Using the following I have successfully got the modem to dial:
pppd connect \
    'chat -v -f /etc/ppp/chatscript' \
    -detach crtscts modem defaultroute \
    user Pfrodojrr \
    /dev/ttyS2 38400
This worked fine.  My modem is on COM2, so I used ttyS1.  What does
ttySx stand for?  I did this all at the advice of some kind person.
The system dialed in just fine.  The modems negotiated, and then there
was nothing.  I just got another linux prompt.  There was no
connection beyond that.  There was no error message.  Nothing.
My ISP is sending my a CD that sets things up, apparently.
Does anyone have any advice as to what may have gone wrong and what I may 
still need to do to get it working?
GK
--- Maximus/2 3.01
---------------