His Birth and Childhood.-Residence and Employments in Scotland.-His Studious Habits.-First Voyage to America.-Engaged in the Slave Trade.-Reasons for Abandoning it.-False Charges against him.-His Sensitiveness to Obloquy.-Espouses the Cause of the Colonies.-Developments of Character.-Extracts from his Letters. 9 CHAPTER II. The Infant Navy. Rescuing the Brigantine.-Commissioned as Captain.-Escape from the Solway.-Conflict with the Milford.-Adventures at Canso and Madame.-Return with Prizes.-Expedition to Cape Breton.-Wise Counsel of Jones.-Brilliant Naval Campaign.-Saving the Prizes.-Value of the Mellish.-Mission to France.-Disappointment.-Sails with the Ranger. 32 CHAPTER III. Bearding the British Lion. Aid from France.-Plan for the Destruction of the British Fleet.-The American Flag Saluted.-Bold Movement of Captain Jones.-Cruise along the Shores of England.-Capture of Prizes.-Salutary Lessons given to England.-Operations in the Frith of Clyde.-At Carrickfergus.-Attempt upon the Drake.-Burning the Shipping at Whitehaven.-Capture of the Plate of Lord Selkirk. 56 viiiCHAPTER IV. Captain Jones at Nantes and at Brest. Correspondence with Lord Selkirk.-Terrible Battle with the ship Drake.-Capture of the ship.-Carnage on board the Drake.-Generosity to Captured Fishermen.-Insubordination of Lieutenant Simpson.-Embarrassments of Captain Jones.-Hopes and Disappointments.-Proofs of Unselfish Patriotism.-Letter to the King of France.-Anecdote of Poor Richard. 78 CHAPTER V. Cruise of the Bon Homme Richard. Plans of Lafayette.-Correspondence.-Humane Instructions of Franklin.-Proposed Invasion of England.-Sailing of the Squadron.-Conduct of Pierre Landais.-The Collision.-Adventures of the Cruise.-Insane Actions of Landais.-Plan for Capture.-Plan for the Capture of Leith and Edinburgh. 100 CHAPTER VI. The Bon Homme Richard and the Serapis. Leith Threatened.-The Summons.-Remarkable Prayer.-Wide-spread Alarm.-Continuation of the Cruise.-Insubordination of Landais.-Successive Captures.-Terrible Battle between the Bon Homme Richard and the Serapis.-The Great Victory. 123 CHAPTER VII. Result of the Victory. ixDreadful Spectacle.-Sinking of the Bon Homme Richard.-Escape of the Baltic Fleet.-Sails for the Texel.-Interesting Correspondence.-Sufferings of the American Prisoners.-Barbarity of the English Government.-Humanity of Captain Jones.-The Transference from the Serapis to the Alliance.-Extracts from the British Press.-Release of Prisoners. 148 CHAPTER VIII. Commodore Jones at Court. Offer of a Privateersman.-Indignant Reply.-The Renown of Commodore Jones.-Successful Retreat.-Cruise through the Channel.-Poetic Effusion.-Enters Corunna.-Letter to Lafayette.-Embarrassed Finances of Franklin.-Intrigues of Landais.-His Efforts to Excite Mutiny.-Testimony against him.-Commodore Jones at Court. 172 CHAPTER IX. The Mutiny of Landais.