I fancy that the -paper may not come under the eye of the -British ministry in such a hurry, after all.”</p> - -<p>“What makes you think that?”</p> - -<p>“Well, in the first place, Hatfield would be -forced to acknowledge himself a highwayman -and tell how he came to have the dispatch in -his possession.”</p> - - - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_321">[321]</span>“You forget that Danvers said that no -questions would be asked the person handing -it over to Lord North.”</p> - -<p>“I hold that saying in mind very well. But -Hatfield would not trust to it; a hunted wolf -has no confidence in the hunter, even though -he have no weapon in his hands.”</p> - -<p>“What do you suppose, then, would be the -man’s plan of action?”</p> - -<p>“Like Fochard, he will hold the dispatch -until he can secure the service of an intermediary. -A man of his desperate and enterprising -nature will not remain in a king’s ship -very long; he’ll escape at the first opportunity. -Then he will seek to dispose of the paper, and -it may be my luck to once more stumble upon -some trace of it.”</p> - -<p>“Fate does, indeed, seem to lead you by the -hand in the matter,” smiled Richard Dale. -“But she has, up to the present, held you -back when upon the very threshold of success.”</p> - -<p>“It will not be always so, perhaps,” said -Ethan earnestly. “Let us hope so, at least.”</p> - -<p>The vessel landed them at Brest secretly; -the Scotch skipper seemed to have some sort -of an understanding with the authorities, and<span class="pagenum" id="Page_322">[322]</span> -though they gave him no trouble when he ran -in, still he did the thing with all speed, and -immediately made sail once more.</p> - -<p>After securing lodgings they began making -inquiries regarding American warships in -French waters.</p> - -<p>“There was a fleet of four ships sailed out of -L’Orient not long since,” replied the person -asked. “The French government provided the -vessels, I think, but the commander was an -American.”</p> - -<p>“And who was he?”</p> - -<p>“Why, none other than your great Captain -John Paul Jones.”</p> - -<p>Ethan and Dale uttered exclamations of -bitter disappointment.</p> - -<p>“You are positive of this, I suppose,” said -the former.</p> - -<p>“Quite so, monsieur. The sailing of the -squadron was upon every one’s tongue a short -time ago.”</p> - -<p>“There is no use in crying over spilled -milk,” said Dale, with a sigh as they walked -away. “As Captain Jones is gone, I’ll have a -try for some other American skipper.”</p> - -<p>But there was none in Brest at that time;<span class="pagenum" id="Page_323">[323]</span> -and after a two days’ stay Dale said to -Ethan,</p> - -<p>“I think I’ll go to L’Orient. There at least -must be an American privateer there that I -can get a berth in.”</p> - -<p>“I’ll go with you,” said Ethan; “then I -shall go on to Paris, report my further failure -to Dr. Franklin, and after that sail for home.”</p> - -<p>They traveled by diligence to L’Orient, which -was no great distance from Brest. Dale at once -sought out a shipping office which he knew to -be much frequented by American shipmen in -search of hands to man their crafts.</p> - -<p>A trim looking midshipman stood near the -door, and he looked at them with attention as -they entered. Directly behind him loomed a -tall, spare, large boned man of singular erectness. -He had an ugly sabre stroke across his -face.</p> - -<p>“Longsword!” cried Ethan as his delighted -eyes fell upon him.</p> - -<p>“Master Ethan,” came a deep chested shout -from the Irish dragoon. Then with a wild -Irish “hurro!” he leaped forward and clasped -the boy in a bear-like hug.</p> - -<p>“I thought you had been taken prisoner,”<span class="pagenum" id="Page_324">[324]</span> -gasped the young American, breathless from -the pressure which the powerful trooper had -put upon his ribs.</p> - -<p>“And so I would have been had it not been -for that broth of a gossoon Rory McHale. I -never saw such seamanship as he put out of -him. When the mast went he had it cleared -away in a few minutes; then he sailed so close -in shore that me heart was in me mouth for -fear of the rocks. But he slipped the Englishman, -and by daylight we were far away. -But, lad,” and his voice sank lower and a note -of feeling crept into it that sounded strange -in so grim a veteran, “I thought ye gone, indeed, -when ye went over the stern. I thought -to follow ye, but McHale held me back.”</p> - -<p>Ethan gripped the warm hearted fellow’s -hand, with the tears standing in his eyes.</p> - -<p>“Good old Longsword!” he said, quietly. -“There was never a time in my life that you -were not willing and anxious to stand by -me.”</p> - -<p>While they were speaking the middy had -accosted Dale.</p> - -<p>“Looking for a ship?” asked he.</p> - -<p>“I am,” said Dale.</p> - - - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_325">[325]</span>“I’m shipping men for the Bon Homme -Richard.”</p> - -<p>“Is she a privateer?”</p> - -<p>The middy laughed.</p> - -<p>“I should say not,” he replied. “Her -commander is John Paul Jones.”</p> - -<p>Ethan heard these words, and both he and -Dale uttered cries of surprise.</p> - -<p>“Captain Jones,” said the former. “Why, -we heard that he had just put to sea.”</p> - -<p>“Right,” said the middy. “And he returned -when one of his frigates ran into the -flagship and stove a hole in her. We are laid -up for repairs.”