That was the decisive moment of the battle. While the British had been disabling all but three or four of the guns on the upper deck of the _Bonhomme Richard_, the men in the tops of the Yankee ship and the murderous fire of the nine-pounders, which Jones himself had worked, had gradually driven all the men off the upper deck of the _Serapis_. That Captain Pearson had escaped injury is a marvel, for he had with undaunted courage directed the battle from the quarter-deck. But as the smoke of the great explosion rose through his hatches, he found himself practically alone, while Jones, with a cocked pistol in hand, was rallying his men successfully to increase the fire of his upper-deck guns. As the British commander saw the fight, he was now without men, and the other Yankee frigate had but a short time before fired a broadside from which some balls entered the _Serapis_. Captain Pearson knew nothing of the treachery on the _Alliance_. He knew nothing (and this was to his discredit) of the real state of affairs on the lower decks of the _Bonhomme Richard_. Going to his flag that had been nailed to the mast, he tore it down with his own hands. A moment later John Paul Jones saw that the flag was down, and with such feelings of relief as can scarcely be imagined, gave the order “cease firing.” CHAPTER X AFTER THE _SERAPIS_ SURRENDERED RICHARD DALE TOO BRIGHT FOR THE BRITISH LIEUTENANT--A FAIR ESTIMATE OF CAPTAIN PEARSON OF THE _SERAPIS_--THE TREACHERY OF LANDAIS--REMARKABLE ESCAPE FROM TEXEL--HONORS FOR THE VICTOR--“THE FAME OF THE BRAVE OUTLIVES HIM; HIS PORTION IS IMMORTALITY.” As soon as the flag was dragged down on the _Serapis_, John Paul Jones ordered Lieut. Richard Dale on board of her to take charge, but before he could do so the mainmast of the _Serapis_ came crashing down, pulling the mizzentopmast with it. Then Dale jumped on the rail of his own ship, grasped the brace of the yard from which the lucky hand-grenade had been dropped, and swung himself down on the deck of the _Serapis_. A few of his crew followed him. “As he made his way aft he saw a solitary person leaning on the tafferil in a melancholy posture, his face resting upon his hands. It was Captain Pearson. He said to Dale, “‘The ship has struck.’ While hurrying him on [the _Bonhomme Richard_] an officer came from below and observed to Captain Pearson, that the ship alongside was going down. “‘We have got three guns clear, sir, and they’ll soon send her to the devil.’ “The captain replied, “‘It’s too late, sir. Call the men off. The ship has struck. “‘_I’ll go below, sir, and call them off immediately_,’ and he was about to descend when Dale, interfering, said, “‘_No, sir, if you please you’ll come on board with me._’”