THE FLEET IN THE FOREST

The story behind Perry's victory on Lake Erie through a tale of young Chid, apprenticed to a shipbuilder in Connecticut, who turns down Perry's offer of a chance to enlist, and ships on a privateer, seeking quick riches. But his conscience bothers him and he joins Brown and a small company of shipbuilders bound for Presque Isle and puts his ingenuity into the job of battling time, obstacles of provisioning, lack of men and materials. His patriotism lags a bit until he learns that the girl he loves has been captured by the British.