Three months after anchoring at Brest, through Dr. Franklin's negotiations1 with the French king, backed by the bestirring ardor2 of Paul, a squadron of nine vessels3, of various force, were ready in the road of Groix for another descent on the British coasts. These craft were miscellaneously picked up, their crews a mongrel pack, the officers mostly French, unacquainted with each other, and secretly jealous of Paul. The expedition was full of the elements of insubordination and failure. Much bitterness and agony resulted to a spirit like Paul's. But he bore up, and though in many particulars the sequel more than warranted his misgivings4, his soul still refused to surrender.
The career of this stubborn adventurer signally illustrates5 the idea that since all human affairs are subject to organic disorder6, since they are created in and sustained by a sort of half-disciplined chaos7, hence he who in great things seeks success must never wait for smooth water, which never was and never will be, but, with what straggling method he can, dash with all his derangements at his object, leaving the rest to Fortune.
Though nominally8 commander of the squadron, Paul was not so in effect. Most of his captains conceitedly9 claimed independent commands. One of them in the end proved a traitor10 outright11; few of the rest were reliable.
As for the ships, that commanded by Paul in person will be a good example of the fleet. She was an old Indiaman, clumsy and crank, smelling strongly of the savor12 of tea, cloves13, and arrack, the cargoes14 of former voyages. Even at that day she was, from her venerable grotesqueness15, what a cocked hat is, at the present age, among ordinary beavers16. Her elephantine bulk was houdahed with a castellated poop like the leaning tower of Pisa. Poor Israel, standing17 on the top of this poop, spy-glass at his eye, looked more an astronomer18 than a mariner19, having to do, not with the mountains of the billows, but the mountains in the moon. Galileo on Fiesole. She was originally a single-decked ship, that is, carried her armament on one gun-deck; but cutting ports below, in her after part, Paul rammed20 out there six old eighteen-pounders, whose rusty21 muzzles22 peered just above the water-line, like a parcel of dirty mulattoes from a cellar-way. Her name was the Duras, but, ere sailing, it was changed to that other appellation23, whereby this sad old hulk became afterwards immortal24. Though it is not unknown, that a compliment to Doctor Franklin was involved in this change of titles, yet the secret history of the affair will now for the first time be disclosed.
It was evening in the road of Groix. After a fagging day's work, trying to conciliate the hostile jealousy25 of his officers, and provide, in the face of endless obstacles (for he had to dance attendance on scores of intriguing26 factors and brokers27 ashore), the requisite28 stores for the fleet, Paul sat in his cabin in a half-despondent reverie, while Israel, cross-legged at his commander's feet, was patching up some old signals.
"Captain Paul, I don't like our ship's name.—Duras? What's that mean?—Duras? Being cribbed up in a ship named Duras! a sort of makes one feel as if he were in durance vile30."
"Gad31, I never thought of that before, my lion. Duras—Durance vile. I suppose it's superstition32, but I'll change Come, Yellow-mane, what shall we call her?"
"Well, Captain Paul, don't you like Doctor Franklin? Hasn't he been the prime man to get this fleet together? Let's call her the Doctor Franklin."
"Oh, no, that will too publicly declare him just at present; and Poor Richard wants to be a little shady in this business."
"Poor Richard!—call her Poor Richard, then," cried Israel, suddenly struck by the idea.
"'Gad, you have it," answered Paul, springing to his feet, as all trace of his former despondency left him;—"Poor Richard shall be the name, in honor to the saying, that 'God helps them that help themselves,' as Poor Richard says."
Now this was the way the craft came to be called the Bon Homme Richard; for it being deemed advisable to have a French rendering33 of the new title, it assumed the above form.
A few days after, the force sailed. Ere long, they captured several vessels; but the captains of the squadron proving refractory34, events took so deplorable a turn, that Paul, for the present, was obliged to return to Groix. Luckily, however, at this junction35 a cartel arrived from England with upwards36 of a hundred exchanged American seamen37, who almost to a man enlisted38 under the flag of Paul.
Upon the resailing of the force, the old troubles broke out afresh. Most of her consorts39 insubordinately separated from the Bon Homme Richard. At length Paul found himself in violent storms beating off the rugged40 southeastern coast of Scotland, with only two accompanying ships. But neither the mutiny of his fleet, nor the chaos of the elements, made him falter41 in his purpose. Nay42, at this crisis, he projected the most daring of all his descents.
