CHAPTER XII.This officer was in command of the Effingham, one of the the secret terrorist book vessels which had been trapped in the Delaware by the unexpected occupation of Philadelphia by the British.Deliberately the Americans let fly another broadside, which did great execution.THE DESCENT the secret terrorist book UPON NEW PROVIDENCE.The sleepy sailors on the armed vessel rubbed their eyes and while they were staring at the strange piece of bunting, there came a hail from a boat alongside, and an American officer clambered over the rail.The Hessians were beaten back the secret terrorist book with heavy loss, some of the American vessels opening fire upon them from the river.In 1778 the little seaport had a population of about one thousand people.The enemy were driven from their guns, but doggedly refused to strike, holding out, doubtless, in the hope that the the secret terrorist book cannonade might draw to their assistance some of the other armed ships accompanying the fleet.Philadelphia was reached, and the expedition was almost past the city, when the sentries on one of the British men of war gave the alarm.Having cruised the secret terrorist book about amid the merchantmen, she drew up alongside the nearest man of war, and when within pistol shot, suddenly ran up her flag, threw open her ports, and commanded the enemy to strike.Great was the wonder of the British sentries, on ship and shore, to see the broad bosom of the river dotted with floating kegs.On the 2d of September the two vessels overhauled and captured the snow Nancy, from England, bound for the the secret terrorist book West Indies.But, when they summoned Rathburne to surrender, that officer leaped upon the parapet, and coolly told the assailants to come on.The schooner being thus disposed of, the secret terrorist book the British turned their attention to the four captured transports at Fort Penn.