o Joshua Barney, a young officer
with an extensive experience of Yankee privateers and British prisons,
and whose later exploits in the United States navy are familiar to
readers of "Blue-Jackets of 1812."

Barney's instructions were, not to go to sea, but to patrol the
Delaware River and Bay, and see that no privateer lay in wait for the
merchant-vessels that cleared from the port of Philadelphia. In April,
1782, the "Hyder Ali" stood down Delaware Bay at the head of a large
fleet of outward-bound merchantmen. When Cape May was reached, strong
head-winds sprang up, and the whole fleet anchored to await more
favorable weather before putting out to sea. While they lay at anchor,
the "Hyder Ali" sighted a trio of British vessels, two ships and a
brig, rounding the cape. Instantly Barney signalled his convoy to trip
anchor and retreat, a signal which was promptly obeyed by all save one
too daring craft, that tried to slip round the cape, and get to sea,
but fell into the hands of the enemy. Soon the whole fleet, with the
"Hyder Ali" bringing up the rear, fled up the bay. The British
followed in hot pursuit.

At a point half-way up the bay the pursuers parted; one of the ships,
a frigate, cutting through a side channel in the hope of intercepting
the fugitives. The other two pursuers, a privateer brig and a
sloop-of-war, continued in the wake of the "Hyder Ali." The brig
proved herself a clipper, and soon came up with the American vessel,
which promptly offered battle. The challenge was declined by the
privateer, which fired a harmless broadside, and continued on up the
bay. Barney let her pass, for he had determined to risk the dangers of
an unequal combat with the sloop-of-war. This vessel came up rapidly;
and as she drew near Barney luffed up suddenly, and let fly a
broadside. This somewhat staggered the enemy, who had expected only a
tame surrender; but she quickly recovered, and came boldly on. At this
juncture Barney turned to his helmsman, and said,--

"Now, when I give the word, pay no attention to my order, but put the
helm hard-a-starboard. Pay no heed to the actual command I may give
you."

The British vessel was then within half pistol-shot, and her forward
guns were beginning to bear. From his station on the quarter-deck
Barney shouted to his steersman in stentorian tones,--

"Port your helm. Hard-a-port."

The order was clearly heard on board the enemy, and he prepared to
manoeuvre his ship accordingly