</p> - -<p>“Hurrah!” shouted Ethan, exultantly. -Then turning to Dale he said: “You’ll ship -with him after all, you see.”</p> - -<p>The trim young midshipman was all attention -in a moment; good seamen were very -scarce, and he liked Dale’s looks.</p> - -<p>“The captain will be here in a few moments,” -he said, “and you can sign if you -like. We need able seamen and warrant -officers of a likely sort.”</p> - -<p>As he spoke the door opened and the slight, -smartly uniformed figure of John Paul Jones<span class="pagenum" id="Page_326">[326]</span> -entered the shipping office. His eyes lighted -up at sight of Ethan, and in a moment they -had clasped hands.</p> - -<p>When Ethan had sketched his experiences -briefly, the captain said:</p> - -<p>“I am delighted that you have come -through it all safely. After Longsword returned -and told me how you were carried -over the stern of the lugger by the falling -mast, I gave you up for lost. And this is Mr. -Dale, is it?”</p> - -<p>“Yes,” said Ethan; “and he wants to sail -with you.”</p> - -<p>The American commander’s eyes gleamed -with satisfaction as they took in all the fine -qualities of the young sailor.</p> - -<p>“You are a seaman, then?” he said to -Dale.</p> - -<p>“Yes, sir. My last berth was master’s mate -aboard the Lexington.” Dale stood stiffly -erect and saluted as he spoke.</p> - -<p>“I’ll ship you at the same rating,” said -Jones. “I wish I could get more Americans -to man my vessel.”</p> - -<p>“That should be very easy now, captain,<span class="pagenum" id="Page_327">[327]</span> -dear,” said Longsword, eagerly. “That is if -what I’ve just heard is true.”</p> - -<p>“And what is that?”</p> - -<p>“A lot of more than a hundred exchanged -prisoners have just arrived at Nantes.”</p> - -<p>“Mr. Lunt,” and the captain turned to an -officer who had accompanied him, “we want -those men for the Richard, and must have -them.”</p> - -<p>“We will have them, sir, if it is possible,” -said Lunt, promptly. “I’ll send messengers -to Nantes at once.”</p> - -<p>During the conversation that followed -Lunt’s departure, Ethan had an opportunity -to examine Paul Jones carefully. Deep lines -of care were in his face—lines that had not -been there before, and a sprinkling of silver -also showed in his hair. And little wonder. -Since returning from his voyage upon the -Ranger, he had encountered nothing but -heart-breaking delays, rebuffs and disappointments.</p> - -<p>Since France had also gone to war with -England he had expected to receive command -of a French ship to sail under the stars and<span class="pagenum" id="Page_328">[328]</span> -stripes. But nothing had come of it. Hopes -of one kind or another were held out to him -from time to time, but all resulted in bitter -disappointments.</p> - -<p>At length a rich banker of Paris, Le Ray de -Chaumont, who admired the Americans and -earnestly desired victory for the cause of -liberty, took an active part in Jones’ affairs; -and at last the king was moved to do something -for the American officer.</p> - -<p>“We will place him in command of a -squadron, make a descent upon Liverpool, -and land a military force. Lafayette has just -arrived from America in good time; we shall -have him in command of the troops.”</p> - -<p>But there were no warships at hand for this -venture; so, by request, Jones had gone from -port seeking vessels that could be converted. -At L’Orient he came upon a huge old-fashioned -merchantman that had sailed for some fifteen -years in the India trade and had been finally -condemned, dismantled and allowed to gradually -fall into a state of ruin. This old vessel -was called the Due de Duras, and was the -most likely one that the hard pressed officer -could find.</p> - - - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_329">[329]</span>“She was eventually purchased for me,” -John Paul Jones said, in telling Ethan the -story, “and so were two other and smaller -merchant ships—the Pallas and the Vengeance. -A fine American frigate was also placed -under my command; she is called the Alliance; -then there is also the Cerf, a king’s -cutter.</p> - -<p>“I at once set about getting these vessels -into condition for the cruise. The name of -the Due de Duras I changed to that of Bon -Homme Richard. That, as I suppose you -know, is the title of the French translation of -Dr. Franklin’s ‘Poor Richard’s Almanac,’ of -which I am a great admirer.”</p> - -<p>As Ethan learned, the Richard was a ship -of obsolete type; her towering poop and top-gallant -forecastle gave her a strange and ancient -look. Neglect had rotted her timbers -and weakened her frame; and she was scarcely -sound enough to stand the necessary repairs.</p> - -<p>Nevertheless, her captain went bravely -ahead and did all he could to strengthen her. -He pierced her for twenty-eight guns on her -main deck, and six on the tall forecastle and -poop.</p> - - - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_330">[330]</span>“It was my intention to arm her with -eighteen pounders,” the captain continued; -“but could get nothing heavier than nine -pounders for the quarter-deck and forecastle; -but I got six eighteens for the deck below; -they are poorly-made guns, however, and to -speak the plain truth, I’m rather afraid of -them.”</p> - -<p>“A poor ship,” commented Ethan, soberly. -“It’s a great pity that something better could -not be done for you.”