Many and many a person has he saved from a watery grave, who never even took the trouble to seek him out and thank him.
In the Fall of 1869 Paul lost everything he had in the world by a great fire at Cape May and he left there heavy hearted and disgusted with business.

Soon after, his father died and the home was very, very lonely.

When the estate was settled up, Paul's old love for travel and adventure came strongly back to him.

The Franco-Prussian war broke out.

He believed that it was the opportunity that he was looking for.
He embarked from New York to Liverpool, thence to Havre, where he presented himself at the Hotel de Ville and offered his services as an American volunteer.