"We've had fair winds, but glad to get in here," answered Mr. Stacy, pretending to have misunderstood the question. There was an impatient remark from the British officer at this. He said something to his men. The boat of the enemy then drew up considerably nearer. By this time the craft was directly under the _Ranger's_ quarter. "I ask you for the third and last time, what ship is that?" hailed the British officer. "And I answer again and for the last time, she is the _Lord Dunmore_, bound from Plymouth to London," called Mr. Stacy in an apparently exasperated voice. Then, again prompted by his captain, he went on: "Have you heard anything of that American cruiser which has been prowling about capturing merchant ships and frightening our coast people half out of their wits?" "Yes," was the reply of the officer, now completely off his guard. "We would give a thousand pounds to meet her." "If you will come aboard, our captain says he will give you further particulars about this impudent American," continued Mr. Stacy. "We think this news will aid you in finding him." Unsuspiciously the British boat now came up, and a ladder was lowered over the port side. Just then one of the _Ranger's_ own boats was dropped from the davits; it was quickly filled with men, and as the British officer clambered on deck and faced Paul Jones the American sailors made prisoners of his crew. "What is the meaning of this?" cried the British officer. "Who are you, sir?" "Captain Paul Jones," came the quick answer. "This is the American sloop-of-war _Ranger_, about which we promised you information. If you require further details, it is only proper for me to state that you are a prisoner of war on that ship at this moment!" The officer uttered an exclamation of anger. But his chagrin was not greater than that of the other men aboard the boat when they were brought aboard and all sent below. This whole proceeding had been witnessed from the _Drake_ in a more or less hazy manner, but yet in a way to give the British aboard that vessel a fair idea of the catastrophe which had attended the efforts of their compatriots to learn the identity of the stranger. She immediately sent out alarm signals, and in a few minutes smoking bonfires along the entire headlands were relaying the startling intelligence to inland points. In a little while the _Drake_, accompanied by five small vessels filled with townspeople curious to witness what they thought would be a battle, began to work out. She came very slowly, owing to an unfavorable tide. It was plain to be seen that her "dander was up;" that she meant to look into the plight of her boat's crew without further delay.