It was a voyage full of incidents. They passed through days of storm, which nearly wrecked the ship. Many vessels were seen, and the Boston was chased by three men-of-war.
She ran away from these, and soon after came across a large armed vessel, which Captain Tucker decided to fight. When the drum called the men to quarters, Mr. Adams seized a musket and joined the marines.
The captain requested him to go below. Finding that he was not going to obey, Tucker laid a hand on his shoulder and said firmly:
"Mr. Adams, I am commanded by the Continental Congress to deliver you safe in France. You must go below."
Mr. Adams smiled and complied. The next minute there came a broadside from the stranger. There was no response from the Boston. Other shots came, and still no reply. At length the blue-jackets began to grumble. Looking them in the eyes, Tucker said, in quizzical tones:
"Hold on, lads. I want to get that egg without breaking the shell."
In a few minutes more, having got into the position he wished, he raked the enemy from stem to stern with a broadside. That one sample was enough. She struck her flag without waiting for a second. Soon after the envoy was safely landed in France.
Numbers of anecdotes are told of Captain Tucker, who was a man much given to saying odd and amusing things.
Once he fell in with a British frigate which had been sent in search of him. He had made himself a thorn in the British lion's side and was badly wanted. Up came Tucker boldly, with the English flag at his peak.
He was hailed, and replied that he was Captain Gordon, of the English navy, and that he was out in search of the Boston, commanded by the rebel Tucker.