PAUL JONES OFF FLAMBRO' 323 



to protect themselves. He had fallen upon and seized 

 a little collier, whose master he held captive, so that he 

 might use his local knowledge in destroying the coal- 

 carrying trade and in that way paralysing London. This 

 big enterprise also he had to abandon, and he gave the 

 master back his vessel, " on account of his attachment to 

 America, and the faithful information and important 

 services he rendered me by his general knowledge of 

 the east coast of Britain," said Jones. " I had given 

 orders to sink the old vessel, when the tears of this 

 honest man prevailed over my intention." The ex- 

 planation is as picturesque as was Paul Jones's costume 

 when he reached France a victor. He was then attired 

 in continental dress, crowned by a jaunty gold-braided 

 Scotch bonnet perhaps a graceful tribute to the land of 

 his birth. 



Most of Jones's schemes had failed, though not for 

 want of pluck on his part. He had carefully prepared 

 his plans, and they had been checkmated. Then chance 

 came his way, and, taking it, he won the greatest glory of 

 his life the victory off the Yorkshire coast. However 

 different opinions may be as to the morality of his per- 

 formances, there is no doubt that he was a courageous and 

 resourceful fighter. He succeeded against odds that were 

 more than equal, and with crews who were not awed 

 into discipline by King's officers. 



Nowhere could be found a better place for witnessing 

 a battle than the primitive and rugged part of the York- 

 shire coast off which Jones and his opponent met. That 

 stretch of bold shore to-day differs little in appearance 

 from the aspect it presented more than a century and a 

 quarter ago. The people themselves are almost un- 



