Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1903-07-30

H'NcG Ne Hc'ppIHDlP 10 TOllOWpr OF
the young Stuart, the intimate associ
ate of the young mobiles of France; but,
primarily, because he saw in II renew.
ed opportunities to annoy and humili
ate the stout Hanoverian whom he and
his people hated and from whom they
had received much harm. and. second
ly, because he was so much attracted
by the strong personality of Paul Jones
So great had become his regard fol
this wonderful man that he had even
waived considerations of rank in favor
of an American, the gallant Richard
Dale. and had consented to serve as
second lieutenant instead of first On
IT, Richard, when that famous ship
and her i'll assorted consorts started
forth upon the memorable cruise.
The tacticians of the French navy
unfortunately were not given to con
end and aim Of naval enterprise. Their
mancuvcrs were calculated to annoy
and harass the enemy. but their first
thought was not to destroy his ships
but to protect their own-a fatal mis-
take in policy from which they have
ever suffered.
This was not John Paul Jones' way
Whatever else he did, he was n fighter
from the beginning to the end, and
ONcill found in him congenial spir-
1t. The lovelorn Irishman had tried
several times to communicate with
Lady Elizabeth by letter and messen-
ger but without success. for he re-.
ccivcd no reply to his letters, and his
messengers had never returned. There
fore, when he found himself in such
close proximity to her as on this. the
evening of Tuesday, the 21st of Sep
TENDER. 1910, he was utterly unable to
resist the temptation at least to try to
see her again.
Jones and the ships were not due at
the rendezvous until the day after the
next day; that would be Thursday
morning. There would be ample time
TO rcjoin them on the next day. Wednes-
day. O'Ncill imagined himself perfect
ly safe. HGhad used no disguise except
to wear the uniform of French naval
officer. and as France and England
were nominally at peace he persuaded
himself that he was in no danger. It
was a breach of military propriety, he
admitted, Of course. but nothing more,
this failure to return promptly to his
ship, and for that he was willing to
suffer.
With the delightful casuistry of low
ers, he persuaded himself against his
better judgment and failed to see his
action in its true military significance.
Trusting to audacty, mother wit and
Dan Cupid for protection, he went
bravcly on. In fact. he was taking his
life in his hand. His love blinded him.
II is the chief function of the cherubic
god Without that power most matches
he attempts would fail. Meanwhile,
with beating heart beating not from
fear. but with anticipation he rode
slowly down the hill and into the town,
where he left his horse at an inn and
made his way on foot and suppprlcss,
such his eagcrness. toward the castle.
lie had no definite plan. There did
not seem to be room for any. He had
one consuming desire to see, 10 speak
to, ito cone in touch again with the
beautiful girl who had been the object
of his every thought, tie end Of his
every desire, the spirit of every dream
ip which he had INDUCED since they
had met He had thought. hope,
that she was still Elizabeth Howard.
There was that in her promise, in her
look. in her word, when she had said.
Come and see" on the strand. which
gave him the hope that she would wait
until he did come, be it one year or two,
and, with the sanguine spirit of his
race, he could not prepare himself for
n disappointment.
The moon had risen as he walked
quietly through the town and began ia
mount the hill He did not know how
to gain admittance to the castle when
he approached IT, and as i'll luck would
have it as he was standing on the
causeway looking toward the gate he
was approached by a squad of soldiers,
under the commsnd Of sergeant,
which was returning from an errand in
the town. His moditations as he stood
gazing at the lights shining from the
different windows. wondering behind
which wall was pnsconced the idol OF
his heart, were rudely INTERRUPTED by
the grasp of "A rough hand upon his
shoulder aud a harsh voice in his ear
saying:
''Well, sir wOt are YOU a-doin ERE
at this hour o. the night? Entrance
ia Tho ,.n etIa ic forbid IN ovarv ona ay.
ccpt members OF the garrison or them
witch has passes. No one is allowed
on the cauSeway after sunset even.
There's SO many tales of raidin's an
holl'S own doin'S on the coast by that
bloody ravaGin' pirate Jones an his
bleedin' gang that we're Almost in a
state of siege. Give an account Of
yourself"
MY friend" said O'Nelll calmly.
CHANGING rapidly about him and giving
up at once any idea of resistance. for
he was surrounded by at least Il dozen
men, one or two of whom had laid
violent hands upon him-"niy friend"
he said, speaking in broken English,
with Il we'll simulated French accent,
II am an officer of the king of France,
| travelling for pleasure through your
great country. | hear of the old cas-
tle-l wish to see it; hence | come here.
| have done nothing. You will let me
20 free?"
"A Frcnchman?"
yes, monsieur, have that honor"
"Well, that settles it, You've got to