</p> - -<p>“A vessel ill-adapted to warfare is not the -worst that I have had to contend with,” returned -Captain Jones, rather bitterly. “The -crew that I was forced to ship is a most curious -mixture of races, and the fiercest and most -unruly body of men that I ever saw gathered -upon a ship’s deck. There are a very few -Americans; England, Ireland, Scotland, France -and Norway have all contributed to my ship’s -company, as have Africa, India and the Malayan -Peninsula.</p> - -<p>“When my squadron sailed and I had -brought my crew into some sort of discipline I -fancied that my troubles were about over for -a time. But then my captains, under the<span class="pagenum" id="Page_331">[331]</span> -leadership of Pierre Landais, commander of -the Alliance, began to show their teeth; and -one night the Alliance ran afoul of the Richard, -and we were compelled to put back for -overhauling.”</p> - -<p>“It may not prove a bad thing either,” said -Ethan at this point. “If you secure this -cartel of exchanges at Nantes you’ll have a -crew that you can rely upon.”</p> - -<p>As it afterward appeared, Ethan guessed -the truth. The American prisoners about -whom Longsword had spoken had just arrived -in France, burning with the desire to fight -against the country which had treated them -so cruelly in its prisons. They were a fine -body of men, stalwart and skilled in the -handling of sea-going ships, and they leavened -the mass of the Richard’s crew wonderfully -when they came on board; from a semi-rabble -of mutinous ruffians it came, in the end, to be -as effective and steady a ship’s company as an -officer could desire.</p> - -<p>The repairs upon the Bon Homme Richard -were carried on rapidly. Dale took his place -on board and his practical judgment and -sound sense soon attracted the attention of<span class="pagenum" id="Page_332">[332]</span> -all. He had a knack of handling men, and -could get more labor out of them by a cheerful, -encouraging manner than most of the -others could by their hectoring and loud impatience. -Captain Jones noticed this; the -quiet, thorough manner of the young Virginian -pleased him, for it spoke of an alert -and ready mind.</p> - -<p>Ethan was aware of all this, and when, one -day, Dale came to him with sparkling eyes -and face flushed with pleasure, he was not at -all surprised at his bursting out,</p> - -<p>“Old fellow, great news! Captain Jones -has secured me a commission.”</p> - -<p>“I knew he would,” cried Ethan, delightedly. -“He approved of your work from the -first.”</p> - -<p>“But in my wildest flights, I’ve never -hoped for so long a step,” said Dale. “I’m -to be first lieutenant of the Richard.”</p> - -<p>Ethan whistled; Longsword, who stood at -his side, raised his brows.</p> - -<p>“Well, I call that going up the ladder -at a pretty stiff speed,” the Irishman remarked. -“But, sure, it’s nothing more than -your due, Mr. Dale; ye can handle men<span class="pagenum" id="Page_333">[333]</span> -and things better nor any one I ever saw -before.”</p> - -<p>It was one of the qualities of John Paul -Jones that he recognized exceptional ability at -a glance; and that he possessed this knack -was a most fortunate thing for him at this -most critical period in his career, for the time -was fast approaching when the sterling metal of -Richard Dale turned the scale in his favor and -snatched victory from the very jaws of defeat.</p> - -<p>The little squadron left the roads of Groix -on the morning of August 14th, 1779, and -ventured once more into the narrow seas. -The expedition against Liverpool had been -abandoned long before, and the further crippling -of the commerce of England was now -the object of the cruise.</p> - -<p>After some days out, and the capturing of -a number of prizes, the Cerf, because of the insubordination -of her crew, returned to France; -the Alliance, whose captain, Landais, continued -to give Jones trouble whenever he -could, parted from the little fleet, and when -the Firth of Forth was entered the Bon Homme -Richard was accompanied only by the Vengeance -and the Pallas.</p> - - - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_334">[334]</span>Many prizes were taken and many adventures -were met with. Near Flamborough -Head one evening the Richard sunk a collier; -the Vengeance was near at hand, but the -Pallas had borne off to the northeast in chase -of a sloop. A pilot taken from the collier -gave information regarding a fleet of forty-one -sail from the Baltic and under convoy of -two British ships of war. This immediately -fired the ambition of John Paul Jones; if he -could get into the midst of this huge, helpless -fleet he could, perhaps, cut out a score of -them.</p> - -<p>Toward daylight next morning he chased -two ships for several hours; dawn revealed -these to be the Alliance and the Pallas. Captain -Jones at once communicated to their -commanders the news of the nearness of the -fleet of merchantmen.</p> - -<p>Ethan Carlyle had borne the news to the -Alliance, and when the boat was once more -hoisted into the Bon Homme Richard he said -to Captain Jones:</p> - -<p>“Captain Landais does not seem at all delighted -at the prospect. He seemed to fear that -some of the vessels might be armed.”</p> - - - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_335">[335]</span>Paul Jones’ eyes flashed scornfully.</p> - -<p>“He’s of the same kidney as Simpson, then. -I fancied as much.”