r in the
fleet, and he immediately gave the signal for pursuit.

The _Serapis_, commanded by Captain Pearson, knew that he was confronted
by the redoubtable Paul Jones, and he welcomed a fight with him, for the
British captain was one of the bravest of men. He signalled for the
merchantmen to scatter, and they did so with the utmost haste, while the
frigate with her consort, the _Countess of Scarborough_, boldly advanced
to engage the American squadron.

It was at this critical moment that the captain of the _Alliance_ once
more showed his insubordination. He refused to obey Jones's signal to
fall to the rear of the _Bonhomme Richard_ and the _Pallas_ for a time
was equally disobedient. Soon, however, she changed her conduct and
gallantly advanced to engage the _Countess of Scarborough_. Captain
Landais, however, sullenly kept out of the battle, and, as we shall
presently learn, did even worse than that.

Captain Pearson, of the _Serapis_, waited until his convoy was beyond
danger, when he tacked inshore. Fearing he would get away, Jones ran in
between him and the land. It was now growing dark, and it was hard for
the American commander to follow the movements of his enemy. But the
latter was not fleeing, and, although dimly visible to each other, the
two antagonists began cautiously approaching, both on the alert for any
advantage that might present itself. Nothing but the rippling of water
made by the vessels broke the profound, expectant hush that rested upon
both.

Suddenly from the gloom came the voice of the captain of the _Serapis_:

"What ship is that?"

Jones wished to get nearer before opening fire and replied:

"I do not understand you; speak louder."

"What ship is that?" repeated the other in a louder voice through his
trumpet. "Answer or I shall fire into you."

Jones made no reply, knowing that it was useless, but continued to edge
near his antagonist. A minute later both ships discharged a broadside at
the same moment, the gloom being lit up by spouts of crimson flame,
while the thunder "shook the mighty deep" and the sulphurous smoke
rolled slowly upward and drifted through the rigging. Then again came a
minute or so of impressive stillness, while the crews of both looked
around to learn the results of the awful tempest of round shot, grape
and canister of which they had been the targets.

Sad work, indeed, had been done, for from each vessel rose the cries of
the wounded and dying--cries th