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diff --git a/.gitattributes b/.gitattributes new file mode 100644 index 0000000..d7b82bc --- /dev/null +++ b/.gitattributes @@ -0,0 +1,4 @@ +*.txt text eol=lf +*.htm text eol=lf +*.html text eol=lf +*.md text eol=lf diff --git a/LICENSE.txt b/LICENSE.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..6312041 --- /dev/null +++ b/LICENSE.txt @@ -0,0 +1,11 @@ +This eBook, including all associated images, markup, improvements, +metadata, and any other content or labor, has been confirmed to be +in the PUBLIC DOMAIN IN THE UNITED STATES. + +Procedures for determining public domain status are described in +the "Copyright How-To" at https://www.gutenberg.org. + +No investigation has been made concerning possible copyrights in +jurisdictions other than the United States. Anyone seeking to utilize +this eBook outside of the United States should confirm copyright +status under the laws that apply to them. diff --git a/README.md b/README.md new file mode 100644 index 0000000..69aa48f --- /dev/null +++ b/README.md @@ -0,0 +1,2 @@ +Project Gutenberg (https://www.gutenberg.org) public repository for +eBook #67880 (https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/67880) diff --git a/old/67880-0.txt b/old/67880-0.txt deleted file mode 100644 index 2904e07..0000000 --- a/old/67880-0.txt +++ /dev/null @@ -1,8345 +0,0 @@ -The Project Gutenberg eBook of With Perry on Lake Erie: a tale of -1812, by James Otis - -This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere in the United States and -most other parts of the world at no cost and with almost no restrictions -whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or re-use it under the terms -of the Project Gutenberg License included with this eBook or online at -www.gutenberg.org. If you are not located in the United States, you -will have to check the laws of the country where you are located before -using this eBook. - -Title: With Perry on Lake Erie: a tale of 1812 - -Author: James Otis - -Release Date: April 23, 2022 [eBook #67880] - -Language: English - -Produced by: Charlene Taylor and the Online Distributed Proofreading - Team at https://www.pgdp.net (This file was produced from - images generously made available by The Internet - Archive/American Libraries.) - -*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK WITH PERRY ON LAKE ERIE: A -TALE OF 1812 *** - - - - - -WITH PERRY ON LAKE ERIE - - - - -BOOKS BY JAMES OTIS. - - - =WITH PERRY ON LAKE ERIE.= A TALE OF 1812. 307 pp. Cloth. $1.50. - - =WITH PREBLE AT TRIPOLI.= A STORY OF “OLD IRONSIDES” AND THE - TRIPOLITAN WAR. 349 pp. Cloth. $1.50. - - =WITH PORTER IN THE ESSEX.= A STORY OF HIS FAMOUS CRUISE IN SOUTHERN - WATERS DURING THE WAR OF 1812. 344 pp. Cloth. $1.50. - - =THE CRUISE OF THE ENTERPRISE.= BEING THE STORY OF THE STRUGGLE AND - DEFEAT OF THE FRENCH PRIVATEERING EXPEDITIONS AGAINST THE UNITED - STATES IN 1779. 359 pp. Cloth. $1.50. - - -[Illustration: “‘WHERE DO YOU COME FROM?’”] - - - - - WITH PERRY ON LAKE ERIE - - A TALE OF 1812 - - BY - - JAMES OTIS - - AUTHOR OF “THE CHARMING SALLY,” “AN AMATEUR - FIREMAN,” “JOEL HARFORD,” ETC., ETC. - - ILLUSTRATED BY - - WILLIAM F. STECHER - - [Illustration] - - BOSTON AND CHICAGO - W. A. WILDE COMPANY - - - - - COPYRIGHT, 1899, - BY W. A. WILDE COMPANY. - _All rights reserved._ - - WITH PERRY ON LAKE ERIE. - - - - -TO THE READER. - - -Some explanation regarding the method of dealing with facts as set -down in this tale should, perhaps, be made. Let it first be understood -that no liberty has been taken with the names or movements of those -men or boys introduced herein. Much of the incident has been taken -from manuscript, the correctness of which cannot be doubted, and all -has been verified by reference to our standard histories. In no single -instance has any departure been made from the truth, even though the -interest of the story might have been increased by a more decided -flavor of romance,--notably during the time when the American fleet lay -in Presque Isle bay, useless because lacking men. - -It seems fitting that Commodore Perry’s deeds should be related from -the standpoint of that younger brother who shared his troubles as he -did his triumphs, whether the same be set forth as reading for adults, -or young people; because it must be admitted that he who won such a -glorious victory on Lake Erie was hardly more than a boy. Very young -people look upon one who has seen twenty-seven years of this world’s -battle as an elderly person; but those who have passed the noon of life -are prone to speak of such as “lads,” and therefore is this essentially -a story of young people. - - JAMES OTIS. - - - - - CONTENTS. - - - CHAPTER PAGE - - I. PRESQUE ISLE 11 - - II. SNUG QUARTERS 29 - - III. THE ESCAPE 46 - - IV. THE ATTACK 62 - - V. THE BRITISH FLEET 79 - - VI. LEON MARCHAND 96 - - VII. IN HIDING 112 - - VIII. A CLOSE SHAVE 131 - - IX. A BLOODLESS VICTORY 150 - - X. THE TRAITOR 168 - - XI. CROSSING THE BAR 186 - - XII. PUT-IN-BAY 203 - - XIII. CRUISING 221 - - XIV. SAIL HO! 240 - - XV. THE FIRST SHOT 257 - - XVI. THE BATTLE 275 - - XVII. VICTORY 293 - - - - - ILLUSTRATIONS. - - - PAGE - - “‘WHERE DO YOU COME FROM?’” _Frontispiece_ 32 - - “CAPTAIN PERRY HAD LEAPED OVERBOARD FROM THE FOREMOST - OF THE FLEET OF BOATS” 74 - - “I STRETCHED FORTH MY HAND TO TOUCH HIM” 130 - - “HE STEPPED ASHORE, AND AN INSTANT LATER WAS LOST TO VIEW” 224 - - “‘AY, AY, SIR, HOIST IT!’” 263 - - - - -WITH PERRY ON LAKE ERIE. - -A Tale of 1812. - - - - -CHAPTER I. - -PRESQUE ISLE. - - -Perhaps there is no good reason why I should set down here any especial -mention of Presque Isle,[1] for every boy knows it is located on the -shore of Lake Erie, and, because of the peninsula jutting out from the -mainland of the State of Pennsylvania, can boast of an exceedingly good -harbor. - -It is a lame beginning to the story I want to tell, this opening -with the admission that there may be no reason for making a certain -statement; but I am not quick at tasks of the kind it is proposed this -shall be, and one mistake among the many I shall probably make will not -be noticed. - -Even now I have failed to begin the yarn to my satisfaction; but I have -written and rubbed out so much already, that the lines above must -stand as they are set down, else I may never arrive at the beginning of -such a tale as few lads can tell of their own experience. - -That I am making any attempt at doing what nature fitted me for with -such a niggardly hand, is due to Alexander Perry, brother of that -Oliver H. Perry who proved himself so great a hero here on the waters -of Lake Erie, when he gave the King of England a second and much-needed -lesson. He, meaning Alec, and I saw much of service in the war so -lately ended with honor to the people of the United States. Although he -was but thirteen years of age, and I only two years older, we passed -through many adventures together, shared many hardships, and ever -remained close comrades from the day of our first meeting. - -The war having come to an end, and we about to separate after three -years of service, he said to me:-- - -“Dick, it is for you to set down, in such fair script as you can -master, the story of what we have done these many months past, so that -in the years to come those who live hereabouts may know we were not -idle when the British king provoked this nation past endurance.” - -I would have insisted, as is true, that he was better able to perform -the task than I, who had learned but little in schools, because there -were none hereabouts; but the lad declared I was the one above all -others to do the work, and here am I, casting about in my mind as to -how the tale can best be set down in readable fashion. - -Presque Isle, to hark back to the beginning, was the settlement which -my father, Captain Daniel Dobbins, decided upon as the proper place in -which to build his home, and within a stone’s throw of the blockhouse -erected by General Wayne after he had whipped the Indians in Maumee -Valley, I was born. Here I lived while my father sailed on the lake, -becoming known far and wide as the most skilful navigator of Erie’s -waters, until war was declared, and then I had the satisfaction of -calling myself the son of the man who, after having been called to -Washington to give advice to the high officials there, was appointed a -sailing-master in the navy. - -It was in September of the year 1812 that my father received a -commission from the Government, and straightway he began building two -gunboats, each with a fifty-foot keel, seventeen-foot beam, and a -five-foot hold, counting on having them ready for service as soon as -the ice should leave the lake. - -Ebenezer Crosby was the carpenter in charge of the work, and under him -were mustered all the laborers to be found within fifty miles of the -settlement. Even boys were hired, I among the number, and all of us -youngsters counted on being given a chance to ship as members of the -crews when the vessels were launched. - -It was on the 27th day of March, in the year 1813, that a young man -and a lad drove up to the door of the Erie Hotel in Presque Isle, and -we of the village soon came to know that the strangers were brothers, -the elder being a captain in the navy, by name Oliver H. Perry, and the -other, Alexander, who at once became a dear comrade of mine. - -As the only representative of the Government in Presque Isle, my father -was summoned to confer with the officer, and quite by chance I was -allowed to accompany him to the hotel. - -There, while our elders discussed the best means of building such a -fleet as might give successful battle to the enemy, who had already -made threats as to what would be done when the lake was free from ice, -Alec and I made each other’s acquaintance. - -He told me that his brother, the captain, had been in command of a -small fleet of gunboats at the Newport station; but, eager to see more -active service, had applied for a command on the lakes. On the first of -February, in this same year, he had received orders from the Secretary -of the Navy commanding him to report, with one hundred and fifty men, -to Commodore Chauncey, then stationed at Sackett’s Harbor. - -The force was sent ahead in three detachments, and the captain, with -Alec, set out in a sleigh through the wilderness. They arrived at -Sackett’s Harbor on the third of March, and stayed there a fortnight, -expecting each day an attack by the enemy. Then Captain Perry was -ordered to Presque Isle to push forward the work my father had begun, -and thus were we two lads brought together. - -Now the gunboats were not the only vessels building by this time. The -keels of two twenty-gun brigs and a clipper schooner were laid down -near the mouth of Cascade Creek, and a huge quantity of timber had been -felled nearabout ready for the workmen. There was no time in which to -season the stuff, and I have seen planking bent on the ribs of a brig -within four and twenty hours from the fall of the tree. In fact, my -father had a small fleet in process of construction, and Captain Perry -was pleased to compliment him for his activity and good judgment. - -Sixty men had volunteered under Captain Foster to guard the shipyards -against a possible attack by the Britishers, and all the workmen were -drilled each evening in the manual of arms, therefore our village -presented a very lively and warlike appearance. - -While Alec was telling me his story, and I explaining to him all I -had done in the work of preparation, our elders had decided as to -what further steps should be taken. Captain Perry was to go at once -to Pittsburg to send on the necessary supplies, while my father would -journey to Buffalo in quest of men and ammunition. - -So urgent was the need that no time was spent by either of these -officers in repose after once a definite plan was formed; but both set -out that same night, and Alexander was left in my charge, a fact which -made me feel a certain sense of responsibility and much pride. - -It would seem as if I had written over-much in my attempt to give -whoever may read these pages a fair idea of how we two--meaning Alec -Perry and I--came together, and yet a few more lines of dry detail are -necessary for a better understanding of what may follow. - -At this time our defences consisted of a small battery and a blockhouse -on the bluff at the entrance of the harbor; between them and the town -were the old French fort and another small blockhouse. Opposite the -town, on the peninsula to the westward of Little Bay, stood a third -blockhouse, a storehouse and a hospital, which last buildings were -erected after we received word that Captain Perry had been sent to -Presque Isle. The gunboats were on the stocks in front of the village; -while west of the settlement, at the mouth of Cascade Creek, where was -a blockhouse for the protection of the shipyard, the brigs and the -schooner were being built. - -My home was on the shore of the harbor midway between the old French -fort and the first-mentioned shipyard, and there it was Alec Perry -lodged, sleeping in the same bed with me on the night after our first -meeting. - -Before departing on his journey to Buffalo, my father said to me:-- - -“You and young Perry are not to remain idle while I am away. It is -necessary a message be sent the workmen on the Point, and early -to-morrow morning you shall set out with it. You should be able to go -and return in two hours, now the ice is in such good condition for -skating; but I propose that you remain there three days, going out -on the lake a distance of eight or ten miles every night and morning -to learn if the enemy are abroad. In other words, you two youngsters -are to act as scouts during my absence. Do not run unnecessary risks, -and in case of a snow-storm you will remain under cover, for I am not -minded to hear on my return that you have come to an untimely end.” - -It puffed me up with pride to have such a commission as this, and -Alec’s eyes glistened as my father spoke, for he was a brave lad, as -has since been proven more than once when I have come nigh to showing -the white feather. - -There was more in the mission, as we two lads understood it, than had -been put into words; surely if we could be depended upon to keep watch -over the harbor at a time when there was every reason to believe the -enemy might be making ready at the mouth of the Niagara River for an -attack upon Presque Isle, then for a certainty we might count ourselves -the same as having been accepted members of whatsoever crew we chose to -join. - -There was very little sleep for us on this first night of comradeship, -and I believe had either proposed to set out that very hour, the other -would have gladly acceded to the proposition. We did succeed, however, -in curbing ambition until slumber closed our eyelids, and when my -mother awakened me next morning the time for action had arrived. - -It was not a difficult matter to borrow a pair of skates in Presque -Isle, for there was hardly a person in the village who did not own -what, to us on the shore of the lake, was almost indispensable during -the winter months. - -The ice was in prime condition when we two made ready for the short -journey across to the Point, and the preparations consisted of nothing -more than buckling on our skates. We wore such clothing as might -be needed, and there was no necessity of burdening ourselves with -provisions, because the men at the blockhouse would supply us with food -as well as lodging. - -But for my being unused to this work of writing, and finding it -difficult to set down the words in clerkly fashion, I might say much -concerning the blockhouse on the Point and its occupants. - -There were men of eighty years, and lads younger than Alec, among the -party who called themselves the “garrison,” and all of them were known -to me; therefore it was much like being among kinsfolk to be quartered -with them. - -During the first two days Alec and I had plenty of company when we -glided over the smooth ice, up the lake in the direction of Niagara -River, on what we were pleased to call scouting expeditions; and but -for the fact that young Perry insisted upon considering himself in the -backwoods, we should have gotten on famously with the young members of -the garrison. - -Alec, however, having just come from Newport, and not yet used to -our customs, persisted in speaking of the surroundings as if he -believed himself in an uncivilized country, and many of the lads were -disgruntled because, as they said, he put on airs. - -To this charge Alec is now willing to plead guilty, although at the -time I question if he realized how greatly he set himself above us, -until after coming to understand that he had much to learn from the -people of Presque Isle. - -All this may seem trifling matter to set down on the pages of what is -intended to be the story of how Oliver Perry made himself famous on -Lake Erie; but yet it led us into an adventure which came near costing -the country the unfinished vessels that were sadly needed, and us our -lives. - -Four times had we left the blockhouse, accompanied by a dozen or more -lads, and skated ten or fifteen miles up the lake and back. Then our -companions, taking offence at some idle words used by Alec, declared -they would not set out with us again. - -It was a threat which had but little weight with my comrade or myself, -since we had a desire to be alone with each other, and on the morning -of the third day, when the sky was gray with threatening-looking -clouds, we left the blockhouse, counting to return there but once more -before going home, for the time set by my father had come to an end. - -Whether we should continue this sport of playing at being scouts, we -had decided to leave to Noah Brown, a shipwright who came from New York -City, and who was in charge of the works at Presque Isle during my -father’s absence. - -“I regret that the lads were offended with my idle words of yesterday; -but yet it is pleasant to set out alone with you, Dicky,” Alec said, -as we skimmed over the smooth ice in such direction as would bring us -to the easternmost battery on the opposite shore. “One might think, to -hear those in the garrison talk, that we were surrounded by Britishers, -and I have been waiting for an opportunity to ask if you believe the -enemy to be near at hand.” - -“Believe it? I know it to be a fact, Alec. The redcoats are in strong -force at the mouth of the Niagara, and certain it is that as soon as -the ice breaks up, you will see them in such numbers as to make you -alarmed for the safety of our works.” - -“The Britishers outnumbered our people when the independence of this -country was gained, but that did not frighten those who wore the -Continental uniform.” - -“Yet there were many dark days then, Alec, and I have heard my -grandfather say that often and again did he believe we should be -finally whipped into submission. I am unwilling to declare that there -are any here who _fear_ the result of this war; but yet I could point -out twenty as brave men as might be found, who believe that we as a -nation are all too weak to take up arms against so powerful a country -as England. It is certain that unless our ships are built, launched, -and gotten out of the harbor very soon after the ice breaks up, Presque -Isle is in great danger of being captured; and that I have heard my -father say a dozen times.” - -“It is strange that the redcoats fail to show themselves,” the lad said -musingly, as if ready to doubt my statement regarding the nearness of -the Britishers. - -“Yet you and your brother, while on the way from Buffalo, heard that -the enemy knew what was being done here, and was about to make an -attack.” - -“Yes, and Oliver pressed forward hurriedly, fearing lest we might -arrive too late. But now, because no movement has been made, I think he -is inclined to doubt the correctness of the statement.” - -At the time Alec made this remark we had covered two-thirds of the -distance between Presque Isle and Long Point, having gone directly -across the lake toward the Canadian side, and then it was that the snow -began to fall. - -My comrade was heedless of the danger which beset us, because ignorant -regarding it, and when I proposed that we turn back at once, making -all haste to gain the village or the blockhouse, he said in a tone -bordering on that of contempt:-- - -“You may go if you please; but I count on keeping straight ahead until -a good view of the enemy’s country can be had.” - -“We are full twenty miles from home, Alec,” I replied, giving no heed -to his tone, which at another time might have aroused me to anger. -“It is thirty miles from Little Bay to Long Point, and you who are -unaccustomed to skating such long distances cannot cover it and return -in a single day.” - -“It makes little difference to me if the journey occupies us well into -the night, for then we shall be saved the necessity of going back to -the blockhouse where those country louts are free to air their supposed -wit.” - -I saw at once that it was useless for me to make any attempt at -dissuading him from his purpose by the argument that he could not -endure the fatigue, although knowing full well that such was the case, -therefore I tried another tack which, with a lad who had lived on the -shore of the lake, would have been sufficient. - -“In a snow-storm neither you nor I can skate or walk in a direct line -on the ice, and the bravest man in Pennsylvania would hesitate long -before making an attempt to travel ten miles after the storm which now -threatens has come in good earnest.” - -“Then we may as well keep on as to turn back,” he said, increasing his -speed, thus forcing me to renewed exertions, for I was not minded he -should run into danger alone. - -During ten minutes or more I said all a lad might to dissuade a -headstrong comrade from running into such peril as I knew was in store -for us, providing we continued straight ahead. - -I reminded him that my father’s orders for us to remain under cover -in case of a snow-storm were positive, and that they would not have -been given without good cause. I also suggested that the brother of a -captain in the navy should be more careful than another to render due -obedience to those who were in command over him, and referred to my -father’s commission as sailing-master in the navy to show that either -of us, while acting as scouts, must look upon him as our superior -officer. - -To all my arguments and entreaties he had but a single reply:-- - -“We are nearer the Canadian shore than the American, and there is less -danger in going ahead than in returning.” - -When I urged that by going back we should be among friends, while to -continue on was, perchance, to find ourselves in the hands of the -Britishers, he accused me of showing the white feather, and repeated -the nursery rhyme of the lad who lived in the woods, and was scared by -an owl. - -I think it was that bit of doggerel which caused me to forget prudence -in order that I might prove myself as brave as he, and yet I did but -write myself down a fool, as one certainly is who ventures with no good -reason into danger. - -The snow did not fall in any great volume. It came gently, and with -that steadiness which betokens the beginning of a long, severe storm, -and yet I skated on by his side, angry with myself for so doing, but -lacking the courage to insist upon his going back. - -The ice was as smooth as glass; there was not a breath of wind to -impede our progress, and I believe we were covering no less than a mile -every four or five minutes. - -When, as nearly as I could judge, we had continued this mad chase for -half an hour, Alec threw himself upon the ice, declaring he must have a -breathing spell. - -“I’m not up to this work as you are,” he said with a laugh, “and -therefore am the more easily winded; but when it comes to endurance, -you shall see that I am quite your equal. Ten minutes of a rest now, -and I will not ask for a second halt until we stand on his Majesty’s -soil.” - -“Ay, and what then?” I asked, speaking sharply, for my patience was -well-nigh exhausted, to say nothing of the fact that fear was creeping -into my heart rapidly. “What will it avail us to stand on his Majesty’s -soil?” - -“Why, simply this, Dicky Dobbins,” Alec replied with a hearty laugh. -“We shall go back to Presque Isle, among those who are so valiant while -at home, and say we have entered the enemy’s country and returned in -safety. We can also report that there are no redcoats nearabout to -disturb the faint-hearted Pennsylvanians.” - -“It will be a long day before we return, unless this storm clears away -very soon, and of that there is no likelihood,” I replied moodily. “We -are risking our lives--and it is no less than that, I assure you--for -nothing but a whim of yours, which, when gratified, is of no benefit.” - -“If you are taking it so much to heart, Dicky, we’ll turn back now,” -and in a twinkling, as it were, Alec was the same cheery, honest lad I -had believed him to be these two days past; but alas, his cheeriness, -and his honesty, and his good comradeship had returned to him too late. - -“We must push forward now, for I dare not make the attempt to go back. -The Canadian shore should be within four or five miles, and if it -please God we’ll gain it before the smother thickens.” - -I think my words, and the tone in which they were spoken, gave the lad -a sense of fear for the first time since we had set out. He looked -about him with the air of one who suddenly discovers something, and -then turning to me said softly, but with a manner that went straight to -my heart:-- - -“I am sorry, Dicky, that I was so foolish. I have led you into this -trouble, and you must lead me out; but my word upon it, that from this -moment so long as we stay in this portion of the country, I will ever -take your advice.” - -He clasped my hand as if to ask pardon, and at that moment I felt a -breath of air from the northeast. The snowflakes were suddenly whirled -with that giddy, dancing motion which so bewilders one, telling me how -great the danger, and how short a time we had in which to escape. - -“Get up,” I said almost roughly. “Keep your wits about you and bend -every energy toward going forward in a straight line; for once we -become confused, there is little likelihood of our gaining either shore -before the cold lulls us to sleep.” - -Then, and I can hardly realize now how it occurred, before he could -rise to his feet it was as if we were completely surrounded by armed -men, and it needed not their speech to tell both of us that we were -prisoners. - -The Britishers were nearer than even I had imagined, and perchance -by this mad trick of Alec’s, Presque Isle would be captured; for the -people there were depending upon us to give an alarm in case the enemy -appeared upon the lake. - -We had been false to the trust my father reposed in us, and who could -say how much of harm to our country might result? - - -FOOTNOTES: - -[1] Now known as the city of Erie. - - - - -CHAPTER II. - -SNUG QUARTERS. - - -It is true that when the enemy came into view from amid the whirling -snow, Alec’s first thought, as he has since told me, was much the same -as mine--that we had brought disaster upon our country. - -It is nothing of credit that at the time we gave no heed to the peril -which menaced; but I here set it down as some slight plea in our favor, -that once the mischief had been done we gave no heed to what might come -out of it to us. - -The snow was falling in such volume, and being whirled so rapidly by -the rising wind, that it was impossible to see very far in either -direction, and whether we had been surrounded by a regiment of -soldiers, or only a squad of a dozen or more, it was impossible to say. - -I knew, however, it had been reported that the Britishers were -gathering at Port Rowan, and this fact it was which caused our people -to believe a descent upon Presque Isle was contemplated. - -Now I knew beyond reasonable doubt that these men had come from the -first-named place, and a great hope sprang up in my mind that they -might have ventured out for the same purpose as had Alec and I--that -our capture was the result of an accident. - -All these thoughts ran through my mind during the first two or three -seconds after the enemy appeared, and before a single word had been -spoken on either side. - -The party, fully armed and in uniform, wore storm coats, therefore it -was impossible, save by his bearing, to distinguish an officer from a -private; but Alec and I quickly understood, or believed we did because -of not being immediately questioned, that the men were waiting the -arrival of a superior. - -It was as if a party of dumb people had come together in this fleecy -downpour which whirled and danced until one’s eyes ached from the -ceaseless swirling. - -Alec looked meaningly at me, and I understood what he would have said. -There was in his glance a warning against our holding converse lest -we might betray something of importance to the enemy; but had the lad -known me better he would not have thought such a caution necessary. - -A boy who has lived on the frontier during such troublous times as -I had known, is not garrulous in the presence of strangers, and when -those strangers are known to be enemies, he would be little less than -an idiot who should open his mouth unnecessarily. - -Well, we two remained in the centre of this silent group while one -might have counted thirty, and then the circle was broken to admit a -figure, muffled, like the others, to the eyes in a coat of fur, but -approaching with such an air of authority that we knew at once he must -be in command. - -Now it was I noted the fact that none of the Britishers wore skates, -and there came into my mind like a flash the knowledge that we must be -close ashore, else these men would not thus have ventured out upon the -ice. - -I also noted, for one who lives much in the forests is quick to observe -every trifling detail in a scene, that the officer asked no questions -of his men as to where we had been found, or how they chanced to come -upon us; therefore I understood that our approach had been known before -we were thus made prisoners, and the remainder was easy to guess. - -While I had supposed we were half a dozen miles from the Canadian -shore, we must have been within view of those on the foreland, and -this squad had come out for no other reason than to capture us, a fact -which took much of the burden from my mind, for I had feared we were -met by the advance guard of a force sent to attack Presque Isle. - -“Where do you come from?” the officer asked, in that insolent tone -which was usually employed by those holding his Majesty’s commission -when addressing one from the American border. - -There was nothing to be gained by concealing the truth, and I answered -the Britisher fairly, save that there was no good reason why I should -explain our purpose in being abroad. - -“Why have you come on this side of the lake?” he asked, and I replied, -yet holding to the truth, but not telling all. - -“We were skating, and had ventured so far from home when the snow began -to fall, that it seemed safer to continue on than turn back.” - -“The question I would have answered is, why did you venture to come so -near this side at the beginning? You were well over before the snow -began to fall.” - -“Of that we were ignorant, sir,” Alec replied, speaking as if in -fear; and I observed that his tone gave satisfaction to the valiant -Britisher, who was pleased at being able to frighten two lads. “We must -have skated faster than we fancied, and I do assure you, sir, that -neither of us had any idea how near we were to an enemy.” - -Up to this point it appeared as if we were like to come off from the -adventure in safety, and I was beginning to believe no more harm would -accrue to us than that of being sent back through the storm at risk of -losing our way, when one of the men whispered to the officer, after -which the latter asked sharply of me:-- - -“Are you the son of that Daniel Dobbins who has trafficked on the lake?” - -It was evident that this soldier, whose face I could not see because of -the coat-collar which covered it, had recognized me, and I replied with -all the boldness it was possible to assume:-- - -“I am, sir, and therefore you may know of a certainty from whence we -come.” - -It would have been better had I been less talkative, for now both Alec -and I understood that the Britisher’s suspicions were aroused. - -“Where is your father?” he asked sharply. - -I would have given much had I been able to reply promptly; but with his -question there came into my mind the thought that I might unwittingly -betray an important secret, and for the instant speech was well-nigh -impossible. Then, after that unfortunate hesitation, I said:-- - -“I do not know, sir.” - -“Is he not at home?” - -“I am unable to say, sir.” - -“Why? Was he not at home when you left?” - -Now it was necessary I should explain that Alec and I had been these -past three days at the blockhouse, and this statement seemed at -variance with the one first made. - -The Britisher looked at us searchingly for a moment, and then said, -much as though speaking to himself:-- - -“It is evident you lads have something to conceal. I was inclined to -believe the story first told; but now it seems wiser to doubt it. Take -off your skates,” he added harshly, and we had no choice but to obey. - -When we were thus made helpless, so far as escape was concerned, the -officer gave some order in a low tone to one of the men, after which he -wheeled about, walking in the direction where I believed lay the shore, -and was soon lost to view amid the falling snow. - -“Forgive me,” Alec whispered as he pressed my hand, and I understood -full well all that was in his mind. - -We two were not inclined for conversation; but even though we had been, -it was best to remain silent lest yet more suspicions be aroused, and -contenting ourselves with a single glance which meant, for my part, -that there was no thought of resentment toward my comrade for having -led us into these straits, we obeyed the order of our captors to march -in advance. - -It was not easy to walk on the ice now thickly covered with dry snow, -and our progress was by no means rapid; yet in less than fifteen -minutes we were arrived at the shore, and I wondered why it was we had -failed to note the fact of being so near the enemy’s lines before the -storm began. - -We pushed on, forced to do so by those in the rear, straight over the -outermost end of the Point, where was a well-defined path showing that -it had been frequently travelled, until arriving on the opposite side. -Then could be seen a dozen or more log huts, lately constructed, as -might be told from the chips and branches which covered the snow in -every direction. - -Now we knew what I would have given much to have told my father. -The reports that a force of Britishers were meditating an attack -upon Presque Isle were not without ample foundation, for here beyond -a peradventure were the quarters of those soldiers who were to be -employed in the manœuvre. - -As nearly as I could judge from a hurried glance around, there were -quarters for fully two hundred men, and I believed that number had -already assembled here. - -Many soldiers came out of the huts when we arrived, and because no -surprise was exhibited by any of them, we again understood that our -approach was observed some time before the capture. - -If there had been any hope in our minds that we would be treated mildly -because of our youth, it was speedily dispelled. - -The soldier in charge of the squad which conducted us, and I judged -that he might be a sergeant or a corporal, seized us roughly by the -arms, literally thrusting us into a small pen--I can give no other name -to that place used as a prison--which was built at one end of the hut -nearest the shore. - -The door of logs was closed and barred behind us. - -It was a regular coffin into which we had been introduced, and save -for the light that filtered through the chinks of the logs, we would -have been in darkness. Our prison measured, perhaps, five feet square, -and we had the choice of standing in a bent position, or of throwing -ourselves upon the frozen ground carpeted with snow. - -“Snug quarters these!” Alec cried with an unsuccessful attempt at -cheeriness. “I have always heard it said that his Majesty had no love -for those who call themselves Americans, but never before knew he would -vent his displeasure upon boys.” - -Fearing lest he might say that which would betray somewhat of our -purpose in coming out on the lake, I added gloomily:-- - -“If my mother could know where we are thus imprisoned it would seem -less hard; but she is like to be anxious concerning us when night -falls, and we have not returned.” - -Then the dear lad, catching quickly at my reason for thus speaking, -added:-- - -“It cannot be the English soldiers will deem it a crime that we were -skating on the lake, and our release must soon come.” - -After that we fell silent, not daring to speak lest we reveal what -should be kept a secret, and having at heart that fear of the future -which quenched all desire for conversation. - -As the moments passed and we were forced to remain inactive, crouching -in the snow, exposed to the wind which came through every tiny crevice, -our limbs became chilled, and I said to myself that we were like to -freeze in these snug quarters where exercise was impossible save as one -might swing his arms to and fro. - -That gloom which I had assumed when we were first thrust into the pen -now took possession of me in earnest, and again did I reproach myself -with having allowed the headstrong Alec to go on when I knew we were -in danger. - -Then came that which caused us for the time to forget our private -troubles. - -A group of soldiers inside the hut which joined our prison, were -talking so loudly that we could hear a goodly portion of the -conversation, and Alec seized me by the hand to attract my attention -when one of the men said impatiently:-- - -“There is no good reason why we are forced to halt here waiting for the -remainder of the regiment. I venture to say that the Yankee settlement -can be captured with threescore of men.” - -There was no need any one should tell us of what settlement they were -speaking. If I had not suspected before, it would have been plain to me -now, that this detachment had encamped here to make ready for an attack -upon Presque Isle. - -After a moment’s silence another voice asked:-- - -“Does any one know when we are like to move?” and to this, reply was -made by the man who had first spoken, so I judged:-- - -“When we number four hundred, I have heard it said.” - -“And how long are we to wait for the remainder of the detachment? Three -days seem like a month, when one is tied up here, half frozen.” - -“There is no reason why the attack could not have been made two days -ago,” the first speaker replied. “I am told that those who should join -us were halted at Port Ryers, but it is possible they may be here at -any moment.” - -“There is nothing to delay us an hour after they come.” - -Then the men began speculating upon the possible defence which might be -made by our people at Presque Isle, Alec and I listening intently for -that which would give us further hint as to the proposed movement. - -It appeared to be the belief of the men that our settlement would offer -but little resistance, and I was surprised to know how well informed -they were concerning the condition of affairs. - -I question if my father could have told them more regarding the -vessels on the stocks, or the length of time which might be required -to finish them. It was evident beyond a question that in Presque Isle -some one who had been trusted with all the details--perhaps one in -authority--was playing the traitor. - -During fully an hour these men talked of that which they counted to -do, treating the matter as if the capture of Presque Isle was but a -trifling task; and we--Alec and I--grew alternately hot and cold, as -we realized what valuable information it would be possible to give were -we at liberty. - -Not until nightfall was any attention paid us, and then the door of the -pen was opened, that a soldier might thrust in two small squares of -corn-bread. - -“The snow will serve instead of water,” he said, with a leer; and then -we were alone once more. - -Until this time neither of us had spoken; each was so intent upon -forming some plan of escape that he had no desire to talk of aught else. - -When the scanty rations had been left us, and it was understood, from -what the soldier said, that we were to remain there until morning, I -could keep silent no longer. - -“We will get out of this at any hazard!” I whispered to Alec. “It is -certain an attack will soon be made upon the settlement for the purpose -of destroying the half-finished vessels, and information must be -carried even at the expense of our lives.” - -“I grant you that, Dicky Dobbins, and am willing to venture on any -chance, however small; but first you shall tell me in what way we may -set about carrying the information.” - -The question I could not answer, and he knew it full well even as he -spoke. - -The one thing in our favor, as it seemed to me, was the fact that -the Britishers had not taken away the skates. When we removed them, -according to orders, I was not minded to leave behind what had cost me -two dollars in lawful money and twelve muskrat pelts, therefore slung -them over my shoulder. - -Now if we could but escape from this pen, with five minutes, or even -half that time, the start, there was no question in my mind but we -might get off scot-free. - -How to get out? That was the question I could not answer, and thus far -Alec seemed to be equally in the dark. - -The men in the hut adjoining our prison no longer talked sufficiently -loud for us to hear, or when they did, there were so many speaking at -the same time that we could not make out clearly the subject of the -conversation. - -The snow was still falling; but the air was rapidly growing colder, -and I had little question that the storm would soon cease, for the -temperature must have been several degrees below zero. - -To remain in this place, every corner of which was searched out by -the wind, would have been to freeze, and we ran to and fro as best we -might, thrashing our arms together with such a noise that some one in -the hut cried with a laugh:-- - -“The Yankee cubs won’t be idle this night, that I’ll venture to say;” -and another, who may have had boys of his own at home, added:-- - -“It is barbarous to leave them there without so much as a blanket. If -the shed was filled with snow, into which they might burrow, it would -not be so bad.” - -“A bit of chill won’t do them any harm, and in case they get home again -it will serve to show the braggarts there what awaits them if they -persist in believing it possible to prevent Britain from ruling the -sea, or the land either, for that matter.” - -“We may make as much noise as pleases us, and those fellows will think -only that we are trying to keep warm,” Alec whispered. - -“Well!” I replied, not understanding for the moment what he meant. “How -much of satisfaction will you find in making a noise?” - -“This much,” the lad replied; and from that moment I understood that, -despite the lack of years, he was my superior in such knowledge as -became one who would be a soldier: “Instead of walking idly to and fro, -what prevents us from spending our strength in trying to dislodge some -of these logs?” - -There was nothing to prevent it, as I admitted to myself; but how might -we set about it? - -Work of any kind would be welcome, yet it was necessary young Perry -show me how it might be begun. - -And that he did, after looking about for a moment, feeling of the -joints in each corner where the timbers were simply laid one upon -another, and only slightly dovetailed together. - -“The uppermost one should be pushed aside easiest,” he said at length, -“for no more than the weight of the roof rests upon it.” - -“Yet you must have something as a lever with which to work.” - -“I will use my shoulder, if it so be you can hold me on your back.” - -“That I will do, and for so long a time as you wish,” I replied, with -but little faith that he might succeed in his purpose. - -It was true nothing save the weight of the roof rested upon these -uppermost logs; but this was formed of green saplings, which, when -taken as a whole, would prove a burden far too heavy for both of us, -even though we could come at it handily, so I said to myself. - -However, there was no harm in trying; and so much good would come of it -that even in the failure we should be gaining needed exercise to keep -us warm. - -Crouching as one does who plays at leap-frog, I rested my hands upon -the logs forming the outer side of the pen, to hold myself steady, and -Alec stood upon my back. - -In this position he was forced to bend nearly double, and I saw at once -that could I hold him up when he straightened his body, something must -perforce give way. - -“Are you ready?” he asked in a whisper, and I, mentally bracing myself -for the effort, replied:-- - -“Do your best; but quickly, lest I fail to hold this position.” - -Alec Perry is a slightly built lad, and to look at him one would say -his strength was hardly more than that of a woman, yet I soon found -that it was far in excess of what his frame indicated. - -For an instant it seemed as if the weight of a ton was pressing upon -my bent back, and then I heard a dull, muffled sound, as if some heavy -body had fallen into the snow on the outside. - -The strain upon me was lessened wonderfully, and my heart leaped with -joy and gratitude as the dear boy whispered excitedly:-- - -“We have thrown off the top log, Dicky Dobbins, and unless there be a -sentinel outside who has heard the timber fall, we shall be free from -this pen as soon as you are minded to make the venture.” - -He leaped down from my back, and, grasping both his hands to show my -gratitude for his gallant and wondrous effort, for it was wondrous in -view of his slight body, I replied:-- - -“We’ll count thirty, Alec, and if by that time no alarm is given, it -is for us to make good an escape, taking the chances of losing our way -in the driving snow upon the ice, rather than remain here; for now has -come the time when we may save Presque Isle from falling into the hands -of the enemy.” - - - - -CHAPTER III. - -THE ESCAPE. - - -How it may have been with Alec Perry while we stood inside that pen, -listening eagerly, and yet fearing lest we might hear something, I know -not. As for myself, it was as if the blood in my veins was at boiling -point, and I could hardly breathe because of the sense of suffocation -which had come upon me. - -At first I began to count as rapidly as it was possible to speak the -figures in my thoughts, and then came the knowledge that by hastening -the time ever so little I might be destroying our chances for escape. - -In case the fall of the timber had been heard, and one of the soldiers -came out to learn the cause of the noise, it was possible he would fail -to observe what had been done, for the snow was so light that the log -must be concealed from view in its frosty bed. - -I say again, it was possible, even probable, that one or more of the -Britishers might come out and yet fail to detect what we had done; -but if Alec and I should begin the attempt a few moments too soon, -all would be lost. Better waste half the night than try to gain sixty -seconds of time, and in the doing cut ourselves off from all hope of -gaining liberty. - -Similar thoughts must have been in my comrade’s mind; for when I had -counted up to thirty, and then waited ten seconds to give fair measure, -he clutched my arm as if advising that we remain yet a little longer. - -And so we did, standing there hand in hand, looking toward the narrow -aperture through which lay home and freedom. - -While we thus hesitated there came into my mind the fear that after we -gained the outside some of the more kindly hearted Britishers would -enter the prison-pen in order to bring us coverings, lest we freeze to -death; and I literally shivered with dread, fearing so much of charity -might be bestowed upon us. - -Then, when we had waited fully two minutes, I could restrain my -impatience and my nervousness no longer. - -Surely the very beating of my heart would betray us unless flight was -begun at once. - -I dared not so much as whisper, so great was the fear of discovery upon -me, and pressing Alec’s hand yet more vigorously, I pointed to the -aperture. - -He, understanding the gesture, motioned for me to go ahead; but that I -would not do, and rather than play so cowardly a part as to seek my own -safety first, I ventured upon speech:-- - -“You shall lead the way, Alec, lad,” I whispered, my voice trembling -despite every effort to render it steady; “and if it so be that when -you have gained the outside the Britishers enter here, I beseech you to -strain every muscle in the attempt to escape, regardless of what they -may be doing to me.” - -“I will never leave a comrade alone in danger,” he said stoutly; and -for a moment it seemed as if we should come to a quarrel then and -there, while halting ’twixt liberty and imprisonment. - -“You must leave me, should the flight be discovered before I am out -of here,” I said earnestly, gripping his arm so hard that twenty-four -hours later I saw the imprints of my fingers upon the flesh where the -blood had settled. “It is neither your life nor mine that is to be -considered now, but the safety of Presque Isle; and I charge you, dear -lad, make your way to the settlement without loss of time, once you are -free. I pledge myself to do the same, leaving you wherever it may be -that we are halted by the enemy, in order to save the village and the -vessels, upon which so much of our country’s safety depends.” - -Now he understood what I would have him bear well in mind, and -whispered:-- - -“One or the other of us must live to reach the village; but I pray -earnestly, Dicky, that if either falls, it be me.” - -This sort of a conversation was not calculated to make a timorous -fellow overly bold, and I realized at once that an end must be put to -it, else we might become so faint-hearted as to retreat even before the -advance was begun. - -Therefore, clasping him by the legs, I lifted him straight up until his -head and shoulders were through the aperture; and then, pushing at his -feet, I literally forced him out of the pen. - -Instantly this was done I reproached myself for having been so hasty, -fearing lest he, like the log, might fall, failing to find support on -the sides of the hut, and thus an alarm be given. - -Alec Perry was not a lad to be guilty of a blunder, even though his -comrade did his best toward forcing him into one; and in some way, -I know not how, he contrived to drop from the top of the timbers as -lightly as a cat. - -Listening intently, I began to clamber up the wall, gripping my fingers -into the crevices between the logs until the blood came from under my -nails, and when I was nearly at the top, the thought flashed upon me -that we had left our skates behind. - -They lay in one corner of the pen, and so great was our excitement, -when the way of escape had been opened, that neither of us so much as -thought of them. - -Without skates we might as well remain where we were, for it would not -be possible to walk across the lake in eight-and-forty hours. - -I lowered myself down, losing the advantage I had gained at the -expense of so much suffering, and thrust a pair of skates into each -coat-pocket, after which the painful task of scrambling up the side of -the pen was begun again. - -It seemed to me of a verity that a full hour had been spent before I -looked down from the top of the wall to see Alec making an effort to -clamber back. - -The time had dragged heavily with him also, and fearing lest some -mishap had befallen me, he was returning, forgetful of the promises -made to push forward at all hazards. - -I heard plainly the sigh of relief which escaped his lips when he saw -me, and in another instant I was lowering myself down on the outside. - -Free, so far as concerned the walls of the pen! - -Now the storm was little less than a blessing to us, for the wind, -howling and shrieking as it dashed the frosty particles against the -walls of the huts, must have drowned any sound which we made while -floundering through the snow. - -A start of five minutes was all I had asked for, and this we surely -would gain, unless it so chanced that a sentinel was stationed on the -shore, in which case we stood every chance of being recaptured. - -“It is necessary to go forward slowly, and by a devious way,” Alec -whispered. “It seems most likely some of the men are on guard, and it -would be a sad blow to our hopes if we ran across them now.” - -“We must take the chances,” I said, bolder grown since we were free -from the pen. “To leave this path would be to flounder about in the -snow or the bushes, where we must necessarily make so much noise -that any sentinel, however dull, could not fail to hear us. There is -no other course than to push ahead and trust to chances, Alec, lad. -Besides, the danger in advance is less than that behind, and if we come -upon a soldier near-by the edge of the ice, surely the two of us ought -to be more than a match for him, half stupefied by the cold as any man -must be who has remained long outside on this night.” - -There was no need for him to make answer. He stood ready to do -whatsoever was needed, and I venture to say, however great the perils -which menaced, he would not have flinched from braving them. - -We went forward swiftly, yet making no noise that could be avoided, and -when finally we were arrived at the shore of the lake no living thing -could be seen. - -“We are free, Dicky, lad! Free!” Alec cried, speaking so loudly that -I covered his mouth with my hand, lest in his joyous excitement he -work us the greatest mischief which could come upon two lads in our -situation. - -It can well be imagined that not a second was lost in fastening on our -skates, and when we stood erect, shod with those thin plates of steel -which would enable us to glide over the surface of the ice with the -speed of a race-horse, it was with difficulty that I could repress a -shout of triumph. - -We two, who had never before known by experience the horrors of war -and its usages,--we who had through carelessness allowed ourselves to -be made prisoners,--were escaped without a scratch within a few hours -of capture, and by escaping would be able to prevent Presque Isle from -being taken by surprise. - -When I bent my body in striking out on that long, swinging stride which -had served me time and time before, I thought with exultation that -that which had seemed the direst calamity that could come upon two -lads, was, in fact, a blessing in disguise, as are many of the troubles -which for the time bear us down in sorrow. Save for Alec Perry’s -foolhardiness in continuing on toward the Canadian shore, we would -never have known of that gathering of soldiery at the North Foreland, -and the people of Presque Isle, lulled into a sense of security, might -have fallen easy victims to the first assault of the redcoats. - -“It has been a good day’s work, Alec, boy!” I said, when we were a -mile or more from the shore, and escape was absolutely certain unless -we lost our lives in the whirl of snow, for no man in that camp could -overtake me on skates. “A good day’s work, because we have scouted to a -purpose, even though it was done ignorantly!” - -The dear lad’s mind went farther afield than mine, as I understood when -he added quietly, yet with a certain ring of satisfaction in his tone:-- - -“So that we reach the village, Dicky, we have made a name for ourselves -which shall be spoken in years to come, long after we are dead, for we -will be known as the boys who saved Presque Isle and the beginnings -of the American navy. It is what Oliver has been praying might be his -good fortune, to come into some adventure which would give him an -opportunity of making a name that should live in history; and God -grant he succeed, for my brother is a hero, Dicky Dobbins, and some day -he will prove it to those of the king’s forces who come against him.” - -Fortunately at this moment I remembered that there must be an end to -this self-glorification, and a speedy one, else were we likely to come -to grief. - -I had heard the bravest men in Presque Isle say that the one thing they -feared the most was to be overtaken by a snow-storm while on that vast -field of ice which imprisoned the waters of Lake Erie; for few there -be who can walk or skate in a straight line amid the falling, whirling -particles of snow. - -We had come two miles, perhaps, from the shore by this time, and I -caught Alec’s arm, that he might take the better heed to my words, -as I explained the dangers which were before us, begging that he put -from his mind all else save the aim of moving forward as nearly in a -straight line as might be. - -“You shall go ahead, lad, keeping in advance so far as I am able to see -you, and perhaps by this means it will be possible for me to know when -you turn to the right or the left, as it is said one is ever inclined -to do under such circumstances.” - -Perhaps if it had not been for our having foolishly run into the arms -of the Britishers, Alec would have insisted that I was making a great -cry when no danger threatened, because he seemed to think it a simple -matter to go ahead in a straight line without anything to guide his -movements; but now that the knowledge of his foolhardiness was sharp -upon him he obeyed readily; and thus we set out on our thirty-mile -journey in the darkness, our faces stung until they burned by the icy -particles which were flung against them on the wings of the east wind. - -Here again did that which seemed to be a danger and a discomfort prove -a blessing. But for the wind we should have had nothing to give us the -slightest idea of the direction in which Presque Isle lay. As it was, -I could not say to a certainty that these furious blasts came from -the east, because the direction might have changed since we were made -prisoners; but I knew beyond a peradventure it had not swung around -either to the north or the south, and, therefore, if our left cheeks -were stung by the driving snow more bitterly than our right, we must be -advancing somewhere near on the desired course. - -During the first half-hour Alec went straight forward, and then, -growing weary, perhaps, he would swerve to one side or the other, -insisting, when I checked him, that it was I, rather than himself, who -mistook the direction. - -I am making this story of our escape from the North Foreland overly -long, for it may be that what then seemed, and seems now, to me most -thrilling, will be dry reading to others. Therefore it is best I come -to a halt in this play of words, although it would be possible to fill -page after page with what we thought, and said, and did during that -long, painful night’s journey; for, although we had set out, as nearly -as we could judge, at about eight o’clock in the evening, the sun was -two hours high in the heavens before we were come to Presque Isle, so -nearly exhausted that Alec fell upon the shore, unable to move hand or -foot, when we were arrived in front of my home. - -Despite all our efforts we went so far astray as to strike the American -shore near Indian Bend, full eighteen miles above the village, and -arriving there during the hours of darkness, I was not able to say -positively where we were; therefore it became necessary to wait until -daylight. - -This halt, while it refreshed us in a certain degree, allowed our limbs -to stiffen until, when we arose to our feet again, it seemed almost -impossible to advance one foot before the other. - -But we were arrived at last, and could give the information which it -was so necessary our people should have; therefore was the work done -well, even though death had come upon us after the story was told. - -Strange as it may seem, we found it difficult to repeat that which we -had learned. Every man was so engrossed with the work in hand that -it appeared like a waste of time to listen to two lads who had been -pleasuring on the Point, as was supposed; and we, fatigued beyond power -of further movement, could not run from one to another insisting upon -being heard. - -But for the fact that Noah Brown chanced to pass near by where I was -trying to induce one of the shipwrights to listen to me, it might have -been a full hour before we gained the ear of any in authority. - -Once I began to speak, however, and he realized from whence we had -escaped, it can be fancied that no further entreaties on our part were -necessary. - -It was he who pleaded with us to tell more, and when the story of -the adventure had been repeated twice over, an alarm was given which -aroused every man, woman and child in Presque Isle. - -What was done toward defending the place during the first four and -twenty hours of excitement I know not, because, when our work had been -accomplished, Alec Perry and myself were given the needed opportunity -to sleep, and until the morning after our arrival we realized nothing -of what was passing around us. - -It is now well known that the Britishers did not make an attack upon -the village; but--and here I must go ahead of my story for a moment--we -learned five months later, from a prisoner, that the expected -reënforcements arrived twelve hours after our escape, and save for the -fact that we had succeeded in giving them the slip, the assault would -have been made without delay. The commandant decided, however, that the -news which we carried regarding the assembling of the forces at that -point would be sufficient to give an alarm, and concluded, with good -cause, that it was no longer possible to take Presque Isle by surprise. - -There was no lack of scouts on the lake from the day of our return -until the ice broke up, and in the meanwhile my father had come back -from Buffalo with a twelve-pound cannon, four chests of small arms, and -a limited supply of ammunition. - -It was a scanty store toward fitting out the vessels which were nearing -completion; but it served to put us all in better spirits, because, -with these much needed munitions, we could the better defend the bay. - -Lest it should seem that I am vainglorious, the words which my father -spoke to Alec and myself when he learned what we two had done shall not -be set down here; but this much is necessary in order that what follows -may be understood. He agreed, in the name of Captain Perry, that we -lads should be allowed to enlist on whatsoever vessel pleased us; and -promised also, in the name of Alec’s brother, that a full report of our -adventure be sent to the Government at Washington. - -We still continued, so long as it was possible, to skate back and -forth on the lake within half a dozen miles of the American shore, and -perhaps I need not say that never again did Alec make any attempt at -venturing farther across than seemed absolutely necessary. - -When not thus employed we watched eagerly the building of the ships, -and had much discussion between ourselves as to which one we should -volunteer to serve on. For my part I was wholly at a loss to decide, -until Alec settled the question by saying:-- - -“Where my brother is, there must be the hottest fighting, for I assure -you he will seek out the enemy whether they be disposed to give battle -or not; and when he returns from Pittsburg we shall know on which craft -we are to sail.” - -Captain Perry came back on the 10th day of April. The ice was out of -the lake, and the forces in the blockhouse at the entrance of Presque -Isle Bay were redoubled, for now we had every reason to expect the -British fleet. - -Two weeks after his return the three gunboats were launched, and I dare -venture to say not one person in Presque Isle, old or young, missed the -spectacle. - -It was a gala day in the village, and when we saw the little craft -swinging at their cables just off the landing-place, there came -to every one, I believe, to myself I know, an additional sense of -security, although these vessels were as yet uncompleted, and without -guns or ammunition. - -The two brigs would be ready for leaving the ways in three weeks, it -was said, and Alec and I looked forward to that day with the keenest -interest, for Captain Perry had told us that upon one of these he -should sail, while at the same time he ratified the promise made by my -father. - -We promised ourselves that nothing should prevent us from seeing these -two craft, which both of us felt certain would make the bravest showing -against the Britishers, leap into the water, and yet we failed of being -present. - -This is how it was:-- - -One week before the day set for the launching a message came from -Commodore Chauncey, who was then at Buffalo, ordering Captain Perry to -join him in a certain secret enterprise against the enemy. - -Now Alec’s brother was not minded to take two lads with him, and would -have kept the matter secret, but that it came to us quite by accident. - -Emboldened by the service already rendered, we decided that it was our -right to accompany the expedition. - -I need not repeat the arguments which we used to persuade the captain -to receive us as volunteers. He objected to our proposition; first, -because it was not expected he should bring any force with him, and -secondly, because he must journey from Presque Isle to Buffalo in an -open four-oared boat, which, in itself, was like to be a perilous -undertaking at that season of the year. - -Alec had a persuasive tongue, fortunately, as I then thought, and the -result of our pleadings was that on the evening of the 23d of May, the -day before the brigs were to be launched, we two lads embarked in what -was hardly more than a skiff, manned by four oarsmen, with Captain -Perry, exulting in the thought that now were we bearing men’s parts in -the war against the enemies of our country. - - - - -CHAPTER IV. - -THE ATTACK. - - -What might be the enterprise in which we were embarked on this 23d day -of May, in the year 1813, neither Alec nor I could so much as guess, -and we were not troubled because of our ignorance. - -So that it was an attack upon the enemy, and a venture in which was -somewhat of danger, we gave no heed. - -As a matter of course we speculated upon it among ourselves, and, -knowing that Captain Perry proposed to set out alone, we believed it -was something in the nature of a reconnoissance, which in itself would -have been comparatively trifling but for the fact that Alec’s brother -was making it, and he, we understood full well, would lead us as near -to the Britishers as might be agreeable. - -As I have said, it was evening when we set out from Presque Isle, -embarking at the old French Fort, and before having sailed a distance -of ten miles the boat was headed in for the shore. - -To my mind there was good reason for this manœuvre. The wind was -blowing from the north and east a full half-gale, and it was such -weather as appeared too heavy for our small boat. - -Immediately after we had rounded the point on which was located the -blockhouse, and were come out into the lake, I believed the captain -would decide that it was dangerous in the extreme to make any attempt -at continuing the journey, and my relief was great when the bow of the -craft grated upon the sand. - -“If this is to be the end of our travels we need not have wasted so -much breath in asking permission to join the party,” Alec whispered to -me, laughingly, but ere I could reply my father stepped out from the -bushes, pushed off the boat as he leaped into it without speaking, and -the voyage was resumed before we had fully come to a halt. - -Now it was we understood that some plan of operations had been decided -upon beforehand, else would Captain Perry and my father have held -converse with each other; but, instead, they sat in the stern-sheets -intent, so far as we could see, only upon the progress which we might -make by aid of oars. - -Noting the expression on each man’s face I grew more serious in mind, -understanding full well that they had in view something of a grave -nature, otherwise words would have passed between them, whereas both -held silent; while our boatmen fought against the angry waves of the -lake as if some great reward awaited them in event of a successful -ending of the voyage. - -This much Alec saw as well as did I, for he whispered, after we had -pushed out on the angry waters again, forcing our way against wind and -wave half a mile or more, during which time no person in the boat had -so much as spoken:-- - -“Where think you, Richard Dobbins, is to be the end of this adventure?” -And I answered him, having in mind our captivity at Port Rowan:-- - -“It is like that we will head, so soon as the wind permits, for some -point on the Canadian shore. Perhaps neither your brother nor my father -firmly believes all we told them regarding the gathering of Britishers, -and are now come to make a reconnoissance, since the ice is broken up -and it is possible for troops to cross the lake.” - -It would have been as well had we held our peace, for neither Alec nor -I guessed at the meaning of this voyage, as was shown when the night -grew older. - -Instead of proceeding toward the Canadian shore, as would have been -easier under all the circumstances, we hugged the land so far as was -possible, steadily advancing within what might well be called the -American boundaries, straight on toward Buffalo, and were it not for -the fact of what followed after we were on the banks of the Niagara -River, I would write much concerning the dangers of that night voyage, -when not only once, but twenty times, were we in great peril of being -overset by the angry waves. - -However, because of what followed, this venture, which at the time -seemed in the highest degree hazardous, came to appear as nothing, and -must be passed over with but few words. - -Therefore let me set it down that during every moment of all the long -night we two lads believed our lives were near to being ended. - -Every wave which buffeted our slight craft sent the water in over -rail or stern, and brought her down so low that the water broke over -us until we were forced to bail with all our might, else had we been -swamped. - -In such manner did the night pass, and when morning broke we were at -Buffalo, neither Alec nor I understanding what purpose could have -brought us there. - -We had a fairly good idea, however, when, with such horses as could -most readily be procured, we four--meaning Captain Perry, my father, -Alec, and I--set out by land, riding during that day and part of the -next night until we were come to Lewiston, when we made a halt. - -Then a council was held, in which we had no part, but I heard Captain -Perry say to my father at the close of it:-- - -“You will ride back to Schlosser, and there make ready boats in which -to transport laborers who will hasten the work upon our squadron at -Presque Isle, if it so be we are successful in the venture.” - -Whereupon my father asked:-- - -“But if it so be that you fail in the enterprise?” - -“To my mind there is no such possibility. Fort George must be taken -within four and twenty hours after our arrival, and from that point -we will detach as many men as are needed for the movement which we -contemplate upon the lake.” - -Thus it was that Alec and I gained an inkling of the whole scheme. - -Fort George, on the Canadian shore, just south of Newark, was to -be attacked by our forces, most likely under command of Commodore -Chauncey, and we lads, who burned to distinguish ourselves, would be -given the opportunity within a few hours. - -My father turned back agreeably to the commands he had received, and -we three continued on until we arrived at the shore of Lake Ontario, -near-by Fort Niagara, off which was lying the American fleet, -consisting of such vessels as the _Madison_, _Oneida_, _Lady of the -Lake_, _Ontario_, and five or six others whose names shall appear as -this narrative progresses. - -It was a hearty reception with which we met when, having come to the -shore, signals were made to our vessels in the offing, and a boat -put out from the _Madison_, which for the time was flying Commodore -Chauncey’s flag. - -Leaving our horses in the care of friendly-disposed people near at -hand, we embarked in the commodore’s barge, and on stepping aboard the -_Madison_, Commodore Chauncey said, taking Captain Perry warmly by the -hand:-- - -“No person on earth could be more welcome at this time than yourself.” - -It was as if these words had been spoken to us two lads personally, -and immediately Alec and I were puffed up with pride, sharing for the -moment all the honor which was given to the captain. - -It was not with any idea of spinning out a yarn regarding the capture -of Fort George that I first set myself down to this task, but rather to -tell how Captain Oliver Perry won renown for himself on the waters of -Lake Erie, and also to describe the slight share which we two lads had -in the gaining of his glory. - -Therefore it is that all which was done here nearabout Lake Ontario -shall be given in the fewest words possible to a fair understanding. So -far as we two lads are concerned, it may well be passed over briefly, -for although our intentions were good, and we had fancied the moment -was come when we could play the part of men, Alec Perry and I were -little more than spectators during this, the first of warfare I had -ever witnessed. - -But even to so skeleton-like a tale as this must be, some words of -description are necessary, in order that what share Captain Perry had -in the victory may thoroughly be understood. - -The commander of the American forces was General Henry Dearborn, and of -the American squadron, as I have before said, Commodore Isaac Chauncey. - -Of our land force, fit for duty, there were said to be over four -thousand, including the troops under command of Major-General Lewis -in Fort Niagara. Our people had, in addition to the fort I have just -named, what was known as the Salt Battery, opposite Fort George, and -two other batteries between it and Fort Niagara. - -General Dearborn was so sick at this time as to be unable to take -any active part in the operations; but his chief of staff, Colonel -Winfield Scott, represented him ably, and during an interview between -the commodore and the general in command, it was decided that Captain -Oliver Perry should have full charge of the task of landing the troops -when the attack was begun. - -Further preparations on our side consisted of building a large number -of small boats at Five-Mile Meadow, and orders were sent for them to be -brought around to Four-Mile Creek on the evening of the 26th of May, -when an interview between our commanders was held. These skiffs were to -be used, as a matter of course, in the landing of the troops. - -So much for the American forces; now for the British. - -There were nearabout the fort which Commodore Chauncey and General -Dearborn counted on taking, English regulars to the number of eighteen -hundred, under command of Brigadier-General John Vincent. In addition, -there were three hundred and fifty militia and fifty Indians under -Colonel Harvey. - -It was said by our spies that the enemy’s force extended on the right -from Fort George to Brown’s Point, and on the left to Four-Mile -Creek and the Canadian side of the river; while in the rear of the -fortifications a number of companies were stationed to support each -other when required. - -Besides Fort George, the Britishers had several smaller works along -the shore of the Niagara River and Lake Ontario. One twenty-four pound -gun was set up about half a mile from Newark, and their principal -battery was at the mouth of Two-Mile Creek. - -All this Alec and I learned while we remained on board the _Madison_, -awaiting some word from Captain Perry, who was in consultation with the -leaders of the American forces. - -The sailors, knowing my father full well by reputation, for he was said -to be one of the most skilful navigators upon the lakes, were more than -ready to talk with me; but before the summer was come to an end it was -Alec Perry to whom they gave their confidences, rather than to the son -of Daniel Dobbins. - -It was only natural we two lads should believe, having come thus far, -that we would be allowed to share in the battle which all knew must -follow, because, in such strong position as was the enemy, he would -not allow his fortifications to be taken from him without a spirited -resistance; but we were soon made to understand that however valuable -we believed our services might prove, they were not to be accepted. - -When, on the evening of the 26th, the final arrangements were made for -an attack upon the British fort, and the leaders of the expedition -had come on board the _Madison_, General Dearborn accompanying them -despite his illness, Alec’s brother explained to us, in a tone which -admitted of no discussion, what part we were to take in the action of -the morrow. - -“You will stay quietly aboard the _Madison_, and under no circumstances -make any attempt at accompanying the troops when they land. I have -allowed you lads to remain with me thus far; but with the promise to -Captain Dobbins that you should have no further share in the attack, -than that of spectators.” - -A bitter disappointment it was, indeed, to see our people prepared for -a battle which we firmly believed would result in a victory for the -Americans, and yet remain idly by while glory, and perhaps fame, was to -be won. - -Because Alec stood silent when his brother had thus spoken, I -understood that it would be useless to make any effort at persuading -the captain into recalling the command given, and swallowed my -disappointment as best I might. - -Therefore it is that I am all the more willing to pass over the capture -of Fort George with the fewest possible words. - -Late in the afternoon the boats, which I have said had been built at -Five-Mile Meadow, were pulled around to Four-Mile Creek, and this work -brought on a general fire between the forts and batteries in the -immediate vicinity; but, save for the destruction of several houses -along the river bank, no injury was inflicted on either side. - -From sunset until midnight the heavy artillery and a portion of the -troops were embarked on the _Madison_, the _Oneida_, and the _Lady of -the Lake_, while the remainder of the force, including the horses, were -taken on board the newly constructed boats. - -It can well be supposed that no heed was given to sleep after the work -of embarkation had been concluded; all awaited the signal for the -advance, knowing it must speedily come. - -It was near to daybreak when our squadron got under way, and Alec and I -stood on the after part of the _Madison_ vainly trying to see, in the -darkness and the fog, what was being done. - -We could hear on every hand the murmur of voices, the creaking of oars -in rowlocks, the neighing of horses, and the flapping of sails; but -could see nothing. - -It gave one a most singular sensation to be shut in by the dense, gray -vapor, and yet to know from the various noises that on all sides were -men making ready to take the lives of others, or to sacrifice their own. - -The officers of the expedition, and among them as a matter of course -was Captain Perry, remained by themselves, as was proper, and we two -lads would have given much just then could we have had speech with -Alec’s brother, in order that he might explain certain movements which -to us were mystifying. - -Then, suddenly, as it were, the heavy mist lifted and the sun shone out -clear and warm, lighting up the waters which were covered here, there, -and everywhere, seemingly as far as the eye could reach, with vessels -and small boats, all laden with men and implements of warfare. - -It was a sight such as few lads could ever have the privilege of -witnessing, and for a time I believed there was nothing so grand or so -noble as war. - -With the rising of the fog the wind freshened, and the vessels of the -fleet advanced according to the programme mapped out. - -The schooners _Julia_ and _Growler_ took up position at the mouth -of the river, engaging the battery near the lighthouse where it was -intended to land a portion of the troops. A short distance away toward -the north, the _Ontario_ came about to command the same position. - -The _Governor Tompkins_ and the _Conquest_ were moored near Two-Mile -Creek in front of a small battery where the remainder of our men -were to be set ashore. Coming up with these two schooners were the -_Hamilton_, the _Asp_, and the _Scourge_, and before they were all in -such position as had been previously agreed upon, the batteries on both -sides of the river opened fire. - -The first notes of the battle were being sounded. - -Now had come the time for Alec’s brother to display that courage which -afterward won for him so great a name, and we two lads gave more heed -to his movements than to all else beside. - -The _Governor Tompkins_ and the _Conquest_ immediately opened fire -on the battery they were ordered to silence, and the wind, which was -momentarily increasing in force, swept away the smoke until we from the -deck of the _Madison_ could see all that took place. - -It seemed to me as if no more than five minutes elapsed before the -Britishers fled from their earth-works, and Captain Perry had leaped -overboard from the foremost of the fleet of boats, wading to the shore, -with the men close behind him like a party of school-boys at play. - -Colonel Scott was not far in the rear of Alec’s brother, and these two -brave men led the way up the embankment, despite the rapid musketry -firing which was poured upon them from Britishers concealed in the -thicket hard by. - -[Illustration: “CAPTAIN PERRY HAD LEAPED OVERBOARD FROM THE FOREMOST OF -THE FLEET OF BOATS.”] - -Even to Alec and I, who were ignorant regarding what is called the -“art” of warfare, it seemed as if the schooners were not discharging -their guns as rapidly as possible, while the Britishers ashore were -pouring a hot fire into our men. - -Without being really conscious of the fact, we set up a shout of -exultation when we saw Captain Perry push off in a boat alone, -regardless of the bullets which were falling into the water in every -direction, and row toward the nearest schooner. - -In less than three minutes from the time he stepped on board the vessel -we knew for what purpose he had gone. The schooner’s guns were served -much more rapidly than before, and then it was that the captain went -ashore again to take his full share in the conflict which was raging, -for now indeed was the battle on. - -Because of the smoke, we two lads could not see plainly all that was -done; but General Dearborn, with a glass at his eyes, followed the -action closely, and by the words which fell from his lips at frequent -intervals we understood that our men were more than holding their own. - -It is said that the battle lasted only about twenty minutes; but I -could equally well have believed it was half that time, or even so long -as three hours, so wrought up by excitement was I. - -However, we knew full well when the shouts from the shore, and the -rapid forward movements of