If those Englishmen who wonder why it is that American schoolboys, when playing games of “war,” invariably speak of the “enemy” as “the British”--if those wondering English wish to learn why this is so, let them read with candid minds the true story of the American struggle for life and liberty. CHAPTER IX JOHN PAUL JONES AND THE _BONHOMME RICHARD_ A CONDEMNED INDIAMAN, ILL-SHAPED AND ROTTEN, FITTED AS A MAN-O’-WAR--A DISHEARTENING CRUISE WITH INCAPABLE AND MUTINOUS ASSOCIATES--ATTEMPT TO TAKE LEITH, AND THE SCOTCH PARSON’S PRAYER--MEETING THE _SERAPIS_--WHEN JOHN PAUL JONES HAD “NOT YET BEGUN TO FIGHT”; WHEN HE HAD “GOT HER NOW”; WHEN HE WOULD NOT “SURRENDER TO A DROP OF WATER”--READY WIT OF RICHARD DALE--WORK OF A BRIGHT MARINE--A BATTLE WON BY SHEER PLUCK AND PERSISTENCE. The one sea-fight of the American struggle for liberty that is of unfailing interest was that in which John Paul Jones, in the _Bonhomme Richard_, whipped the British frigate _Serapis_. And the student need not go far to seek the reason for this interest, because it is found in the fact that it was the man that won, and neither the ship nor the crew. It was won in spite of such obstacles as no other man has ever been obliged to face at sea. It was a victory typical of the ultimate success of the American cause, for it was a victory that was literally dragged out of the breakers of destruction. John Paul Jones reached Brest, France, after his brilliant cruise in the _Ranger_, on May 8, 1778. It was not until February 4, 1779, that he was again ordered in command of a ship. The delay was due, of course, to the utter lack of funds to the account of the American commissioners in France. France, however, was at war with England, and to the French court Jones applied, time and again, but without success until after he happened to read one of Franklin’s old “Almanacks” containing “Poor Richard’s Maxims.” Therein he read that wise saying: “If you wish to have any business done faithfully and expeditiously, go and do it yourself.” This is worth telling, first, because Jones acted on this advice, and on going to Paris was so well received that he got a ship. It is also worth telling because the maxim made such a deep impression on Jones that, having been placed in command of a ship, he changed her name to “Poor Richard,” which, when translated into French, is _Bonhomme Richard_. That the _Bonhomme Richard_ will float in history so long as a record of sails exists scarce need be said.