Captain Edwards replied, "Thank you, Sir. Perhaps I may after a trial."
The firing then began. The "Alliance" had not wind enough for steerage way. The enemy being lighter vessels, by using sweeps, got and kept athwart the stern of the "Alliance" so that she could not bring half her guns to bear upon them, and often but one gun out astern to bear on the two--thus lying like a log the greater part of the time. Captain Barry received a wound in the shoulder from a grape shot. He remained on the quarterdeck until exhausted by loss of blood, when he was helped to the cock-pit for treatment. Soon the colors of the "Alliance" were shot away. This caused the enemy to believe the Americans had struck their colors. They gave three cheers and manned their shrouds expecting a surrender. But the colors of the "Alliance" were again run up--a breeze sprung up--a broadside was given the "Atalanta" and another given the "Trepassy," the brig. They then struck their colors to the "Alliance." Captain Smith, of the "Trepassy," was killed. The Captain of the "Atalanta" was brought on board and taken to Captain Barry, wounded in his cabin. Captain Edwards advanced and presented his sword. Captain Barry received it but at once returned it, saying:
"I return it to you, Sir. You have merited it. Your King ought to give you a better ship. Here is my cabin at your service. Use it as your own."
He then ordered Lieutenant King, of the "Trepassy" brig to be brought to him. The crew of the "Atalanta" and the prisoners Barry had on the "Alliance," numbering 250, should all be put on the "Trepassy," her cannon thrown overboard, and she sent to Halifax as a cartel for the exchange of American prisoners, while the Captain and Lieutenant remained as hostages. The "Atalanta" was retaken by the "Charlestown" and "Vulture." On account of Captain Barry's wound, the "Alliance" made all sail for Boston. Kessler relates that when Captain Barry had been carried to his cabin to have his wounds dressed, the Lieutenant later went to him and reporting that the "Alliance" was very much damaged, many men killed and wounded and of the disadvantages for want of wind, asked "Shall the colors be struck?"
Captain Barry passionately answered: "No, Sir, and if the ship cannot be fought without me, I will be brought on deck." The officer immediately returned to deck. Captain Barry, after being dressed in haste, was on his way to the deck when the enemy struck. The "Alliance" lost eleven killed and twenty-four wounded. From her crew of two hundred and eighty--three prize crews had been taken--fifty were on the sick list. A few of these were able to sit between decks and hand powder to the magazine. There were more than one hundred prisoners on board, as well as those of the crew of a mutinous disposition. Add to all this disadvantage the total calm prevailing until near the end of the contest, the capture of the two British vessels was one of special noteworthy importance. "It was considered a most brilliant exploit and an unequivocal evidence of the unconquerable firmness and intrepidity of the victor," says Frost's _Naval Biography_. Here again we find Captain Barry adding to his record of capturing two prizes in one action.