</p> - -<p>They were still in the latitude of Flamborough -Head, about two leagues off the -English coast, when the Baltic fleet hove in -sight. The great mass of merchantmen came -stretching out from behind the Head, bearing -northeast from the Richard.</p> - -<p>“Lay the ship as close to them as you can, -Mr. Dale,” directed the commander.</p> - -<p>Dale put a press of sail upon the flagship -and made for the convoy as the Richard -passed the Alliance and Pallas, which hung -close together. Paul Jones heard Landais -call to the commander of the other vessel,</p> - -<p>“If they have above fifty guns there will -be nothing left to do but run for it!”</p> - -<p>This was said, of course, in the presence of -the crews of both ships, and had a most demoralizing -effect upon them. In a very little -while both vessels began beating to and fro in -a hesitating, alarmed way, showing no disposition -to advance.</p> - -<p>“We’ll have to attack alone, I think,” -said Ethan to the commander.</p> - - - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_336">[336]</span>“It looks very much like it,” replied Jones, -bitterly. “But we will do it, for there is no -halting or turning back now.”</p> - -<p>And so the Bon Homme Richard bore down -upon the fleet alone.</p> - -<p>As the pilot of the collier had said, the Baltic -merchantmen were convoyed by two vessels -of war. One of these was the Serapis, a -new and splendid ship, mounting forty-four -guns on two decks and carrying a crew of -three hundred and twenty men. The other -was the Countess of Scarborough, armed with -twenty-four guns on her main deck and with -a ship’s company of one hundred and fifty -men.</p> - -<p>As the Richard came down upon them -some of the frightened merchantmen began -firing with their light guns. An alarm spread -through the fleet at the sound of the guns; -the two men-of-war were astern of them all, -keeping them in place; but now at the signals -of danger they both came to the front with -great promptness, while the convoy scurried -toward the shore once more. Captain Pearson -of the Serapis knew with whom he had to -deal; a little time before the bailiff of Scarborough<span class="pagenum" id="Page_337">[337]</span> -Castle had put off in a boat and informed -him that John Paul Jones was operating -on the coast.</p> - -<p>The Englishman trusted to the guns of -Scarborough Castle to protect the merchantmen -while they stood out to sea and prepared -for action.</p> - -<p>It was night before the Richard came up -with them, as the breeze was very light; -about eight bells both British ships tacked and -stood in for shore; Jones at once altered his -course with a view of cutting them off. At -sight of this manœuvre the skipper of the -Pallas thought the crew of the Richard had -mutinied in the face of the foe; so he hauled -his wind quickly and stood out. Landais -brought the Alliance to a long distance to -windward, and most coolly awaited developments, -never seeming to trouble himself a -moment over the fact that his duty called him -to render the Richard all the aid in his power.</p> - -<p>As the ship of John Paul Jones drew near, -a deep voice from the quarter-deck of the -Serapis hailed her.</p> - -<p>“Ahoy! What ship is that?”</p> - -<p>It was then a quarter past eight; the moon<span class="pagenum" id="Page_338">[338]</span> -swung like a great disc of silver in the -heavens; the sea was scarcely ruffled, so still -was the air. It was Richard Dale who answered -the hail.</p> - -<p>“Come a little nearer,” he shouted, “and -we’ll tell you!”</p> - -<p>The tall poop and forecastle of the Richard -seemed to excite derision upon the British -ship; she stood hugely out of the water with -an ark-like loom; and she had a dull, slow-moving -air, vastly different from the smart -and powerful Serapis.</p> - -<p>“What are you laden with, old Noah’s -ark?” called the voice from the Englishman, -and the question was accompanied by contemptuous -laughter.</p> - -<p>“We carry round, grape and double-headed -shot,” answered Richard Dale.</p> - -<p>And no sooner had he uttered the words -than a sheet of red flame burst from the side -of the Serapis and she poured her range of -upper and quarter-deck guns into the high -hull of the Richard.</p> -<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop" /> - -<div class="chapter"> -<span class="pagenum" id="Page_339">[339]</span> - -<h2 class="nobreak">CHAPTER XXIV<br /> - - -<small>HOW THE SERAPIS STRUCK HER FLAG</small></h2> -</div> - -<p><span class="smcap">John Paul Jones</span>, a dark, slender figure, -paced calmly to and fro upon his quarter-deck.</p> - -<p>“You may fire, Mr. Dale,” he said composedly.</p> - -<p>Dale passed the word; the gunners applied -their matches and the whole broadside of the -Richard hurled destruction at the grim Englishman. -From that moment the night was -ablaze; broadside answered broadside with -echoing fury; the men at the guns, stripped -to the waist, with hard set mouths and scowling -brows, charged, rammed and fired like -clockwork. Men standing behind screens, -drenched with water, handed out charges of -powder to boys who darted up and down the -ladders like monkeys, passing the explosive -to the guns.</p> - -<p>Every man was belted with cutlass and -pistol; stands of grape and round shot, and<span class="pagenum" id="Page_340">[340]</span> -boarding-pikes stood about. Grappling irons -and boarding nettings were ready for instant -use in case the ships should touch. Aloft the -yards of the Richard swarmed with marines, -muskets in hand; another large body of the -sea-soldiery were also upon the poop and forecastle. -These were Frenchmen; they were -under the command of a colonel and, for the -most part, were good marksmen.