As he drew near, he saw that the strangers were merchantmen, under the protection of an English man-of-war.
The merchantmen were well armed, some carrying as many as twelve guns.
Jones knew it would be suicidal folly to attack all at once, so he kept on a course parallel with the Englishman all that day and through the night.
Early the next morning the Britisher saw the American, and showed his teeth.
The Jackies were at work on both vessels, repairing the damages caused by the storm.
The Wasp ran up the Stars and Stripes.
It was a defiance.
But the Englishman answered by running a Spanish flag up the halliards.
Jones was not deceived, for he knew the frigate to be the Frolic, and the foe was worthy of his steel.