“Right,” said the middy. “And he returned when one of his frigates ran into the flagship and stove a hole in her. We are laid up for repairs.”
“Hurrah!” shouted Ethan, exultantly. Then turning to Dale he said: “You’ll ship with him after all, you see.”
The trim young midshipman was all attention in a moment; good seamen were very scarce, and he liked Dale’s looks.
“The captain will be here in a few moments,” he said, “and you can sign if you like. We need able seamen and warrant officers of a likely sort.”
As he spoke the door opened and the slight, smartly uniformed figure of John Paul Jones entered the shipping office. His eyes lighted up at sight of Ethan, and in a moment they had clasped hands.
When Ethan had sketched his experiences briefly, the captain said:
“I am delighted that you have come through it all safely. After Longsword returned and told me how you were carried over the stern of the lugger by the falling mast, I gave you up for lost. And this is Mr. Dale, is it?”
“Yes,” said Ethan; “and he wants to sail with you.”
The American commander’s eyes gleamed with satisfaction as they took in all the fine qualities of the young sailor.
“You are a seaman, then?” he said to Dale.
“Yes, sir. My last berth was master’s mate aboard the Lexington.” Dale stood stiffly erect and saluted as he spoke.
“I’ll ship you at the same rating,” said Jones. “I wish I could get more Americans to man my vessel.”
“That should be very easy now, captain, dear,” said Longsword, eagerly. “That is if what I’ve just heard is true.”
“A lot of more than a hundred exchanged prisoners have just arrived at Nantes.”
“Mr. Lunt,” and the captain turned to an officer who had accompanied him, “we want those men for the Richard, and must have them.”
“We will have them, sir, if it is possible,” said Lunt, promptly. “I’ll send messengers to Nantes at once.”
During the conversation that followed Lunt’s departure, Ethan had an opportunity to examine Paul Jones carefully. Deep lines of care were in his face--lines that had not been there before, and a sprinkling of silver also showed in his hair. And little wonder. Since returning from his voyage upon the Ranger, he had encountered nothing but heart-breaking delays, rebuffs and disappointments.