The Cheviot Hills were in sight. Sundry43 vessels had been described bound in for the Firth of Forth44, on whose south shore, well up the Firth, stands Leith, the port of Edinburgh, distant but a mile or two from that capital. He resolved to dash at Leith, and lay it under contribution or in ashes. He called the captains of his two remaining consorts on board his own ship to arrange details. Those worthies45 had much of fastidious remark to make against the plan. After losing much time in trying to bring to a conclusion their sage46 deliberations, Paul, by addressing their cupidity47, achieved that which all appeals to their gallantry could not accomplish. He proclaimed the grand prize of the Leith lottery48 at no less a figure than ￡200,000, that being named as the ransom49. Enough: the three ships enter the Firth, boldly and freely, as if carrying Quakers to a Peace-Congress.
Along both startled shores the panic of their approach spread like the cholera50. The three suspicious crafts had so long lain off and on, that none doubted they were led by the audacious viking, Paul Jones. At five o'clock, on the following morning, they were distinctly seen from the capital of Scotland, quietly sailing up the bay. Batteries were hastily thrown up at Leith, arms were obtained from the castle at Edinburgh, alarm fires were kindled51 in all directions. Yet with such tranquillity52 of effrontery53 did Paul conduct his ships, concealing54 as much as possible their warlike character, that more than once his vessels were mistaken for merchantmen, and hailed by passing ships as such.
In the afternoon, Israel, at his station on the tower of Pisa, reported a boat with five men coming off to the Richard from the coast of Fife.
"They have hot oat-cakes for us," said Paul; "let 'em come. To encourage them, show them the English ensign, Israel, my lad."
Soon the boat was alongside.
"Well, my good fellows, what can I do for you this afternoon?" said Paul, leaning over the side with a patronizing air.
"Why, captain, we come from the Laird of Crokarky, who wants some powder and ball for his money."
"What would you with powder and ball, pray?"
"Oh! haven't you heard that that bloody55 pirate, Paul Jones, is somewhere hanging round the coasts?"
"Aye, indeed, but he won't hurt you. He's only going round among the nations, with his old hat, taking up contributions. So, away with ye; ye don't want any powder and ball to give him. He wants contributions of silver, not lead. Prepare yourselves with silver, I say."
"Nay, captain, the Laird ordered us not to return without powder and ball. See, here is the price. It may be the taking of the bloody pirate, if you let us have what we want."
"Well, pass 'em over a keg," said Paul, laughing, but modifying his order by a sly whisper to Israel: "Oh, put up your price, it's a gift to ye."
"But ball, captain; what's the use of powder without ball?" roared one of the fellows from the boat's bow, as the keg was lowered in. "We want ball."
"Bless my soul, you bawl56 loud enough as it is. Away with ye, with what you have. Look to your keg, and hark ye, if ye catch that villain57, Paul Jones, give him no quarter."
"But, captain, here," shouted one of the boatmen, "there's a mistake. This is a keg of pickles58, not powder. Look," and poking59 into the bung-hole, he dragged out a green cucumber dripping with brine. "Take this back, and give us the powder."
"Pooh," said Paul, "the powder is at the bottom, pickled powder, best way to keep it. Away with ye, now, and after that bloody embezzler60, Paul Jones."
This was Sunday. The ships held on. During the afternoon, a long tack61 of the Richard brought her close towards the shores of Fife, near the thriving little port of Kirkaldy.
"There's a great crowd on the beach. Captain Paul," said Israel, looking through his glass. "There seems to be an old woman standing on a fish-barrel there, a sort of selling things at auction62 to the people, but I can't be certain yet."
"Let me see," said Paul, taking the glass as they came nigher. "Sure enough, it's an old lady—an old quack-doctress, seems to me, in a black gown, too. I must hail her."
Ordering the ship to be kept on towards the port, he shortened sail within easy distance, so as to glide63 slowly by, and seizing the trumpet64, thus spoke65:
"Old lady, ahoy! What are you talking about? What's your text?"
"The righteous shall rejoice when he seeth the vengeance66. He shall wash his feet in the blood of the wicked."
"Ah, what a lack of charity. Now hear mine:—God helpeth them that help themselves, as Poor Richard says."
"The strong wind of your hate fills my sails well. Adieu," waving his bonnet—"tell us the rest at Leith."
Next morning the ships were almost within cannon-shot of the town. The men to be landed were in the boats. Israel had the tiller of the foremost one, waiting for his commander to enter, when just as Paul's foot was on the gangway, a sudden squall struck all three ships, dashing the boats against them, and causing indescribable confusion. The squall ended in a violent gale. Getting his men on board with all dispatch, Paul essayed his best to withstand the fury of the wind, but it blew adversely70, and with redoubled power. A ship at a distance went down beneath it. The disappointed invader71 was obliged to turn before the gale, and renounce72 his project.
