2. According to Mary Barney, who heard the story from the lips of her father-in-law, Joshua Barney (Barney, ed., Life of Joshua Barney, p. 26), Barney was stopped just within the Virginia capes by H.M.S. Kingsfisher. His interception was likely by the tender which had gone a cruizing as above. Mary Barney's account reads: "He entered the Chesapeake Bay on the 1st of October, and was soon afterwards boarded by an officer from the British Sloop of war 'Kingsfisher,' who, after searching his ship and taking possession of all the letters and the few arms that were found on board, gave him the exciting information that his countrymen were in a state of rebellion, and that two battles had already been fought, at Lexington, and Bunker's Hill: Barney literally 'devoured' the intelligence 'with greedy ear,' and was scarcely restrained by the presence of His Majesty's loyal officers, and the gaping mouths of the 'Kingfisher,' from making such an exhibition of his own 'rebellious' spirit, as would in all probability have subjected him to detention, at least, if not to severe punishment; but fortunately for him, his discretion prevailed, and he was permitted to proceed. He had been too fotle at home from the period of his twelfth. year, to hear much of the rumbling which so long preceded the great political storm now at hand; and if the. idea of a revolution had ever entered his mind, it was as of some far distant future event, the glories of which might have been faintly shadowed to his youthful fancy, but never with such distinctness, even in his wildest dream of ambition, as to leave the impression of his own participation. But here it was, ー just beginning to develope its teeming dangers and honors, at the very moment that he himself was bursting into the first vigor of youth, and panting for opportunities,of distinction. Could it be true? And would he indeed have a chance of drawing a sword in the service of his country? ー If he could have added wings to his ship; or fleetness to the breeze that was wafting her gently along the smooth surface of the Chesapeake, the days that intervened before he stood upon the shore of his native city would have been converted into minutes ー so eager was he to hear a confirmation of the news."