our men, told that the victory had been -won,--that Fort George was ours,--and even though we two lads had had -no share in the fighting, we raised our voices as loudly in triumph as -did those whose brave deeds had vanquished the foe. - -As we afterward learned, our loss in the battle was about forty killed -and an hundred wounded; while of the British fifty-one were killed -and eight hundred and twelve regulars and militiamen either wounded, -missing, or made prisoners. - -Alec and I, still forced to remain aboard the _Madison_ because of the -orders given by Captain Perry, knew little of what was being done until -far into the night, when we heard that the British commander, General -Vincent, was in full retreat; that all the enemy’s fortifications on -the Niagara River were abandoned because of the victory just won. - -It was near to daybreak next morning when Captain Perry came on board -the flag-ship and told us that we were to set out on the return to -Presque Isle without - -And so we did, beginning the journey within half an hour after sunrise, -despite the fact that Alec’s brother had not slept for eight and -forty hours, making all speed down the river as if our army had been -defeated, and we were fleeing in wild disorder before a victorious -enemy. - -We understood full well, however, why our return must be made with such -great speed. - -There were at the Black Rock Navy-Yard, above Buffalo, five vessels -which had been prepared for warlike service, and peradventure we could -arrive there before the British destroyed the place, these craft might -be ladened with such material as we at Presque Isle stood most in need. - -Even now, after so long a time has passed, it seems to me that I might -profitably fill many pages with an account of our journey down the -river, the halt at Black Rock Navy-Yard, the loading of those vessels -built by Henry Eckford, and of the passage back to Presque Isle when, -with a force of two hundred soldiers, as many sailors as could be -hired, and all the oxen to be found in the vicinity, these craft, so -sadly needed by our people, were towed, or tracked, along the shore of -the lake. - -There was much of interest which befell us on the way during this long -and tedious journey, for we did not get the vessels loaded and into -Buffalo until the 6th of June, nor sail from there until the 13th, when -Captain Perry lay in his berth on board the _Caledonia_ sick with what -appeared to be a fever, and it seemed to Alec and I as if, because of -this illness, all which had been accomplished was set at naught, so far -as concerned the getting under way of the fleet that had been begun by -my father. - - - - -CHAPTER V. - -THE BRITISH FLEET. - - -As I have said, our little fleet sailed from Buffalo on the 13th of -June, and on board the _Caledonia_ Captain Perry lay sick with a fever. - -Perhaps Alec and I were the only two who placed such great dependence -upon the leader of this expedition. It may be that others, better -informed concerning such matters, held to it that there were many who -could fill the place to which Oliver Perry had been appointed; but in -my mind his death meant the direst disaster--his sickness the deferring -of all our hopes. - -As a matter of course Alec and I were also embarked on the _Caledonia_, -for we two played the part of nurses to the fever-stricken captain, and -although as ignorant in matters of sickness as we were in the art of -warfare, I dare venture to say the invalid never suffered for anything -whatsoever that it was within our power to give him. - -I was distressed in mind because of Captain Perry’s illness so as to -give no heed to the fact that we were making our way toward Presque -Isle at imminent danger of being captured by the enemy, although even -the dullest member of the party could have said beyond a peradventure -that the British had vessels in plenty on Lake Erie, and would most -likely be on the lookout for those who were returning from the -successful attack upon Fort George. - -One thing that both of us lads were alive to, however, was the slow -progress our fleet was making. - -The breeze was hardly more than strong enough to ruffle the surface -of the waters, and during the first four-and-twenty hours we advanced -only that number of miles, Captain Perry meanwhile eating his heart out -with impatience because of the dull sailing, thereby giving us quite as -severe a task as we could perform in keeping him below according to Dr. -Parson’s orders. - -When we were thus come twenty-four miles in as many hours, and the -little fleet of vessels and boats lay becalmed upon the mirror-like -lake, a canoe, in which were two men, put out from the American shore, -one of the boatmen paddling vigorously, while the other waved a small -flag in such manner as gave us to understand that they were either -fleeing from pursuit, or bringing important intelligence. - -Becalmed as the _Caledonia_ was, we could do no less than await the -coming of these strangers, even had we been otherwise disposed; -and when they were finally arrived on board we had ample food for -reflection and fear. - -The British squadron, under command of Captain Finnis, was even -at that time searching for us, so the newcomers reported; within -eight-and-forty hours they had passed over this same course, and in -such force as boded ill for us should we chance to come upon them. - -The squadron consisted, so we were told, of the ship _Queen Charlotte_, -carrying seventeen guns; the schooner _Lady Prevost_, with thirteen -guns; the brig _Hunter_, having ten guns; the schooner _Little Belt_, -mounting three guns, and the _Chippewa_, of one gun. - -Our little fleet consisted of the brig _Caledonia_, mounting -two small guns (the same craft which had been captured on the -ninth of October under the guns of Fort Erie by the expedition -in command of Lieutenant Elliott); the schooner _Somers_, which -carried one long twenty-four-pounder; the schooner _Ariel_, with -one long eighteen-pounder; the schooner _Ohio_, with one long -twenty-four-pounder, and the sloop _Contractor_,[2] with one long -eighteen-pounder, to say nothing of the small boats. - -Taking all our armament into account, we could add to such a number of -guns as I have mentioned, perhaps two hundred muskets, therefore it -behooved us to keep out of the way if possible. - -When those who brought the disagreeable intelligence came on board the -_Caledonia_, Captain Perry was lying in his berth; Dr. Parsons had just -given him a most bitter potion, and Alec and I stood by with fans, for -the heat in the close cabin was almost unbearable. - -I watched the young captain closely, expecting to see some show of fear -when he learned in what force the enemy had mustered; but it was as if -that which to nearly every one was most unwelcome intelligence, only -served to animate him. - -Despite the doctor’s angry protest and Alec’s pleading, the captain -leaped to his feet, and of a verity I believe that the information -brought by the strangers did more toward breaking up the fever which -had held him captive, than any of the drugs Dr. Parsons administered. - -From that moment it was as if he had never been ill, and without delay -every precaution was made for defence, much as though he counted on -forcing a battle with the enemy should we come within range, instead of -running away, as would have been the proper manœuvre. - -Such weapons as we had were distributed among those on the small boats -as well as the vessels, and from that time until we were come safely -within the sheltering arms of Presque Isle bay each man remained on the -alert, even the most cowardly excited to bravery by the bold spirit -which our young captain displayed. - -I might go on at great length, describing how the entire force was -divided into two watches so that the Britishers might not take us by -surprise; telling of this or that alarm which caused us to believe a -battle to be near at hand, and sent the blood bounding within my veins -until I trembled with fear lest the fever of excitement should be that -of cowardice; but where there is so much to be related, such incidents -as then seemed of importance, but were afterward shown to be trifling, -have no place in the tale that has for one of its characters such a man -as Captain Perry. - -We entered Presque Isle bay on the 19th of June at three o’clock in the -afternoon, and the _Caledonia_, which was hove to outside until every -other craft crossed the bar, had no sooner gained the shelter of the -land than the British squadron arrived in sight. - -Now, indeed, did Alec and I witness the preparations for a battle. The -small boats were immediately ordered inshore with the tidings, and -from the easternmost battery to the blockhouse farthest west on the -mainland, the note of alarm was sounded. - -Our little fleet was drawn up at the entrance of the bay; the gunboats -and brigs, although not yet completed, were moored near at hand, -but inside our line of battle, that they might be used as floating -batteries for militiamen, and when the sun went down I question if -there was an American within sight or sound of these preparations who -did not believe the British would make an attack before morning. - -And yet all of us were happily disappointed, for while we nerved -ourselves for the struggle which it seemed certain must come, the -most sanguine among us--and I believe I am warranted in putting among -them Captain Perry himself--could not have believed we might come out -victorious in a struggle with such a squadron as was under command of -Captain Finnis. - -However, we gave the Britishers every opportunity, determined to make -as brave a fight as might be, and knowing full well that when we were -beaten it would not be because we lacked in pluck. - -This much I set down as information--not in the spirit of boasting, -and in no wise to praise myself, for throughout it all I felt timorous -when Alec was most brave, and near to being cowardly when Captain -Oliver was panting to meet the enemy. It is regarding the inhabitants -of Presque Isle, who stood ready to defend the town, that I speak when -writing of stout-heartedness, and not of myself. - -Well, the king’s squadron cruised off and on the entrance of the bay -from nearabout three o’clock in the afternoon until the next morning -at ten, and then, instead of standing boldly in when, after a few -hard knocks, they might have gotten the best of our little force and -destroyed what was the beginning of a navy, they turned about, beating -as plain a retreat as if we had gone out to drive them away. - -Alec was disappointed, because he believed his brother had lost an -opportunity of distinguishing himself, while I rejoiced, knowing that -for the time being at least we avoided an encounter which could have -had but one ending. - -War, when one looks at it from a distance, may appear very fine; but -I assure whoever shall chance to read these lines that it wears a -different aspect when one is forced to take a part in it. There is -more glory seen from afar than at short range, and so much regarding -fighting I can say from my own experience. - -The unfinished gunboats and brigs were sent back to the shipyards when -it was known beyond peradventure that the enemy had turned tail, and -the _Caledonia_, and two or three others which had been brought down -from Black Rock Navy-Yard, remained on guard at the entrance of the bay. - -The brave Captain Finnis, with a force fully three times as large as -ours, had decided that it might be neither healthy nor agreeable for -him to stir up so much of the American eagle as was represented by our -little force at Presque Isle. - -Then the _Caledonia_ also came inside, being moored just opposite the -town, and for the first time since we had set out with Captain Perry -did I have an opportunity of speaking with my mother. - -She, good soul, was as pleased at seeing me as I at being with her, and -during fully two hours I realized as never did a boy before how much of -comfort there is to be found at home. - -Alec shared in my pleasure to a certain degree, and I believe he hoped, -as did I, that we might remain many days ashore, for our expedition to -Fort George had not brought us overly much of happiness, and surely -none of glory. - -Then, when it seemed that my sense of enjoyment was keenest, when the -pleasure of being at home was at its height, the second mate of the -schooner _Ariel_ presented himself at the door of my father’s house, -and after stiffly saluting my mother, who had answered his summons, -said:-- - -“Captain Dobbins’ compliments, and he asks that you will send to him -immediately the two young gentlemen. They have been detailed for -special service.” - -Saluting again, the sailor returned to the shore, and I can answer that -two of the three in the house at that time were made heavy hearted -because of his message. - -Whatever Alec may have thought, I know not; he professed to be well -pleased at the idea of active service, for it could readily be -understood that such was the meaning, for us, of the summons. - -My mother, dear soul, struggling hard to prevent any sign of -disappointment from displaying itself on her face, bustled around as -if her feelings might be kept in check by employment. She made up a -package of provisions, knowing that however great was the grief in our -hearts the time must come when such as she could provide would be most -acceptable; and I, not minded that Alec might see any show of weakness -in me, refrained from the loving embrace which no lad should be ashamed -to bestow upon his mother. - -Then I led the way out of the house with no more than a wave of my -hand in token of adieu, and ten minutes later we were standing on the -_Ariel’s_ deck. - -I had noticed a trim-looking craft, which I took for a pleasure boat, -lying alongside when we came aboard; but gave no other heed to it at -the moment, save as I said to myself that we had visitors from along -the lake front, who, perchance, had brought such information as led to -the summons sent Alec and I. - -“Captain Perry is in his cabin on the _Caledonia_, and the doctor’s -orders are that he be not disturbed, because the fever is showing -itself once more,” my father said gravely, and I knew from the -expression on his face, as well as his manner of speaking, that he -had something of a serious import to impart. “It is reported that the -British are concentrating at Long Point, and I would have you two lads -make the attempt at discovering if such be true. The work can more -safely be done by boys than men. The small craft which lays alongside -is provisioned for a short cruise, and in her you should be able to -reconnoitre the Canadian shore without much risk of being captured.” - -It was not for me to question the command, even though given by my -father, and yet so great was the surprise which came with his words -that I lost sight entirely of what might be military duty. - -“Is our fleet to remain idle here in the bay?” I asked, and the same -question was written on Alec’s face, although he had more good sense -than to put it into words. - -“Even though all the vessels were ready we could not sail without men. -The soldiers who came up with us from Buffalo as a guard have been -ordered back, and, as you well know, we have no more of a force at -present than is sufficient to handle one of the brigs.” - -“Then of what avail was it to build a fleet here at Presque Isle?” I -asked stupidly. - -“We have had reason to expect reënforcements long before this; but at -present the only move that can be made is to acquaint ourselves with -what the enemy may be doing. Go on board the small boat, and, without -running heedlessly into danger, gain all the information that may be -possible, returning here only when you have news of importance to -impart.” - -It was easy to see that the subject was a sore one with him, and I -needed not much experience in such matters to understand that a man -like my father would feel most bitterly the necessity of remaining idle -while the enemy was within striking distance. - -As he felt, so probably did Captain Perry, and Alec and I came to know -later how these two brave men chafed, being held prisoners within the -harbor, as it were, when a few miles away was an opportunity, not only -to win renown for themselves, but to strike a blow in aid of their -country. - -I understood only a portion of this at the time; but that little was -enough to prevent me from saying anything more, and obeying Alec’s -gestures I turned about to go over the rail into the small boat. - -My father stopped me with a touch on the shoulder, and as I turned, he -said, looking affectionately into my eyes:-- - -“Be careful, Richard. Go so far as an American should, regarding -not your own life when there is need that it should be sacrificed; -but having a heed to your steps when nothing can be accomplished by -venturing.” - -Then he wheeled about as if not minded to see us depart, and Alec and I -went over the _Ariel’s_ rail into as trim a pleasure boat as I had ever -seen. - -She was perhaps eighteen feet long, with a sort of cuddy aft where one -might be sheltered in case of a storm, and rigged in sloop fashion, -carrying a single jib and mainsail. - -There was a light breeze from the south, and when we, having cast off -the painter, hoisted the canvas, the little craft slipped away from the -schooner’s side as if under the influence of a full gale of wind. - -Not until we were well out into the lake did either of us lads make any -comment upon this mission with which we had been intrusted, and perhaps -we held silent the longer because it had come to us so suddenly that -we were embarked in the enterprise before fully realizing it had been -begun. - -After we were two or three miles from the shore my thoughts went back -to that winter afternoon when, having come on much the same course -across the ice, we ran into the enemy’s hands, and all the details of -that disagreeable venture came into my mind. The unpleasant memories -must have shown themselves in my face, for Alec, who was sitting well -forward while I minded the helm, said banteringly:-- - -“Now that you are put in command of a vessel, the weight of -responsibility seems to bow you down.” - -“It does indeed,” I replied, surprising him by turning that which he -counted should be a jest into a serious remark. “Not that I think my -responsibility any greater than yours; but to my mind we are set out on -a venture wherein is far more of danger than we have yet encountered.” - -“And you draw a long mouth because we may, perchance, run our heads -into some peril?” he asked reproachfully. - -“It is not that which troubles me so greatly, Alec Perry, as you should -know full well by this time, having been comrades with me these three -months. My gloomy thoughts are not brought about by fear of what may -come to us; but because of the condition of affairs, as has just been -represented to us.” - -“And are you but this moment come to realize that we have built -vessels, and yet have no force to man them? Has it just dawned upon you -that the British can enter Presque Isle with but little opposition?” - -“I had believed sailors would be sent as soon as needed,” I replied, -looking at him in surprise, for there was a certain bitterness in his -tone which gave me to understand he had been turning the unpleasant -thought in his mind for many a day. “How long is it since you have had -an understanding of the situation?” - -“When we lay at the Black Rock Navy-Yard I half surprised, half forced -Oliver into a confession that he was sorely disappointed because no -heed had been given his request for men.” - -“And said nothing to me?” - -“I promised him I would hold my peace until the fact should be apparent -to all.” - -“Why such secrecy?” - -“He feared any word from himself or me might be misconstrued, and that -the people would think we gave ourselves up to complaint, instead of -trying to make the best of what was a sorry affair. Now, since your -father has spoken, there is no reason why I should longer hold my -peace.” - -Then the lad repeated all his brother had said to him, and I, who -should from my own observation have understood long since the true -situation, now for the first time got an inkling of the defenceless -position in which was Presque Isle. - -I learned that Captain Perry had been ordered again and again by the -officials at Washington to make some demonstration against the enemy, -although it was well known that he had no more than sufficient force to -man one of the brigs. - -I had previously believed many of our recruits were in the hospital, -but until now was not aware a full fifth of them were unfit for duty, -and that even though it was possible the _Caledonia_ alone might deal -some disastrous blow to the British, she could not be sent out in -proper trim. - -Should Captain Finnis visit the bay with his cruising squadron on this -day, he would encounter but little opposition, and the town, as well as -our nearly completed fleet, would be at his mercy. - -We talked long regarding the situation, Alec and I, wondering why the -officials at Washington should neglect us so entirely--why Captain -Perry had been sent up from Newport to take charge of a force which had -no existence; but could hit upon nothing by way of a solution to what -seemed like a mystery. - -It was a sorry beginning to a voyage full of dangers, as ours must -necessarily be, and at the time it seemed that by declaring war against -the Britishers the people of the United States had compassed their own -destruction. - -So despondent had we two lads become by this time that little heed was -given to anything around, although liberty and perhaps life itself -depended upon our vigilance. It was as if we were sailing the boat only -for our own pleasure, regardless of where the wind might bear us, and -we failed to keep even an ordinary lookout. - -Therefore it was that both Alec and I were startled--almost -frightened--when suddenly there came as if from out of the water, the -cry:-- - -“Boat ahoy!” - -For an instant I stared at Alec stupidly, and then, realizing how -careless we had been, I sprang to my feet, looking wildly about. - -The cry was repeated, and by bending outboard ever so slightly I saw -just ahead of us, where we must have run her down had we held the -course two or three minutes longer, a small boat, better known to us -in Presque Isle by the name of bateau--a craft half canoe, half skiff, -such as the Canadians use on swiftly running water--and in her, but -making no effort to paddle out of the way, was a lad of about my own -age, who waved his arms frantically to attract our attention. - -I pulled the tiller up so that we might pass him on the starboard side, -and as our boat swung off I understood why he had remained idle until -we were near to running him down. - -In the bateau was not so much as a paddle. The lad was powerless to -direct her movements, and I stared at him stupidly in amazement, -wondering how it chanced that he should thus be drifting so far from -land at the mercy of wind and wave. - - -FOOTNOTES: - -[2] Afterward renamed the _Trippe_. - - - - -CHAPTER VI. - -LEON MARCHAND. - - -While Alec and I gazed at the frightened-looking occupant of the -bateau, our craft was gliding swiftly by, and the lad, believing we -intended to leave him in his plight, shrieked wildly:-- - -“In the name of mercy take me aboard your boat! Do not desert me!” - -From his manner of speaking I understood that he was what we round -about Presque Isle call a French-Canadian, and as such it was -reasonable to suppose he had no very great love for the British. - -However, whether he had been a friend or foe it was not my purpose to -leave him, for should the wind increase to a gale he would be in great -danger, while if it fell calm the lad was like to die from thirst or -hunger. - -Our craft was not to be brought around in an instant, and the boy, who -could have known but little of seamanship, believing we intended to run -away from him, redoubled his cries for help. - -“Have patience until we can lay you alongside,” Alec shouted with no -little tinge of anger in his tones, for it seemed childish that this -fellow should suppose we could bring the eighteen-foot boat up into the -wind as we pleased. - -The lad was so thoroughly frightened that he seemingly failed -to understand anything we said to him; but continued to shriek -imploringly, while we manœuvred our boat as best we might in a wind so -strong that it was necessary to run off for a mile or more before we -could stand back toward him. - -“He is even more than an ordinary coward!” Alec exclaimed, as the boy’s -cries came to us, while, if he had had his wits about him, he must have -seen that we were doing all in our power to get alongside the bateau. - -“It is not strange he shows signs of fear,” I said, feeling wondrous -kind toward him just then because of the timorousness which had been in -my heart a few moments previous. “He who is adrift on the lake without -means of even so much as steering his boat, has a hard lookout ahead of -him.” - -“He might at least hold his peace, knowing what we are trying to do.” - -“It may be he is no sailor, and fails to understand why it is necessary -we run so far down before putting back,” I replied; and from that -moment Alec held his peace, although I understood full well by the -expression on his face that the lad’s continued appeals for help -annoyed him greatly. - -Well, to make a long story short, we laid him alongside in due time, -and once our craft rubbed against the gunwale of the boat, he leaped -aboard in frantic haste, as if believing every second was precious. - -As a matter of course his light craft, propelled by the impetus -which he gave her in jumping, swung off beyond our reach, and, much -as I pitied the lad, it was impossible to prevent an exclamation of -impatience because of his carelessness. - -The boat was worth more dollars than I had ever been possessed of at -one time, and to send her adrift thus recklessly was an extravagance -such as I could not countenance. - -“What are you about?” Alec asked, when I swung the boat around in order -to come at the skiff. - -“I am counting on picking up the bateau. There is no reason why she -should be allowed to go adrift when we may as well tow her into Presque -Isle. A craft like that won’t hold our boat back a half a mile in an -hour.” - -“You didn’t set out for the purpose of making a dollar,” Alec said, -speaking more sharply than I had ever heard him. “We have no right -to waste time, and that same I would say even though yonder skiff was -worth ten times what she will fetch.” - -Involuntarily I allowed our boat to swing around into the wind once -more, surprised as well as pained by his tone, and until we were on our -course again I gave no heed to the passenger who had so unceremoniously -come aboard. - -Alec, understanding that he had spoken roughly, said in a soothing -tone, such as no lad, however angry, could withstand:-- - -“It was not in my mind to say aught to offend, Dicky; but knowing how -important it is that we perform our mission, any delay, however slight, -seems criminal.” - -My anger fled on the instant, and after one regretful glance at the -bateau now so far astern, I held out my hand to him in token that I -bore no ill-will, after which, following the direction of his gaze, I -looked at the stranger. - -He was a slight, weakly lad, with eyes such as would cause one to -trust in him; but a certain timid way that told he had been delicately -reared--a lad toward whom one’s sympathy went out before he asked it. - -“How came you adrift in a bateau?” and Alec looked at him searchingly -as he spoke. - -“The English soldiers, who last night sailed toward the American shore, -left me to drown or starve.” - -“Left you?” I repeated, not understanding the words. “Do you live on -our side of the lake?” - -“My home is on the North Foreland, or, as perhaps you call it, Long -Point. I offended the soldiers, and they took me with them, counting, -as I then believed, to leave me with the Americans. Instead of which I -was, shortly before daylight, put into the boat and told to go my way.” - -“Then the Britishers were reconnoitring Presque Isle Bay?” Alec asked -quickly. - -“They went in that direction, as I understood from their words, to see -what preparations were being made.” - -“Where did they come from?” - -“From the North Foreland.” - -“How many are there?” - -“More than a thousand; and it is said they will march across the United -States even into the capital city, Washington.” - -Alec looked at me as if to say that in befriending this lad we had -indeed found a prize, for before having sailed half-way across the lake -there was come to us such information as must be valuable to those at -Presque Isle, who were waiting in vain for reënforcements. - -“How did it chance that they could find pleasure in thus setting you -in danger of death?” I asked, still so taken by the lad’s pitiful face -that I failed to realize how important was the information he gave us. - -“I refused to show them where my mother had hidden our store of -provisions, and they could have killed me before I would have led them -to it, for once it was taken, my mother and my sister might starve on -the North Foreland, and I was not minded to bring about their death.” - -I failed to understand all he meant by this; but it was evident that -he had proven himself courageous in a certain sense, otherwise the -Britishers would not have dealt so hardly with him. - -It is needless for me to set down here word for word the conversation -which was held between us three as we continued on our course, holding -steadily for Long Point, where he had said the enemy were yet in camp, -because the story may be told in fewer words. - -From the information given, neither Alec nor I had any doubt but that -the Britishers were still encamped where we had found them on that -certain day in March, and the movement against Presque Isle had been -deferred, not abandoned. - -I had no question but that he came from the same place where we were -held prisoners, for by his story we understood that his mother lived -not far from the extreme easterly point of land, where, as I knew full -well, was a small farm under fairly good cultivation. - -The British had been there more than three months, and twice during -that time set out toward the American shore, but only to return. Why -they failed to make an attack the lad could not say. - -After he had given us all the information in his power, we asked his -name. - -“Leon Marchand,” was the reply; “and my mother is the widow of that -Captain Marchand who came hither from France eight years ago.” - -There was little in this statement to enlighten us; but I afterward -came to understand why he spoke so proudly of his father, as will any -lad who reads of what occurred nearabout Paris in the year 1804. - -It can well be fancied that we looked upon this French lad as a friend, -after once hearing his story, and that we trusted him fully, knowing he -had little cause to feel kindly toward our enemies. In fact, so well -convinced was I of his friendliness that, regardless of Alec’s warning -look, I explained why we were sailing across Lake Erie at a time when -Americans had every reason to shun the Canadian shore. - -“I shall help you to find out all you have come to learn,” Leon said -enthusiastically, having regained his cheerfulness immediately I -confided in him. “Trust me to point out a safe harbor, and this night -you may sleep at my mother’s house.” - -There was a great question in my mind as to whether Alec and I were -warranted in going ashore, for it seemed at the moment as if we had -already learned that which should be told my father without delay, and -I believed we ought to return at once. - -“We will do as Leon suggests,” Alec said, answering the question which -he read in my eyes. “In order to accomplish our work we must know more. -It is not enough that we go back and say there is yet an encampment of -the enemy on Long Point.” - -“But we can discover no more by going ashore,” I objected; and -Leon, fearing lest it was in my mind to put about at once, cried -imploringly:-- - -“Surely you will not take me with you? I can conduct you to a place -where it will be easy to make a landing.” - -“You shall be left as near to your home as is safe for us,” I replied, -and immediately Alec added, as if his was the right to direct our -movements:-- - -“We will sleep at your mother’s home, Leon, and in payment for the -rescue you shall show us during the night so much of the British -encampment as we may wish to see.” - -“I am ready to do whatsoever you shall direct,” the lad replied, and -I made no protest, for suddenly, as it were, Alec Perry had taken upon -himself the leadership. I had become no more than a follower who must -obey his commands. - -For the moment this sudden and seemingly unwarranted assumption of -authority displeased me greatly, and then, remembering all that had -taken place since we two met, I realized that he had the better head -for such work as we were then engaged in. - -Immediately I became only the helmsman, and from that hour Alec Perry -was, in my mind, one who should be obeyed. - -Leon gave us all possible information concerning the enemy’s -encampment, described the location of his mother’s farm, and told of -a cove near by where we might put in without great danger of being -observed by the enemy, providing we did not land until after sunset. - -Then it was Alec ordered the boat to be held on such a course as would -keep us at a safe distance from the land until nightfall. - -We broached the store of provisions which my mother had prepared for -us; found a keg of water in the cuddy of the boat, and made as hearty a -meal as if there was no such thing as war or soldiers in the land. - -More than once as we neared the Canadian shore did we sight a sail; -but with the breeze that was blowing, and the handy craft under us, it -was not a difficult matter to give these strangers as wide a berth as -suited our fancy. - -Until half an hour before the close of day we stood off four or five -miles from the land, taking good care, however, not to come within view -of the sentinels who were likely posted nearabout the camp. - -Then, in accordance with Alec’s command, I hauled our light craft -around for that portion of the shore pointed out by Leon, and we -advanced toward the enemy’s country as calmly as if going to meet a -near and dear friend. - -The night had fully come before we ran into a narrow cove, on the upper -side of the North Foreland, where even in broad day we might have -remained hidden from view of any who passed within an hundred yards, so -dense and near to the water’s edge was the forest which lined the shore. - -Pulling the light boat as far into the thicket as was possible, we left -her, and Leon led the way toward his home, having explained meanwhile -that the British encampment was not less than a mile and a half away. - -The reception which we met with from the Widow Marchand was a warm -one, as can well be imagined, and had we come for no other purpose than -to restore her son, I should have felt that we were fully repaid for -all the labor expended in his behalf. - -She, as may well be fancied, had been in great distress of mind because -of his absence, and now that he was with her once more, her anxiety to -show gratitude was so great as to be most painful. - -Alec, with a view to checking her efforts at displaying thankfulness, -explained at considerable length how we had come upon him, and why he -might do more for us than we had for him, whereat I could see plainly -that the good woman was in much distress of mind. - -She realized that Leon should do somewhat toward repaying us; but -feared to have him venture within reach of those men who had shown to -what length their cruelty could go. - -“Your son has no need to do more than point out the location of the -encampment, in case we decide to go there,” I said, hastening to quiet -her mind, and Leon interrupted by declaring positively that he should -not leave us until we had accomplished our mission. - -Well, we had a controversy there, Alec taking sides with me in the -declaration that we would not lead the lad into further danger, -and his mother, her gratitude outweighing her fears, insisting with -him that it was his duty to do whatsoever lay in his power toward -furthering our mission. - -The result of it was that after partaking of a supper cooked in an -outlandish fashion, although most palatable, we three lads set out to -reconnoitre the British camp, I saying to myself meanwhile that it was -not only a hazardous, but a foolish proceeding, for what could we hope -to learn more than was known already? - -The British were there in force, for Leon had good proof of such fact, -and were threatening Presque Isle, which to my mind was as much as we -needed to ascertain. - -I did not venture to dissuade Alec from the reconnoissance, knowing -full well that it would be useless, but believing we were venturing -more recklessly into danger than when we had skated straight toward -this same encampment three months before. - -Leon led us by a roundabout way, skirting here along the shore, and -again making a detour across the wooded lands until we were come to -what was seemingly the rear of the camp, and here lay all the proof we -needed. - -So far as eye could see in the darkness, there appeared to be twice -one thousand soldiers in the camp, and off the shore lay four vessels -which I doubted not belonged to Captain Finnis’s squadron, rendezvoused -here ready to transport troops when the moment had come for the attack -upon Presque Isle. - -Leon, knowing full well all the paths through the woods, and the places -where the sentinels were stationed, conducted us in safety from one -point to another until I came to a halt, whispering to Alec:-- - -“There is no reason why we should continue this investigation any -further. We already know as much as is necessary, and ought to be well -on our way toward the American shore before day breaks.” - -“It was said that we should be absent two or three days, and I am not -minded to leave here with no more information than has been gained,” my -comrade said stoutly, and in such a tone as told me that argument on my -part would be useless. - -“You will wait here to no further end than that we may be made -prisoners,” I replied hotly, and perhaps might have said what would -have caused bad blood between us but that we were suddenly confronted -by what seemed to me most imminent danger. - -We were standing on one side of a broad path which ran, so Leon had -declared, directly through the camp, when without warning a group of -men appeared in the distance, coming directly toward us. - -To have made any effort then at running away would have simply been to -betray our whereabouts, for the rustling of the foliage must have told -plainly where we were, and instinct prompted my companions as well as -myself to step quietly back a few paces, where we might be screened by -the leaves. - -It was as if we had been led to the spot by some invisible power, for -perhaps nowhere else could have been learned what we then heard. - -The officers, for such we soon made out the strangers to be, were -walking leisurely up the path in earnest conversation, as if strolling -in the night simply to find relief from the heat; and soon we could -distinguish their words. - -They were speaking of certain vessels which would arrive most likely -before sunrise; of yet more troops to come, and before having passed -out of earshot referred to the defenceless position of our fleet at -Presque Isle, although not putting it as strong as was the fact. - -All this my father knew full well from rumors which had been brought -to him by the people round about, and also through messages sent by -General Porter of Black Rock. - -We had gained nothing especial save the confirmation of his fears, and -it surely seemed as if now was come the moment when we could discover -all it was necessary our people should know. - -Such thought was in my mind when Alec pressed my arm to attract -attention, and motioned that we follow the group. - -I was not averse to obeying him, for at that moment danger was -forgotten. - -It was not a simple matter to thus play the part of spies successfully, -and in order to avoid discovery we were forced to remain at such a -distance in the rear that only now and then was it possible to catch a -word of the conversation. - -Intent on discovering the time set for the attack, we became more -heedless, and gave attention only to those in advance, when, without -the slightest warning, we came full upon a squad of soldiers most -likely sent out to relieve the sentinels. - -So near were we to these redcoats before they discovered us, or we -them, that I might, by stretching out my hand, have touched the -foremost, and for an instant they must have believed us a portion of -the force from the encampment. - -One of them hailed us in a friendly manner, asking where we were bound, -and another continued on as if to pass us by. - -Had we been quicker witted I believe there was a chance of giving them -the slip; but our silence, and the attempt on Leon’s part to make his -way into the bushes, betrayed us. - -The man nearest touched me on the shoulder, and with the weight of his -hand there came into my mind full knowledge of the imminent peril which -threatened. Taken prisoners now, it was reasonable to suppose some -one might recognize us as the lads who had been captured three months -before, and there could no longer be any question but that we were -spies. - -It would be almost certain death to yield, and the position of affairs -could not be rendered worse by resistance. - -“We must never be taken!” I said half to myself, and for an instant it -was as if I had in my arms the strength of a dozen men. - -Wresting, by a sudden movement, the musket from the hands of the man -who would have made me his prisoner, I struck out right and left, and -in an instant we three lads were fighting desperately, as will even -rats when they find themselves cornered. - - - - -CHAPTER VII. - -IN HIDING. - - -It is impossible for me to describe of my own knowledge all that took -place during five minutes or more after I grappled with the Britisher. - -There had been no thought in my mind, when I leaped upon the enemy, of -gaining a victory; I was conscious only of the fact that if we were -taken prisoners again our lives would pay the forfeit, because it must -be apparent to all that we were spies, else why had we ventured there -the second time; and I acted upon the impulse of the moment. - -Had my companions been told in advance of what I proposed to do, they -could not have followed my example more promptly. - -It seemed as if almost at the very second that I seized the redcoat’s -musket, they made an attack, each upon the man nearest him, and so -unexpected was the onslaught that the Britishers gave no outcry. - -I remember that during what seemed to me like many moments I struck -out, or parried blows, giving no heed to the weapon I had first -seized, and that we fought desperately in silence until my opponent -suddenly fell when I was some distance from him. - -Then I realized dimly that he had been stricken down from behind, and -an instant later Alec whispered hoarsely, as he grasped me by the -hand:-- - -“Come, now! In ten seconds more it will be too late!” - -I failed to understand all his meaning; but, fortunately, had -sufficient sense to obey the strain upon my arm, and immediately we -were in full flight, plunging through the underbrush without any idea, -on my part at least, of where the course might lead. - -Then as we ran I became conscious of the fact that Leon was leading the -way, and for the first time since we stumbled upon the soldiers I had -hopes that we might finally escape. - -We ran at full speed, stumbling here over fallen trees, or floundering -there through bogs and swamps, holding the pace until it became -impossible for Alec to advance another yard. - -“I am done up!” he panted, sinking down at the foot of a huge pine -tree. “Do not stop; but leave me here to take my chances!” - -“Can you go no further?” I asked stupidly, for it was plain to be seen -that the lad’s strength was entirely spent. - -“Not a step; but neither you nor Leon can afford to loiter. You two -should be able to give them the slip.” - -“I have no idea of leaving a comrade,” I said, flinging myself down by -Alec’s side to show the dear lad that I was not minded to desert him, -and Leon followed my example, saying as he did so:-- - -“The English may as well have three prisoners as one, and I will remain -with those who rescued me from the lake.” - -“But you are to do nothing of the kind!” I cried in alarm, thinking of -the lad’s mother, whose only support he was. “You can contrive to gain -home secretly, knowing the country as you do, and in the morning no one -will be able to say you were with us. Go, Leon! You must not sacrifice -yourself!” - -“That is what I should be doing if I deserted a friend. We will remain -here, and it may be the soldiers will fail to find us.” - -It was possible they might pass us by in the darkness, unless we -betrayed our whereabouts by thus wrangling as to who should go or -stay, and I fell silent at once, understanding at the same time that -words were of no avail in the effort to persuade the French lad into -deserting us. - -We three remained motionless as statues, and quite as silent, save for -our heavy breathing, which could not at once be stilled, until, as the -moments passed, we understood that the pursuit was either abandoned, or -the soldiers had gone in the wrong direction. - -We had escaped, for the time being at least, and my surprise was very -nearly akin to fear as I realized this, for it seemed little short of -miraculous that such good fortune could come to us. - -“They must be hiding near by, ready to leap upon us the instant we -leave this thicket,” I said half to myself, and then I knew that Alec -was laughing heartily, although silently. - -“Do you suppose the Britishers would be willing to sit down and wait -patiently until we were rested?” he asked, pressing my hand warmly. “We -have given them the slip, Dicky Dobbins, and you shall have the full -credit of it, because save for your bravery it might never have been -brought about. I should have been clapped into that same pen where we -nearly froze to death, before having the courage to engage half a dozen -soldiers in a hand-to-hand fight!” - -“Nor would I have shown so much bravery had there been time in which to -think of the danger. The fit came upon me quite by accident, and even -at this moment I cannot tell what took place.” - -“Well, I can,” Alec replied, still laughing silently. “You leaped like -a tiger upon one of the men, wresting his musket from him, and Leon and -I could do no less than follow the example. The soldier was twice your -size, and yet you floored him with a single blow--” - -“One of you did that, striking the fellow from behind,” I interrupted. -“But for your assistance I should speedily have been worsted.” - -“It was your third opponent that Leon felled with a blow from the butt -end of a musket. You had tumbled two over, and was engaged with the -third when I had an opportunity of seeing what was being done. I always -believed you a courageous lad, Dicky Dobbins, but never have I supposed -it was in your power to handle your fists with such skill.” - -Now although it may appear like boasting to repeat what I did all -unconsciously on that night, it seems necessary to set down what Alec -and Leon claim were my acts while in a frenzy of fear. - -There were six soldiers in the squad we had run upon so unwittingly, -and two of those I bowled over much as a skilful pugilist would have -done, tackling the third just as my companions came to the rescue. - -Leon had seized the musket I wrested from the first redcoat, and with -it felled one man unaided; then he knocked over the fellow who was -trying to best Alec, and afterward aided me as I have said. - -Even then, as we sat in the forest listening in vain for sounds of -pursuit, it seemed incredible that we had won the day so easily, and -during a full half hour we gloated over the victory. - -Then, when it seemed certain the Britishers had not succeeded in -keeping upon our trail, we began to realize that the danger, instead of -having passed, was hardly more than begun. - -We were on that long, narrow neck of land known as the North Foreland, -and, as Leon said, the enemy had a line of sentinels stretched across -the narrowest portion, nearest the main shore, to prevent desertions -and keep the curious at a proper distance. - -In other words, we were penned up with no means of escape save by -water, and the lad upon whom we depended as a guide had entirely lost -his bearings in the darkness. - -“It is only a question of time before we will be captured,” I said -gloomily, when coming fully to understand the situation, “and we cannot -live in the thicket many days without food!” - -To this dispiriting remark Alec made no reply, and I believed the lad -was disheartened until he said cheerily, and in much the same tone he -might have used when discussing some excursion for pleasure:-- - -“We are captured to a certainty if we make up our minds to such a -fact; but I have the idea that by a show of half as much pluck as you -displayed when we were confronted by the soldiers, we can leave this -point of land in due season.” - -“Perhaps you already see your way clear to get out of the snarl,” I -said, with a fine tinge of sarcasm in my tones. - -“Ay, that I do,” he replied, giving no heed to my ill temper. “In case -you two are minded to follow my instructions, it will go hard indeed if -we fail of setting sail in our boat between now and sunset to-morrow.” - -He spoke so confidently that I pricked up my ears at once, a new hope -coming into my heart, and Leon said quietly, much as if he was safe -from all harm, and we the only ones who had anything to fear from the -Britishers:-- - -“I stand ready to do whatever you shall say.” - -“Then set about finding your home, leaving us here--” - -“I cannot play so cowardly a part,” he interrupted. “Anything else, and -you have only to command me.” - -“It was not a part of my plan that you should desert us, my bold -Frenchman; but in order that we get off you must be free to act. -Suppose you succeed in reaching your home before daylight, what will be -more easy than to provide us with food in case we are forced to remain -some time in hiding? Then, again, should our boat be seized, you could -do something toward procuring another. My only hope of escaping depends -upon your being at liberty to go and come.” - -Now it was that I, as well as Leon, began to understand what Alec had -in mind, and both of us caught eagerly at the chance, slight though it -was. - -“I could find my way even in the night if we stood on either shore of -the point,” the French lad said, half to himself, and Oliver Perry’s -brother made answer, as if it was a simple thing to walk out of the -thicket:-- - -“Tell me in which direction you wish to go, and I will lay out the -course.” - -I should have made no reply to such a remark, believing my comrade was -in jest; but Leon, whose faith in Alec seemed perfect, said quietly:-- - -“If we could gain the northern shore of the Foreland it would not be -far to my home.” - -Alec stepped out from the thicket where he might gain a view of -the sky, and after searching with his eyes as if hunting for some -particular star, said in the tone of one who defies contradiction:-- - -“In that direction is the north; but, unfortunately, I cannot tell you -how far we may be from the shore.” - -“It makes little difference; even though we were on the very southern -edge I could gain my home before daylight. That which troubles me now -is, where I am to find you again.” - -“We can easily settle the question. Dicky Dobbins and I will follow -till we are come near to your mother’s home, and then hide at some -convenient place for a time.” - -“Why should you not enter my home?” - -“For many good reasons, my friend. In the first place there is no -question whatsoever but that the Britishers will make careful search -for us as soon as sunrise, if not before, and most likely your home -will be visited. In such a case there is little fear of your getting -into serious trouble, because in the darkness I guarantee those -soldiers did not see who made the attack upon them, and thus you will -be free to wait upon us.” - -Now I began to understand more of what Alec would do, and straightway, -after an unfortunate habit of mine, I at once believed it would be -possible to better the plan. - -“If we can make our way so far as Leon’s home, what prevents us from -going directly on board our boat? I have no desire to linger on -the North Foreland, and surely there is nothing more to be learned -regarding the movements of the enemy.” - -“Nothing would please me better than to set sail within the hour; but -according to my thinking we had best keep away from the shore during -this night at least, for if the Britishers have sentinels near to the -mainland to prevent any one from coming upon the point, they know -beyond a question we arrived in a boat of some kind, and most likely -men are searching for our craft, if they have not already found her. -After sunrise Leon can easily learn the condition of affairs, and thus -we shall avoid running unnecessarily into danger.” - -I was not thoroughly convinced that this would be the wisest course, -for it seemed to me better that we take some chances with the hope of -getting away speedily, than to linger where there was so much of danger. - -However, I said nothing, luckily, else would I have been put to shame -two or three hours later, when we were come near to where Leon lived. - -Alec gave the lad the proper course, as I have said, and held him to it -so truly by observing the stars from time to time, that considerably -before midnight we were standing where we could distinguish the -outlines of the coast at a point, as the French lad declared, within -three miles of his home, and so far from the encampment that there was -little fear of coming upon the redcoats, unless, peradventure, squads -of them were out in search of us. - -From this point our advance was a reasonably rapid one, the guide -striking a path through the thicket which he knew full well, and when -we had come within five hundred yards, as he declared, of the dwelling, -Alec said, coming to a halt:-- - -“We two will stop hereabout, and do you go ahead, Leon, to learn if the -soldiers have visited the house.” - -All this seemed to me like an excess of precaution, for there was -nothing to be heard save the ordinary noises of the night in the -forest, and I could see no reason why we should not make ourselves as -comfortable as possible, at least until daybreak. - -Leon, having every faith in Alec’s judgment, did not delay; but went -on swiftly, leaving us alone, and there we remained until it seemed -positive to me the French lad had abandoned us. - -More than once I would have spoken with my comrade, urging some such -possibility, but that he, pressing his hand over my mouth whenever I -made the attempt, thus ensured silence, and the darkness of night was -beginning to give way slightly to the coming day when Leon finally -returned. - -He had in his arms a bulky package, and when I sprang up to meet him -intimated by gestures that I should remain quiet. - -Then cautiously, and in the most careful whispers, he told what proved -to me once more that I was in no wise fit to direct the movements of -even myself while in an enemy’s country. - -The soldiers came to his home within half an hour after he arrived, -while his mother was making ready the provisions for us which he had -just brought. - -They demanded to know why the household was astir at such an -unseasonable hour, and she, without absolutely telling an untruth, gave -them to understand it was because her son, who had been forcibly taken -from her the night previous, had but just returned. - -Then Leon was forced to submit to the most searching questioning as -to how he had escaped from the bateau, and who had brought him to the -North Foreland. - -He told only the truth in replying to these questions, but did not tell -it all. - -Two young men, he said, had found him at the mercy of the wind and -waves, and yielding to his earnest entreaties, set him ashore near the -easternmost end of the point. - -When the men asked concerning the two strangers, Leon professed to know -nothing, believing it was right to speak an untruth rather than give up -to their enemies those who had befriended him. - -From what was said during the three hours this searching party remained -in Leon’s home, the lad and his mother understood that every effort -would be made to prevent those who had assaulted the soldiers from -leaving the point, and to that end sentinels were stationed along the -shore. - -It was believed by the Britishers that those who had brought Leon home -were spies, and threats were freely indulged in as to what fate would -overtake them once they were captured. - -Whether our boat had as yet been discovered we had no means of knowing; -but it did not seem probable that those who visited Mrs. Marchand’s -home had found the craft, otherwise some mention would have been made -of the fact. - -Now it was that I realized how wise Alec had been in preventing me from -going directly to the farmhouse, and what would have been our fate had -I carried out my purpose of attempting to embark without first making -certain where the Britishers might be. - -Taking it all in all our position was as disagreeable as it well could -be. - -From what Leon had heard we knew that the North Foreland would be -rigorously searched next morning, and also that there was little -opportunity of our being able to take to a boat, at least within the -next four-and-twenty hours, while the chances were decidedly against -our having a craft which we could call our own after the sun had risen. - -The French lad, repeating again and again that he was ready to do -whatsoever we might desire of him, said that his mother advised he -should not linger with us many moments, lest the Britishers, suspecting -him of knowing more than he admitted, might have sent some one on his -trail. - -Therefore it was that he seemed eager to be gone, and when he had led -us to a sort of cave, and yet which was hardly more than an excavation -under an overhanging rock, Alec said to him:-- - -“It is well that you leave us; and remember, Leon, we don’t expect -to see you again until the danger is well-nigh past. With such an -amount of food as you have brought, and the possibility of getting -water during the hours of darkness, there is little likelihood of our -suffering while we remain in hiding. Therefore go back; stay around -home as you would under ordinary circumstances, and keep your eye out -now and then to see if the enemy discover our boat.” - -“I will return at midnight to-morrow,” Leon said, moving slowly away; -and I understood that had the lad consulted his own inclination he -would not have left us. - -“Do not come unless it seems certain the redcoats believe we two have -given them the slip. No good can be effected by your visiting us more -often than is absolutely necessary.” - -“But the time will drag heavily on your hands,” he suggested; and Alec -replied, with a laugh:-- - -“It will pass a deal more swiftly than if we were confined in such a -prison as the Britishers have on this point of land, and that both -Dicky and I know by painful experience. Go now; keep your ears open -for any information which may be of importance to our purpose. After -what you have suffered, the king’s soldiers can be no friends of yours. -Then, when your mother believes it is safe to venture out, come with -what will be cheerful tidings.” - -Leon clasped each of us by the hand, and then, as if fearing to trust -himself to further speech, walked rapidly away, and we were alone in -hiding; with no friends on all the North Foreland save the French lad -and his mother. - -By this time we were needing both food and sleep, therefore we did not -at first realize how tedious might be the confinement in our narrow -hiding-place. - -It was, as I have said, little more than an excavation under an -overhanging rock; but the opening was so small that it had the -appearance of being a veritable cave, and was partially screened from -view of those who might pass, by a few small shrubs. The interior was -hardly more than large enough to admit of our lying at full length, and -in no place could we stand upright. - -All these things were noted in a general way, and it was not until -after many hours had passed that we realized to the full how cramped a -prison it might prove. - -The shore of the lake--that is to say, such portion of the Foreland as -was washed by the narrow strip of water which lay between the point and -the main--was not above three hundred yards distant, and Alec proposed -that we hurry down and drink our fill while it was yet dark, for after -the day dawned it would not be safe to venture forth. - -This we did, and having returned, made a hearty meal from the -provisions Leon brought. - -Before the repast was come to a close the shadows of night had been -dispelled by the rising sun, and we were prisoners until darkness -should screen us once more. - -I proposed that, having plenty of time at our disposal, we both indulge -in slumber, but to this my comrade would not listen. - -It was necessary, he believed, that one of us keep constant watch, lest -the enemy should come while we were unconscious, and the sound of our -heavy breathing might betray the secret of the hiding-place. - -He insisted that it should be his duty to stand guard, as he termed it, -during the early part of the day, and held to this point so stoutly -that I could do no less than take my first turn at sleeping. - -Now, although we knew full well how great was the danger, and realized -that at any moment we might find ourselves in the hands of the enemy, -who would surely put us to death as spies, fatigue bore so heavily upon -me that my eyes were no more than closed before sleep came, and during -a certain time I rested as sweetly and profoundly as if safe in my -father’s house at Presque Isle. - -When I awakened the sun was riding high in the heavens, and Alec, -sitting near the opening of the cave just behind the clump of bushes, -was keeping careful watch. - -“Do not reproach yourself for having slept while there was an -opportunity,” he said, when I would have made excuses for taking my -ease so long, leaving to him all the labor. “When the moment comes that -we make a dash for liberty, it may be necessary to keep our eyes open -many hours on a stretch, and by dividing the watches, if it so be we -have the inclination, one or the other can sleep all the time.” - -It was good proof that the dear lad needed rest when, having once -stretched out at full length, his eyes closed almost immediately in -slumber, and during at least an hour I do not believe he so much as -moved hand or foot. - -At the end of that time I ceased to watch my sleeping comrade, for the -tramp of footsteps and the hum of voices could be heard just outside -the cave, and I knew beyond a peradventure that the Britishers were -searching for us. - -Unless they were doing their work most carelessly, it did not seem -possible they could pass the aperture without discovering it, for of a -verity, if I had been searching for a fugitive, I would have taken good -care to know what might be under such an overhanging rock as marked the -entrance to our place of refuge. - -For an instant there came into my mind the thought that it was -necessary Alec be awakened in case the men came upon us, and I -stretched forth my hand to touch him; but drew it back immediately when -the sound of voices told that they had halted directly in front of -where I sat, not more than ten paces away. - -[Illustration: “I STRETCHED FORTH MY HAND TO TOUCH HIM.”] - - - - -CHAPTER VIII. - -A CLOSE SHAVE. - - -I needed no evidence to convince me that the Britishers would make -every effort to capture us. It was the one thing necessary for them to -do, even though they could not hope to keep secret the fact of their -encampment here on the North Foreland. - -Whoever was in command of the troops must have known beyond a -peradventure that the Americans living on the opposite shore of the -lake had certain knowledge regarding the gathering of soldiers at this -point, for the camp was already established on that winter’s afternoon -when Alec and I ran blindly into the hands of the redcoats. - -From what we heard while held as prisoners so many weeks previous, my -comrade and I knew that a movement was contemplated before the ice -broke up. - -Why it had been delayed we might never learn to a certainty, but it -seemed positive to me at this moment--for when danger was so imminent -the veriest trifles passed through my brain with lightning-like -rapidity--that instead of abandoning the manœuvre it had simply been -delayed, in which case secrecy was even more necessary now than when we -came so unwittingly upon the enemy. - -In other words, that my meaning may be more plain, I understood at the -moment that it was in the highest degree important to the enemy that -we two lads be prevented from carrying any information back to Presque -Isles, and, therefore, did I realize that the Britishers would spare no -labor in the effort to take us prisoners. - -The soldiers were advancing without heed as to noise, and before -they were come so near that I could distinguish the words of their -conversation, Alec awakened, looking toward me as if on the point of -asking some question. - -On the instant my hand covered his mouth, and the quick-witted lad -needed nothing further by way of explanation. - -With a motion of the hand he let me know that the situation was fully -understood, and arose to a sitting posture as I removed the pressure -from his mouth, the voices of our enemies speedily telling the whole -story. - -Nearer and nearer came the men, until we could distinguish every word -that passed between them. - -Instead of talking about the possibility of capturing us, they spoke -of the vessel which had arrived during the night just past, and -questioned why the other craft were delayed when the wind was in their -favor. - -We soon came to understand that the time for the expedition to move was -near at hand, and the blood literally boiled in my veins as I believed -that the attack would be made while we were thus virtually prisoners. - -Although apparently deeply engrossed by the topic of conversation, the -search was not being conducted in any slipshod fashion. - -From the sounds we knew that every bush sufficiently large to shelter -us was being examined, and it was not probable we could escape -detection. - -In less than five minutes the soldiers would have come to the mouth of -the cave, and our capture was positive. - -After that had been accomplished, a shameful death would speedily -follow for us, and the cold dew of fear covered my forehead as I saw, -in fancy, the last acts in our lives. For an instant it was as if I -already stood upon the scaffold, and then Alec broke the horrible chain -of thought which was making of me a woful coward. - -He, dear lad, must have had the same mental pictures before him as -were distressing me, for, leaning over until his cheek rested against -mine, he clasped both my hands. - -It was a mute farewell; the soldiers were so near that it seemed as if -they must be upon us before one could count ten, and I shut my eyes, -fearing to see what I believed was inevitable. - -It seemed as if the men were standing within half a dozen paces of us, -shut out from a view of the cave by the fringe of bushes which screened -the entrance, when suddenly from the distance we heard a hail: - -“This way! Quick! I have found traces of those whom you are seeking!” - -It was Leon Marchand’s voice, and both Alec and I knew the lad was -imperilling his own life in the poor hope of being able to save ours. - -I came near to crying out that he should think only of himself, leaving -us to such fate as might be in store, so eager was I that he cease -efforts which seemed to promise only danger for himself, without a -chance that we might be benefited, and then was shown me how foolish is -he who would try to change, by even so much as a hair’s-breadth, the -course of events. - -The soldiers were not so foolish as to run at his summons; but halted -where, by advancing a single pace, the search would have been ended, -and began to parley with him. - -“What have you found?” one asked, and the lad replied:-- - -“Only what appears to be a trail, but it leads toward the water.” - -I heard one of the men propose that they go back to investigate the -matter; but a second called attention to the fact that they had been -ordered to make certain no one was concealed within the line marked -out, and with this difference of opinion came a parley which finally -resulted in the saving of our lives. - -The soldiers argued one with another, in the meanwhile moving nearer -the point from which Leon was calling, and each second of time seemed -to lessen our peril. - -“Now has come the moment when we must make a move of some kind!” Alec -said, clutching me by the arm fiercely to be certain I gave due weight -to his words. “Leon can delay them only a few moments, and once they -return to the search we are lost! It is better to make a venturesome -move than be caught here like rats in a trap.” - -“But how can we benefit ourselves?” I asked stupidly. “It will be only -an exchange of hiding-places, for there is no possibility of our -leaving the shore in the daytime.” - -“That remains to be proven. It is almost certain death to stay here, -and can be no worse to make a bold dash.” - -While speaking he literally pulled me to my feet, and as I stood near -the entrance to the shallow cave only partially hidden by the bushes, I -heard Leon cry:-- - -“Since you have declared that I am in league with those who saved my -life when you would have taken it so cruelly, it is only fair to give -me the opportunity of proving that I have spoken truly. Here is a -trail, and if you neglect to follow it I shall insist that through your -carelessness or wilfulness the spies escaped!” - -It was this threat which stirred the soldiers to decided movement, and -an instant later the sound of hurried footsteps told that they were -moving in his direction. - -The most flimsy of tricks had availed to save our lives, and it would -be worse than folly if we failed to avail ourselves of the opportunity -which might never occur again. - -“Come!” Alec whispered, pulling me yet nearer the mouth of the cave. -“At the worst we can only be captured, which is what must surely -happen if we stay here.” - -“Where would you go?” I asked, giving rein to the cowardly fear which -had beset me when death seemed so near. - -“We can at least follow them up. Having searched for a certain -distance, it is not likely they will go over the same ground twice, and -the slightest cover will avail us, providing it be beyond this place.” - -Alec’s manner of speaking, which was really little less than a command, -acted upon me in proper fashion. - -I recognized the fact that he was the true leader, and ceased to -question, which was what I should have done in the first place. - -“Come on,” I said, now as eager to be in motion as I previously had -been to hang back, and he lost no time. - -In the distance we could hear Leon urging the soldiers to come to him, -doing so solely for the purpose of giving us this poor opportunity to -make the venture. - -Alec ran swiftly, but with exceeding caution, directly back on the -heels of the men, until we had gone perhaps fifty yards, and were so -near that further advance would have been dangerous, when, striking -sharply off to the left toward the shore, he increased the pace. - -Thinking of the venture now, it seems well-nigh incredible that we -should have succeeded in giving the Britishers the slip at the very -time when they had us almost within their clutches; yet so it was -permitted that we should do, although not without much difficulty and -great danger. - -Twice before gaining the shore we came near to running full upon one or -the other of those who were being lured by the French boy’s voice, and -how we succeeded in escaping them it is impossible for me to say. - -I only know that we did, and that after what seemed a very long time of -scrambling over the fallen rocks, or wading waist-deep through bogs, we -came out upon the northerly side of the Foreland. - -Involuntarily halting just within a fringe of bushes which marked the -limit of the water, I again asked myself helplessly of what avail was -it that we had exchanged one hiding-place for another, since it seemed -impossible, while being followed so closely, that we could embark. - -Alec, brave lad that he was, did not hesitate because we had apparently -come to the end of our path; but, pushing on in the direction of where -we believed had been left our boat, he led the way at his best pace, -and after five minutes or more had passed, the voices of our enemies -sounded farther and farther in the distance, until even to my cowardly -heart came the assurance that again we had earned a respite, although -for how long no one could say. - -Alec’s will was stronger than his body, and while I was yet -comparatively fresh it became necessary for him to make a brief halt in -order to regain his breath. - -“What now?” I asked, showing by the question that I recognized him as -the rightful leader. - -“I wish I might make answer in proper fashion,” he said, with the -ghost of a smile; “but it is a matter of chance. If it so be that Leon -arouses the suspicion of our enemies, instead of leading them on a -false scent, we are undone. But there yet remains the possibility that -being convinced he has deceived them, whether wittingly or not, they -will return without much search to the point at which he interrupted -them, and in such case we may go free for the time being. My only hope -now is of finding a craft of some kind.” - -It was on the end of my tongue to say that it would be foolish to make -an attempt at crossing the lake in a common skiff; but I realized -that anything was preferable to the certainty which awaited us if we -remained on the Foreland, and held my peace. - -We set out again, proceeding in the direction of Leon’s home as nearly -as might be; but meanwhile keeping within sight of the shore, and -before another ten minutes had passed we saw, hauled up among the -bushes as if with some attempt at concealment, a bateau in which were -two paddles. - -“That boat was left here by Leon,” Alec said in a positive tone. -“He brought her around from his home in the hope of gaining our -hiding-place before the soldiers could arrive, and it only remains for -us to push off, taking the chances that the weather holds good until we -reach Presque Isle.” - -“That is little less than madness,” I said decidedly, clutching him by -the arm as if it was my purpose to prevent his carrying into execution -any such plan as was intimated. “With half a gale of wind between here -and the opposite shore we should be swamped to a certainty.” - -“And whether the wind blows high or low we are doomed if we stay -here, for it is not likely we shall be so fortunate as to escape the -searchers the second time.” - -I would have protested, even though conscious of the fact that we had -best run any risk rather than remain, but he gave me no opportunity. - -“We shall make the venture,” he said, and laying hold of my shoulders -pushed me on in front of him as he ran speedily to the water’s edge. - -That we might set out from the shore and escape being seen by those on -board the vessels lying near at hand, I did not believe, and left to -myself I should have remained to take the poor chances on shore. - -It was my comrade who saved me. - -Literally forced to do his bidding, I pushed the bateau off from the -land, leaping into her as she was water-borne, and in another moment we -two lads were paddling for dear life, following the line of shore in -that direction which would lead us around the point of the Foreland, -from which place we might lay a straight course toward the American -side of the lake. - -Lest I make too many words of this harmless although disagreeable -adventure, it is necessary I hasten over what at the time seemed to -Alec and I like a most thrilling experience, although, as in other -cases, we came to look upon it as something of but little moment. - -We paddled along the shore of the Foreland within musket-shot distance, -and neither heard nor saw anything of the enemy until we had rounded -the point, when the British fleet lay fair before us. - -Now was come the time when I believed we should be checked--when we -would speedily find ourselves in the hands of those whose duty it -would be to inflict upon us the punishment due to spies. - -As we afterward learned, it was only the forwardness of their -preparations which prevented them from giving heed to the bateau that -was being urged farther and farther out into the lake, while apparently -continuing on a direct course. - -Between the British vessels and the shore, boats were constantly -plying, carrying, as it seemed to us, full loads of soldiers; and we -doubted not but that the long-deferred attack upon Presque Isle was -about to be made. - -“Knowing that two lads answering to our description came from the -American shore, it is not likely we shall pass unchallenged,” I said, -and Alec replied with so much of cheerfulness in his tones that it -heartened me wonderfully. - -“There is much the same idea in my mind, Dicky Dobbins; but having -succeeded in setting sail when it seemed positive we should fail to -find an opportunity of leaving the shore, it is not seemly to look -ahead in search of trouble. We can do no less than paddle at our best -pace until some one does hail us, and then comes the question as to -whether we can afford to disobey the command to put about. But for the -fact that since we landed you have shown yourself to be a wondrously -brave lad, I should say that you were in danger of growing cowardly.” - -“I have already become a coward; and as for showing myself brave, it is -not true. Any fellow will fight for his life when he is cornered, and -that is all I have done thus far. But for the fact that you forced me -to put off in this boat, I should now either be in the hands of those -who are searching for us, or skulking along the shore somewhere, with -good show of being speedily discovered.” - -It is not to be supposed that we ceased our labor at the paddles while -thus speaking. - -On the contrary, even as I acknowledged my cowardice I redoubled my -efforts, and the bateau sped over the water at a faster pace, I venture -to say, than ever she had before. - -Well, strange as it may seem, we passed the fleet almost within hailing -distance, and yet apparently no attention was paid to us. - -Within half an hour after rounding the point we were so far from the -starting-point that even I had little fear we would be overhauled while -the wind remained from the quarter it was then blowing, and a second -time had we made good the flight from the North Foreland when the -Britishers might, by exercising due caution, have prevented it. - -Any other than Alec Perry would have taunted me with the fact that but -for his efforts we probably would have met our death as spies. - -He said not one word regarding his share in the escape; but contented -himself with congratulating me upon what I had done against my own -will, and as the moments wore on into hours we lost sight of the -enemy’s fleet. - -It was a tedious journey which we made in the light bateau across -the lake, having neither food nor water, and yet we would have been -ungrateful lads indeed had any word of discontent passed our lips, for -what was hunger, thirst, or fatigue as compared to that which would -have been our lot had the Britishers captured us while we were within -their lines? - -More than once did we speculate upon how Leon Marchand might have -settled matters with the soldiers after he had diverted them from the -pursuit, and it was only when we thought of him that our hearts were -heavy, for it was not impossible that by saving us he had jeopardized -his own life. - -Within twenty hours from the time of embarking in the bateau we were -come to Presque Isle bay, and were there halted by the guard-boats -which patrolled the entrance, for already had word been brought by -those friendly to our people that the enemy were making ready to -advance from the North Foreland. - -If Alec and I had expected to be made much of on our arrival we were -disappointed. - -Those who acted as sentinels guarding the channel of the harbor gave -but little heed to us, once having made certain we had a right to -enter, and on landing it was as if all the people were panic-stricken. - -Everywhere could we see the inhabitants moving their household goods -toward the interior. Surely the town was being evacuated! Women, -children, and even men, ran here and there frantically, and one would -have said a sudden fear of death had come upon all. - -We sought in vain for my father, believing he would be on shore, and -the first man who was sufficiently calm to answer our questions told -us that all who could be of service in manning the war-vessels were at -their post of duty. - -“What is come upon the people, sir?” Alec asked. “It would seem as if -all had great cause for fear.” - -“So they have; and you must be a stranger here not to know that at noon -yesterday the British set out from the North Foreland with a large -force to destroy this town.” - -“We are but just come from there,” Alec said quietly, “and know that at -the time you mention the fleet was not ready to set sail.” - -Now the man regarded us more intently, and recognizing me as Captain -Dobbins’s son, asked sharply: - -“Is it true that you are but just come from the Canadian shore?” - -“Ay, sir. We were sent to spy upon the Britishers, and were near to -falling into their hands. It may be they have begun by this time to -cross the lake, but less than four-and-twenty hours ago we can answer -for it that they remained inactive at the encampment. I had thought to -find my father ashore, otherwise we would have sought him on one of the -vessels.” - -“He went aboard the _Lawrence_ less than two hours ago.” - -It was one of the brigs to which the gentleman referred; she had been -named, by order of the Secretary of the Navy, in honor of the gallant -captain of the _Chesapeake_, who gave his life for his country. - -I would have gone home before endeavoring to find my father, in order -that mother need not worry concerning us; but by this time several of -the townspeople, overhearing what Alec said, had halted near by, and -all of them demanded that we carry our information without delay to -Captain Perry, urging that it was of vital importance he should know -how matters stood on the North Foreland. - -Therefore it was that within ten minutes after landing we embarked on -the bateau again, and pulled for the opposite shore toward Little Bay, -where the _Lawrence_ was lying at anchor. - -It is