essels always congregated there, and liberate the hapless Americans
who were passing their lives in the dark misery of underground mining.
His plan was received with favor, but the authorities lacked the means
to give him the proper aid. However, two vessels, the "Alfred" and the
"Providence," were assigned to him; and he went speedily to work to
prepare for the adventure. At the outset, he was handicapped by lack
of men. The privateers were then fitting out in every port; and seamen
saw in privateering easier service, milder discipline, and greater
profits than they could hope for in the regular navy. When, by hard
work, the muster-roll of the "Alfred" showed her full complement of
men shipped, the stormy month of November had arrived, and the golden
hour for success was past.

Nevertheless, Jones, taking command of the "Alfred," and putting the
"Providence" in the command of Capt. Hacker, left Newport, and laid
his course to the northward. When he arrived off the entrance to the
harbor of Louisbourg, he was so lucky as to encounter an English brig,
the "Mellish," which, after a short resistance, struck her flag. She
proved to be laden with heavy warm clothing for the British troops in
Canada. This capture was a piece of great good fortune for the
Americans, and many a poor fellow in Washington's army that winter had
cause to bless Paul Jones for his activity and success.

The day succeeding the capture of the "Mellish" dawned gray and
cheerless. Light flurries of snow swept across the waves, and by noon
a heavy snowstorm, driven by a violent north-east gale, darkened the
air, and lashed the waves into fury. Jones stood dauntless at his post
on deck, encouraging the sailors by cheery words, and keeping the
sturdy little vessel on her course. All day and night the storm
roared; and when, the next morning, Jones, wearied by his ceaseless
vigilance, looked anxiously across the waters for his consort, she was
not to be seen. The people on the "Alfred" supposed, of course, that
the "Providence" was lost, with all on board, and mourned the sad fate
of their comrades. But, in fact, Capt. Hacker, affrighted by the
storm, had basely deserted his leader during the night, and made off
for Newport, leaving Jones to prosecute his enterprise alone.

Jones recognized in this desertion the knell of the enterprise upon
which he had embarked. Nevertheless, he disdained to return to port:
so sending the "Mellish" and a second prize, wh