An English naval vessel called the _Drake_ was sent out to capture the
_Ranger_. Every one felt sure that she would be successful, and five
boatloads of men went out with her to see the fight.
When the _Drake_ came alongside of the _Ranger_, she hailed and asked
what ship it was. Paul Jones replied: "The American Continental ship
_Ranger_! Come on! We are waiting for you!"
After a battle of one hour, the _Drake_ surrendered. The captain and
forty-two men had been killed, and the vessel was badly injured. Paul
Jones lost only his lieutenant and one seaman. Six others were wounded,
one of whom died.
[Illustration: THE RANGER AND THE DRAKE.]
This was a great victory for Paul Jones. The _Drake_ not only mounted
two more guns than the _Ranger_, but was manned by a crew that was much
better drilled. The vessel belonged to the well-established English
navy, which was accustomed to victory on the seas.
Towing the _Drake_, Paul Jones sailed northward in safety. Then, leaving
the Irish Sea, he sailed around the north coast of Ireland and returned
to the harbor at Brest, with the _Drake_ and two hundred prisoners. This
was just a month from the day he had set out on his cruise.
The French government had now concluded an alliance with the American
republic. War had been openly declared between France and England, and
all the French people rejoiced over the victory of the _Ranger_.
Paul Jones was not sorry when Congress sent him an order to bring his
vessel to America. It was needed to protect the coasts of New Jersey
from the war ships of the British.
The French king did not like brave Paul Jones to return to America. He
wished him to remain where he could be of more direct service to France.
He therefore caused letters to be sent to him, promising that if he
would stay on that side of the Atlantic he should have command of the
new frigate he had wished for so long.
Pleased with the prospect of this, he gave up the command of the
_Ranger_, and it sailed to America under a new captain.
But promises are often more easily made than kept. The French navy was
well supplied with ships and officers. These officers were jealous of
the success of Paul Jones, and did all they could to prevent him from
obtaining his commission.
The summer and most of the winter of 1778 passed away, and Paul Jones
was still waiting for his ship. He began to wish he had gone to America.
Some wealthy men offered him a ship if he would take charge of a trading
expedition for them. To do this, he must give up his commission in the
American navy, and so Paul Jones said, "As a servant of the republic of
America, I cannot serve either myself or my best friends, unless the
honor of America is the first object."
During these months of waiting, his only weapon was his pen. He wrote
letters of appeal to all persons of influence, to Congress, and also to
the king of France.
[Illustration]