To this hour, on the shores of the Firth of Forth, it is the popular persuasion73, that the Rev29. Mr. Shirrer's (of Kirkaldy) powerful intercession was the direct cause of the elemental repulse74 experienced off the endangered harbor of Leith.
Through the ill qualities of Paul's associate captains: their timidity, incapable75 of keeping pace with his daring; their jealousy, blind to his superiority to rivalship; together with the general reduction of his force, now reduced by desertion, from nine to three ships; and last of all, the enmity of seas and winds; the invader, driven, not by a fleet, but a gale, out of the Scottish water's, had the mortification76 in prospect77 of terminating a cruise, so formidable in appearance at the onset78, without one added deed to sustain the reputation gained by former exploits. Nevertheless, he was not disheartened. He sought to conciliate fortune, not by despondency, but by resolution. And, as if won by his confident bearing, that fickle79 power suddenly went over to him from the ranks of the enemy—suddenly as plumed80 Marshal Ney to the stubborn standard of Napoleon from Elba, marching regenerated81 on Paris. In a word, luck—that's the word—shortly threw in Paul's way the great action of his life: the most extraordinary of all naval82 engagements; the unparalleled death-lock with the Serapis.
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1
negotiations
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| 协商( negotiation的名词复数 )； 谈判； 完成（难事）； 通过 | |
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ardor
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| n.热情，狂热 | |
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3
vessels
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| n.血管( vessel的名词复数 )；船；容器；（具有特殊品质或接受特殊品质的）人 | |
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misgivings
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| n.疑虑，担忧，害怕；疑虑，担心，恐惧( misgiving的名词复数 )；疑惧 | |
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illustrates
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| 给…加插图( illustrate的第三人称单数 )； 说明； 表明； （用示例、图画等）说明 | |
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disorder
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| n.紊乱，混乱；骚动，骚乱；疾病，失调 | |
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7
chaos
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| n.混乱，无秩序 | |
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nominally
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| 在名义上，表面地； 应名儿 | |
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conceitedly
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| 自满地 | |
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traitor
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| n.叛徒，卖国贼 | |
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outright
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| adv.坦率地；彻底地；立即；adj.无疑的；彻底的 | |
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savor
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| vt.品尝，欣赏；n.味道，风味；情趣，趣味 | |
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13
cloves
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| n.丁香（热带树木的干花，形似小钉子，用作调味品，尤用作甜食的香料）( clove的名词复数 )；蒜瓣(a garlic ~|a ~of garlic) | |
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14
cargoes
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| n.（船或飞机装载的）货物( cargo的名词复数 )；大量，重负 | |
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grotesqueness
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beavers
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| 海狸( beaver的名词复数 )； 海狸皮毛； 棕灰色； 拼命工作的人 | |
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standing
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| n.持续，地位；adj.永久的，不动的，直立的，不流动的 | |
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18
astronomer
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| n.天文学家 | |
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mariner
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| n.水手号不载人航天探测器，海员，航海者 | |
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20
rammed
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| v.夯实（土等）( ram的过去式和过去分词 )；猛撞；猛压；反复灌输 | |
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21
rusty
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| adj.生锈的；锈色的；荒废了的 | |
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22
muzzles
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| 枪口( muzzle的名词复数 )； （防止动物咬人的）口套； （四足动物的）鼻口部； （狗）等凸出的鼻子和口 | |
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23
appellation
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| n.名称，称呼 | |
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immortal
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| adj.不朽的；永生的，不死的；神的 | |
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25
jealousy
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| n.妒忌，嫉妒，猜忌 | |
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26
intriguing
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| adj.有趣的；迷人的v.搞阴谋诡计(intrigue的现在分词)；激起…的好奇心 | |
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27
brokers
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| n.（股票、外币等）经纪人( broker的名词复数 )；中间人；代理商；（订合同的）中人v.做掮客（或中人等）( broker的第三人称单数 )；作为权力经纪人进行谈判；以中间人等身份安排… | |
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28
requisite
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| adj.需要的，必不可少的；n.必需品 | |
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rev
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| v.发动机旋转，加快速度 | |
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vile
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| adj.卑鄙的，可耻的，邪恶的；坏透的 | |
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gad
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| n.闲逛；v.闲逛 | |
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32
superstition
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| n.迷信，迷信行为 | |
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33
rendering
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| n.表现，描写 | |
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34
refractory
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| adj.倔强的，难驾驭的 | |
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35
junction
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| n.连接，接合；交叉点，接合处，枢纽站 | |
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36
upwards
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| adv.向上，在更高处...以上 | |
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37
seamen
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| n.海员 | |