not necessary I should repeat what was said during the interview -we had with Captain Perry and my father, neither of whom had given much -heed to the rumors that an immediate attack was to be made upon Presque -Isle. - -Owing almost solely to the panic among the people, they had put our -little fleet in such a state of preparation as was possible, but both -understood that if the Britishers were near at hand some word must -perforce be brought in advance. - -Captain Perry questioned us closely concerning what we had seen on the -North Foreland, appearing disappointed because we had failed to hear -more of the conversation between the soldiers regarding the coming of -the vessels which the Britishers expected; and then my father pinned us -down to a most careful estimate of the time which had passed since we -embarked on the bateau, after which Alec’s brother said:-- - -“You lads are at liberty until you have made ready to report on board -here for duty. Our force is so small that every person, whether man or -boy, must be ready to do a full share of such work as may fall to his -lot.” - -Then we two were left to our own devices, and by talking with such -members of the brig’s crew as were acquaintances--for we had no idea of -going on shore while we might remain aboard the _Lawrence_--we learned -what had caused the commotion among the townspeople. - -It was known even by the sailors that while the Government at -Washington had failed to furnish Captain Perry with the force which -was needed to man his fleet, orders had come for him to coöperate with -General Harrison, although it was absolutely impossible to take even -one of the brigs out of the harbor with so small a force. - -We were told that reliable intelligence had been brought from Malden -that the British had a new and powerful vessel there called the -_Detroit_, which was ready for service against Presque Isle; also that -Captain Robert H. Barclay, who had served with Nelson at Trafalgar, was -in command of the fleet known to be cruising along the American shore. - -Captain Perry, powerless to obey such commands as came from Washington, -yet burning with the desire to strike a blow in behalf of his -country, was forced to remain within the harbor on the defensive, when -his one desire was to begin hostilities. With a force of sailors so -small that the entire number would not have been sufficient to work -the _Lawrence_, he could do no more than answer Commodore Chauncey’s -summons in the following words:-- - -“The enemy’s fleet of six sail are reported off this harbor. What a -golden opportunity if we had men! Their object is, no doubt, either -to blockade or attack us, or to carry provisions or reënforcements to -Malden. Should it be to attack us, we are ready to meet them. I am -constantly looking to the seaward; every mail and every traveller from -that quarter is looked to as the harbinger of the glad tidings of our -men being on the way. Give me men, sir, and I will acquire both for -you and myself honor and glory on this lake, or perish in the attempt. -Conceive my feelings: the enemy within striking distance, my vessels -ready, and not men enough to man them. Going out with those I now have -is out of the question. You would not suffer it were you here. Think -of my situation: the enemy in sight, the vessels under my command more -than sufficient and ready to make sail, and yet obliged to bite my -fingers with vexation for want of men.” - - - - -CHAPTER IX. - -A BLOODLESS VICTORY. - - -I had reckoned on setting down the details of many small adventures -which befell Alec and myself during such time as the townspeople of -Presque Isle were in a fever of fear, believing the British would make -a descent upon them while our fleet was much the same as useless; but -the pages are counting up so fast that many things must be omitted, -else I shall have come to an end of my paper before the real story has -been begun. - -Therefore it is that I may do no more than explain the condition of -affairs in the settlement while our vessels lay at their moorings -inside the bar, useless, because lacking men, and the British frittered -away their time reconnoitring until, fortunately, we were in fair -condition to meet them. - -After we two--meaning Alec and I--had brought for the second time -information of what was being done on the North Foreland, and General -Porter sent word from Black Rock that the enemy’s squadron was about -to make a descent upon us, there was neither man, woman, nor lad in the -town who did not feel certain the attack must be made within a very -few days at the longest, yet it was destined that we should have ample -opportunity to make all necessary arrangements for defence. - -Strange as it may seem, we were not molested for a space of three -weeks, and to this day no person, save the British commander himself, -has been able to decide why the king’s forces did not destroy our -little fleet, which afterward worked so much mischief. - -As I have said, we expected momentarily to see the English squadron, -and knew full well that it could not be successfully opposed by us; but -yet we did not fold our hands in idleness. - -The guard-boats at the entrance of the bay, just inside the bar, were -redoubled, and orders given that three musket-shots should be fired -when the enemy hove in sight. - -The ship-carpenters were set at work building a blockhouse on the -bluff east of Cascade Creek, to protect the shipyard, and such of the -citizens as had not fled in terror were detailed to put up a redoubt on -the heights commanding the bar, the same to be called Fort Wayne. - -Captain Perry sent messengers to Major-General Mead, at Meadville, -asking that he order a body of militia to our aid with the least -possible delay, and received from him the cheering intelligence that -all men who could be spared should be set in motion at once. - -The brigs and the schooners were moored near the shipyard, for no -attempt at taking them over the bar was to be made until we had a -sufficient number of sailors to man them; but the gunboats were fully -armed, and anchored off Hospital Point, because, owing to their light -draught, they could leave the bay at almost any time. - -Alec and I, with many another lad, were ordered to labor at Fort Wayne; -but it was understood that in case of an attack we should repair on -board one of the gunboats without delay, and we knew that while the -force of defenders was so small there would be no protest made, either -by Captain Perry or my father, against our doing whatever might be -possible in event of an engagement. - -Such was the condition of affairs with us on the morning of July 21. - -There was not an idler in the town, for the cowardly and indolent had -long since fled to safer quarters, and as we worked with a will at -whatever our hands found to do, every ear was pricked up for the signal -which would tell that the enemy had at last decided to give us a taste -of his quality. - -Although expecting it, when the signal was sounded we were taken by -surprise, so to speak. - -It was nine o’clock in the morning when the reports of the muskets rang -out on the warm, still air with a volume of noise which caused them to -seem as loud as cannon, and the tools dropped from nearly every man’s -hands as he sprang to the highest point of land in order to gain a good -view of the lake. - -Alec Perry and I did not follow the throng that flocked to the summit -of the heights; but, without so much as a single glance seaward, sped -swiftly toward the old French fort, where we knew would be found a -boat, and our only fear was lest the gunboats should leave the bay -before we could board one of them. - -We knew the enemy was in sight, otherwise the signal would not have -been made, for Captain Perry had threatened direst punishment upon him -who should give a false alarm, and we also believed the town would be -speedily destroyed, for both my father and Alec’s brother had privately -said that we could not hope to successfully oppose the British squadron -while our force was so small. - -I do not set this down that it may be believed I felt unusually brave -at the moment when it seemed certain Presque Isle was about to fall -into the hands of the enemy, for at the time I gave no heed to possible -danger. My eagerness to be on board the gunboat overshadowed all else, -causing me to forget for the moment what probably would happen, in the -fear that it might be thought I remained on shore through cowardice. - -“At last we shall have a chance to show that we can play the part of -men!” Alec said, as we ran, and I, vain of the small share we had -already taken in defence of our town, replied boastingly:-- - -“It seems to me that we have already done as much. Who else can lay -claim to having been twice inside the British lines?” - -“Perhaps no one would care to admit being so foolish,” he said, with a -laugh. “We might have been among the redcoats a dozen times, and yet it -would count for but little if we had accomplished nothing more than has -already been done.” - -“Was it not of some service when we reported the number of men on the -North Foreland?” - -“If such was the case neither your father nor my brother gave us any -credit. It strikes me they treated our adventures as childish pranks, -rather than the work of men; but now the case will be different, for we -are to help man the gunboat.” - -I might have reminded him that we probably would not remain long on -board, once the enemy came within range, for the three small craft with -which Captain Perry proposed to meet the British squadron were not -calculated to make much of a fight against heavily armed, well-manned -vessels of war; but I held my peace, for this was not the time to say -what might possibly dampen his enthusiasm. - -We gained the water’s edge at the same moment as did my father, who had -come from the barracks, and leaped into the boat close at his heels, I -rejoicing that chance had thrown us in his company, since now we must -serve under him rather than one of the other commanders. - -“How many of the Britishers are in sight?” he asked of the man in -charge of the boat, and the latter replied, as his crew pushed the -light craft off from the shore:-- - -“I have not seen the fleet, sir; but it was said by those on Hospital -Point, who had a full view of the lake, that there were six sail -bearing directly down upon us.” - -“Is Captain Perry on board the _Tigress_?” - -(This was the name of the gunboat on which it had been decided Captain -Perry, as commodore of the fleet, should remain, and she was to be -commanded by my father.) - -“Ay, sir; but so weak from the fever as to be fitted for the hospital -rather than to go into an action where we’re like to be sunk offhand.” - -“He was feeling better last night.” - -“Yes, sir; but Dr. Parsons came ashore two hours ago to get some -supplies, and I heard him say the captain was under the weather again.” - -“The prospect of going into action will brighten him up a bit, and I -venture to say you will never hear him speak so discouragingly of the -future as you have just spoken, not even though we were outnumbered -twenty to one.” - -“That is about the odds we shall have against us, sir,” the boatman -said firmly, but decidedly, “and I allow it is not discouraging to -others when a man looks at the situation as it really is, providing he -does not show the white feather.” - -“I had rather hear you say that we’re like to do the enemy serious -harm, than to croak about his sinking us offhand.” - -“And how long, sir, with all due respect in the question, do you think -we’ve a chance of standing against the British squadron?” - -“Till we’ve given him a fair taste of our metal, that I’ll be bound!” -my father replied emphatically; and then he turned to look seaward as -if intimating that such profitless conversation had best come to an end. - -Now it was that we caught a glimpse of the enemy, and that which we saw -was by no means heartening. - -Our boat, headed for the _Tigress_, had passed the range of Hospital -Point, giving us an opportunity of looking out over the lake to the -westward, and we saw the spars of no less than five vessels, two of -them being ship-rigged. - -To go out against them with three small gunboats each carrying a single -gun, seemed much like the veriest folly, and I ceased to feel surprised -at the boatman’s belief that we would be sunk offhand. - -Alec glanced at me meaningly when we had gazed at the enemy as long as -was pleasant, and I read in his eyes nothing but delight that at last -we were to do something more than act as spies or carpenters. - -As for myself, I would have been well content to remain in safety -on shore, although as a matter of course I should not have left my -comrades had the opportunity offered; but I assumed a bold bearing, -determined that my father might never so much as guess how timorous his -son could be at times. - -Nothing more was said by the occupants of our craft while we pulled to -the gunboat, and I fancy that much the same thought must have been -in the mind of every person, however bravely he may have spoken, for -one would have been lacking in common sense to believe our three small -vessels might give successful battle to such a squadron as now lay fair -before us. - -Once on board the _Tigress_ we found so much to do that there was no -opportunity for gloomy thoughts. - -Although matters were supposed to be in proper trim, now that the -decisive moment had arrived there were many details to be arranged, and -Alec and I were kept running hither and thither, with this thing or -that, while the gunboats were being gotten under way. - -Although the fever had a firm hold upon him, Captain Perry was on deck -superintending the work when we arrived, and despite all my father -could say he persisted in remaining there, replying to every argument -used against his presence:-- - -“If we could employ our entire fleet this day the malady would have -wholly disappeared, and even as it is, when we are to put out in the -face of such great odds, I am better both in body and mind than I have -been since we left Buffalo.” - -The _Tigress_ was fitted for one gun, and the piece was in position, -under charge of Silas Boyd, an old man who was said to be the -most skilful gunner among us. In addition to this were two short -carronades, temporarily placed amidships where they might be effective -in repelling boarders, but could not be relied upon for anything else. - -To the great pleasure of Alec and myself, we were detailed to assist -old Silas, who would be chief gunner when the _Lawrence_ was put in -commission; and while we were advancing boldly toward the enemy, as if -confident of achieving a victory, he gave us his final orders:-- - -“Them as belong to a gun’s crew shouldn’t stand around waitin’ for the -word to be given, but ought to know what is needed an’ do it before a -command can be given. Now you lads are to keep back after this ’ere gun -is loaded; but the minute it’s fired, you’re to set about spongin’, so -the others won’t be delayed in their part of the work.” - -“We are more than willing to do our share of the labor,” Alec said, -with a hearty laugh; “but it isn’t to be supposed that we, who have -never taken part in an engagement, will be able to anticipate your -wishes.” - -“You’ll come to it in time, lad, you’ll come to it,” old Silas said, as -he stepped back a few paces and gazed at my comrade admiringly. “A boy -who can laugh like that while the odds are so heavily against us will -soon understand what’s to be done when the action begins.” - -“It’s as well to laugh as cry; and even though some of the men croak -about the chances in favor of the enemy, I’m heartily glad the redcoats -have decided to give us the opportunity of striking a blow, for it’s -dull work building forts on shore.” - -Old Silas gravely took Alec by the hand; and I would have given much -had that mark of approbation been bestowed upon me by such a man as the -gunner, for it meant more than words could have expressed. - -Captain Perry ordered that the drums beat to quarters, although every -man was in the position assigned him. There was to be no lack of -formality simply because ours seemed like a forlorn hope. - -The men cheered loudly when the roll of the drums ceased, and from the -other gunboats we could hear the same token of satisfaction that we -were at last bearing down upon the Britishers who had threatened us so -long. - -“There is no need to ask that every man will do his duty,” my father -said, as he advanced so far forward that all might see him. “We shall -meet the enemy in whatever force he may come, and I do not fear any on -board the _Tigress_ will show the white feather!” - -Another cheer went up; and then had come the moment when my heart -seemed to leap into my mouth, for the British fleet was standing down -toward us, all the crews at quarters, and the guns showing grim and -ominous from the open ports. - -The ship _Queen Charlotte_ was leading, and no attempt was made to form -a line of battle. Most likely the redcoats believed we could be whipped -so readily that there was little need of manœuvring for position. - -“Fire when you think any execution can be done, Mr. Boyd,” my father -said, after Captain Perry had given the word; and the old man muttered, -in a tone so low that only Alec and I heard the words:-- - -“I reckon I’m as near ready now as I ever shall be. This ere gun ought -’er carry that far, an’ he who strikes the first blow has the best -chance of gainin’ an advantage.” - -One of the crew was standing near with a lighted match, and old Silas, -after sighting the piece carefully, motioned that fire be applied to -the priming. - -There was a report as of thunder; the _Tigress_ quivered from stem to -stern; and out of the cloud of white smoke I saw the ball speed toward -the foremost ship. - -If Silas Boyd had never aimed a cannon before, his reputation as a -skilful gunner was made from that moment, for we saw the missile -strike the _Queen Charlotte’s_ mizzenmast, sending from it a shower of -white splinters, and causing the spar to sway to and fro as if on the -verge of falling. - -What a shout went up from our little fleet at this token of gunnery! - -It was as if every man tried to outdo his comrade at making a noise; -and in the midst of the tumult the other gunboats paid their respects -to the Britishers by sending iron balls toward them, but none save that -fired by old Silas struck its target. - -So engrossed were Alec and I in watching the movements of those on -board the wounded ship that we entirely forgot the part we were -supposed to play, and stood idly by with the sponges in our hands until -the old man cried angrily:-- - -“Get to work, you idlers! Did you come aboard only to gape around when -there was work to be done?” - -It can well be fancied that we leaped forward to do our duty, and at -the instant of so doing I saw half a dozen wool-like puffs of smoke -from the ship’s side, which told that she was not intending to take our -fire without making some return. - -Once more our gun was loaded, and again old Silas squinted along the -piece. - -The match was applied to this second charge, and we saw the ball -describe a half-circle against the sky; but the result was not the same. - -The breeze had been freshening, and the _Tigress_ rose on a wave at -the instant the gun was discharged. This movement probably destroyed -the aim, or the piece may not have been sighted as carefully; at all -events, the missile fell ahead of the ship, and old Silas indulged in -many an angry word because of his failure. - -Alec and I did not give him an opportunity to remind us of duty again. - -Instantly the ball struck the water we were at work with the sponges, -and by the time the old man had finished shaking his fist at the enemy -in impotent rage, the crew were engaged in reloading. - -We had good cause for rejoicing, however, even though none of our -people succeeded in sending a shot aboard the Britishers. - -The increase in the weight of the wind brought down the wounded -mizzenmast, and as it fell we saw go up on the _Queen Charlotte_ -signals which we soon learned was an order for the squadron to haul off. - -Incredible though it may seem, the king’s fleet turned tail when there -were but three small craft, carrying only as many guns, to oppose them, -and in less than ten minutes from the time Silas Boyd opened the -one-sided battle, every vessel flying the British flag was scudding -toward the Canadian shore! - -We had actually beaten off the squadron, any single craft of which -should have been more than a match for our three little gunboats, and -that without having received a scratch! - -It was several moments before we could believe that this really was the -case, and then what a volley of cheers went up! - -We could even hear the people on shore as they yelled themselves hoarse -over this bloodless victory, and I was so foolish as to fancy that -Captain Perry would give chase at once, for the sense of triumph was so -great I believed our poor schooners a match for the redcoats. - -“Can it be that we are going back?” I asked, in dismay, when the -_Tigress’s_ head was turned toward the shore. “We have only to give -them a few more shots in order to sink the whole fleet!” - -“The smell of burnin’ powder is gettin’ into your head, lad,” old Silas -said, in a tone of reproof. “Don’t run away with the idee that the -Britishers won’t, or can’t, fight. We shall have proof of that later, -and he would be a fool who should try to gain any more of an advantage -than we’ve already got by sheer luck.” - -“They don’t show any inclination to fight, whatever it may be possible -for them to do!” I replied hotly. - -“There’s some good reason for it, you may be certain, although it ain’t -likely we’ll ever know what it is. Let well enough alone, you young -fire-eaters,” he added, addressing Alec also, who by this time was -giving audible vent to his displeasure. “It’s satisfaction in plenty -that we’ve driven ’em away, when it seemed sure we’d all be sent to the -bottom, for I wouldn’t have given a brass sixpence for our chances half -an hour ago.” - -Having said this the old man turned toward his gun, as if he could -not afford to waste more time on such as us, and we two lads watched -in silent sorrow the enemy’s vessels as they increased the distance -between themselves and the American shore. - -Before landing again, however, we came to understand that it would -have been the height of folly for us to have pursued the squadron; but -from that hour we, as well as the majority of our people, had more -confidence in Captain Perry’s ability to hold Presque Isle against the -enemy. - -“If the government would only send a force sufficient to man our -vessels, we’d soon give the Britishers such a lesson as could not fail -of proving that we hold control of this lake!” Alec said to me after -a time. “Every vessel in the squadron would have been ours had we gone -against them with the brigs!” - -It was useless to keep repeating such ideas, and I held my peace. -During the past two weeks they had been put into words by every man in -Presque Isle, and yet no reinforcements arrived. - -The vessels built to defend the coast were lying idle at their -moorings, armed and provisioned; but useless because we could not raise -sufficient force to so much as man one of them. - -Alec and I went back to the work of fort-building; but now we had more -stomach for the labor, because we had seen what might be done, and -because we had greater faith in the qualities of our small force than -was really warranted by the facts. - -Two days after this encounter a sailing-master in the navy, by name of -Champlin, arrived with seventy men, and our hopes arose once more, for -now one of the brigs could be sent out if need arose, and we believed -more sailors would speedily follow. - -Captain Perry and my father, however, knew how vain were these hopes, -for Master Champlin had reported to them that no more men were ordered -to Presque Isle, and again Alec’s brother pleaded for an opportunity -to show what might be done with the fleet that had been built by -frontiersmen. - -As I came afterward to know, he wrote a second letter to Commodore -Chauncey, in which he said:-- - -“For your sake and mine, send me men and officers, and I will have all -the British squadron in a day or two. Commodore Barclay keeps just -out of reach of our gunboats. The vessels are all ready to meet the -enemy the moment they are officered and manned. Our sails are bent, -provisions on board, and, in fact, everything is ready. Barclay has -been bearding me for several days; I long to be at him. However anxious -I am to reap the reward of the labor and anxiety I have had on this -station, I shall rejoice, whoever commands, to see this force on the -lake, and surely I had rather be commanded by my friend than any other. -Come, then, and the business is decided in a few hours!” - - - - -CHAPTER X. - -THE TRAITOR. - - -The days passed, and nothing came of Captain Perry’s second appeal for -the forces which were needed if the United States would hold possession -of the territory bordering on Lake Erie. - -Alec and I, together with many other lads, worked industriously upon -the fortification which had been named Fort Wayne even before anything -was done toward building it, and I venture to say that if all the -people in the United States had labored as earnestly on the defensive -and offensive as did we of Presque Isle, the war would have been -brought to an end before the close of the year 1813. - -When we had put up the blockhouse on the bluff east of Cascade Creek, -and finished the fort after a rude fashion, Major-General David Mead -arrived at the head of a full regiment of militia, and then it seemed -as if the government had at last remembered our feeble condition. - -It was a day full of excitement when these troops entered the town, and -not the least among the ceremonies was the saluting of the general -with thirty-two guns as he went on board the _Lawrence_ to pay his -respects to Captain Perry, who, immediately after our late victory, had -been brought low by a return of the fever. - -My father was present at the interview; but what passed between the -commanders we of the rank and file had no means of knowing, save as -certain events transpired which we came to believe were the result of -their deliberations. - -It was only reasonable that, after having served under him, Alec and I -should find it in our way to cultivate the acquaintance of Silas Boyd, -and through him we got an insight into what otherwise would have been -difficult for us to understand. - -As for instance: The third day after General Mead’s arrival men were -set at work in the shipyard on four huge scows, or box-like boats with -flush decks, and my comrade and I puzzled our brains in vain to come at -some reasonable conclusion regarding their purpose. It was evident they -could never be intended for sailing crafts and equally certain that -they were not being built for cargo-carrying, because there were no -spars, and the upper portion was made without a hatchway, unless small -square holes cut fore and aft might be called by such a name. - -“They are boxes, rather than vessels,” Alec said, after we had -speculated long and vainly regarding their purpose, and then he added, -as if the thought had but just come to him, “Let us learn if old Silas -knows anything about them.” - -The gunner was not far off. He had just come ashore from the -_Lawrence_, where he had been looking after some of the pieces which -were not mounted according to his notions, and we summoned him without -delay. - -“Don’t know the meanin’ of ’em, eh?” he asked, with a laugh, after a -brief survey of the odd-looking craft. “Well, lads, I’m allowin’ that -you’ll be pleased because they’ve been begun.” - -“I can’t understand why anything of that sort would give us pleasure,” -I said stupidly; but Alec, quicker witted, cried excitedly:-- - -“Do you mean that they have anything to do with our fleet leaving the -bay?” - -“Ay, lad, that’s just the size of it, or I’m way off my reckonin’. I’ve -seen such things before. They’re called ‘camels,’ an’ I’ve heard say it -was the Dutch who invented them in order to carry vessels over shallow -places.” - -Even now I failed to understand their purpose, and, seeing the -questions in my eyes, the old man continued: - -“Either of our brigs draws too much water to be taken out over the bar -while the lake is as low as it is now--that much you’ll allow. Later -on, when these ere craft are built, an’ Captain Perry is ready to put -to sea, the brigs will be taken out as far as they’ll float, an’ these -camels made fast alongside, fore an’ aft. The water will be let into -’em through the port-holes in the sides an’ deck, till they’re sunk, -after which beams will be passed from one to the other under the ship’s -keel. Then the hatches are put on again, an’ battened down till the -hulks are water-tight, after which the pumps are set to work. Now you -lads know full well that once air takes the place of water, these scows -will have considerable liftin’ power, an’ up goes the brig as a matter -of course.” - -The old man paused as if thinking he had told all that was necessary; -but I was so thick-headed that he was forced to explain every detail -of the proposed crossing, although Alec probably did not need so much -information because of understanding it thoroughly from the first -description. - -Until now I had failed to realize that the brigs could not leave the -bay unaided until the water was higher, else I might have had even more -fear regarding what it would be possible for the British to do; but -after such fact had been made apparent I saw great cause for alarm. - -“Suppose the enemy’s squadron should come at the very moment one of -our vessels was trussed up on those box-like camels?” I asked; and old -Silas shrugged his shoulders as he replied:-- - -“There is the chief danger, my lad; an’ I’ll answer for it that your -father an’ Captain Perry have discussed such a disaster again an’ again -since the lack of men forced them to linger here until the water fell -low. If the Britishers should come, there would be the end of whatever -craft might be on the bar at the time.” - -“Do you suppose others beside us know of what is to be done?” I asked, -anxiously. - -“It stands to reason all do, lad, unless they are blind. When such -craft as these are bein’ built, curious ones are likely to ask the -reason why.” - -As he spoke, there came upon me like a flash of light what we had heard -on the North Foreland that winter’s afternoon when Alec and I were held -prisoners in the narrow pen which was like to have been our grave. Then -we learned, because of the information in possession of the enemy, that -among the people of Presque Isle was at least one who stood ready to -betray us--one who was willing to sacrifice his neighbors in order to -curry favor with the Britishers. - -I made mention of the fact to old Silas, telling him the whole story, -and suggesting that the same person who had played the spy might yet be -among us, but he laughed at my fears. - -“Do you think the Britishers themselves could not play the spy? I’ll -answer for it that more than one of their soldiers have been in this -town since the keels of the vessels were laid, an’ it is by such means -that they were kept posted of our doings, not through treachery. I’ll -answer for it we haven’t so mean a man among us.” - -The old man spoke so positively, and laughed so long at my fears, -that I could not do otherwise than call myself a fool for having such -suspicions, and straightway made every effort to put the matter from my -mind. - -Silas Boyd told us of many large ships which he had seen floated -over bars by use of “camels,” and otherwise gave so much interesting -information concerning like engineering methods, that Alec and I -listened to him eagerly until the day was spent, when we hastened to my -home with all speed, lest mother should chide us for loitering when it -was more seemly lads like us were snugly housed. - -But even while most deeply entertained by the old gunner’s stories, and -when listening to my mother’s loving words, the idea was ever present -in my mind that among us was a traitor, who would speedily carry to -the British information of the “camels” which were being made ready to -take our vessels over the bar. - -I said very little regarding this to Alec, lest he should make sport of -me for being foolishly suspicious. - -Perhaps because of my silence on the subject the thought grew stronger -until it became the same as a fact in my mind, and I cast about trying -to decide who among us was so lost to all honesty as to betray his own -countrymen to their ruin. - -When my father came home on this evening he reported that Captain Perry -was more comfortable, as regarded the fever, and had given orders that -Alec remain ashore until such time as commands were received for the -fleet to leave port. - -“And that is to be within a few days, if one may judge from the -indications,” the lad said, with a smile, when my father had reported -his brother’s words. - -“Why do you think so?” - -“Because of the camels which are being built at the shipyard.” - -“How knew you for what purpose those hulks were intended?” my father -asked sharply, and, as I thought, with no little disquietude of mind. - -As a matter of course it was necessary we should tell him all that had -occurred during the day, and, having come to an end of our story, he -said, half to himself:-- - -“I had hoped the people might not be quite so well informed.” - -“Why, sir?” I made bold to ask. “Think you any in this town would carry -information to the enemy?” - -“That I am not prepared to say, but with some people gold is a -weighty argument, and has been known to buy the conscience of many an -apparently honest man.” - -Then it was that I spoke of the suspicion which had been troubling me, -and having come to an end, my father said reflectively:-- - -“Many have left Presque Isle since last winter, and it may be that -among them was the one who then supplied the enemy with information. -I do not recall to mind any who would play the spy, but yet there are -several here whom I do not know sufficiently well to answer for their -honesty.” - -“Is there no way by which such a possibility could be guarded against?” -Alec asked, and my father replied:-- - -“We have taken due precautions. The guard-boats at the entrance of the -bay will stop any craft attempting to put out into the lake without -written authority signed by those in command, while the sentinels from -here to Fort Wayne have orders to stop citizens trying to leave without -a pass. Yet all these might be avoided by him who had it in his heart -to work us mischief.” - -Such words as these were not calculated to set my fears at rest, -and when Alec and I went to bed we discussed the matter in all its -bearings, for since my father had spoken in such a tone I was not -ashamed to give words to my fears. - -However, we could do nothing more than talk, and in due course of time -slumber put an end to all forebodings. - -When morning dawned bright and clear I quite forgot the troubles of the -previous night, and went with Alec to visit his brother on board the -_Lawrence_. - -Captain Perry was yet so ill that Dr. Parsons had forbidden his going -on deck; but many officers were in his cabin when we arrived, and one -could guess from the expression of gravity on the faces of all that -some important subject was under discussion. - -The captain greeted us in friendly fashion, inquiring solicitously -after Alec’s health; but after the first words of greeting had been -spoken it might readily be seen that he was not anxious we should -linger, therefore we took our leave after having been on board less -than ten minutes. - -Going on deck, we found old Silas bustling around as if charged with -the most weighty missions, and I asked him laughingly if there was any -chance the _Lawrence_ would go over the bar that day. - -Instead of replying in sportive fashion to my bantering, he suddenly -became grave as any owl, and hurried away as if afraid he might be -tempted to reveal a secret in case he remained with us. - -“You may depend upon it that some movement is near at hand, and we are -not to be trusted with even so much as an intimation of it,” Alec said -laughingly, as we went over the rail into our boat, which had been -made fast alongside. “I am not disposed to grumble at being kept in -ignorance, so long as we are soon to go out against the enemy, but I -would enjoy knowing whether we are likely to miss anything by loitering -on shore.” - -“It isn’t probable the _Lawrence_ will put to sea without us, after -all the promises that have been made,” I said, almost indignant with -Alec because he should seem to question my father’s good faith. “I am -certain some hint would be given to us if anything of the kind were -contemplated. Besides, it isn’t possible the brig could be gotten over -the bar in one day.” - -This last argument had more weight with my comrade than any other I -could have advanced, and at once he lost all care as to what might be -going on, bantering me to take a stroll with him along the shore to the -eastward, where could be had a good view of the lake without a very -lengthy journey. - -“Who knows but that we may sight the bold Britishers before those in -the guard-boats can do so, and thus gain considerable credit for being -sharp-sighted!” he said sportively, and I took the words in good faith. - -“We’ll try it!” I replied so earnestly that he was provoked to mirth, -and the boat’s head was turned in the direction of Fort Wayne, in -front of which fortification we landed when challenged by the watchful -sentinel. - -Once we were recognized there was no hesitation about allowing us -to proceed whithersoever we pleased, and, as Alec had proposed, we -directed our course along the shore of the lake. - -Now it must be set down here that there was no thought in my mind that -we could do more than possibly sight the enemy’s fleet in the distance. - -I had ceased to think there was a traitor among us, and, therefore, -that which occurred came as much in the nature of a surprise as if -there had never been any conversation between my comrade and myself -regarding the chance that information concerning our movements might be -carried to the Britishers. - -We strolled aimlessly along the shore, talking of the time when our -fleet should be out on the lake fully manned, and giving no heed to -anything save what might be seen seaward, until Alec stopped suddenly, -clutching me by the arm as he whispered:-- - -“Look just beyond that clump of bushes! Unless I am much mistaken there -is a boat drawn up to prevent her from being seen!” - -Many seconds passed before I could make out clearly that which had -attracted his attention, and then I not only saw the craft, but -distinguished amid the foliage the form of a man, who was peering -through the branches at us. - -“It is either a British spy, or the traitor who carried news to the -enemy last winter!” I said excitedly, turning this way and that in the -hope of seeing some one upon whom we could call for assistance. - -Even as I spoke the fellow in hiding drew back until it was impossible -to see so much as the outlines of his form; but Alec, rendered -suspicious by a glimpse of the half-hidden boat, was ready to believe -that I had made no mistake. - -“It isn’t likely a Britisher would venture here at this time, for there -has been nothing of importance to attract one. It is some person from -Presque Isle, who awaits an opportunity to set out across the lake, or -has just returned,” he said, now quite as excited as was I. “It is our -duty, Dicky Dobbins, to make of that fellow a prisoner, in order that -he may give reasonable excuse for behaving in such a fashion.” - -“There is little chance of our doing that without weapons, for be he -spy or traitor, we can count on his making a good fight.” - -“No better than is within our power, if we are so disposed,” Alec -replied stoutly. “I have no idea of losing such an opportunity as is -before us!” - -Now I was quite as eager as he to learn who this man might be that he -should thus take so many precautions against being seen; but yet I -believed we had good reason to be cautious in our movements lest we -come to grief. - -It was well that Alec Perry carried a stouter heart than mine, -otherwise much of disaster might have come upon our little fleet before -there had been an opportunity for Oliver Perry to show of what he was -capable. - -“Will you follow me?” the dear lad whispered, and I replied, although -decidedly against my better judgment:-- - -“Ay, that I will, Alec, although I believe you are running into danger -needlessly. Why not wait until we can call others to help us, or at -least get weapons with which to defend our lives, for if that fellow -is either spy or traitor he will not yield without a fight.” - -“It is two against one, and even cowards could ask for no better odds -than that!” Alec said sharply, and in another instant he was running at -full speed toward the clump of bushes in which was hidden the man we -would make prisoner. - -There was no other course left me but to follow him, unless I was -willing to have it said I deserted a friend, and even while reproaching -myself for making such a foolhardy venture, I ran at my best pace close -at his heels. - -As a matter of course the stranger saw us coming, and whether guilty or -innocent must have divined our purpose. - -Perhaps the speed at which we advanced convinced him he could not -outstrip us in a chase, for instead of taking flight, he made every -effort to launch his boat before we should come up with him. - -Had he succeeded in getting half a dozen yards from the shore we would -have been baffled, weaponless as we were, and the fellow probably -counted on this, but he had drawn the craft too high up on the sand. - -She was less than ten feet from the water’s edge when Alec came within -striking distance, and now, instead of trying further to launch the -boat, he turned to defend himself. - -With a stout oaken paddle uplifted he awaited my comrade’s approach, -and I cried aloud in surprise when I recognized in him one of our -neighbors who claimed to be violently loyal to the Government of the -United States. - -“It’s Nathaniel Hubbard!” burst involuntarily from my lips, and as I -spoke his name he turned upon me in a fury. - -Until that instant I do not think there was in his mind any thought -to do other than beat us off until he could set the boat afloat; but, -finding himself recognized, it seemed necessary for his own safety that -our mouths should be closed forever. - -Stooping suddenly, he seized something from the bottom of the craft, -and when he stood erect once more I saw in each of his hands a pistol. - -“Look out for yourself!” I cried, fearing lest Alec had not observed -the weapons, and even as I shouted there was a blinding flash; I could -feel the heat of the burning powder, and wondered that no pain followed -it. - -Hubbard had fired point blank at me, within less than ten feet -distance, and yet missed the target. - -With a cry of rage he turned upon Alec, but before he could press the -trigger of his pistol I leaped upon his back. - -The weapon was discharged; but the bullet buried itself in the sand, -and the traitor was at our mercy, although not yet conquered. - -He fought like a wild man, and I could not wonder at his fury, for more -than his life was at stake. Even though his neighbors did not kill him -outright, as indeed they had good cause, he was disgraced forever; and -there would be nothing left for him save to take refuge among those to -whom he had sold himself, which might not be a pleasant thing, because -he who buys a traitor can have no great respect or love for him. - -During five minutes or more it was a serious question as to who would -come off victorious, and then suddenly his strength seemed to desert -him; he collapsed, so to speak, even while putting forth his greatest -strength, and from that instant it was as if we had no more than a -child in our grasp. - -“We’ll tie his hands and feet, and bundle him into his own boat,” Alec -said, whipping out his pocket-knife and cutting the small hempen cable, -or painter. “It will be too much of a job to carry the scoundrel from -here to the village!” - -It was pitiful to see how weak the traitor had become in mind as well -as body. Instead of making any protest, or challenging us to prove that -he did not have as good a right as we to stroll on the shore of the -lake, he burst into tears, imploring us to “be merciful.” - -“It can do you no good to take me back, and I will reward you richly -for my liberty,” he whined, in so cowardly a fashion that I turned my -back, unwilling to look upon the despicable wretch. - -“You will pay us with British gold, eh?” Alec said angrily, raising his -hand, whereupon I seized his arm, fearing lest in his righteous wrath -he might strike one who was bound, for we had lost no time in tying the -fellow. - -“Don’t fear that I shall do him any great harm,” the lad said quickly. -“For a moment the temptation to punish him for thinking we might be -bought was great, but I should have remembered in time that it would be -a disgrace even to strike a cur who has sold his country.” - -From that instant Nathaniel Hubbard seemed to understand that it would -be useless to plead with us. - -He apparently gathered courage from despair, or else grief and remorse -overpowered him, for he remained silent and motionless, seeming to give -no heed whatsoever to us. - -As if he had been no more than a bundle of merchandise, and not very -valuable at that, we packed him into the boat and rowed back toward the -brig whereon we knew was Captain Perry, feeling quite certain we had -done a good forenoon’s work in our country’s behalf. - - - - -CHAPTER XI. - -CROSSING THE BAR. - - -If we lads had expected to be greeted with enthusiastic praises when we -pulled alongside the _Caledonia_, near that portion of the deck where -my father was standing, we were doomed to disappointment. - -“Who have you there?” he asked sharply, not for the moment recognizing -his old neighbor and professed friend. - -“A spy whom we found on the lake front, having just come over, or about -to put across,” Alec replied, and I would have added more but that my -father asked sternly:-- - -“How do you know he is a spy?” - -“First, because of his suspicious movements when we hove in sight,” -Alec replied, still continuing to act as spokesman. “Dicky Dobbins and -I went along the shore for a stroll, and, having come near to a clump -of bushes grown close by the water’s edge, saw a boat half concealed -therein; also this man in hiding. When we came up he greeted us with -two pistol bullets, and but for my comrade I would have been killed. -Then, when we had him bound fast, he tried to bribe us into giving -him his liberty. If all this be no token of his guilt, then am I much -mistaken.” - -“It is Nathaniel Hubbard,” I interrupted, understanding that as yet my -father had not recognized the man. - -“Nathaniel Hubbard!” he repeated. “And you have taken him for a spy?” - -“If he was an honest citizen, sir, there would have been no such scene -as I described,” Alec said stoutly. - -Perhaps if Master Hubbard had made any loud claim of innocence at this -moment he might have been believed, so great was my father’s confidence -in the man. But, as I have already said, it was as if he collapsed -entirely when we had gotten the best of him, and now could not utter a -lie in his own defence. - -Instead of giving us orders concerning the prisoner, my father wheeled -abruptly around, disappearing almost immediately down the companionway, -and I knew he had gone to acquaint Captain Perry with the painful -intelligence that one of Presque Isle’s most trusted citizens had -proven himself a traitor. - -We waited in the boat, Alec and I, until perhaps ten minutes had -passed, and then one of the guards came to the rail and said:-- - -“The captain commands that the prisoner be taken on shore by a force of -men from the brig, and you boys are to remain here.” - -Now it was that Nathaniel Hubbard found his tongue. He who should have -welcomed death as a means of hiding him from view of those who had -trusted him, begged piteously for life, knowing full well the people of -Presque Isle would take the law in their own hands once his perfidy was -known. - -“Pray to Captain Dobbins that I be confined on board this ship!” he -cried to the soldier who had brought us the command. “Entreat him by -the friendship of former days not to deliver me into the keeping of -those who would shed my blood!” - -Tears stood in the traitor’s eyes, so great was his fear, and I turned -my head away, not caring to look at that which was so disagreeable, for -there was no pity in my heart toward one who would sell his countrymen. - -“Go, and repeat what he has said to Captain Dobbins,” Alec commanded -the soldier, and the latter obeyed, returning a few moments later with -the word: - -“He is to be confined on board this vessel. You lads are to go into the -cabin.” - -We obeyed right willingly, for neither of us cared to remain while our -prisoner was being taken on board, and having gone below into Captain -Perry’s cabin, we were called upon to give a detailed account of our -forenoon’s work. - -When the story was finished my father sent us on deck again, neither he -nor Alec’s brother making any comment, and once there we saw that the -traitor’s boat was empty. He had been disposed of in some fashion which -did not concern us, so that there was no possibility of his being able -to carry further information to the enemy. - -Old Silas, the gunner, met us near the companionway, clasping each by -the hand as he said, with more feeling than I had believed it possible -for him to display:-- - -“You have done good work this day, lads, but unwittingly caused sorrow -to many in Presque Isle; for there be no honest man who will feel other -than deepest distress because of findin’ a trusted neighbor to be a -villain.” - -“Would it have pleased you better, Master Boyd, if we had let him go -free?” Alec asked. - -“Heaven forbid, lad! While one may be distressed because of the -unmaskin’, there’ll be great relief at knowin’ that information of our -movements is no longer bein’ sold to the enemy. I have no question -but you have saved the fleet from destruction, unless it so be he has -already carried word of our intention to take the vessels over the bar. -Once the Britishers know that we count on leavin’ the bay, you may be -certain Captain Finnis’s squadron will lay off an’ on waitin’ a chance -to pounce upon us.” - -“What will they do with him?” I asked. - -“That is more than I can say. He deserves the death of a traitor; but -whether there be sufficient proof against him is another matter.” - -“Surely you do not believe there is any question of his purpose in -being on the lake front where we found him?” - -“Not a bit of it, lad; but what we believe is one thing, and legal -proof quite another. Howsomever, there is no reason why we should spend -our time talkin’ of him, for it’s a subject that gives one a bitter -taste in the mouth. There is much work to be done on shore, an’ we’d -best take our share of it. While you lads were ferretin’ out traitors, -an hundred and five men arrived; therefore, as I have heard it said -this mornin’, Captain Perry has about three hundred officers an’ men -fit to do duty. A scanty number with which to man two twenty-gun brigs -an’ eight other crafts; but they are to be distributed around in the -most economical fashion possible, an’ we shall put to sea as soon as -the fleet can be got over the bar.” - -“How long will that take?” Alec asked. - -“I cannot say; but certain it is that we are to move down to the -entrance of the harbor to-morrow mornin.’” - -This was Saturday, the last day of July, and with the thought in my -mind as to the breaking of one of the commandments, I asked old Silas -if he believed it would be right that we should put to sea on Sunday. - -“We are to make a move in the mornin’, lad. War is a wicked thing at -the best, an’ those who engage in it give little heed to God’s day, so -that an advantage may be gained. Our commanders have the idea, from -some information brought by General Mead, that no time is to be lost, -and orders have already been given for the fleet to make ready. Even -the small craft must be lightened in order to get them over the bar, -and I understand that there is much doubt in Captain Perry’s mind, as -there is in my own, whether the _Lawrence_ and _Niagara_ can get out at -all. It won’t be a short job at the best, and I’m allowin’ a week will -be well nigh spent before the cruise is begun.” - -By the time the old man had finished speaking we were in the traitor’s -boat, pulling toward the shipyard where the “camels,” having been -completed, were being tested. - -It was dull work here for Alec and I, since there was little we could -do to aid in the task, and I proposed that we spend the remainder of -the day with my mother, for it might be many weeks before such another -opportunity would be ours. - -Therefore it was that until daybreak on Sunday morning, the first of -August, we remained quietly at home, and then set out with my father, -who had come ashore about midnight, to take our places on board the -_Lawrence_ as members of her crew. - -Old Silas was there, ready for duty, as might have been expected, and -when the brig, under the influence of the early morning breeze, passed -the town toward that neck of sand which threatened to deprive us of the -opportunity to take part in the battle we believed to be near at hand, -every woman and child in the settlement stood on the shore to witness -what they probably believed was a departure. - -The cruise came to a speedy ending. - -The _Lawrence_ dropped anchor with her bow just resting on the -sand-bar, and orders were given for the gunboat _Trippe_,[3] which -was the smallest vessel in the fleet, to go ahead for the purpose of -ascertaining the depth of water. - -When she grounded, not more than fifty yards from where the flag-ship -lay, it seemed certain we would not be able to get a single craft out, -and Alec Perry said despondently to me:-- - -“It seems as if we were fated to remain idle while the Britishers hold -control of the lake. It were better my brother had remained at Newport, -than to come here only to be balked of his purpose.” - -I could say nothing cheering, for the same thought was in my own mind; -but Captain Perry and my father were not men who could be so quickly -disheartened. An obstacle in their way only served to arouse them to -greater effort, and one would have said that this apparent disaster had -long been foreseen and provided for. - -The entire fleet had come to anchor when the gunboat grounded, and, as -if by previous arrangement, every small boat near the shipyard and the -shore round about put off to take part in the arduous labor which must -be performed before our squadron could be gotten into deep water. - -Now came five days of excessive and exhaustive labor, during which -time I do not believe Captain Perry was below more than two hours on -a stretch, although Dr. Parsons had declared that he was dangerously -ill, and then the work had been performed. - -It is not seemly that such a task should be passed over in few words, -and yet my story has run so long already that what these brave men did -must be described in the smallest possible space. - -The gunboat _Trippe_, in command of Lieutenant Smith, was the first -craft over the bar, and the work of lightening had not been excessive. -All which was taken from her could be cared for in small boats, -therefore once she was in deep water her armament and stores were -quickly on board again. - -The _Porcupine_, commanded by Midshipman Senat, and the _Ohio_, -captained by my father, went over at about the same time, that is to -say, during Sunday night. - -The _Scorpion_, with Sailing-Master Champlin in command, did not -succeed in crossing until Monday noon, and it was late on that night -before such goods as had been taken from her could be put on board -again, since it became necessary to carry a goodly portion of them -ashore. - -The _Tigress_, with Master’s Mate McDonald acting as captain, and the -_Somers_, under Sailing-Master Almy, were gotten over before Tuesday -noon. - -Then came the _Caledonia_, with Purser McGrath in command; and the -_Ariel_, captained by Lieutenant Packet, crossing on the evening of the -third day. - -There were left inside only the _Lawrence_, which Captain Perry himself -commanded; and the _Niagara_, under Captain Elliott, to be carried over. - -But these last were, as old Silas put it, “the tough nuts of the lot;” -for if it was necessary to take so much from the smaller craft before -they were sufficiently lightened, it did not seem possible that the two -brigs could, even by aid of the camels, be forced into the waters of -the lake. - -All this while, as may be imagined, the strictest watch was kept, for -we knew full well Commodore Barclay was somewhere in the vicinity with -his squadron, and it stood to reason that he expected we would attempt -such a manœuvre as was then in progress. - -Immediately the smaller vessels had been forced into deep water their -guns were put in position and loaded; everything was made ready as -completely as if we knew an attack would be made within the next hour, -and had the Britishers appeared while the brigs were comparatively -helpless, I doubt not but that they would have met with a warm -reception, although it is not reasonable to suppose we might have -succeeded in beating them off. - -When, on the morning of the fourth day, work was begun upon the -_Lawrence_ and _Niagara_, every man and boy among us was in a state -of the greatest possible excitement. We understood full well how -deplorable would be our plight if the enemy should appear just after -the guns had been taken from the brigs, for then the two vessels on -which we placed the greatest reliance could have had no part in the -battle that must have ensued. - -Right here let me set down what, as a matter of course, we could not -know at the time; but which explains why we were allowed to perform -this long task unmolested. - -I have seen a letter which Mr. Ryason wrote to my father, and from it -comes this extract:-- - -“The citizens of Port Dover, a small village on Ryason’s Creek, a -little below Long Point, offered Commodore Barclay and his officers a -public dinner. While that dinner was being attended, Perry was getting -his vessels over the bar, and thereby acquired power to skilfully -dispute the supremacy of Lake Erie with the British. At the dinner -Commodore Barclay remarked, in response to a complimentary toast, ‘I -expect to find the Yankee brigs hard and fast on the bar when I return, -in which predicament it will be but a small job to destroy them.’ Had -Barclay been more mindful of duty, his expectations might have been -realized.” - -If we of Presque Isle had had this information at the time, it would -have saved us great distress of mind, for there was not among all our -forces one who thought otherwise than did old Silas. - -He said to me despondently, when the order was given to load into small -boats the guns from the _Lawrence_:-- - -“Now has come the time, lad, when I believe of a verity that our ruin -is near at hand. It does not stand to reason that the British commodore -can hold off longer, for he knows full well we would set about crossing -the bar at the earliest moment, and if he sights us at this work while -the two brigs are dismantled, we are undone.” - -During the earlier portion of the task the men had labored with now and -then a jest or a cheery word; some speculated as to what would be done -once the ships were afloat, and all seemed in a certain degree happy, -although excited. But now, when we were doing that which would compass -our own destruction should the enemy’s squadron heave in sight, every -face wore an expression of deepest gravity; men spoke in whispers, as -if fearing the lightest sound of their voices might be token of what we -were about, and I saw no smile, nor heard an idle word during all that -while. - -To get the camels into position under the brig was a difficult matter, -but finally accomplished, and on the morning of the 4th of August -Captain Perry’s flag-ship, with every small boat towing ahead, was -hauled across the barrier of sand into the waters of Lake Erie. - -Then, while a portion of the force labored at dismantling and making -ready the _Niagara_ for the same passage, the remainder set about -replacing the guns, reloading the ammunition and the stores, and by two -o’clock of that day every man and boy among us breathed more freely, -for one of our ships was in condition to give battle to whosoever might -attempt to work us a mischief. - -By thus dividing the laboring force in order to arm the _Lawrence_ as -speedily as possible, the work on the _Niagara_ required much more time -than it had on the flag-ship, and not until noon of the 5th did the -last vessel of the squadron move out over the bar. - -Just at that moment, when our work was so well-nigh completed that we -need have little fear, the enemy’s squadron appeared in sight. - -Commodore Barclay had at last come to his senses; but it was too late, -so far as capturing the Yankee fleet on the bar was concerned. - -Eight-and-forty hours previous, the sight of the British flags hoisted -on vessels carrying forty-four guns would have filled us with dismay, -and well it might, for then our doom was sealed. - -Now, however, having successfully combated greater difficulties, we -felt as if the coming of Commodore Barclay was something so trifling as -not to be considered, and many of our people, like old Silas, rejoiced -in the belief that we might even at this moment, when the _Niagara_ was -virtually dismantled, give them battle. - -Among those who were eager to meet the British, even though we were -unprepared, was Captain Perry. - -It is proper now, perhaps, that I call him by a higher title, since he -was really in command of the fleet, and I noted the fact, as did Alec, -with most intense satisfaction, that once the vessels were in deep -water the men spoke of our commander as “commodore,” when previously it -had been simply “captain.” - -We had a taste of what this young commander was ready to do, when he -sent orders to Lieutenant Packet and Sailing-Master Champlin to go out -with their respective vessels, the _Ariel_ and the _Scorpion_, and -boldly engage the squadron for the purpose of detaining them until we -should be able to come up. - -This order was so much to the liking of those who were sent to repeat -it to the commanders of the schooners, that they shouted the words -loudly that all might hear, and as we labored with redoubled efforts, -although well nigh on the verge of exhaustion, to refit the _Niagara_, -a shout of satisfaction and triumph went up such as must have been -heard by the tardy Commodore Barclay. - -“We are in for hot work now, lads, and plenty of it,” old Silas said in -a tone of satisfaction, as we two lads assisted him in mounting one of -the guns that had just been sent on board, for every able-bodied man -from the _Lawrence_ had been ordered to aid in the work of refitting -this last vessel to cross the bar. “Our commodore isn’t one to -shilly-shally ’round when there’s a chance of burnin’ powder with good -effect, an’ his sendin’ the schooners out in such prompt fashion shows -that he ain’t minded to lose an opportunity for a fight.” - -“Think you there will be a battle this night?” Alec asked, so excited -that his voice trembled. - -“That is accordin’ to yonder Britisher’s stomach. If it so be he says -the word, I’ll warrant you we’ll go with our three hundred men--hardly -more than enough to work the fleet--and give him such a taste of our -metal as won’t be pleasin’.” - -“If Oliver should set out so poorly prepared and be whipped, the -government would blame him as severely as if he had a full force,” Alec -said, half to himself; and I understood from the words that the lad -hoped Barclay was not of the mind to wait until we might come up with -him. - -“But he won’t be whipped, lad;” and old Silas spoke in a tone of -confidence, as if he could read the future. “We Yankees have been kept -cooped up in Presque Isle bay so long that each will do the work of -three men when the chance is given him. We’ll not be whipped, lad, as -Barclay shall soon learn to his cost.” - -Now it was that as we worked every one of us gazed seaward at brief -intervals, looking with pride upon the little _Ariel_ and _Scorpion_, -while they stood boldly on toward the British squadron that could have -sunk them with a single broadside, the stars and stripes flying proudly -from their mastheads, and all hands doubtless at quarters, hoping it -might be possible to engage in a contest, however unequal. - -But the battle was not to be on that day, and well perhaps for our -commodore that his challenge was not accepted, for the odds against us -might have proven too great, despite the eagerness of the men. - -Before the two schooners were come within range of the enemy’s ships -the squadron was put about, heading for the North Foreland, crowding -on all sail as if it was feared our tiny schooners might insist upon a -battle. - -We cheered, as a matter of course, when the enemy thus fled, and -laughed in derision at his cowardice; but there was beneath it all a -deep disappointment because the time had not come when we might show -our strength and determination. - -“Never you mind, lad,” old Silas said, as we stood looking after the -retreating fleet, and doubtless showing in our faces signs of that -which was in our hearts. “Never you mind. Commodore Perry ain’t the one -to hang ’round here while there’s a British vessel afloat on Lake Erie, -and I’m willin’ to wager all my prize-money that if Commodore Barclay -doesn’t come out boldly to meet us, we shall hunt him up, and the -battle won’t be long delayed unless it so chances the gallant redcoats -surrender without firing a gun.” - - -FOOTNOTES: - -[3] Formerly the _Contractor_. - - - - -CHAPTER XII. - -PUT-IN-BAY. - - -As a rule the crews of the several vessels shared the old gunner’s -opinion regarding Commodore Perry’s intention of giving us all the work -possible, now that his squadron was at liberty. - -It seems really wonderful, as I look back on those days when I hoped -to win fame as a soldier or sailor, how quickly the men came to have -confidence in our boyish-looking commodore. Hardly one of them had ever -seen him before he arrived in Presque Isle, and yet all were ready to -trust their lives in his hands without reserve. - -All believed as did old Silas, and every one labored with a will -to make the _Niagara_ ready that there might be no delay when our -commander found the opportunity to strike a blow. - -At five o’clock on that afternoon the last gun had been brought off -from the shore, and without waiting until the decks could be put -shipshape, word was passed from one craft to the other for all to make -sail, following the lead of the flag-ship. - -“Now you can see whether I told the truth,” old Silas said triumphantly -when the _Lawrence_ was gotten under way, her flags floating proudly -in the breeze. “There’s not a craft in the fleet ready for action, and -yet off we go in search of the enemy. Precious little time lost in that -kind of work, eh?” - -Nobody grumbled because of such eagerness, although it kept us all -jumping mighty lively when we should have been bottling up sleep after -four nights of almost incessant labor; but we toiled and sweated hour -after hour as cheerfully as if it was done solely for our private -benefit. - -By break of day we had arrived off the North Foreland. The vessels were -in something approaching proper trim, and half of the men had been told -off to take a watch below. - -Alec and I were among those thus released from duty, yet we remained on -deck when our eyes seemed glued together owing to lack of sleep, in the -hope that we might catch a glimpse of Leon Marchand. - -Although I have never mentioned the lad’s name since relating the -particulars of our second escape from North Foreland, I have not kept -silence because we failed to think of him. - -Hardly a day had passed but that we held converse regarding the French -boy, speculating as to what might have been his fate after the -soldiers discovered that he had led them on a wild-goose chase, and -promising that whenever the fortunes of war should permit we would do -our best at finding him. - -Therefore it was we remained on deck when we might have been sleeping, -even though there was not one chance in a thousand of seeing, or, if we -did catch a glimpse of the lad, there could be no possibility of having -speech with him. - -We sighted no living thing along the entire shore of the North Foreland. - -By aid of a glass it was possible to make out the barracks where the -troops had been encamped; but they appeared to be deserted, and we had -good reasons for believing that the famous descent upon Presque Isle -was abandoned. - -The British squadron was keeping out of sight also, and I, believing -Commodore Perry would make immediate search for them, suddenly -discovered cause for alarm. - -“Suppose your brother sails either east or west with the hope of coming -across Commodore Barclay, is he not leaving Presque Isle unprotected?” -I asked of Alec, as if believing he could answer the question in a -satisfactory manner. “Who shall say that the much-talked-of expedition -is not near the town at this moment, having awaited just such an -opportunity as has now been given?” - -Old Silas passed at the moment I spoke, and, overhearing the question, -took it upon himself to make reply:-- - -“Do you think our commander can be so stupid as you are tryin’ to make -out? I’ll go bail that we look in at Presque Isle bay as often as once -in every four-and-twenty hours so long as the wind serves, an’ while -it holds calm there’s little chance the Britishers will land any very -great shakes of an expedition.” - -“That’s it, exactly!” Alec cried, apparently much relieved by this view -of the matter. “I knew Oliver wouldn’t leave his base of supplies at -the mercy of the enemy, yet didn’t see exactly how it might be guarded -if we were to search for Commodore Barclay’s squadron. There’s no hope -of our seeing the French lad, and we’d best take our trick below, Dicky -Dobbins, before it expires.” - -“That’s where you’re right, lad!” the old gunner cried approvingly. -“Never lose a chance to take a rest, and by such means you will always -be ready for hot work.” - -Then we two lads went to our hammocks on the gun-deck, and, once -stretched out at full length, slumber visited our eyelids with but -little delay. - -We were not awakened until sunset, and then going on deck we saw dead -ahead, hardly more than two miles away, the entrance to Presque Isle -bay. - -Old Silas was in the right when he said we should look in here as often -as once in every four-and-twenty hours, for until the 9th day of August -we cruised back and forth, watching and praying for a sight of the -enemy. - -It was on the morning of the fourth day since our fleet came out across -the bar, that we received reliable intelligence concerning the enemy -from a French-Canadian, who was friendly to the Americans because of -his enmity to the British. - -Commodore Barclay had gone with his squadron to Malden, there to await -the completion of another ship which was nearly ready for sea, and it -was generally believed he would remain in that harbor until able to -strengthen his fleet by the addition of this new craft. - -It seemed that he was unwilling to meet us on equal terms, although -having professed eagerness to come at us in any shape, regardless of -men or armament, and now had gone into hiding until he might have -nearly two guns for every one of ours. - -On the strength of this information General Mead decided to disband -the militia which had come to the defence of Presque Isle. The larger -number of them were farmers, and it was high time they got into their -harvest fields. - -Therefore, on this 9th of August the troops marched out of the town, -and once more the citizens banded together in military fashion to -protect their homes. - -This day was destined to bring great changes and decided advantages to -all of us, whether ashore or afloat. - -The militia had hardly more than gotten out of the town before an -hundred disciplined sailors and marines, well officered and under -command of Captain Jesse D. Elliott, marched in, and immediately -signals were set in token that those on shore desired to communicate -with the commander of the fleet. - -It can well be fancied that we were overjoyed by the arrival of this -sadly needed reënforcement, and the squadron came to anchor just off -the bar to receive the newcomers. - -The men and officers already on the _Niagara_ were distributed among -the other vessels, and the brig was put under command of Captain -Elliott, who took on board with him the force he had brought in. - -Commodore Perry now had under his command nearly four hundred men, and -the moment had come when he believed it his duty to report as being -ready to coöperate with General Harrison, even though by so doing he -would be leaving Presque Isle at the mercy of the enemy. - -“I’m allowin’ Barclay won’t have a chance to do much mischief in this -section of the country,” old Silas said, when a dozen or more in the -watch to which we two lads belonged were discussing the news that had -been whispered around, no one knowing how it had leaked out of the -cabin. “Our commodore ain’t countin’ on givin’ the Britishers any very -great amount of spare time, an’ that famous squadron of theirs will -have to move mighty lively in order to steer clear of a row.” - -To me it seemed almost wicked, this going away from Presque Isle when -it appeared as if the town was in greatest danger; but Alec argued that -in war there can be no discrimination, and that, as in all things, “the -greatest good to the largest number” is the rule to be observed. - -It made little difference, however, what I might have thought of this -new order of affairs. The command was given that the fleet make sail -for Put-in-Bay, and the town wherein was my mother must be left with no -other protection than could be afforded by the armed citizens. - -If Captain Elliott had arrived twelve hours earlier, or if General Mead -had delayed an equal length of time before disbanding the militia, the -situation of affairs might have been far different, and my heart would -have been less heavy on that morning when we set sail in regular battle -order to begin active operations against our country’s enemies. - -During such time as we were at sea nothing in the way of a British -craft was sighted, and now is the moment when I may set down certain -matters regarding the traitor Alec and I had captured. - -Until this morning when we left the entrance of Presque Isle bay, some -of us never to return, I had believed Nathaniel Hubbard was confined on -board the _Caledonia_; but as we made sail I heard one of the sailors -complaining that he was deprived of what might be a last glimpse of -home in order to “feed a villanous traitor.” - -“Who is it?” I asked, surprised at learning there was any one -imprisoned on board the _Lawrence_. - -“You should know, seeing that you had a hand in his capture,” the -man replied surlily. “Why he wasn’t sent on shore instead of bein’ -transferred to this brig, beats me.” - -“When was he brought aboard?” - -“The night after we crossed the bar, and before the fleet put across to -the North Foreland.” - -“Are we to carry him with us on this cruise?” - -“You’ll have to ask the commodore for that information. I’m not -supposed to know what he counts on doin’. It’s enough for me that I -must fetch an’ carry for a gallows-bird like him.” - -The man was in such an ill temper that it was useless to question -him further, and I went to old Silas, as both Alec and I had come to -believe was our right. - -It was plain to be seen, when I put the first question, that Master -Boyd could give much more information than he then seemed disposed to -do. - -He answered me almost curtly, never volunteering even an opinion, and -this was so entirely contrary to his usual manner that my suspicions -were aroused. - -“It seems to me that Alec and I have the right to know what is being -done with the man,” I said hotly. “We captured him without aid from any -one, and yet it is forbidden us to know other than that he was put on -board the _Caledonia_.” - -“There’s no call to lose your temper, lad, seein’s how the fellow has -been held just as you delivered him, except that a change of prisons -was made, and I’m allowin’ the commodore ran away with the idea that he -might venture thus far without your permission.” - -I was ashamed, immediately after having spoken, and the old man’s reply -only served to increase my confusion. - -“It is proving myself a simple, to speak in such a tone,” I said -humbly. “There’s no reason why either Alec or I should know anything -regarding the prisoner which the commander wishes to keep a secret.” - -“From what I’ve heard and can guess, I allow you two lads will not -have the chance to complain of bein’ kept in the dark, so far as he’s -concerned, many days longer.” - -“What do you mean?” I asked, my curiosity provoked by his air of -mystery. - -“Time will show, and you’re young enough to be willin’ to wait a few -hours.” - -Having said this, old Silas turned away, as if his breath was too -valuable to be wasted on one like me, and I went in search of Alec. - -He was in the commodore’s cabin, one of the officers told me, and I, -not daring to venture there without special invitation, was forced to -curb my impatience as best I might. - -An hour later, when I had heartily repented having spoken so hastily to -old Silas, a sailor came with an order for me to present myself before -the commander in his quarters. - -“The gunner has repeated what I said, and now I must confess myself a -meddling fool before the one man above all others whose good opinion I -wish to keep,” I muttered to myself while obeying the order, and when -I finally stood in the presence of the commodore the expression on his -face frightened me. - -He looked as grave as if about to pronounce sentence of death, and -Alec, who sat on a locker near the bunk, was pale and nervous. - -“Surely,” I said to myself, “there is no good reason for their making -so much ado about the words I spoke thoughtlessly;” for it seemed to me -that I had been summoned solely because of what I said to old Silas. - -“Richard, did you know that Nathaniel Hubbard was a prisoner on board -this brig?” Commodore Perry asked abruptly. - -“Silas Boyd told me, when I was so foolish as to question him.” - -“You must also understand that we cannot in justice take him into -action, and it is certain we shall engage the enemy before many days -have passed.” - -I nodded my head like any simple, wondering what connection there was -between such a proposition and my hasty words. - -“You and my brother made a prisoner of the man, and thereby performed -most valuable service, because if he had carried to the enemy -information of what we were about to do, it is probable the fleet would -not have gotten across the bar without a scratch.” - -Again I nodded, and thinking now of that interview, I can well -understand what an idiot I must have appeared. - -“Because of the great service you performed, and also since I believe -both you lads may be trusted implicitly, Captain Dobbins and myself -decided, before getting under way, that you were the only two who -should be allowed to know the outcome of the affair. The man deserves -death, for I have no doubt but that he has played the spy upon the -people of Presque Isle these many days, but it is an open question -if he could be convicted of the dastardly crime, owing to lack of -proof. Then, again, your father, Richard, is most eager to save an old -neighbor and former friend.” - -The commodore paused for an instant, as if at loss for a word, and I -looked in amazement at Alec, who sat on the locker, gazing first at -his brother and then at me; but it was impossible to read any solution -to the seeming mystery upon his face. He answered my glance without a -change of expression, and I fancied he was questioning me with his eyes. - -“Captain Dobbins and myself have decided that no good can come of -trying to punish the traitor, while by showing mercy--mistaken mercy, -perhaps,--he yet has an opportunity to redeem himself. Therefore it is -that we take you lads into our confidence, asking your assistance.” - -I was even more bewildered than before, and gazed in open-mouthed -astonishment at my commander. - -“We depend upon you to liberate this man as secretly as may be, -trusting only Silas Boyd, who will lend the necessary assistance, and -allow it to be believed that he escaped.” - -For a moment it seemed to me I must be dreaming! I could not believe -that my father, whom I knew was devoted to his country, and Commodore -Perry, who had been literally consumed with impatience because he could -not come at our enemies, would plot to release a traitor--a man ready -to sell his friends and his native land to the highest bidder. - -“I see that the proposition astonishes you, as it did Alexander; but it -is a sound one, of which I am not ashamed. Talk the matter over with my -brother, and by the time the plans can be put into execution you lads -will have come to a thorough understanding concerning it.” - -Having said this the commodore arose, a movement which I understood to -be a token that the interview was at an end, and as I turned to leave -the cabin Alec linked his arm in mine, walking in this fashion until -we were come on deck, where I observed old Silas gazing at us curiously. - -Not until we were well forward on the forecastle-deck where none could -creep up on us unawares, did I speak, and then it was to ask:-- - -“What do you think, Alec Perry, of this proposition to set free a -traitor who would have delivered us over to the enemy without remorse?” - -“It has the approval of both your father and my brother.” - -“Now you are begging the question. I asked for your opinion.” - -“At first I looked at the matter much as I believe you do; but after -thinking it over, and I have had ample time, I fancy there is much of -good in it.” - -“In what way?” - -It would be impossible for me to set down here all the arguments Alec -advanced in favor of the plan, explaining as he spoke that he but -repeated what his brother had said. It is enough if I give the chief -points, and it appears to me that the case should be made plain lest we -be blamed for what we afterward did. - -First the difficulty of proving the man’s guilt was brought up, and I -was free to admit that argument a good one, because we had really seen -nothing which would absolutely fasten the crime upon him. - -Then came the supposition that, being given a chance to redeem himself, -Nathaniel Hubbard might become a better man. If he would do his part -in such a plan it was strong reason why he should be set free; but I -doubted the man’s desire for reformation. - -The shame which would come upon his family with the