only get th' reg'lar salary allotted by those old
pals, who make our laws. We came with you thinkin' that we wuz ter git
this money, and, by gum, we intend to git it!"

"Calm yourself, my good fellow," said Jones soothingly. "If the
hand-bill said that you were to receive $40.00 you shall have it. You
shall get this sum even if I have to pay it myself."

And this he did.

"I would not deceive any man who has entered or may enter, to serve in
my command," remarked John Paul Jones. "I consider myself as being
under a personal obligation to these brave men, who have cheerfully
enlisted to serve with me, and I accept their act as a proof of their
good opinion of me, which I value so highly, that I cannot permit it
to be dampened in the least degree, by misunderstanding, or failure to
perform engagements. I wish all my men to be happy and contented. The
conditions of the hand-bills will be strictly complied with."

Accordingly he disbursed one hundred and forty-seven guineas (about
$800.00) out of his own pocket, in making good the terms of the
hand-bill. Is it any wonder that the gallant seaman was popular with
his followers?

But the _Ranger_ lay at Brest--eager for action--her light sails
furled; her spars shining with new varnish; her polished guns winking
in the rays of the sun.

"Come, my Hearties!" cried Captain Jones on April the 10th, "we'll hie
us out to the west coast of Ireland and see if our new ship cannot
make a good name for herself."

Sails were hoisted upon the staunch, little vessel. Her bow was turned
toward the ocean--and--with the new flag of the infant republic
fluttering from her masts, the _Ranger_ went forth for battle, for
plunder, and for glory. She was to get a little of each.

Arriving off the coast of Cumberland, and, learning from fishermen
decoyed on board, that there was a large amount of shipping in the
harbor of Whitehaven, with no warship of superior force in the
neighborhood to protect it, the bold American skipper resolved to make
a dash into this quiet cove, with a view of destroying the ships there
in port. The British authorities had no suspicion of his presence in
the Irish Sea.

As the _Ranger_ drew near to Whitehaven, the wind blew such a gale
from the southwest, that it was impossible to land a boat.

"We must hold off until the breeze slackens!" cried bold Captain
Jones. "This cannot last forever, and our opportunity will soon be
here."

Sure enough--the wind die