northward from London to Quebec, in
Canada, laden with a cargo of naval and military stores for the
British troops and flotillas on the Lakes. The _Union_ also carried a
valuable mail, including dispatches for Sir William Howe, in New York,
and Sir Guy Carleton, in Canada. "These were lost," writes John Paul
to good Doctor Franklin, at Paris, for the _Alliance_ imprudently
showed American colors, though English colors were still flying on the
_Bon Homme Richard_; "the enemy thereby being induced to throw his
papers of importance overboard before we could take possession of
him." The prizes were manned from the _Alliance_ and sent (by Landais)
into the seaport of Bergen, in Norway.

The squadron now beat down the east coast of Scotland, and, after
capturing five or six small prizes, rounded-to off the Firth of Forth.

"I intend to attack the port of Leith!" cried Jones, "as I understand
that it is defended only by a small guard-ship of twenty-two guns, and
an old fortification (old Leith Fort) garrisoned by a detachment of
Militia."

The wind was adverse, blowing off shore, with frequent heavy squalls,
but about noon of the 17th of September, the _Richard_ and the
_Pallas_ beat up within gun-shot of Leith Fort and were lowering away
their tenders in order to land, when a heavy Northwest gale sprang up,
compelling them to hoist their boats, and put to sea. The gale lasted
about twenty-four hours, but, on the morning of the 19th, the wind
took another turn, the sea grew calm, and Jones proposed to renew the
attack upon Leith. The Commander of the _Pallas_ made strong objection
to this. "I do not believe that we should stay here," cried he. "If we
persist in the attempt to remain on this station three days longer, we
shall have a squadron of heavy frigates, if not a ship of line, to
deal with. Convinced of this, I offer it as my judgment that we had
better work along the shore to-day and to-morrow, as far as Spurn
Head, and then, if we do not fall in with the Baltic merchant fleet,
stand off the coast and make the best of our way to Dunkirk."

Commodore Jones spent a few moments in reflection. "You are probably
right, Cottineau," said he. "I only wish that another man like you
were in command of the _Alliance_. However, we cannot help what is and
must make the best of it. Go aboard your ship and make sail to the
south-southwest. Speak the _Vengeance_ as you run down, and tell
Ricot--her commander--to rendezvous off Spur