who had trodden the deck of the “Ranger” watched her passing with a keen eye. His look was intense. So, the line of boats passed by in the gathering darkness.
Suddenly an order went forth from the “Richard.” It was an order to give chase. The French officers thought the Commodore insane. Two of them did not obey. The British vessels immediately prepared to defend the merchant-men. The fight which followed happened in the dark. The “Richard” was within musket-shot of the “Serapis”— the larger of the two British men-of-war. The wind was slack, and the two vessels came in contact. The rigging became entangled, and the gallant Paul Jones, leading his men with waving sword, tried to board the British man-of-war. A terrible fight with pistols and swords followed, and he was repulsed by Capt. Pearson, the commander of the “Serapis.”
“Have your colors struck?” called the English captain.