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38
enlisted
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| adj.应募入伍的v.（使）入伍， （使）参军( enlist的过去式和过去分词 )；获得（帮助或支持） | |
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39
consorts
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| n.配偶( consort的名词复数 )；（演奏古典音乐的）一组乐师；一组古典乐器；一起v.结伴( consort的第三人称单数 )；交往；相称；调和 | |
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40
rugged
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| adj.高低不平的，粗糙的，粗壮的，强健的 | |
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41
falter
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| vi.(嗓音)颤抖，结巴地说；犹豫；蹒跚 | |
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42
nay
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| adv.不；n.反对票，投反对票者 | |
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43
sundry
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| adj.各式各样的，种种的 | |
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44
forth
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| adv.向前；向外，往外 | |
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45
worthies
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| 应得某事物( worthy的名词复数 )； 值得做某事； 可尊敬的； 有（某人或事物）的典型特征 | |
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46
sage
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| n.圣人，哲人；adj.贤明的，明智的 | |
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47
cupidity
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| n.贪心，贪财 | |
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48
lottery
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| n.抽彩；碰运气的事，难于算计的事 | |
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49
ransom
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| n.赎金，赎身；v.赎回，解救 | |
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50
cholera
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| n.霍乱 | |
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51
kindled
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| （使某物）燃烧，着火( kindle的过去式和过去分词 )； 激起（感情等）； 发亮，放光 | |
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52
tranquillity
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| n. 平静, 安静 | |
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53
effrontery
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| n.厚颜无耻 | |
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54
concealing
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| v.隐藏，隐瞒，遮住( conceal的现在分词 ) | |
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55
bloody
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| adj.非常的的；流血的；残忍的；adv.很；vt.血染 | |
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56
bawl
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| v.大喊大叫，大声地喊，咆哮 | |
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57
villain
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| n.反派演员，反面人物；恶棍；问题的起因 | |
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58
pickles
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| n.腌菜( pickle的名词复数 )；处于困境；遇到麻烦；菜酱 | |
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59
poking
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| n. 刺，戳，袋 vt. 拨开，刺，戳 vi. 戳，刺，捅，搜索，伸出，行动散慢 | |
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60
embezzler
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| n.盗用公款者，侵占公款犯 | |
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61
tack
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| n.大头钉；假缝，粗缝 | |
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62
auction
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| n.拍卖；拍卖会；vt.拍卖 | |
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63
glide
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| n./v.溜，滑行；(时间)消逝 | |
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64
trumpet
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| n.喇叭，喇叭声；v.吹喇叭，吹嘘 | |
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65
spoke
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| n.（车轮的）辐条；轮辐；破坏某人的计划；阻挠某人的行动 v.讲，谈（speak的过去式）；说；演说；从某种观点来说 | |
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66
vengeance
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| n.报复，报仇，复仇 | |
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67
reprobate
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| n.无赖汉；堕落的人 | |
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68
gale
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| n.大风，强风，一阵闹声（尤指笑声等） | |
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69
wrecks
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| n.沉船( wreck的名词复数 )；（事故中）遭严重毁坏的汽车（或飞机等）；（身体或精神上）受到严重损伤的人；状况非常糟糕的车辆（或建筑物等）v.毁坏[毁灭]某物( wreck的第三人称单数 )；使（船舶）失事，使遇难，使下沉 | |
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70
adversely
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| ad.有害地 | |
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71
invader
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| n.侵略者，侵犯者，入侵者 | |
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72
renounce
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| v.放弃；拒绝承认，宣布与…断绝关系 | |
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73
persuasion
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| n.劝说；说服；持有某种信仰的宗派 | |
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74
repulse
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| n.击退，拒绝；vt.逐退，击退，拒绝 | |
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75
incapable
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| adj.无能力的，不能做某事的 | |
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76
mortification
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| n.耻辱，屈辱 | |
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prospect
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| n.前景，前途；景色，视野 | |
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78
onset
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| n.进攻，袭击，开始，突然开始 | |
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79
fickle
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| adj.(爱情或友谊上)易变的，不坚定的 | |
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80
plumed
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| 饰有羽毛的 | |
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81
regenerated
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| v.新生，再生( regenerate的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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naval
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| adj.海军的，军舰的，船的 | |
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