The flagship of a fleet is always the one which has the admiral on board.
The ships in a fleet are like a regiment of soldiers, and act under the
orders of the admiral in command; and as the orders are always sent from
ship to ship by means of flags or signals, the ship from which the orders
are issued is called the flagship.

All the search-lights were in play, and there was the greatest excitement
on board the various vessels as the little cruiser steamed out to sea to
begin the game.

Back and forth the search-light flashed along the whole line of the
blockade. Here and there, in every direction, the waters were searched for
a sign of the little _Vesuvius_, which was surely steaming toward them to
try and run the blockade.

No sign of the cruiser could be seen, and anxiety was felt lest she should
have escaped all the searchers, when the signal came from the _Maine_ that
she had been discovered, and all the search-lights from the various
vessels were turned toward the _Maine's_ light, and there was the
_Vesuvius_, defeated.

She showed her lights, which till then had been concealed, and steamed
back to sea again for another trial.

This time she so nearly succeeded that there was consternation in the
whole fleet; but still she was detected in time.

Five times she made the attempt, but defeat succeeded defeat; and at last
Admiral Bunce declared the game over for the night, and the _Vesuvius_