The Cruise of the "Lively Bee"; Or, A Boy's Adventures in the War of 1812

by John De Morgan

[CHAPTER V.]

THE CHASE.

A fresh breeze was blowing when the American fleet began the chase after the Belvidera.

In a few hours the President had drawn away from the fleet, and was forging ahead.

Then the little Wasp, as lively as the insect after which it was named, came closely after.

The big United States followed next, with the Essex in good position.

Then commenced a contest of speed between the representative vessels of the two greatest nations on earth.

The English ship was trying to get away, the American endeavoring to catch her.

The Belvidera was a swift vessel, but it had to maneuver considerably, for the Wasp was trying to get into the offing to prevent escape, and the Lively Bee was keeping up the excitement by sending a shot at intervals, whenever the Britisher got within safe distance.