And all the bystanders joined in right willingly.
Not long after this event, our hero’s ship was lying in the harbor of Bergen in Sweden. The captain of an English vessel met him on shore, and, after having a chat with him, remarked:
“I hear that you have quite a reputation for fighting your ship. I, too, am a sea warrior and would like to have a little affair with you. My own vessel is of about the same tonnage as yours, so that we could meet upon even terms. Will you join me?”
“I would be delighted,” answered the war-like Jean Bart. “If you wait two days I will be ready for you and will fight you three miles off the coast. Meanwhile I must lie here and take on some stores which are much needed by both men and guns.”
The Englishman smiled.
“You are a man after my own heart,” said he. “Good-by until we meet in battle.”
Three days after this, Jean Bart sent a boy to the English vessel with a note for the captain. It ran:
“I am ready to fight you to-morrow. Meet me three miles beyond the breakwater and may the best man win. Until then—good luck.
“Yours for battle,
“Jean Bart.”