publication of -his guilt was another argument, and I did not try to answer it. The -strongest reason for freeing him was a general one, and did more -toward convincing me than any other. I knew full well there were many -in the United States who cried out that this was an unjust war--that -Americans had no right to uphold it, and once it was noised about that -a prominent citizen of the town which had begged the hardest for troops -was in full sympathy with England, it would go far toward proving -to the people at large that the wrongs of us on the frontier were -imaginary rather than real. - -I know not, even now the words are written, whether I have made my -meaning plain; but it is the best I can do in the way of explanation. -I know for a certainty that the arguments convinced me even against my -will, and when we two lads came down from the forecastle-deck I was -pledged to do whatsoever lay in my power to set Nathaniel Hubbard free -in such a manner that the crew of the _Lawrence_, and all others in the -fleet, for that matter, should remain in ignorance of our movements. - -“When is it to be done?” I asked, as we walked aft, and Alec replied in -a whisper:-- - -“After we have arrived at Put-in-Bay. There we shall come to anchor, -and ample time will be given us.” - -This was the ending to our conversation, and the matter was not -referred to again until the evening of August 15th, when our fleet -entered the harbor known as Put-in-Bay. - -Then it was that Alec said to me, when our duties were come to an end -for the day, and we free to remain on deck or below as best pleased -us:-- - -“The work must be done tonight. I will speak privately with my -brother, and do you broach the subject to old Silas. We shall need the -assistance of at least one man, and Oliver believes the gunner can be -fully trusted.” - -Having said this Alec went into the commodore’s cabin, and I approached -Master Boyd, who was pacing the forward deck in a manner which told -that he had some weighty subject for thought. - -“I would have speech with you, if it so be you are at liberty,” I -began; and before it was possible to say more the old man interrupted -gruffly:-- - -“Very well, lad; but there’s little need to make many words over it, -for I can guess what you would talk about. It goes mightily agin the -grain to help such as that traitor; but I suppose it must be done if -both the commodore and your father have set their hearts upon it.” - -“How did you know what had been kept a profound secret?” I asked in -surprise, forgetting for the moment that the old man had intimated as -much a few moments before the plan was revealed to me. - -“Your father, fearin’ lest I mightn’t take kindly to the job, gave me -a hint of what would be done, an’ there’s no likelier spot than this -in which to work the traverse. I’ll run the boat alongside near about -midnight, an’ you two lads must attend to the rest of the work.” - -Having said this much old Silas walked away, as if unwilling to speak -further on a disagreeable subject, and I sat on the rail aft, feeling -more anger against Nathaniel Hubbard because it was he who forced us to -such work, than for what he may have done against his country. - -Alec did not remain long below; in less than half an hour he was by my -side, holding up what I soon saw was a key. - -“With this we can unlock the door of his prison. He is confined -amidships in the petty officers’ quarters.” - -“How are we to get him out secretly?” - -“That is for us to decide. My brother will aid us so far as may be -possible; but he must not take the chances of being known in the -business. What does old Silas say?” - -“No more than that he’ll have a boat alongside at midnight. That is to -be the extent of his work, as I understand it.” - -“How can it be done?” Alec said, half to himself, and it was beyond me -to answer the question. - -In silence we two sat on the rail with eyes fixed upon the deck, trying -to puzzle out what would have perplexed older heads than were on our -shoulders. - - - - -CHAPTER XIII. - -CRUISING. - - -It lacked half an hour of midnight when I saw dimly in the gloom the -outlines of a man in a boat on the port side of the brig, and knew that -old Silas had fulfilled his promise. - -Alec and I had moved restlessly to and fro during the evening, -sometimes walking together, and again separating for a time, as if -courting loneliness; but without having arrived at any decision -regarding a method by which the traitor could be secretly released. - -We had formed plans in plenty; but on discussing them some fatal defect -was presented, and midnight was like to find us still undecided as to -how the work might be performed. - -“We will trust to chances,” Alec said finally, after old Silas had -made his boat fast and clambered up on the brig’s rail, where he -seated himself. “It is not possible to figure out every detail beyond -liability of failure, and we can only hold ourselves in readiness for -whatever may happen.” - -This was not an unwise speech in view of the fact that we had racked -our brains in vain during four hours or more, and it was with a most -profound sense of relief that I gave over the mental effort. - -“Is it all arranged?” the old gunner asked in a hoarse whisper, when I -passed near where he was sitting. - -“We have agreed upon nothing,” I replied. “At the last moment matters -may turn in our favor.” - -“Does the traitor know what we are figuring on?” - -“I suppose Alec’s brother has given him a hint of how matters stand.” - -“Why not lounge around below, and see how the land lays?” - -“Look here, Master Boyd,” I said, seized by a sudden idea, “why should -you not take this matter in hand? You can make a success where we would -meet only with failure.” - -“I’m not minded to dirty my hands more than is necessary,” the old man -replied emphatically. “If traitors are to be turned loose instead of -hanged, let some one else work the traverse.” - -There was little thought in my mind that I might be able to convince -Silas Boyd it was his duty to help us yet further than had been -promised; but, having nothing better to do, I set about the task, -and by virtue of soft words, mingled with much flattery, I finally -succeeded so far that he said, as if angry because of having yielded:-- - -“I’ll make a try for it, lad, though it’s hard lines when a man at my -time of life sets about lendin’ traitors a helpin’ hand. Get into the -boat, an’ see that Alec is with you, for if it so be I succeed, we’ll -need to get away in a hurry.” - -Then the old gunner went below, and I walked aft where my comrade was -standing near the head of the companionway, hoping, most likely, that -his brother might come on deck to offer some suggestion. - -An exclamation of relief and joy burst from his lips when I repeated -what had passed between Master Boyd and myself, and it can readily -be fancied that we lost no time in taking our places in the little -craft, which had been borrowed from one of the gunboats, as I afterward -learned. - -During fully an hour we remained silent and motionless, alternately -hoping old Silas would succeed, and fearing lest he had been -discovered, and then two dark forms appeared on the rail above us. - -I would have called aloud in order to make certain who they were, but -that Alec prevented any such indiscretion by placing his hand firmly -over my mouth, and while I was thus powerless to speak the gunner and -the traitor descended. - -Old Silas cast off the painter, giving the light skiff a vigorous -push which sent her far away from the brig’s side, and when we were -swallowed up by the gloom Alec and I plied the oars. - -“Where shall we land?” my comrade asked, when we were midway between -the brig and the shore. - -“It makes little difference,” Master Boyd replied sulkily, as if angry -with himself because of having taken part in such business. “So that we -gain the mainland, one place is as good as another.” - -No other word was spoken until the skiff’s bow grated upon the sand, -and our prisoner arose to his feet. Then he said in a low tone, his -voice trembling with suppressed emotion:-- - -“I shall never forget what has been done this night. The word of -one like me is not counted for much by those who hold true to their -country, yet I ask you to believe it. I have come to realize fully -the enormity of my crime, although until taken prisoner I believed -myself justified in the course pursued. From this moment it shall be my -earnest endeavor to repair the wrongs committed against my countrymen.” - -Having said this he stepped ashore, and an instant later was lost to -view in the gloom. - -[Illustration: “HE STEPPED ASHORE, AND AN INSTANT LATER WAS LOST TO -VIEW.”] - -“Perhaps it is best he should go free,” Alec said with a long-drawn -sigh of relief, and old Silas replied in an angry tone:-- - -“We have made ourselves akin to him by this night’s work, and I shall -never have the same respect for myself that I had four-and-twenty hours -ago.” - -Then he took up the oars, pulling vigorously toward the brig, and after -a brief interval I made bold to ask:-- - -“How did you succeed in getting him off?” - -“It was a simple matter. The sentry went forward to light his pipe; -and, with the key you gave me, the door was soon opened. Hubbard must -have been warned of what would happen, for he came forward immediately, -and I had but to lead the way after having locked the cabin as before. -We met no one while coming aft, and soon it was so dark that those on -deck might have rubbed elbows with us and not known who walked by my -side.” - -“It is well over, and I feel as if a great load had been lifted from my -shoulders,” Alec exclaimed. - -“With me it is as if a heavy burden had been put on my back,” old Silas -added. “The business is done, so far as concerns settin’ the traitor -free; but now we stand a chance of this night’s work bein’ known to our -messmates, in which case not one of ’em would so much as look at us -again. There’ll be a hue an’ cry when it’s known he’s no longer aboard, -an’ there’s a good show of our bein’ suspected.” - -This last possibility did not trouble either Alec or I as it did -the old man, and we went on board the brig with the belief that the -disagreeable matter was finally ended. - -We turned in quietly, as may well be imagined, but I had not gained any -great amount of sleep when I was awakened by a tumult on deck. - -“Hubbard’s escape has been discovered,” Alec whispered when I sprang -up, so bewildered for the instant that I failed to understand the -meaning of the noise. “Our best plan is to remain here as if yet -asleep.” - -As he suggested, so we did, and after a short time the confusion -subsided; when, despite the gravity of the situation, slumber again -closed my eyelids. - -It was broad day when I awakened; Alec was standing by the side of my -hammock, and the report he made was most assuring. - -“I have just been on deck. Matters there are in our favor; it is -believed that the key was left in Hubbard’s door by the marine who -served him with supper--” - -“That can easily be disproven by finding the key.” - -“It has been kept in the mess-room, in charge of the third officer, who -now reports it missing. In my opinion, old Silas got hold of it after -coming aboard last night. At all events, there appears to be little -fear of our being suspected, more particularly since we shall put to -sea again as soon as a fresh supply of water can be taken aboard.” - -Although the escape of a prisoner through what appeared to be -carelessness on the part of his keepers was a serious matter, it -sank into insignificance when a sail was sighted three miles off the -entrance of the harbor, and signals were set for the _Scorpion_ to put -off in pursuit. - -The schooner was quickly gotten under way, and while this was being -done orders were given for the entire fleet to follow. - -In less than ten minutes after the lookout had reported the stranger, -our squadron was carrying full sail, the _Scorpion_ leading by half a -mile or more, and every man laboring under the greatest excitement, for -it surely appeared as if we were in a fair way to make a prize. - -The escape of the traitor was entirely forgotten, for the time being, -and we lads knew full well that the commodore would not press the -matter unless it should seem necessary in order to avoid suspicion. - -Most exciting was this chase after we made out beyond doubt that the -strange sail was a British vessel heavily armed. - -Every stitch of canvas was spread, and the question as to which craft -in the fleet was the best sailer bid fair to be settled before we were -come up with the chase. - -The Britisher was a clipper, and soon gave evidence that she could -hold her own against our swiftest vessel; but where there were so many -against one it seemed almost certain we might succeed in cornering her. - -I venture to say that every man aboard the _Lawrence_, including the -commodore himself, remained on deck during the entire day, watching the -chase eagerly. - -Now and then it would seem as if the _Scorpion_, which craft was by -long odds the swiftest of the fleet, gained on the stranger, and our -hopes rose accordingly; but only to be dashed a short time later when -the Britisher recovered her lost ground, darting ahead at such a pace -as threatened to give her an advantage that could not be overcome. - -The chase headed for the Canadian shore on first discovering our -squadron; but, fearing most likely that we might cut her off on the -west and east, she soon hauled around on a course directly up the lake. - -Then, when our vessels were strung out in a line, she came about, -actually doubling on us until headed for the North Foreland. - -Signals were set for the fleet to make for the Canadian shore, and we -were no more than on a new course when the stranger hauled around once -more, this time making directly for Put-in-Bay. - -“She counts on givin’ us the slip among the islands,” old Silas said -late in the day, when it was certain the Britisher could not safely -make another turn, because orders had been given for our vessels to -take such a course as would cut her off from any more twisting and -turning. - -“She’s lost, once she gets inshore,” Alec replied gleefully. “We should -be able to hem her in with but little trouble, and I warrant that -Oliver isn’t losing the sight of such a possibility.” - -“He may have such a plan in mind, but I misdoubt his being able to -carry it out,” the gunner said, as he scanned the horizon. “Unless this -is the time when all signs fail, we’ll soon have so much wind that it -will be a question of shortening canvas, and the commodore won’t be so -venturesome as to fool around among these islands, takin’ the chances -of losin’ one or more of the fleet.” - -Until this moment I had failed to note the unpleasant fact that the -wind was rising rapidly. - -Low-hanging clouds in the east told of a storm, accompanied by more of -a breeze than would be comfortable or pleasant, and, in addition, night -was close at hand. - -“The Britisher is in as much danger of coming to grief as we are,” Alec -said at length, after observing the signs of which I have spoken. “Our -pilot should know the channels as well as theirs, and--” - -An exclamation of dismay from Master Boyd’s lips checked his speech, -and, following the direction of the gunner’s outstretched hand, we saw -the gallant little _Scorpion_ come to a sudden stop, roll to and fro -for an instant, after which she settled down in such manner as told us -she had taken ground. - -An instant later her canvas was furled, and we knew that, so far as she -was concerned, the chase had come to an end. - -The Britisher had disappeared behind Put-in-Bay island, and she was no -more than shut out from our view when the squall burst upon us with a -fury such as I have seldom seen equalled. - -It surely seemed as if the elements conspired to aid our enemies, and -at that moment I lost hope. - -Commodore Perry was a man who appeared to gain courage when the outlook -was most gloomy, and now he gave new proof of his ability to command. - -Signals were set for the fleet to heave to, and when this had been -done, the first officer was sent to each vessel with instructions as to -where they should anchor. - -The night had fully come before these orders could be obeyed, and then, -from the location of the riding-lights, we could see that each craft -had been stationed where she might best guard the outlet from the -islands. - -Unless the Britisher had put to sea during the first outburst of the -tempest, she was held prisoner, and we might make her our prize when -the day dawned. - -Master Champlin had already sent word that his schooner was resting -easily on the sands, and could readily be hauled off when the wind -abated, therefore we no longer had any anxiety concerning the -_Scorpion_. - -As may be supposed, every vessel in the squadron was snugged down in -proper shape to ride out the gale, which promised to be as short-lived -as it was fierce, and but for the fact that we had lost our prize there -would have been nothing to disturb us. - -The stars were shining brightly at midnight; the wind was no heavier -than a gentle breeze, and every man in the fleet remained on the -lookout for the Britisher. - -Before morning the _Scorpion_ was floated, and her captain reported -that she had sustained no injury. - -When the day broke every craft was under sail, and within an hour we -discovered that the enemy had given us the slip. - -He must have gone out from behind the island in the teeth of the wind, -while we were occupied with the _Scorpion_, and the first opportunity -was lost. - -“It’s a bad sign,” old Silas said, with an ominous shake of the head, -when we had discovered that the Britisher was not within our grasp. -“It’s a bad sign, an’ I’d be willin’ to give up all the wages comin’ to -me on this cruise if it hadn’t happened.” - -“Don’t croak, Master Boyd,” Alec shouted, with a hearty laugh that went -far toward driving the sense of disappointment from my heart; “signs -don’t count except among old women, and because we failed to capture -one small Britisher, there’s no reason to believe we shan’t bag plenty -of them before this voyage has come to an end.” - -The gunner refused to be cheered, and as our fleet stood out from the -harbor, heading for Sandusky bay, where General Harrison was encamped, -Silas went below, as if there was no longer any necessity for him to -perform a seaman’s duty. - -I am overly long in coming to that portion of my story which is of -importance, and therefore must put an end to the words lest it become -necessary to cut short the account of that day when Oliver Perry made -his name famous, at the same time giving every man of us an opportunity -to distinguish himself. - -We arrived off the point of the peninsula at the entrance of Sandusky -bay on the morning of August 18th, and there signal guns were fired -that General Harrison might have knowledge of our position. - -Then we waited for some word from the troops until evening, when -Colonel Gaines, with several officers and a guard of Indians, came on -board. - -Camp Seneca was only twenty-seven miles away, so the colonel informed -our commodore, and boats were sent at once to bring the general out to -the _Lawrence_. - -Four-and-twenty hours later Harrison came on board with a large -following of Americans and Indians, and for a time the deck of the -_Lawrence_ was much like a fair-ground. - -From this time until a full week had passed, it seemed as if Silas Boyd -was in the right when he declared that our failure to capture the first -of the enemy’s vessels sighted was proof that ill-luck would attend the -cruise. - -Immediately after General Harrison came on board plans for the campaign -were laid, and we spent much time sailing to and fro to find a suitable -place for a rendezvous. - -Then my father was sent in the _Ohio_ to procure additional stores -from Presque Isle, and also to make certain that matters there were -as they should be. At the same time the fleet sailed toward Malden -on a reconnoissance, but was met by heavy weather which rendered it -impossible to accomplish anything of importance. - -While off the mouth of the Detroit river, Commodore Perry, Dr. Parsons, -Alec, myself, and fully forty others, were attacked by what was -called “bilious fever,” and so many were on sick leave that it became -necessary to make some port. - -On the 27th of August the squadron came to anchor in Put-in-Bay harbor, -and instead of being war vessels, it was much as if ours was a fleet of -floating hospitals. - -Alec and I were quartered aft, greatly to old Silas’s displeasure, for -he held that we should have remained with our messmates; and a most -dismal time we had of it. - -The doctor was so ill that it was necessary he should be carried from -one bedside to another, else had we received no medical attendance, and -we were forced to get along without nursing, waiting upon ourselves as -best we might. - -Four days after coming to anchor, General Harrison sent thirty-six men -to act as marines, and take the places of those sailors who were too -feeble to even stand watch. - -With a view to giving the invalids a needed tonic, Commodore Perry -ordered the squadron under way, and we cruised to and fro, where I know -not, for at the time I was so ill as to give no heed whatsoever to -anything around me. - -It was the 5th day of September when I had recovered sufficiently -to go on deck,--Alec left his bunk four-and-twenty hours before -it was possible for me to move about,--and then many of the crew -were convinced that within a few days at the most we would have an -opportunity to engage the enemy. - -I believe of a verity that such intelligence did more toward reviving -the invalids than any of the nauseous potions Dr. Parsons forced them -to swallow, for within twenty hours every man had shown himself on -deck, eager to learn what might be the prospects for a fight. - -Old Silas was the one to whom we lads applied for information, as may -readily be guessed, and that which he told us was in the highest degree -cheering. - -Our scouts had ventured into Malden, and there learned beyond question -that the enemy were on the point of making a move in some direction. - -It was said that General Proctor’s army had but a scanty store of -provisions, and it had been decided Commodore Barclay should at all -hazards open communication with Long Point, where were gathered the -British supplies. - -Our commodore believed this information to be true, as could be -understood by the precautions he was taking to prevent the enemy from -slipping past him. - -Lookouts were stationed on Gibraltar island; every vessel was kept -in readiness for a quick start; anchors were hove short, sails only -loosely stowed, and no man, save those who acted as watchmen, was -allowed ashore. - -We could be in sailing trim within five minutes after the Britishers -hove in sight, and, weak though the majority of the men were from the -recent attack of fever, we knew full well all hands would give the -redcoats a good sample of how Yankees could fight. - -Each hour brought us nearer the battle in which we believed we should -win some honor for ourselves, and inflict considerable injury upon the -foe, and it was said by his messmates that old Silas slept with one eye -open, lest by closing both at the same moment he might lose time in -opening them. - -It is impossible for me to give even a faint idea of the suppressed -excitement under which we labored during these long, weary days of -waiting! - -Fancy what a strain it must be on the nerves to know for five days -and nights on a stretch that at any moment one might be summoned to -do desperate battle for his country--that he might meet his death -during the engagement, or at the best come out maimed for life, and -some slight idea can be had of our mental condition from the hour -of learning that it had become absolutely necessary for the British -commodore to leave his hiding-place. - -On the evening of September 9th, all the officers of the fleet were -on board the _Lawrence_, having been summoned by the commander to a -consultation for the purpose of deciding whether it might not be wise -to attack the enemy’s squadron even while it was under the guns of the -fortifications at Malden. - -The gentlemen were on the quarterdeck, and amidships the crew had -gathered, hoping to catch a word now and then which would give them an -idea of what might be expected. - -Then it was that our commodore did that which would have endeared -himself to every man in his command, even had he been unfriendly with -them up to that time. - -Alec and I were sitting cross-legged on the deck by Master Boyd’s side, -and, thanks to the light of the full moon, could see everything that -took place aft. - -The officers had been excitedly discussing the question of attacking -Commodore Barclay while his vessels remained at anchor, when Alec’s -brother suddenly unrolled a square, blue banner, on which in letters -formed of white cotton, were the words uttered by the gallant commander -of the _Chesapeake_:-- - - “DON’T GIVE UP THE SHIP.” - -“There, gentlemen,” he said, holding the bunting high in the air that -all might see it, “there is the flag under which we will go into -action, whether on the open lake, or in the harbor of Malden. When this -flag is hoisted at the mainroyal masthead, it shall be your signal -for opening the engagement. We will meet Commodore Barclay inside of -four-and-twenty hours, and when that long-hoped-for moment comes, -remember the instructions Nelson gave: ‘If you can lay your enemy close -alongside, you cannot be out of your place.’” - -When he ceased speaking every man of us leaped to his feet as if moved -by a spring, and what a round of cheers rent the air! - -It was a timely vent for the excitement which had kept us in a fever -so long, and we yelled until those on the other vessels hailed to know -what had set us going. - -If I could have been in Commodore Perry’s stead, and heard an hundred -men or more cheering me in that fashion, it would have been glory -enough for one lifetime. - - - - -CHAPTER XIV. - -SAIL HO! - - -Although we--and I mean the crew--had no assurance that our fleet would -soon engage the enemy, every man appeared to be positive a battle was -near at hand. - -The unfurling of that blue banner appeared a promise to be fulfilled in -the near future, and when the excitement had in a measure died away we -began discussing the probable result, no one venturing to suggest that -the Britishers might possibly come off best. Victory seemed assured, -despite the fact that Commodore Barclay carried thirty-five long guns -to our fifteen; we said to ourselves that Perry would soon lay us -alongside the enemy, when our smaller pieces must equalize the weight -of metal. - -Why every man felt confident a battle was very near at hand, I am -unable to say. - -Beyond the fact that the officers had been discussing the advisability -of attacking the enemy in Malden harbor, should he refuse to come out, -there was nothing to indicate an immediate meeting with him, yet we -spoke among ourselves as if a decisive engagement would positively be -fought on the morrow. - -Old Silas was the only man among the crew, with the exception of the -officers, who had ever smelled burning powder in a fight on shipboard, -and this night his opinion was eagerly sought for and implicitly relied -upon. - -“From what our commodore did at the taking of Fort George, I hold to it -we shan’t work at long range many minutes, if it so be the wind serves -us properly,” he said to the group of men around him, among which were -Alec and I, and my comrade interrupted by saying proudly:-- - -“You may be certain of that! Oliver isn’t one who will hang off when an -enemy is within striking distance!” - -The old gunner paid no attention to this remark, but continued, as soon -as the lad ceased speaking:-- - -“Leftenant Forrest told me that our scouts have reported the -Britishers’ strength to be much in this ’ere way. The ship _Detroit_, -just off the stocks, so to speak, carryin’ nineteen guns, one in pivot, -an’ two howitzers; the ship _Queen Charlotte_, with seventeen guns an’ -a howitzer; the schooner _Lady Prevost_ mountin’ thirteen guns an’ a -howitzer; the brig _Hunter_ of ten guns; the sloop _Little Belt_, -carryin’ three guns, an’ the schooner _Chippewa_, with one gun an’ two -swivels. Now as you all know without my tellin’ you, our strength is -fifty-two guns an’ two swivels. If Captain Dobbins were here with the -_Ohio_, we’d be a little better off; but seein’s he has gone to Presque -Isle, it’s a case of gettin’ on without him, which is like to make his -heart ache when we sail into the bay with a long string of prizes.” - -“My father would not have gone at such a time unless he had been -ordered to do so,” I said quickly, thinking for the moment that the -gunner would have it understood differently. - -“I know that full well, lad. There’s no man in this fleet, or among -the Britishers, for that matter, who doesn’t know Daniel Dobbins for -a brave sailor, to say nothin’ of his bein’ the best navigator on the -lakes. As I said, his heart will ache when he hears that we’ve given -the Britishers a lickin’, an’ he wasn’t here to take a hand in the -scrimmage.” - -“Accordin’ to your own figgerin’, we need a good sailin’ breeze when -the Englishmen heave in sight, else we’re likely to be taken at a -disadvantage,” one of the sailors suggested. - -“Right you are, lad, right you are; an’ yet when they heave in sight -there’s like to be a stiffish breeze, else Barclay would hold snug -in port. Of course it’ll be another matter in case we run into Malden -after ’em.” - -“You’ve counted up only the guns, Silas,” another sailor cried. “What -about the men?” - -“There’s where we’re a bit weak, I’ll admit; but a Yankee who’s -fightin’ within sight of home should be able to count for more than -one Britisher. It’s said Barclay has better than five hundred men, all -in good condition--one hundred an’ fifty from the royal navy, eighty -Canadian sailors, two hundred and forty soldiers, mostly regulars, -an’ a sprinklin’ of Indians. Now Leftenant Forrest tells me we’ve -four hundred an’ ninety names on the muster-roll; but one hundred an’ -sixteen are on the sick-list, an’ nigh to all of that number too weak -to lend a hand at anything. Therefore you can set our force down as -three hundred an’ seventy-five all told, one quarter bein’ from Rhode -Island, a quarter regular seamen, the third quarter green hands, an’ -the balance made up of niggers and Injuns.” - -“If that figgerin’ be true, an’ I’m not sayin’ it ain’t, the Britishers -have about an hundred an’ twenty-five the best of us,” the sailor who -had first spoken said gravely. - -“That’s the size of it, lad.” - -“Then what about its bein’ our trick to fight at close quarters?” - -“We’re bound to do it with the idee of evenin’ up the weight of metal. -I’m not allowin’ that the difference in men goes for very much, seein’s -how us Yankees are bound to do the most fightin’, in consideration of -bein’ at home.” - -To my mind the old gunner’s argument was not a good one; we knew full -well that the Britishers were as brave as we, and a goodly number of -them were near to their homes. - -It pleased me that our men should be confident of winning a victory, -and yet I feared for the result. - -By thinking long on this subject I might have grown timorous while all -the others were so brave; but I put the matter from my mind by saying -that there were no more signs of an immediate battle than at almost -any other time since we crossed the bar of Presque Isle bay, and for -the moment I was near to wishing that Commodore Barclay might find it -possible to give us the slip. - -The crew of the _Lawrence_ gave little heed to sleeping, on this night; -there were a few who turned into their hammocks, but Alec and I were -not among the number. It would have been impossible for me to close -my eyes while death seemed so near, and he, dear lad, could not rest -because of the anxiety in his heart. - -We two left the group of sailors who listened eagerly to the wondrous -tales with which old Silas was regaling them, and walked well aft where -we might see the commodore when he came on deck, for the officers of -the brig had gone below immediately after the new banner was displayed. - -“If Oliver lives through the morrow, he will have won for himself a -name such as few can boast of,” Alec said proudly. - -It seemed as if the lad lost sight of himself in the great love he bore -this brother who was our commander, and, realizing that a trifling -accident might change the fortunes of war, I said, with the idea of -lessening his disappointment in case it chanced that the British won -the victory:-- - -“We are the weaker in both guns and men, Alec, and old Silas argues -idly when he claims that our people can fight better than the enemy.” - -“Commodore Barclay is not as good an officer as Oliver.” - -“He has surely had more experience,” I ventured to suggest. - -“That does not count against such a man as my brother.” - -“I am ready to admit all you claim for our commodore, and make even -stronger statements; but yet it is not well to be so positive -regarding the result, Alec dear. No man can say what a day may -bring forth, and our crews are to be pitted against experienced -men-of-war’s-men.” - -“Oliver will be the victor!” the lad said emphatically, and in such a -tone as told me that any attempt to make him less confident might cause -hard feelings between us. - -“God grant he be!” I replied, and never did I speak more fervently; -the words were, in reality, a prayer. Then, coming back to the thought -which had been near to a hope, I added, “We are counting on a battle -to-morrow as if there could be no question about it, and yet what -grounds have we for believing that the Britishers will venture out of -Malden harbor?” - -“Oliver says they will,” Alec replied, and as against such profound -faith I could say no more. - -We paced to and fro until nearly daybreak, and then the commodore came -on deck, looking weak and worn from the ravages of the fever; but with -a sparkle of the eyes which I could see plainly even in the darkness. - -He threw one arm around Alec’s neck, and held out a hand for me to -clasp. - -“What are you two lads doing on deck at this hour, when you should be -in your hammocks gaining rest and strength against the work of this -coming day?” - -“Then you really believe we shall at last face the Britishers?” Alec -asked, caressing his brother’s hand. - -“Ay, lad; for if Commodore Barclay refuses to come out, it is decided -that we shall go in after him.” - -“And am I to serve on Master Boyd’s gun, or will you permit that I -stand by your side?” - -“Remain at the station to which you have been assigned, dear lad. My -choice would be to have you close by me; but every hand is needed, and -I am certain you and Richard will count as men during the engagement.” - -I tried in vain to make a fitting reply, but the words refused to come -when most needed, and it was possible only to press his hand warmly in -token of my good intentions; yet at the same time there was a terrible -fear in my heart lest at the critical moment I might show myself a -coward. - -“You can depend upon us both so long as we are alive,” Alec said, in a -tone so solemn that it was as if he had a premonition of sudden death. - -“That is my true brother!” the commodore said proudly. “I have -no question but that you will prove yourself worthy to be called -Americans. Now I beg that you seek repose. A brave man cares well for -his body, lest it should be weaker than his will.” - -“Have you slept?” Alec asked quickly. - -“It would be impossible; and, besides, the belief that we shall soon -meet the enemy has so refreshed me that I no longer need rest.” - -“It would be useless for me to lie down, Oliver. How could I sleep when -within a few hours my brother is to show the world that no braver man -than he lives?” - -“It is not well that praise be bestowed before having been earned, Alec -dear,” the commodore said, with a low laugh. “I promise to do my best; -and after the victory has been won you shall say what you please.” - -Then we three paced to and fro on the quarterdeck, the commodore’s arm -yet around his brother’s neck, and I holding him firmly by the hand, -for in that hearty clasp I found much to give me courage. - -It was in this fashion that the light of a new day found us, and I -believe the marines, who paced to and fro guarding the commander’s -quarters, shortened their beats, lest by advancing too near they break -in upon what was neither more nor less than a season of devotion. - -As the light grew stronger, from this vessel and from that came signs -of life, until the still air was vibrant with the hum of voices, and it -seemed good to be alive. - -I had, for the time being, forgotten that the day was come on which -our people believed we would be brought yard-arm to yard-arm with -the enemy, until startled almost into timorousness by a cry from the -lookout:-- - -“Sail ho! Sail ho!” - -It seemed in the highest degree improbable that the anticipations of -our people were to be so soon realized, and yet I found myself, with -many another, gazing out over the lake in the expectation of seeing our -enemy coming toward us. - -Nor were we disappointed. - -The morning breeze was feeble and gave indications of soon dying away -entirely, yet Commodore Barclay had at last left his place of refuge, -driven out by lack of provisions, for there on the sparkling waters -could be seen the British squadron heading west by south, making for -the North Foreland in quest of the supplies which the king’s army were -needing. - -In a twinkling, as it were, Commodore Perry forgot all else save that -the fleet for which he had waited so long was in sight. Wresting -himself free from us two lads, he was on the instant transformed from -the loving brother and dear friend into the eager, valiant commander. - -Hurriedly, speaking so quickly that one order was almost merged into -the other, he gave the word for signals to be hoisted, and within three -minutes from the time the lookout reported a sail, our bunting was -flying. - -“Enemy in sight!” - -“Get under way!” - -These commands were given by the tiny flags which floated from the -_Lawrence_, and in a twinkling every vessel in the fleet was alive with -hurrying, eager men, rushing here and there like unto a swarm of bees. - -The premonitions of the previous night had not been vain; at last the -enemy for which we searched was in full view, and now nothing save rank -cowardice could prevent an encounter. - -I quaked inwardly, not because a battle was about to be fought, but -lest while it was waging I should shame my father by proving myself a -coward; and, in fact, I was near to being one at that moment, when it -was shown we would have an opportunity of measuring strength with the -foe. - -Timid though I was, and fearing for myself, I yet had enough of Yankee -courage to weigh well the chances for or against us. - -The wind was blowing light from the southwest, and on the horizon were -low-hanging clouds which gave promise of rain. There was not weight -enough in the breeze to admit of our manœuvring freely, and I wondered -how it might be possible for the commodore to bring the fleet into -close quarters, as old Silas had declared was necessary in order to -equalize the weight of metal and force of men. - -But even a coward must have been inspired by the scene around him. -Here, there, and seemingly everywhere, were Yankee sailors making ready -for the fray, and all working with an eagerness which told how fearful -they were lest this opportunity, so long sought, should be lost. - -The clanking of chains as the anchors were hove apeak; cries of the -men as they cheered each other in the work which preceded the carnage; -the shrill whistles of the boatswains as they thus repeated the orders -given by the officers, and the beat of drums summoning men to the -shedding of blood, would have aroused the most timorous, causing even a -coward to feel a sense of pride that his countrymen were so willing to -try conclusions with a foe that was superior in strength. - -Alec and I hastened to our stations, even though knowing that many -hours must elapse before the guns could be used, and there we found old -Silas, as might confidently have been expected, overlooking all the -details lest he should be caught napping. - -“Well, lads, the Britishers have shown themselves at last!” he cried, -when we came up. “I felt in my bones last night that the time was nigh -at hand when we might show the king’s men they had no right on these -’ere waters; but never counted on their comin’ to the scratch so early. -We’ve got plenty of time to give them a sound drubbin’, ’twixt now an’ -sunset.” - -“There’s time enough,” Alec said, speaking carelessly, as if used to -such work; “but how are we to get at them? There isn’t weight enough in -this wind to move the brig, save at a snail’s pace.” - -“I’m allowin’ that the commodore will find a way to give us the chance -we want. Look at him now! If yonder fleet gets off without our havin’ a -fair show at ’em, it’ll break his heart!” - -“All that I agree to; but even my brother can’t command the wind.” - -“He can do what will amount to the same thing, lad, and before -nightfall you won’t complain because we didn’t burn our powder in -proper fashion. Two or three boats’ crews ahead with a tow-line will -make this old hooker walk through the water as if the girls at home -had hold of her.” - -“Do you fancy the Britishers will stand still while we’re towing our -fleet into position?” Alec asked with a laugh. - -“Ay, lad; unless they’re willin’ to show the white feather in face of -a weaker force. There’s nothin’ save the power of Him who rules all -things, that can prevent a battle this day, so set to work an’ get this -’ere piece into proper trim, for once we’re lyin’ yard-arm to yard-arm -with Barclay’s flag-ship there won’t be much chance for cleanin’ up.” - -I noted with no little surprise that all the men around me were -eager for the coming battle. There were no loud boasts, but on every -countenance could be read a desire to stand face to face with the -enemy, and nowhere did I see any show of fear. - -The men did not jest as was their wont; there was no shuffling around -lazily, but each was on the alert, eager to do his full duty, and -seemingly anxious lest something should be left undone that otherwise -might work to give us the victory. - -And that we would win the battle I believe every one was confident, -although equally positive that much blood must be shed before the end -was attained. - -The bravest or the most cowardly knew beyond a peradventure that e’er -the day was come to an end many of them would be still in death, or -suffering from horrible wounds, but yet all wore a smile of content. - -It was enough that the British commodore had at last given them the -opportunity of proving their metal. - -While the bustle of the final preparations could be heard on every -hand, the crews were piped to breakfast under orders from our commodore -himself, for Oliver Perry was one who looked well after the comfort or -well-being of every man in his command, however much he might abuse his -own body. - -Food would have choked me at that moment when death was so near at -hand, staring in the face every individual member of the crew; but Alec -made a hearty meal, and, as I now look back on the events of that day, -I realize the fact that those who showed the most bravery ate the most -heartily. - -Old Silas behaved as if appetite increased with each succeeding -mouthful, and whenever he took a sip from his hook-pot of tea, it was -to drink a health to those who would lead us into the game of death. - -“We’re in rare luck!” he cried, when his breakfast was ended because -the mess-kid had been emptied. “I ain’t sayin’ but what we deserve it, -after chasin’ all over Lake Erie to find the Britishers; but yet at the -same time it’s sheer luck to get them where there’s no runnin’ away -from a fight, an’ they shall have enough of it before this day has come -to an end.” - -“You may be ended before the day is,” a red-faced sailor cried, as if -trying the courage of our gunner. - -“An’ supposin’ I am, lad, what better endin’ can an old shell-back like -me ask for? So that the stars and stripes float over yonder fleet when -the sun sets, it’s enough. As against givin’ England a proper lesson, -my life don’t amount to the snap of a finger! It will be a glorious way -of gettin’ out of this world.” - -While such conversation as this was being carried on, clouds obscured -the sun’s face, and the rain drove those of us who disliked a wetting -between decks, for until this moment we had been where a view could be -had of the enemy. - -No one paid any particular attention to what gave promise of being only -a shower, save that the wind might come with the water, and thus give -the Britishers a chance to continue on toward the North Foreland, where -they could fight under cover of their shore-batteries; but it still -held reasonably calm. - -In less than ten minutes the clouds had dispersed, and the weather-wise -among us predicted that a breeze would soon follow. - -“We shall get enough to take us out from among these islands, lads, and -I venture to say it won’t help Johnnie Bull to any great extent!” old -Silas cried gleefully. “All we need now is to have plenty of powder an’ -ball near at hand, for there’ll be little time to travel from the gun -to the magazine after our work is begun.” - -The British were indeed waiting patiently for us, or, at least, so it -seemed to me, although Alec said, later in the day, they could not have -done otherwise without writing themselves down the veriest cowards. - -The enemy’s fleet lay just off our anchorage, swinging to and fro as -the wind veered, and we could hear the sound of drums and fifes calling -the men to quarters. - -Our crew gathered on deck again when the heaviest of the shower was -over, and all could see Commodore Perry as he paced restlessly to and -fro, watching for an opportunity to strike the long-deferred blow. - -The breeze which had been predicted sprang up, but not with such -strength as filled our sails; and after waiting anxiously fifteen -minutes or more in the hope that it might be increased, Lieutenant -Forrest gave the command which all hands were expecting:-- - -“Boats’ crews to their stations! Clear away, and let fall! Work lively, -lads, and we’ll see what effect a white-ash breeze will have on the -brigs! Move with a will, for the flag-ship must be the first to tackle -yonder enemy!” - - - - -CHAPTER XV. - -THE FIRST SHOT. - - -There is a fair excuse for me if I linger long over this battle, when -we gave to the English king such a surprise as I’m thinking he never -had before, for it was my first real experience in that bloody business -known as warfare, and so decided a victory that I can well be pardoned -for feeling proud, even though my share therein was the least among all -the brave spirits by which I was so fortunate as to be surrounded. - -I would give to all my shipmates the full meed of praise which they -deserve, and yet must I fail in so doing because every man was a hero, -and to speak particularly of one seemingly detracts from the others. - -It is only possible to say that each did his duty, and, perhaps, with -the exception of myself, there was never one in all our fleet who did -not burn with a desire to show the enemy what could be done when the -opportunity offered. - -It was not until near to ten o’clock in the forenoon that there was -sufficient weight in the wind to fill our sails, and during all that -time of waiting, when every moment was like an hour, the brave fellows -chafed at the delay even as a lion chafes at the bars which confine him. - -The British squadron was as helpless as we, and lay full in our sight -without power of movement. - -It may be that those on board the enemy’s ships were as eager to come -at us as we were to be at their throats, but I questioned it, because -they did not have so much at stake. - -When the breeze was sufficiently strong to belly out the sails, the -command was given as I have already set down, and the words were hardly -spoken before the boats’ crews were at their stations, every man -rejoicing because the moment had arrived when he might do something, -however slight, toward hastening the laggard movement. - -Slowly our vessels moved out on the bosom of the lake, every craft -propelled by boats, and as we advanced the breeze freshened until, when -the fleet was within two miles of the enemy’s squadron, the sails were -filled sufficiently to admit of our depending upon them alone. - -Alec and I were standing well aft, for we had not been told off as -the crew of a boat, when the commodore said to his sailing-master, Mr. -Taylor:-- - -“When the men have been called in you may run to leeward of the -islands.” - -“Then you will be forced to engage the enemy to leeward,” the officer -replied, and although I failed to understand the meaning of the -nautical terms, my pulse was quickened by the reply:-- - -“I don’t care whether it be to windward or to leeward; they shall fight -this day!” - -Then the tiny balls of bunting were run up to the masthead, ordering -the other craft to “wear ship,” but before this command could be -obeyed the wind suddenly shifted until it came out of the southeast, -from which point it was possible for us to keep what is called the -“weather-gauge.” - -“Now we’ve got ’em in proper shape!” I heard old Silas exclaim, and -straightway my spirits rose, for it seemed at the moment as if we had -secured some great advantage, though I failed to understand what it -might be. - -The crew cheered when our fleet, the _Lawrence_ leading, stood out -toward the enemy, a white foam showing under the stem of every vessel, -and we went to our guns, which had long since been loaded with the -utmost care. - -It must be admitted that the Britishers presented a noble sight as -we bore down upon them. Their vessels, newly painted and with colors -flying, hove to in order to meet us, and now the timorous among us, I -being of the number, could understand that they were not averse to an -encounter. - -There had been a faint hope in my mind that Commodore Barclay -would shun an engagement, but that was dispelled on observing the -preparations made to meet us. - -Nothing short of an interposition by divine Providence could prevent a -battle; and my heart sank within me as I realized that very soon many -of the eager men who manned the _Lawrence_ would be still in death, or -writhing under the surgeon’s knife. - -The arrangements made for the care of the wounded struck a cold chill -to my heart. The ward-room had been cleared that it might be used as -a cockpit, and here Dr. Parsons laid out bandages and knives until it -seemed as if he expected the entire ship’s company would soon be under -his care. - -Half a dozen of those on the sick-list had been told off as his -assistants, and they stood around the hastily constructed tables as if -eager to greet such as might need their aid. - -In all the hours that followed there was nothing more horrible than -these preparations for the carving and slashing of those who as yet -were sound in limb and body, save it might be when the decks of the -brig were wetted and strewn with sand. - -I did not understand the meaning of this last work, and asked old -Silas for an explanation, whereupon he replied, as if speaking of some -trifling matter:-- - -“It won’t be long, lad, before these ’ere white planks will be slippery -with the blood of them who are now so eager to be at the Britishers, -and it is to soak up that same blood that the sand is strewn around. -Presently, when you have occasion to go to port or starboard, you’ll -realize how necessary that may be.” - -I drew away from the old man, sick at heart. Such precaution caused me -to be more timid than had all the predictions and conjectures. - -I had my fill of warfare even before the action began. - -As I afterward came to know, during the consultation of officers -in the commodore’s cabin on the night previous it had been decided -that when the engagement commenced each vessel in our fleet should -attack some particular ship of the British squadron. As for instance: -The _Lawrence_ was to engage the _Detroit_; the _Niagara_, the -_Queen Charlotte_; and in such-like order, every craft selecting an -antagonist somewhere near her own size. Therefore now, when the wind -permitted of our line being formed, the _Niagara_ led the way. - -Our ship had been cleared for action some time before, and as the real -advance was begun Commodore Perry ordered that the blue banner, with -its inspiring words in white, be brought up from his cabin. - -Holding it at arm’s length that it might be plainly seen by every one -on deck, the commander said, in words that look cold enough when set -down in writing, but which thrilled all who heard, and caused my faint -courage to increase until I almost longed for the combat:-- - -“The enemy, for which we have waited so long, is at last before us. -You know we are slightly outclassed in guns and number of men; but to -such brave hearts as yours that is of no especial importance. We shall -soon be within range, and I promise that this brig be laid as close -alongside the _Detroit_ as the wind will permit. It is not for me to -urge upon you the importance of doing full duty this day. Your country -and your honor demands that the enemy be whipped. It was agreed between -the commanders of the other vessels that when this was run up it should -be the signal for action. On it are written the last words of -Captain Lawrence, and I know full well you will heed them. They signify -your desire to fight to the last plank. My brave lads, shall I hoist -it?” - -[Illustration: “‘AY, AY, SIR, HOIST IT!’”] - -He would have been the veriest coward living who could not have shouted -as heartily as did we all, my voice rising high as any one around me:-- - -“Ay, ay, sir; hoist it!” - -The flag was bent on to the halliards, and as it rose steadily aloft -our crew burst into a very hurricane of cheers, which were echoed by -those on the vessels nearest, for by this time I warrant that every man -in the fleet knew the meaning of that signal. - -We saluted it again and again, and as the tumult of voices went up -on the morning air, I seemed to see before me the commander of the -_Chesapeake_, as he spoke the words which were to be our battle-cry. - -From that moment I ceased to hope that the action could be avoided. - -To manœuvre the fleet into position was a slow task, and the hour of -noon came while we were yet beyond range of the enemy, whose vessels -were moving here and there to prevent us from gaining any advantage. - -Our commodore, mindful of the wants of others, ordered that food -be served, and I saw men munching bread, cheese, or meat, grumbling -meanwhile because it was not exactly to their liking, who an hour later -had departed from this earth for evermore. - -As for me, I would as soon have eaten with the coffin of my dearest -friend for a table, as to have eaten then; but Alec was stouter -hearted, and took his rations with a relish which I envied. - -“It’s not well to fight on an empty stomach, lad!” old Silas cried, -when he saw me turn away from the food, and I foolishly replied:-- - -“It can make little difference to him who falls whether his appetite be -satisfied or not.” - -“True for you, lad; but some of us will be alive when this battle is -ended by the haulin’ down of the British flags, and they’ll need be -ready to clear the decks of those who are no longer to be counted on -the ship’s list.” - -That the others cheered these words only served to show me how -heartless men may become after having learned the “art” of warfare, and -I turned away with a sensation such as cannot well be described. - -Now the line of battle was formed. The British flag-ship, supported -by the schooner _Chippewa_, was in the lead. After her came the brig -_Hunter_; then the _Queen Charlotte_, commanded by Captain Finnis; -flanked by the schooners _Lady Prevost_ and _Little Belt_. - -The _Lawrence_ led our line, with the _Scorpion_ and the _Ariel_ on -her left, and the _Caledonia_ on the right. The orders were that these -three craft should encounter the _Detroit_, _Hunter_, and _Chippewa_. - -Next came the _Niagara_, with instructions to fight the _Queen -Charlotte_, while the _Somers_, _Porcupine_, _Tigress_, and the -_Trippe_ were to engage with the _Lady Prevost_ and the _Little Belt_. - -We were yet a full mile and a half away, and it was close to noon when -a bugle sounded on the deck of the _Detroit_, the bands on the several -Britishers struck up the tune of “Rule Britannia,” and a ball from the -enemy’s flag-ship came directly toward the _Lawrence_, but fell far -short of its mark. - -The first shot of the battle had been fired, and, seeing the iron -missile cleaving the air in a direct line for us, I involuntarily -shrank behind Alec, whereupon old Silas shouted:-- - -“None of that, lad! None of that! A shipmate’s body is no protection, -and you should be willin’ to take your full dose!” - -The laughter which was provoked by this remark caused my cheeks to burn -with shame, and from that moment I stood firm, however great might -have been the fear in my heart. - -“Remember that every shot does not go where it is aimed,” Alec -whispered to me, hoping with the words to check my fears; and I replied -with such firmness of voice as could be summoned just then:-- - -“It was more instinct than fear which caused the movement, dear lad, -though God knows I am afraid.” - -“So are all of us,” he replied, with a hearty grip of the hand; “and he -who talks the loudest is trying the hardest to prevent it from being -known.” - -It seemed as if the blood stood still in my veins as we continued to -advance slowly amid a silence so profound that I could hear my own -heart beat; and then a cry of fear burst from my lips as another shot -came toward us, plowing its way through the brig’s bulwarks with a -mighty shower of splinters, but, fortunately, wounding no one. - -There must have been others beside me who showed signs of fear at this -first proof of what the enemy could do, for Commodore Perry shouted, -while he stood a fair mark for the enemy:-- - -“Steady, boys! Steady! There’s not likely to be much blood spilled by -such gunnery as that!” - -Our commander was wearing no uniform; clad only in the garb of a common -sailor, with blue nankeen jacket and white duck trousers, he was none -the less a commodore, and there was not a Britisher so dull who would -not have singled him out as the man who directed all our movements. - -We advanced without opening fire until each vessel of our fleet was -nearly in the position marked out for her the night previous, and then -we set the signal to open the action. - -The first gun on the American side came from the _Scorpion_, as I knew -full well because of having my eyes on the schooner at the time; then -the _Ariel_ discharged two of her short twelves, and an instant later -old Silas began his work. - -This last shot struck the _Detroit_ just above the water-line, plowing -its way through her hull with a splintering of timbers which told that -much damage had been done. - -What a cheer went up from our men at this moment! - -I think the fact that we had succeeded in sending a shot fairly home -caused me to forget the danger, for certain it is I ceased to be -afraid, and remained keenly on the alert for all that was passing -around me. - -I saw the schooner _Trippe_, outsailed in the advance, fully two miles -astern, and wondered vaguely how long it might be before she would be -near enough to give an account of herself. - -The _Scorpion_ and the _Ariel_ remained near at hand, doing good work -as I could see, viewing the scene like one in a dream, and I also -understood that the enemy’s squadron was concentrating all its fire -upon our brig. - -It was as if to them there was no other vessel in the engagement save -the one bearing our commodore’s flag, and that once she was disabled -the victory would be won. - -Within ten minutes after the first shot was fired I knew full well why -the decks had been wetted and covered with sand. - -Already were the white timbers stained crimson with the blood of my -shipmates; but I was in such mental condition of excitement as neither -to know nor care who had fallen. - -I understood that Alec was as yet unhurt, because he worked by my side, -cheering when a shot struck the enemy, and soothing with kindly word -some poor fellow of ours who had been mangled by British iron. - -That the _Lawrence_ was speedily getting the worst of the fight could -be told even by a lad like myself, and I felt a certain sense of -satisfaction when Commodore Perry shouted through a speaking trumpet to -the craft nearest, which chanced to be the _Niagara_:-- - -“Pass the word for all hands to make sail and bear down on Barclay. Lay -him close alongside at all hazards!” - -Then, even above the roar of the guns, I heard the order transmitted -from one craft to the other, until it seemed that every sailing-master -in the fleet must have heard it; but to my surprise the _Niagara_ -hauled off slightly, instead of obeying the commands. - -To my eyes the engagement had ceased to be a battle, but was become a -slaughter. - -On every hand were dead, dying, or wounded men, and four times within -twice as many minutes had the crew of our gun been so thinned out that -old Silas was forced to call for assistance. - -Then it was, just at the moment he urged one of the new men who had -been sent to assist us, to stand bravely up to his work, that the old -man’s hip was shattered by a grape-shot, and he fell like one dead -across the breach of the gun. - -“We must get him into the cockpit,” Alec said to me, speaking as calmly -as if this was but an incident which we had been anticipating. “Take -him by the head, and move quickly, else he will bleed to death before -Dr. Parsons has a chance at him!” - -Numbed with horror, I obeyed; and as we carried the old hero across the -deck a stream of blood marked our way, making such a trail that it -seemed as if his veins must have been emptied before we had traversed -half the short distance. - -Once in the ward-room I understood in a single instant what might be -the horrors of war, better than I could have done by remaining on deck -the full day. - -The scene in this place, which was separated from the terrible tumult -above only by the deck-planking, was more horrible than can be -described in mere words. - -The groans, the prayers of the dying, and the bustling to and fro of -the surgeon and his assistants, all combined to make a noise more -terrifying than the roar of the guns and the crashing of timbers. - -The hue of blood everywhere, the cutting of human flesh, or the probing -of ghastly wounds, sickened me until never again can I be brought to -believe that there is anything noble or grand in warfare. - -Even as we laid old Silas, now unconscious from loss of blood, upon one -of the rough tables whereon were shreds of flesh and fragments of bone, -a shot came crashing into the brig’s side, tearing a passage straight -through this place of torment, and releasing from their misery two poor -fellows who had suffered the tortures of the amputating knife. - -One of the surgeon’s assistants was wounded by the same shot, but Dr. -Parsons gave his attention first to old Silas, and in answer to Alec’s -eager question replied:-- - -“The wound is not necessarily fatal, lad. On shore I would say the man -had every chance for recovery; but, unfortunately, he cannot have here -such care as is needed.” - -I would have lingered by the old gunner’s side, for I had come to -look upon him as a friend, and it cut me to the heart that he might -go out of the world without a word of farewell; but Alec forced me to -accompany him. - -“We are needed on deck, and by loitering here may lay ourselves open to -a charge of cowardice.” - -Heaven knows there was no desire in my mind to loiter in that horrible -place! I had lingered only in the hope the old gunner might revive -sufficiently to give me at least a last word. - -When we came out of the cockpit dense clouds of pungent smoke hid -everything from view; it was difficult to distinguish objects ten feet -away on our own decks, and I was thankful for the obscurity. - -I knew, however, that on every hand were the dead and the dying; that -the brig which had looked so neat and trim less than an hour previous, -was torn and splintered, every plank dyed crimson by the blood of the -brave men who had defended her so nobly, and that all the ships of the -enemy’s squadron were pouring into her a deadly fire! - -“Where is the _Niagara_?” I asked of Alec, shrieking the question in -his ear, otherwise he might not have heard it amid that thunderous -din, and from out of the smoke came the voice of a grievously wounded -sailor:-- - -“The cowards are hanging back, even though they were the first to get -the order for close action. When the smoke lifted a few minutes ago I -saw the brig almost out of range, using her heavy guns as if at target -practice.” - -Alec, uttering a cry of mingled sorrow and anger, ran aft, I keeping -close at his heels, and he had no more than gained the quarterdeck when -a splintered fragment of our starboard rail struck him on the shoulder, -literally tearing the clothes from his back. - -I sprang forward quickly, believing him to be wounded; but the -commodore was ahead of me, and for an instant he ceased to observe what -was going on around us in his anxiety for the lad. - -“I’m not hurt, Oliver dear,” Alec said with a smile; but the sudden -pallor of his face told that the shock had been a severe one. “It’s not -the nearest call for a wound that I have had,” he added, showing his -hat, through which had passed two musket-balls. - -“I don’t ask you to be less brave, brother mine, for now is the -time when every man must hold his life cheaply; but you should be -sufficiently cautious not to expose yourself unnecessarily.” - -“I came to ask why the commander of the _Niagara_ had not obeyed -orders? It is said she lays at long range while we are so sorely -pressed.” - -“I cannot answer your question, lad,” the commodore replied bitterly. -“Elliott is no coward, and yet he has given us but little support. -Richard Dobbins, go forward and ascertain how much damage the -_Lawrence_ has sustained in that quarter.” - -I obeyed on the instant, forgetting all my fear and horror in the -terrible thought that we were surely being worsted, else why had our -commander spoken in so hopeless a tone. - -Once forward of the foremast, and I did not get there without stumbling -again and again over a dead or a wounded man, it was as if I had -suddenly boarded a wreck. - -Everything was carried away forward from the after portion of the -forecastle-deck, and I was like to being pitched overboard as I pressed -blindly along until coming upon the very edge of the shattered timbers. - -I believe of a verity that a missile of some description struck this -portion of the brig every five seconds, and but for the horror of the -discovery my legs would have trembled beneath me in abject fear of -death; whereas I utterly failed to realize the danger. - -The _Lawrence_ was little better than a wreck; it did not seem possible -she could swim ten minutes longer, and I hastened back over that deck -slippery with blood, despite the sand which had been strewn upon it, to -make my doleful report. - -I had but just gained the quarterdeck when a round shot struck the -mainmast within three feet of my head, sending huge splinters flying in -every direction, one of them hitting Alec Perry full in the breast. - -I saw the dear lad fling up his hands convulsively, and then pitch -forward upon the deck like one smitten by sudden death. - -It was as if that terrible sight deprived me of all my senses save that -of affection for him who had proven himself such a true comrade, and -with a cry of despair I flung myself upon the deck by his side, heeding -neither the danger to life, nor of defeat. - - - - -CHAPTER XVI. - -THE BATTLE. - - -After reading over what has been set down, I am afraid that I have made -it appear much as if the commodore, old Silas, Alec, and myself were -the only Americans present at the battle of Lake Erie. - -That I have said too much regarding my own fears and hopes is positive, -and in these last pages I will try to remedy the matter by speaking of -the battle as I have heard old and experienced men, who were present, -describe it, halting here only so long as may be necessary to explain -that Alec Perry was not dangerously wounded. - -Every one who saw him fall felt certain he had received his death-blow. -During fully a moment the commodore was convinced of the same; but -within a very short time after I flung myself down by his side, the -dear lad revived sufficiently to speak, and the terrible load was -lifted from my heart. - -Alec was badly bruised, as indeed any one would likely be who had -been struck twice by splinters, but the injuries were not serious, -and he refused decidedly to present himself before Dr. Parsons, as I -suggested and even urged. - -While we two lay there, I trying to make out if my comrade was nigh to -death, Lieutenant Yarnall came up, looking more ghastly than any man -I had seen since the action began. His nose had been cut through by -a splinter, and was swollen until it resembled a huge piece of liver -rather than anything I can bring to mind. He was bleeding from several -wounds, but his courage was in nowise injured. - -“All the officers in my division have been cut down, sir, and I would -like to have others,” he said, saluting gravely as if on parade. - -“I have no more to give you,” the commodore replied, returning the -salute. “You must endeavor to make out alone.” - -“Very well, sir,” and the first officer of the _Lawrence_ returned -through that storm of cannon-balls and musket-bullets to his station -as calmly as he might have done had we simply been firing a friendly -salute. - -Now here is a description of the battle from the beginning up to this -time, as I have seen it written down by one who was more familiar with -the details than I, for enshrouded in smoke, and a novice in such -matters, I know no more than what happened immediately around me:-- - -“Perry[4] soon perceived that he was yet too far distant to damage the -enemy materially, so he ordered word to be sent from vessel to vessel -by trumpet for all to make sail, bear down upon Barclay, and engage in -close combat. - -“The order was transmitted by Captain Elliott, who was the second -in command, but he failed to obey it himself. His vessel was a fast -sailer, and his men were the best in the squadron, but he kept at a -distance from the enemy, and continued firing his long guns. - -“Perry, meanwhile, pressed on with the _Lawrence_, accompanied by the -_Scorpion_, _Ariel_, and _Caledonia_; and at meridian exactly, when -he supposed he was near enough for execution with his carronades, he -opened the first division of his battery on the starboard side of the -_Detroit_. His balls fell short, while his antagonist and her consorts -poured upon the _Lawrence_ a heavy storm of round shot from their long -guns, still leaving the _Scorpion_ and _Ariel_ almost unnoticed. - -“The _Caledonia_, meanwhile, engaged with the _Hunter_, but the -_Niagara_ kept at a respectful distance from the _Queen Charlotte_, -and gave that vessel an opportunity to go to the assistance of the -_Detroit_. She passed the _Hunter_, and, placing herself astern of the -_Detroit_, opened heavily upon the _Lawrence_, now, at a quarter past -twelve, only musket-shot distance from her chief antagonist. - -“For two hours the gallant Perry and his devoted ship bore the brunt -of the battle with twice his force, aided only by the schooners on -his weather bow and some feeble shots from the distant _Caledonia_, -when she could spare time from her adversary, the _Hunter_. During -that tempest of war his vessel was terribly shattered. Her rigging was -nearly all shot away; her sails were torn in shreds; her spars were -battered into splinters; her guns were dismounted; and she lay upon the -waters almost a helpless wreck. - -“The carnage on her deck had been terrible. Out of one hundred and -three sound men that composed her officers and crew when she went into -action, twenty-two were slain and sixty-one were wounded. Perry’s -little brother had been struck down by a splinter at his side, but soon -recovered.... - -“While the _Lawrence_ was being thus terribly smitten, officers and -crew were anxiously wondering why the _Niagara_--the swift, stanch, -well-manned _Niagara_--kept aloof, not only from her prescribed -antagonist, the _Queen Charlotte_, now battling the _Lawrence_, but -the other assailants of the flag-ship. Her commander himself had -passed the order for close conflict, yet he kept far away; and when -afterward censured, he pleaded, in justification of his course, his -perfect obedience to the original order to keep at ‘half cable length -behind the _Caledonia_ on the line.’ It may be said that his orders to -fight the _Queen Charlotte_, who had left _her_ line and gone into the -thickest of the fight with the _Lawrence_ and her supporting schooners, -were quite as imperative, and that it was his duty to follow. This -he did not do until the guns of the _Lawrence_ became silent, and no -signals were displayed by, nor special orders came from Perry. These -significant tokens of dissolution doubtless made Elliott believe that -the commodore was slain, and he himself had become the chief commander -of the squadron. - -“He then hailed the _Caledonia_, and ordered Lieutenant Turner to -leave the line and bear down upon the _Hunter_ for close conflict, -giving the _Niagara_ a chance to pass for the relief of the _Lawrence_. -The gallant Turner instantly obeyed, and the _Caledonia_ fought her -adversary nobly. The _Niagara_ spread her canvas before a freshening -breeze that had just sprung up; but, instead of going to the relief of -the _Lawrence_, thus silently pleading for protection, she bore away -toward the head of the enemy’s squadron, passing the American flag-ship -to the windward, and leaving her exposed to the still galling fire -of the enemy, because, as was alleged in extenuation of this apparent -violation of the rules of naval warfare and the claims of humanity, -both squadrons had caught the breeze and moved forward, and left the -crippled vessel floating astern.” - -It was only by the cessation of the shocks which told of the brig’s -having been struck by a ball that we on board knew the enemy was moving -forward, leaving us little else than a hulk upon the waters. - -Then the smoke of battle which had hung over our decks like a shroud -was wafted away by the wind; and we saw the _Niagara_, half a mile or -more on the larboard beam, engaged with the _Queen Charlotte_, _Lady -Prevost_, and _Hunter_. - -It was as if we had been cast aside as worthless, and that the -remainder of the fight would be between those who had suffered less -injury. - -Perhaps, under another commander, such would have been the case; but -Oliver Perry was never one to be cast aside or to shrink from any -danger, and it was not in his mind to remain at a distance. - -First, however, he gave heed to the gallant fellows who had been -disabled; and Alec and I walked by his side as he moved from one to -another of those who as yet had not been carried into the dismantled -cockpit. - -There were but fourteen men and boys on board who had not been injured -more or less severely, and among them no more than two guns’ crews -could have been made up. - -While we were amidships, Alec and I took advantage of the opportunity -to run into the ward-room, where Dr. Parsons, now working alone because -all his assistants had been summoned on deck to aid in working the -brig, was performing his cruel-looking offices of mercy. - -It was for the purpose of learning if old Silas yet lived that -we ventured into the horrible place, strewn here and there with -dismembered limbs or fragments of human flesh, and to our great joy the -gunner had so far recovered from his faintness as to be quarrelling -with the surgeon because that officer refused to allow him to go on -deck. - -“A bit knocked up, lads; but with blood enough left in my veins to give -the Britishers another chance at drawin’ it. This ’ere sawbones is -takin’ too much on himself, when he sets up that Silas Boyd shan’t do -his duty.” - -“There is nothing left for you to do, Master Boyd,” Alec said, as he -laid his hand upon the old man’s head. “The _Lawrence_ is out of the -fight just now, and even though she wasn’t, I question if you could -find a serviceable gun aboard.” - -“You’re not tellin’ me that the brig has struck her colors?” and the -old man would have sprung up but that we two lads held him down by main -strength. - -“Not a bit of it. The blue flag is still flying; but the brig appears -to be little better than a wreck, and both squadrons have drawn off -from us.” - -“And the fight? What kind of a turn is that takin’?” - -“We appear to be holding our own.” - -“No more? No more than holdin’ our own, lad?” - -“I cannot see that we gain any advantage; but the flag-ship is the only -craft which has been so badly used.” - -The commodore’s voice from above summoned us to the deck, and as we -clambered up the narrow companionway I heard old Silas giving the -surgeon a tongue-lashing because the latter had threatened to tie the -gunner to a stanchion if he persisted in his attempts to leave the -cockpit. - -When Alec and I were come on deck again an exclamation of surprise -burst from our lips. - -We had left the commodore clad in the garb of a sailor, smoke-begrimed -and covered with the blood of others to whom he had lent a helping hand. - -Now he was arrayed in the uniform of an officer in the American navy, -from the epaulets to the sword, and looked to my eye more like a -victor than one whose ship had been literally torn to pieces beneath -his feet. - -I stared at him in astonishment; but Alec, going to his brother’s side, -asked in surprise:-- - -“What is the meaning of this, Oliver?” - -“Of what, lad?” - -“Why have you laid aside the clothes you wore in action?” - -“It is well that not only my own men, but the enemy, shall recognize me -when I transfer my flag.” - -Alec looked at the commodore in mute surprise, and for the moment I -believed our commander had lost his head. - -“The _Niagara_ appears to be in good condition,” Perry said with a -smile, “and it is from her deck that I will direct the battle to a -glorious ending.” - -I looked out over the waters, which were literally boiling and spouting -under the falling shot, asking myself how it might be possible for the -commodore to do as he had said, knowing full well that the _Lawrence_, -wreck as she was, could not be manœuvred. - -“Lieutenant Yarnall,” Perry said, turning to the first officer, who -was bleeding from four or five wounds, with his face disfigured as I -have already related, “I leave the _Lawrence_ in your charge, with -discretionary powers. Hold out, or surrender, as your judgment and -the circumstances shall dictate. Have a boat lowered, and detail a -full complement of oarsmen, if it so be that number of unwounded men -be found aboard. Take down my pennant and the blue banner, for the -remainder of the fleet shall fight under both until victory is brought -out of this tangle.” - -“Will you leave me here, Oliver?” Alec asked, when Lieutenant Yarnall -had set about obeying the orders. - -“You shall go with me, lad, for it is well we two remain together while -it be possible.” - -“And Richard?” the dear lad asked, noting the look of entreaty in my -eyes. - -“He had best stay here; we cannot take too many into such peril, for it -will be no child’s play to pull through yonder storm of shot.” - -“You need oarsmen, sir, and I question if enough can be found to man -the boat, without taking every one from the brig,” I said quickly, -distressed beyond measure at the thought that I might be separated from -my comrade. - -“You shall go as a member of the boat’s crew,” the commodore replied -promptly, and at the same time kindly; “yet I am not certain it is a -friendly act to take you two lads through that deadly fire.” - -“We would venture very much more, sir, for the sake of being with you,” -I made bold to say, and was rewarded for the speech by a kindly smile -from the man who on that day proved himself to be chief of a band -wherein every man was a hero. - -At this point Lieutenant Yarnall reported that the required number of -unwounded men could not be mustered in the brig unless all the guns -were abandoned, and I stepped forward, for now was come the time when I -could make no claim of comradeship--in this hour of death the brothers -stood apart by themselves, out of my world, as it were. - -“With this lad, I can give you four at the oars, sir,” the lieutenant -reported, and our commodore replied, with that smile which had come to -be in my eyes more precious than anything he could bestow:-- - -“It will do, Mr. Yarnall. The smaller the number the less to be put in -jeopardy of their lives. Is the boat away?” - -“Ay, sir, all is ready, now that the lad will be taken on as an able -seaman.” - -Obeying a gesture of the lieutenant’s, I went forward to the starboard -rail, beneath which was the tiny craft for the conveyance of the -commander-in-chief, and without venturing to presume upon any possible -claims of comradeship, took my place among the oarsmen. - -As soon thereafter as might be, the commodore and Alec came over the -shattered rail, the former carrying under his arm the broad banner of -blue, and the pennant. - -I had been eager to accompany the commander, and yet when I took my -station in the boat, and had a better view of that stretch of water -whereon it seemed that every square inch was covered by bullet or ball, -the chance of escaping with life seemed less than when we stood on the -deck of the _Lawrence_ exposed to the fire of the Britishers’ heaviest -guns. - -“Little show of takin’ a cockle-shell like this across yonder stretch, -eh?” one of the seamen said, with a grin, observing the direction of my -glance, and most likely noting the sudden pallor of my face. - -“It surely seems as if we would be cut to pieces before going fifty -yards from the brig’s side,” I replied, and certain am I that my voice -trembled like a coward’s, although at the moment I was not conscious of -what might rightly be called fear. - -“That’s what I allow will happen,” the man said, as he stuffed his -mouth full of tobacco. “It’s a likely spot in which to swamp a boat, -yet I’m not so sure but that a decent man would choose to die there, -rather than in yonder hole where Dr. Parsons hacks an’ hews to his -heart’s content before the breath of life goes out.” - -Perhaps it was some such reminder as this which I needed to give me the -proper amount of spirit, for once he spoke of the cockpit I felt such -a sense of relief at being free from it for the moment that there came -to me a certain degree of calmness, enabling me to greet our commander -properly when he came over the rail, followed by Alec. - -It was as if my comrade shared in the glory which Commodore Perry had -already won, and yet I did not envy him the honor. He was a brave lad, -while I could be counted only as a timorous being whose courage was -like to fail him at the supreme moment, and I felt more pride in his -distinction of place than if our positions had been reversed. - -Alec and his brother took their places in the stern-sheets, and the -latter cried to Lieutenant Yarnall and the other bleeding, brave -fellows who overhung the rail:-- - -“Do as you will with the _Lawrence_, Mr. Yarnall, and whatever may be -the turn of affairs, count on our speedily coming to your assistance.” - -“God bless you, commodore!” was the gallant officer’s reply, and then -we left him on a sinking ship with only grievously wounded men as -shipmates and crew. - -It was the commodore himself who gave the order for us to push off, -and, as if thinking we at the oars needed heartening lest we should -falter in the task after reaching that spot where the iron hail was -thickest, he wrapped the pennant around his shoulders, standing erect -while we pulled out to what seemed certain death. - -Once we were clear of the brig it was as if the enemy knew full well -the precious cargo our boat carried, and understood that only by -compassing the commodore’s death could they hope to win the day, for on -the instant every gun was aimed at us, and every sharp-shooter on the -Britishers’ decks used us as a target. - -I may live to be a very old man, and take part in many another battle, -but it is not possible I shall ever again find myself in such a deadly -shower as was poured upon us from the moment we left the side of the -shattered _Lawrence_. - -The bullets struck everywhere around us; the cannon-balls made the -water boil and spout so high as to come over the gunwales until the -light craft was in great danger of being swamped; but, singularly -enough, not one found lodgment among us. - -At that moment I believed a divine Providence was watching over our -commodore lest he should come to harm, and I have never since had good -reason to change my opinion. - -Of a verity all the marines who wore red coats aimed their guns at -Perry, and we at the oars cried out to him that he must take such -shelter as was possible. - -“It is proper the commander of a squadron show himself,” was all -the reply our entreaties could provoke, and finally I said to Alec, -emboldened now by the despair which came upon me with the thought -that the day was indeed lost if that bold spirit continued to present -himself as a mark for the British bullets:-- - -“Unless the commodore sits down, and takes care to hide himself from -sight of the enemy, I for one will lay down my oar, trusting that the -wind may blow us out of musket-shot range!” - -“I stand by what the lad has said,” one of the seamen cried, and on the -instant every man stopped rowing, for there was not one aboard minded -to have any share in a martyr’s death. - -“To your oars, lads, to your oars!” the commodore cried excitedly. -“Every second may be of the greatest value to us now!” - -I had not the courage to oppose his will, but the eldest of the seamen -said decidedly:-- - -“We’re not warranted in disobeying orders, sir; but I for one will -never carry you to certain death, whatever may be the commission you -hold.” - -And another added:-- - -“Cease to make yourself so conspicuous, sir, an’ you shall see how -readily we will obey the lightest order you choose to give, even though -knowin’ we go to our death. It is your life, not ours, which is of -importance this day.” - -The gallant young officer looked at us for an instant as if minded to -administer some sharp reproof, and then I, who observed him closely, -saw the moisture gathering in his eyes as he said in a low tone:-- - -“You be brave lads, all; and at such a moment as this there shall be no -question of authority.” - -Whereat he seated himself by Alec’s side, and the dear lad clasped his -brother’s neck closely as he looked at me with pride beaming from his -eyes. - -The bunting was unwound from around the hero’s shoulders, and while he -presented quite as fair a target for the bullets, it did not seem to us -that he offered the enemy as much of an advantage. - -Then we bent ourselves to the oars once more, pulling with every ounce -of strength that could be forced from our muscles, and heading straight -toward the _Niagara_ whereon was Captain Elliott, hugging to his heart -the belief that at last he was the sole commander of the American -squadron. - -It is not for such as me to criticise the doings of one whom the -government had placed high in command, yet I say now, as I have a -thousand times since that terrible yet glorious day, that the commander -of the _Niagara_ kept aloof from the heat of battle with no other idea -in his mind save that he might rise to fame over the dead body of our -commodore. - -To look back now in my mind’s eye on what I saw then, it seems like -relating the story of some miracle to say that we came out of that -murderous fire, pulling alongside the _Niagara_ in safety. - -Our boat was literally riddled with bullets, and yet not one of us had -received a wound. Every oar was shattered, but we worked with such -timber as remained, until our hero had been put in a position which -enabled him to win the day. - -Even now, the proudest memory of mine is that I did my share in winning -the battle of Lake Erie, timorous lad though I am. - -It was Captain Elliott himself who met Commodore Perry at the -_Niagara’s_ gangway, and he stared as if facing a ghost, when our -commander saluted him ceremoniously, for he believed him dead. - -“How is the day going, sir?” Elliott asked, as soon as he could control -his voice sufficiently to speak. - -“Badly, Mr. Elliott, badly. I have lost nearly all my men; the -_Lawrence_ is a wreck, and I am transferring my flag and the banner to -this ship. What are the gunboats doing so far astern? Why do they not -bear their full share of the burden?” - -“With your permission I will go to ascertain the reason, and bring them -up.” - -“Very well, sir. Lose no time, and see to it that they come to close -quarters without delay.” - -Then we, who had come out of death, as it were, clambered up on the -_Niagara’s_ deck, cheered to the echo by every man who saw us, and the -officer who for a few moments had believed himself first in command, -took Commodore Perry’s place in the stern-sheets of the boat with a -full crew at the oars to carry him rearward. - - -FOOTNOTES: - -[4] Lossing’s “War of 1812.” - - - - -CHAPTER XVII. - -VICTORY. - - -To men who had come from such a scene of ruin as had we, the _Niagara_ -appeared to be in perfect condition. But few of her crew were wounded, -and she was in as perfect order for the conflict as if having just come -from the navy-yard. - -Before I could clamber up on her deck, being, as a matter of course, -some distance behind Alec and his brother, the commodore’s pennant had -been displayed, and with it was run up the blue banner which bore the -letters in white, and I venture to say that the death of the gallant -Lawrence was fresh in the mind of every American on Lake Erie this 10th -day of September in the year of grace 1813. - -It was some such signal as this which our brave fellows aboard the -other vessels needed to assure them that the commander in whom they -trusted was still directing the course of events, and as the two bits -of bunting were run up we heard a volley of cheers from every craft in -the line, telling that the courage of all was strengthened. - -“Now we shall win the day,” Alec said confidently, as for a moment I -came to his side, although, strictly speaking, my place was forward of -the quarter, while he, released from duty as a member of the gun’s crew -under old Silas, had liberty to remain by the side of the commodore. -“Now we shall win the day, for it is as if we were come into action -with a fresh vessel, thanks to the timorousness of Captain Elliott.” - -Even as he spoke, and as if to check the exultation which had come upon -us all when the commodore’s flag was safely transferred, we saw the -stars and stripes drop slowly down from the masthead of the _Lawrence_, -in token that she had surrendered. - -Dr. Parsons has since told me that when Lieutenant Yarnall, after -consulting with Lieutenant Forrest and Sailing-Master Taylor, decided -to show signs of submission, those poor wounded wretches in the -cockpit, mangled and hacked until some of them no longer had the -semblance of humanity, begged that the ship be sunk rather than -surrendered, and refused to allow the surgeon to attend to their -wounds, hoping they might die before the Britishers could take -possession of the craft which had been fought so gallantly, yet so -vainly. - -However, it was not long that they were forced to remain thus hopeless. - -Once our young commander had beneath him a craft which could be -manœuvred, he changed his plan of action so far as the situation -seemed to require, hoisting a signal once more for close action as the -_Niagara_ was steered straight toward the British line of battle, half -a mile away. - -As he had fought the _Lawrence_, so did he count on fighting her sister -ship, and, inspirited by what they had seen, every man aboard our fleet -was ready to follow at his beck wherever he might lead. - -We had seen sharp fighting before; but now was come the time, as it -seemed to me, when we were to take part in such an action as would dim -all previous efforts, and even amid the noise and confusion of the -conflict I found myself wishing that Silas Boyd might be with us, to -have a share in the glorious dash which I knew was near at hand. - -Now, indeed, was gone from my mind all sensations of fear. I ceased to -have any thought of self, but lived only with those around me, making -their fate as much a part of mine as if we were linked together in -body, as in purpose. - -Having come on board a vessel which had suffered comparatively small -loss during the two hours of conflict, and, as has been said, was the -best manned in the fleet, there was little Alec and I could do save -to jump here or there, wherever a spare hand was needed, and set our -shoulders to whatsoever portion of the wheel needed uplifting. - -Therefore it was we had more of an opportunity to observe the battle. -We could see, when the clouds of smoke were not too dense, each -particular vessel, and knew, almost as well as did the commodore -himself, what was taking place on the bosom of that lake whose waters, -it seemed to me, should by this time have been stained crimson by the -blood of brave men. - -If I have made it appear that, up to this time, we two lads had seen -the most desperate portion of the conflict, my purpose has been -overrun, for once on board the _Niagara_ the action became so fierce -and deadly as to make it seem that until now we had been outside the -range of the deadliest fire. - -With the new flag-ship in the lead, and the signals for every craft to -use both sails and oars so that they close in more quickly, we went -straight forward toward the enemy, passing within half a pistol-shot -distance of the _Lady Prevost_ and the _Chippewa_ on the larboard hand, -and the _Detroit_, _Queen Charlotte_, and _Hunter_ on the starboard. - -We broke directly through the enemy’s line, and not until we were come -within such short range that I could have tossed my hat aboard either -vessel, did we open fire. - -Then it was that both broadsides were discharged; the _Niagara_ rolled -to and fro under the shock of the heavy guns, until it seemed as if -every timber would be riven asunder; and from either side poured in -upon us a cross firing, until a perfect network of whistling shot and -bullets was formed above our heads, but fortunately so high that we -suffered comparatively little loss of life. - -Here and there men fell, pierced by a musket-shot, or literally cut -asunder by the heavy cannon-balls; but it was not as we had known it on -the deck of the _Lawrence_, when nearly four-fifths of our people were -disabled. - -The din was fearful. One ceased to think of the loss of life, because -in that terrific uproar it seemed only natural men must die. - -The hue of blood which stained the white planking and the black -bulwarks was no longer an ominous color, because that was needed to -make the picture of war more perfect; and I believe every person on -board the _Niagara_, save the commodore himself, lost, as I did, all -thought of self in that pandemonium of destruction. - -Right and left came broadsides from double-shotted guns; here, there, -and everywhere poured in musket-balls from sharpshooters, who, in their -excitement, had ceased to take aim. - -Spars fell from aloft, or crashed on either side as our balls tore them -from their fastenings on the enemy’s ships; there were shouts of anger, -cries of pain, moans and imprecations, while over all could be heard -the crackle of musketry and the roar of heavy guns that was like to -burst one’s ear-drums. - -It was no longer war, but had become a fever of death, wherein each man -strove to kill, and regarded not his own life. - -I would that some worthier hand could set down clearly the varied and -rapidly-passing sensations which floated through my brain, for then -might it be possible to describe to another what one experiences at -such a time. - -As for myself, I no longer thought of country or of the enemy. There -was simply an intense desire to kill; an eagerness to see blood -flow--for the time being we were become as brutes. - -I know, because of having been told at a later day, that we passed -straight through the British line; broke it, and, ranging ahead on the -other side, rounded to, pouring great broadsides of hot iron into the -_Detroit_ and the _Queen Charlotte_, which vessels had fouled each -other and were lying at our mercy. - -I have since read the following description of what we did when I was -no longer capable of seeing, or, seeing, was so overcome by feverish -excitement as not to be conscious of that which lay fair before my -eyes:[5]-- - -“Ranging ahead of the vessels on the starboard, Perry rounded to and -raked the _Detroit_ and _Queen Charlotte_. Close and deadly was his -fire upon them with great guns and musketry. Meanwhile the _Lawrence_, -having drifted out of her place in the line, her position against the -_Detroit_ was taken by the _Caledonia_; the latter’s place in line, as -opposed to the _Hunter_, was occupied by the _Trippe_, the two vessels -being commanded by Captain Turner and Lieutenant Holdup. These gallant -young officers had exchanged signals to board the _Detroit_ when -they saw the _Niagara_ with the commodore’s pennant bearing down to -break the British line. Turner followed closely with the _Caledonia_; -but the freshening breeze having brought up the _Somers_ under Mr. -Almy, the _Tigress_, under Lieutenant Concklin, and the _Porcupine_, -under Acting-Master Senat, the whole American squadron, excepting the -_Lawrence_, was for the first time engaged in the conflict. The fight -was terrible for a few minutes, and the combatants were completely -enveloped in smoke.” - -How long we were engaged after all the ships, save the poor wounded -_Lawrence_, were brought into the conflict, I cannot say; so far as my -own knowledge is concerned, it might have been five minutes, or as many -hours, for I ceased to exist as a distinct human being; but had become -simply a fraction, wherein the whole was the crew of the _Niagara_. - -It so chanced that when the cloud of smoke lifted so that we might be -able to distinguish objects at a distance, Alec Perry was standing by -my side, having come forward with some order for his brother, and at -that instant the British flag-ship, the _Detroit_, was lying plainly -within our range of vision. - -“We have at least given _her_ a lesson!” Alec said, pointing to the -shattered spars and fragments of rigging that had been cut by our shot, -and even as we looked the British ensign was lowered from the masthead, -fluttering in the breeze as it came nearer and nearer the deck, until I -distinctly saw one of the seamen gather it up in his arms. - -During an instant the full significance of this act escaped me. I -stood, with my arm linked in Alec’s, wondering what it all meant, when -a great cheer rose from round about us, echoed by the crews of all the -other vessels near at hand. - -Then we knew that the _Detroit_, like the _Lawrence_, was out of the -fight. - -“We have whipped one of them!” Alec cried in glee, clapping his -blood-stained hands childishly. “Commodore Barclay’s ship has given up -the fight, and now we shall see if he has pluck enough to transfer his -flag in the heat of battle, as did my brother!” - -At that instant, and when the crew of every gun was working with -feverish haste to reload that they might take advantage of this first -sign of submission, there came from the quarterdeck the command, loud, -triumphant, and cheery:-- - -“Hold your fire, lads! The enemy is whipped!” - -I wondered that our commodore could be so sanguine, for it seemed to me -the Britishers would not admit themselves beaten until every craft was -disabled; but, involuntarily glancing toward the right, I saw the cross -of St. George being lowered from the masthead of the _Queen Charlotte_, -and almost before I could call Alec’s attention to the fact, every -vessel in all that squadron, excepting the _Little Belt_ and the -_Chippewa_, were showing the same signs of submission. - -It seemed incredible that we should have won the fight after having -suffered such loss as had been inflicted upon the _Lawrence_. - -It was impossible for the moment to believe that this British -squadron, whose commander had claimed he need only “come out and show -himself in order to send the Yankees to their knees,” had surrendered -to a force much smaller than his own, and without discipline! - -Even when I could realize that we had earned the victory,--bought it by -the blood of those brave fellows whom I had seen lying in the cockpit -of the _Lawrence_,--it was difficult to understand, even though we had -fought so valiantly, how it all came about. - -We were the victors in the first naval engagement fought on the lakes. - -Commodore Perry had earned for himself that fame and that glory which -his brother predicted, and I was his brother’s friend. - -Alec, delirious with joy, flung his arms around my neck as one British -ensign after another fluttered down from its masthead, and we two -danced here and there over the blood-stained deck, unconscious almost, -that we were making such an exhibition of ourselves, until we saw -the sailors--old men bleeding from wounds that needed a surgeon’s -attention--hugging each other around the waist as they swung to and -fro, cheering and yelling as if it were not possible to show their -happiness save by movement and by noise. - -The battle was ended, and Commodore Perry, Alec’s brother, was the one -hero, to my eyes, among all who had proven their valor since the war -began. - -Here it is that my poor attempt at describing what befell my comrade -and I while we served with Perry on Lake Erie, must come to an end, for -the tale is done. - -After a certain time I returned to my home at Presque Isle, and Alec -accompanied his brother on what was little less than a triumphal tour -to Washington. - -Perhaps it is well to gather up the scattered threads of the story by -explaining, what is most likely known to every one who shall chance -to read these lines, that before sunset the _Little Belt_ and the -_Chippewa_ were captured by the _Scorpion_ and the _Trippe_, and -brought to an anchor under the stern of the _Lawrence_. - -It was hardly more than half an hour from the time our commodore left -the flag-ship, and the dying men in the cockpit were sorrowing because -of what seemed defeat, when he went on board again. - -There, among all the evidences of what had well-nigh been a disaster, -he received the swords of the Britishers who had been worsted in a fair -fight wherein the odds were in their favor. - -The _Lawrence_ had lowered her flag; but so hot had been the engagement -immediately afterward that the enemy did not have an opportunity to -take possession of her, and when we returned, for I accompanied Alec -and our commodore, it was the same as if she had never submitted. - -I have heard it said that never before had an American fleet or -squadron encountered the enemy in regular line of battle, and never -before, since England possessed a navy, had a whole British fleet been -captured. - -Even before we returned to our flag-ship, the commodore wrote on the -back of an old letter this message to General Harrison, and sent it at -once by special messenger:-- - - “We have met the enemy, and they are ours: Two ships, two brigs, one - schooner and one sloop. - - “Yours with great respect and esteem, - - “O. H. PERRY.” - - -[BY THE EDITOR.] It seems fitting that Master Dobbins’s story should be -concluded with the following extract from the “War of 1812,” written by -that eminent historian, Benson J. Lossing:-- - -“Then the ceremony of taking possession of the conquered vessels, and -receiving the formal submission of the vanquished, was performed. Perry -gave the signal to anchor, and started for his battered flag-ship, -determined, on her deck, and in the presence of her surviving officers -and crew, to receive the commanders of the captured squadron. ‘It was a -time of conflicting emotions,’ says Dr. Parsons, ‘when he stepped upon -deck. The battle was won, and he was safe, but the deck was slippery -with blood, and strewn with the bodies of twenty officers and men, -seven of whom had sat at table with us at our last meal, and the ship -resounded everywhere with the groans of the wounded. Those of us who -were spared and able to walk, met him at the gangway to welcome him on -board, but the salutation was a silent one on both sides; not a word -could find utterance.’ - -“The next movement in the solemn drama was the reception of the British -officers, one from each of the captured vessels. Perry stood on the -after-part of the deck, and his sad visitors were compelled to pick -their way to him among the slain. He received them with solemn dignity -and unaffected kindness. As they presented their swords, with the -hilts toward the victor, he spoke in a low but firm tone, without the -betrayal of the least exultation, and requested them to retain their -weapons.... - -“Vessels of both squadrons were dreadfully shattered, especially the -two flag-ships. Sixty-eight persons had been killed and one hundred -and ninety wounded during the three hours that the battle lasted. Of -these, the Americans lost one hundred and twenty-three, twenty-seven of -whom were killed. Barclay, of the _Detroit_, the British commander, who -had lost an arm at Trafalgar, was first wounded in the thigh, and then -so severely injured in the shoulder as to deprive him of the use of the -other arm. Finnis, of the _Queen Charlotte_, the second in command, was -mortally wounded, and died that evening.... - -“Perry’s victory proved to be one of the most important events of the -war. At that moment two armies, one on the north and the other on -the south of the warring squadrons, were waiting for the result most -anxiously. Should the victory remain with the British, Proctor and -Tecumtha[6] were ready at Malden, with their motley army five thousand -strong, to rush forward and lay waste the entire country. Should -the victory rest with the Americans, Harrison, with his army in the -vicinity of Sandusky bay, was prepared to press forward by land or -water for the seizure of Malden and Detroit, the recovery of Michigan, -and the invasion of Canada. - -“All along the borders of the lake within sound of the cannon in the -battle (and they were heard from Cleveland to Malden), women with -terrified children, and decrepit old men, sat listening with the -deepest anxiety; for they knew not but with the setting sun they -would be compelled to flee to the interior to escape the fangs of -the red bloodhounds who were ready to be let loose upon helpless -innocency by the approved servants of the government that boasted of -its civilization and Christianity. Happily for America--happily for -the fair fame of Great Britain--happily for the cause of humanity--the -victory was left with the Americans, and the savage allies of the -British were not allowed to repeat the tragedies in which they had -already been permitted to engage.... - -“That victory led to the destruction of the Indian confederacy, and -wiped out the stigma of the surrender at Detroit thirteen months -before. It opened the way for Harrison’s army to repossess the -territory then surrendered, and to penetrate Canada. It was speedily -followed by the overthrow of British power in the Canadian peninsula, -and the country bordering on the upper lakes, and the absolute security -forever of the whole northwestern frontier from British invasion and -Indian depredations.” - - -FOOTNOTES: - -[5] Lossing’s “War of 1812.” - -[6] Tecumseh [ED.]. - - -THE END. - - - - -_With Preble at Tripoli_ - -A STORY OF “OLD IRONSIDES” AND THE TRIPOLITAN WAR - -BY JAMES OTIS - -349 pages. Cloth. 12mo. $1.50 - -Second Volume in “_The Great Admiral Series_” - - -It is a typical, dashing, instructive, and thrilling story. It is -intended for boys, but there is hardly a person, young or old, who -would not be intensely interested in it. Such a book as this should be -welcomed by every parent.--_Boston Journal._ - -This volume gives us a most vivid description of the exploits of the -old “Constitution” and the brave men under Commander Preble’s command. -It is of the best juvenile literature.--_The Indianapolis Journal._ - -It is a thrilling account of the loss of the “Philadelphia,” and of -the most famous “cutting out” party in our naval history. It adds a -second volume to one of the most interesting series of books for young -people.--_The Dial._ - -The ever-stimulating account of “Old Ironsides” and her famous campaign -against the Tripolitan pirates forms the basis of one of Mr. Otis’s -best stories; correct in its historical facts, interesting from -beginning to end, it will be welcomed not only by the younger reader, -but by the older one as well.--_The Presbyterian._ - - - - -WITH PORTER IN THE ESSEX - -A STORY OF HIS FAMOUS CRUISE _in_ SOUTHERN WATERS DURING THE WAR OF -1812. - -_By James Otis._ - -_344 pages. Cloth. 12mo. $1.50._ - - -One of the best books that this favorite writer has ever penned, for it -is full of life and vigor.--_Inter-Ocean._ - -It is an ideal boys’ story book and will inspire the youthful reader -alike with patriotism and courage.--_Library Bulletin._ - -The book is historically instructive and the story admirably -told.--_Chicago Evening Post._ - -Mr. Otis has a style peculiarly interesting to boys, and in this -book he is up to his usual mark of excellence both as to accuracy of -historical knowledge and fluency of narration.--_The Examiner._ - -The events and issues of the war of 1812 have never received the -attention they deserve at the hand of American students of history. -This book will help to give life and reality to a subject at once -thrilling and memorable in many ways.--_The Union._ - -This story purports to be the personal experience of two boys, who -enlist and the early age of fourteen, and who were with the Essex until -the time of its capture. The book is sufficiently full of excitement -to please boys, and while it pleases them it will also instruct -them.--_The Intelligencer._ - - - BOSTON W. A. WILDE COMPANY CHICAGO - - - - -_The Treasury Club_ - -A STORY OF THE UNITED STATES TREASURY DEPARTMENT - -BY - -WILLIAM DRYSDALE - - 330 pp. Ill. 12mo. Cloth, $1.50 - -First Volume in the United States Government Series. - - -This, the first volume in the United States Government Series, blends -true information with an interesting story; it teaches and entertains -at the same time.--_Congregationalist._ - -It is an intelligently written narrative in story form, and will prove -most interesting to all up-to-date young people. The idea of the book -is both good in itself and most commendably worked out.--_Dial._ - -“The Treasury Club” is a unique book, full of useful and valuable -information. Parents will be glad to be able to get such a book as this -to place in the hands of their children.--_Boston Journal._ - -We welcome most heartily this most recent book by Mr. Drysdale. Should -the subsequent volumes in this series be as entertaining as is this -one, the entire set will be worthy of a high place among young people’s -books.--_The Standard._ - -The underlying idea of the United States Government Series, of -which this volume is the first, is a most excellent one. It is to -give young readers an idea of the practical workings of the various -departments of the United States Government, imparting special -interest to the descriptions by putting them into story form. This -volume, treating as it does of persons who may be seen to-day in and -around the Treasury Department, and treating of facts gathered on the -ground, is an exceedingly valuable addition to our young people’s -literature. Certainly it is a most useful, instructive, and interesting -volume.--_Boston Transcript._ - - - - -_IN “WAR OF THE REVOLUTION SERIES.”_ - - -THREE COLONIAL BOYS: - -A STORY OF THE TIMES OF ’76. - -_By Everett T. Tomlinson, Ph. D._ - -_12 mo. 368 pp. Cloth, $1.50. Ill._ - - -“Colonial Boys” a story patriotic, exciting, pleasing and helpful, -and instructs without appearing to. The number of really good stories -for young people on the Revolutionary period of American History is -surprisingly small, therefore we welcome this volume. The customs of -our forefathers’ time are admirably portrayed, and strong lessons of -patriotism are taught in “Three Colonial Boys,” and for this reason it -is a book which should be in every library.--_Boston Transcript._ - -[Illustration] - -There is no more interesting period of American History as a background -for fiction than the days leading up to the Revolution. Colonial Boys -works in most happily historical scenes and incidents, and follows -three manly boys through numerous exciting episodes.--_Boston Journal._ - -[Illustration] - -A healthful and very readable story for young people. It deals with -one of the most interesting periods of American History, and is based -on facts. Pure in tone, it is admirably suited for school libraries -because of its historic teaching.--_The Advance._ - -[Illustration] - -Our literature for the young is none too well supplied with books of -interest on their country’s history, so we gladly welcome the “Three -Colonial Boys,” the first of a promised War of the Revolution Series, -dealing with events prior to and during the war. We are impressed by -the wholesome lessons of patriotism inculcated by the three youths. Our -boys need it, and the work is well begun.--_Congregationalist._ - - -THREE YOUNG CONTINENTALS: - -A STORY OF THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION. - -_By Everett T. Tomlinson, Ph. D._ - -_12 mo. 364 pp. Cloth, $1.50. Ill._ - - -A splendid book for boys is “Three Young Continentals.”--_Bookseller, -Newsdealer & Stationer._ - -[Illustration] - -It is a book which deserves special mention. The story gives a -vivid and accurate picture of events which culminated in the battle -of Long Island, and the part taken in them by the three Colonial -boys.--_Independent._ - -[Illustration] - -The author in the “Three Young Continentals” has left no stone unturned -to make his romance both attractive and reliable.--_Interior._ - -[Illustration] - -An historical story which will not only entertain, but inculcate a -desire for the study of history. The exciting incidents related are -true. By the use of such a book as this, boys can learn as a pastime -that which is not only good in itself, but is very likely to set their -minds on eager inquiry for further information on the subject, and so -develop in them a taste for history.--_San Francisco Call._ - -[Illustration] - -Such a book as this is one of the best educators of our young, both in -history and in patriotism.--_The Outlook._ - - -WASHINGTON’S YOUNG AIDS: - -A STORY OF THE NEW JERSEY CAMPAIGN OF 1776-1777. - -_By Everett T. Tomlinson, Ph. D._ - -_12 mo. 391 pp. Cloth, $1.50. Ill._ - - -“Washington’s Young Aids” deals in a way dear to the boyish hearts -with thrilling events of the New Jersey Campaign of 1776-7. Into the -story are interwoven historical facts of great value, taken from old -records and less familiar than those relating to other periods in the -struggle for liberty. Thus the boys who read this delightful tale will -be absorbing history as well as enjoying the story.--_Examiner._ - -[Illustration] - -Few stories show so close a study of history combined with -story-telling power.--_The Outlook._ - -[Illustration] - -“Washington’s Young Aids” makes pleasant and effective use of familiar -historical matter. It is spirited and high-toned, and the boys and -girls will enjoy thoroughly and gain from it a good idea of the events -of the period selected.--_Congregationalist._ - -[Illustration] - -In “Washington’s Young Aids” the author makes his boy heroes -resourceful and devoted, serving Washington with ardor and skill. -Numerous vivid word-picturing and the making of his figureheads very -real, characterizes the author’s method and manner.--_Sunday School -Times._ - -[Illustration] - -The author’s greatest success in “Washington’s Young Aids” lies in the -clearness with which he draws the picture of the actual conditions -which existed during the Revolution. The boys will be eager for -this new volume, which is the third in the “War of the Revolution -Series.”--_Boston Transcript._ - - -TWO YOUNG PATRIOTS: - -A STORY OF BURGOYNE’S INVASION. - -_By Everett T. Tomlinson, Ph. D._ - -_12 mo. 366 pp. Cloth, $1.50. Ill._ - - -“Two Young Patriots” takes up as its pivotal point, Burgoyne’s -invasion, and the narrative deals particularly with the historic events -connected with the campaign. It not only gives to the reader a story, -but also a most correct outline of the Invasion itself. The book is -full of fervor, fire and fun, and its author here reasserts his claim -to consideration as a high-class writer for first-rate books for -boys.--_S. S. Times._ - -[Illustration] - -A story of Burgoyne’s invasion. Indians and Indian warfare naturally -have a very large place in these picturesque pages, and the reader will -travel on through the book with breathless interest until he reaches -the culmination of the story in the surrender of Saratoga.--_Book -Buyer._ - -[Illustration] - -A very shrewdly-planned campaign was Burgoyne’s invasion, but it was -equally shrewdly met by the colonists. Such is the basis of “Two Young -Patriots,” and the story loses nothing in the author’s telling, for he -has spared no pains with his historic accuracy, and it will doubtless -convey to its readers a clearer idea of this pivotal point in the -Revolution than they have ever enjoyed before.--_The Interior._ - -[Illustration] - -It is exciting and thrilling, maintaining a strong interest throughout -its pages. The make-up of the book is remarkably good, and the -illustrations form a splendid addition.--_Journal of Education._ - -[Illustration] - -A story of Burgoyne’s invasion must take the boy reader by -storm.--_Christian Endeavor World._ - - - - -_BOOKS BY WILLIAM DRYSDALE_ - -THE YOUNG REPORTER - -A STORY OF PRINTING HOUSE SQUARE - -_300 pp. Cloth. $1.50_ - - -If ever a writer knew how to tell a rattling story that almost lifts -you off your feet on the first page, it is William Drysdale. His style -is vivacious and racy, and the events hurry along like the current of a -stream above a cascade. The story in itself is intensely interesting, -but, aside from its interest, it gives an insight into the life of a -great daily paper of the city that it would be hard to find elsewhere. -Thus the book is instructive as well as captivating.--_Lutheran -Evangelist._ - -[Illustration] - -“The Young Reporter” is a rattling book for boys. It is written by Mr. -William Drysdale, a retired journalist, who has held responsible desks -upon the Sun, the Recorder and other papers, and who knows just what he -is talking about.--_New York Recorder._ - -[Illustration] - -A genuine boys’ book for genuine boys. It is full of life, clean, clear -cut, and inspiring. We can commend this book to any lover of boys’ -stories. It is illustrated with spirit, the pictures adding greatly to -the attractiveness of the book.--_Journal of Education._ - -[Illustration] - -This is a story of real power, full of life and action, and will -enlist the interest of every stirring and wide-awake boy.--_Herald & -Presbyter._ - - - - -CADET STANDISH OF THE ST. LOUIS - -A STORY OF OUR NAVAL CAMPAIGN IN CUBAN WATERS. - -_352 pages. Cloth. $1.50._ - - -In “Cadet Standish of the St. Louis” Mr. William Drysdale tells the -story of an American boy to whom the Spanish war brought some novel -and exciting experiences. The lad took part in the cable cutting off -Guantanamo, the first exploit in which the great “merchant cruiser” -distinguished herself. Not only is Mr. Drysdale an accomplished writer, -but he has an intimate knowledge of the West Indian regions where most -of the scenes are laid. The result is a most graphic and entertaining -volume.--_Boston Journal._ - -[Illustration] - -This is a story of the recent naval combat in Cuban waters. The book -is picturesque and interesting from cover to cover. The local color is -presented in a series of vivid touches and is skillfully interwoven -with the narrative interest. The story is that of a young cadet on -board the _St. Louis_, who is detailed for dangerous shore duty. His -adventures make up the story that at once attracts and informs the -reader.--_The Baptist Union._ - -[Illustration] - -It is pleasant to be able to say that this tale of Cadet Standish is -interesting, wholesome, natural, even among exciting scenes. The hero -is a fine fellow in every way: in his relations to his widowed mother, -as a young business man, and with his associates in the navy.--_The -Literary World._ - - - - -Transcriber’s Notes - -Obvious errors in punctuation have been fixed. - -Page 56: “was so necesssary” changed to “was so necessary” - -Page 148: “Captian Perry” changed to “Captain Perry” - -*** END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK WITH PERRY ON LAKE ERIE: A TALE -OF 1812 *** - -Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions will -be renamed. - -Creating the works from print editions not protected by U.S. copyright -law means that no one owns a United States copyright in these works, -so the Foundation (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the -United States without permission and without paying copyright -royalties. 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You may copy it, give it away or re-use it under the terms -of the Project Gutenberg License included with this eBook or online -at <a href="https://www.gutenberg.org">www.gutenberg.org</a>. If you -are not located in the United States, you will have to check the laws of the -country where you are located before using this eBook. -</div> - -<p style='display:block; margin-top:1em; margin-bottom:1em; margin-left:2em; text-indent:-2em'>Title: With Perry on Lake Erie: a tale of 1812</p> -<p style='display:block; margin-top:1em; margin-bottom:0; margin-left:2em; text-indent:-2em'>Author: James Otis</p> -<p style='display:block; text-indent:0; margin:1em 0'>Release Date: April 23, 2022 [eBook #67880]</p> -<p style='display:block; text-indent:0; margin:1em 0'>Language: English</p> - <p style='display:block; margin-top:1em; margin-bottom:0; margin-left:2em; text-indent:-2em; text-align:left'>Produced by: Charlene Taylor and the Online Distributed Proofreading Team at https://www.pgdp.net (This file was produced from images generously made available by The Internet Archive/American Libraries.)</p> -<div style='margin-top:2em; margin-bottom:4em'>*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK WITH PERRY ON LAKE ERIE: A TALE OF 1812 ***</div> - - - - - -<h1>WITH PERRY ON LAKE ERIE</h1> - - -<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop" /> - -<div class="chapter"> -<h2 class="nobreak" id="BOOKS_BY_JAMES_OTIS">BOOKS BY JAMES OTIS.</h2> -</div> - - -<div class="blockquot"> - -<p><b>WITH PERRY ON LAKE ERIE.</b> <span class="smcap">A Tale of 1812.</span> 307 <abbr title="pages">pp.</abbr> -Cloth. $1.50.</p> - -<p><b>WITH PREBLE AT TRIPOLI.</b> <span class="smcap">A Story of “Old Ironsides” and The -Tripolitan War.</span> 349 <abbr title="pages">pp.</abbr> Cloth. $1.50.</p> - -<p><b>WITH PORTER IN THE ESSEX.</b> <span class="smcap">A Story of his Famous Cruise in -Southern Waters during the War of 1812.</span> 344 <abbr title="pages">pp.</abbr> Cloth. $1.50.</p> - -<p><b>THE CRUISE OF THE ENTERPRISE.</b> <span class="smcap">Being the Story of the -Struggle and Defeat of the French Privateering Expeditions against the -United States in 1779.</span> 359 <abbr title="pages">pp.</abbr> Cloth. $1.50.</p> -</div> - -<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop" /> - -<div class="chapter"> - -<p class="center p0 p2"><span class="figcenter" id="img000"> - <img src="images/000.jpg" class="w50" alt="WHERE DO YOU COME FROM?" /> -</span></p> -<p class="center p0 caption">“‘WHERE DO YOU COME FROM?’”<br /></p> - -</div> -<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop" /> - -<div class="chapter"> - - -<p class="center xbig"><span class="smcap">With Perry on Lake Erie</span></p> - -<p class="center big"><span class="smcap">A Tale of 1812</span></p> - -<p class="center p2 small"> BY</p> - -<p class="center"> JAMES OTIS</p> - -<p class="center small"> AUTHOR OF “THE CHARMING SALLY,” “AN AMATEUR - FIREMAN,” “JOEL HARFORD,” ETC., ETC.</p> - -<p class="center p2 small"> ILLUSTRATED BY</p> - -<p class="center"> WILLIAM F. STECHER</p> - -<p class="center p0 p2"><span class="figcenter" id="img005"> - <img src="images/005.jpg" class="w10" alt="Publisher mark" /> -</span></p> - -<p class="center p2"> BOSTON AND CHICAGO<br /> - W. A. WILDE COMPANY -</p> - -</div> -<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop" /> - -<div class="chapter"> - - -<p class="center p4 small"> <span class="smcap">Copyright, 1899,<br /> - By W. A. Wilde Company.</span><br /> - <i>All rights reserved.</i></p> -<hr class="r5" /> -<p class="center"> WITH PERRY ON LAKE ERIE. -</p></div> -<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop" /> - -<div class="chapter"> -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_5">[Pg 5]</span></p> - -<h2 class="nobreak" id="TO_THE_READER">TO THE READER.</h2> -</div> - - -<p>Some explanation regarding the method of dealing with facts as set -down in this tale should, perhaps, be made. Let it first be understood -that no liberty has been taken with the names or movements of those -men or boys introduced herein. Much of the incident has been taken -from manuscript, the correctness of which cannot be doubted, and all -has been verified by reference to our standard histories. In no single -instance has any departure been made from the truth, even though the -interest of the story might have been increased by a more decided -flavor of romance,—notably during the time when the American fleet lay -in Presque Isle bay, useless because lacking men.</p> - -<p>It seems fitting that Commodore Perry’s deeds should be related from -the standpoint of that younger brother who shared his troubles as he -did his triumphs, whether the same be set forth as reading for adults, -or young people; because it must be admitted that he who won such a -glorious victory on Lake Erie was hardly more<span class="pagenum" id="Page_6">[Pg 6]</span> than a boy. Very young -people look upon one who has seen twenty-seven years of this world’s -battle as an elderly person; but those who have passed the noon of life -are prone to speak of such as “lads,” and therefore is this essentially -a story of young people.</p> - -<p class="right"> -JAMES OTIS.<br /> -</p> -<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop" /> - -<div class="chapter"> -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_7">[Pg 7]</span></p> - -<h2 class="nobreak" id="CONTENTS">CONTENTS.</h2> -</div> - - -<table class="autotable"> -<tr> -<th class="tdr"> -<span class="allsmcap">CHAPTER</span> -</th> -<th> -</th> -<th class="tdr page"> -<span class="allsmcap">PAGE</span> -</th> -</tr> -<tr> -<td class="tdr"> -<a href="#CHAPTER_I">I.</a> -</td> -<td class="tdl"> -<a href="#CHAPTER_I"><span class="smcap">Presque Isle</span></a> -</td> -<td class="tdr page"> -<a href="#Page_11">11</a> -</td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td class="tdr"> -<a href="#CHAPTER_II">II.</a> -</td> -<td class="tdl"> -<a href="#CHAPTER_II"><span class="smcap">Snug Quarters</span></a> -</td> -<td class="tdr page"> -<a href="#Page_29">29</a> -</td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td class="tdr"> -<a href="#CHAPTER_III">III.</a> -</td> -<td class="tdl"> -<a href="#CHAPTER_III"><span class="smcap">The Escape</span></a> -</td> -<td class="tdr page"> -<a href="#Page_46">46</a> -</td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td class="tdr"> -<a href="#CHAPTER_IV">IV.</a> -</td> -<td class="tdl"> -<a href="#CHAPTER_IV"><span class="smcap">The Attack</span></a> -</td> -<td class="tdr page"> -<a href="#Page_62">62</a> -</td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td class="tdr"> -<a href="#CHAPTER_V">V.</a> -</td> -<td class="tdl"> -<a href="#CHAPTER_V"><span class="smcap">The British Fleet</span></a> -</td> -<td class="tdr page"> -<a href="#Page_79">79</a> -</td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td class="tdr"> -<a href="#CHAPTER_VI">VI.</a> -</td> -<td class="tdl"> -<a href="#CHAPTER_VI"><span class="smcap">Leon Marchand</span></a> -</td> -<td class="tdr page"> -<a href="#Page_96">96</a> -</td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td class="tdr"> -<a href="#CHAPTER_VII">VII.</a> -</td> -<td class="tdl"> -<a href="#CHAPTER_VII"><span class="smcap">In Hiding</span></a> -</td> -<td class="tdr page"> -<a href="#Page_112">112</a> -</td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td class="tdr"> -<a href="#CHAPTER_VIII">VIII.</a> -</td> -<td class="tdl"> -<a href="#CHAPTER_VIII"><span class="smcap">A Close Shave</span></a> -</td> -<td class="tdr page"> -<a href="#Page_131">131</a> -</td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td class="tdr"> -<a href="#CHAPTER_IX">IX.</a> -</td> -<td class="tdl"> -<a href="#CHAPTER_IX"><span class="smcap">A Bloodless Victory</span></a> -</td> -<td class="tdr page"> -<a href="#Page_150">150</a> -</td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td class="tdr"> -<a href="#CHAPTER_X">X.</a> -</td> -<td class="tdl"> -<a href="#CHAPTER_X"><span class="smcap">The Traitor</span></a> -</td> -<td class="tdr page"> -<a href="#Page_168">168</a> -</td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td class="tdr"> -<a href="#CHAPTER_XI">XI.</a> -</td> -<td class="tdl"> -<a href="#CHAPTER_XI"><span class="smcap">Crossing the Bar</span></a> -</td> -<td class="tdr page"> -<a href="#Page_186">186</a> -</td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td class="tdr"> -<a href="#CHAPTER_XII">XII.</a> -</td> -<td class="tdl"> -<a href="#CHAPTER_XII"><span class="smcap">Put-in-Bay</span></a> -</td> -<td class="tdr page"> -<a href="#Page_203">203</a> -</td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td class="tdr"> -<a href="#CHAPTER_XIII">XIII.</a> -</td> -<td class="tdl"> -<a href="#CHAPTER_XIII"><span class="smcap">Cruising</span></a> -</td> -<td class="tdr page"> -<a href="#Page_221">221</a> -</td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td class="tdr"> -<a href="#CHAPTER_XIV">XIV.</a> -</td> -<td class="tdl"> -<a href="#CHAPTER_XIV"><span class="smcap">Sail Ho!</span></a> -</td> -<td class="tdr page"> -<a href="#Page_240">240</a> -</td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td class="tdr"> -<a href="#CHAPTER_XV">XV.</a> -</td> -<td class="tdl"> -<a href="#CHAPTER_XV"><span class="smcap">The First Shot</span> </a> -</td> -<td class="tdr page"> -<a href="#Page_257">257</a> -</td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td class="tdr"> -<a href="#CHAPTER_XVI">XVI.</a> -</td> -<td class="tdl"> -<a href="#CHAPTER_XVI"><span class="smcap">The Battle</span></a> -</td> -<td class="tdr page"> -<a href="#Page_275">275</a> -</td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td class="tdr"> -<a href="#CHAPTER_XVII">XVII.</a> -</td> -<td class="tdl"> -<a href="#CHAPTER_XVII"><span class="smcap">Victory</span></a> -</td> -<td class="tdr page"> -<a href="#Page_293">293</a> -</td> -</tr> -</table> -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_9">[Pg 9]</span></p> - - -<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop" /> - -<div class="chapter"> -<h2 class="nobreak" id="ILLUSTRATIONS">ILLUSTRATIONS.</h2> -</div> - - -<table class="autotable"> -<tr> -<th class="tdr" colspan="2"> -<span class="allsmcap">PAGE</span> -</th> -</tr> -<tr> -<td class="tdl"> -<a href="#img000">“‘<span class="smcap">Where do you come from?</span>’” <i>Frontispiece</i></a> -</td> -<td class="tdr page"> -<a href="#Page_32">32</a> -</td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td class="tdl"> -<a href="#img001">“<span class="smcap">Captain Perry had leaped overboard from the foremost - of the fleet of boats</span>”</a> -</td> -<td class="tdr page"> -<a href="#Page_74">74</a> -</td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td class="tdl"> -<a href="#img002">“<span class="smcap">I stretched forth my hand to touch him</span>”</a> -</td> -<td class="tdr page"> -<a href="#Page_130">130</a> -</td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td class="tdl"> -<a href="#img003">“<span class="smcap">He stepped ashore, and an instant later was lost to - view</span>”</a> -</td> -<td class="tdr page"> -<a href="#Page_224">224</a> -</td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td class="tdl"> -<a href="#img004">“‘<span class="smcap">Ay, ay, sir, hoist it!</span>’”</a> -</td> -<td class="tdr page"> -<a href="#Page_263">263</a> -</td> -</tr> -</table><p> -<span class="pagenum" id="Page_11">[Pg 11]</span></p> - - -<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop" /> - -<div class="chapter"> -<p class="center xbig">WITH PERRY ON LAKE ERIE.</p> - - -<p class="center p2 big">A Tale of 1812.</p> - -<h2 class="nobreak" id="CHAPTER_I">CHAPTER I.<br /><span class="small">PRESQUE ISLE.</span></h2> -</div> - - - -<p>Perhaps there is no good reason why I should set down here any especial -mention of Presque Isle,<a id="FNanchor_1" href="#Footnote_1" class="fnanchor">[1]</a> for every boy knows it is located on the -shore of Lake Erie, and, because of the peninsula jutting out from the -mainland of the State of Pennsylvania, can boast of an exceedingly good -harbor.</p> - -<p>It is a lame beginning to the story I want to tell, this opening -with the admission that there may be no reason for making a certain -statement; but I am not quick at tasks of the kind it is proposed this -shall be, and one mistake among the many I shall probably make will not -be noticed.</p> - -<p>Even now I have failed to begin the yarn to my satisfaction; but I have -written and rubbed out so<span class="pagenum" id="Page_12">[Pg 12]</span> much already, that the lines above must -stand as they are set down, else I may never arrive at the beginning of -such a tale as few lads can tell of their own experience.</p> - -<p>That I am making any attempt at doing what nature fitted me for with -such a niggardly hand, is due to Alexander Perry, brother of that -Oliver H. Perry who proved himself so great a hero here on the waters -of Lake Erie, when he gave the King of England a second and much-needed -lesson. He, meaning Alec, and I saw much of service in the war so -lately ended with honor to the people of the United States. Although he -was but thirteen years of age, and I only two years older, we passed -through many adventures together, shared many hardships, and ever -remained close comrades from the day of our first meeting.</p> - -<p>The war having come to an end, and we about to separate after three -years of service, he said to me:—</p> - -<p>“Dick, it is for you to set down, in such fair script as you can -master, the story of what we have done these many months past, so that -in the years to come those who live hereabouts may know we were not -idle when the British king provoked this nation past endurance.”</p> - -<p>I would have insisted, as is true, that he was better able to perform -the task than I, who had learned but<span class="pagenum" id="Page_13">[Pg 13]</span> little in schools, because there -were none hereabouts; but the lad declared I was the one above all -others to do the work, and here am I, casting about in my mind as to -how the tale can best be set down in readable fashion.</p> - -<p>Presque Isle, to hark back to the beginning, was the settlement which -my father, Captain Daniel Dobbins, decided upon as the proper place in -which to build his home, and within a stone’s throw of the blockhouse -erected by General Wayne after he had whipped the Indians in Maumee -Valley, I was born. Here I lived while my father sailed on the lake, -becoming known far and wide as the most skilful navigator of Erie’s -waters, until war was declared, and then I had the satisfaction of -calling myself the son of the man who, after having been called to -Washington to give advice to the high officials there, was appointed a -sailing-master in the navy.</p> - -<p>It was in September of the year 1812 that my father received a -commission from the Government, and straightway he began building two -gunboats, each with a fifty-foot keel, seventeen-foot beam, and a -five-foot hold, counting on having them ready for service as soon as -the ice should leave the lake.</p> - -<p>Ebenezer Crosby was the carpenter in charge of the work, and under him -were mustered all the laborers<span class="pagenum" id="Page_14">[Pg 14]</span> to be found within fifty miles of the -settlement. Even boys were hired, I among the number, and all of us -youngsters counted on being given a chance to ship as members of the -crews when the vessels were launched.</p> - -<p>It was on the 27th day of March, in the year 1813, that a young man -and a lad drove up to the door of the Erie Hotel in Presque Isle, and -we of the village soon came to know that the strangers were brothers, -the elder being a captain in the navy, by name Oliver H. Perry, and the -other, Alexander, who at once became a dear comrade of mine.</p> - -<p>As the only representative of the Government in Presque Isle, my father -was summoned to confer with the officer, and quite by chance I was -allowed to accompany him to the hotel.</p> - -<p>There, while our elders discussed the best means of building such a -fleet as might give successful battle to the enemy, who had already -made threats as to what would be done when the lake was free from ice, -Alec and I made each other’s acquaintance.</p> - -<p>He told me that his brother, the captain, had been in command of a -small fleet of gunboats at the Newport station; but, eager to see more -active service, had applied for a command on the lakes. On the first of -February, in this same year, he had received orders from the Secretary -of the Navy commanding him to<span class="pagenum" id="Page_15">[Pg 15]</span> report, with one hundred and fifty men, -to Commodore Chauncey, then stationed at Sackett’s Harbor.</p> - -<p>The force was sent ahead in three detachments, and the captain, with -Alec, set out in a sleigh through the wilderness. They arrived at -Sackett’s Harbor on the third of March, and stayed there a fortnight, -expecting each day an attack by the enemy. Then Captain Perry was -ordered to Presque Isle to push forward the work my father had begun, -and thus were we two lads brought together.</p> - -<p>Now the gunboats were not the only vessels building by this time. The -keels of two twenty-gun brigs and a clipper schooner were laid down -near the mouth of Cascade Creek, and a huge quantity of timber had been -felled nearabout ready for the workmen. There was no time in which to -season the stuff, and I have seen planking bent on the ribs of a brig -within four and twenty hours from the fall of the tree. In fact, my -father had a small fleet in process of construction, and Captain Perry -was pleased to compliment him for his activity and good judgment.</p> - -<p>Sixty men had volunteered under Captain Foster to guard the shipyards -against a possible attack by the Britishers, and all the workmen were -drilled each evening in the manual of arms, therefore our village -presented a very lively and warlike appearance.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_16">[Pg 16]</span></p> - -<p>While Alec was telling me his story, and I explaining to him all I -had done in the work of preparation, our elders had decided as to -what further steps should be taken. Captain Perry was to go at once -to Pittsburg to send on the necessary supplies, while my father would -journey to Buffalo in quest of men and ammunition.</p> - -<p>So urgent was the need that no time was spent by either of these -officers in repose after once a definite plan was formed; but both set -out that same night, and Alexander was left in my charge, a fact which -made me feel a certain sense of responsibility and much pride.</p> - -<p>It would seem as if I had written over-much in my attempt to give -whoever may read these pages a fair idea of how we two—meaning Alec -Perry and I—came together, and yet a few more lines of dry detail are -necessary for a better understanding of what may follow.</p> - -<p>At this time our defences consisted of a small battery and a blockhouse -on the bluff at the entrance of the harbor; between them and the town -were the old French fort and another small blockhouse. Opposite the -town, on the peninsula to the westward of Little Bay, stood a third -blockhouse, a storehouse and a hospital, which last buildings were -erected after we received word that Captain Perry had been sent<span class="pagenum" id="Page_17">[Pg 17]</span> to -Presque Isle. The gunboats were on the stocks in front of the village; -while west of the settlement, at the mouth of Cascade Creek, where was -a blockhouse for the protection of the shipyard, the brigs and the -schooner were being built.</p> - -<p>My home was on the shore of the harbor midway between the old French -fort and the first-mentioned shipyard, and there it was Alec Perry -lodged, sleeping in the same bed with me on the night after our first -meeting.</p> - -<p>Before departing on his journey to Buffalo, my father said to me:—</p> - -<p>“You and young Perry are not to remain idle while I am away. It is -necessary a message be sent the workmen on the Point, and early -to-morrow morning you shall set out with it. You should be able to go -and return in two hours, now the ice is in such good condition for -skating; but I propose that you remain there three days, going out -on the lake a distance of eight or ten miles every night and morning -to learn if the enemy are abroad. In other words, you two youngsters -are to act as scouts during my absence. Do not run unnecessary risks, -and in case of a snow-storm you will remain under cover, for I am not -minded to hear on my return that you have come to an untimely end.”</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_18">[Pg 18]</span></p> - -<p>It puffed me up with pride to have such a commission as this, and -Alec’s eyes glistened as my father spoke, for he was a brave lad, as -has since been proven more than once when I have come nigh to showing -the white feather.</p> - -<p>There was more in the mission, as we two lads understood it, than had -been put into words; surely if we could be depended upon to keep watch -over the harbor at a time when there was every reason to believe the -enemy might be making ready at the mouth of the Niagara River for an -attack upon Presque Isle, then for a certainty we might count ourselves -the same as having been accepted members of whatsoever crew we chose to -join.</p> - -<p>There was very little sleep for us on this first night of comradeship, -and I believe had either proposed to set out that very hour, the other -would have gladly acceded to the proposition. We did succeed, however, -in curbing ambition until slumber closed our eyelids, and when my -mother awakened me next morning the time for action had arrived.</p> - -<p>It was not a difficult matter to borrow a pair of skates in Presque -Isle, for there was hardly a person in the village who did not own -what, to us on the shore of the lake, was almost indispensable during -the winter months.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_19">[Pg 19]</span></p> - -<p>The ice was in prime condition when we two made ready for the short -journey across to the Point, and the preparations consisted of nothing -more than buckling on our skates. We wore such clothing as might -be needed, and there was no necessity of burdening ourselves with -provisions, because the men at the blockhouse would supply us with food -as well as lodging.</p> - -<p>But for my being unused to this work of writing, and finding it -difficult to set down the words in clerkly fashion, I might say much -concerning the blockhouse on the Point and its occupants.</p> - -<p>There were men of eighty years, and lads younger than Alec, among the -party who called themselves the “garrison,” and all of them were known -to me; therefore it was much like being among kinsfolk to be quartered -with them.</p> - -<p>During the first two days Alec and I had plenty of company when we -glided over the smooth ice, up the lake in the direction of Niagara -River, on what we were pleased to call scouting expeditions; and but -for the fact that young Perry insisted upon considering himself in the -backwoods, we should have gotten on famously with the young members of -the garrison.</p> - -<p>Alec, however, having just come from Newport, and not yet used to -our customs, persisted in speaking<span class="pagenum" id="Page_20">[Pg 20]</span> of the surroundings as if he -believed himself in an uncivilized country, and many of the lads were -disgruntled because, as they said, he put on airs.</p> - -<p>To this charge Alec is now willing to plead guilty, although at the -time I question if he realized how greatly he set himself above us, -until after coming to understand that he had much to learn from the -people of Presque Isle.</p> - -<p>All this may seem trifling matter to set down on the pages of what is -intended to be the story of how Oliver Perry made himself famous on -Lake Erie; but yet it led us into an adventure which came near costing -the country the unfinished vessels that were sadly needed, and us our -lives.</p> - -<p>Four times had we left the blockhouse, accompanied by a dozen or more -lads, and skated ten or fifteen miles up the lake and back. Then our -companions, taking offence at some idle words used by Alec, declared -they would not set out with us again.</p> - -<p>It was a threat which had but little weight with my comrade or myself, -since we had a desire to be alone with each other, and on the morning -of the third day, when the sky was gray with threatening-looking -clouds, we left the blockhouse, counting to return there but once more -before going home, for the time set by my father had come to an end.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_21">[Pg 21]</span></p> - -<p>Whether we should continue this sport of playing at being scouts, we -had decided to leave to Noah Brown, a shipwright who came from New York -City, and who was in charge of the works at Presque Isle during my -father’s absence.</p> - -<p>“I regret that the lads were offended with my idle words of yesterday; -but yet it is pleasant to set out alone with you, Dicky,” Alec said, -as we skimmed over the smooth ice in such direction as would bring us -to the easternmost battery on the opposite shore. “One might think, to -hear those in the garrison talk, that we were surrounded by Britishers, -and I have been waiting for an opportunity to ask if you believe the -enemy to be near at hand.”</p> - -<p>“Believe it? I know it to be a fact, Alec. The redcoats are in strong -force at the mouth of the Niagara, and certain it is that as soon as -the ice breaks up, you will see them in such numbers as to make you -alarmed for the safety of our works.”</p> - -<p>“The Britishers outnumbered our people when the independence of this -country was gained, but that did not frighten those who wore the -Continental uniform.”</p> - -<p>“Yet there were many dark days then, Alec, and I have heard my -grandfather say that often and again did he believe we should be -finally whipped into<span class="pagenum" id="Page_22">[Pg 22]</span> submission. I am unwilling to declare that there -are any here who <em>fear</em> the result of this war; but yet I could -point out twenty as brave men as might be found, who believe that we as -a nation are all too weak to take up arms against so powerful a country -as England. It is certain that unless our ships are built, launched, -and gotten out of the harbor very soon after the ice breaks up, Presque -Isle is in great danger of being captured; and that I have heard my -father say a dozen times.”</p> - -<p>“It is strange that the redcoats fail to show themselves,” the lad said -musingly, as if ready to doubt my statement regarding the nearness of -the Britishers.</p> - -<p>“Yet you and your brother, while on the way from Buffalo, heard that -the enemy knew what was being done here, and was about to make an -attack.”</p> - -<p>“Yes, and Oliver pressed forward hurriedly, fearing lest we might -arrive too late. But now, because no movement has been made, I think he -is inclined to doubt the correctness of the statement.”</p> - -<p>At the time Alec made this remark we had covered two-thirds of the -distance between Presque Isle and Long Point, having gone directly -across the lake toward the Canadian side, and then it was that the snow -began to fall.</p> - -<p>My comrade was heedless of the danger which<span class="pagenum" id="Page_23">[Pg 23]</span> beset us, because ignorant -regarding it, and when I proposed that we turn back at once, making -all haste to gain the village or the blockhouse, he said in a tone -bordering on that of contempt:—</p> - -<p>“You may go if you please; but I count on keeping straight ahead until -a good view of the enemy’s country can be had.”</p> - -<p>“We are full twenty miles from home, Alec,” I replied, giving no heed -to his tone, which at another time might have aroused me to anger. -“It is thirty miles from Little Bay to Long Point, and you who are -unaccustomed to skating such long distances cannot cover it and return -in a single day.”</p> - -<p>“It makes little difference to me if the journey occupies us well into -the night, for then we shall be saved the necessity of going back to -the blockhouse where those country louts are free to air their supposed -wit.”</p> - -<p>I saw at once that it was useless for me to make any attempt at -dissuading him from his purpose by the argument that he could not -endure the fatigue, although knowing full well that such was the case, -therefore I tried another tack which, with a lad who had lived on the -shore of the lake, would have been sufficient.</p> - -<p>“In a snow-storm neither you nor I can skate or<span class="pagenum" id="Page_24">[Pg 24]</span> walk in a direct line -on the ice, and the bravest man in Pennsylvania would hesitate long -before making an attempt to travel ten miles after the storm which now -threatens has come in good earnest.”</p> - -<p>“Then we may as well keep on as to turn back,” he said, increasing his -speed, thus forcing me to renewed exertions, for I was not minded he -should run into danger alone.</p> - -<p>During ten minutes or more I said all a lad might to dissuade a -headstrong comrade from running into such peril as I knew was in store -for us, providing we continued straight ahead.</p> - -<p>I reminded him that my father’s orders for us to remain under cover -in case of a snow-storm were positive, and that they would not have -been given without good cause. I also suggested that the brother of a -captain in the navy should be more careful than another to render due -obedience to those who were in command over him, and referred to my -father’s commission as sailing-master in the navy to show that either -of us, while acting as scouts, must look upon him as our superior -officer.</p> - -<p>To all my arguments and entreaties he had but a single reply:—</p> - -<p>“We are nearer the Canadian shore than the American,<span class="pagenum" id="Page_25">[Pg 25]</span> and there is less -danger in going ahead than in returning.”</p> - -<p>When I urged that by going back we should be among friends, while to -continue on was, perchance, to find ourselves in the hands of the -Britishers, he accused me of showing the white feather, and repeated -the nursery rhyme of the lad who lived in the woods, and was scared by -an owl.</p> - -<p>I think it was that bit of doggerel which caused me to forget prudence -in order that I might prove myself as brave as he, and yet I did but -write myself down a fool, as one certainly is who ventures with no good -reason into danger.</p> - -<p>The snow did not fall in any great volume. It came gently, and with -that steadiness which betokens the beginning of a long, severe storm, -and yet I skated on by his side, angry with myself for so doing, but -lacking the courage to insist upon his going back.</p> - -<p>The ice was as smooth as glass; there was not a breath of wind to -impede our progress, and I believe we were covering no less than a mile -every four or five minutes.</p> - -<p>When, as nearly as I could judge, we had continued this mad chase for -half an hour, Alec threw himself upon the ice, declaring he must have a -breathing spell.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_26">[Pg 26]</span></p> - -<p>“I’m not up to this work as you are,” he said with a laugh, “and -therefore am the more easily winded; but when it comes to endurance, -you shall see that I am quite your equal. Ten minutes of a rest now, -and I will not ask for a second halt until we stand on his Majesty’s -soil.”</p> - -<p>“Ay, and what then?” I asked, speaking sharply, for my patience was -well-nigh exhausted, to say nothing of the fact that fear was creeping -into my heart rapidly. “What will it avail us to stand on his Majesty’s -soil?”</p> - -<p>“Why, simply this, Dicky Dobbins,” Alec replied with a hearty laugh. -“We shall go back to Presque Isle, among those who are so valiant while -at home, and say we have entered the enemy’s country and returned in -safety. We can also report that there are no redcoats nearabout to -disturb the faint-hearted Pennsylvanians.”</p> - -<p>“It will be a long day before we return, unless this storm clears away -very soon, and of that there is no likelihood,” I replied moodily. “We -are risking our lives—and it is no less than that, I assure you—for -nothing but a whim of yours, which, when gratified, is of no benefit.”</p> - -<p>“If you are taking it so much to heart, Dicky, we’ll turn back now,” -and in a twinkling, as it were,<span class="pagenum" id="Page_27">[Pg 27]</span> Alec was the same cheery, honest lad I -had believed him to be these two days past; but alas, his cheeriness, -and his honesty, and his good comradeship had returned to him too late.</p> - -<p>“We must push forward now, for I dare not make the attempt to go back. -The Canadian shore should be within four or five miles, and if it -please God we’ll gain it before the smother thickens.”</p> - -<p>I think my words, and the tone in which they were spoken, gave the lad -a sense of fear for the first time since we had set out. He looked -about him with the air of one who suddenly discovers something, and -then turning to me said softly, but with a manner that went straight to -my heart:—</p> - -<p>“I am sorry, Dicky, that I was so foolish. I have led you into this -trouble, and you must lead me out; but my word upon it, that from this -moment so long as we stay in this portion of the country, I will ever -take your advice.”</p> - -<p>He clasped my hand as if to ask pardon, and at that moment I felt a -breath of air from the northeast. The snowflakes were suddenly whirled -with that giddy, dancing motion which so bewilders one, telling me how -great the danger, and how short a time we had in which to escape.</p> - -<p>“Get up,” I said almost roughly. “Keep your<span class="pagenum" id="Page_28">[Pg 28]</span> wits about you and bend -every energy toward going forward in a straight line; for once we -become confused, there is little likelihood of our gaining either shore -before the cold lulls us to sleep.”</p> - -<p>Then, and I can hardly realize now how it occurred, before he could -rise to his feet it was as if we were completely surrounded by armed -men, and it needed not their speech to tell both of us that we were -prisoners.</p> - -<p>The Britishers were nearer than even I had imagined, and perchance -by this mad trick of Alec’s, Presque Isle would be captured; for the -people there were depending upon us to give an alarm in case the enemy -appeared upon the lake.</p> - -<p>We had been false to the trust my father reposed in us, and who could -say how much of harm to our country might result?</p> - - -<div class="footnotes"><h3>FOOTNOTES:</h3> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a id="Footnote_1" href="#FNanchor_1" class="label">[1]</a> Now known as the city of Erie.</p> - -</div> -</div> -<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop" /> - -<div class="chapter"> -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_29">[Pg 29]</span></p> - -<h2 class="nobreak" id="CHAPTER_II">CHAPTER II.<br /><span class="small">SNUG QUARTERS.</span></h2> -</div> - - - -<p>It is true that when the enemy came into view from amid the whirling -snow, Alec’s first thought, as he has since told me, was much the same -as mine—that we had brought disaster upon our country.</p> - -<p>It is nothing of credit that at the time we gave no heed to the peril -which menaced; but I here set it down as some slight plea in our favor, -that once the mischief had been done we gave no heed to what might come -out of it to us.</p> - -<p>The snow was falling in such volume, and being whirled so rapidly by -the rising wind, that it was impossible to see very far in either -direction, and whether we had been surrounded by a regiment of -soldiers, or only a squad of a dozen or more, it was impossible to say.</p> - -<p>I knew, however, it had been reported that the Britishers were -gathering at Port Rowan, and this fact it was which caused our people -to believe a descent upon Presque Isle was contemplated.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_30">[Pg 30]</span></p> - -<p>Now I knew beyond reasonable doubt that these men had come from the -first-named place, and a great hope sprang up in my mind that they -might have ventured out for the same purpose as had Alec and I—that -our capture was the result of an accident.</p> - -<p>All these thoughts ran through my mind during the first two or three -seconds after the enemy appeared, and before a single word had been -spoken on either side.</p> - -<p>The party, fully armed and in uniform, wore storm coats, therefore it -was impossible, save by his bearing, to distinguish an officer from a -private; but Alec and I quickly understood, or believed we did because -of not being immediately questioned, that the men were waiting the -arrival of a superior.</p> - -<p>It was as if a party of dumb people had come together in this fleecy -downpour which whirled and danced until one’s eyes ached from the -ceaseless swirling.</p> - -<p>Alec looked meaningly at me, and I understood what he would have said. -There was in his glance a warning against our holding converse lest -we might betray something of importance to the enemy; but had the lad -known me better he would not have thought such a caution necessary.</p> - -<p>A boy who has lived on the frontier during such<span class="pagenum" id="Page_31">[Pg 31]</span> troublous times as -I had known, is not garrulous in the presence of strangers, and when -those strangers are known to be enemies, he would be little less than -an idiot who should open his mouth unnecessarily.</p> - -<p>Well, we two remained in the centre of this silent group while one -might have counted thirty, and then the circle was broken to admit a -figure, muffled, like the others, to the eyes in a coat of fur, but -approaching with such an air of authority that we knew at once he must -be in command.</p> - -<p>Now it was I noted the fact that none of the Britishers wore skates, -and there came into my mind like a flash the knowledge that we must be -close ashore, else these men would not thus have ventured out upon the -ice.</p> - -<p>I also noted, for one who lives much in the forests is quick to observe -every trifling detail in a scene, that the officer asked no questions -of his men as to where we had been found, or how they chanced to come -upon us; therefore I understood that our approach had been known before -we were thus made prisoners, and the remainder was easy to guess.</p> - -<p>While I had supposed we were half a dozen miles from the Canadian -shore, we must have been within view of those on the foreland, and -this squad had come out for no other reason than to capture us, a fact -which<span class="pagenum" id="Page_32">[Pg 32]</span> took much of the burden from my mind, for I had feared we were -met by the advance guard of a force sent to attack Presque Isle.</p> - -<p>“Where do you come from?” the officer asked, in that insolent tone -which was usually employed by those holding his Majesty’s commission -when addressing one from the American border.</p> - -<p>There was nothing to be gained by concealing the truth, and I answered -the Britisher fairly, save that there was no good reason why I should -explain our purpose in being abroad.</p> - -<p>“Why have you come on this side of the lake?” he asked, and I replied, -yet holding to the truth, but not telling all.</p> - -<p>“We were skating, and had ventured so far from home when the snow began -to fall, that it seemed safer to continue on than turn back.”</p> - -<p>“The question I would have answered is, why did you venture to come so -near this side at the beginning? You were well over before the snow -began to fall.”</p> - -<p>“Of that we were ignorant, sir,” Alec replied, speaking as if in -fear; and I observed that his tone gave satisfaction to the valiant -Britisher, who was pleased at being able to frighten two lads. “We must -have skated faster than we fancied, and I do assure<span class="pagenum" id="Page_33">[Pg 33]</span> you, sir, that -neither of us had any idea how near we were to an enemy.”</p> - -<p>Up to this point it appeared as if we were like to come off from the -adventure in safety, and I was beginning to believe no more harm would -accrue to us than that of being sent back through the storm at risk of -losing our way, when one of the men whispered to the officer, after -which the latter asked sharply of me:—</p> - -<p>“Are you the son of that Daniel Dobbins who has trafficked on the lake?”</p> - -<p>It was evident that this soldier, whose face I could not see because of -the coat-collar which covered it, had recognized me, and I replied with -all the boldness it was possible to assume:—</p> - -<p>“I am, sir, and therefore you may know of a certainty from whence we -come.”</p> - -<p>It would have been better had I been less talkative, for now both Alec -and I understood that the Britisher’s suspicions were aroused.</p> - -<p>“Where is your father?” he asked sharply.</p> - -<p>I would have given much had I been able to reply promptly; but with his -question there came into my mind the thought that I might unwittingly -betray an important secret, and for the instant speech was well-nigh -impossible. Then, after that unfortunate hesitation, I said:—</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_34">[Pg 34]</span></p> - -<p>“I do not know, sir.”</p> - -<p>“Is he not at home?”</p> - -<p>“I am unable to say, sir.”</p> - -<p>“Why? Was he not at home when you left?”</p> - -<p>Now it was necessary I should explain that Alec and I had been these -past three days at the blockhouse, and this statement seemed at -variance with the one first made.</p> - -<p>The Britisher looked at us searchingly for a moment, and then said, -much as though speaking to himself:—</p> - -<p>“It is evident you lads have something to conceal. I was inclined to -believe the story first told; but now it seems wiser to doubt it. Take -off your skates,” he added harshly, and we had no choice but to obey.</p> - -<p>When we were thus made helpless, so far as escape was concerned, the -officer gave some order in a low tone to one of the men, after which he -wheeled about, walking in the direction where I believed lay the shore, -and was soon lost to view amid the falling snow.</p> - -<p>“Forgive me,” Alec whispered as he pressed my hand, and I understood -full well all that was in his mind.</p> - -<p>We two were not inclined for conversation; but even though we had been, -it was best to remain silent lest yet more suspicions be aroused, and -contenting<span class="pagenum" id="Page_35">[Pg 35]</span> ourselves with a single glance which meant, for my part, -that there was no thought of resentment toward my comrade for having -led us into these straits, we obeyed the order of our captors to march -in advance.</p> - -<p>It was not easy to walk on the ice now thickly covered with dry snow, -and our progress was by no means rapid; yet in less than fifteen -minutes we were arrived at the shore, and I wondered why it was we had -failed to note the fact of being so near the enemy’s lines before the -storm began.</p> - -<p>We pushed on, forced to do so by those in the rear, straight over the -outermost end of the Point, where was a well-defined path showing that -it had been frequently travelled, until arriving on the opposite side. -Then could be seen a dozen or more log huts, lately constructed, as -might be told from the chips and branches which covered the snow in -every direction.</p> - -<p>Now we knew what I would have given much to have told my father. -The reports that a force of Britishers were meditating an attack -upon Presque Isle were not without ample foundation, for here beyond -a peradventure were the quarters of those soldiers who were to be -employed in the manœuvre.</p> - -<p>As nearly as I could judge from a hurried glance around, there were -quarters for fully two hundred men, and I believed that number had -already assembled here.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_36">[Pg 36]</span></p> - -<p>Many soldiers came out of the huts when we arrived, and because no -surprise was exhibited by any of them, we again understood that our -approach was observed some time before the capture.</p> - -<p>If there had been any hope in our minds that we would be treated mildly -because of our youth, it was speedily dispelled.</p> - -<p>The soldier in charge of the squad which conducted us, and I judged -that he might be a sergeant or a corporal, seized us roughly by the -arms, literally thrusting us into a small pen—I can give no other name -to that place used as a prison—which was built at one end of the hut -nearest the shore.