Not to be daunted, he rushed to the galley and picking up a live coal in his fingers, he hurried with it, regardless of the intense pain, and placed it on the priming. Instantly the report showed that he had fulfilled his threat, and had fired one shot at the enemy. His thumb and finger were burned to the bones, but he was happy. And the shot was an effective one. A lieutenant and two marines were killed by it as it tore its way along the deck. The chase continued for another hour, the flagship leading all the others, the _Lively Bee_ watching the chase, but taking no part just then. It was only a question of a few hours when the _President_ would overtake the English ship. But just when victory was in sight a loud explosion startled everybody, and directed the attention of the whole fleet to the _President_. Commodore Rodgers had again sighted his heavy gun, which was getting so hot that he almost deemed it unsafe to load it. "One more shot," he cried, as he applied the match. A cloud of smoke hung over the _President_ as the noise of the report cleared away. In firing that shot the gun had burst with a terrific report, the flying fragments killing or wounding sixteen men. The commodore was thrown high into the air, and fell heavily on the deck, suffering a severe fracture of his leg. Panic set in. Some of the sailors were for hauling down the flag, but they were only raw recruits, and were quickly overpowered by the older men. The accident caused a cessation of the firing for a time, and the _Belvidera_ took advantage of it to show her heels. "Follow her! Rake her with shot and shell!" shouted the wounded commodore. "Don't let her escape!" But the Britisher had lightened herself. Her anchors and boats were cut away and fourteen tons of water were thrown overboard. Thus lightened, she began to draw away from the _President_. The latter yawed several times, and let fly full broadsides at the escaping cruiser. The shot rattled among the spars of the _Belvidera_, but the nimble topmen quickly repaired all damages; and the British ship increased the distance between herself and the American fleet. The _Lively Bee_ followed at a safe distance. "What do you think now, Tempest?" asked Captain Vernon. "I'd humble that proud Briton if I had my way," answered the young lieutenant. "Can we do it?" "I'd like to try." "Do as you please; the _Lively Bee_ shall be under your orders," answered Captain Vernon, and young Tempest raised his hand to heaven, while from his lips there arose a cry, which was like the registering of a solemn oath. "Before heaven I swear my hand shall know no rest, my life no pleasure, until the British acknowledge our right to liberty!" "Amen!" responded Vernon. And the _Lively Bee_ started in the darkness of night in the wake of the _Belvidera_. But in the night a storm arose; the thunder shook the schooner, making every timber creak and groan like a living thing in anguish.