CHAPTER III

. ALONG SHORE IN 1776 63

Brilliant Deeds by the First Heroes of the American Navy--Why Nicholas Biddle Entered Port with but Five of the Original Crew of the _Andrea Doria_--Richard Dale on the sleek _Lexington_--The _Racehorse_ Captured in an even Fight--Captain Lambert Wickes in the _Reprisal_ Beats off a Large Vessel--John Paul Jones in his Earlier Commands--A Smart Race with the Frigate _Solebay_--Sixteen Prizes in Forty-seven Days in Cape Breton Region--Poking Fun at the Frigate _Milford_--The Valuable _Mellish_--An Able Fighter who Lacked Political Influence.

##