By the way, do you remember what occurred near there, at the village of Lewis, in the war of 1812 ?" "No, sir," she said.

"Won't you please tell me about it ?" "I will; it is not a very long story.

It was in March of the year 1813 that the British, after destroying such small merchant craft as they could find in Chesapeake Bay, concluded to blockade Delaware bay and river and reduce to submission the Americans living along their shores.
Commodore Beresford was accordingly sent on the expedition in command of the _Belvidera_, _Poictiers_, and several smaller vessels.
"On the 16th of March he appeared before Lewis in his vessel, the _Poictiers_, and pointing her guns toward the town sent a note addressed to the first magistrate demanding twenty live bullocks and a proportionate quantity of hay and of vegetables for the use of his Britannic majesty's squadron.

He offered to pay for them, but threatened in the event of refusal to destroy the town." "The insolent fellow!" cried Lulu.

"I hope they didn't do it, papa ?" "No; indeed, they flatly refused compliance and told him to do his worst.