</p> - -<p>The door of logs was closed and barred behind us.</p> - -<p>It was a regular coffin into which we had been introduced, and save -for the light that filtered through the chinks of the logs, we would -have been in darkness. Our prison measured, perhaps, five feet square, -and we had the choice of standing in a bent position, or of throwing -ourselves upon the frozen ground carpeted with snow.</p> - -<p>“Snug quarters these!” Alec cried with an unsuccessful attempt at -cheeriness. “I have always heard it said that his Majesty had no love -for those who call themselves Americans, but never before knew he would -vent his displeasure upon boys.”</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_37">[Pg 37]</span></p> - -<p>Fearing lest he might say that which would betray somewhat of our -purpose in coming out on the lake, I added gloomily:—</p> - -<p>“If my mother could know where we are thus imprisoned it would seem -less hard; but she is like to be anxious concerning us when night -falls, and we have not returned.”</p> - -<p>Then the dear lad, catching quickly at my reason for thus speaking, -added:—</p> - -<p>“It cannot be the English soldiers will deem it a crime that we were -skating on the lake, and our release must soon come.”</p> - -<p>After that we fell silent, not daring to speak lest we reveal what -should be kept a secret, and having at heart that fear of the future -which quenched all desire for conversation.</p> - -<p>As the moments passed and we were forced to remain inactive, crouching -in the snow, exposed to the wind which came through every tiny crevice, -our limbs became chilled, and I said to myself that we were like to -freeze in these snug quarters where exercise was impossible save as one -might swing his arms to and fro.</p> - -<p>That gloom which I had assumed when we were first thrust into the pen -now took possession of me in earnest, and again did I reproach myself -with having allowed<span class="pagenum" id="Page_38">[Pg 38]</span> the headstrong Alec to go on when I knew we were -in danger.</p> - -<p>Then came that which caused us for the time to forget our private -troubles.</p> - -<p>A group of soldiers inside the hut which joined our prison, were -talking so loudly that we could hear a goodly portion of the -conversation, and Alec seized me by the hand to attract my attention -when one of the men said impatiently:—</p> - -<p>“There is no good reason why we are forced to halt here waiting for the -remainder of the regiment. I venture to say that the Yankee settlement -can be captured with threescore of men.”</p> - -<p>There was no need any one should tell us of what settlement they were -speaking. If I had not suspected before, it would have been plain to me -now, that this detachment had encamped here to make ready for an attack -upon Presque Isle.</p> - -<p>After a moment’s silence another voice asked:—</p> - -<p>“Does any one know when we are like to move?” and to this, reply was -made by the man who had first spoken, so I judged:—</p> - -<p>“When we number four hundred, I have heard it said.”</p> - -<p>“And how long are we to wait for the remainder of the detachment? Three -days seem like a month, when one is tied up here, half frozen.”</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_39">[Pg 39]</span></p> - -<p>“There is no reason why the attack could not have been made two days -ago,” the first speaker replied. “I am told that those who should join -us were halted at Port Ryers, but it is possible they may be here at -any moment.”</p> - -<p>“There is nothing to delay us an hour after they come.”</p> - -<p>Then the men began speculating upon the possible defence which might be -made by our people at Presque Isle, Alec and I listening intently for -that which would give us further hint as to the proposed movement.</p> - -<p>It appeared to be the belief of the men that our settlement would offer -but little resistance, and I was surprised to know how well informed -they were concerning the condition of affairs.</p> - -<p>I question if my father could have told them more regarding the -vessels on the stocks, or the length of time which might be required -to finish them. It was evident beyond a question that in Presque Isle -some one who had been trusted with all the details—perhaps one in -authority—was playing the traitor.</p> - -<p>During fully an hour these men talked of that which they counted to -do, treating the matter as if the capture of Presque Isle was but a -trifling task; and we—Alec and I—grew alternately hot and cold,<span class="pagenum" id="Page_40">[Pg 40]</span> as -we realized what valuable information it would be possible to give were -we at liberty.</p> - -<p>Not until nightfall was any attention paid us, and then the door of the -pen was opened, that a soldier might thrust in two small squares of -corn-bread.</p> - -<p>“The snow will serve instead of water,” he said, with a leer; and then -we were alone once more.</p> - -<p>Until this time neither of us had spoken; each was so intent upon -forming some plan of escape that he had no desire to talk of aught else.</p> - -<p>When the scanty rations had been left us, and it was understood, from -what the soldier said, that we were to remain there until morning, I -could keep silent no longer.</p> - -<p>“We will get out of this at any hazard!” I whispered to Alec. “It is -certain an attack will soon be made upon the settlement for the purpose -of destroying the half-finished vessels, and information must be -carried even at the expense of our lives.”</p> - -<p>“I grant you that, Dicky Dobbins, and am willing to venture on any -chance, however small; but first you shall tell me in what way we may -set about carrying the information.”</p> - -<p>The question I could not answer, and he knew it full well even as he -spoke.</p> - -<p>The one thing in our favor, as it seemed to me,<span class="pagenum" id="Page_41">[Pg 41]</span> was the fact that -the Britishers had not taken away the skates. When we removed them, -according to orders, I was not minded to leave behind what had cost me -two dollars in lawful money and twelve muskrat pelts, therefore slung -them over my shoulder.</p> - -<p>Now if we could but escape from this pen, with five minutes, or even -half that time, the start, there was no question in my mind but we -might get off scot-free.</p> - -<p>How to get out? That was the question I could not answer, and thus far -Alec seemed to be equally in the dark.</p> - -<p>The men in the hut adjoining our prison no longer talked sufficiently -loud for us to hear, or when they did, there were so many speaking at -the same time that we could not make out clearly the subject of the -conversation.</p> - -<p>The snow was still falling; but the air was rapidly growing colder, -and I had little question that the storm would soon cease, for the -temperature must have been several degrees below zero.</p> - -<p>To remain in this place, every corner of which was searched out by -the wind, would have been to freeze, and we ran to and fro as best we -might, thrashing our arms together with such a noise that some one in -the hut cried with a laugh:—</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_42">[Pg 42]</span></p> - -<p>“The Yankee cubs won’t be idle this night, that I’ll venture to say;” -and another, who may have had boys of his own at home, added:—</p> - -<p>“It is barbarous to leave them there without so much as a blanket. If -the shed was filled with snow, into which they might burrow, it would -not be so bad.”</p> - -<p>“A bit of chill won’t do them any harm, and in case they get home again -it will serve to show the braggarts there what awaits them if they -persist in believing it possible to prevent Britain from ruling the -sea, or the land either, for that matter.”</p> - -<p>“We may make as much noise as pleases us, and those fellows will think -only that we are trying to keep warm,” Alec whispered.</p> - -<p>“Well!” I replied, not understanding for the moment what he meant. “How -much of satisfaction will you find in making a noise?”</p> - -<p>“This much,” the lad replied; and from that moment I understood that, -despite the lack of years, he was my superior in such knowledge as -became one who would be a soldier: “Instead of walking idly to and fro, -what prevents us from spending our strength in trying to dislodge some -of these logs?”</p> - -<p>There was nothing to prevent it, as I admitted to myself; but how might -we set about it?</p> - -<p>Work of any kind would be welcome, yet it was<span class="pagenum" id="Page_43">[Pg 43]</span> necessary young Perry -show me how it might be begun.</p> - -<p>And that he did, after looking about for a moment, feeling of the -joints in each corner where the timbers were simply laid one upon -another, and only slightly dovetailed together.</p> - -<p>“The uppermost one should be pushed aside easiest,” he said at length, -“for no more than the weight of the roof rests upon it.”</p> - -<p>“Yet you must have something as a lever with which to work.”</p> - -<p>“I will use my shoulder, if it so be you can hold me on your back.”</p> - -<p>“That I will do, and for so long a time as you wish,” I replied, with -but little faith that he might succeed in his purpose.</p> - -<p>It was true nothing save the weight of the roof rested upon these -uppermost logs; but this was formed of green saplings, which, when -taken as a whole, would prove a burden far too heavy for both of us, -even though we could come at it handily, so I said to myself.</p> - -<p>However, there was no harm in trying; and so much good would come of it -that even in the failure we should be gaining needed exercise to keep -us warm.</p> - -<p>Crouching as one does who plays at leap-frog, I<span class="pagenum" id="Page_44">[Pg 44]</span> rested my hands upon -the logs forming the outer side of the pen, to hold myself steady, and -Alec stood upon my back.</p> - -<p>In this position he was forced to bend nearly double, and I saw at once -that could I hold him up when he straightened his body, something must -perforce give way.</p> - -<p>“Are you ready?” he asked in a whisper, and I, mentally bracing myself -for the effort, replied:—</p> - -<p>“Do your best; but quickly, lest I fail to hold this position.”</p> - -<p>Alec Perry is a slightly built lad, and to look at him one would say -his strength was hardly more than that of a woman, yet I soon found -that it was far in excess of what his frame indicated.</p> - -<p>For an instant it seemed as if the weight of a ton was pressing upon -my bent back, and then I heard a dull, muffled sound, as if some heavy -body had fallen into the snow on the outside.</p> - -<p>The strain upon me was lessened wonderfully, and my heart leaped with -joy and gratitude as the dear boy whispered excitedly:—</p> - -<p>“We have thrown off the top log, Dicky Dobbins, and unless there be a -sentinel outside who has heard the timber fall, we shall be free from -this pen as soon as you are minded to make the venture.”</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_45">[Pg 45]</span></p> - -<p>He leaped down from my back, and, grasping both his hands to show my -gratitude for his gallant and wondrous effort, for it was wondrous in -view of his slight body, I replied:—</p> - -<p>“We’ll count thirty, Alec, and if by that time no alarm is given, it -is for us to make good an escape, taking the chances of losing our way -in the driving snow upon the ice, rather than remain here; for now has -come the time when we may save Presque Isle from falling into the hands -of the enemy.”</p> -<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop" /> - -<div class="chapter"> -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_46">[Pg 46]</span></p> - -<h2 class="nobreak" id="CHAPTER_III">CHAPTER III.<br /><span class="small">THE ESCAPE.</span></h2> -</div> - - -<p>How it may have been with Alec Perry while we stood inside that pen, -listening eagerly, and yet fearing lest we might hear something, I know -not. As for myself, it was as if the blood in my veins was at boiling -point, and I could hardly breathe because of the sense of suffocation -which had come upon me.</p> - -<p>At first I began to count as rapidly as it was possible to speak the -figures in my thoughts, and then came the knowledge that by hastening -the time ever so little I might be destroying our chances for escape.</p> - -<p>In case the fall of the timber had been heard, and one of the soldiers -came out to learn the cause of the noise, it was possible he would fail -to observe what had been done, for the snow was so light that the log -must be concealed from view in its frosty bed.</p> - -<p>I say again, it was possible, even probable, that one or more of the -Britishers might come out and yet fail to detect what we had done; -but if Alec<span class="pagenum" id="Page_47">[Pg 47]</span> and I should begin the attempt a few moments too soon, -all would be lost. Better waste half the night than try to gain sixty -seconds of time, and in the doing cut ourselves off from all hope of -gaining liberty.</p> - -<p>Similar thoughts must have been in my comrade’s mind; for when I had -counted up to thirty, and then waited ten seconds to give fair measure, -he clutched my arm as if advising that we remain yet a little longer.</p> - -<p>And so we did, standing there hand in hand, looking toward the narrow -aperture through which lay home and freedom.</p> - -<p>While we thus hesitated there came into my mind the fear that after we -gained the outside some of the more kindly hearted Britishers would -enter the prison-pen in order to bring us coverings, lest we freeze to -death; and I literally shivered with dread, fearing so much of charity -might be bestowed upon us.</p> - -<p>Then, when we had waited fully two minutes, I could restrain my -impatience and my nervousness no longer.</p> - -<p>Surely the very beating of my heart would betray us unless flight was -begun at once.</p> - -<p>I dared not so much as whisper, so great was the fear of discovery upon -me, and pressing Alec’s hand yet more vigorously, I pointed to the -aperture.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_48">[Pg 48]</span></p> - -<p>He, understanding the gesture, motioned for me to go ahead; but that I -would not do, and rather than play so cowardly a part as to seek my own -safety first, I ventured upon speech:—</p> - -<p>“You shall lead the way, Alec, lad,” I whispered, my voice trembling -despite every effort to render it steady; “and if it so be that when -you have gained the outside the Britishers enter here, I beseech you to -strain every muscle in the attempt to escape, regardless of what they -may be doing to me.”</p> - -<p>“I will never leave a comrade alone in danger,” he said stoutly; and -for a moment it seemed as if we should come to a quarrel then and -there, while halting ’twixt liberty and imprisonment.</p> - -<p>“You must leave me, should the flight be discovered before I am out -of here,” I said earnestly, gripping his arm so hard that twenty-four -hours later I saw the imprints of my fingers upon the flesh where the -blood had settled. “It is neither your life nor mine that is to be -considered now, but the safety of Presque Isle; and I charge you, dear -lad, make your way to the settlement without loss of time, once you are -free. I pledge myself to do the same, leaving you wherever it may be -that we are halted by the enemy, in order to save the village and the -vessels, upon which so much of our country’s safety depends.”</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_49">[Pg 49]</span></p> - -<p>Now he understood what I would have him bear well in mind, and -whispered:—</p> - -<p>“One or the other of us must live to reach the village; but I pray -earnestly, Dicky, that if either falls, it be me.”</p> - -<p>This sort of a conversation was not calculated to make a timorous -fellow overly bold, and I realized at once that an end must be put to -it, else we might become so faint-hearted as to retreat even before the -advance was begun.</p> - -<p>Therefore, clasping him by the legs, I lifted him straight up until his -head and shoulders were through the aperture; and then, pushing at his -feet, I literally forced him out of the pen.</p> - -<p>Instantly this was done I reproached myself for having been so hasty, -fearing lest he, like the log, might fall, failing to find support on -the sides of the hut, and thus an alarm be given.</p> - -<p>Alec Perry was not a lad to be guilty of a blunder, even though his -comrade did his best toward forcing him into one; and in some way, -I know not how, he contrived to drop from the top of the timbers as -lightly as a cat.</p> - -<p>Listening intently, I began to clamber up the wall, gripping my fingers -into the crevices between the logs until the blood came from under my -nails, and when<span class="pagenum" id="Page_50">[Pg 50]</span> I was nearly at the top, the thought flashed upon me -that we had left our skates behind.</p> - -<p>They lay in one corner of the pen, and so great was our excitement, -when the way of escape had been opened, that neither of us so much as -thought of them.</p> - -<p>Without skates we might as well remain where we were, for it would not -be possible to walk across the lake in eight-and-forty hours.</p> - -<p>I lowered myself down, losing the advantage I had gained at the -expense of so much suffering, and thrust a pair of skates into each -coat-pocket, after which the painful task of scrambling up the side of -the pen was begun again.</p> - -<p>It seemed to me of a verity that a full hour had been spent before I -looked down from the top of the wall to see Alec making an effort to -clamber back.</p> - -<p>The time had dragged heavily with him also, and fearing lest some -mishap had befallen me, he was returning, forgetful of the promises -made to push forward at all hazards.</p> - -<p>I heard plainly the sigh of relief which escaped his lips when he saw -me, and in another instant I was lowering myself down on the outside.</p> - -<p>Free, so far as concerned the walls of the pen!</p> - -<p>Now the storm was little less than a blessing to<span class="pagenum" id="Page_51">[Pg 51]</span> us, for the wind, -howling and shrieking as it dashed the frosty particles against the -walls of the huts, must have drowned any sound which we made while -floundering through the snow.</p> - -<p>A start of five minutes was all I had asked for, and this we surely -would gain, unless it so chanced that a sentinel was stationed on the -shore, in which case we stood every chance of being recaptured.</p> - -<p>“It is necessary to go forward slowly, and by a devious way,” Alec -whispered. “It seems most likely some of the men are on guard, and it -would be a sad blow to our hopes if we ran across them now.”</p> - -<p>“We must take the chances,” I said, bolder grown since we were free -from the pen. “To leave this path would be to flounder about in the -snow or the bushes, where we must necessarily make so much noise -that any sentinel, however dull, could not fail to hear us. There is -no other course than to push ahead and trust to chances, Alec, lad. -Besides, the danger in advance is less than that behind, and if we come -upon a soldier near-by the edge of the ice, surely the two of us ought -to be more than a match for him, half stupefied by the cold as any man -must be who has remained long outside on this night.”</p> - -<p>There was no need for him to make answer. He stood ready to do -whatsoever was needed, and I venture<span class="pagenum" id="Page_52">[Pg 52]</span> to say, however great the perils -which menaced, he would not have flinched from braving them.</p> - -<p>We went forward swiftly, yet making no noise that could be avoided, and -when finally we were arrived at the shore of the lake no living thing -could be seen.</p> - -<p>“We are free, Dicky, lad! Free!” Alec cried, speaking so loudly that -I covered his mouth with my hand, lest in his joyous excitement he -work us the greatest mischief which could come upon two lads in our -situation.</p> - -<p>It can well be imagined that not a second was lost in fastening on our -skates, and when we stood erect, shod with those thin plates of steel -which would enable us to glide over the surface of the ice with the -speed of a race-horse, it was with difficulty that I could repress a -shout of triumph.</p> - -<p>We two, who had never before known by experience the horrors of war -and its usages,—we who had through carelessness allowed ourselves to -be made prisoners,—were escaped without a scratch within a few hours -of capture, and by escaping would be able to prevent Presque Isle from -being taken by surprise.</p> - -<p>When I bent my body in striking out on that long, swinging stride which -had served me time and time before, I thought with exultation that -that which had seemed the direst calamity that could come upon two<span class="pagenum" id="Page_53">[Pg 53]</span> -lads, was, in fact, a blessing in disguise, as are many of the troubles -which for the time bear us down in sorrow. Save for Alec Perry’s -foolhardiness in continuing on toward the Canadian shore, we would -never have known of that gathering of soldiery at the North Foreland, -and the people of Presque Isle, lulled into a sense of security, might -have fallen easy victims to the first assault of the redcoats.</p> - -<p>“It has been a good day’s work, Alec, boy!” I said, when we were a -mile or more from the shore, and escape was absolutely certain unless -we lost our lives in the whirl of snow, for no man in that camp could -overtake me on skates. “A good day’s work, because we have scouted to a -purpose, even though it was done ignorantly!”</p> - -<p>The dear lad’s mind went farther afield than mine, as I understood when -he added quietly, yet with a certain ring of satisfaction in his tone:—</p> - -<p>“So that we reach the village, Dicky, we have made a name for ourselves -which shall be spoken in years to come, long after we are dead, for we -will be known as the boys who saved Presque Isle and the beginnings -of the American navy. It is what Oliver has been praying might be his -good fortune, to come into some adventure which would give him an -opportunity of making a name that should live in<span class="pagenum" id="Page_54">[Pg 54]</span> history; and God -grant he succeed, for my brother is a hero, Dicky Dobbins, and some day -he will prove it to those of the king’s forces who come against him.”</p> - -<p>Fortunately at this moment I remembered that there must be an end to -this self-glorification, and a speedy one, else were we likely to come -to grief.</p> - -<p>I had heard the bravest men in Presque Isle say that the one thing they -feared the most was to be overtaken by a snow-storm while on that vast -field of ice which imprisoned the waters of Lake Erie; for few there -be who can walk or skate in a straight line amid the falling, whirling -particles of snow.</p> - -<p>We had come two miles, perhaps, from the shore by this time, and I -caught Alec’s arm, that he might take the better heed to my words, -as I explained the dangers which were before us, begging that he put -from his mind all else save the aim of moving forward as nearly in a -straight line as might be.</p> - -<p>“You shall go ahead, lad, keeping in advance so far as I am able to see -you, and perhaps by this means it will be possible for me to know when -you turn to the right or the left, as it is said one is ever inclined -to do under such circumstances.”</p> - -<p>Perhaps if it had not been for our having foolishly run into the arms -of the Britishers, Alec would have<span class="pagenum" id="Page_55">[Pg 55]</span> insisted that I was making a great -cry when no danger threatened, because he seemed to think it a simple -matter to go ahead in a straight line without anything to guide his -movements; but now that the knowledge of his foolhardiness was sharp -upon him he obeyed readily; and thus we set out on our thirty-mile -journey in the darkness, our faces stung until they burned by the icy -particles which were flung against them on the wings of the east wind.</p> - -<p>Here again did that which seemed to be a danger and a discomfort prove -a blessing. But for the wind we should have had nothing to give us the -slightest idea of the direction in which Presque Isle lay. As it was, -I could not say to a certainty that these furious blasts came from -the east, because the direction might have changed since we were made -prisoners; but I knew beyond a peradventure it had not swung around -either to the north or the south, and, therefore, if our left cheeks -were stung by the driving snow more bitterly than our right, we must be -advancing somewhere near on the desired course.</p> - -<p>During the first half-hour Alec went straight forward, and then, -growing weary, perhaps, he would swerve to one side or the other, -insisting, when I checked him, that it was I, rather than himself, who -mistook the direction.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_56">[Pg 56]</span></p> - -<p>I am making this story of our escape from the North Foreland overly -long, for it may be that what then seemed, and seems now, to me most -thrilling, will be dry reading to others. Therefore it is best I come -to a halt in this play of words, although it would be possible to fill -page after page with what we thought, and said, and did during that -long, painful night’s journey; for, although we had set out, as nearly -as we could judge, at about eight o’clock in the evening, the sun was -two hours high in the heavens before we were come to Presque Isle, so -nearly exhausted that Alec fell upon the shore, unable to move hand or -foot, when we were arrived in front of my home.</p> - -<p>Despite all our efforts we went so far astray as to strike the American -shore near Indian Bend, full eighteen miles above the village, and -arriving there during the hours of darkness, I was not able to say -positively where we were; therefore it became necessary to wait until -daylight.</p> - -<p>This halt, while it refreshed us in a certain degree, allowed our limbs -to stiffen until, when we arose to our feet again, it seemed almost -impossible to advance one foot before the other.</p> - -<p>But we were arrived at last, and could give the information which it -was so necessary our people<span class="pagenum" id="Page_57">[Pg 57]</span> should have; therefore was the work done -well, even though death had come upon us after the story was told.</p> - -<p>Strange as it may seem, we found it difficult to repeat that which we -had learned. Every man was so engrossed with the work in hand that -it appeared like a waste of time to listen to two lads who had been -pleasuring on the Point, as was supposed; and we, fatigued beyond power -of further movement, could not run from one to another insisting upon -being heard.</p> - -<p>But for the fact that Noah Brown chanced to pass near by where I was -trying to induce one of the shipwrights to listen to me, it might have -been a full hour before we gained the ear of any in authority.</p> - -<p>Once I began to speak, however, and he realized from whence we had -escaped, it can be fancied that no further entreaties on our part were -necessary.</p> - -<p>It was he who pleaded with us to tell more, and when the story of -the adventure had been repeated twice over, an alarm was given which -aroused every man, woman and child in Presque Isle.</p> - -<p>What was done toward defending the place during the first four and -twenty hours of excitement I know not, because, when our work had been -accomplished,<span class="pagenum" id="Page_58">[Pg 58]</span> Alec Perry and myself were given the needed opportunity -to sleep, and until the morning after our arrival we realized nothing -of what was passing around us.</p> - -<p>It is now well known that the Britishers did not make an attack upon -the village; but—and here I must go ahead of my story for a moment—we -learned five months later, from a prisoner, that the expected -reënforcements arrived twelve hours after our escape, and save for the -fact that we had succeeded in giving them the slip, the assault would -have been made without delay. The commandant decided, however, that the -news which we carried regarding the assembling of the forces at that -point would be sufficient to give an alarm, and concluded, with good -cause, that it was no longer possible to take Presque Isle by surprise.</p> - -<p>There was no lack of scouts on the lake from the day of our return -until the ice broke up, and in the meanwhile my father had come back -from Buffalo with a twelve-pound cannon, four chests of small arms, and -a limited supply of ammunition.</p> - -<p>It was a scanty store toward fitting out the vessels which were nearing -completion; but it served to put us all in better spirits, because, -with these much needed munitions, we could the better defend the bay.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_59">[Pg 59]</span></p> - -<p>Lest it should seem that I am vainglorious, the words which my father -spoke to Alec and myself when he learned what we two had done shall not -be set down here; but this much is necessary in order that what follows -may be understood. He agreed, in the name of Captain Perry, that we -lads should be allowed to enlist on whatsoever vessel pleased us; and -promised also, in the name of Alec’s brother, that a full report of our -adventure be sent to the Government at Washington.</p> - -<p>We still continued, so long as it was possible, to skate back and -forth on the lake within half a dozen miles of the American shore, and -perhaps I need not say that never again did Alec make any attempt at -venturing farther across than seemed absolutely necessary.</p> - -<p>When not thus employed we watched eagerly the building of the ships, -and had much discussion between ourselves as to which one we should -volunteer to serve on. For my part I was wholly at a loss to decide, -until Alec settled the question by saying:—</p> - -<p>“Where my brother is, there must be the hottest fighting, for I assure -you he will seek out the enemy whether they be disposed to give battle -or not; and when he returns from Pittsburg we shall know on which craft -we are to sail.”</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_60">[Pg 60]</span></p> - -<p>Captain Perry came back on the 10th day of April. The ice was out of -the lake, and the forces in the blockhouse at the entrance of Presque -Isle Bay were redoubled, for now we had every reason to expect the -British fleet.</p> - -<p>Two weeks after his return the three gunboats were launched, and I dare -venture to say not one person in Presque Isle, old or young, missed the -spectacle.</p> - -<p>It was a gala day in the village, and when we saw the little craft -swinging at their cables just off the landing-place, there came -to every one, I believe, to myself I know, an additional sense of -security, although these vessels were as yet uncompleted, and without -guns or ammunition.</p> - -<p>The two brigs would be ready for leaving the ways in three weeks, it -was said, and Alec and I looked forward to that day with the keenest -interest, for Captain Perry had told us that upon one of these he -should sail, while at the same time he ratified the promise made by my -father.</p> - -<p>We promised ourselves that nothing should prevent us from seeing these -two craft, which both of us felt certain would make the bravest showing -against the Britishers, leap into the water, and yet we failed of being -present.</p> - -<p>This is how it was:—</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_61">[Pg 61]</span></p> - -<p>One week before the day set for the launching a message came from -Commodore Chauncey, who was then at Buffalo, ordering Captain Perry to -join him in a certain secret enterprise against the enemy.</p> - -<p>Now Alec’s brother was not minded to take two lads with him, and would -have kept the matter secret, but that it came to us quite by accident.</p> - -<p>Emboldened by the service already rendered, we decided that it was our -right to accompany the expedition.</p> - -<p>I need not repeat the arguments which we used to persuade the captain -to receive us as volunteers. He objected to our proposition; first, -because it was not expected he should bring any force with him, and -secondly, because he must journey from Presque Isle to Buffalo in an -open four-oared boat, which, in itself, was like to be a perilous -undertaking at that season of the year.</p> - -<p>Alec had a persuasive tongue, fortunately, as I then thought, and the -result of our pleadings was that on the evening of the 23d of May, the -day before the brigs were to be launched, we two lads embarked in what -was hardly more than a skiff, manned by four oarsmen, with Captain -Perry, exulting in the thought that now were we bearing men’s parts in -the war against the enemies of our country.</p> -<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop" /> - -<div class="chapter"> -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_62">[Pg 62]</span></p> - -<h2 class="nobreak" id="CHAPTER_IV">CHAPTER IV.<br /><span class="small">THE ATTACK.</span></h2> -</div> - - - -<p>What might be the enterprise in which we were embarked on this 23d day -of May, in the year 1813, neither Alec nor I could so much as guess, -and we were not troubled because of our ignorance.</p> - -<p>So that it was an attack upon the enemy, and a venture in which was -somewhat of danger, we gave no heed.</p> - -<p>As a matter of course we speculated upon it among ourselves, and, -knowing that Captain Perry proposed to set out alone, we believed it -was something in the nature of a reconnoissance, which in itself would -have been comparatively trifling but for the fact that Alec’s brother -was making it, and he, we understood full well, would lead us as near -to the Britishers as might be agreeable.</p> - -<p>As I have said, it was evening when we set out from Presque Isle, -embarking at the old French Fort, and before having sailed a distance -of ten miles the boat was headed in for the shore.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_63">[Pg 63]</span></p> - -<p>To my mind there was good reason for this manœuvre. The wind was -blowing from the north and east a full half-gale, and it was such -weather as appeared too heavy for our small boat.</p> - -<p>Immediately after we had rounded the point on which was located the -blockhouse, and were come out into the lake, I believed the captain -would decide that it was dangerous in the extreme to make any attempt -at continuing the journey, and my relief was great when the bow of the -craft grated upon the sand.</p> - -<p>“If this is to be the end of our travels we need not have wasted so -much breath in asking permission to join the party,” Alec whispered to -me, laughingly, but ere I could reply my father stepped out from the -bushes, pushed off the boat as he leaped into it without speaking, and -the voyage was resumed before we had fully come to a halt.</p> - -<p>Now it was we understood that some plan of operations had been decided -upon beforehand, else would Captain Perry and my father have held -converse with each other; but, instead, they sat in the stern-sheets -intent, so far as we could see, only upon the progress which we might -make by aid of oars.</p> - -<p>Noting the expression on each man’s face I grew more serious in mind, -understanding full well that they had in view something of a grave -nature, otherwise words<span class="pagenum" id="Page_64">[Pg 64]</span> would have passed between them, whereas both -held silent; while our boatmen fought against the angry waves of the -lake as if some great reward awaited them in event of a successful -ending of the voyage.</p> - -<p>This much Alec saw as well as did I, for he whispered, after we had -pushed out on the angry waters again, forcing our way against wind and -wave half a mile or more, during which time no person in the boat had -so much as spoken:—</p> - -<p>“Where think you, Richard Dobbins, is to be the end of this adventure?” -And I answered him, having in mind our captivity at Port Rowan:—</p> - -<p>“It is like that we will head, so soon as the wind permits, for some -point on the Canadian shore. Perhaps neither your brother nor my father -firmly believes all we told them regarding the gathering of Britishers, -and are now come to make a reconnoissance, since the ice is broken up -and it is possible for troops to cross the lake.”</p> - -<p>It would have been as well had we held our peace, for neither Alec nor -I guessed at the meaning of this voyage, as was shown when the night -grew older.</p> - -<p>Instead of proceeding toward the Canadian shore, as would have been -easier under all the circumstances, we hugged the land so far as was -possible, steadily advancing within what might well be called the -American<span class="pagenum" id="Page_65">[Pg 65]</span> boundaries, straight on toward Buffalo, and were it not for -the fact of what followed after we were on the banks of the Niagara -River, I would write much concerning the dangers of that night voyage, -when not only once, but twenty times, were we in great peril of being -overset by the angry waves.</p> - -<p>However, because of what followed, this venture, which at the time -seemed in the highest degree hazardous, came to appear as nothing, and -must be passed over with but few words.</p> - -<p>Therefore let me set it down that during every moment of all the long -night we two lads believed our lives were near to being ended.</p> - -<p>Every wave which buffeted our slight craft sent the water in over -rail or stern, and brought her down so low that the water broke over -us until we were forced to bail with all our might, else had we been -swamped.</p> - -<p>In such manner did the night pass, and when morning broke we were at -Buffalo, neither Alec nor I understanding what purpose could have -brought us there.</p> - -<p>We had a fairly good idea, however, when, with such horses as could -most readily be procured, we four—meaning Captain Perry, my father, -Alec, and I—set out by land, riding during that day and part of<span class="pagenum" id="Page_66">[Pg 66]</span> the -next night until we were come to Lewiston, when we made a halt.</p> - -<p>Then a council was held, in which we had no part, but I heard Captain -Perry say to my father at the close of it:—</p> - -<p>“You will ride back to Schlosser, and there make ready boats in which -to transport laborers who will hasten the work upon our squadron at -Presque Isle, if it so be we are successful in the venture.”</p> - -<p>Whereupon my father asked:—</p> - -<p>“But if it so be that you fail in the enterprise?”</p> - -<p>“To my mind there is no such possibility. Fort George must be taken -within four and twenty hours after our arrival, and from that point -we will detach as many men as are needed for the movement which we -contemplate upon the lake.”</p> - -<p>Thus it was that Alec and I gained an inkling of the whole scheme.</p> - -<p>Fort George, on the Canadian shore, just south of Newark, was to -be attacked by our forces, most likely under command of Commodore -Chauncey, and we lads, who burned to distinguish ourselves, would be -given the opportunity within a few hours.</p> - -<p>My father turned back agreeably to the commands he had received, and -we three continued on until we arrived at the shore of Lake Ontario, -near-by Fort<span class="pagenum" id="Page_67">[Pg 67]</span> Niagara, off which was lying the American fleet, -consisting of such vessels as the <i>Madison</i>, <i>Oneida</i>, -<i>Lady of the Lake</i>, <i>Ontario</i>, and five or six others whose -names shall appear as this narrative progresses.</p> - -<p>It was a hearty reception with which we met when, having come to the -shore, signals were made to our vessels in the offing, and a boat put -out from the <i>Madison</i>, which for the time was flying Commodore -Chauncey’s flag.</p> - -<p>Leaving our horses in the care of friendly-disposed people near at -hand, we embarked in the commodore’s barge, and on stepping aboard the -<i>Madison</i>, Commodore Chauncey said, taking Captain Perry warmly by -the hand:—</p> - -<p>“No person on earth could be more welcome at this time than yourself.”</p> - -<p>It was as if these words had been spoken to us two lads personally, -and immediately Alec and I were puffed up with pride, sharing for the -moment all the honor which was given to the captain.</p> - -<p>It was not with any idea of spinning out a yarn regarding the capture -of Fort George that I first set myself down to this task, but rather to -tell how Captain Oliver Perry won renown for himself on the waters of -Lake Erie, and also to describe the slight share which we two lads had -in the gaining of his glory.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_68">[Pg 68]</span></p> - -<p>Therefore it is that all which was done here nearabout Lake Ontario -shall be given in the fewest words possible to a fair understanding. So -far as we two lads are concerned, it may well be passed over briefly, -for although our intentions were good, and we had fancied the moment -was come when we could play the part of men, Alec Perry and I were -little more than spectators during this, the first of warfare I had -ever witnessed.</p> - -<p>But even to so skeleton-like a tale as this must be, some words of -description are necessary, in order that what share Captain Perry had -in the victory may thoroughly be understood.</p> - -<p>The commander of the American forces was General Henry Dearborn, and of -the American squadron, as I have before said, Commodore Isaac Chauncey.</p> - -<p>Of our land force, fit for duty, there were said to be over four -thousand, including the troops under command of Major-General Lewis -in Fort Niagara. Our people had, in addition to the fort I have just -named, what was known as the Salt Battery, opposite Fort George, and -two other batteries between it and Fort Niagara.</p> - -<p>General Dearborn was so sick at this time as to be unable to take -any active part in the operations; but his chief of staff, Colonel -Winfield Scott, represented him ably, and during an interview between -the commodore<span class="pagenum" id="Page_69">[Pg 69]</span> and the general in command, it was decided that Captain -Oliver Perry should have full charge of the task of landing the troops -when the attack was begun.</p> - -<p>Further preparations on our side consisted of building a large number -of small boats at Five-Mile Meadow, and orders were sent for them to be -brought around to Four-Mile Creek on the evening of the 26th of May, -when an interview between our commanders was held. These skiffs were to -be used, as a matter of course, in the landing of the troops.</p> - -<p>So much for the American forces; now for the British.</p> - -<p>There were nearabout the fort which Commodore Chauncey and General -Dearborn counted on taking, English regulars to the number of eighteen -hundred, under command of Brigadier-General John Vincent. In addition, -there were three hundred and fifty militia and fifty Indians under -Colonel Harvey.</p> - -<p>It was said by our spies that the enemy’s force extended on the right -from Fort George to Brown’s Point, and on the left to Four-Mile -Creek and the Canadian side of the river; while in the rear of the -fortifications a number of companies were stationed to support each -other when required.</p> - -<p>Besides Fort George, the Britishers had several<span class="pagenum" id="Page_70">[Pg 70]</span> smaller works along -the shore of the Niagara River and Lake Ontario. One twenty-four pound -gun was set up about half a mile from Newark, and their principal -battery was at the mouth of Two-Mile Creek.</p> - -<p>All this Alec and I learned while we remained on board the -<i>Madison</i>, awaiting some word from Captain Perry, who was in -consultation with the leaders of the American forces.</p> - -<p>The sailors, knowing my father full well by reputation, for he was said -to be one of the most skilful navigators upon the lakes, were more than -ready to talk with me; but before the summer was come to an end it was -Alec Perry to whom they gave their confidences, rather than to the son -of Daniel Dobbins.</p> - -<p>It was only natural we two lads should believe, having come thus far, -that we would be allowed to share in the battle which all knew must -follow, because, in such strong position as was the enemy, he would -not allow his fortifications to be taken from him without a spirited -resistance; but we were soon made to understand that however valuable -we believed our services might prove, they were not to be accepted.</p> - -<p>When, on the evening of the 26th, the final arrangements were made for -an attack upon the British fort, and the leaders of the expedition had -come on board<span class="pagenum" id="Page_71">[Pg 71]</span> the <i>Madison</i>, General Dearborn accompanying them -despite his illness, Alec’s brother explained to us, in a tone which -admitted of no discussion, what part we were to take in the action of -the morrow.</p> - -<p>“You will stay quietly aboard the <i>Madison</i>, and under no -circumstances make any attempt at accompanying the troops when they -land. I have allowed you lads to remain with me thus far; but with the -promise to Captain Dobbins that you should have no further share in the -attack, than that of spectators.”</p> - -<p>A bitter disappointment it was, indeed, to see our people prepared for -a battle which we firmly believed would result in a victory for the -Americans, and yet remain idly by while glory, and perhaps fame, was to -be won.</p> - -<p>Because Alec stood silent when his brother had thus spoken, I -understood that it would be useless to make any effort at persuading -the captain into recalling the command given, and swallowed my -disappointment as best I might.</p> - -<p>Therefore it is that I am all the more willing to pass over the capture -of Fort George with the fewest possible words.</p> - -<p>Late in the afternoon the boats, which I have said had been built at -Five-Mile Meadow, were pulled around to Four-Mile Creek, and this work -brought on<span class="pagenum" id="Page_72">[Pg 72]</span> a general fire between the forts and batteries in the -immediate vicinity; but, save for the destruction of several houses -along the river bank, no injury was inflicted on either side.</p> - -<p>From sunset until midnight the heavy artillery and a portion of the -troops were embarked on the <i>Madison</i>, the <i>Oneida</i>, and the -<i>Lady of the Lake</i>, while the remainder of the force, including -the horses, were taken on board the newly constructed boats.</p> - -<p>It can well be supposed that no heed was given to sleep after the work -of embarkation had been concluded; all awaited the signal for the -advance, knowing it must speedily come.</p> - -<p>It was near to daybreak when our squadron got under way, and Alec and I -stood on the after part of the <i>Madison</i> vainly trying to see, in -the darkness and the fog, what was being done.</p> - -<p>We could hear on every hand the murmur of voices, the creaking of oars -in rowlocks, the neighing of horses, and the flapping of sails; but -could see nothing.</p> - -<p>It gave one a most singular sensation to be shut in by the dense, gray -vapor, and yet to know from the various noises that on all sides were -men making ready to take the lives of others, or to sacrifice their own.</p> - -<p>The officers of the expedition, and among them as<span class="pagenum" id="Page_73">[Pg 73]</span> a matter of course -was Captain Perry, remained by themselves, as was proper, and we two -lads would have given much just then could we have had speech with -Alec’s brother, in order that he might explain certain movements which -to us were mystifying.</p> - -<p>Then, suddenly, as it were, the heavy mist lifted and the sun shone out -clear and warm, lighting up the waters which were covered here, there, -and everywhere, seemingly as far as the eye could reach, with vessels -and small boats, all laden with men and implements of warfare.</p> - -<p>It was a sight such as few lads could ever have the privilege of -witnessing, and for a time I believed there was nothing so grand or so -noble as war.</p> - -<p>With the rising of the fog the wind freshened, and the vessels of the -fleet advanced according to the programme mapped out.</p> - -<p>The schooners <i>Julia</i> and <i>Growler</i> took up position at the -mouth of the river, engaging the battery near the lighthouse where it -was intended to land a portion of the troops. A short distance away -toward the north, the <i>Ontario</i> came about to command the same -position.</p> - -<p>The <i>Governor Tompkins</i> and the <i>Conquest</i> were moored near -Two-Mile Creek in front of a small battery where the remainder of our -men were to be set<span class="pagenum" id="Page_74">[Pg 74]</span> ashore. Coming up with these two schooners were the -<i>Hamilton</i>, the <i>Asp</i>, and the <i>Scourge</i>, and before -they were all in such position as had been previously agreed upon, the -batteries on both sides of the river opened fire.</p> - -<p>The first notes of the battle were being sounded.</p> - -<p>Now had come the time for Alec’s brother to display that courage which -afterward won for him so great a name, and we two lads gave more heed -to his movements than to all else beside.</p> - -<p>The <i>Governor Tompkins</i> and the <i>Conquest</i> immediately opened -fire on the battery they were ordered to silence, and the wind, which -was momentarily increasing in force, swept away the smoke until we from -the deck of the <i>Madison</i> could see all that took place.</p> - -<p>It seemed to me as if no more than five minutes elapsed before the -Britishers fled from their earth-works, and Captain Perry had leaped -overboard from the foremost of the fleet of boats, wading to the shore, -with the men close behind him like a party of school-boys at play.</p> - -<p>Colonel Scott was not far in the rear of Alec’s brother, and these two -brave men led the way up the embankment, despite the rapid musketry -firing which was poured upon them from Britishers concealed in the -thicket hard by.</p> - -<p class="center p0 p2"><span class="figcenter" id="img001"> - <img src="images/001.jpg" class="w50" alt="CAPTAIN PERRY HAD LEAPED OVERBOARD FROM THE FOREMOST OF -THE FLEET OF BOATS." /> -</span></p> -<p class="center p0 caption">“CAPTAIN PERRY HAD LEAPED OVERBOARD FROM THE FOREMOST OF -THE FLEET OF BOATS.”<br /></p> - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_75">[Pg 75]</span></p> - -<p>Even to Alec and I, who were ignorant regarding what is called the -“art” of warfare, it seemed as if the schooners were not discharging -their guns as rapidly as possible, while the Britishers ashore were -pouring a hot fire into our men.</p> - -<p>Without being really conscious of the fact, we set up a shout of -exultation when we saw Captain Perry push off in a boat alone, -regardless of the bullets which were falling into the water in every -direction, and row toward the nearest schooner.</p> - -<p>In less than three minutes from the time he stepped on board the vessel -we knew for what purpose he had gone. The schooner’s guns were served -much more rapidly than before, and then it was that the captain went -ashore again to take his full share in the conflict which was raging, -for now indeed was the battle on.</p> - -<p>Because of the smoke, we two lads could not see plainly all that was -done; but General Dearborn, with a glass at his eyes, followed the -action closely, and by the words which fell from his lips at frequent -intervals we understood that our men were more than holding their own.</p> - -<p>It is said that the battle lasted only about twenty minutes; but I -could equally well have believed it was half that time, or even so long -as three hours, so wrought up by excitement was I.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_76">[Pg 76]</span></p> - -<p>However, we knew full well when the shouts from the shore, and the -rapid forward movements of our men, told that the victory had been -won,—that Fort George was ours,—and even though we two lads had had -no share in the fighting, we raised our voices as loudly in triumph as -did those whose brave deeds had vanquished the foe.</p> - -<p>As we afterward learned, our loss in the battle was about forty killed -and an hundred wounded; while of the British fifty-one were killed -and eight hundred and twelve regulars and militiamen either wounded, -missing, or made prisoners.</p> - -<p>Alec and I, still forced to remain aboard the <i>Madison</i> because -of the orders given by Captain Perry, knew little of what was being -done until far into the night, when we heard that the British -commander, General Vincent, was in full retreat; that all the enemy’s -fortifications on the Niagara River were abandoned because of the -victory just won.</p> - -<p>It was near to daybreak next morning when Captain Perry came on board -the flag-ship and told us that we were to set out on the return to -Presque Isle without</p> - -<p>And so we did, beginning the journey within half an hour after sunrise, -despite the fact that Alec’s brother had not slept for eight and -forty hours,<span class="pagenum" id="Page_77">[Pg 77]</span> making all speed down the river as if our army had been -defeated, and we were fleeing in wild disorder before a victorious -enemy.</p> - -<p>We understood full well, however, why our return must be made with such -great speed.</p> - -<p>There were at the Black Rock Navy-Yard, above Buffalo, five vessels -which had been prepared for warlike service, and peradventure we could -arrive there before the British destroyed the place, these craft might -be ladened with such material as we at Presque Isle stood most in need.</p> - -<p>Even now, after so long a time has passed, it seems to me that I might -profitably fill many pages with an account of our journey down the -river, the halt at Black Rock Navy-Yard, the loading of those vessels -built by Henry Eckford, and of the passage back to Presque Isle when, -with a force of two hundred soldiers, as many sailors as could be -hired, and all the oxen to be found in the vicinity, these craft, so -sadly needed by our people, were towed, or tracked, along the shore of -the lake.</p> - -<p>There was much of interest which befell us on the way during this long -and tedious journey, for we did not get the vessels loaded and into -Buffalo until the 6th of June, nor sail from there until the 13th, when -Captain Perry lay in his berth on board the <i>Caledonia</i><span class="pagenum" id="Page_78">[Pg 78]</span> sick with -what appeared to be a fever, and it seemed to Alec and I as if, because -of this illness, all which had been accomplished was set at naught, so -far as concerned the getting under way of the fleet that had been begun -by my father.</p> -<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop" /> - -<div class="chapter"> -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_79">[Pg 79]</span></p> - -<h2 class="nobreak" id="CHAPTER_V">CHAPTER V.<br /><span class="small">THE BRITISH FLEET.</span></h2> -</div> - - - -<p>As I have said, our little fleet sailed from Buffalo on the 13th of -June, and on board the <i>Caledonia</i> Captain Perry lay sick with a -fever.</p> - -<p>Perhaps Alec and I were the only two who placed such great dependence -upon the leader of this expedition. It may be that others, better -informed concerning such matters, held to it that there were many who -could fill the place to which Oliver Perry had been appointed; but in -my mind his death meant the direst disaster—his sickness the deferring -of all our hopes.</p> - -<p>As a matter of course Alec and I were also embarked on the -<i>Caledonia</i>, for we two played the part of nurses to the -fever-stricken captain, and although as ignorant in matters of sickness -as we were in the art of warfare, I dare venture to say the invalid -never suffered for anything whatsoever that it was within our power to -give him.</p> - -<p>I was distressed in mind because of Captain Perry’s<span class="pagenum" id="Page_80">[Pg 80]</span> illness so as to -give no heed to the fact that we were making our way toward Presque -Isle at imminent danger of being captured by the enemy, although even -the dullest member of the party could have said beyond a peradventure -that the British had vessels in plenty on Lake Erie, and would most -likely be on the lookout for those who were returning from the -successful attack upon Fort George.</p> - -<p>One thing that both of us lads were alive to, however, was the slow -progress our fleet was making.</p> - -<p>The breeze was hardly more than strong enough to ruffle the surface -of the waters, and during the first four-and-twenty hours we advanced -only that number of miles, Captain Perry meanwhile eating his heart out -with impatience because of the dull sailing, thereby giving us quite as -severe a task as we could perform in keeping him below according to Dr. -Parson’s orders.</p> - -<p>When we were thus come twenty-four miles in as many hours, and the -little fleet of vessels and boats lay becalmed upon the mirror-like -lake, a canoe, in which were two men, put out from the American shore, -one of the boatmen paddling vigorously, while the other waved a small -flag in such manner as gave us to understand that they were either -fleeing from pursuit, or bringing important intelligence.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_81">[Pg 81]</span></p> - -<p>Becalmed as the <i>Caledonia</i> was, we could do no less than await -the coming of these strangers, even had we been otherwise disposed; -and when they were finally arrived on board we had ample food for -reflection and fear.</p> - -<p>The British squadron, under command of Captain Finnis, was even -at that time searching for us, so the newcomers reported; within -eight-and-forty hours they had passed over this same course, and in -such force as boded ill for us should we chance to come upon them.</p> - -<p>The squadron consisted, so we were told, of the ship <i>Queen -Charlotte</i>, carrying seventeen guns; the schooner <i>Lady -Prevost</i>, with thirteen guns; the brig <i>Hunter</i>, having ten -guns; the schooner <i>Little Belt</i>, mounting three guns, and the -<i>Chippewa</i>, of one gun.</p> - -<p>Our little fleet consisted of the brig <i>Caledonia</i>, mounting -two small guns (the same craft which had been captured on the ninth -of October under the guns of Fort Erie by the expedition in command -of Lieutenant Elliott); the schooner <i>Somers</i>, which carried -one long twenty-four-pounder; the schooner <i>Ariel</i>, with one -long eighteen-pounder; the schooner <i>Ohio</i>, with one long -twenty-four-pounder, and the sloop <i>Contractor</i>,<a id="FNanchor_2" href="#Footnote_2" class="fnanchor">[2]</a> with one long -eighteen-pounder, to say nothing of the small boats.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_82">[Pg 82]</span></p> - -<p>Taking all our armament into account, we could add to such a number of -guns as I have mentioned, perhaps two hundred muskets, therefore it -behooved us to keep out of the way if possible.</p> - -<p>When those who brought the disagreeable intelligence came on board the -<i>Caledonia</i>, Captain Perry was lying in his berth; Dr. Parsons had -just given him a most bitter potion, and Alec and I stood by with fans, -for the heat in the close cabin was almost unbearable.</p> - -<p>I watched the young captain closely, expecting to see some show of fear -when he learned in what force the enemy had mustered; but it was as if -that which to nearly every one was most unwelcome intelligence, only -served to animate him.</p> - -<p>Despite the doctor’s angry protest and Alec’s pleading, the captain -leaped to his feet, and of a verity I believe that the information -brought by the strangers did more toward breaking up the fever which -had held him captive, than any of the drugs Dr. Parsons administered.</p> - -<p>From that moment it was as if he had never been ill, and without delay -every precaution was made for defence, much as though he counted on -forcing a battle with the enemy should we come within range, instead of -running away, as would have been the proper manœuvre.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_83">[Pg 83]</span></p> - -<p>Such weapons as we had were distributed among those on the small boats -as well as the vessels, and from that time until we were come safely -within the sheltering arms of Presque Isle bay each man remained on the -alert, even the most cowardly excited to bravery by the bold spirit -which our young captain displayed.</p> - -<p>I might go on at great length, describing how the entire force was -divided into two watches so that the Britishers might not take us by -surprise; telling of this or that alarm which caused us to believe a -battle to be near at hand, and sent the blood bounding within my veins -until I trembled with fear lest the fever of excitement should be that -of cowardice; but where there is so much to be related, such incidents -as then seemed of importance, but were afterward shown to be trifling, -have no place in the tale that has for one of its characters such a man -as Captain Perry.</p> - -<p>We entered Presque Isle bay on the 19th of June at three o’clock in the -afternoon, and the <i>Caledonia</i>, which was hove to outside until -every other craft crossed the bar, had no sooner gained the shelter of -the land than the British squadron arrived in sight.</p> - -<p>Now, indeed, did Alec and I witness the preparations for a battle. The -small boats were immediately<span class="pagenum" id="Page_84">[Pg 84]</span> ordered inshore with the tidings, and -from the easternmost battery to the blockhouse farthest west on the -mainland, the note of alarm was sounded.</p> - -<p>Our little fleet was drawn up at the entrance of the bay; the gunboats -and brigs, although not yet completed, were moored near at hand, -but inside our line of battle, that they might be used as floating -batteries for militiamen, and when the sun went down I question if -there was an American within sight or sound of these preparations who -did not believe the British would make an attack before morning.</p> - -<p>And yet all of us were happily disappointed, for while we nerved -ourselves for the struggle which it seemed certain must come, the -most sanguine among us—and I believe I am warranted in putting among -them Captain Perry himself—could not have believed we might come out -victorious in a struggle with such a squadron as was under command of -Captain Finnis.</p> - -<p>However, we gave the Britishers every opportunity, determined to make -as brave a fight as might be, and knowing full well that when we were -beaten it would not be because we lacked in pluck.</p> - -<p>This much I set down as information—not in the spirit of boasting, -and in no wise to praise myself, for throughout it all I felt timorous -when Alec was most brave, and near to being cowardly when Captain<span class="pagenum" id="Page_85">[Pg 85]</span> -Oliver was panting to meet the enemy. It is regarding the inhabitants -of Presque Isle, who stood ready to defend the town, that I speak when -writing of stout-heartedness, and not of myself.</p> - -<p>Well, the king’s squadron cruised off and on the entrance of the bay -from nearabout three o’clock in the afternoon until the next morning -at ten, and then, instead of standing boldly in when, after a few -hard knocks, they might have gotten the best of our little force and -destroyed what was the beginning of a navy, they turned about, beating -as plain a retreat as if we had gone out to drive them away.</p> - -<p>Alec was disappointed, because he believed his brother had lost an -opportunity of distinguishing himself, while I rejoiced, knowing that -for the time being at least we avoided an encounter which could have -had but one ending.</p> - -<p>War, when one looks at it from a distance, may appear very fine; but -I assure whoever shall chance to read these lines that it wears a -different aspect when one is forced to take a part in it. There is -more glory seen from afar than at short range, and so much regarding -fighting I can say from my own experience.</p> - -<p>The unfinished gunboats and brigs were sent back to the shipyards when -it was known beyond peradventure<span class="pagenum" id="Page_86">[Pg 86]</span> that the enemy had turned tail, and -the <i>Caledonia</i>, and two or three others which had been brought -down from Black Rock Navy-Yard, remained on guard at the entrance of -the bay.</p> - -<p>The brave Captain Finnis, with a force fully three times as large as -ours, had decided that it might be neither healthy nor agreeable for -him to stir up so much of the American eagle as was represented by our -little force at Presque Isle.</p> - -<p>Then the <i>Caledonia</i> also came inside, being moored just opposite -the town, and for the first time since we had set out with Captain -Perry did I have an opportunity of speaking with my mother.</p> - -<p>She, good soul, was as pleased at seeing me as I at being with her, and -during fully two hours I realized as never did a boy before how much of -comfort there is to be found at home.</p> - -<p>Alec shared in my pleasure to a certain degree, and I believe he hoped, -as did I, that we might remain many days ashore, for our expedition to -Fort George had not brought us overly much of happiness, and surely -none of glory.</p> - -<p>Then, when it seemed that my sense of enjoyment was keenest, when the -pleasure of being at home was at its height, the second mate of the -schooner <i>Ariel</i> presented himself at the door of my father’s<span class="pagenum" id="Page_87">[Pg 87]</span> -house, and after stiffly saluting my mother, who had answered his -summons, said:—</p> - -<p>“Captain Dobbins’ compliments, and he asks that you will send to him -immediately the two young gentlemen. They have been detailed for -special service.”</p> - -<p>Saluting again, the sailor returned to the shore, and I can answer that -two of the three in the house at that time were made heavy hearted -because of his message.</p> - -<p>Whatever Alec may have thought, I know not; he professed to be well -pleased at the idea of active service, for it could readily be -understood that such was the meaning, for us, of the summons.</p> - -<p>My mother, dear soul, struggling hard to prevent any sign of -disappointment from displaying itself on her face, bustled around as -if her feelings might be kept in check by employment. She made up a -package of provisions, knowing that however great was the grief in our -hearts the time must come when such as she could provide would be most -acceptable; and I, not minded that Alec might see any show of weakness -in me, refrained from the loving embrace which no lad should be ashamed -to bestow upon his mother.</p> - -<p>Then I led the way out of the house with no more than a wave of my -hand in token of adieu, and ten minutes later we were standing on the -<i>Ariel’s</i> deck.</p> - -<p>I had noticed a trim-looking craft, which I took for<span class="pagenum" id="Page_88">[Pg 88]</span> a pleasure boat, -lying alongside when we came aboard; but gave no other heed to it at -the moment, save as I said to myself that we had visitors from along -the lake front, who, perchance, had brought such information as led to -the summons sent Alec and I.</p> - -<p>“Captain Perry is in his cabin on the <i>Caledonia</i>, and the -doctor’s orders are that he be not disturbed, because the fever is -showing itself once more,” my father said gravely, and I knew from -the expression on his face, as well as his manner of speaking, that -he had something of a serious import to impart. “It is reported that -the British are concentrating at Long Point, and I would have you two -lads make the attempt at discovering if such be true. The work can more -safely be done by boys than men. The small craft which lays alongside -is provisioned for a short cruise, and in her you should be able to -reconnoitre the Canadian shore without much risk of being captured.”</p> - -<p>It was not for me to question the command, even though given by my -father, and yet so great was the surprise which came with his words -that I lost sight entirely of what might be military duty.</p> - -<p>“Is our fleet to remain idle here in the bay?” I asked, and the same -question was written on Alec’s face, although he had more good sense -than to put it into words.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_89">[Pg 89]</span></p> - -<p>“Even though all the vessels were ready we could not sail without men. -The soldiers who came up with us from Buffalo as a guard have been -ordered back, and, as you well know, we have no more of a force at -present than is sufficient to handle one of the brigs.”</p> - -<p>“Then of what avail was it to build a fleet here at Presque Isle?” I -asked stupidly.</p> - -<p>“We have had reason to expect reënforcements long before this; but at -present the only move that can be made is to acquaint ourselves with -what the enemy may be doing. Go on board the small boat, and, without -running heedlessly into danger, gain all the information that may be -possible, returning here only when you have news of importance to -impart.”</p> - -<p>It was easy to see that the subject was a sore one with him, and I -needed not much experience in such matters to understand that a man -like my father would feel most bitterly the necessity of remaining idle -while the enemy was within striking distance.</p> - -<p>As he felt, so probably did Captain Perry, and Alec and I came to know -later how these two brave men chafed, being held prisoners within the -harbor, as it were, when a few miles away was an opportunity, not only -to win renown for themselves, but to strike a blow in aid of their -country.</p> - -<p>I understood only a portion of this at the time; but<span class="pagenum" id="Page_90">[Pg 90]</span> that little was -enough to prevent me from saying anything more, and obeying Alec’s -gestures I turned about to go over the rail into the small boat.</p> - -<p>My father stopped me with a touch on the shoulder, and as I turned, he -said, looking affectionately into my eyes:—</p> - -<p>“Be careful, Richard. Go so far as an American should, regarding -not your own life when there is need that it should be sacrificed; -but having a heed to your steps when nothing can be accomplished by -venturing.”</p> - -<p>Then he wheeled about as if not minded to see us depart, and Alec and I -went over the <i>Ariel’s</i> rail into as trim a pleasure boat as I had -ever seen.</p> - -<p>She was perhaps eighteen feet long, with a sort of cuddy aft where one -might be sheltered in case of a storm, and rigged in sloop fashion, -carrying a single jib and mainsail.</p> - -<p>There was a light breeze from the south, and when we, having cast off -the painter, hoisted the canvas, the little craft slipped away from the -schooner’s side as if under the influence of a full gale of wind.</p> - -<p>Not until we were well out into the lake did either of us lads make any -comment upon this mission with which we had been intrusted, and perhaps -we held silent the longer because it had come to us so suddenly<span class="pagenum" id="Page_91">[Pg 91]</span> that -we were embarked in the enterprise before fully realizing it had been -begun.</p> - -<p>After we were two or three miles from the shore my thoughts went back -to that winter afternoon when, having come on much the same course -across the ice, we ran into the enemy’s hands, and all the details of -that disagreeable venture came into my mind. The unpleasant memories -must have shown themselves in my face, for Alec, who was sitting well -forward while I minded the helm, said banteringly:—</p> - -<p>“Now that you are put in command of a vessel, the weight of -responsibility seems to bow you down.”</p> - -<p>“It does indeed,” I replied, surprising him by turning that which he -counted should be a jest into a serious remark. “Not that I think my -responsibility any greater than yours; but to my mind we are set out on -a venture wherein is far more of danger than we have yet encountered.”</p> - -<p>“And you draw a long mouth because we may, perchance, run our heads -into some peril?” he asked reproachfully.</p> - -<p>“It is not that which troubles me so greatly, Alec Perry, as you should -know full well by this time, having been comrades with me these three -months. My gloomy thoughts are not brought about by fear<span class="pagenum" id="Page_92">[Pg 92]</span> of what may -come to us; but because of the condition of affairs, as has just been -represented to us.”</p> - -<p>“And are you but this moment come to realize that we have built -vessels, and yet have no force to man them? Has it just dawned upon you -that the British can enter Presque Isle with but little opposition?”</p> - -<p>“I had believed sailors would be sent as soon as needed,” I replied, -looking at him in surprise, for there was a certain bitterness in his -tone which gave me to understand he had been turning the unpleasant -thought in his mind for many a day. “How long is it since you have had -an understanding of the situation?”</p> - -<p>“When we lay at the Black Rock Navy-Yard I half surprised, half forced -Oliver into a confession that he was sorely disappointed because no -heed had been given his request for men.”</p> - -<p>“And said nothing to me?”</p> - -<p>“I promised him I would hold my peace until the fact should be apparent -to all.”</p> - -<p>“Why such secrecy?”</p> - -<p>“He feared any word from himself or me might be misconstrued, and that -the people would think we gave ourselves up to complaint, instead of -trying to make the best of what was a sorry affair. Now, since your -father has spoken, there is no reason why I should longer hold my -peace.”</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_93">[Pg 93]</span></p> - -<p>Then the lad repeated all his brother had said to him, and I, who -should from my own observation have understood long since the true -situation, now for the first time got an inkling of the defenceless -position in which was Presque Isle.</p> - -<p>I learned that Captain Perry had been ordered again and again by the -officials at Washington to make some demonstration against the enemy, -although it was well known that he had no more than sufficient force to -man one of the brigs.</p> - -<p>I had previously believed many of our recruits were in the hospital, -but until now was not aware a full fifth of them were unfit for duty, -and that even though it was possible the <i>Caledonia</i> alone might -deal some disastrous blow to the British, she could not be sent out in -proper trim.</p> - -<p>Should Captain Finnis visit the bay with his cruising squadron on this -day, he would encounter but little opposition, and the town, as well as -our nearly completed fleet, would be at his mercy.</p> - -<p>We talked long regarding the situation, Alec and I, wondering why the -officials at Washington should neglect us so entirely—why Captain -Perry had been sent up from Newport to take charge of a force which had -no existence; but could hit upon nothing by way of a solution to what -seemed like a mystery.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_94">[Pg 94]</span></p> - -<p>It was a sorry beginning to a voyage full of dangers, as ours must -necessarily be, and at the time it seemed that by declaring war against -the Britishers the people of the United States had compassed their own -destruction.</p> - -<p>So despondent had we two lads become by this time that little heed was -given to anything around, although liberty and perhaps life itself -depended upon our vigilance. It was as if we were sailing the boat only -for our own pleasure, regardless of where the wind might bear us, and -we failed to keep even an ordinary lookout.</p> - -<p>Therefore it was that both Alec and I were startled—almost -frightened—when suddenly there came as if from out of the water, the -cry:—</p> - -<p>“Boat ahoy!”</p> - -<p>For an instant I stared at Alec stupidly, and then, realizing how -careless we had been, I sprang to my feet, looking wildly about.</p> - -<p>The cry was repeated, and by bending outboard ever so slightly I saw -just ahead of us, where we must have run her down had we held the -course two or three minutes longer, a small boat, better known to us -in Presque Isle by the name of bateau—a craft half canoe, half skiff, -such as the Canadians use on swiftly running water—and in her, but -making no effort to<span class="pagenum" id="Page_95">[Pg 95]</span> paddle out of the way, was a lad of about my own -age, who waved his arms frantically to attract our attention.</p> - -<p>I pulled the tiller up so that we might pass him on the starboard side, -and as our boat swung off I understood why he had remained idle until -we were near to running him down.</p> - -<p>In the bateau was not so much as a paddle. The lad was powerless to -direct her movements, and I stared at him stupidly in amazement, -wondering how it chanced that he should thus be drifting so far from -land at the mercy of wind and wave.</p> - - -<div class="footnotes"><h3>FOOTNOTES:</h3> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a id="Footnote_2" href="#FNanchor_2" class="label">[2]</a> Afterward renamed the <i>Trippe</i>.</p> - -</div> -</div> -<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop" /> - -<div class="chapter"> -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_96">[Pg 96]</span></p> - -<h2 class="nobreak" id="CHAPTER_VI">CHAPTER VI.<br /><span class="small">LEON MARCHAND.</span></h2> -</div> - - -<p>While Alec and I gazed at the frightened-looking occupant of the -bateau, our craft was gliding swiftly by, and the lad, believing we -intended to leave him in his plight, shrieked wildly:—</p> - -<p>“In the name of mercy take me aboard your boat! Do not desert me!”</p> - -<p>From his manner of speaking I understood that he was what we round -about Presque Isle call a French-Canadian, and as such it was -reasonable to suppose he had no very great love for the British.</p> - -<p>However, whether he had been a friend or foe it was not my purpose to -leave him, for should the wind increase to a gale he would be in great -danger, while if it fell calm the lad was like to die from thirst or -hunger.</p> - -<p>Our craft was not to be brought around in an instant, and the boy, who -could have known but little of seamanship, believing we intended to run -away from him, redoubled his cries for help.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_97">[Pg 97]</span></p> - -<p>“Have patience until we can lay you alongside,” Alec shouted with no -little tinge of anger in his tones, for it seemed childish that this -fellow should suppose we could bring the eighteen-foot boat up into the -wind as we pleased.</p> - -<p>The lad was so thoroughly frightened that he seemingly failed -to understand anything we said to him; but continued to shriek -imploringly, while we manœuvred our boat as best we might in a wind so -strong that it was necessary to run off for a mile or more before we -could stand back toward him.</p> - -<p>“He is even more than an ordinary coward!” Alec exclaimed, as the boy’s -cries came to us, while, if he had had his wits about him, he must have -seen that we were doing all in our power to get alongside the bateau.</p> - -<p>“It is not strange he shows signs of fear,” I said, feeling wondrous -kind toward him just then because of the timorousness which had been in -my heart a few moments previous. “He who is adrift on the lake without -means of even so much as steering his boat, has a hard lookout ahead of -him.”</p> - -<p>“He might at least hold his peace, knowing what we are trying to do.”</p> - -<p>“It may be he is no sailor, and fails to understand why it is necessary -we run so far down before putting<span class="pagenum" id="Page_98">[Pg 98]</span> back,” I replied; and from that -moment Alec held his peace, although I understood full well by the -expression on his face that the lad’s continued appeals for help -annoyed him greatly.</p> - -<p>Well, to make a long story short, we laid him alongside in due time, -and once our craft rubbed against the gunwale of the boat, he leaped -aboard in frantic haste, as if believing every second was precious.</p> - -<p>As a matter of course his light craft, propelled by the impetus -which he gave her in jumping, swung off beyond our reach, and, much -as I pitied the lad, it was impossible to prevent an exclamation of -impatience because of his carelessness.</p> - -<p>The boat was worth more dollars than I had ever been possessed of at -one time, and to send her adrift thus recklessly was an extravagance -such as I could not countenance.</p> - -<p>“What are you about?” Alec asked, when I swung the boat around in order -to come at the skiff.</p> - -<p>“I am counting on picking up the bateau. There is no reason why she -should be allowed to go adrift when we may as well tow her into Presque -Isle. A craft like that won’t hold our boat back a half a mile in an -hour.”</p> - -<p>“You didn’t set out for the purpose of making a dollar,” Alec said, -speaking more sharply than I had<span class="pagenum" id="Page_99">[Pg 99]</span> ever heard him. “We have no right -to waste time, and that same I would say even though yonder skiff was -worth ten times what she will fetch.”</p> - -<p>Involuntarily I allowed our boat to swing around into the wind once -more, surprised as well as pained by his tone, and until we were on our -course again I gave no heed to the passenger who had so unceremoniously -come aboard.</p> - -<p>Alec, understanding that he had spoken roughly, said in a soothing -tone, such as no lad, however angry, could withstand:—</p> - -<p>“It was not in my mind to say aught to offend, Dicky; but knowing how -important it is that we perform our mission, any delay, however slight, -seems criminal.”</p> - -<p>My anger fled on the instant, and after one regretful glance at the -bateau now so far astern, I held out my hand to him in token that I -bore no ill-will, after which, following the direction of his gaze, I -looked at the stranger.</p> - -<p>He was a slight, weakly lad, with eyes such as would cause one to -trust in him; but a certain timid way that told he had been delicately -reared—a lad toward whom one’s sympathy went out before he asked it.</p> - -<p>“How came you adrift in a bateau?” and Alec looked at him searchingly -as he spoke.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_100">[Pg 100]</span></p> - -<p>“The English soldiers, who last night sailed toward the American shore, -left me to drown or starve.”</p> - -<p>“Left you?” I repeated, not understanding the words. “Do you live on -our side of the lake?”</p> - -<p>“My home is on the North Foreland, or, as perhaps you call it, Long -Point. I offended the soldiers, and they took me with them, counting, -as I then believed, to leave me with the Americans. Instead of which I -was, shortly before daylight, put into the boat and told to go my way.”</p> - -<p>“Then the Britishers were reconnoitring Presque Isle Bay?” Alec asked -quickly.</p> - -<p>“They went in that direction, as I understood from their words, to see -what preparations were being made.”</p> - -<p>“Where did they come from?”</p> - -<p>“From the North Foreland.”</p> - -<p>“How many are there?”</p> - -<p>“More than a thousand; and it is said they will march across the United -States even into the capital city, Washington.”