om the captain down to the galley-boy.

There was plenty of time to prepare; for the tide was out, and the
"Drake," beating down a narrow channel, made but slow headway. The
delay was a severe strain upon the nerves of the men, who stood silent
and grim at their quarters on the American ship, waiting for the fight
to begin. At such a moment, even the most courageous must lose heart,
as he thinks upon the terrible ordeal through which he must pass.
Visions of home and loved ones flit before his misty eyes; and Jack
chokes down a sob as he hides his emotion in nervously fingering the
lock of his gun, or taking a squint through the port-holes at the
approaching enemy.

At length the "Drake" emerged from the narrow channel of the harbor,
and coming within hailing distance of the "Ranger," ran up the flag of
England, and hailed,--

"What ship is that?"

Paul Jones, himself standing on the taffrail, made answer,--

"This is the American Continental ship 'Ranger.' We are waiting for
you. The sun is but little more than an hour from setting. It is
therefore time to begin."

The "Drake" lay with her bow towards the "Ranger," and a little
astern. As Jones finished speaking, he turned to the man at the wheel,
and said, "Put your helm up. Up, I say!"

Quickly responsive to her helm, the vessel swung round; and, as her
broadside came to bear, she let fly a full broadside of solid shot
into the crowded decks and hull of the "Drake." Through timbers and
planks, flesh and bone, the iron hail rushed, leaving death, wounds,
and destruction in its path. The volunteers that the "Drake" had added
to her crew so crowded the decks, that the execution was fearful. It
seemed as though every shot found a human mark.

But the British were not slow to return the fire, and the roar of
their broadside was heard before the thunder of the American fire had
ceased to reverberate among the hills along the shore.

Then followed a desperate naval duel. The tide of victory flowed now
this way, and now that. Jones kept his ship at close quarters with the
enemy, and stood on the quarter-deck urging on his gunners, now
pointing out some vulnerable spot, now applauding a good shot, at one
time cheering, and at another swearing, watching every movement of his
foe, and giving quick but wise orders to his helmsman, his whole mind
concentrated upon the course of battle, and with never a thought for
his own safety.

For more than an hour the battle rag