The people in the neighborhood were frightened when they heard of the earl's silver being taken. They ran here and there, hiding their valuables. Some of them dragged a cannon to the shore, and spent a night firing at what they supposed in the darkness to be Paul Jones' vessel. In the morning they found they had wasted all their powder on a rock! The next day the alarm was carried to all the towns along the shore: "Beware of Paul Jones, the pirate!" VIII.--THE RANGER AND THE DRAKE. An English naval vessel called the _Drake_ was sent out to capture the _Ranger_. Every one felt sure that she would be successful, and five boatloads of men went out with her to see the fight. When the _Drake_ came alongside of the _Ranger_, she hailed and asked what ship it was. Paul Jones replied: "The American Continental ship _Ranger_! Come on! We are waiting for you!" After a battle of one hour, the _Drake_ surrendered. The captain and forty-two men had been killed, and the vessel was badly injured. Paul Jones lost only his lieutenant and one seaman. Six others were wounded, one of whom died. [Illustration: THE RANGER AND THE DRAKE.] This was a great victory for Paul Jones. The _Drake_ not only mounted two more guns than the _Ranger_, but was manned by a crew that was much better drilled. The vessel belonged to the well-established English navy, which was accustomed to victory on the seas. Towing the _Drake_, Paul Jones sailed northward in safety. Then, leaving the Irish Sea, he sailed around the north coast of Ireland and returned to the harbor at Brest, with the _Drake_ and two hundred prisoners. This was just a month from the day he had set out on his cruise. The French government had now concluded an alliance with the American republic. War had been openly declared between France and England, and all the French people rejoiced over the victory of the _Ranger_. Paul Jones was not sorry when Congress sent him an order to bring his vessel to America. It was needed to protect the coasts of New Jersey from the war ships of the British. The French king did not like brave Paul Jones to return to America. He wished him to remain where he could be of more direct service to France. He therefore caused letters to be sent to him, promising that if he would stay on that side of the Atlantic he should have command of the new frigate he had wished for so long. Pleased with the prospect of this, he gave up the command of the _Ranger_, and it sailed to America under a new captain. But promises are often more easily made than kept. The French navy was well supplied with ships and officers. These officers were jealous of the success of Paul Jones, and did all they could to prevent him from obtaining his commission. The summer and most of the winter of 1778 passed away, and Paul Jones was still waiting for his ship. He began to wish he had gone to America.