</p> - -<p>The rending thunder of the cannonade -never halted for a moment. Ethan Carlyle -and Longsword worked an after gun like -furies; their bare bodies, in the light of the -battle lanterns, were black with the grime of -the guns; from beneath their sweat-matted -shocks of hair their eyes glowed like coals.</p> - -<p>The Countess of Scarborough at the beginning -of the fight had not dared to fire into -the Richard for fear of injuring the Serapis; -but as the battle grew older she began to seek -a position from which she might venture to -take part.</p> - -<p>Ethan noted this, for the moonlight showed -them the ship’s actions; he said to Longsword,</p> - -<p>“There goes the other one; hot work, -Shamus.”</p> - - - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_341">[341]</span>“The Pallas is going to meet her, faith,” -cried the dragoon as that vessel suddenly -darted into the blaze of the guns and made -for the second Englishman.</p> - -<p>“No fear of the Alliance doing anything of -the kind,” said Ethan, darting a fierce glance -toward that splendid but silent frigate as she -rose and fell to the seas, off in the moonlight. -“If I were the commander of this squadron -I’d hang that fellow Landais from his own -yard arm as soon as this action was over!”</p> - -<p>The main deck batteries were working famously -but soon Dale rushed up from below -with news of disaster.</p> - -<p>“Three of the long eighteens on the starboard -side have exploded, sir,” he reported to -Captain Jones. “Most of their crews have -been killed or injured.”</p> - -<p>The firm mouth of the chief tightened; -then he replied:</p> - -<p>“Abandon those other eighteens upon the -port side. I have always suspected the -quality of those pieces, and feared that something -like this might happen.”</p> - -<p>This order was carried out. From that -time on all the heavy guns of the Richard<span class="pagenum" id="Page_342">[342]</span> -were out of action; to win she must depend -upon her lighter ones alone.</p> - -<p>For some time Pearson had been trying to -get his vessel under the stern of the American -ship; Jones prevented this by masterly seamanship. -But the Richard answered her -helm slowly, while the swift Serapis moved -like a hawk. At length the Englishman -secured the coveted position and the American’s -deck was raked murderously by whole -broadsides and showers of musketry. Some -of the heavy shot went through and through -the Richard’s rotten timbers; great holes were -blown in her that gaped like windows.</p> - -<p>The marines fore and aft were killed in -crowds; and at length the French colonel in -charge of them withdrew what few remained -to safer positions. In spite of the sand which -had been thrown about, the decks of the converted -Indiaman were slippery with blood; -the killed lay upon every side, and the horrid, -hopeless cries of the wounded were dreadful to -hear. The guns of the Richard were useless -while the Serapis held her present position; -the only damage that the Americans were -doing was by the small arms’ fire from the top.</p> - - - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_343">[343]</span>With his deck reeling beneath him, and the -very frame of his crazy old ship almost rent -asunder by the shocks of her own guns, the -dauntless commander of the Bon Homme -Richard sprang along his shot-swept rail into -that sleet of death. He had seen the desperate -efforts of Ethan Carlyle and Longsword -to drag a gun to a position from which -it could be brought to bear upon the enemy, -and now lent his aid in placing it.</p> - -<p>“Warm work, sir!” panted the Irish -dragoon.</p> - -<p>“Ay,” answered the commander grimly, as -he sighted the gun, “and ’twill be hotter still -before we are done.”</p> - -<p>“They don’t seem to be hulling us with -their lower battery as they did some time -ago,” said Ethan, who had noted this remarkable -fact. Although the ships were within -pistol shot of one another and the big guns of -the Serapis roared incessantly they seemed to -be doing no damage.</p> - -<p>“The reason is simple enough,” said the -captain coolly, as he took the blazing match -from Longsword’s hand. “Dale reports that -they have shot six port holes into one on both<span class="pagenum" id="Page_344">[344]</span> -sides and their balls are passing clear through -us without striking.”</p> - -<p>As he fired the gun a man sprang upon -deck and saluted. It was Richard Dale.</p> - -<p>“We are leaking badly, sir,” he said. -“They have struck us repeatedly below the -water line, and the surgeon has been forced to -clear the cock-pit of all the wounded.”</p> - -<p>“Have you manned the pumps?”</p> - -<p>“Yes, sir.”</p> - -<p>Paul Jones gave a quick command. A -number of guns were dragged to positions -from which they could play upon the British -ship. Their roar was growing in volume and -steadiness, when suddenly the supply of powder -ceased to be handed through the hatches.</p> - -<p>Richard Dale and Ethan Carlyle, at Jones’ -command, plunged below to learn the cause -of this.</p> - -<p>“Ammunition for the main deck,” roared -Dale in a voice to be heard above the Englishman’s -guns.