</p> - -<p>Alec looked at me as if to say that in befriending this lad we had -indeed found a prize, for before having sailed half-way across the lake -there was come to us such information as must be valuable to those at -Presque Isle, who were waiting in vain for reënforcements.</p> - -<p>“How did it chance that they could find pleasure<span class="pagenum" id="Page_101">[Pg 101]</span> in thus setting you -in danger of death?” I asked, still so taken by the lad’s pitiful face -that I failed to realize how important was the information he gave us.</p> - -<p>“I refused to show them where my mother had hidden our store of -provisions, and they could have killed me before I would have led them -to it, for once it was taken, my mother and my sister might starve on -the North Foreland, and I was not minded to bring about their death.”</p> - -<p>I failed to understand all he meant by this; but it was evident that -he had proven himself courageous in a certain sense, otherwise the -Britishers would not have dealt so hardly with him.</p> - -<p>It is needless for me to set down here word for word the conversation -which was held between us three as we continued on our course, holding -steadily for Long Point, where he had said the enemy were yet in camp, -because the story may be told in fewer words.</p> - -<p>From the information given, neither Alec nor I had any doubt but that -the Britishers were still encamped where we had found them on that -certain day in March, and the movement against Presque Isle had been -deferred, not abandoned.</p> - -<p>I had no question but that he came from the same place where we were -held prisoners, for by his story we understood that his mother lived -not far from the<span class="pagenum" id="Page_102">[Pg 102]</span> extreme easterly point of land, where, as I knew full -well, was a small farm under fairly good cultivation.</p> - -<p>The British had been there more than three months, and twice during -that time set out toward the American shore, but only to return. Why -they failed to make an attack the lad could not say.</p> - -<p>After he had given us all the information in his power, we asked his -name.</p> - -<p>“Leon Marchand,” was the reply; “and my mother is the widow of that -Captain Marchand who came hither from France eight years ago.”</p> - -<p>There was little in this statement to enlighten us; but I afterward -came to understand why he spoke so proudly of his father, as will any -lad who reads of what occurred nearabout Paris in the year 1804.</p> - -<p>It can well be fancied that we looked upon this French lad as a friend, -after once hearing his story, and that we trusted him fully, knowing he -had little cause to feel kindly toward our enemies. In fact, so well -convinced was I of his friendliness that, regardless of Alec’s warning -look, I explained why we were sailing across Lake Erie at a time when -Americans had every reason to shun the Canadian shore.</p> - -<p>“I shall help you to find out all you have come to learn,” Leon said -enthusiastically, having regained his cheerfulness immediately I -confided in him. “Trust<span class="pagenum" id="Page_103">[Pg 103]</span> me to point out a safe harbor, and this night -you may sleep at my mother’s house.”</p> - -<p>There was a great question in my mind as to whether Alec and I were -warranted in going ashore, for it seemed at the moment as if we had -already learned that which should be told my father without delay, and -I believed we ought to return at once.</p> - -<p>“We will do as Leon suggests,” Alec said, answering the question which -he read in my eyes. “In order to accomplish our work we must know more. -It is not enough that we go back and say there is yet an encampment of -the enemy on Long Point.”</p> - -<p>“But we can discover no more by going ashore,” I objected; and -Leon, fearing lest it was in my mind to put about at once, cried -imploringly:—</p> - -<p>“Surely you will not take me with you? I can conduct you to a place -where it will be easy to make a landing.”</p> - -<p>“You shall be left as near to your home as is safe for us,” I replied, -and immediately Alec added, as if his was the right to direct our -movements:—</p> - -<p>“We will sleep at your mother’s home, Leon, and in payment for the -rescue you shall show us during the night so much of the British -encampment as we may wish to see.”</p> - -<p>“I am ready to do whatsoever you shall direct,”<span class="pagenum" id="Page_104">[Pg 104]</span> the lad replied, and -I made no protest, for suddenly, as it were, Alec Perry had taken upon -himself the leadership. I had become no more than a follower who must -obey his commands.</p> - -<p>For the moment this sudden and seemingly unwarranted assumption of -authority displeased me greatly, and then, remembering all that had -taken place since we two met, I realized that he had the better head -for such work as we were then engaged in.</p> - -<p>Immediately I became only the helmsman, and from that hour Alec Perry -was, in my mind, one who should be obeyed.</p> - -<p>Leon gave us all possible information concerning the enemy’s -encampment, described the location of his mother’s farm, and told of -a cove near by where we might put in without great danger of being -observed by the enemy, providing we did not land until after sunset.</p> - -<p>Then it was Alec ordered the boat to be held on such a course as would -keep us at a safe distance from the land until nightfall.</p> - -<p>We broached the store of provisions which my mother had prepared for -us; found a keg of water in the cuddy of the boat, and made as hearty a -meal as if there was no such thing as war or soldiers in the land.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_105">[Pg 105]</span></p> - -<p>More than once as we neared the Canadian shore did we sight a sail; -but with the breeze that was blowing, and the handy craft under us, it -was not a difficult matter to give these strangers as wide a berth as -suited our fancy.</p> - -<p>Until half an hour before the close of day we stood off four or five -miles from the land, taking good care, however, not to come within view -of the sentinels who were likely posted nearabout the camp.</p> - -<p>Then, in accordance with Alec’s command, I hauled our light craft -around for that portion of the shore pointed out by Leon, and we -advanced toward the enemy’s country as calmly as if going to meet a -near and dear friend.</p> - -<p>The night had fully come before we ran into a narrow cove, on the upper -side of the North Foreland, where even in broad day we might have -remained hidden from view of any who passed within an hundred yards, so -dense and near to the water’s edge was the forest which lined the shore.</p> - -<p>Pulling the light boat as far into the thicket as was possible, we left -her, and Leon led the way toward his home, having explained meanwhile -that the British encampment was not less than a mile and a half away.</p> - -<p>The reception which we met with from the Widow<span class="pagenum" id="Page_106">[Pg 106]</span> Marchand was a warm -one, as can well be imagined, and had we come for no other purpose than -to restore her son, I should have felt that we were fully repaid for -all the labor expended in his behalf.</p> - -<p>She, as may well be fancied, had been in great distress of mind because -of his absence, and now that he was with her once more, her anxiety to -show gratitude was so great as to be most painful.</p> - -<p>Alec, with a view to checking her efforts at displaying thankfulness, -explained at considerable length how we had come upon him, and why he -might do more for us than we had for him, whereat I could see plainly -that the good woman was in much distress of mind.</p> - -<p>She realized that Leon should do somewhat toward repaying us; but -feared to have him venture within reach of those men who had shown to -what length their cruelty could go.</p> - -<p>“Your son has no need to do more than point out the location of the -encampment, in case we decide to go there,” I said, hastening to quiet -her mind, and Leon interrupted by declaring positively that he should -not leave us until we had accomplished our mission.</p> - -<p>Well, we had a controversy there, Alec taking sides with me in the -declaration that we would not lead the<span class="pagenum" id="Page_107">[Pg 107]</span> lad into further danger, -and his mother, her gratitude outweighing her fears, insisting with -him that it was his duty to do whatsoever lay in his power toward -furthering our mission.</p> - -<p>The result of it was that after partaking of a supper cooked in an -outlandish fashion, although most palatable, we three lads set out to -reconnoitre the British camp, I saying to myself meanwhile that it was -not only a hazardous, but a foolish proceeding, for what could we hope -to learn more than was known already?</p> - -<p>The British were there in force, for Leon had good proof of such fact, -and were threatening Presque Isle, which to my mind was as much as we -needed to ascertain.</p> - -<p>I did not venture to dissuade Alec from the reconnoissance, knowing -full well that it would be useless, but believing we were venturing -more recklessly into danger than when we had skated straight toward -this same encampment three months before.</p> - -<p>Leon led us by a roundabout way, skirting here along the shore, and -again making a detour across the wooded lands until we were come to -what was seemingly the rear of the camp, and here lay all the proof we -needed.</p> - -<p>So far as eye could see in the darkness, there appeared to be twice -one thousand soldiers in the camp,<span class="pagenum" id="Page_108">[Pg 108]</span> and off the shore lay four vessels -which I doubted not belonged to Captain Finnis’s squadron, rendezvoused -here ready to transport troops when the moment had come for the attack -upon Presque Isle.</p> - -<p>Leon, knowing full well all the paths through the woods, and the places -where the sentinels were stationed, conducted us in safety from one -point to another until I came to a halt, whispering to Alec:—</p> - -<p>“There is no reason why we should continue this investigation any -further. We already know as much as is necessary, and ought to be well -on our way toward the American shore before day breaks.”</p> - -<p>“It was said that we should be absent two or three days, and I am not -minded to leave here with no more information than has been gained,” my -comrade said stoutly, and in such a tone as told me that argument on my -part would be useless.</p> - -<p>“You will wait here to no further end than that we may be made -prisoners,” I replied hotly, and perhaps might have said what would -have caused bad blood between us but that we were suddenly confronted -by what seemed to me most imminent danger.</p> - -<p>We were standing on one side of a broad path which ran, so Leon had -declared, directly through the camp, when without warning a group of -men appeared in the distance, coming directly toward us.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_109">[Pg 109]</span></p> - -<p>To have made any effort then at running away would have simply been to -betray our whereabouts, for the rustling of the foliage must have told -plainly where we were, and instinct prompted my companions as well as -myself to step quietly back a few paces, where we might be screened by -the leaves.</p> - -<p>It was as if we had been led to the spot by some invisible power, for -perhaps nowhere else could have been learned what we then heard.</p> - -<p>The officers, for such we soon made out the strangers to be, were -walking leisurely up the path in earnest conversation, as if strolling -in the night simply to find relief from the heat; and soon we could -distinguish their words.</p> - -<p>They were speaking of certain vessels which would arrive most likely -before sunrise; of yet more troops to come, and before having passed -out of earshot referred to the defenceless position of our fleet at -Presque Isle, although not putting it as strong as was the fact.</p> - -<p>All this my father knew full well from rumors which had been brought -to him by the people round about, and also through messages sent by -General Porter of Black Rock.</p> - -<p>We had gained nothing especial save the confirmation of his fears, and -it surely seemed as if now was come the moment when we could discover -all it was necessary our people should know.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_110">[Pg 110]</span></p> - -<p>Such thought was in my mind when Alec pressed my arm to attract -attention, and motioned that we follow the group.</p> - -<p>I was not averse to obeying him, for at that moment danger was -forgotten.</p> - -<p>It was not a simple matter to thus play the part of spies successfully, -and in order to avoid discovery we were forced to remain at such a -distance in the rear that only now and then was it possible to catch a -word of the conversation.</p> - -<p>Intent on discovering the time set for the attack, we became more -heedless, and gave attention only to those in advance, when, without -the slightest warning, we came full upon a squad of soldiers most -likely sent out to relieve the sentinels.</p> - -<p>So near were we to these redcoats before they discovered us, or we -them, that I might, by stretching out my hand, have touched the -foremost, and for an instant they must have believed us a portion of -the force from the encampment.</p> - -<p>One of them hailed us in a friendly manner, asking where we were bound, -and another continued on as if to pass us by.</p> - -<p>Had we been quicker witted I believe there was a chance of giving them -the slip; but our silence, and the attempt on Leon’s part to make his -way into the bushes, betrayed us.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_111">[Pg 111]</span></p> - -<p>The man nearest touched me on the shoulder, and with the weight of his -hand there came into my mind full knowledge of the imminent peril which -threatened. Taken prisoners now, it was reasonable to suppose some -one might recognize us as the lads who had been captured three months -before, and there could no longer be any question but that we were -spies.</p> - -<p>It would be almost certain death to yield, and the position of affairs -could not be rendered worse by resistance.</p> - -<p>“We must never be taken!” I said half to myself, and for an instant it -was as if I had in my arms the strength of a dozen men.</p> - -<p>Wresting, by a sudden movement, the musket from the hands of the man -who would have made me his prisoner, I struck out right and left, and -in an instant we three lads were fighting desperately, as will even -rats when they find themselves cornered.</p> -<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop" /> - -<div class="chapter"> -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_112">[Pg 112]</span></p> - -<h2 class="nobreak" id="CHAPTER_VII">CHAPTER VII.<br /><span class="small">IN HIDING.</span></h2> -</div> - - - -<p>It is impossible for me to describe of my own knowledge all that took -place during five minutes or more after I grappled with the Britisher.</p> - -<p>There had been no thought in my mind, when I leaped upon the enemy, of -gaining a victory; I was conscious only of the fact that if we were -taken prisoners again our lives would pay the forfeit, because it must -be apparent to all that we were spies, else why had we ventured there -the second time; and I acted upon the impulse of the moment.</p> - -<p>Had my companions been told in advance of what I proposed to do, they -could not have followed my example more promptly.</p> - -<p>It seemed as if almost at the very second that I seized the redcoat’s -musket, they made an attack, each upon the man nearest him, and so -unexpected was the onslaught that the Britishers gave no outcry.</p> - -<p>I remember that during what seemed to me like many moments I struck -out, or parried blows, giving<span class="pagenum" id="Page_113">[Pg 113]</span> no heed to the weapon I had first -seized, and that we fought desperately in silence until my opponent -suddenly fell when I was some distance from him.</p> - -<p>Then I realized dimly that he had been stricken down from behind, and -an instant later Alec whispered hoarsely, as he grasped me by the -hand:—</p> - -<p>“Come, now! In ten seconds more it will be too late!”</p> - -<p>I failed to understand all his meaning; but, fortunately, had -sufficient sense to obey the strain upon my arm, and immediately we -were in full flight, plunging through the underbrush without any idea, -on my part at least, of where the course might lead.</p> - -<p>Then as we ran I became conscious of the fact that Leon was leading the -way, and for the first time since we stumbled upon the soldiers I had -hopes that we might finally escape.</p> - -<p>We ran at full speed, stumbling here over fallen trees, or floundering -there through bogs and swamps, holding the pace until it became -impossible for Alec to advance another yard.</p> - -<p>“I am done up!” he panted, sinking down at the foot of a huge pine -tree. “Do not stop; but leave me here to take my chances!”</p> - -<p>“Can you go no further?” I asked stupidly, for<span class="pagenum" id="Page_114">[Pg 114]</span> it was plain to be seen -that the lad’s strength was entirely spent.</p> - -<p>“Not a step; but neither you nor Leon can afford to loiter. You two -should be able to give them the slip.”</p> - -<p>“I have no idea of leaving a comrade,” I said, flinging myself down by -Alec’s side to show the dear lad that I was not minded to desert him, -and Leon followed my example, saying as he did so:—</p> - -<p>“The English may as well have three prisoners as one, and I will remain -with those who rescued me from the lake.”</p> - -<p>“But you are to do nothing of the kind!” I cried in alarm, thinking of -the lad’s mother, whose only support he was. “You can contrive to gain -home secretly, knowing the country as you do, and in the morning no one -will be able to say you were with us. Go, Leon! You must not sacrifice -yourself!”</p> - -<p>“That is what I should be doing if I deserted a friend. We will remain -here, and it may be the soldiers will fail to find us.”</p> - -<p>It was possible they might pass us by in the darkness, unless we -betrayed our whereabouts by thus wrangling as to who should go or -stay, and I fell silent at once, understanding at the same time that -words were of no avail in the effort to persuade the French lad into -deserting us.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_115">[Pg 115]</span></p> - -<p>We three remained motionless as statues, and quite as silent, save for -our heavy breathing, which could not at once be stilled, until, as the -moments passed, we understood that the pursuit was either abandoned, or -the soldiers had gone in the wrong direction.</p> - -<p>We had escaped, for the time being at least, and my surprise was very -nearly akin to fear as I realized this, for it seemed little short of -miraculous that such good fortune could come to us.</p> - -<p>“They must be hiding near by, ready to leap upon us the instant we -leave this thicket,” I said half to myself, and then I knew that Alec -was laughing heartily, although silently.</p> - -<p>“Do you suppose the Britishers would be willing to sit down and wait -patiently until we were rested?” he asked, pressing my hand warmly. “We -have given them the slip, Dicky Dobbins, and you shall have the full -credit of it, because save for your bravery it might never have been -brought about. I should have been clapped into that same pen where we -nearly froze to death, before having the courage to engage half a dozen -soldiers in a hand-to-hand fight!”</p> - -<p>“Nor would I have shown so much bravery had there been time in which to -think of the danger. The fit came upon me quite by accident, and even -at this moment I cannot tell what took place.”</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_116">[Pg 116]</span></p> - -<p>“Well, I can,” Alec replied, still laughing silently. “You leaped like -a tiger upon one of the men, wresting his musket from him, and Leon and -I could do no less than follow the example. The soldier was twice your -size, and yet you floored him with a single blow—”</p> - -<p>“One of you did that, striking the fellow from behind,” I interrupted. -“But for your assistance I should speedily have been worsted.”</p> - -<p>“It was your third opponent that Leon felled with a blow from the butt -end of a musket. You had tumbled two over, and was engaged with the -third when I had an opportunity of seeing what was being done. I always -believed you a courageous lad, Dicky Dobbins, but never have I supposed -it was in your power to handle your fists with such skill.”</p> - -<p>Now although it may appear like boasting to repeat what I did all -unconsciously on that night, it seems necessary to set down what Alec -and Leon claim were my acts while in a frenzy of fear.</p> - -<p>There were six soldiers in the squad we had run upon so unwittingly, -and two of those I bowled over much as a skilful pugilist would have -done, tackling the third just as my companions came to the rescue.</p> - -<p>Leon had seized the musket I wrested from the first redcoat, and with -it felled one man unaided;<span class="pagenum" id="Page_117">[Pg 117]</span> then he knocked over the fellow who was -trying to best Alec, and afterward aided me as I have said.</p> - -<p>Even then, as we sat in the forest listening in vain for sounds of -pursuit, it seemed incredible that we had won the day so easily, and -during a full half hour we gloated over the victory.</p> - -<p>Then, when it seemed certain the Britishers had not succeeded in -keeping upon our trail, we began to realize that the danger, instead of -having passed, was hardly more than begun.</p> - -<p>We were on that long, narrow neck of land known as the North Foreland, -and, as Leon said, the enemy had a line of sentinels stretched across -the narrowest portion, nearest the main shore, to prevent desertions -and keep the curious at a proper distance.</p> - -<p>In other words, we were penned up with no means of escape save by -water, and the lad upon whom we depended as a guide had entirely lost -his bearings in the darkness.</p> - -<p>“It is only a question of time before we will be captured,” I said -gloomily, when coming fully to understand the situation, “and we cannot -live in the thicket many days without food!”</p> - -<p>To this dispiriting remark Alec made no reply, and I believed the lad -was disheartened until he said cheerily,<span class="pagenum" id="Page_118">[Pg 118]</span> and in much the same tone he -might have used when discussing some excursion for pleasure:—</p> - -<p>“We are captured to a certainty if we make up our minds to such a -fact; but I have the idea that by a show of half as much pluck as you -displayed when we were confronted by the soldiers, we can leave this -point of land in due season.”</p> - -<p>“Perhaps you already see your way clear to get out of the snarl,” I -said, with a fine tinge of sarcasm in my tones.</p> - -<p>“Ay, that I do,” he replied, giving no heed to my ill temper. “In case -you two are minded to follow my instructions, it will go hard indeed if -we fail of setting sail in our boat between now and sunset to-morrow.”</p> - -<p>He spoke so confidently that I pricked up my ears at once, a new hope -coming into my heart, and Leon said quietly, much as if he was safe -from all harm, and we the only ones who had anything to fear from the -Britishers:—</p> - -<p>“I stand ready to do whatever you shall say.”</p> - -<p>“Then set about finding your home, leaving us here—”</p> - -<p>“I cannot play so cowardly a part,” he interrupted. “Anything else, and -you have only to command me.”</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_119">[Pg 119]</span></p> - -<p>“It was not a part of my plan that you should desert us, my bold -Frenchman; but in order that we get off you must be free to act. -Suppose you succeed in reaching your home before daylight, what will be -more easy than to provide us with food in case we are forced to remain -some time in hiding? Then, again, should our boat be seized, you could -do something toward procuring another. My only hope of escaping depends -upon your being at liberty to go and come.”</p> - -<p>Now it was that I, as well as Leon, began to understand what Alec had -in mind, and both of us caught eagerly at the chance, slight though it -was.</p> - -<p>“I could find my way even in the night if we stood on either shore of -the point,” the French lad said, half to himself, and Oliver Perry’s -brother made answer, as if it was a simple thing to walk out of the -thicket:—</p> - -<p>“Tell me in which direction you wish to go, and I will lay out the -course.”</p> - -<p>I should have made no reply to such a remark, believing my comrade was -in jest; but Leon, whose faith in Alec seemed perfect, said quietly:—</p> - -<p>“If we could gain the northern shore of the Foreland it would not be -far to my home.”</p> - -<p>Alec stepped out from the thicket where he might gain a view of -the sky, and after searching with<span class="pagenum" id="Page_120">[Pg 120]</span> his eyes as if hunting for some -particular star, said in the tone of one who defies contradiction:—</p> - -<p>“In that direction is the north; but, unfortunately, I cannot tell you -how far we may be from the shore.”</p> - -<p>“It makes little difference; even though we were on the very southern -edge I could gain my home before daylight. That which troubles me now -is, where I am to find you again.”</p> - -<p>“We can easily settle the question. Dicky Dobbins and I will follow -till we are come near to your mother’s home, and then hide at some -convenient place for a time.”</p> - -<p>“Why should you not enter my home?”</p> - -<p>“For many good reasons, my friend. In the first place there is no -question whatsoever but that the Britishers will make careful search -for us as soon as sunrise, if not before, and most likely your home -will be visited. In such a case there is little fear of your getting -into serious trouble, because in the darkness I guarantee those -soldiers did not see who made the attack upon them, and thus you will -be free to wait upon us.”</p> - -<p>Now I began to understand more of what Alec would do, and straightway, -after an unfortunate habit of mine, I at once believed it would be -possible to better the plan.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_121">[Pg 121]</span></p> - -<p>“If we can make our way so far as Leon’s home, what prevents us from -going directly on board our boat? I have no desire to linger on -the North Foreland, and surely there is nothing more to be learned -regarding the movements of the enemy.”</p> - -<p>“Nothing would please me better than to set sail within the hour; but -according to my thinking we had best keep away from the shore during -this night at least, for if the Britishers have sentinels near to the -mainland to prevent any one from coming upon the point, they know -beyond a question we arrived in a boat of some kind, and most likely -men are searching for our craft, if they have not already found her. -After sunrise Leon can easily learn the condition of affairs, and thus -we shall avoid running unnecessarily into danger.”</p> - -<p>I was not thoroughly convinced that this would be the wisest course, -for it seemed to me better that we take some chances with the hope of -getting away speedily, than to linger where there was so much of danger.</p> - -<p>However, I said nothing, luckily, else would I have been put to shame -two or three hours later, when we were come near to where Leon lived.</p> - -<p>Alec gave the lad the proper course, as I have said, and held him to it -so truly by observing the<span class="pagenum" id="Page_122">[Pg 122]</span> stars from time to time, that considerably -before midnight we were standing where we could distinguish the -outlines of the coast at a point, as the French lad declared, within -three miles of his home, and so far from the encampment that there was -little fear of coming upon the redcoats, unless, peradventure, squads -of them were out in search of us.</p> - -<p>From this point our advance was a reasonably rapid one, the guide -striking a path through the thicket which he knew full well, and when -we had come within five hundred yards, as he declared, of the dwelling, -Alec said, coming to a halt:—</p> - -<p>“We two will stop hereabout, and do you go ahead, Leon, to learn if the -soldiers have visited the house.”</p> - -<p>All this seemed to me like an excess of precaution, for there was -nothing to be heard save the ordinary noises of the night in the -forest, and I could see no reason why we should not make ourselves as -comfortable as possible, at least until daybreak.</p> - -<p>Leon, having every faith in Alec’s judgment, did not delay; but went -on swiftly, leaving us alone, and there we remained until it seemed -positive to me the French lad had abandoned us.</p> - -<p>More than once I would have spoken with my comrade, urging some such -possibility, but that he, pressing his hand over my mouth whenever I -made<span class="pagenum" id="Page_123">[Pg 123]</span> the attempt, thus ensured silence, and the darkness of night was -beginning to give way slightly to the coming day when Leon finally -returned.</p> - -<p>He had in his arms a bulky package, and when I sprang up to meet him -intimated by gestures that I should remain quiet.</p> - -<p>Then cautiously, and in the most careful whispers, he told what proved -to me once more that I was in no wise fit to direct the movements of -even myself while in an enemy’s country.</p> - -<p>The soldiers came to his home within half an hour after he arrived, -while his mother was making ready the provisions for us which he had -just brought.</p> - -<p>They demanded to know why the household was astir at such an -unseasonable hour, and she, without absolutely telling an untruth, gave -them to understand it was because her son, who had been forcibly taken -from her the night previous, had but just returned.</p> - -<p>Then Leon was forced to submit to the most searching questioning as -to how he had escaped from the bateau, and who had brought him to the -North Foreland.</p> - -<p>He told only the truth in replying to these questions, but did not tell -it all.</p> - -<p>Two young men, he said, had found him at the mercy of the wind and -waves, and yielding to his earnest<span class="pagenum" id="Page_124">[Pg 124]</span> entreaties, set him ashore near the -easternmost end of the point.</p> - -<p>When the men asked concerning the two strangers, Leon professed to know -nothing, believing it was right to speak an untruth rather than give up -to their enemies those who had befriended him.</p> - -<p>From what was said during the three hours this searching party remained -in Leon’s home, the lad and his mother understood that every effort -would be made to prevent those who had assaulted the soldiers from -leaving the point, and to that end sentinels were stationed along the -shore.</p> - -<p>It was believed by the Britishers that those who had brought Leon home -were spies, and threats were freely indulged in as to what fate would -overtake them once they were captured.</p> - -<p>Whether our boat had as yet been discovered we had no means of knowing; -but it did not seem probable that those who visited Mrs. Marchand’s -home had found the craft, otherwise some mention would have been made -of the fact.</p> - -<p>Now it was that I realized how wise Alec had been in preventing me from -going directly to the farmhouse, and what would have been our fate had -I carried out my purpose of attempting to embark without first making -certain where the Britishers might be.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_125">[Pg 125]</span></p> - -<p>Taking it all in all our position was as disagreeable as it well could -be.</p> - -<p>From what Leon had heard we knew that the North Foreland would be -rigorously searched next morning, and also that there was little -opportunity of our being able to take to a boat, at least within the -next four-and-twenty hours, while the chances were decidedly against -our having a craft which we could call our own after the sun had risen.</p> - -<p>The French lad, repeating again and again that he was ready to do -whatsoever we might desire of him, said that his mother advised he -should not linger with us many moments, lest the Britishers, suspecting -him of knowing more than he admitted, might have sent some one on his -trail.</p> - -<p>Therefore it was that he seemed eager to be gone, and when he had led -us to a sort of cave, and yet which was hardly more than an excavation -under an overhanging rock, Alec said to him:—</p> - -<p>“It is well that you leave us; and remember, Leon, we don’t expect -to see you again until the danger is well-nigh past. With such an -amount of food as you have brought, and the possibility of getting -water during the hours of darkness, there is little likelihood of our -suffering while we remain in hiding. Therefore go back; stay around -home as you would under ordinary<span class="pagenum" id="Page_126">[Pg 126]</span> circumstances, and keep your eye out -now and then to see if the enemy discover our boat.”</p> - -<p>“I will return at midnight to-morrow,” Leon said, moving slowly away; -and I understood that had the lad consulted his own inclination he -would not have left us.</p> - -<p>“Do not come unless it seems certain the redcoats believe we two have -given them the slip. No good can be effected by your visiting us more -often than is absolutely necessary.”</p> - -<p>“But the time will drag heavily on your hands,” he suggested; and Alec -replied, with a laugh:—</p> - -<p>“It will pass a deal more swiftly than if we were confined in such a -prison as the Britishers have on this point of land, and that both -Dicky and I know by painful experience. Go now; keep your ears open -for any information which may be of importance to our purpose. After -what you have suffered, the king’s soldiers can be no friends of yours. -Then, when your mother believes it is safe to venture out, come with -what will be cheerful tidings.”</p> - -<p>Leon clasped each of us by the hand, and then, as if fearing to trust -himself to further speech, walked rapidly away, and we were alone in -hiding; with no friends on all the North Foreland save the French lad -and his mother.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_127">[Pg 127]</span></p> - -<p>By this time we were needing both food and sleep, therefore we did not -at first realize how tedious might be the confinement in our narrow -hiding-place.</p> - -<p>It was, as I have said, little more than an excavation under an -overhanging rock; but the opening was so small that it had the -appearance of being a veritable cave, and was partially screened from -view of those who might pass, by a few small shrubs. The interior was -hardly more than large enough to admit of our lying at full length, and -in no place could we stand upright.</p> - -<p>All these things were noted in a general way, and it was not until -after many hours had passed that we realized to the full how cramped a -prison it might prove.</p> - -<p>The shore of the lake—that is to say, such portion of the Foreland as -was washed by the narrow strip of water which lay between the point and -the main—was not above three hundred yards distant, and Alec proposed -that we hurry down and drink our fill while it was yet dark, for after -the day dawned it would not be safe to venture forth.</p> - -<p>This we did, and having returned, made a hearty meal from the -provisions Leon brought.</p> - -<p>Before the repast was come to a close the shadows of night had been -dispelled by the rising sun, and we<span class="pagenum" id="Page_128">[Pg 128]</span> were prisoners until darkness -should screen us once more.</p> - -<p>I proposed that, having plenty of time at our disposal, we both indulge -in slumber, but to this my comrade would not listen.</p> - -<p>It was necessary, he believed, that one of us keep constant watch, lest -the enemy should come while we were unconscious, and the sound of our -heavy breathing might betray the secret of the hiding-place.</p> - -<p>He insisted that it should be his duty to stand guard, as he termed it, -during the early part of the day, and held to this point so stoutly -that I could do no less than take my first turn at sleeping.</p> - -<p>Now, although we knew full well how great was the danger, and realized -that at any moment we might find ourselves in the hands of the enemy, -who would surely put us to death as spies, fatigue bore so heavily upon -me that my eyes were no more than closed before sleep came, and during -a certain time I rested as sweetly and profoundly as if safe in my -father’s house at Presque Isle.</p> - -<p>When I awakened the sun was riding high in the heavens, and Alec, -sitting near the opening of the cave just behind the clump of bushes, -was keeping careful watch.</p> - -<p>“Do not reproach yourself for having slept while<span class="pagenum" id="Page_129">[Pg 129]</span> there was an -opportunity,” he said, when I would have made excuses for taking my -ease so long, leaving to him all the labor. “When the moment comes that -we make a dash for liberty, it may be necessary to keep our eyes open -many hours on a stretch, and by dividing the watches, if it so be we -have the inclination, one or the other can sleep all the time.”</p> - -<p>It was good proof that the dear lad needed rest when, having once -stretched out at full length, his eyes closed almost immediately in -slumber, and during at least an hour I do not believe he so much as -moved hand or foot.</p> - -<p>At the end of that time I ceased to watch my sleeping comrade, for the -tramp of footsteps and the hum of voices could be heard just outside -the cave, and I knew beyond a peradventure that the Britishers were -searching for us.</p> - -<p>Unless they were doing their work most carelessly, it did not seem -possible they could pass the aperture without discovering it, for of a -verity, if I had been searching for a fugitive, I would have taken good -care to know what might be under such an overhanging rock as marked the -entrance to our place of refuge.</p> - -<p>For an instant there came into my mind the thought that it was -necessary Alec be awakened in case the<span class="pagenum" id="Page_130">[Pg 130]</span> men came upon us, and I -stretched forth my hand to touch him; but drew it back immediately when -the sound of voices told that they had halted directly in front of -where I sat, not more than ten paces away.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_131">[Pg 131]</span></p> - -<p class="center p0 p2"><span class="figcenter" id="img002"> - <img src="images/002.jpg" class="w50" alt="I STRETCHED FORTH MY HAND TO TOUCH HIM." /> -</span></p> -<p class="center p0 caption">“I STRETCHED FORTH MY HAND TO TOUCH HIM.”<br /></p> - -<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop" /> - -<div class="chapter"> -<h2 class="nobreak" id="CHAPTER_VIII">CHAPTER VIII.<br /><span class="small">A CLOSE SHAVE.</span></h2> -</div> - - -<p>I needed no evidence to convince me that the Britishers would make -every effort to capture us. It was the one thing necessary for them to -do, even though they could not hope to keep secret the fact of their -encampment here on the North Foreland.</p> - -<p>Whoever was in command of the troops must have known beyond a -peradventure that the Americans living on the opposite shore of the -lake had certain knowledge regarding the gathering of soldiers at this -point, for the camp was already established on that winter’s afternoon -when Alec and I ran blindly into the hands of the redcoats.</p> - -<p>From what we heard while held as prisoners so many weeks previous, my -comrade and I knew that a movement was contemplated before the ice -broke up.</p> - -<p>Why it had been delayed we might never learn to a certainty, but it -seemed positive to me at this moment—for when danger was so imminent -the veriest trifles passed through my brain with lightning-like -rapidity—that<span class="pagenum" id="Page_132">[Pg 132]</span> instead of abandoning the manœuvre it had simply been -delayed, in which case secrecy was even more necessary now than when we -came so unwittingly upon the enemy.</p> - -<p>In other words, that my meaning may be more plain, I understood at the -moment that it was in the highest degree important to the enemy that -we two lads be prevented from carrying any information back to Presque -Isles, and, therefore, did I realize that the Britishers would spare no -labor in the effort to take us prisoners.</p> - -<p>The soldiers were advancing without heed as to noise, and before -they were come so near that I could distinguish the words of their -conversation, Alec awakened, looking toward me as if on the point of -asking some question.</p> - -<p>On the instant my hand covered his mouth, and the quick-witted lad -needed nothing further by way of explanation.</p> - -<p>With a motion of the hand he let me know that the situation was fully -understood, and arose to a sitting posture as I removed the pressure -from his mouth, the voices of our enemies speedily telling the whole -story.</p> - -<p>Nearer and nearer came the men, until we could distinguish every word -that passed between them.</p> - -<p>Instead of talking about the possibility of capturing<span class="pagenum" id="Page_133">[Pg 133]</span> us, they spoke -of the vessel which had arrived during the night just past, and -questioned why the other craft were delayed when the wind was in their -favor.</p> - -<p>We soon came to understand that the time for the expedition to move was -near at hand, and the blood literally boiled in my veins as I believed -that the attack would be made while we were thus virtually prisoners.</p> - -<p>Although apparently deeply engrossed by the topic of conversation, the -search was not being conducted in any slipshod fashion.</p> - -<p>From the sounds we knew that every bush sufficiently large to shelter -us was being examined, and it was not probable we could escape -detection.</p> - -<p>In less than five minutes the soldiers would have come to the mouth of -the cave, and our capture was positive.</p> - -<p>After that had been accomplished, a shameful death would speedily -follow for us, and the cold dew of fear covered my forehead as I saw, -in fancy, the last acts in our lives. For an instant it was as if I -already stood upon the scaffold, and then Alec broke the horrible chain -of thought which was making of me a woful coward.</p> - -<p>He, dear lad, must have had the same mental pictures<span class="pagenum" id="Page_134">[Pg 134]</span> before him as -were distressing me, for, leaning over until his cheek rested against -mine, he clasped both my hands.</p> - -<p>It was a mute farewell; the soldiers were so near that it seemed as if -they must be upon us before one could count ten, and I shut my eyes, -fearing to see what I believed was inevitable.</p> - -<p>It seemed as if the men were standing within half a dozen paces of us, -shut out from a view of the cave by the fringe of bushes which screened -the entrance, when suddenly from the distance we heard a hail:</p> - -<p>“This way! Quick! I have found traces of those whom you are seeking!”</p> - -<p>It was Leon Marchand’s voice, and both Alec and I knew the lad was -imperilling his own life in the poor hope of being able to save ours.</p> - -<p>I came near to crying out that he should think only of himself, leaving -us to such fate as might be in store, so eager was I that he cease -efforts which seemed to promise only danger for himself, without a -chance that we might be benefited, and then was shown me how foolish is -he who would try to change, by even so much as a hair’s-breadth, the -course of events.</p> - -<p>The soldiers were not so foolish as to run at his summons; but halted -where, by advancing a single<span class="pagenum" id="Page_135">[Pg 135]</span> pace, the search would have been ended, -and began to parley with him.</p> - -<p>“What have you found?” one asked, and the lad replied:—</p> - -<p>“Only what appears to be a trail, but it leads toward the water.”</p> - -<p>I heard one of the men propose that they go back to investigate the -matter; but a second called attention to the fact that they had been -ordered to make certain no one was concealed within the line marked -out, and with this difference of opinion came a parley which finally -resulted in the saving of our lives.</p> - -<p>The soldiers argued one with another, in the meanwhile moving nearer -the point from which Leon was calling, and each second of time seemed -to lessen our peril.</p> - -<p>“Now has come the moment when we must make a move of some kind!” Alec -said, clutching me by the arm fiercely to be certain I gave due weight -to his words. “Leon can delay them only a few moments, and once they -return to the search we are lost! It is better to make a venturesome -move than be caught here like rats in a trap.”</p> - -<p>“But how can we benefit ourselves?” I asked stupidly. “It will be only -an exchange of hiding-places,<span class="pagenum" id="Page_136">[Pg 136]</span> for there is no possibility of our -leaving the shore in the daytime.”</p> - -<p>“That remains to be proven. It is almost certain death to stay here, -and can be no worse to make a bold dash.”</p> - -<p>While speaking he literally pulled me to my feet, and as I stood near -the entrance to the shallow cave only partially hidden by the bushes, I -heard Leon cry:—</p> - -<p>“Since you have declared that I am in league with those who saved my -life when you would have taken it so cruelly, it is only fair to give -me the opportunity of proving that I have spoken truly. Here is a -trail, and if you neglect to follow it I shall insist that through your -carelessness or wilfulness the spies escaped!”</p> - -<p>It was this threat which stirred the soldiers to decided movement, and -an instant later the sound of hurried footsteps told that they were -moving in his direction.</p> - -<p>The most flimsy of tricks had availed to save our lives, and it would -be worse than folly if we failed to avail ourselves of the opportunity -which might never occur again.</p> - -<p>“Come!” Alec whispered, pulling me yet nearer the mouth of the cave. -“At the worst we can only<span class="pagenum" id="Page_137">[Pg 137]</span> be captured, which is what must surely -happen if we stay here.”</p> - -<p>“Where would you go?” I asked, giving rein to the cowardly fear which -had beset me when death seemed so near.</p> - -<p>“We can at least follow them up. Having searched for a certain -distance, it is not likely they will go over the same ground twice, and -the slightest cover will avail us, providing it be beyond this place.”</p> - -<p>Alec’s manner of speaking, which was really little less than a command, -acted upon me in proper fashion.</p> - -<p>I recognized the fact that he was the true leader, and ceased to -question, which was what I should have done in the first place.</p> - -<p>“Come on,” I said, now as eager to be in motion as I previously had -been to hang back, and he lost no time.</p> - -<p>In the distance we could hear Leon urging the soldiers to come to him, -doing so solely for the purpose of giving us this poor opportunity to -make the venture.</p> - -<p>Alec ran swiftly, but with exceeding caution, directly back on the -heels of the men, until we had gone perhaps fifty yards, and were so -near that further advance would have been dangerous, when, striking -sharply off to the left toward the shore, he increased the pace.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_138">[Pg 138]</span></p> - -<p>Thinking of the venture now, it seems well-nigh incredible that we -should have succeeded in giving the Britishers the slip at the very -time when they had us almost within their clutches; yet so it was -permitted that we should do, although not without much difficulty and -great danger.</p> - -<p>Twice before gaining the shore we came near to running full upon one or -the other of those who were being lured by the French boy’s voice, and -how we succeeded in escaping them it is impossible for me to say.</p> - -<p>I only know that we did, and that after what seemed a very long time of -scrambling over the fallen rocks, or wading waist-deep through bogs, we -came out upon the northerly side of the Foreland.</p> - -<p>Involuntarily halting just within a fringe of bushes which marked the -limit of the water, I again asked myself helplessly of what avail was -it that we had exchanged one hiding-place for another, since it seemed -impossible, while being followed so closely, that we could embark.</p> - -<p>Alec, brave lad that he was, did not hesitate because we had apparently -come to the end of our path; but, pushing on in the direction of where -we believed had been left our boat, he led the way at his best pace, -and after five minutes or more had<span class="pagenum" id="Page_139">[Pg 139]</span> passed, the voices of our enemies -sounded farther and farther in the distance, until even to my cowardly -heart came the assurance that again we had earned a respite, although -for how long no one could say.</p> - -<p>Alec’s will was stronger than his body, and while I was yet -comparatively fresh it became necessary for him to make a brief halt in -order to regain his breath.</p> - -<p>“What now?” I asked, showing by the question that I recognized him as -the rightful leader.</p> - -<p>“I wish I might make answer in proper fashion,” he said, with the -ghost of a smile; “but it is a matter of chance. If it so be that Leon -arouses the suspicion of our enemies, instead of leading them on a -false scent, we are undone. But there yet remains the possibility that -being convinced he has deceived them, whether wittingly or not, they -will return without much search to the point at which he interrupted -them, and in such case we may go free for the time being. My only hope -now is of finding a craft of some kind.”</p> - -<p>It was on the end of my tongue to say that it would be foolish to make -an attempt at crossing the lake in a common skiff; but I realized -that anything was preferable to the certainty which awaited us if we -remained on the Foreland, and held my peace.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_140">[Pg 140]</span></p> - -<p>We set out again, proceeding in the direction of Leon’s home as nearly -as might be; but meanwhile keeping within sight of the shore, and -before another ten minutes had passed we saw, hauled up among the -bushes as if with some attempt at concealment, a bateau in which were -two paddles.</p> - -<p>“That boat was left here by Leon,” Alec said in a positive tone. -“He brought her around from his home in the hope of gaining our -hiding-place before the soldiers could arrive, and it only remains for -us to push off, taking the chances that the weather holds good until we -reach Presque Isle.”</p> - -<p>“That is little less than madness,” I said decidedly, clutching him by -the arm as if it was my purpose to prevent his carrying into execution -any such plan as was intimated. “With half a gale of wind between here -and the opposite shore we should be swamped to a certainty.”</p> - -<p>“And whether the wind blows high or low we are doomed if we stay -here, for it is not likely we shall be so fortunate as to escape the -searchers the second time.”</p> - -<p>I would have protested, even though conscious of the fact that we had -best run any risk rather than remain, but he gave me no opportunity.</p> - -<p>“We shall make the venture,” he said, and laying<span class="pagenum" id="Page_141">[Pg 141]</span> hold of my shoulders -pushed me on in front of him as he ran speedily to the water’s edge.</p> - -<p>That we might set out from the shore and escape being seen by those on -board the vessels lying near at hand, I did not believe, and left to -myself I should have remained to take the poor chances on shore.</p> - -<p>It was my comrade who saved me.</p> - -<p>Literally forced to do his bidding, I pushed the bateau off from the -land, leaping into her as she was water-borne, and in another moment we -two lads were paddling for dear life, following the line of shore in -that direction which would lead us around the point of the Foreland, -from which place we might lay a straight course toward the American -side of the lake.</p> - -<p>Lest I make too many words of this harmless although disagreeable -adventure, it is necessary I hasten over what at the time seemed to -Alec and I like a most thrilling experience, although, as in other -cases, we came to look upon it as something of but little moment.</p> - -<p>We paddled along the shore of the Foreland within musket-shot distance, -and neither heard nor saw anything of the enemy until we had rounded -the point, when the British fleet lay fair before us.</p> - -<p>Now was come the time when I believed we should be checked—when we -would speedily find ourselves<span class="pagenum" id="Page_142">[Pg 142]</span> in the hands of those whose duty it -would be to inflict upon us the punishment due to spies.</p> - -<p>As we afterward learned, it was only the forwardness of their -preparations which prevented them from giving heed to the bateau that -was being urged farther and farther out into the lake, while apparently -continuing on a direct course.</p> - -<p>Between the British vessels and the shore, boats were constantly -plying, carrying, as it seemed to us, full loads of soldiers; and we -doubted not but that the long-deferred attack upon Presque Isle was -about to be made.</p> - -<p>“Knowing that two lads answering to our description came from the -American shore, it is not likely we shall pass unchallenged,” I said, -and Alec replied with so much of cheerfulness in his tones that it -heartened me wonderfully.</p> - -<p>“There is much the same idea in my mind, Dicky Dobbins; but having -succeeded in setting sail when it seemed positive we should fail to -find an opportunity of leaving the shore, it is not seemly to look -ahead in search of trouble. We can do no less than paddle at our best -pace until some one does hail us, and then comes the question as to -whether we can afford to disobey the command to put about. But for the -fact that since we landed you have shown<span class="pagenum" id="Page_143">[Pg 143]</span> yourself to be a wondrously -brave lad, I should say that you were in danger of growing cowardly.”</p> - -<p>“I have already become a coward; and as for showing myself brave, it is -not true. Any fellow will fight for his life when he is cornered, and -that is all I have done thus far. But for the fact that you forced me -to put off in this boat, I should now either be in the hands of those -who are searching for us, or skulking along the shore somewhere, with -good show of being speedily discovered.”</p> - -<p>It is not to be supposed that we ceased our labor at the paddles while -thus speaking.</p> - -<p>On the contrary, even as I acknowledged my cowardice I redoubled my -efforts, and the bateau sped over the water at a faster pace, I venture -to say, than ever she had before.</p> - -<p>Well, strange as it may seem, we passed the fleet almost within hailing -distance, and yet apparently no attention was paid to us.</p> - -<p>Within half an hour after rounding the point we were so far from the -starting-point that even I had little fear we would be overhauled while -the wind remained from the quarter it was then blowing, and a second -time had we made good the flight from the North Foreland when the -Britishers might, by exercising due caution, have prevented it.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_144">[Pg 144]</span></p> - -<p>Any other than Alec Perry would have taunted me with the fact that but -for his efforts we probably would have met our death as spies.</p> - -<p>He said not one word regarding his share in the escape; but contented -himself with congratulating me upon what I had done against my own -will, and as the moments wore on into hours we lost sight of the -enemy’s fleet.</p> - -<p>It was a tedious journey which we made in the light bateau across -the lake, having neither food nor water, and yet we would have been -ungrateful lads indeed had any word of discontent passed our lips, for -what was hunger, thirst, or fatigue as compared to that which would -have been our lot had the Britishers captured us while we were within -their lines?</p> - -<p>More than once did we speculate upon how Leon Marchand might have -settled matters with the soldiers after he had diverted them from the -pursuit, and it was only when we thought of him that our hearts were -heavy, for it was not impossible that by saving us he had jeopardized -his own life.</p> - -<p>Within twenty hours from the time of embarking in the bateau we were -come to Presque Isle bay, and were there halted by the guard-boats -which patrolled the entrance, for already had word been<span class="pagenum" id="Page_145">[Pg 145]</span> brought by -those friendly to our people that the enemy were making ready to -advance from the North Foreland.</p> - -<p>If Alec and I had expected to be made much of on our arrival we were -disappointed.</p> - -<p>Those who acted as sentinels guarding the channel of the harbor gave -but little heed to us, once having made certain we had a right to -enter, and on landing it was as if all the people were panic-stricken.</p> - -<p>Everywhere could we see the inhabitants moving their household goods -toward the interior. Surely the town was being evacuated! Women, -children, and even men, ran here and there frantically, and one would -have said a sudden fear of death had come upon all.</p> - -<p>We sought in vain for my father, believing he would be on shore, and -the first man who was sufficiently calm to answer our questions told -us that all who could be of service in manning the war-vessels were at -their post of duty.</p> - -<p>“What is come upon the people, sir?” Alec asked. “It would seem as if -all had great cause for fear.”</p> - -<p>“So they have; and you must be a stranger here not to know that at noon -yesterday the British set out from the North Foreland with a large -force to destroy this town.”</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_146">[Pg 146]</span></p> - -<p>“We are but just come from there,” Alec said quietly, “and know that at -the time you mention the fleet was not ready to set sail.”</p> - -<p>Now the man regarded us more intently, and recognizing me as Captain -Dobbins’s son, asked sharply:</p> - -<p>“Is it true that you are but just come from the Canadian shore?”</p> - -<p>“Ay, sir. We were sent to spy upon the Britishers, and were near to -falling into their hands. It may be they have begun by this time to -cross the lake, but less than four-and-twenty hours ago we can answer -for it that they remained inactive at the encampment. I had thought to -find my father ashore, otherwise we would have sought him on one of the -vessels.”</p> - -<p>“He went aboard the <i>Lawrence</i> less than two hours ago.”</p> - -<p>It was one of the brigs to which the gentleman referred; she had been -named, by order of the Secretary of the Navy, in honor of the gallant -captain of the <i>Chesapeake</i>, who gave his life for his country.</p> - -<p>I would have gone home before endeavoring to find my father, in order -that mother need not worry concerning us; but by this time several of -the townspeople, overhearing what Alec said, had halted near by, and -all of them demanded that we carry our information<span class="pagenum" id="Page_147">[Pg 147]</span> without delay to -Captain Perry, urging that it was of vital importance he should know -how matters stood on the North Foreland.</p> - -<p>Therefore it was that within ten minutes after landing we embarked on -the bateau again, and pulled for the opposite shore toward Little Bay, -where the <i>Lawrence</i> was lying at anchor.</p> - -<p>It is not necessary I should repeat what was said during the interview -we had with Captain Perry and my father, neither of whom had given much -heed to the rumors that an immediate attack was to be made upon Presque -Isle.</p> - -<p>Owing almost solely to the panic among the people, they had put our -little fleet in such a state of preparation as was possible, but both -understood that if the Britishers were near at hand some word must -perforce be brought in advance.</p> - -<p>Captain Perry questioned us closely concerning what we had seen on the -North Foreland, appearing disappointed because we had failed to hear -more of the conversation between the soldiers regarding the coming of -the vessels which the Britishers expected; and then my father pinned us -down to a most careful estimate of the time which had passed since we -embarked on the bateau, after which Alec’s brother said:—</p> - -<p>“You lads are at liberty until you have made<span class="pagenum" id="Page_148">[Pg 148]</span> ready to report on board -here for duty. Our force is so small that every person, whether man or -boy, must be ready to do a full share of such work as may fall to his -lot.”</p> - -<p>Then we two were left to our own devices, and by talking with such -members of the brig’s crew as were acquaintances—for we had no idea -of going on shore while we might remain aboard the <i>Lawrence</i>—we -learned what had caused the commotion among the townspeople.</p> - -<p>It was known even by the sailors that while the Government at -Washington had failed to furnish Captain Perry with the force which -was needed to man his fleet, orders had come for him to coöperate with -General Harrison, although it was absolutely impossible to take even -one of the brigs out of the harbor with so small a force.</p> - -<p>We were told that reliable intelligence had been brought from Malden -that the British had a new and powerful vessel there called the -<i>Detroit</i>, which was ready for service against Presque Isle; -also that Captain Robert H. Barclay, who had served with Nelson at -Trafalgar, was in command of the fleet known to be cruising along the -American shore.</p> - -<p>Captain Perry, powerless to obey such commands as came from Washington, -yet burning with the desire<span class="pagenum" id="Page_149">[Pg 149]</span> to strike a blow in behalf of his country, -was forced to remain within the harbor on the defensive, when his one -desire was to begin hostilities. With a force of sailors so small -that the entire number would not have been sufficient to work the -<i>Lawrence</i>, he could do no more than answer Commodore Chauncey’s -summons in the following words:—</p> - -<p>“The enemy’s fleet of six sail are reported off this harbor. What a -golden opportunity if we had men! Their object is, no doubt, either -to blockade or attack us, or to carry provisions or reënforcements to -Malden. Should it be to attack us, we are ready to meet them. I am -constantly looking to the seaward; every mail and every traveller from -that quarter is looked to as the harbinger of the glad tidings of our -men being on the way. Give me men, sir, and I will acquire both for -you and myself honor and glory on this lake, or perish in the attempt. -Conceive my feelings: the enemy within striking distance, my vessels -ready, and not men enough to man them. Going out with those I now have -is out of the question. You would not suffer it were you here. Think -of my situation: the enemy in sight, the vessels under my command more -than sufficient and ready to make sail, and yet obliged to bite my -fingers with vexation for want of men.”</p> -<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop" /> - -<div class="chapter"> -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_150">[Pg 150]</span></p> - -<h2 class="nobreak" id="CHAPTER_IX">CHAPTER IX.<br /><span class="small">A BLOODLESS VICTORY.</span></h2> -</div> - - - -<p>I had reckoned on setting down the details of many small adventures -which befell Alec and myself during such time as the townspeople of -Presque Isle were in a fever of fear, believing the British would make -a descent upon them while our fleet was much the same as useless; but -the pages are counting up so fast that many things must be omitted, -else I shall have come to an end of my paper before the real story has -been begun.</p> - -<p>Therefore it is that I may do no more than explain the condition of -affairs in the settlement while our vessels lay at their moorings -inside the bar, useless, because lacking men, and the British frittered -away their time reconnoitring until, fortunately, we were in fair -condition to meet them.</p> - -<p>After we two—meaning Alec and I—had brought for the second time -information of what was being done on the North Foreland, and General -Porter sent word from Black Rock that the enemy’s squadron<span class="pagenum" id="Page_151">[Pg 151]</span> was about -to make a descent upon us, there was neither man, woman, nor lad in the -town who did not feel certain the attack must be made within a very -few days at the longest, yet it was destined that we should have ample -opportunity to make all necessary arrangements for defence.</p> - -<p>Strange as it may seem, we were not molested for a space of three -weeks, and to this day no person, save the British commander himself, -has been able to decide why the king’s forces did not destroy our -little fleet, which afterward worked so much mischief.</p> - -<p>As I have said, we expected momentarily to see the English squadron, -and knew full well that it could not be successfully opposed by us; but -yet we did not fold our hands in idleness.</p> - -<p>The guard-boats at the entrance of the bay, just inside the bar, were -redoubled, and orders given that three musket-shots should be fired -when the enemy hove in sight.</p> - -<p>The ship-carpenters were set at work building a blockhouse on the -bluff east of Cascade Creek, to protect the shipyard, and such of the -citizens as had not fled in terror were detailed to put up a redoubt on -the heights commanding the bar, the same to be called Fort Wayne.</p> - -<p>Captain Perry sent messengers to Major-General<span class="pagenum" id="Page_152">[Pg 152]</span> Mead, at Meadville, -asking that he order a body of militia to our aid with the least -possible delay, and received from him the cheering intelligence that -all men who could be spared should be set in motion at once.</p> - -<p>The brigs and the schooners were moored near the shipyard, for no -attempt at taking them over the bar was to be made until we had a -sufficient number of sailors to man them; but the gunboats were fully -armed, and anchored off Hospital Point, because, owing to their light -draught, they could leave the bay at almost any time.</p> - -<p>Alec and I, with many another lad, were ordered to labor at Fort Wayne; -but it was understood that in case of an attack we should repair on -board one of the gunboats without delay, and we knew that while the -force of defenders was so small there would be no protest made, either -by Captain Perry or my father, against our doing whatever might be -possible in event of an engagement.</p> - -<p>Such was the condition of affairs with us on the morning of July 21.</p> - -<p>There was not an idler in the town, for the cowardly and indolent had -long since fled to safer quarters, and as we worked with a will at -whatever our hands found to do, every ear was pricked up for the signal -which<span class="pagenum" id="Page_153">[Pg 153]</span> would tell that the enemy had at last decided to give us a taste -of his quality.</p> - -<p>Although expecting it, when the signal was sounded we were taken by -surprise, so to speak.</p> - -<p>It was nine o’clock in the morning when the reports of the muskets rang -out on the warm, still air with a volume of noise which caused them to -seem as loud as cannon, and the tools dropped from nearly every man’s -hands as he sprang to the highest point of land in order to gain a good -view of the lake.</p> - -<p>Alec Perry and I did not follow the throng that flocked to the summit -of the heights; but, without so much as a single glance seaward, sped -swiftly toward the old French fort, where we knew would be found a -boat, and our only fear was lest the gunboats should leave the bay -before we could board one of them.</p> - -<p>We knew the enemy was in sight, otherwise the signal would not have -been made, for Captain Perry had threatened direst punishment upon him -who should give a false alarm, and we also believed the town would be -speedily destroyed, for both my father and Alec’s brother had privately -said that we could not hope to successfully oppose the British squadron -while our force was so small.</p> - -<p>I do not set this down that it may be believed I felt unusually brave -at the moment when it seemed<span class="pagenum" id="Page_154">[Pg 154]</span> certain Presque Isle was about to fall -into the hands of the enemy, for at the time I gave no heed to possible -danger. My eagerness to be on board the gunboat overshadowed all else, -causing me to forget for the moment what probably would happen, in the -fear that it might be thought I remained on shore through cowardice.</p> - -<p>“At last we shall have a chance to show that we can play the part of -men!” Alec said, as we ran, and I, vain of the small share we had -already taken in defence of our town, replied boastingly:—</p> - -<p>“It seems to me that we have already done as much. Who else can lay -claim to having been twice inside the British lines?”</p> - -<p>“Perhaps no one would care to admit being so foolish,” he said, with a -laugh. “We might have been among the redcoats a dozen times, and yet it -would count for but little if we had accomplished nothing more than has -already been done.”</p> - -<p>“Was it not of some service when we reported the number of men on the -North Foreland?”</p> - -<p>“If such was the case neither your father nor my brother gave us any -credit. It strikes me they treated our adventures as childish pranks, -rather than the work of men; but now the case will be different, for we -are to help man the gunboat.”</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_155">[Pg 155]</span></p> - -<p>I might have reminded him that we probably would not remain long on -board, once the enemy came within range, for the three small craft with -which Captain Perry proposed to meet the British squadron were not -calculated to make much of a fight against heavily armed, well-manned -vessels of war; but I held my peace, for this was not the time to say -what might possibly dampen his enthusiasm.</p> - -<p>We gained the water’s edge at the same moment as did my father, who had -come from the barracks, and leaped into the boat close at his heels, I -rejoicing that chance had thrown us in his company, since now we must -serve under him rather than one of the other commanders.</p> - -<p>“How many of the Britishers are in sight?” he asked of the man in -charge of the boat, and the latter replied, as his crew pushed the -light craft off from the shore:—</p> - -<p>“I have not seen the fleet, sir; but it was said by those on Hospital -Point, who had a full view of the lake, that there were six sail -bearing directly down upon us.”</p> - -<p>“Is Captain Perry on board the <i>Tigress</i>?”</p> - -<p>(This was the name of the gunboat on which it had been decided Captain -Perry, as commodore of the fleet,<span class="pagenum" id="Page_156">[Pg 156]</span> should remain, and she was to be -commanded by my father.)</p> - -<p>“Ay, sir; but so weak from the fever as to be fitted for the hospital -rather than to go into an action where we’re like to be sunk offhand.”</p> - -<p>“He was feeling better last night.”</p> - -<p>“Yes, sir; but Dr. Parsons came ashore two hours ago to get some -supplies, and I heard him say the captain was under the weather again.”</p> - -<p>“The prospect of going into action will brighten him up a bit, and I -venture to say you will never hear him speak so discouragingly of the -future as you have just spoken, not even though we were outnumbered -twenty to one.”</p> - -<p>“That is about the odds we shall have against us, sir,” the boatman -said firmly, but decidedly, “and I allow it is not discouraging to -others when a man looks at the situation as it really is, providing he -does not show the white feather.”</p> - -<p>“I had rather hear you say that we’re like to do the enemy serious -harm, than to croak about his sinking us offhand.”</p> - -<p>“And how long, sir, with all due respect in the question, do you think -we’ve a chance of standing against the British squadron?”</p> - -<p>“Till we’ve given him a fair taste of our metal, that<span class="pagenum" id="Page_157">[Pg 157]</span> I’ll be bound!” -my father replied emphatically; and then he turned to look seaward as -if intimating that such profitless conversation had best come to an end.</p> - -<p>Now it was that we caught a glimpse of the enemy, and that which we saw -was by no means heartening.</p> - -<p>Our boat, headed for the <i>Tigress</i>, had passed the range of -Hospital Point, giving us an opportunity of looking out over the lake -to the westward, and we saw the spars of no less than five vessels, two -of them being ship-rigged.</p> - -<p>To go out against them with three small gunboats each carrying a single -gun, seemed much like the veriest folly, and I ceased to feel surprised -at the boatman’s belief that we would be sunk offhand.</p> - -<p>Alec glanced at me meaningly when we had gazed at the enemy as long as -was pleasant, and I read in his eyes nothing but delight that at last -we were to do something more than act as spies or carpenters.</p> - -<p>As for myself, I would have been well content to remain in safety -on shore, although as a matter of course I should not have left my -comrades had the opportunity offered; but I assumed a bold bearing, -determined that my father might never so much as guess how timorous his -son could be at times.</p> - -<p>Nothing more was said by the occupants of our craft while we pulled to -the gunboat, and I fancy that much<span class="pagenum" id="Page_158">[Pg 158]</span> the same thought must have been -in the mind of every person, however bravely he may have spoken, for -one would have been lacking in common sense to believe our three small -vessels might give successful battle to such a squadron as now lay fair -before us.</p> - -<p>Once on board the <i>Tigress</i> we found so much to do that there was -no opportunity for gloomy thoughts.</p> - -<p>Although matters were supposed to be in proper trim, now that the -decisive moment had arrived there were many details to be arranged, and -Alec and I were kept running hither and thither, with this thing or -that, while the gunboats were being gotten under way.</p> - -<p>Although the fever had a firm hold upon him, Captain Perry was on deck -superintending the work when we arrived, and despite all my father -could say he persisted in remaining there, replying to every argument -used against his presence:—</p> - -<p>“If we could employ our entire fleet this day the malady would have -wholly disappeared, and even as it is, when we are to put out in the -face of such great odds, I am better both in body and mind than I have -been since we left Buffalo.”</p> - -<p>The <i>Tigress</i> was fitted for one gun, and the piece was in -position, under charge of Silas Boyd, an old man who was said to be -the most skilful gunner among us. In addition to this were two short -carronades,<span class="pagenum" id="Page_159">[Pg 159]</span> temporarily placed amidships where they might be effective -in repelling boarders, but could not be relied upon for anything else.</p> - -<p>To the great pleasure of Alec and myself, we were detailed to assist -old Silas, who would be chief gunner when the <i>Lawrence</i> was put -in commission; and while we were advancing boldly toward the enemy, as -if confident of achieving a victory, he gave us his final orders:—</p> - -<p>“Them as belong to a gun’s crew shouldn’t stand around waitin’ for the -word to be given, but ought to know what is needed an’ do it before a -command can be given. Now you lads are to keep back after this ’ere gun -is loaded; but the minute it’s fired, you’re to set about spongin’, so -the others won’t be delayed in their part of the work.”</p> - -<p>“We are more than willing to do our share of the labor,” Alec said, -with a hearty laugh; “but it isn’t to be supposed that we, who have -never taken part in an engagement, will be able to anticipate your -wishes.”</p> - -<p>“You’ll come to it in time, lad, you’ll come to it,” old Silas said, as -he stepped back a few paces and gazed at my comrade admiringly. “A boy -who can laugh like that while the odds are so heavily against us will -soon understand what’s to be done when the action begins.”</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_160">[Pg 160]</span></p> - -<p>“It’s as well to laugh as cry; and even though some of the men croak -about the chances in favor of the enemy, I’m heartily glad the redcoats -have decided to give us the opportunity of striking a blow, for it’s -dull work building forts on shore.”</p> - -<p>Old Silas gravely took Alec by the hand; and I would have given much -had that mark of approbation been bestowed upon me by such a man as the -gunner, for it meant more than words could have expressed.</p> - -<p>Captain Perry ordered that the drums beat to quarters, although every -man was in the position assigned him. There was to be no lack of -formality simply because ours seemed like a forlorn hope.</p> - -<p>The men cheered loudly when the roll of the drums ceased, and from the -other gunboats we could hear the same token of satisfaction that we -were at last bearing down upon the Britishers who had threatened us so -long.</p> - -<p>“There is no need to ask that every man will do his duty,” my father -said, as he advanced so far forward that all might see him. “We shall -meet the enemy in whatever force he may come, and I do not fear any on -board the <i>Tigress</i> will show the white feather!”</p> - -<p>Another cheer went up; and then had come the<span class="pagenum" id="Page_161">[Pg 161]</span> moment when my heart -seemed to leap into my mouth, for the British fleet was standing down -toward us, all the crews at quarters, and the guns showing grim and -ominous from the open ports.</p> - -<p>The ship <i>Queen Charlotte</i> was leading, and no attempt was made -to form a line of battle. Most likely the redcoats believed we could -be whipped so readily that there was little need of manœuvring for -position.</p> - -<p>“Fire when you think any execution can be done, Mr. Boyd,” my father -said, after Captain Perry had given the word; and the old man muttered, -in a tone so low that only Alec and I heard the words:—</p> - -<p>“I reckon I’m as near ready now as I ever shall be. This ere gun ought -’er carry that far, an’ he who strikes the first blow has the best -chance of gainin’ an advantage.”</p> - -<p>One of the crew was standing near with a lighted match, and old Silas, -after sighting the piece carefully, motioned that fire be applied to -the priming.</p> - -<p>There was a report as of thunder; the <i>Tigress</i> quivered from stem -to stern; and out of the cloud of white smoke I saw the ball speed -toward the foremost ship.</p> - -<p>If Silas Boyd had never aimed a cannon before, his reputation as a -skilful gunner was made from that<span class="pagenum" id="Page_162">[Pg 162]</span> moment, for we saw the missile -strike the <i>Queen Charlotte’s</i> mizzenmast, sending from it a -shower of white splinters, and causing the spar to sway to and fro as -if on the verge of falling.</p> - -<p>What a shout went up from our little fleet at this token of gunnery!</p> - -<p>It was as if every man tried to outdo his comrade at making a noise; -and in the midst of the tumult the other gunboats paid their respects -to the Britishers by sending iron balls toward them, but none save that -fired by old Silas struck its target.</p> - -<p>So engrossed were Alec and I in watching the movements of those on -board the wounded ship that we entirely forgot the part we were -supposed to play, and stood idly by with the sponges in our hands until -the old man cried angrily:—</p> - -<p>“Get to work, you idlers! Did you come aboard only to gape around when -there was work to be done?”</p> - -<p>It can well be fancied that we leaped forward to do our duty, and at -the instant of so doing I saw half a dozen wool-like puffs of smoke -from the ship’s side, which told that she was not intending to take our -fire without making some return.</p> - -<p>Once more our gun was loaded, and again old Silas squinted along the -piece.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_163">[Pg 163]</span></p> - -<p>The match was applied to this second charge, and we saw the ball -describe a half-circle against the sky; but the result was not the same.</p> - -<p>The breeze had been freshening, and the <i>Tigress</i> rose on a wave -at the instant the gun was discharged. This movement probably destroyed -the aim, or the piece may not have been sighted as carefully; at all -events, the missile fell ahead of the ship, and old Silas indulged in -many an angry word because of his failure.</p> - -<p>Alec and I did not give him an opportunity to remind us of duty again.</p> - -<p>Instantly the ball struck the water we were at work with the sponges, -and by the time the old man had finished shaking his fist at the enemy -in impotent rage, the crew were engaged in reloading.</p> - -<p>We had good cause for rejoicing, however, even though none of our -people succeeded in sending a shot aboard the Britishers.</p> - -<p>The increase in the weight of the wind brought down the wounded -mizzenmast, and as it fell we saw go up on the <i>Queen Charlotte</i> -signals which we soon learned was an order for the squadron to haul off.</p> - -<p>Incredible though it may seem, the king’s fleet turned tail when there -were but three small craft, carrying only as many guns, to oppose them, -and in<span class="pagenum" id="Page_164">[Pg 164]</span> less than ten minutes from the time Silas Boyd opened the -one-sided battle, every vessel flying the British flag was scudding -toward the Canadian shore!</p> - -<p>We had actually beaten off the squadron, any single craft of which -should have been more than a match for our three little gunboats, and -that without having received a scratch!</p> - -<p>It was several moments before we could believe that this really was the -case, and then what a volley of cheers went up!</p> - -<p>We could even hear the people on shore as they yelled themselves hoarse -over this bloodless victory, and I was so foolish as to fancy that -Captain Perry would give chase at once, for the sense of triumph was so -great I believed our poor schooners a match for the redcoats.</p> - -<p>“Can it be that we are going back?” I asked, in dismay, when the -<i>Tigress’s</i> head was turned toward the shore. “We have only to -give them a few more shots in order to sink the whole fleet!”</p> - -<p>“The smell of burnin’ powder is gettin’ into your head, lad,” old Silas -said, in a tone of reproof. “Don’t run away with the idee that the -Britishers won’t, or can’t, fight. We shall have proof of that later, -and he would be a fool who should try to gain any more of an advantage -than we’ve already got by sheer luck.”</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_165">[Pg 165]</span></p> - -<p>“They don’t show any inclination to fight, whatever it may be possible -for them to do!” I replied hotly.