After being out several days he found himself far south, in the latitude of Barbadoes. In a distance a ship hove in sight. There could be but little doubt that it was an English ship. After carefully examining it with his glass he saw that it was a fast-sailing, well-armed English frigate. The Ariel was not in a condition to give battle to such an opponent. He hoped, in the darkness of the night, to escape. He therefore changed his course and spread every sail. In the morning he found, much to his disappointment, that the frigate was still nearer to him than the evening before. An action was now unavoidable. The frigate would surely board him, and, by examining his papers, find out who he was and where he was bound. Immediately the most vigorous measures were adopted to prepare for action. It is probable that Commodore Jones had resolved never, under whatever circumstances, to surrender to the British flag. Everything was thrown overboard which could interfere with the efficiency of the defence. The sails and helm were so managed, and other precautions adopted, as to conceal, as far as possible, the force of the Ariel. He assumed the character of a merchant-ship lightly armed. The chase soon became very eager. As soon as the frigate came within gun-shot of the Ariel, Jones opened fire from his quarter-deck, with his stern chasers. The wind became very light, so that hour after hour, on these mild tropical seas, the pursued and the pursuer glided along, without the distance between them being sensibly diminished. As night approached the frigate came within hailing distance of the Ariel. Jones, as he examined her armament, was well pleased to find that he had a force to contend with not much superior to his own. He immediately raised the English flag, and quite a conversation took place between the commanders of the two ships. Jones learned that the frigate was called the Triumph, under command of Captain John Pindar. Assuming that the Ariel was an English ship conveying stores to the British army in America, he obtained very important information, in reference to the position of the English squadron on the coast. At length Jones pretended not to believe Captain Pindar, that his ship belonged to the British navy. He therefore ordered the captain to come on board the Ariel and show his commission. Pindar probably at this time had his suspicions excited. He declined upon the excuse that his boats leaked, and that he had not yet learned the name of the frigate before him, or of her commander. Jones replied: “I have no account to render to you. You can have five minutes to decide whether you will come on board of me or not.”