et,
'Midst a thundering shower of shot,--and with stern-sails hoisting
away,
Down the North Race _Paul Jones_ did steer, just at the break of day.

--_Old Ballad._

CAPTAIN SILAS TALBOT

STAUNCH PRIVATEERSMAN OF NEW ENGLAND

(1751-1813)

"If you want ter learn how ter fight, why jest
fight."--_Dock-end Philosophy._

CAPTAIN SILAS TALBOT

STAUNCH PRIVATEERSMAN OF NEW ENGLAND

(1751-1813)

"Talk about your clipper ships, chipper ships, ripper ships,
Talk about your barquentines, with all their spars so fancy,
I'll just take a sloop-o'-war with Talbot, with Talbot,
An' whip 'em all into 'er chip, an' just to suit my fancy.

"So, heave away for Talbot, for Talbot, for Talbot,
So, heave away for Talbot, an' let th' Capting steer,
For, he's the boy to smack them, to crack them, to whack them,
For he's th' boy to ship with, if you want to privateer."

--_Ballads of Rhode Island._--1782.

A trading vessel, laden with wheat, from Cardigan in Wales, was lying
to in the English Channel. Nearby rolled a long-bodied American
Privateer, while a boat neared the trader, in the stern of which sat a
staunch, weather-beaten officer in a faded pea-jacket. It was the year
1813 and war was on between England and the United States.

When the blustering captain entered the cabin to survey his prize, he
spied a small box with a hole in the top, on which was inscribed the
words, "Missionary Box." He drew back, astonished.

"Pray, my bold seaman," said he, turning to the Welsh captain, "what
is this?"

"Oh," replied the honest, old sailor, heaving a sigh, "'tis all over
now."

"What?" asked the American privateersman.

"Why, the truth is," said the Welshman, "that I and my poor fellows
have been accustomed, every Monday morning, to drop a penny each into
that box for the purpose of sending out missionaries to preach the
Gospel to the heathen; but it's all over now."

The American seemed to be much abashed.

"Indeed," said he, "that is very good of you." And, pausing a few
moments, he looked abstractedly into the air, humming a tune beneath
his breath.

"Captain," said he, at length, "I'll not hurt a hair of your head, nor
touch your vessel."

So saying, he turned on his heel, took to his boat, and left the
Welshman to pursue its even course. And--as the privateer filled away
to starboard--a voice came from the