</p> - -<p>The warrant officer in charge of the magazine -stood at its locked door, a pistol in his -hand, and when Dale and Ethan seized him -roughly he said:</p> - - - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_345">[345]</span>“There was nothing else to do but lock the -door, sir. The news came that the ship was -sinking and the quartermaster released all the -prisoners so that they might have a chance for -their lives. See, the deck below here is -crowded with them.”</p> - -<p>As Dale and Ethan looked they saw the -truth of this; the gun deck was thronged -with desperate looking men who greatly out-numbered -the Richard’s crew, and they were -huddling together, apparently for a rush to -the main deck for an attempt to take the ship. -The quick wit of Dale was equal to this new -and novel danger. He leaped toward them -and shouted in a voice that all could hear:</p> - -<p>“Men, the ship is sinking!”</p> - -<p>The faces of the great throng of released -prisoners blanched; then Dale continued:</p> - -<p>“You have one chance for your lives; to -the pumps, or you are all dead men!”</p> - -<p>With eager haste the British seamen sprang -to obey; if they had known it, they could -now have crawled through the ports of the -Richard into the Serapis, for Captain Jones, -by a masterly stroke of seamanship, had at -length placed his vessel alongside the Englishman,<span class="pagenum" id="Page_346">[346]</span> -and locked their yards together. But -fate would have it that British brawn should -keep the Richard afloat while her crew strove -against their countrymen. As Ethan and -Dale regained the main deck, the ammunition -once more began to come through the hatches; -but the guns were still silent.</p> - -<p>All this time the Serapis had been pouring -death into the huge, helpless hulk of the -American. The Richard was a wreck—shattered, -reeling and all but sinking. Her crew -had deserted her main deck, her dead lay -about in heaps. The moonlight, streaming -down upon the scene showed the slight figure -of John Paul Jones as he worked desperately -at a dismounted gun, almost alone, but with a -determination to win that only death could -destroy. Captain Pearson, of the Serapis, astonished -at the Richard’s silence, now shouted:</p> - -<p>“Have you struck?”</p> - -<p>Jones lifted his head and his answer rang -proudly above the din of the battle.</p> - -<p>“I have not yet begun to fight!”</p> - -<p>There was something in this answer that -gave renewed courage to the American seamen; -they manned their pieces once more; a<span class="pagenum" id="Page_347">[347]</span> -steady fire from the tops slackened the gunnery -of the Serapis, perceptibly; then a -sudden flare showed the latter to be on fire, -and her gun crews rushed to extinguish the -blaze.</p> - -<p>In the meantime the Pallas had engaged -the Countess of Scarborough, and after a brisk -action had forced her to strike. The Alliance -now advanced, and to the astonishment of all -she poured a broadside into the Richard.</p> - -<p>“She’s been taken by the British!” gasped -Longsword.</p> - -<p>“It’s that mad Frenchman, Landais,” cried -Richard Dale, in a fury. “See, the signal is -set,” pointing to the lights on the Richard’s -side. “He cannot have mistaken us for the -enemy.”</p> - -<p>The Alliance managed to dismount some -guns and do the Richard considerable other -damage before she silenced her fire, and hauled -off once more.</p> - -<p>The fire from the Richard’s top had succeeded -in clearing the Serapis above board; -but her heavy guns on the lower deck were -still pounding away in a most murderous -fashion. The heavy lashings that Captain<span class="pagenum" id="Page_348">[348]</span> -Jones had brought into use when the Richard’s -bow touched the Serapis some time before -were all that saved the former; had the Englishman -managed to get free and been able to -haul away, she could have sunk the American -at her leisure.</p> - -<p>Under these conditions the battle continued -to rage; hour after hour passed and still the -bulldog Briton and the dauntless Yankee -grappled in their death struggle, the red flare -of the guns blazing paths of fire along the -still waters of the sea. The pumps were still -at work and the prisoners labored in relays; -but the Richard sank lower and still lower in -the water. Captain Jones was pounding away -with two guns at the masts of the Serapis -thinking to cripple her in this way and then -secure a position in which he could rake her -with his main deck battery. As this was -proceeding Longsword plucked Dale by the -sleeve.</p> - -<p>“Look there, on the main top.”</p> - -<p>Dale glanced upward, and saw Ethan Carlyle -crawling out upon the yard. He had a -ship’s bucket filled to the top with hand grenades; -from the spar of the Richard he crept<span class="pagenum" id="Page_349">[349]</span> -to that of the Serapis; when he reached a position -directly over the deck of the British -ship he paused and slung his bucket to the -spar by a hook.</p> - - - -<div class="figcenter"><img src="images/i_348.jpg" alt="" /></div> - -<p class="drop-cap2"><i>HE BEGAN TO THROW THE GRENADES</i></p> - -<p> </p> -<p>Then he began to throw the grenades. -There were but few men upon the deck of -the Englishman, as has been said before, the -musketry fire having driven most of them -below; the grenades cleared these few away -like magic; and then Ethan began to throw -his explosives into the hatches. As fate -would have it some loose powder upon the -lower gun deck of the Serapis caught, and an -instant later a sheet of flame went up, followed -by the roar of a terrific explosion. A -panic seized the crew of the Englishman; -they rushed upon the deck throwing down -their arms and crying for quarter.