New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1905-07-15

pany. Mr.. Hopes story VIII be called "A
Servant of the Public" and Mr.. Hichens's vol
ume of short stories will take its title from THE
Black Spaniel"
Some interesting sidelights are thrown on John
Paul Zones and the encounter between the
Scraps and the Bonhomme Richard by a pam
phlet containing a sketch of the life of George
Roberts. who, though but an able seaman, rem
dered valiant service in the engagement The
sketch is prepared by Charles H Roberts,
grandson of the sailor, and is a reprint, with
corrections and additions Of an article published
in The Granite Monthly" in 1902 Roberts en-
listed under Jones in the Ranger, and partici-
pated in the capture of the Drake. When the
crew of the Ranger was discharged at Ports
mouth, n. H, he sailed for France and again
joined his fortunes with those Of his old COM
mander in the Bonhomme Richard. To the part
that Roberts took in the battle with the Scraps,
a letter from an old shipmate, published in THE
Natchez Miss) Ariel" on the occasion of his
death pays handsome tribute. After recounting
the incidents of the fight up to the time the
graphing irons had been thrown from Joness
sinking ship to the Scraps, and Lieutenant
Grubb had been shot dead by Jones's own pistol
for hauling down the colors without orders the
writer states:
While in this awful and desperate situation. my
friend Roberts, seeing how near spent we were
jumped onto the main yard of vessel which pro-
jected directly the decks of the Serapis with
q bundle of hand grenades These he Contrived to
throw down upon the Seraps's deck. and succeeded
in blowing up two three of their powder chests
the explosion of which killed and wounded a great
many men. The captain of the Scraps. perceivjng
his activity, ordered some shots fired Roberts.
One Of them struck the rope by which he supported
himself, and caused him to fall the gunWale of
OF him and pulled him aboard He Immediately got
on the same yardarm again. with a fresh supply of
hand grenades, and made such dreadful havoc on
the enemyS deck that in few minutes they sur
rendered For this great bravery Paul Jones pub
licly thanked him the quarterback of the
Scraps the next afternoon, giving him double al
lowance of grog for the week afterward.
But Roberts to take even more pict-
uresque part I'm the capture:
Captain Pearson. the English commander fought
nObly, and defended his ship to the last. He had
nailed his flag to the mast. and was afraid to haul
would go up to tear II away. because they dreaded
our sharpshooters in our round tops. SO, when he
concluded TO give up, he mounted the gunwale lust
where ] was standing, and called out in a loud
voice, We surrender surrender Captain
Jones not hearing this, left my gun and ran and
cease and the flag hauled down but no Englishman
would do IL. musket shots were still exchanged
between the two vessels. On hearing this George
Roberts jumped aboard the enemy's ship. mounted
the tattered shrouds and hacked down the British
ensign from its proud height. As IL fell what I
consider very remarkable. a capful Of wind took
1t and laid ii directly at Jones's feet same
time spreading il nearly all the dead BODY of
Lieutenant Grubb. Who IL the heat of the fight was
lying dead upon the deck.