Early that morning the lookout forward sang out:
“Sail, ho!”
“Where away?”
“Two points on the weather bow, sir.”
Captain Sutherland took his glass and made out a full-rigged frigate bearing down upon him. He had no fears, however, for he knew that the Roebuck was in these waters, and no cruiser of the enemy would likely be around. As the frigate bore down alongside, within close range, a voice from a trumpet out of the mizzen shrouds was heard to say:
“What ship is that and where away?”
Captain Sutherland trumpeted back:
“His Majesty’s sloop, the Albatross, bound for Little Egg Harbor inlet.”
“All’s well,” returned the frigate. “This is His Majesty’s man-of-war, Roebuck. We shall send aboard important news.” The frigate came up into the wind and lowered a boat to come aboard.
No sooner had the first trumpet-sound reached the Albatross than Barclugh was up and on deck; if he were to be captured on board an English armed sloop, his plans would miscarry. When he saw His Majesty’s cruiser he was reassured. As he paced up and down the deck, he saw the lieutenant of the frigate come aboard and go into the cabin of the Albatross.