</p> - -<p>Ethan came down the ratlines of the Serapis -like a flash, just as Richard Dale swung himself -from a broken brace upon the quarter-deck, -and the English captain with his own -hands hauled down his flag.</p> - -<p>“Have you struck?” asked the gallant first -officer of the Richard.</p> - -<p>“I have,” answered Captain Pearson.</p> - - - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_350">[350]</span>No sooner had the words been spoken than -a man with a blood-stained bandage swathed -about his head sprang upon deck; he had a -sword in his hand and his fierce face was -black with powder smoke and smeared with -blood.</p> - -<p>“The officer below inquires if the enemy -has surrendered,” he said to Captain Pearson.</p> - -<p>“Report to him that it is I who have surrendered,” -returned Pearson, bitterly.</p> - -<p>“You!” exclaimed the man. “Why, in -a few more broadsides they are ours. A -prisoner just crawled through a port and says -that they are sinking.”</p> - -<p>Captain Pearson cast a swift glance at the -seamen of the Richard, who were now leaping -upon his deck; but he drooped his head with -a groan when he saw that he was powerless.</p> - -<p>“The Serapis has struck,” said Dale to the -man with the bandaged head. “Pass the -word below.”</p> - -<p>“Very well, sir,” said the man.</p> - -<p>Ethan was watching this man curiously, -and when he turned to spring below he found -the young American confronting him with -ready cutlass.</p> - - - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_351">[351]</span>“Mr. Dale said pass the word,” said Ethan, -sternly. “You need not bother about going -below in person.”</p> - -<p>That it had been the man’s intention to tell -his officer to continue the fight was clear from -the baffled look which he gave Ethan. The -latter then stepped close to him and continued -in a low voice,</p> - -<p>“And another thing—I would very much -like to have the paper which you took that -night upon the by-road to London, Master -Dirk Hatfield.”</p> - -<p>At the sound of his name, the highwayman -made a sudden forward leap and cut desperately -at Ethan; but the young American’s -guard was up and he caught the descending -blade upon his own; then with a twist of the -wrist he disarmed his opponent and held his -point at his throat.</p> - -<p>By this time the decks of the Serapis -swarmed with American seamen. Longsword -pinned the highwayman’s arms at his sides, -while Ethan’s eager hands sought out the -much desired dispatch. At length he drew -it from an inner pocket and held it up with -a cry of triumph.</p> - - - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_352">[352]</span>John Paul Jones, who stood near, turned -upon the boy as he heard the cry.</p> - -<p>“What have you there?” he asked.</p> - -<p>“The dispatch,” exclaimed Ethan joyfully. -“Here is the highwayman of whom I spoke -to you,” pointing to Hatfield, “and he still -had it in his possession.”</p> - -<p>“Fortune still follows you,” cried Jones as -he took the paper which the lad held out to -him.</p> - -<p>“And misfortune seems to follow me,” -spoke the knight of the road as they led him -away among the other prisoners. “There is -ten thousand pounds gone to pot.”</p> - -<p>The crew of the Serapis was disarmed and -imprisoned below. Then, as the shattered -Richard threatened to sink at any moment, -the prisoners and wounded were hastily distributed -between the Pallas and the captured -Englishman; the American commander and -his crew shifting to the latter ship which, -though badly crippled in the rigging, was -still seaworthy.</p> - -<p>The Richard’s own crew and some from the -Pallas strove at the pumps to keep out the -inrushing water from the doomed vessel; but<span class="pagenum" id="Page_353">[353]</span> -their efforts were of no avail, and on the -morning of the twenty-fifth their officers -called them away.</p> - -<p>As the last man was going over the side into -Lieutenant Dale’s boat, Ethan Carlyle swarmed -up the damaged shrouds of the American ship.</p> - -<p>“Come back,” shouted Dale. “She is going down.”</p> - -<p>But the boy continued upward till he -reached the main top; then he drew from beneath -his arm a flag, and with a few rapid -blows nailed it to the mast. He had descended -and clambered into the boat, which pulled -rapidly away, before the Richard gave her last -heavy shuddering lurch; then, with her battle -flag streaming above her, she dipped grandly -and sank slowly beneath the waves.</p> -<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop" /> - -<div class="chapter"> -<span class="pagenum" id="Page_354">[354]</span> - -<h2 class="nobreak">CHAPTER XXV<br /> - - -<small>HOME AND LIBERTY</small></h2> -</div> - -<p><span class="smcap">The</span> American squadron and its prizes put -into the Texal; Landais was at once removed -from his command and sent home to France. -In a short time Paul Jones, with Ethan and -Longsword, sailed in the Alliance for that -country also, the commander having shifted -his crew and officers into that vessel.</p> - -<p>The delight of Dr. Franklin at receiving -the long lost dispatch was very great; and -he thanked the three over and over again. -The day following their arrival at Paris, he -took Ethan aside.