from their eyes.

Though provided with spy-glasses, the people in the boat were totally
deceived. Unsuspectingly they came up under the stern of the "Ranger,"
and demanded to come on board. As the officer in command clambered up
a rope, and vaulted the taffrail to the quarter-deck, he saw Paul
Jones and his lieutenants, in full uniform, standing before him.

"Why,--why, what ship's this?" stammered the astonished officer.

"This is the American Continental ship 'Ranger,' and you are my
prisoner," responded Jones; and at the words a few sailors, with
cutlasses and pistols, called to the men in the boat alongside, to
come aboard and give themselves up.

From his captives Jones learned that the news of the Whitehaven raid
had reached the "Drake" only the night before; and that she had been
re-enforcing her crew with volunteers, preparatory to going out in
search of the "Ranger." As he stood talking to the captured British
naval officer, Jones noticed slender columns of smoke rising from the
woods on neighboring highlands, where he knew there were no houses.

"What does that mean?" he asked.

"Alarm fires, sir," answered the captive; "the news of your descent
upon Whitehaven is terrifying the whole country."

Soon, however, the attention of the Americans was diverted from the
signal-fires to the "Drake." An appearance of life and bustle was
observable about the boat. The shrill notes of the boatswain's
whistle, and the tramp of men about the capstan, came faintly over the
waters. The rigging was full of sailors, and the sails were being
quickly spread to catch the fresh breeze. Soon the ship began to move
slowly from her anchorage; she heeled a little to one side, and,
responsive to her helm, turned down the bay. She was coming out to
look after her lost boat.

Jones determined to hold his ground, and give battle to the
Englishman. He at once began to prepare for battle in every way
possible without alarming the enemy. The great guns were loaded and
primed. Cutlasses and pistols were brought up from the armorer's room,
and placed in convenient locations on the main deck, so that the
boarders might find them when needed. The powder-monkeys, stripped for
action, and the handlers and cartridge-makers entered the
powder-magazine, and prepared to hand out the deadly explosive. The
cook and his assistant strewed sawdust and ashes about the decks, to
catch the blood, and keep the men from slipping. Every one was busy,
fr