The Grip of Honor: A Story of Paul Jones and the American Revolution

Transcriber's Notes: 1. Page scan source: Google Books https://books.google.com/books?id=4D_NBMwcGQUC
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
Copyright, 1900 By Charles Scribner's Sons All rights reserved
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.
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.