</p> - -<p>“There are many important things which I -desire to say to Congress,” said the philosopher, -“and I want a trusty messenger to carry my -report. Will you go?”</p> - -<p>For some time Ethan had felt a longing for -home and friends; and now that the paper -was recovered he had nothing further to keep -him in France. So he answered eagerly:</p> - -<p>“I will.”</p> - - - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_355">[355]</span>“Very well,” said Dr. Franklin in a pleased -tone. “A French cruiser sails for Baltimore -within a week.”</p> - -<p>“If your report is ready I will cross in her,” -said Ethan, promptly.</p> - -<p>The minister’s dispatches were ready next -day, and Ethan bid good-bye to Captain Jones -and Richard Dale.</p> - -<p>“We stay to fight the English,” said the -former, as he clasped the lad’s hand, “and -you will return to fight them, I know.”</p> - -<p>“They are striking good blows at home,” -said Dale, “and we upon this side must look -to ourselves or we’ll be left far behind.”</p> - -<p>The last that Ethan saw of this gallant pair -they were standing upon the flags of a Paris -street waving their hats in farewell as he and -Longsword once more took the road for Brest.</p> - -<p>The young American and Irish dragoon -arrived in good time at that seaport and -boarded the cruiser the day before she sailed. -After a voyage of six weeks against contrary -winds they were landed at Baltimore, and at -once set out for Philadelphia.</p> - -<p>Since they had set foot in that city it had -been in the hands of the British, and Sir<span class="pagenum" id="Page_356">[356]</span> -Henry Clinton had only evacuated it a short -time before.</p> - -<p>Dr. Franklin’s dispatches were delivered to -Mr. Hancock, and were eagerly received and -laid before Congress.</p> - -<p>“I hope, sir,” said Ethan to Mr. Jefferson -when he presented himself to the great Virginian, -“that you did not object to my sailing -with Captain Jones and so delaying my return.”</p> - -<p>“Not in the least,” said Mr. Jefferson. “Dr. -Franklin wrote me the reason for it; you did -what I would have expected you to do—and -you did it well.”</p> - -<p>“Things are going badly for the cause, sir, -I hear.”</p> - -<p>“You arrive home at the country’s most -gloomy period,” said Jefferson, gravely. “Dark -shadows seem to overhang us, and the British -press upon us from every side; the want of -money makes Congress all but helpless; our -armies are lately scattered in the south, and in -the north Washington can do little more than -fly before the battalions of Clinton.”</p> - -<p>There was a silence between them for some -time; then Ethan said quietly:</p> - - - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_357">[357]</span>“In that case, sir, it seems to me that the -nation wants a soldier much more than you -want a secretary.”</p> - -<p>Jefferson took his meaning instantly, and -wrung his hand.</p> - -<p>“You are right,” said he heartily. “But -why not the navy? You are a born sailor.”</p> - -<p>“I have witnessed too much of the delays -of that branch of the service,” said Ethan. -“Constant waiting ashore for a ship while -my country needed my strength would be -more than I could stand.”</p> - -<p>“Then the army it shall be,” cried Mr. Jefferson. -“You shall have a commission within -the week.”</p> - -<p>The Virginian was as good as his word. -The commission was in Ethan’s hands in a -week’s time; and in a fortnight he was serving -as a lieutenant in a regiment of horse in the -army under Washington.</p> - -<p>As the years of the conflict unrolled he rose -in rank and in the esteem of his commanders. -Was there a hard-fought field, where only desperate -courage and shrewd blows carried the -patriots to victory? Then there you would -be sure to find Ethan Carlyle, in the press of<span class="pagenum" id="Page_358">[358]</span> -it, and at his side the grim old war dog, Longsword.</p> - -<p>And when peace spread her glittering wings -above a new-born nation, the gallant boy, now -grown a young man, and with the epaulets of a -major upon his broad shoulders, laid down his -bright sword with a sigh of mingled regret -and satisfaction.</p> - -<p>“The war is done,” said Longsword.</p> - -<p>“Yes,” replied Ethan, soberly. “The war -is done; and now comes the longer struggle to -give the nation permanent life.”</p> - -<p> </p> - -<p class="center">THE END</p> - - -<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop" /> -<div class="chapter"> -<div class="transnote"> - -<p class="ph2">TRANSCRIBER’S NOTES:</p> - - -<p>Obvious typographical errors have been corrected.</p> - -<p>Inconsistencies in hyphenation have been standardized.</p> - -</div></div> - -<div style='display:block; margin-top:4em'>*** END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK WITH JOHN PAUL JONES ***</div> -<div style='text-align:left'> - -<div style='display:block; margin:1em 0'> -Updated editions will replace the previous one—the old editions will -be renamed. -</div> - -<div style='display:block; margin:1em 0'> -Creating the works from print editions not protected by U.S. copyright -law means that no one owns a United States copyright in these works, -so the Foundation (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United -States without permission and without paying copyright -royalties. 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