and dying, the commander of the man-o'-warsman cried out,

"I surrender! Cease, you Yankee sea-dogs. You're too smart for me!"

So saying, he held up a handkerchief tied to his cutlass, and the
battle ceased.

The story of the fight of Silas Talbot's was now on every lip, and
all praised the daring and courage of this valorous Major, who was as
bold as a lion, and as courageous as any seaman who sailed upon the
sea.

Promotion came rapidly to the soldier-sailor. In 1779 he became a
colonel and was placed in command of the _Argo_, a sloop of about one
hundred tons, armed with twelve six-pounders, and carrying but sixty
men. 'Tis said that she looked like a "clumsy Albany trader," with one
great, rakish mast, an immense mainsail, and a lean boom. Her tiller
was very lengthy, she had high bulwarks and a wide stern--but, in
spite of her raw appearance, she could sail fast and could show a
clean pair of heels to most vessels of twice her size.

Shortly after taking charge of this privateer, word was brought that
Captain Hazard of the privateer _King George_ was off the coast of
Rhode Island.

"That's what I want," cried Captain Talbot, slapping his knee. "This
fellow Hazard is an American. He was born in Rhode Island, and,
instead of joining in our righteous cause against the Mother Country,
he has elected to fight against us. For the base purpose of plundering
his old neighbors and friends, he has fitted out the _King George_ and
has already done great damage on the coast. Let me but catch the old
fox and I'll give him a taste of American lead. I'll put a stop to the
depredations of this renegade."

The _King George_ had fourteen guns and eighty men, but this did not
worry staunch and nervy Silas Talbot. He started in pursuit of her, as
soon as he learned of her whereabouts, and, before many days, sighted
a sail just off the New York coast, which was hoped to be the vessel
of the renegade.

Mile after mile was passed. Hour by hour the _Argo_ ploughed after the
silvery sails, until, late in the afternoon, the stranger hovered near
a shallow harbor on the coast, and seemed to await the on-coming
privateer with full confidence.

The _Argo_ boomed along under a spanking sou'wester and, sailing near
the stranger, to the keen eyes of Talbot came the welcome sight of
_King George_ painted upon the stern of the rakish privateer.

"All hands man the guns," cried he. "We'll sink th' rascally Hazard
with all his crew, unl