Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1904-06-14
what more could they desire!

OF prompt distribution ana speedy
forwarding of the supplies, If they
could be secured by the blessing OF
Providence. and so little was his faith
in the inefficient cOmmissariat, which,
moreover had to endeavor to keep the
balance between different colonies and
different bodies of troops, more or less
loosely coherent, that he had detailed
one of his own staff officers to accom-
pany the ship. with explicit instruc-
tions as to the exact distribution and
the prompt forwarding which the
needs of the troops rendered neces-
sary when the captured ship should
reach port. which would probably be
Boston, though circumstances might
render It advisable to take the longer
Journey to Philadelphia. The officer
to whom this duty had been allotted
was Talbot, of whose capacity and en-
ergy General Washington already
thought highly, the three weeks OF
their military association oily confirm
ing his previous opinion. 1t was un-
derstOod that Seymour, who was Jones
first lieutenant and would shortly be
promoted to captaincy, would bring
back the transport II they were lucky
enough to capture 1t. In case they
were unsuccessful Talbot was to re-
port himself to the commissioners at
Paris as military secretary until fur
ther orders. and Seymour was to com
mand the Ranger when Jones should
get better ship in France.
The Ranger was small sloop OF
war, Il corvet Of perhaps 800 tons,
with raised poop and topgallant
forecastle, built at Portsmouth, n. H.;
new ship and one of the first Of
those built especially for naval pur-
poses. She was originally intended
for twenty-six guns, but the humber,
through the wisdom Of her captain.
who had fathOmed the qualifications
Of the ship, had been reduced to eight
cen, four long twelves and the rest six
Founders and smaller, with one long
eighteen forward. She had been some
days in commission, and the effect or
Jones' iron discipline was already ap'
parent in the absence Of confusion
and in the cleanness and order OF the
ship. Tie vessel had been very popu-
lar with the good people of Phlladel-
plia, her commander and officers like
wise, many Of the latter, like Sey-
mour, being natives Of the town, and
constant stream Of visitors had in
spected her ut all permitted hours.
The presence of these visitors. or
course, including many ladies', coupled
with an inherent vanity and love or
finery and neatness OH the part OF the
captain-and. to do him justice, his ap-
probation of the necessity for order
and neatness-had caused him to
maintain his ship In the handsomest
possible trim, and he had not scrupled
to employ his private fortune to beau
tify the vessel in many small ways
the details of which would have es'
caped any eye but that Of n seaman
though the general results were ap-
parent.
That general appearance which
should always distinguish a trim and
well ordered vessel Of war from the
clumsy and dlsorderly trader was due
entirely to his efforts. The crew,
rs we have seen. had chafed under the
unusual restraints of this stern disci-
pline. but they were unable, as, In
deed in the last resort they would
have been unwilling, to oppose IL.
Some of the older men, too. and some
of those who had sailed with Jones
in his already famous cruises, held out
the hope Of large prize money, and,
what was better with many OF them.
the chance of blow at the enemy. II
any of her cruisers Of anything Ike
equal force appeared-a chance sure TO
come about In the frequented waters
OF the English channel.
The crew of an American manor
war at that period, Mt least the native
portion Of it, always in overwhelming
majority, was Of much higher class
than the general run Of seafaring men.
Among those in the Ranger were sew
eral who had been mates OF merchant
men-Bentley again among the num-
ber-men of some education and able
to serve their country as officers with
credit, had the navy been increased us
it should have been, and whose subor-
dinate positions only indicated their
intense patriotism. The low and de-
graded element which sometimes Is
such a source Of mischief aad disaster
In ships crews was conspicuous by its
absence. The reputation Of Captain
Jones as a disciplinarian was very well
known among sailors generally, and
only his reputation us a fighter and a
successful prize taker would have ell
ubled him to assemble the remarkable
crew to which he had spoken and
which was to back him up so gallantly
in many desperate undertakings and
wonderful sea fights of this and his
succeeding phenomenal cruise.
Seymour had rapidly recovered from
his wounds under Madam TalbOts
careful nursing and ministrations, and
when his orders reached him he had
been ready. accompanied by Philip
Wilton and Bentley, to join his ship
ut once.
He still carried the blood stained
handkerchief, and many and many Il
time had laid it. with its initials. IL
| w." embroidered by her own hand
upon his lips This was not his only
treasure, however. In a wallet in the
breast pocket of his coat he carried
and treasured letter, only the veriesl
scrap of paper, with these few lines
hastily written upon It:
These by friendly hand. We are tc
accompany Lord Dunmore to England
next week as prisoners In the ship Rad
nor Both well. but very unhappy. love
you. KATHARINE.
This note had been brought TO him
the day before his departure from
Fairview Hall, by one Of the slaves
from the Wilton place, who had In
turn received it from a stranger who