[pg 295]
But what attempt ever ended to the satisfaction of the undertaker? Before the enemy were clear out of sight, the practised eye of Barney caught a sail which he knew to be bearing down upon him. He saw that resistance was out of the question; but that if he managed the affair adroitly hemightescape. It was now that he was called upon to exercise that firmness of mind, coolness and contempt of danger, and quickness of resource in time of need, that ever distinguished his character, and showed him to be a man of no ordinary talents. In less than an hour the privateer—for such she was—came alongside, and sent an officer to see "what he wanted steering for a hostile coast." The first questions that were put, and answered unhesitatingly, were—what he had on board? and where he was bound? Of course he had nothing on board, and his destination was France—on business of importance from the ministry; at the same time untying the rope that bound the old coat around him, and displaying the British half uniform. The officer touched his hat, begged pardon, and said he would go on board and report to the commanding officer.
The result of the interview was that Barney was made a prisoner once more, and ordered with a prize-master to Plymouth. But being forced by stress of weather into a small bay, near Plymouth, he contrived to escape from his captors, and find his way to the mansion of the venerable clergyman, at Plymouth. Deeming it unsafe to remain there, lest he might be discovered, after a few days he set out at midnight in a postchaise for Exeter, and from thence by stages to Bristol, where he had a letter of credit to an American gentleman.
[pg 296]
Here he remained for three weeks, and from thence he went to London, directed to a countryman, who received him kindly, and offered his services towards effecting his final escape. After remaining here for six weeks, he found an opportunity of sailing for France; and after an extremely boisterous and squally passage, reached Ostend, from whence he soon found his way to Amsterdam, where he seized the opportunity of paying his respects to Mr. John Adams, then Minister Plenipotentiary from the United States to Holland. Through the courtesy of this gentleman, he obtained a passage to his own country, and, after some adventures, reached Philadelphia, on the 21st of March, 1782.
[pg 297]
But he was not long allowed to enjoy the pleasure which he expected, after such a trial of danger and fatigue. In less than a week after he arrived at Philadelphia, he was offered the command of the Hyder Ally, of sixteen guns, fitted out by the state authorities of Pennsylvania, to repress the enemy's privateers, with which the Delaware river abounded.
On the 8th of April, 1782, he entered upon his destined service, which was to convoy a fleet of merchantmen to the capes, and to protect them from the "refugee boats," with which the river abounded. While waiting at the capes, he was assailed by two ships and a brig belong to the enemy, who, finding him unsupported, commenced a furious attack, which he sustained with great coolness, while his convoy were safely retiring up the river. The brig came up first, and gave him a broadside as she was passing; but kept her course up the bay after the convoy, while Barney waited for the ship, which was coming up rapidly. Having approached within pistol shot, the Hyder Ally poured a broadside into her, which somewhat staggered the enemy, who thought Barney would[pg 298]"strike his colors." The enemy seemed disposed to board, and was ranging alongside of him, when he ordered the quarter-master, in a loud voice, to "port the helm!"—having previously given him secret instructions to put the helm hard a-starboard, which latter order was obeyed; by this manoeuvre the enemy's jib-boom caught in the fore-rigging of the Hyder Ally, thus giving her a raking position, which Captain Barney knew how to improve. The firing on both sides was tremendous;—an idea of it may be obtained from the fact, that more than twenty broadsides were fired in twenty-six minutes! In the mizzen staystail of the General Monk there were afterwards counted, three hundred and sixty-five shot-holes. During the whole of this short but glorious battle, Captain Barney was stationed upon the quarterdeck, exposed to the fire of the enemy's musketry, which was excessively annoying, and began to be felt by the men, insomuch that Captain Barney ordered a body of riflemen, whom he had on board, to direct their fire into the enemy's top, which immediately had the desired effect.
[pg 299]
The capture of the General Monk was one of the most brilliant achievements in naval history. The General Monk mounted eighteen guns, and had one hundred and thirty-six men, and lost twenty men killed, and thirty-three wounded. The Hyder Ally had sixteen guns, and one hundred and ten men, and lost four men killed, and eleven wounded.
All the officers of the General Monk were wounded except one. The captain himself was severely wounded. The brig which accompanied the enemy ran ashore to avoid capture. Captain Barney now followed his convoy up to Philadelphia. After a short visit to his family, he returned to his command, where he soon captured the "Hook-'em-snivy"—a refugee schooner, which had done a great deal of mischief on the Delaware river.
[pg 300]
These captures struck such terror among the privateers, that they began to disperse to more profitable grounds. In consequence of the glorious actions, Captain Barney was presented with a gold-hilted sword, in the name of the state.
A CATALOGUE OF ENTERTAINING AND INSTRUCTIVE JUVENILE BOOKS,
PUBLISHED AND FOR SALE BY
C.G. HENDERSON & CO.
AT THEIR
Central Book & Stationary Warehouse,
No. 164 CHESTNUT STREET
Corner of Seventh
UNDER BARNUM'S MUSEUM.
PHILADELPHIA.
Nut Cracker and Sugar Dolly
A PARTY TALE.
TRANSLATED FROM THE GERMAN.
BY CHARLES A. DANA
SQUARE 16mo. CLOTH AND CLOTH GILT
This New Fairy Tale is one of the liveliest, most readable, and most unexceptionable for Children which has ever appeared.
THRILLING STORIES
of the
OCEAN.
for the Entertainment and Instruction of Young.
This is a neat Volume of 300 pages, with numerous Embellishments. It is written in a familiar, popular style, and is well suited to the Juvenile, Family or School library.
CLOTH BINDING, PLAIN AND GILT EXTRA.
Beautifully Embellished with 24 Engravings of Original Costumes. One vol. Square 16mo. Fine Cloth binding, 50 cts; with Col'd Engravings, 75 cts.
This is a Companion volume to the COSTUMES OF AMERICA, and is equally instructive as well as pleasing for young readers.
Every intelligent Boy should possess a Copy of the Book of Costumes of Europe and America.
KRISS KRINGLE'S
RHYME BOOK.
A lively book of Rhymes for very little Children.
RICHLY EMBELLISHED WITH PICTURES.
Square 16mo. Paper Covers, 12-1/2 cents.
Cloth Binding, 25 cents.
MAJA'S ALPHABET.
A
VERY BEAUTIFUL PICTORIAL ALPHABET,
IN RHYME
WITH NEW AND ORIGINAL DESIGNS, BY ABSOLON.
CARLO FRANCONI,
AN ITALIAN STORY,
And other stories for Young People.
BEAUTIFULLY ILLUSTRATED WITH ENGRAVINGS FROM ORIGINAL DESIGNS.
Square 16mo. Cloth Binding.
This is a very touching and entertaining Story for Youth. The Scene is laid in England, and in Italy, the incidents are of a peculiarly interesting character.
COSTUMES OF AMERICA.
An excellent volume for Young People of both sexes, and well calculated to awaken an interest in the History of this Continent. Illustrated with Twenty-four Engravings of Original Costumes. One volume, square 16mo. Cloth, 60 cents. With Colored Plates, 75 cents.