-leaders, and they,
considering that as a bad omen, threw the round-robin overboard and
relinquished their designs. The three principals were placed securely in
irons and the remainder, after being admonished by Captain Barry, and on
their solemn declaration to conduct themselves well, were permitted to
return to ship's duty. This mutiny was discovered Sunday, March 31,
1781."

On April 2d two British armed cruisers were seen at seven in the
morning. The "Alliance" gave chase and the two Britishers "stood for"
the "Alliance." They neared each other at ten o'clock when the two gave
the "Alliance" a broadside, which was "returned double-fold" so
effectively that one struck her flag and hove to. She was the "Mars," of
twenty twelve-pounders, two sixes and twelve four-pounders and one
hundred and eleven men. The other ran while the "Alliance" "fired a
number of bow chasers at her" and in an hour hove to and surrendered.
She was the "Minerva," mounting eight four-pounders and fifty-five men.
The "Alliance" received "considerable damage" from the shot of the
enemy. Lieutenant Fletcher and fourteen men were placed in charge of the
"Minerva" as a prize crew. Here again in one battle Captain Barry
captures two of the enemy's cruisers. The "Alliance" continued the
cruise and went to the West India waters seeking prizes.

On May 2d a brig and a snow (a small vessel) loaded with sugar from
Jamaica for London were captured and being manned from the "Alliance"
was ordered to Boston. Again two captures. Later in the day a fleet of
sixty-five sail, convoyed by ten sail of line, were observed but
prudently not molested by Captain Barry. Later in the day a brig from
Jamaica bound to Bristol, England. We "gave the brig two bow guns at
meridian," notes the log of the "Alliance." She surrendered. "Sent our
boats, on board and took the prisoners out." The next day another
vessel, with seven four-pounders also from Jamaica to Bristol, was taken
and the prisoners brought on board the "Alliance."

Not until May 28th was there another opportunity found, when early on
that morning an armed ship and a brig were discovered about a league
distant. At sunrise they hoisted the English colors and beat drums. At
the same time Captain Barry displayed the American colors. By eleven
o'clock Captain Barry hailed the ship and was answered that she was the
"Atalanta" ship-of-war belonging to His Britannic Majesty, commanded by
Captain Sampson Edwards. Capt