The oars rested. The Lively Bee drifted over the smooth water.
Tempest took very deliberate sights. Then, when satisfied, he stepped back from the breech.
"Fire!"
The shot went skimming through the air, and struck the merchantman in the waist.
The British warships heard the report, and seemed astounded at the sauciness of the little Lively Bee.
Such impudence could not be allowed to go unpunished.
But Tempest had no intention of being caught just then.
"Give way, boys, in those sweeps! Make all you can."
The crew did pull with all their might, and the Lively Bee seemed to fly over the water.
The Frolic fired a broadside at the privateer, but all the ammunition was wasted, as the Lively Bee was out of range.