n; for the commanders of the semi-piratical
craft cared little for international law or for justice. War was
raging between France and England; and a mere suspicion of traffic
with French colonies was enough, in the eyes of these worthies, to
condemn a vessel of any nationality.

Knowing his danger, Capt. Barney strove to avoid the localities
frequented by the privateers, but to no avail. One bright morning, the
lookout reported three sail in sight from the masthead, and in a few
hours Barney found himself hemmed in by privateers. Three officers
boarded him, and began a rigid examination of the cargo and papers.
Two finally expressed themselves as satisfied of the neutral character
of the vessel; but the third exclaimed that he had discovered in the
cabin an iron chest, full of money, which surely proved that the
"Sampson" had something to do with the French, for "no blasted Yankee
ever had iron chests or dollars on board his vessel!" Such conclusive
proof as this could not be overlooked by the sapient privateers; and,
after a little consultation, they informed Capt. Barney that they
would let the ship go, if the money were given to them. As it amounted
to eighteen thousand dollars, Capt. Barney looked upon this demand as
nothing short of robbery, and indignantly refused to consider it;
whereupon his captors took from the "Sampson" all her crew except the
carpenter, boatswain, and cook, sent a prize-crew aboard, and ordered
that she be taken to New Providence, a British naval station. The
privateers were soon hull down on the horizon; and Barney found
himself a prisoner on his own ship, exposed to ceaseless insolence
from the British prize-master.

[Illustration: Commodore Perry.]

Several days passed, as the "Sampson" lay becalmed in the tropics.
Barney, though too old a sailor to be cast down by misfortune,
nevertheless chafed under his situation. From prize-master and
prize-crew he received nothing but scurrilous epithets; and the
oft-repeated murmurs of "Rebel rascal!" "Yankee traitor!" "Blow out
his brains!" and "Throw him overboard!" made it hard for him to
believe the Revolution over, and the United States and England at
peace. Even while they thus abused the captain, the rogues were
feasting upon his provisions and drinking his wines; and only his firm
refusal to give up his keys prevented their rifling his iron chest,
and filling their pockets with his dollars. At last he began to feel
that his life was no