Page:History of Paul Jones.pdf/12

 in sight of Leith and Edinburgh on the 16th September. The tide running down, and the wind blowing strong from the westward, he came to an anchor under the island of Inch Keith, nearly opposite to Kirkcaldy, in Fifeshire. On the following morning he weighed anchor, and endeavoured to beat up for Leith harbour; but the breeze increasing to a violent gale, he sprung one of his top-masts, which compelled him to bear up, and proceed down the Frith with such rapidity, that he was very soon beyond the reach of sight.

While laying off the town of Kirkaldy, it is reported that he sent a summons to the inhabitants for contribution, threatening, in the event of a denial, to fire into the town. Many of the inhabitants had collected upon the beach, among whom appeared a venerable and reverend minister of the town, (Mr Shireff) who exhorted the people to courage and confidence in the Supreme Being, who would not allow the enemy to do them any injury—and offered up a prayer to the Almighty, that he would avert the impending danger. Shortly afterwards the wind blew so strong that the Bon Homme Richard could not remain in the Frith, but was compelled to go before the wind. On hearing this, Jones is said to have attributed the change of weather to this good man's prayer, "Deus flammabantur." Foiled in this attempt at destroying the shipping in Leith harbour and roads, Jones rejoined his squadron, and proceeded to cruise off the coast of England, where, on the 23d day of September, he fell in with a British convoy from the Baltic, under escort of his Majesty's ship, the Serapis, of 44 guns, commanded by Capt. Pearson, and the Countess of Scarborough armed ship. of twenty guns, commanded by Capt. Thos. Piercy: the result was one of the most memorable naval actions on record in the annals of the navy.