m stature, strongly built and
swarthy. He was dressed in the gray clothing of a Virginian planter.

"Hallo," he shouted in very good French. "May I come aboard?"

"_Certainement! Certainement!_" cried a French officer, as he neared
the rail. "Welcome, Monsieur Jones!"

And, as the Virginian farmer scrambled upon the deck, he was greeted
most effusively by a handsome nobleman. It was Louis Philippe Joseph,
Duke de Chartres; known as "the Sailor Prince of France." The
Virginian was John Paul Jones, of "Whitehaven" upon the river
Rappahannock.

"I bring you delicacies of the season from my garden," said the
planter, smiling. "Some for you, and some for the commander--the
Commodore de Kersaint. I trust that you will accept them, with my
kindest regards. Meanwhile, I beg that you will give me leave to
inspect your vessel and obtain information in regard to her plan,
construction of the hull, arrangement of the batteries, her spars, her
rig and other technical particulars. For, know you, Gentlemen, that
war has just commenced between Great Britain and her Colonies and the
newly-formed Marine Department of the Government will require a
knowledge of ships and their construction. Partly for this I have
visited you."

Kersaint's face grew sober.

"Monsieur Jones," said he, "I have just heard the news from Lexington
and I am the senior officer upon this coast. France is at peace with
England. The situation for me is a delicate one. I must refuse to
allow you to sketch any plans of my vessel."

But the young Duke de Chartres looked upon the matter in a different
light.

"You shall have all the assistance from me that you wish," he cried.
"I do not fear the displeasure of England."

So the Virginian planter was allowed to obtain the most complete data
of the new frigate, even to copies of deck plans and sail spread,
which he caused his carpenter to make. John Paul Jones was the guest
of the Frenchman for two or three days.

"And now you will visit my plantation," said he, when the time came
for him to leave. "Is it not so? For there I can repay some of the
kindnesses which you have shown me."

"That we cannot do," replied the French commander. "It would be most
impolitic for us to accept entertainment ashore from persons known to
be hostile to King George. But we thank you, exceedingly, for your
kind offer."

So John Paul Jones proceeded alone to his plantation, and the French
warship sailed for Corunna, Spain, afte