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THE GRIP OF HONOR
THE GRIP OF HONOR
A Story of Paul Jones and the American Revolution
BY
CYRUS TOWNSEND BRADY
AUTHOR OF "FOR LOVE OF COUNTRY," "FOR THE FREEDOM OF THE SEA," ETC.
The fear o' Hell's a hangman's whip To haud the wretch in order; But where ye feel your honor grip, Let that aye be your border; Its slightest touches, instant pause-- Debar a' side-pretences; And resolutely keep its laws, Uncaring consequences.
Burns
NEW YORK CHARLES SCRIBNER'S SONS 1908
Copyright, 1900 By Charles Scribner's Sons All rights reserved
TO
COLONEL JOHN LEWIS GOOD, U. S. V.,
AND THE OFFICERS AND MEN OF THE FIRST PENNSYLVANIA UNITED STATES VOLUNTEERS,
MY COMRADES IN THE SPANISH-AMERICAN WAR,
THIS BOOK IS AFFECTIONATELY DEDICATED.
Note
The interests of the story require some slight variations from exact history in the movements of the Serapis and the Bon Homme Richard before their famous battle, for which the author asks the indulgence of the reader. In all other respects it is believed the account of the battle is sufficiently accurate to present a true picture of the most famous single-ship action ever fought upon the seas.
Contents Book I THEY MEET AND PART I A Stern Chase On A Lee Shore II The Captor Captured III A Gentle Pirate IV Enter Major Coventry V Swords Are Crossed On The Sand VI The Master Player Takes A Hand Book II THEY MEET AGAIN VII After A Long Time VIII Lady Elizabeth Does Not Know The Marquis de Richemont IX The Picture On The Wall X Lady Elizabeth Will Keep Her Word XI O'Neill Will Keep His Honor XII Gentlemen All Book III ON THE VERGE OF ETERNITY XIII A Desperate Move XIV Almost The End XV A Soldier and a Gentleman Book IV THE SELFISHNESS OF LOVE XVI In the Line of his Duty XVII Differing Standards Book V IN THE HELL OF BATTLE, ALL XVIII The Boys in Command XIX 'Tween Decks with the Men XX The Indomitable Ego XXI The Audacity of Despair XXII Sinking, but Triumphant Book VI THE HAND OF GOD XXIII On Board the Serapis again XXIV Not Guilty, My Lord
BOOK I THEY MEET AND PART
THE GRIP OF HONOR
CHAPTER I
A Stern Chase on a Lee Shore
"The wind is freshening; we gain upon her easily, I think, sir."
"Decidedly. This is our best point of sailing, and our best wind, too. We can't be going less than ten knots," said the captain, looking critically over the bows at the water racing alongside.
"I can almost make out the name on her stern now with the naked eye," replied the other, staring hard ahead through the drift and spray.
"Have you a glass there, Mr. O'Neill?" asked the captain.
"Yes, sir, here it is," answered that gentleman, handing him a long, old-fashioned, cumbrous brass telescope, which he at once adjusted and focused on the ship they were chasing.
"Ah!" said the elder of the two speakers, a small, slender man, standing lightly poised on the topgallant forecastle with the careless confidence of a veteran seaman, as he examined the chase through the glass which the taller and younger officer handed him; "I can read it quite plainly with this. The M-a-i-d--Maidstone, a trader evidently, as I see no gun-ports nor anything that betokens an armament." He ran the tubes of the glass into each other and handed it back, remarking, "At this rate we shall have her in a short time."
"She is a fast one, though," replied the other; "it's no small task for anything afloat to show us her heels for so long a time; let me see--it was six bells in the morning watch when we raised her, was it not, sir?"