Then came the hails of the captains and the roar of cannon, and soon there was a very pretty fight, with the _Alliance_ in a dangerous situation. She was too heavy to be moved with sweeps, like the light British vessels, so they got on her quarters and poured in broadsides, while she could reply only with a few guns. Barry raged like a wild bull, bidding his men fight, and begging for a wind. As he did so, a grape-shot struck him in the shoulder and felled him to the deck. As he was carried below, a shot carried away the American flag. A lusty cheer came from the British ships; they thought the flag down and the victory theirs. They soon saw it flying again. But the _Alliance_ was in sore straits. She was getting far more than she could give, and had done little harm to her foes. At length a lieutenant came down to the wounded captain. "We cannot handle the ship and are being cut to pieces," he said. "The rigging is in tatters and the fore-topmast in danger, and the carpenter reports two serious leaks. Eight or ten of our people are killed and more wounded. The case seems hopeless, sir; shall we strike the colors?" "No!" roared Barry, sitting bolt upright. "Not on your life! If the ship can't be fought without me, then carry me on deck." The lieutenant went up and reported, and the story soon got to the men. "Good for Captain Barry," they shouted. "We'll stand by the old man." A minute later a change came. A ripple of water was seen. Soon a breeze rose, the sails filled out, and the _Alliance_ slipped forward and yielded to her helm. This was what the brave Barry had been waiting for. It was not a case of whistling for a wind, as sailors often do, but of hoping and praying for a wind. It came just in time to save the _Alliance_ from lowering her proud flag, or from going to the bottom with it still flying, as would have suited her bold captain the better. Now she was able to give her foes broadside for broadside, and you may be sure that her gunners, who had been like dogs wild to get at the game, now poured in shot so fast and furious that they soon drove the foe in terror from his guns. In a short time, just as Captain Barry was brought on deck with his wound dressed, their flags came down. The prizes proved to be the _Atlanta_ and the _Trepassy_. That fight was near the last in the war. At a later date Captain Barry had the honor of carrying General Lafayette home to France in his ship. CHAPTER VIII CAPTAIN TUCKER HONORED BY GEORGE WASHINGTON THE DARING ADVENTURES OF THE HERO OF MARBLEHEAD CAPTAIN SAMUEL TUCKER was a Yankee boy who began his career by running away from home and shipping as a cabin-boy on the British sloop-of-war _Royal George_. It was a good school for a seaman, and when his time was up he knew his business well.