magazine. She was kept afloat through the night, while the wounded and
prisoners were transferred to the _Serapis_. Then the battered and
riddled old hulk plunged downward bow foremost into the depths of the
German Ocean.

[Illustration: MEDAL PRESENTED BY CONGRESS TO CAPTAIN JOHN PAUL JONES.]

This battle has never been surpassed in heroism. Both sides fought with
a bravery that has given the conflict a place by itself in naval
annals, and it will always stand as a proof of the dauntless courage of
the Anglo-Saxon beyond the reach of those of the Latin race. The
_Bonhomme Richard_ had 42 guns and the _Serapis_ 50; the American crew
numbered 304 and the English 320. The killed on each side was 49; the
wounded on the _Bonhomme Richard_ was 116 and on the _Serapis_ 117,
there being a difference of only one in the total of killed and wounded.
The battle lasted three hours and a half.

The _Countess of Scarborough_ made a gallant resistance for two hours,
when she was so crippled that she was compelled to surrender to the
Frenchman. An investigation into the treacherous conduct of Captain
Landais caused many to believe him insane, though others were convinced
that he was inspired by intense jealousy of Captain Jones. He was
discharged from both the French and American navy. Benjamin Franklin was
among those who believed he deserved punishment for his perfidy.

The _Serapis_ and _Countess of Scarborough_ were refitted and given to
France, while Captain Jones was placed in command of the _Alliance_. He
was loaded with honors in France, the king presenting him with a gold
sword, and when he sailed for the United States he gave another
exhibition of his superb seamanship by eluding the blockaders that were