Page:History of Paul Jones.pdf/4

 was dismissed from the employ of Lord Selkirk. And now being at liberty to follow the bent of his inclination, being of a wild and ardent disposition, he betook himself to a sea-faring-life, for which his habits, and the experience he had gained by a long residence near to a sea-port, had well prepared him. He commenced his naval career as a common sailor, in which subordinate situation he did not remain long, for his talents still rendered him conspicuous, and he was appointed mate: and having made several voyages to the West Indies as common sailor and mate he was at last appointed master of a vessel.

Shortly after the rupture between Great Britain and America, he happened to be at Piscataway, in New England, and being prompted partly by a spirit of revenge, and partly by the prospect of plunder in predatory warfare offered by the approaching war, he was induced to desert his national standard, and enlist under that of the revolutionists; and on this account he changed his name from John Paul to that of Paul Jones. For this new and busy scene of action, his enterprising disposition and talents were admirably adapted; and these, in addition to his complete knowledge of the northern coasts of Great Britain in particular, which were the least defended, soon brought him into notice, and pointed him out as a proper leader in the maurading schemes then in agitation. Accordingly, in the latter part of the year 1777. he was actively employed, as commander, in fitting out the Ranger privateer, mounting 18 guns, and several swivels, and manned with a desperately daring crew of 150 men. In the course of the winter he put to sea, and made two captures on the European side of the Atlantic; both of which prizes he sent into a French port.

In the month of April, 1778, he made his