wind free,--an advantage the
captain of the English ship would never have yielded without an effort,
had he imagined the character of the ship opposite him. The battle
lanterns of the Juno were lighted, the ports triced up, and she
presented a brilliant picture of a gallant ship ready for action. The
Ranger, black as the night and silent as death, could barely be
discerned in dim outline from the Juno.

"Mellish ahoy."

"Ahoy, the Juno."

"What's wrong on board of you?"

"Nothing, sir."

"Pistol shots and screams were heard by the ship ahead; but who
hails--where is Captain Brent?"

"Answer him," hissed Jones, in the ear of the British captain; "tell
him there were some drunken soldiers of the Highlanders in a row.
Speak out, man," he continued threateningly.

"Why don't you answer?" came from the Juno. "I shall send a boat
aboard. Call away the first cutter," the voice continued. But the
British seaman on the Ranger's deck was made of sterner stuff than the
other. By a violent and unexpected movement he wrenched his arm free
from the grasp of one of the men, struck the other heavily in the
chest, and before any one could seize him he leaped upon the rail,
shouting loudly, "Treachery! You are betrayed. This is a Yankee
pirate." Then he sprang into the water between the two ships.
Williams raised his pistol.

"Let him go," cried Jones, "he is a brave fellow;" then lifting his
powerful voice he shouted, "This is the American Continental ship
Ranger. Stand by!"--the port shutters dropped or were pulled up with a
crash, a moment's hasty aim was taken at the brilliantly lighted ship
full abeam.--"Fire! Let them have it, men," he cried in a voice of
thunder. Instantly the black side of the Ranger gave forth a sheet of
flame, and the startling roar of the full broadside in the quiet night
was followed by shrieks and cries and the crashing of woodwork, which
told that the shots had taken effect. Three hearty British cheers rang
out, however, in reply, and the broadside was promptly returned, but
with nothing like the effect of that from the Ranger, for the first
blow counts for as much at sea as in any other contest.

The next moment the maintopsail of the Juno was gallantly laid to the
mast, that of the Ranger following suit, and the two ships, side by
side, at half pistol-shot distance, continued the dreadful combat, both
crews being encouraged and stimulated by their captains and other
officers. A