The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1903-12-04
cooyran. 1900. BY CHARLES scRIBwER:s SONS
rus OosvnSend Brady,

Just at this moment Pascoe, the first
lieutenant of the Serapis came bound
ing up the hatchway from the deck
below.
"A few more broadsides sir. and
they are oursr' he cried impetuously.
"They are in Il sinking
1.-THE ship has struck. sir. and you
are my prisoner" interrupted Dale
quickly. seeing the necessity of
promptitude.
Struck! This ship! Your prisoner
cried the astonished Englishman.
"Yes, sir. Your sword demanded
Dale. The man hesitated.
"Disarm himv' cried the American.
Two or three of the boarding parties
closed around them.
"Sir," asked the Lieutenant. turning
to his captain. lis it true that we have
struck"
Yes, sir" answered Pearson hoarse-
".
my Godw cried Pascoe. There was
a momentary silence.
Il have nothing more to say, sir"
he added 81 will so below and call
off the men," said the lieutenant, turn
Dig away.
mo, siri' interrupted Dale. You
will accompany your captain on board
our ship at once. Pass the word to
cease firing. The ship has struck"
AS the English captain and his first
lieutenant stepped over the rail upon
the high poop of the Richard the roar
of the guns died away. this time for
good. Sci ne a dangling rope, they
swung themselves inboard and found
themselves face to face with little
man in a tattered uniform, hatless,
covered with dust and smoke, powder
stained and grimy with the soil of the
battle. Blood SCATTERING from FOUND
in his forehead had coagulated upon
his cheek. He was hideous looking
spectacle. The red fire light played lu-
ridly upon him. Nothing but the pierre
ing black eyes which burned and
cleaned out of his face in the dark
ness bespoke the high humanity of
the man.
SIS it,
Captain John Paul Jones, at your
service, gentlemen"
"My sword" said Pearson, rendering
it to him formally. Il regret" he
added ungraciously, "at being COM
PEELED to strike to man who has
fought with halter around his neck"
Sir" said Jones, with a magma
nimity as great as his valor, you
have fought like hero, and l make no
doubt that your sovereign will reward
you in the most ample manner. Mr.,
Brooks, escort these gentlemen to my
cabin"
The two ships were now cut adrlft.
Dale remaining on the Scraps to take
command He had sat down moment
for rest, and as he attempted to rise
to his feet he fell to the deck, dis
covering only in that way that he had
been severely wounded.
By the most heroic efforts of the
prize crew OH the Scraps and the re-
naming men on the Richard the Eng
hsh prisoners were driven back into the
hold, the flames subdued and some sem
blance of order restored. Cottincau had
captured the Scarborough after IN hour
of good hard fighting. and the victory
was entirely with the Americans But.
it had been purchased at fearful cost
There is no battle on land or sea in the
worlds history where the percentage
of loss was greater than the battle
between the Scraps and the Richard.
About 20 per cent on the Scraps and
over so per cent on the Richard had
been killed or wounded, and the Bon
Homme Richard was in sinking con-
dition She had been literally beaten
to pieces. 1t was not safe to remain
upon her decks. Consequently the
prisoners and the wounded, grooming
and crying in anguish, were removed
to the Scraps. In the early morning
Of the day following, the brave ship
which had earned undying Immortality
in her wornout old age, because for
three brief hours John Paul Jones and
his men had battled upon her decks.
sank forever beneath the sea.
The refitting of the prizes for the
returning voyage was at once begun.
To anticipate events, it is recorded
that Captain Landais, the jealous and
false hearted Frenchman who had so
treacherously Unanswered the Alliance.
was subsequently court martialed and
dismissed from the service.