“I have not begun to fight yet,” replied John Paul Jones.
From deck to deck of the entangled vessels the combatants madly rushed, fighting like demons. Soon the “Richard” began to sink; slowly she was filling with water. Most of her guns were silenced, but one or two of those in her tower still sent deadly volleys down upon the foe. At half past nine, the moon rose in the quiet sky, upon a fearful scene. The “Richard” was on fire. In the midst of smoke, and smothered flame, and the roar of great guns, men as furious as wounded tigers were struggling hand to hand. At that moment, a cry went up that the “Richard” was sinking. A frightened gunner started to pull down the American flag, but was thrust aside by Paul Jones.
“Do you want quarter for your sinking ship?” asked the English captain.
“Never,” replied Paul Jones, and as the bat-