</p> - -<p>“There’s some good reason for it, you may be certain, although it ain’t -likely we’ll ever know what it is. Let well enough alone, you young -fire-eaters,” he added, addressing Alec also, who by this time was -giving audible vent to his displeasure. “It’s satisfaction in plenty -that we’ve driven ’em away, when it seemed sure we’d all be sent to the -bottom, for I wouldn’t have given a brass sixpence for our chances half -an hour ago.”</p> - -<p>Having said this the old man turned toward his gun, as if he could -not afford to waste more time on such as us, and we two lads watched -in silent sorrow the enemy’s vessels as they increased the distance -between themselves and the American shore.</p> - -<p>Before landing again, however, we came to understand that it would -have been the height of folly for us to have pursued the squadron; but -from that hour we, as well as the majority of our people, had more -confidence in Captain Perry’s ability to hold Presque Isle against the -enemy.</p> - -<p>“If the government would only send a force sufficient to man our -vessels, we’d soon give the Britishers such a lesson as could not fail -of proving that we hold control of this lake!” Alec said to me after<span class="pagenum" id="Page_166">[Pg 166]</span> -a time. “Every vessel in the squadron would have been ours had we gone -against them with the brigs!”</p> - -<p>It was useless to keep repeating such ideas, and I held my peace. -During the past two weeks they had been put into words by every man in -Presque Isle, and yet no reinforcements arrived.</p> - -<p>The vessels built to defend the coast were lying idle at their -moorings, armed and provisioned; but useless because we could not raise -sufficient force to so much as man one of them.</p> - -<p>Alec and I went back to the work of fort-building; but now we had more -stomach for the labor, because we had seen what might be done, and -because we had greater faith in the qualities of our small force than -was really warranted by the facts.</p> - -<p>Two days after this encounter a sailing-master in the navy, by name of -Champlin, arrived with seventy men, and our hopes arose once more, for -now one of the brigs could be sent out if need arose, and we believed -more sailors would speedily follow.</p> - -<p>Captain Perry and my father, however, knew how vain were these hopes, -for Master Champlin had reported to them that no more men were ordered -to Presque Isle, and again Alec’s brother pleaded for an opportunity -to show what might be done with the fleet that had been built by -frontiersmen.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_167">[Pg 167]</span></p> - -<p>As I came afterward to know, he wrote a second letter to Commodore -Chauncey, in which he said:—</p> - -<p>“For your sake and mine, send me men and officers, and I will have all -the British squadron in a day or two. Commodore Barclay keeps just -out of reach of our gunboats. The vessels are all ready to meet the -enemy the moment they are officered and manned. Our sails are bent, -provisions on board, and, in fact, everything is ready. Barclay has -been bearding me for several days; I long to be at him. However anxious -I am to reap the reward of the labor and anxiety I have had on this -station, I shall rejoice, whoever commands, to see this force on the -lake, and surely I had rather be commanded by my friend than any other. -Come, then, and the business is decided in a few hours!”</p> -<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop" /> - -<div class="chapter"> -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_168">[Pg 168]</span></p> - -<h2 class="nobreak" id="CHAPTER_X">CHAPTER X.<br /><span class="small">THE TRAITOR.</span></h2> -</div> - - - -<p>The days passed, and nothing came of Captain Perry’s second appeal for -the forces which were needed if the United States would hold possession -of the territory bordering on Lake Erie.</p> - -<p>Alec and I, together with many other lads, worked industriously upon -the fortification which had been named Fort Wayne even before anything -was done toward building it, and I venture to say that if all the -people in the United States had labored as earnestly on the defensive -and offensive as did we of Presque Isle, the war would have been -brought to an end before the close of the year 1813.</p> - -<p>When we had put up the blockhouse on the bluff east of Cascade Creek, -and finished the fort after a rude fashion, Major-General David Mead -arrived at the head of a full regiment of militia, and then it seemed -as if the government had at last remembered our feeble condition.</p> - -<p>It was a day full of excitement when these troops entered the town, and -not the least among the ceremonies<span class="pagenum" id="Page_169">[Pg 169]</span> was the saluting of the general -with thirty-two guns as he went on board the <i>Lawrence</i> to pay his -respects to Captain Perry, who, immediately after our late victory, had -been brought low by a return of the fever.</p> - -<p>My father was present at the interview; but what passed between the -commanders we of the rank and file had no means of knowing, save as -certain events transpired which we came to believe were the result of -their deliberations.</p> - -<p>It was only reasonable that, after having served under him, Alec and I -should find it in our way to cultivate the acquaintance of Silas Boyd, -and through him we got an insight into what otherwise would have been -difficult for us to understand.</p> - -<p>As for instance: The third day after General Mead’s arrival men were -set at work in the shipyard on four huge scows, or box-like boats with -flush decks, and my comrade and I puzzled our brains in vain to come at -some reasonable conclusion regarding their purpose. It was evident they -could never be intended for sailing crafts and equally certain that -they were not being built for cargo-carrying, because there were no -spars, and the upper portion was made without a hatchway, unless small -square holes cut fore and aft might be called by such a name.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_170">[Pg 170]</span></p> - -<p>“They are boxes, rather than vessels,” Alec said, after we had -speculated long and vainly regarding their purpose, and then he added, -as if the thought had but just come to him, “Let us learn if old Silas -knows anything about them.”</p> - -<p>The gunner was not far off. He had just come ashore from the -<i>Lawrence</i>, where he had been looking after some of the pieces -which were not mounted according to his notions, and we summoned him -without delay.</p> - -<p>“Don’t know the meanin’ of ’em, eh?” he asked, with a laugh, after a -brief survey of the odd-looking craft. “Well, lads, I’m allowin’ that -you’ll be pleased because they’ve been begun.”</p> - -<p>“I can’t understand why anything of that sort would give us pleasure,” -I said stupidly; but Alec, quicker witted, cried excitedly:—</p> - -<p>“Do you mean that they have anything to do with our fleet leaving the -bay?”</p> - -<p>“Ay, lad, that’s just the size of it, or I’m way off my reckonin’. I’ve -seen such things before. They’re called ‘camels,’ an’ I’ve heard say it -was the Dutch who invented them in order to carry vessels over shallow -places.”</p> - -<p>Even now I failed to understand their purpose, and, seeing the -questions in my eyes, the old man continued:</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_171">[Pg 171]</span></p> - -<p>“Either of our brigs draws too much water to be taken out over the bar -while the lake is as low as it is now—that much you’ll allow. Later -on, when these ere craft are built, an’ Captain Perry is ready to put -to sea, the brigs will be taken out as far as they’ll float, an’ these -camels made fast alongside, fore an’ aft. The water will be let into -’em through the port-holes in the sides an’ deck, till they’re sunk, -after which beams will be passed from one to the other under the ship’s -keel. Then the hatches are put on again, an’ battened down till the -hulks are water-tight, after which the pumps are set to work. Now you -lads know full well that once air takes the place of water, these scows -will have considerable liftin’ power, an’ up goes the brig as a matter -of course.”</p> - -<p>The old man paused as if thinking he had told all that was necessary; -but I was so thick-headed that he was forced to explain every detail -of the proposed crossing, although Alec probably did not need so much -information because of understanding it thoroughly from the first -description.</p> - -<p>Until now I had failed to realize that the brigs could not leave the -bay unaided until the water was higher, else I might have had even more -fear regarding what it would be possible for the British to do; but -after<span class="pagenum" id="Page_172">[Pg 172]</span> such fact had been made apparent I saw great cause for alarm.</p> - -<p>“Suppose the enemy’s squadron should come at the very moment one of -our vessels was trussed up on those box-like camels?” I asked; and old -Silas shrugged his shoulders as he replied:—</p> - -<p>“There is the chief danger, my lad; an’ I’ll answer for it that your -father an’ Captain Perry have discussed such a disaster again an’ again -since the lack of men forced them to linger here until the water fell -low. If the Britishers should come, there would be the end of whatever -craft might be on the bar at the time.”</p> - -<p>“Do you suppose others beside us know of what is to be done?” I asked, -anxiously.</p> - -<p>“It stands to reason all do, lad, unless they are blind. When such -craft as these are bein’ built, curious ones are likely to ask the -reason why.”</p> - -<p>As he spoke, there came upon me like a flash of light what we had heard -on the North Foreland that winter’s afternoon when Alec and I were held -prisoners in the narrow pen which was like to have been our grave. Then -we learned, because of the information in possession of the enemy, that -among the people of Presque Isle was at least one who stood ready to -betray us—one who was willing to sacrifice his neighbors in order to -curry favor with the Britishers.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_173">[Pg 173]</span></p> - -<p>I made mention of the fact to old Silas, telling him the whole story, -and suggesting that the same person who had played the spy might yet be -among us, but he laughed at my fears.</p> - -<p>“Do you think the Britishers themselves could not play the spy? I’ll -answer for it that more than one of their soldiers have been in this -town since the keels of the vessels were laid, an’ it is by such means -that they were kept posted of our doings, not through treachery. I’ll -answer for it we haven’t so mean a man among us.”</p> - -<p>The old man spoke so positively, and laughed so long at my fears, -that I could not do otherwise than call myself a fool for having such -suspicions, and straightway made every effort to put the matter from my -mind.</p> - -<p>Silas Boyd told us of many large ships which he had seen floated -over bars by use of “camels,” and otherwise gave so much interesting -information concerning like engineering methods, that Alec and I -listened to him eagerly until the day was spent, when we hastened to my -home with all speed, lest mother should chide us for loitering when it -was more seemly lads like us were snugly housed.</p> - -<p>But even while most deeply entertained by the old gunner’s stories, and -when listening to my mother’s loving words, the idea was ever present -in my mind that<span class="pagenum" id="Page_174">[Pg 174]</span> among us was a traitor, who would speedily carry to -the British information of the “camels” which were being made ready to -take our vessels over the bar.</p> - -<p>I said very little regarding this to Alec, lest he should make sport of -me for being foolishly suspicious.</p> - -<p>Perhaps because of my silence on the subject the thought grew stronger -until it became the same as a fact in my mind, and I cast about trying -to decide who among us was so lost to all honesty as to betray his own -countrymen to their ruin.</p> - -<p>When my father came home on this evening he reported that Captain Perry -was more comfortable, as regarded the fever, and had given orders that -Alec remain ashore until such time as commands were received for the -fleet to leave port.</p> - -<p>“And that is to be within a few days, if one may judge from the -indications,” the lad said, with a smile, when my father had reported -his brother’s words.</p> - -<p>“Why do you think so?”</p> - -<p>“Because of the camels which are being built at the shipyard.”</p> - -<p>“How knew you for what purpose those hulks were intended?” my father -asked sharply, and, as I thought, with no little disquietude of mind.</p> - -<p>As a matter of course it was necessary we should tell him all that had -occurred during the day, and,<span class="pagenum" id="Page_175">[Pg 175]</span> having come to an end of our story, he -said, half to himself:—</p> - -<p>“I had hoped the people might not be quite so well informed.”</p> - -<p>“Why, sir?” I made bold to ask. “Think you any in this town would carry -information to the enemy?”</p> - -<p>“That I am not prepared to say, but with some people gold is a -weighty argument, and has been known to buy the conscience of many an -apparently honest man.”</p> - -<p>Then it was that I spoke of the suspicion which had been troubling me, -and having come to an end, my father said reflectively:—</p> - -<p>“Many have left Presque Isle since last winter, and it may be that -among them was the one who then supplied the enemy with information. -I do not recall to mind any who would play the spy, but yet there are -several here whom I do not know sufficiently well to answer for their -honesty.”</p> - -<p>“Is there no way by which such a possibility could be guarded against?” -Alec asked, and my father replied:—</p> - -<p>“We have taken due precautions. The guard-boats at the entrance of the -bay will stop any craft attempting to put out into the lake without -written authority<span class="pagenum" id="Page_176">[Pg 176]</span> signed by those in command, while the sentinels from -here to Fort Wayne have orders to stop citizens trying to leave without -a pass. Yet all these might be avoided by him who had it in his heart -to work us mischief.”</p> - -<p>Such words as these were not calculated to set my fears at rest, -and when Alec and I went to bed we discussed the matter in all its -bearings, for since my father had spoken in such a tone I was not -ashamed to give words to my fears.</p> - -<p>However, we could do nothing more than talk, and in due course of time -slumber put an end to all forebodings.</p> - -<p>When morning dawned bright and clear I quite forgot the troubles of the -previous night, and went with Alec to visit his brother on board the -<i>Lawrence</i>.</p> - -<p>Captain Perry was yet so ill that Dr. Parsons had forbidden his going -on deck; but many officers were in his cabin when we arrived, and one -could guess from the expression of gravity on the faces of all that -some important subject was under discussion.</p> - -<p>The captain greeted us in friendly fashion, inquiring solicitously -after Alec’s health; but after the first words of greeting had been -spoken it might readily be seen that he was not anxious we should -linger, therefore we took our leave after having been on board less -than ten minutes.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_177">[Pg 177]</span></p> - -<p>Going on deck, we found old Silas bustling around as if charged with -the most weighty missions, and I asked him laughingly if there was any -chance the <i>Lawrence</i> would go over the bar that day.</p> - -<p>Instead of replying in sportive fashion to my bantering, he suddenly -became grave as any owl, and hurried away as if afraid he might be -tempted to reveal a secret in case he remained with us.</p> - -<p>“You may depend upon it that some movement is near at hand, and we are -not to be trusted with even so much as an intimation of it,” Alec said -laughingly, as we went over the rail into our boat, which had been -made fast alongside. “I am not disposed to grumble at being kept in -ignorance, so long as we are soon to go out against the enemy, but I -would enjoy knowing whether we are likely to miss anything by loitering -on shore.”</p> - -<p>“It isn’t probable the <i>Lawrence</i> will put to sea without us, -after all the promises that have been made,” I said, almost indignant -with Alec because he should seem to question my father’s good faith. “I -am certain some hint would be given to us if anything of the kind were -contemplated. Besides, it isn’t possible the brig could be gotten over -the bar in one day.”</p> - -<p>This last argument had more weight with my comrade<span class="pagenum" id="Page_178">[Pg 178]</span> than any other I -could have advanced, and at once he lost all care as to what might be -going on, bantering me to take a stroll with him along the shore to the -eastward, where could be had a good view of the lake without a very -lengthy journey.</p> - -<p>“Who knows but that we may sight the bold Britishers before those in -the guard-boats can do so, and thus gain considerable credit for being -sharp-sighted!” he said sportively, and I took the words in good faith.</p> - -<p>“We’ll try it!” I replied so earnestly that he was provoked to mirth, -and the boat’s head was turned in the direction of Fort Wayne, in -front of which fortification we landed when challenged by the watchful -sentinel.</p> - -<p>Once we were recognized there was no hesitation about allowing us -to proceed whithersoever we pleased, and, as Alec had proposed, we -directed our course along the shore of the lake.</p> - -<p>Now it must be set down here that there was no thought in my mind that -we could do more than possibly sight the enemy’s fleet in the distance.</p> - -<p>I had ceased to think there was a traitor among us, and, therefore, -that which occurred came as much in the nature of a surprise as if -there had never been any conversation between my comrade and myself -regarding the chance that information concerning our movements might be -carried to the Britishers.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_179">[Pg 179]</span></p> - -<p>We strolled aimlessly along the shore, talking of the time when our -fleet should be out on the lake fully manned, and giving no heed to -anything save what might be seen seaward, until Alec stopped suddenly, -clutching me by the arm as he whispered:—</p> - -<p>“Look just beyond that clump of bushes! Unless I am much mistaken there -is a boat drawn up to prevent her from being seen!”</p> - -<p>Many seconds passed before I could make out clearly that which had -attracted his attention, and then I not only saw the craft, but -distinguished amid the foliage the form of a man, who was peering -through the branches at us.</p> - -<p>“It is either a British spy, or the traitor who carried news to the -enemy last winter!” I said excitedly, turning this way and that in the -hope of seeing some one upon whom we could call for assistance.</p> - -<p>Even as I spoke the fellow in hiding drew back until it was impossible -to see so much as the outlines of his form; but Alec, rendered -suspicious by a glimpse of the half-hidden boat, was ready to believe -that I had made no mistake.</p> - -<p>“It isn’t likely a Britisher would venture here at this time, for there -has been nothing of importance to attract one. It is some person from -Presque Isle, who awaits an opportunity to set out across the lake,<span class="pagenum" id="Page_180">[Pg 180]</span> or -has just returned,” he said, now quite as excited as was I. “It is our -duty, Dicky Dobbins, to make of that fellow a prisoner, in order that -he may give reasonable excuse for behaving in such a fashion.”</p> - -<p>“There is little chance of our doing that without weapons, for be he -spy or traitor, we can count on his making a good fight.”</p> - -<p>“No better than is within our power, if we are so disposed,” Alec -replied stoutly. “I have no idea of losing such an opportunity as is -before us!”</p> - -<p>Now I was quite as eager as he to learn who this man might be that he -should thus take so many precautions against being seen; but yet I -believed we had good reason to be cautious in our movements lest we -come to grief.</p> - -<p>It was well that Alec Perry carried a stouter heart than mine, -otherwise much of disaster might have come upon our little fleet before -there had been an opportunity for Oliver Perry to show of what he was -capable.</p> - -<p>“Will you follow me?” the dear lad whispered, and I replied, although -decidedly against my better judgment:—</p> - -<p>“Ay, that I will, Alec, although I believe you are running into danger -needlessly. Why not wait until we can call others to help us, or at -least get weapons<span class="pagenum" id="Page_181">[Pg 181]</span> with which to defend our lives, for if that fellow -is either spy or traitor he will not yield without a fight.”</p> - -<p>“It is two against one, and even cowards could ask for no better odds -than that!” Alec said sharply, and in another instant he was running at -full speed toward the clump of bushes in which was hidden the man we -would make prisoner.</p> - -<p>There was no other course left me but to follow him, unless I was -willing to have it said I deserted a friend, and even while reproaching -myself for making such a foolhardy venture, I ran at my best pace close -at his heels.</p> - -<p>As a matter of course the stranger saw us coming, and whether guilty or -innocent must have divined our purpose.</p> - -<p>Perhaps the speed at which we advanced convinced him he could not -outstrip us in a chase, for instead of taking flight, he made every -effort to launch his boat before we should come up with him.</p> - -<p>Had he succeeded in getting half a dozen yards from the shore we would -have been baffled, weaponless as we were, and the fellow probably -counted on this, but he had drawn the craft too high up on the sand.</p> - -<p>She was less than ten feet from the water’s edge when Alec came within -striking distance, and now,<span class="pagenum" id="Page_182">[Pg 182]</span> instead of trying further to launch the -boat, he turned to defend himself.</p> - -<p>With a stout oaken paddle uplifted he awaited my comrade’s approach, -and I cried aloud in surprise when I recognized in him one of our -neighbors who claimed to be violently loyal to the Government of the -United States.</p> - -<p>“It’s Nathaniel Hubbard!” burst involuntarily from my lips, and as I -spoke his name he turned upon me in a fury.</p> - -<p>Until that instant I do not think there was in his mind any thought -to do other than beat us off until he could set the boat afloat; but, -finding himself recognized, it seemed necessary for his own safety that -our mouths should be closed forever.</p> - -<p>Stooping suddenly, he seized something from the bottom of the craft, -and when he stood erect once more I saw in each of his hands a pistol.</p> - -<p>“Look out for yourself!” I cried, fearing lest Alec had not observed -the weapons, and even as I shouted there was a blinding flash; I could -feel the heat of the burning powder, and wondered that no pain followed -it.</p> - -<p>Hubbard had fired point blank at me, within less than ten feet -distance, and yet missed the target.</p> - -<p>With a cry of rage he turned upon Alec, but before<span class="pagenum" id="Page_183">[Pg 183]</span> he could press the -trigger of his pistol I leaped upon his back.</p> - -<p>The weapon was discharged; but the bullet buried itself in the sand, -and the traitor was at our mercy, although not yet conquered.</p> - -<p>He fought like a wild man, and I could not wonder at his fury, for more -than his life was at stake. Even though his neighbors did not kill him -outright, as indeed they had good cause, he was disgraced forever; and -there would be nothing left for him save to take refuge among those to -whom he had sold himself, which might not be a pleasant thing, because -he who buys a traitor can have no great respect or love for him.</p> - -<p>During five minutes or more it was a serious question as to who would -come off victorious, and then suddenly his strength seemed to desert -him; he collapsed, so to speak, even while putting forth his greatest -strength, and from that instant it was as if we had no more than a -child in our grasp.</p> - -<p>“We’ll tie his hands and feet, and bundle him into his own boat,” Alec -said, whipping out his pocket-knife and cutting the small hempen cable, -or painter. “It will be too much of a job to carry the scoundrel from -here to the village!”</p> - -<p>It was pitiful to see how weak the traitor had become<span class="pagenum" id="Page_184">[Pg 184]</span> in mind as well -as body. Instead of making any protest, or challenging us to prove that -he did not have as good a right as we to stroll on the shore of the -lake, he burst into tears, imploring us to “be merciful.”</p> - -<p>“It can do you no good to take me back, and I will reward you richly -for my liberty,” he whined, in so cowardly a fashion that I turned my -back, unwilling to look upon the despicable wretch.</p> - -<p>“You will pay us with British gold, eh?” Alec said angrily, raising his -hand, whereupon I seized his arm, fearing lest in his righteous wrath -he might strike one who was bound, for we had lost no time in tying the -fellow.</p> - -<p>“Don’t fear that I shall do him any great harm,” the lad said quickly. -“For a moment the temptation to punish him for thinking we might be -bought was great, but I should have remembered in time that it would be -a disgrace even to strike a cur who has sold his country.”</p> - -<p>From that instant Nathaniel Hubbard seemed to understand that it would -be useless to plead with us.</p> - -<p>He apparently gathered courage from despair, or else grief and remorse -overpowered him, for he remained silent and motionless, seeming to give -no heed whatsoever to us.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_185">[Pg 185]</span></p> - -<p>As if he had been no more than a bundle of merchandise, and not very -valuable at that, we packed him into the boat and rowed back toward the -brig whereon we knew was Captain Perry, feeling quite certain we had -done a good forenoon’s work in our country’s behalf.</p> -<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop" /> - -<div class="chapter"> -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_186">[Pg 186]</span></p> - -<h2 class="nobreak" id="CHAPTER_XI">CHAPTER XI.<br /><span class="small">CROSSING THE BAR.</span></h2> -</div> - - -<p>If we lads had expected to be greeted with enthusiastic praises when we -pulled alongside the <i>Caledonia</i>, near that portion of the deck -where my father was standing, we were doomed to disappointment.</p> - -<p>“Who have you there?” he asked sharply, not for the moment recognizing -his old neighbor and professed friend.</p> - -<p>“A spy whom we found on the lake front, having just come over, or about -to put across,” Alec replied, and I would have added more but that my -father asked sternly:—</p> - -<p>“How do you know he is a spy?”</p> - -<p>“First, because of his suspicious movements when we hove in sight,” -Alec replied, still continuing to act as spokesman. “Dicky Dobbins and -I went along the shore for a stroll, and, having come near to a clump -of bushes grown close by the water’s edge, saw a boat half concealed -therein; also this man in hiding. When we came up he greeted us<span class="pagenum" id="Page_187">[Pg 187]</span> with -two pistol bullets, and but for my comrade I would have been killed. -Then, when we had him bound fast, he tried to bribe us into giving -him his liberty. If all this be no token of his guilt, then am I much -mistaken.”</p> - -<p>“It is Nathaniel Hubbard,” I interrupted, understanding that as yet my -father had not recognized the man.</p> - -<p>“Nathaniel Hubbard!” he repeated. “And you have taken him for a spy?”</p> - -<p>“If he was an honest citizen, sir, there would have been no such scene -as I described,” Alec said stoutly.</p> - -<p>Perhaps if Master Hubbard had made any loud claim of innocence at this -moment he might have been believed, so great was my father’s confidence -in the man. But, as I have already said, it was as if he collapsed -entirely when we had gotten the best of him, and now could not utter a -lie in his own defence.</p> - -<p>Instead of giving us orders concerning the prisoner, my father wheeled -abruptly around, disappearing almost immediately down the companionway, -and I knew he had gone to acquaint Captain Perry with the painful -intelligence that one of Presque Isle’s most trusted citizens had -proven himself a traitor.</p> - -<p>We waited in the boat, Alec and I, until perhaps<span class="pagenum" id="Page_188">[Pg 188]</span> ten minutes had -passed, and then one of the guards came to the rail and said:—</p> - -<p>“The captain commands that the prisoner be taken on shore by a force of -men from the brig, and you boys are to remain here.”</p> - -<p>Now it was that Nathaniel Hubbard found his tongue. He who should have -welcomed death as a means of hiding him from view of those who had -trusted him, begged piteously for life, knowing full well the people of -Presque Isle would take the law in their own hands once his perfidy was -known.</p> - -<p>“Pray to Captain Dobbins that I be confined on board this ship!” he -cried to the soldier who had brought us the command. “Entreat him by -the friendship of former days not to deliver me into the keeping of -those who would shed my blood!”</p> - -<p>Tears stood in the traitor’s eyes, so great was his fear, and I turned -my head away, not caring to look at that which was so disagreeable, for -there was no pity in my heart toward one who would sell his countrymen.</p> - -<p>“Go, and repeat what he has said to Captain Dobbins,” Alec commanded -the soldier, and the latter obeyed, returning a few moments later with -the word:</p> - -<p>“He is to be confined on board this vessel. You lads are to go into the -cabin.”</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_189">[Pg 189]</span></p> - -<p>We obeyed right willingly, for neither of us cared to remain while our -prisoner was being taken on board, and having gone below into Captain -Perry’s cabin, we were called upon to give a detailed account of our -forenoon’s work.</p> - -<p>When the story was finished my father sent us on deck again, neither he -nor Alec’s brother making any comment, and once there we saw that the -traitor’s boat was empty. He had been disposed of in some fashion which -did not concern us, so that there was no possibility of his being able -to carry further information to the enemy.</p> - -<p>Old Silas, the gunner, met us near the companionway, clasping each by -the hand as he said, with more feeling than I had believed it possible -for him to display:—</p> - -<p>“You have done good work this day, lads, but unwittingly caused sorrow -to many in Presque Isle; for there be no honest man who will feel other -than deepest distress because of findin’ a trusted neighbor to be a -villain.”</p> - -<p>“Would it have pleased you better, Master Boyd, if we had let him go -free?” Alec asked.</p> - -<p>“Heaven forbid, lad! While one may be distressed because of the -unmaskin’, there’ll be great relief at knowin’ that information of our -movements<span class="pagenum" id="Page_190">[Pg 190]</span> is no longer bein’ sold to the enemy. I have no question -but you have saved the fleet from destruction, unless it so be he has -already carried word of our intention to take the vessels over the bar. -Once the Britishers know that we count on leavin’ the bay, you may be -certain Captain Finnis’s squadron will lay off an’ on waitin’ a chance -to pounce upon us.”</p> - -<p>“What will they do with him?” I asked.</p> - -<p>“That is more than I can say. He deserves the death of a traitor; but -whether there be sufficient proof against him is another matter.”</p> - -<p>“Surely you do not believe there is any question of his purpose in -being on the lake front where we found him?”</p> - -<p>“Not a bit of it, lad; but what we believe is one thing, and legal -proof quite another. Howsomever, there is no reason why we should spend -our time talkin’ of him, for it’s a subject that gives one a bitter -taste in the mouth. There is much work to be done on shore, an’ we’d -best take our share of it. While you lads were ferretin’ out traitors, -an hundred and five men arrived; therefore, as I have heard it said -this mornin’, Captain Perry has about three hundred officers an’ men -fit to do duty. A scanty number with which to man two twenty-gun brigs -an’ eight other crafts; but they are to be distributed<span class="pagenum" id="Page_191">[Pg 191]</span> around in the -most economical fashion possible, an’ we shall put to sea as soon as -the fleet can be got over the bar.”</p> - -<p>“How long will that take?” Alec asked.</p> - -<p>“I cannot say; but certain it is that we are to move down to the -entrance of the harbor to-morrow mornin.’”</p> - -<p>This was Saturday, the last day of July, and with the thought in my -mind as to the breaking of one of the commandments, I asked old Silas -if he believed it would be right that we should put to sea on Sunday.</p> - -<p>“We are to make a move in the mornin’, lad. War is a wicked thing at -the best, an’ those who engage in it give little heed to God’s day, so -that an advantage may be gained. Our commanders have the idea, from -some information brought by General Mead, that no time is to be lost, -and orders have already been given for the fleet to make ready. Even -the small craft must be lightened in order to get them over the bar, -and I understand that there is much doubt in Captain Perry’s mind, as -there is in my own, whether the <i>Lawrence</i> and <i>Niagara</i> can -get out at all. It won’t be a short job at the best, and I’m allowin’ a -week will be well nigh spent before the cruise is begun.”</p> - -<p>By the time the old man had finished speaking we<span class="pagenum" id="Page_192">[Pg 192]</span> were in the traitor’s -boat, pulling toward the shipyard where the “camels,” having been -completed, were being tested.</p> - -<p>It was dull work here for Alec and I, since there was little we could -do to aid in the task, and I proposed that we spend the remainder of -the day with my mother, for it might be many weeks before such another -opportunity would be ours.</p> - -<p>Therefore it was that until daybreak on Sunday morning, the first of -August, we remained quietly at home, and then set out with my father, -who had come ashore about midnight, to take our places on board the -<i>Lawrence</i> as members of her crew.</p> - -<p>Old Silas was there, ready for duty, as might have been expected, and -when the brig, under the influence of the early morning breeze, passed -the town toward that neck of sand which threatened to deprive us of the -opportunity to take part in the battle we believed to be near at hand, -every woman and child in the settlement stood on the shore to witness -what they probably believed was a departure.</p> - -<p>The cruise came to a speedy ending.</p> - -<p>The <i>Lawrence</i> dropped anchor with her bow just resting on the -sand-bar, and orders were given for the gunboat <i>Trippe</i>,<a id="FNanchor_3" href="#Footnote_3" class="fnanchor">[3]</a> which -was the smallest vessel in<span class="pagenum" id="Page_193">[Pg 193]</span> the fleet, to go ahead for the purpose of -ascertaining the depth of water.</p> - -<p>When she grounded, not more than fifty yards from where the flag-ship -lay, it seemed certain we would not be able to get a single craft out, -and Alec Perry said despondently to me:—</p> - -<p>“It seems as if we were fated to remain idle while the Britishers hold -control of the lake. It were better my brother had remained at Newport, -than to come here only to be balked of his purpose.”</p> - -<p>I could say nothing cheering, for the same thought was in my own mind; -but Captain Perry and my father were not men who could be so quickly -disheartened. An obstacle in their way only served to arouse them to -greater effort, and one would have said that this apparent disaster had -long been foreseen and provided for.</p> - -<p>The entire fleet had come to anchor when the gunboat grounded, and, as -if by previous arrangement, every small boat near the shipyard and the -shore round about put off to take part in the arduous labor which must -be performed before our squadron could be gotten into deep water.</p> - -<p>Now came five days of excessive and exhaustive labor, during which -time I do not believe Captain Perry was below more than two hours on -a stretch,<span class="pagenum" id="Page_194">[Pg 194]</span> although Dr. Parsons had declared that he was dangerously -ill, and then the work had been performed.</p> - -<p>It is not seemly that such a task should be passed over in few words, -and yet my story has run so long already that what these brave men did -must be described in the smallest possible space.</p> - -<p>The gunboat <i>Trippe</i>, in command of Lieutenant Smith, was the -first craft over the bar, and the work of lightening had not been -excessive. All which was taken from her could be cared for in small -boats, therefore once she was in deep water her armament and stores -were quickly on board again.</p> - -<p>The <i>Porcupine</i>, commanded by Midshipman Senat, and the -<i>Ohio</i>, captained by my father, went over at about the same time, -that is to say, during Sunday night.</p> - -<p>The <i>Scorpion</i>, with Sailing-Master Champlin in command, did not -succeed in crossing until Monday noon, and it was late on that night -before such goods as had been taken from her could be put on board -again, since it became necessary to carry a goodly portion of them -ashore.</p> - -<p>The <i>Tigress</i>, with Master’s Mate McDonald acting as captain, and -the <i>Somers</i>, under Sailing-Master Almy, were gotten over before -Tuesday noon.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_195">[Pg 195]</span></p> - -<p>Then came the <i>Caledonia</i>, with Purser McGrath in command; and the -<i>Ariel</i>, captained by Lieutenant Packet, crossing on the evening -of the third day.</p> - -<p>There were left inside only the <i>Lawrence</i>, which Captain Perry -himself commanded; and the <i>Niagara</i>, under Captain Elliott, to be -carried over.</p> - -<p>But these last were, as old Silas put it, “the tough nuts of the lot;” -for if it was necessary to take so much from the smaller craft before -they were sufficiently lightened, it did not seem possible that the two -brigs could, even by aid of the camels, be forced into the waters of -the lake.</p> - -<p>All this while, as may be imagined, the strictest watch was kept, for -we knew full well Commodore Barclay was somewhere in the vicinity with -his squadron, and it stood to reason that he expected we would attempt -such a manœuvre as was then in progress.</p> - -<p>Immediately the smaller vessels had been forced into deep water their -guns were put in position and loaded; everything was made ready as -completely as if we knew an attack would be made within the next hour, -and had the Britishers appeared while the brigs were comparatively -helpless, I doubt not but that they would have met with a warm -reception, although it is not reasonable to suppose we might have -succeeded in beating them off.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_196">[Pg 196]</span></p> - -<p>When, on the morning of the fourth day, work was begun upon the -<i>Lawrence</i> and <i>Niagara</i>, every man and boy among us was in -a state of the greatest possible excitement. We understood full well -how deplorable would be our plight if the enemy should appear just -after the guns had been taken from the brigs, for then the two vessels -on which we placed the greatest reliance could have had no part in the -battle that must have ensued.</p> - -<p>Right here let me set down what, as a matter of course, we could not -know at the time; but which explains why we were allowed to perform -this long task unmolested.</p> - -<p>I have seen a letter which Mr. Ryason wrote to my father, and from it -comes this extract:—</p> - -<p>“The citizens of Port Dover, a small village on Ryason’s Creek, a -little below Long Point, offered Commodore Barclay and his officers a -public dinner. While that dinner was being attended, Perry was getting -his vessels over the bar, and thereby acquired power to skilfully -dispute the supremacy of Lake Erie with the British. At the dinner -Commodore Barclay remarked, in response to a complimentary toast, ‘I -expect to find the Yankee brigs hard and fast on the bar when I return, -in which predicament it will be but a small job to destroy them.’ Had -Barclay been<span class="pagenum" id="Page_197">[Pg 197]</span> more mindful of duty, his expectations might have been -realized.”</p> - -<p>If we of Presque Isle had had this information at the time, it would -have saved us great distress of mind, for there was not among all our -forces one who thought otherwise than did old Silas.</p> - -<p>He said to me despondently, when the order was given to load into small -boats the guns from the <i>Lawrence</i>:—</p> - -<p>“Now has come the time, lad, when I believe of a verity that our ruin -is near at hand. It does not stand to reason that the British commodore -can hold off longer, for he knows full well we would set about crossing -the bar at the earliest moment, and if he sights us at this work while -the two brigs are dismantled, we are undone.”</p> - -<p>During the earlier portion of the task the men had labored with now and -then a jest or a cheery word; some speculated as to what would be done -once the ships were afloat, and all seemed in a certain degree happy, -although excited. But now, when we were doing that which would compass -our own destruction should the enemy’s squadron heave in sight, every -face wore an expression of deepest gravity; men spoke in whispers, as -if fearing the lightest sound of their voices might be token of what we -were about,<span class="pagenum" id="Page_198">[Pg 198]</span> and I saw no smile, nor heard an idle word during all that -while.</p> - -<p>To get the camels into position under the brig was a difficult matter, -but finally accomplished, and on the morning of the 4th of August -Captain Perry’s flag-ship, with every small boat towing ahead, was -hauled across the barrier of sand into the waters of Lake Erie.</p> - -<p>Then, while a portion of the force labored at dismantling and making -ready the <i>Niagara</i> for the same passage, the remainder set about -replacing the guns, reloading the ammunition and the stores, and by two -o’clock of that day every man and boy among us breathed more freely, -for one of our ships was in condition to give battle to whosoever might -attempt to work us a mischief.</p> - -<p>By thus dividing the laboring force in order to arm the <i>Lawrence</i> -as speedily as possible, the work on the <i>Niagara</i> required much -more time than it had on the flag-ship, and not until noon of the 5th -did the last vessel of the squadron move out over the bar.</p> - -<p>Just at that moment, when our work was so well-nigh completed that we -need have little fear, the enemy’s squadron appeared in sight.</p> - -<p>Commodore Barclay had at last come to his senses; but it was too late, -so far as capturing the Yankee fleet on the bar was concerned.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_199">[Pg 199]</span></p> - -<p>Eight-and-forty hours previous, the sight of the British flags hoisted -on vessels carrying forty-four guns would have filled us with dismay, -and well it might, for then our doom was sealed.</p> - -<p>Now, however, having successfully combated greater difficulties, we -felt as if the coming of Commodore Barclay was something so trifling -as not to be considered, and many of our people, like old Silas, -rejoiced in the belief that we might even at this moment, when the -<i>Niagara</i> was virtually dismantled, give them battle.</p> - -<p>Among those who were eager to meet the British, even though we were -unprepared, was Captain Perry.</p> - -<p>It is proper now, perhaps, that I call him by a higher title, since he -was really in command of the fleet, and I noted the fact, as did Alec, -with most intense satisfaction, that once the vessels were in deep -water the men spoke of our commander as “commodore,” when previously it -had been simply “captain.”</p> - -<p>We had a taste of what this young commander was ready to do, when -he sent orders to Lieutenant Packet and Sailing-Master Champlin -to go out with their respective vessels, the <i>Ariel</i> and the -<i>Scorpion</i>, and boldly engage the squadron for the purpose of -detaining them until we should be able to come up.</p> - -<p>This order was so much to the liking of those who were sent to -repeat it to the commanders of the<span class="pagenum" id="Page_200">[Pg 200]</span> schooners, that they shouted the -words loudly that all might hear, and as we labored with redoubled -efforts, although well nigh on the verge of exhaustion, to refit the -<i>Niagara</i>, a shout of satisfaction and triumph went up such as -must have been heard by the tardy Commodore Barclay.</p> - -<p>“We are in for hot work now, lads, and plenty of it,” old Silas said -in a tone of satisfaction, as we two lads assisted him in mounting one -of the guns that had just been sent on board, for every able-bodied -man from the <i>Lawrence</i> had been ordered to aid in the work of -refitting this last vessel to cross the bar. “Our commodore isn’t one -to shilly-shally ’round when there’s a chance of burnin’ powder with -good effect, an’ his sendin’ the schooners out in such prompt fashion -shows that he ain’t minded to lose an opportunity for a fight.”</p> - -<p>“Think you there will be a battle this night?” Alec asked, so excited -that his voice trembled.</p> - -<p>“That is accordin’ to yonder Britisher’s stomach. If it so be he says -the word, I’ll warrant you we’ll go with our three hundred men—hardly -more than enough to work the fleet—and give him such a taste of our -metal as won’t be pleasin’.”</p> - -<p>“If Oliver should set out so poorly prepared and be whipped, the -government would blame him as severely as if he had a full force,” Alec -said, half to himself;<span class="pagenum" id="Page_201">[Pg 201]</span> and I understood from the words that the lad -hoped Barclay was not of the mind to wait until we might come up with -him.</p> - -<p>“But he won’t be whipped, lad;” and old Silas spoke in a tone of -confidence, as if he could read the future. “We Yankees have been kept -cooped up in Presque Isle bay so long that each will do the work of -three men when the chance is given him. We’ll not be whipped, lad, as -Barclay shall soon learn to his cost.”</p> - -<p>Now it was that as we worked every one of us gazed seaward at brief -intervals, looking with pride upon the little <i>Ariel</i> and -<i>Scorpion</i>, while they stood boldly on toward the British squadron -that could have sunk them with a single broadside, the stars and -stripes flying proudly from their mastheads, and all hands doubtless at -quarters, hoping it might be possible to engage in a contest, however -unequal.</p> - -<p>But the battle was not to be on that day, and well perhaps for our -commodore that his challenge was not accepted, for the odds against us -might have proven too great, despite the eagerness of the men.</p> - -<p>Before the two schooners were come within range of the enemy’s ships -the squadron was put about, heading for the North Foreland, crowding -on all sail as if it was feared our tiny schooners might insist upon a -battle.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_202">[Pg 202]</span></p> - -<p>We cheered, as a matter of course, when the enemy thus fled, and -laughed in derision at his cowardice; but there was beneath it all a -deep disappointment because the time had not come when we might show -our strength and determination.</p> - -<p>“Never you mind, lad,” old Silas said, as we stood looking after the -retreating fleet, and doubtless showing in our faces signs of that -which was in our hearts. “Never you mind. Commodore Perry ain’t the one -to hang ’round here while there’s a British vessel afloat on Lake Erie, -and I’m willin’ to wager all my prize-money that if Commodore Barclay -doesn’t come out boldly to meet us, we shall hunt him up, and the -battle won’t be long delayed unless it so chances the gallant redcoats -surrender without firing a gun.”</p> - - -<div class="footnotes"><h3>FOOTNOTES:</h3> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a id="Footnote_3" href="#FNanchor_3" class="label">[3]</a> Formerly the <i>Contractor</i>.</p> - -</div> -</div> -<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop" /> - -<div class="chapter"> -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_203">[Pg 203]</span></p> - -<h2 class="nobreak" id="CHAPTER_XII">CHAPTER XII.<br /><span class="small">PUT-IN-BAY.</span></h2> -</div> - - - -<p>As a rule the crews of the several vessels shared the old gunner’s -opinion regarding Commodore Perry’s intention of giving us all the work -possible, now that his squadron was at liberty.</p> - -<p>It seems really wonderful, as I look back on those days when I hoped -to win fame as a soldier or sailor, how quickly the men came to have -confidence in our boyish-looking commodore. Hardly one of them had ever -seen him before he arrived in Presque Isle, and yet all were ready to -trust their lives in his hands without reserve.</p> - -<p>All believed as did old Silas, and every one labored with a will to -make the <i>Niagara</i> ready that there might be no delay when our -commander found the opportunity to strike a blow.</p> - -<p>At five o’clock on that afternoon the last gun had been brought off -from the shore, and without waiting until the decks could be put -shipshape, word was passed from one craft to the other for all to make -sail, following the lead of the flag-ship.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_204">[Pg 204]</span></p> - -<p>“Now you can see whether I told the truth,” old Silas said triumphantly -when the <i>Lawrence</i> was gotten under way, her flags floating -proudly in the breeze. “There’s not a craft in the fleet ready for -action, and yet off we go in search of the enemy. Precious little time -lost in that kind of work, eh?”</p> - -<p>Nobody grumbled because of such eagerness, although it kept us all -jumping mighty lively when we should have been bottling up sleep after -four nights of almost incessant labor; but we toiled and sweated hour -after hour as cheerfully as if it was done solely for our private -benefit.</p> - -<p>By break of day we had arrived off the North Foreland. The vessels were -in something approaching proper trim, and half of the men had been told -off to take a watch below.</p> - -<p>Alec and I were among those thus released from duty, yet we remained on -deck when our eyes seemed glued together owing to lack of sleep, in the -hope that we might catch a glimpse of Leon Marchand.</p> - -<p>Although I have never mentioned the lad’s name since relating the -particulars of our second escape from North Foreland, I have not kept -silence because we failed to think of him.</p> - -<p>Hardly a day had passed but that we held converse regarding the French -boy, speculating as to what might<span class="pagenum" id="Page_205">[Pg 205]</span> have been his fate after the -soldiers discovered that he had led them on a wild-goose chase, and -promising that whenever the fortunes of war should permit we would do -our best at finding him.</p> - -<p>Therefore it was we remained on deck when we might have been sleeping, -even though there was not one chance in a thousand of seeing, or, if we -did catch a glimpse of the lad, there could be no possibility of having -speech with him.</p> - -<p>We sighted no living thing along the entire shore of the North Foreland.</p> - -<p>By aid of a glass it was possible to make out the barracks where the -troops had been encamped; but they appeared to be deserted, and we had -good reasons for believing that the famous descent upon Presque Isle -was abandoned.</p> - -<p>The British squadron was keeping out of sight also, and I, believing -Commodore Perry would make immediate search for them, suddenly -discovered cause for alarm.</p> - -<p>“Suppose your brother sails either east or west with the hope of coming -across Commodore Barclay, is he not leaving Presque Isle unprotected?” -I asked of Alec, as if believing he could answer the question in a -satisfactory manner. “Who shall say that the much-talked-of expedition -is not near the town at this<span class="pagenum" id="Page_206">[Pg 206]</span> moment, having awaited just such an -opportunity as has now been given?”</p> - -<p>Old Silas passed at the moment I spoke, and, overhearing the question, -took it upon himself to make reply:—</p> - -<p>“Do you think our commander can be so stupid as you are tryin’ to make -out? I’ll go bail that we look in at Presque Isle bay as often as once -in every four-and-twenty hours so long as the wind serves, an’ while -it holds calm there’s little chance the Britishers will land any very -great shakes of an expedition.”</p> - -<p>“That’s it, exactly!” Alec cried, apparently much relieved by this view -of the matter. “I knew Oliver wouldn’t leave his base of supplies at -the mercy of the enemy, yet didn’t see exactly how it might be guarded -if we were to search for Commodore Barclay’s squadron. There’s no hope -of our seeing the French lad, and we’d best take our trick below, Dicky -Dobbins, before it expires.”</p> - -<p>“That’s where you’re right, lad!” the old gunner cried approvingly. -“Never lose a chance to take a rest, and by such means you will always -be ready for hot work.”</p> - -<p>Then we two lads went to our hammocks on the gun-deck, and, once -stretched out at full length, slumber visited our eyelids with but -little delay.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_207">[Pg 207]</span></p> - -<p>We were not awakened until sunset, and then going on deck we saw dead -ahead, hardly more than two miles away, the entrance to Presque Isle -bay.</p> - -<p>Old Silas was in the right when he said we should look in here as often -as once in every four-and-twenty hours, for until the 9th day of August -we cruised back and forth, watching and praying for a sight of the -enemy.</p> - -<p>It was on the morning of the fourth day since our fleet came out across -the bar, that we received reliable intelligence concerning the enemy -from a French-Canadian, who was friendly to the Americans because of -his enmity to the British.</p> - -<p>Commodore Barclay had gone with his squadron to Malden, there to await -the completion of another ship which was nearly ready for sea, and it -was generally believed he would remain in that harbor until able to -strengthen his fleet by the addition of this new craft.</p> - -<p>It seemed that he was unwilling to meet us on equal terms, although -having professed eagerness to come at us in any shape, regardless of -men or armament, and now had gone into hiding until he might have -nearly two guns for every one of ours.</p> - -<p>On the strength of this information General Mead decided to disband -the militia which had come to the defence of Presque Isle. The larger -number of them<span class="pagenum" id="Page_208">[Pg 208]</span> were farmers, and it was high time they got into their -harvest fields.</p> - -<p>Therefore, on this 9th of August the troops marched out of the town, -and once more the citizens banded together in military fashion to -protect their homes.</p> - -<p>This day was destined to bring great changes and decided advantages to -all of us, whether ashore or afloat.</p> - -<p>The militia had hardly more than gotten out of the town before an -hundred disciplined sailors and marines, well officered and under -command of Captain Jesse D. Elliott, marched in, and immediately -signals were set in token that those on shore desired to communicate -with the commander of the fleet.</p> - -<p>It can well be fancied that we were overjoyed by the arrival of this -sadly needed reënforcement, and the squadron came to anchor just off -the bar to receive the newcomers.</p> - -<p>The men and officers already on the <i>Niagara</i> were distributed -among the other vessels, and the brig was put under command of Captain -Elliott, who took on board with him the force he had brought in.</p> - -<p>Commodore Perry now had under his command nearly four hundred men, and -the moment had come when he believed it his duty to report as being -ready to coöperate with General Harrison, even though by so doing he<span class="pagenum" id="Page_209">[Pg 209]</span> -would be leaving Presque Isle at the mercy of the enemy.</p> - -<p>“I’m allowin’ Barclay won’t have a chance to do much mischief in this -section of the country,” old Silas said, when a dozen or more in the -watch to which we two lads belonged were discussing the news that had -been whispered around, no one knowing how it had leaked out of the -cabin. “Our commodore ain’t countin’ on givin’ the Britishers any very -great amount of spare time, an’ that famous squadron of theirs will -have to move mighty lively in order to steer clear of a row.”</p> - -<p>To me it seemed almost wicked, this going away from Presque Isle when -it appeared as if the town was in greatest danger; but Alec argued that -in war there can be no discrimination, and that, as in all things, “the -greatest good to the largest number” is the rule to be observed.</p> - -<p>It made little difference, however, what I might have thought of this -new order of affairs. The command was given that the fleet make sail -for Put-in-Bay, and the town wherein was my mother must be left with no -other protection than could be afforded by the armed citizens.</p> - -<p>If Captain Elliott had arrived twelve hours earlier, or if General Mead -had delayed an equal length of time before disbanding the militia, the -situation of<span class="pagenum" id="Page_210">[Pg 210]</span> affairs might have been far different, and my heart would -have been less heavy on that morning when we set sail in regular battle -order to begin active operations against our country’s enemies.</p> - -<p>During such time as we were at sea nothing in the way of a British -craft was sighted, and now is the moment when I may set down certain -matters regarding the traitor Alec and I had captured.</p> - -<p>Until this morning when we left the entrance of Presque Isle bay, some -of us never to return, I had believed Nathaniel Hubbard was confined -on board the <i>Caledonia</i>; but as we made sail I heard one of -the sailors complaining that he was deprived of what might be a last -glimpse of home in order to “feed a villanous traitor.”</p> - -<p>“Who is it?” I asked, surprised at learning there was any one -imprisoned on board the <i>Lawrence</i>.</p> - -<p>“You should know, seeing that you had a hand in his capture,” the -man replied surlily. “Why he wasn’t sent on shore instead of bein’ -transferred to this brig, beats me.”</p> - -<p>“When was he brought aboard?”</p> - -<p>“The night after we crossed the bar, and before the fleet put across to -the North Foreland.”</p> - -<p>“Are we to carry him with us on this cruise?”</p> - -<p>“You’ll have to ask the commodore for that information.<span class="pagenum" id="Page_211">[Pg 211]</span> I’m not -supposed to know what he counts on doin’. It’s enough for me that I -must fetch an’ carry for a gallows-bird like him.”</p> - -<p>The man was in such an ill temper that it was useless to question -him further, and I went to old Silas, as both Alec and I had come to -believe was our right.</p> - -<p>It was plain to be seen, when I put the first question, that Master -Boyd could give much more information than he then seemed disposed to -do.</p> - -<p>He answered me almost curtly, never volunteering even an opinion, and -this was so entirely contrary to his usual manner that my suspicions -were aroused.</p> - -<p>“It seems to me that Alec and I have the right to know what is being -done with the man,” I said hotly. “We captured him without aid from any -one, and yet it is forbidden us to know other than that he was put on -board the <i>Caledonia</i>.”</p> - -<p>“There’s no call to lose your temper, lad, seein’s how the fellow has -been held just as you delivered him, except that a change of prisons -was made, and I’m allowin’ the commodore ran away with the idea that he -might venture thus far without your permission.”</p> - -<p>I was ashamed, immediately after having spoken, and the old man’s reply -only served to increase my confusion.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_212">[Pg 212]</span></p> - -<p>“It is proving myself a simple, to speak in such a tone,” I said -humbly. “There’s no reason why either Alec or I should know anything -regarding the prisoner which the commander wishes to keep a secret.”</p> - -<p>“From what I’ve heard and can guess, I allow you two lads will not -have the chance to complain of bein’ kept in the dark, so far as he’s -concerned, many days longer.”</p> - -<p>“What do you mean?” I asked, my curiosity provoked by his air of -mystery.</p> - -<p>“Time will show, and you’re young enough to be willin’ to wait a few -hours.”</p> - -<p>Having said this, old Silas turned away, as if his breath was too -valuable to be wasted on one like me, and I went in search of Alec.</p> - -<p>He was in the commodore’s cabin, one of the officers told me, and I, -not daring to venture there without special invitation, was forced to -curb my impatience as best I might.</p> - -<p>An hour later, when I had heartily repented having spoken so hastily to -old Silas, a sailor came with an order for me to present myself before -the commander in his quarters.</p> - -<p>“The gunner has repeated what I said, and now I must confess myself a -meddling fool before the one man above all others whose good opinion I -wish to<span class="pagenum" id="Page_213">[Pg 213]</span> keep,” I muttered to myself while obeying the order, and when -I finally stood in the presence of the commodore the expression on his -face frightened me.</p> - -<p>He looked as grave as if about to pronounce sentence of death, and -Alec, who sat on a locker near the bunk, was pale and nervous.</p> - -<p>“Surely,” I said to myself, “there is no good reason for their making -so much ado about the words I spoke thoughtlessly;” for it seemed to me -that I had been summoned solely because of what I said to old Silas.</p> - -<p>“Richard, did you know that Nathaniel Hubbard was a prisoner on board -this brig?” Commodore Perry asked abruptly.</p> - -<p>“Silas Boyd told me, when I was so foolish as to question him.”</p> - -<p>“You must also understand that we cannot in justice take him into -action, and it is certain we shall engage the enemy before many days -have passed.”</p> - -<p>I nodded my head like any simple, wondering what connection there was -between such a proposition and my hasty words.</p> - -<p>“You and my brother made a prisoner of the man, and thereby performed -most valuable service, because if he had carried to the enemy -information of what we were about to do, it is probable the fleet would -not have gotten across the bar without a scratch.”</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_214">[Pg 214]</span></p> - -<p>Again I nodded, and thinking now of that interview, I can well -understand what an idiot I must have appeared.</p> - -<p>“Because of the great service you performed, and also since I believe -both you lads may be trusted implicitly, Captain Dobbins and myself -decided, before getting under way, that you were the only two who -should be allowed to know the outcome of the affair. The man deserves -death, for I have no doubt but that he has played the spy upon the -people of Presque Isle these many days, but it is an open question -if he could be convicted of the dastardly crime, owing to lack of -proof. Then, again, your father, Richard, is most eager to save an old -neighbor and former friend.”</p> - -<p>The commodore paused for an instant, as if at loss for a word, and I -looked in amazement at Alec, who sat on the locker, gazing first at -his brother and then at me; but it was impossible to read any solution -to the seeming mystery upon his face. He answered my glance without a -change of expression, and I fancied he was questioning me with his eyes.</p> - -<p>“Captain Dobbins and myself have decided that no good can come of -trying to punish the traitor, while by showing mercy—mistaken mercy, -perhaps,—he yet has an opportunity to redeem himself.<span class="pagenum" id="Page_215">[Pg 215]</span> Therefore it is -that we take you lads into our confidence, asking your assistance.”</p> - -<p>I was even more bewildered than before, and gazed in open-mouthed -astonishment at my commander.</p> - -<p>“We depend upon you to liberate this man as secretly as may be, -trusting only Silas Boyd, who will lend the necessary assistance, and -allow it to be believed that he escaped.”</p> - -<p>For a moment it seemed to me I must be dreaming! I could not believe -that my father, whom I knew was devoted to his country, and Commodore -Perry, who had been literally consumed with impatience because he could -not come at our enemies, would plot to release a traitor—a man ready -to sell his friends and his native land to the highest bidder.</p> - -<p>“I see that the proposition astonishes you, as it did Alexander; but it -is a sound one, of which I am not ashamed. Talk the matter over with my -brother, and by the time the plans can be put into execution you lads -will have come to a thorough understanding concerning it.”</p> - -<p>Having said this the commodore arose, a movement which I understood to -be a token that the interview was at an end, and as I turned to leave -the cabin Alec linked his arm in mine, walking in<span class="pagenum" id="Page_216">[Pg 216]</span> this fashion until -we were come on deck, where I observed old Silas gazing at us curiously.</p> - -<p>Not until we were well forward on the forecastle-deck where none could -creep up on us unawares, did I speak, and then it was to ask:—</p> - -<p>“What do you think, Alec Perry, of this proposition to set free a -traitor who would have delivered us over to the enemy without remorse?”</p> - -<p>“It has the approval of both your father and my brother.”</p> - -<p>“Now you are begging the question. I asked for your opinion.”</p> - -<p>“At first I looked at the matter much as I believe you do; but after -thinking it over, and I have had ample time, I fancy there is much of -good in it.”</p> - -<p>“In what way?”</p> - -<p>It would be impossible for me to set down here all the arguments Alec -advanced in favor of the plan, explaining as he spoke that he but -repeated what his brother had said. It is enough if I give the chief -points, and it appears to me that the case should be made plain lest we -be blamed for what we afterward did.</p> - -<p>First the difficulty of proving the man’s guilt was brought up, and I -was free to admit that argument<span class="pagenum" id="Page_217">[Pg 217]</span> a good one, because we had really seen -nothing which would absolutely fasten the crime upon him.</p> - -<p>Then came the supposition that, being given a chance to redeem himself, -Nathaniel Hubbard might become a better man. If he would do his part -in such a plan it was strong reason why he should be set free; but I -doubted the man’s desire for reformation.</p> - -<p>The shame which would come upon his family with the publication of -his guilt was another argument, and I did not try to answer it. The -strongest reason for freeing him was a general one, and did more -toward convincing me than any other. I knew full well there were many -in the United States who cried out that this was an unjust war—that -Americans had no right to uphold it, and once it was noised about that -a prominent citizen of the town which had begged the hardest for troops -was in full sympathy with England, it would go far toward proving -to the people at large that the wrongs of us on the frontier were -imaginary rather than real.</p> - -<p>I know not, even now the words are written, whether I have made my -meaning plain; but it is the best I can do in the way of explanation. -I know for a certainty that the arguments convinced me even against -my will, and when we two lads came<span class="pagenum" id="Page_218">[Pg 218]</span> down from the forecastle-deck I -was pledged to do whatsoever lay in my power to set Nathaniel Hubbard -free in such a manner that the crew of the <i>Lawrence</i>, and all -others in the fleet, for that matter, should remain in ignorance of our -movements.</p> - -<p>“When is it to be done?” I asked, as we walked aft, and Alec replied in -a whisper:—</p> - -<p>“After we have arrived at Put-in-Bay. There we shall come to anchor, -and ample time will be given us.”</p> - -<p>This was the ending to our conversation, and the matter was not -referred to again until the evening of August 15th, when our fleet -entered the harbor known as Put-in-Bay.</p> - -<p>Then it was that Alec said to me, when our duties were come to an end -for the day, and we free to remain on deck or below as best pleased -us:—</p> - -<p>“The work must be done tonight. I will speak privately with my -brother, and do you broach the subject to old Silas. We shall need the -assistance of at least one man, and Oliver believes the gunner can be -fully trusted.”</p> - -<p>Having said this Alec went into the commodore’s cabin, and I approached -Master Boyd, who was pacing the forward deck in a manner which told -that he had some weighty subject for thought.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_219">[Pg 219]</span></p> - -<p>“I would have speech with you, if it so be you are at liberty,” I -began; and before it was possible to say more the old man interrupted -gruffly:—</p> - -<p>“Very well, lad; but there’s little need to make many words over it, -for I can guess what you would talk about. It goes mightily agin the -grain to help such as that traitor; but I suppose it must be done if -both the commodore and your father have set their hearts upon it.”</p> - -<p>“How did you know what had been kept a profound secret?” I asked in -surprise, forgetting for the moment that the old man had intimated as -much a few moments before the plan was revealed to me.</p> - -<p>“Your father, fearin’ lest I mightn’t take kindly to the job, gave me -a hint of what would be done, an’ there’s no likelier spot than this -in which to work the traverse. I’ll run the boat alongside near about -midnight, an’ you two lads must attend to the rest of the work.”</p> - -<p>Having said this much old Silas walked away, as if unwilling to speak -further on a disagreeable subject, and I sat on the rail aft, feeling -more anger against Nathaniel Hubbard because it was he who forced us to -such work, than for what he may have done against his country.</p> - -<p>Alec did not remain long below; in less than half<span class="pagenum" id="Page_220">[Pg 220]</span> an hour he was by my -side, holding up what I soon saw was a key.</p> - -<p>“With this we can unlock the door of his prison. He is confined -amidships in the petty officers’ quarters.”</p> - -<p>“How are we to get him out secretly?”</p> - -<p>“That is for us to decide. My brother will aid us so far as may be -possible; but he must not take the chances of being known in the -business. What does old Silas say?”</p> - -<p>“No more than that he’ll have a boat alongside at midnight. That is to -be the extent of his work, as I understand it.”</p> - -<p>“How can it be done?” Alec said, half to himself, and it was beyond me -to answer the question.</p> - -<p>In silence we two sat on the rail with eyes fixed upon the deck, trying -to puzzle out what would have perplexed older heads than were on our -shoulders.</p> -<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop" /> - -<div class="chapter"> -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_221">[Pg 221]</span></p> - -<h2 class="nobreak" id="CHAPTER_XIII">CHAPTER XIII.<br /><span class="small">CRUISING.</span></h2> -</div> - - -<p>It lacked half an hour of midnight when I saw dimly in the gloom the -outlines of a man in a boat on the port side of the brig, and knew that -old Silas had fulfilled his promise.</p> - -<p>Alec and I had moved restlessly to and fro during the evening, -sometimes walking together, and again separating for a time, as if -courting loneliness; but without having arrived at any decision -regarding a method by which the traitor could be secretly released.</p> - -<p>We had formed plans in plenty; but on discussing them some fatal defect -was presented, and midnight was like to find us still undecided as to -how the work might be performed.</p> - -<p>“We will trust to chances,” Alec said finally, after old Silas had -made his boat fast and clambered up on the brig’s rail, where he -seated himself. “It is not possible to figure out every detail beyond -liability of failure, and we can only hold ourselves in readiness for -whatever may happen.”</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_222">[Pg 222]</span></p> - -<p>This was not an unwise speech in view of the fact that we had racked -our brains in vain during four hours or more, and it was with a most -profound sense of relief that I gave over the mental effort.</p> - -<p>“Is it all arranged?” the old gunner asked in a hoarse whisper, when I -passed near where he was sitting.</p> - -<p>“We have agreed upon nothing,” I replied. “At the last moment matters -may turn in our favor.”</p> - -<p>“Does the traitor know what we are figuring on?”</p> - -<p>“I suppose Alec’s brother has given him a hint of how matters stand.”</p> - -<p>“Why not lounge around below, and see how the land lays?”</p> - -<p>“Look here, Master Boyd,” I said, seized by a sudden idea, “why should -you not take this matter in hand? You can make a success where we would -meet only with failure.”</p> - -<p>“I’m not minded to dirty my hands more than is necessary,” the old man -replied emphatically. “If traitors are to be turned loose instead of -hanged, let some one else work the traverse.”</p> - -<p>There was little thought in my mind that I might be able to convince -Silas Boyd it was his duty to help us yet further than had been -promised; but, having nothing better to do, I set about the task, -and by virtue<span class="pagenum" id="Page_223">[Pg 223]</span> of soft words, mingled with much flattery, I finally -succeeded so far that he said, as if angry because of having yielded:—</p> - -<p>“I’ll make a try for it, lad, though it’s hard lines when a man at my -time of life sets about lendin’ traitors a helpin’ hand. Get into the -boat, an’ see that Alec is with you, for if it so be I succeed, we’ll -need to get away in a hurry.”</p> - -<p>Then the old gunner went below, and I walked aft where my comrade was -standing near the head of the companionway, hoping, most likely, that -his brother might come on deck to offer some suggestion.</p> - -<p>An exclamation of relief and joy burst from his lips when I repeated -what had passed between Master Boyd and myself, and it can readily -be fancied that we lost no time in taking our places in the little -craft, which had been borrowed from one of the gunboats, as I afterward -learned.</p> - -<p>During fully an hour we remained silent and motionless, alternately -hoping old Silas would succeed, and fearing lest he had been -discovered, and then two dark forms appeared on the rail above us.</p> - -<p>I would have called aloud in order to make certain who they were, but -that Alec prevented any such indiscretion by placing his hand firmly -over my mouth,<span class="pagenum" id="Page_224">[Pg 224]</span> and while I was thus powerless to speak the gunner and -the traitor descended.</p> - -<p>Old Silas cast off the painter, giving the light skiff a vigorous -push which sent her far away from the brig’s side, and when we were -swallowed up by the gloom Alec and I plied the oars.</p> - -<p>“Where shall we land?” my comrade asked, when we were midway between -the brig and the shore.</p> - -<p>“It makes little difference,” Master Boyd replied sulkily, as if angry -with himself because of having taken part in such business. “So that we -gain the mainland, one place is as good as another.”</p> - -<p>No other word was spoken until the skiff’s bow grated upon the sand, -and our prisoner arose to his feet. Then he said in a low tone, his -voice trembling with suppressed emotion:—</p> - -<p>“I shall never forget what has been done this night. The word of -one like me is not counted for much by those who hold true to their -country, yet I ask you to believe it. I have come to realize fully -the enormity of my crime, although until taken prisoner I believed -myself justified in the course pursued. From this moment it shall be my -earnest endeavor to repair the wrongs committed against my countrymen.”</p> - -<p>Having said this he stepped ashore, and an instant later was lost to -view in the gloom.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_225">[Pg 225]</span></p> - - -<p class="center p0 p2"><span class="figcenter" id="img003"> - <img src="images/003.jpg" class="w50" alt="HE STEPPED ASHORE, AND AN INSTANT LATER WAS LOST TO -VIEW." /> -</span></p> -<p class="center p0 caption">“HE STEPPED ASHORE, AND AN INSTANT LATER WAS LOST TO -VIEW.”<br /></p> - -<p>“Perhaps it is best he should go free,” Alec said with a long-drawn -sigh of relief, and old Silas replied in an angry tone:—</p> - -<p>“We have made ourselves akin to him by this night’s work, and I shall -never have the same respect for myself that I had four-and-twenty hours -ago.”</p> - -<p>Then he took up the oars, pulling vigorously toward the brig, and after -a brief interval I made bold to ask:—</p> - -<p>“How did you succeed in getting him off?”</p> - -<p>“It was a simple matter. The sentry went forward to light his pipe; -and, with the key you gave me, the door was soon opened. Hubbard must -have been warned of what would happen, for he came forward immediately, -and I had but to lead the way after having locked the cabin as before. -We met no one while coming aft, and soon it was so dark that those on -deck might have rubbed elbows with us and not known who walked by my -side.”</p> - -<p>“It is well over, and I feel as if a great load had been lifted from my -shoulders,” Alec exclaimed.</p> - -<p>“With me it is as if a heavy burden had been put on my back,” old Silas -added. “The business is done, so far as concerns settin’ the traitor -free; but now we stand a chance of this night’s work bein’ known to our -messmates, in which case not one of ’em would so<span class="pagenum" id="Page_226">[Pg 226]</span> much as look at us -again. There’ll be a hue an’ cry when it’s known he’s no longer aboard, -an’ there’s a good show of our bein’ suspected.”</p> - -<p>This last possibility did not trouble either Alec or I as it did -the old man, and we went on board the brig with the belief that the -disagreeable matter was finally ended.</p> - -<p>We turned in quietly, as may well be imagined, but I had not gained any -great amount of sleep when I was awakened by a tumult on deck.</p> - -<p>“Hubbard’s escape has been discovered,” Alec whispered when I sprang -up, so bewildered for the instant that I failed to understand the -meaning of the noise. “Our best plan is to remain here as if yet -asleep.”</p> - -<p>As he suggested, so we did, and after a short time the confusion -subsided; when, despite the gravity of the situation, slumber again -closed my eyelids.</p> - -<p>It was broad day when I awakened; Alec was standing by the side of my -hammock, and the report he made was most assuring.</p> - -<p>“I have just been on deck. Matters there are in our favor; it is -believed that the key was left in Hubbard’s door by the marine who -served him with supper—”</p> - -<p>“That can easily be disproven by finding the key.”</p> - -<p>“It has been kept in the mess-room, in charge of the third officer, who -now reports it missing. In my opinion,<span class="pagenum" id="Page_227">[Pg 227]</span> old Silas got hold of it after -coming aboard last night. At all events, there appears to be little -fear of our being suspected, more particularly since we shall put to -sea again as soon as a fresh supply of water can be taken aboard.”</p> - -<p>Although the escape of a prisoner through what appeared to be -carelessness on the part of his keepers was a serious matter, it -sank into insignificance when a sail was sighted three miles off the -entrance of the harbor, and signals were set for the <i>Scorpion</i> to -put off in pursuit.</p> - -<p>The schooner was quickly gotten under way, and while this was being -done orders were given for the entire fleet to follow.</p> - -<p>In less than ten minutes after the lookout had reported the stranger, -our squadron was carrying full sail, the <i>Scorpion</i> leading -by half a mile or more, and every man laboring under the greatest -excitement, for it surely appeared as if we were in a fair way to make -a prize.</p> - -<p>The escape of the traitor was entirely forgotten, for the time being, -and we lads knew full well that the commodore would not press the -matter unless it should seem necessary in order to avoid suspicion.</p> - -<p>Most exciting was this chase after we made out beyond doubt that the -strange sail was a British vessel heavily armed.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_228">[Pg 228]</span></p> - -<p>Every stitch of canvas was spread, and the question as to which craft -in the fleet was the best sailer bid fair to be settled before we were -come up with the chase.</p> - -<p>The Britisher was a clipper, and soon gave evidence that she could -hold her own against our swiftest vessel; but where there were so many -against one it seemed almost certain we might succeed in cornering her.</p> - -<p>I venture to say that every man aboard the <i>Lawrence</i>, including -the commodore himself, remained on deck during the entire day, watching -the chase eagerly.</p> - -<p>Now and then it would seem as if the <i>Scorpion</i>, which craft was -by long odds the swiftest of the fleet, gained on the stranger, and our -hopes rose accordingly; but only to be dashed a short time later when -the Britisher recovered her lost ground, darting ahead at such a pace -as threatened to give her an advantage that could not be overcome.</p> - -<p>The chase headed for the Canadian shore on first discovering our -squadron; but, fearing most likely that we might cut her off on the -west and east, she soon hauled around on a course directly up the lake.</p> - -<p>Then, when our vessels were strung out in a line, she came about, -actually doubling on us until headed for the North Foreland.</p> - -<p>Signals were set for the fleet to make for the Canadian shore, and we -were no more than on a new course<span class="pagenum" id="Page_229">[Pg 229]</span> when the stranger hauled around once -more, this time making directly for Put-in-Bay.</p> - -<p>“She counts on givin’ us the slip among the islands,” old Silas said -late in the day, when it was certain the Britisher could not safely -make another turn, because orders had been given for our vessels to -take such a course as would cut her off from any more twisting and -turning.</p> - -<p>“She’s lost, once she gets inshore,” Alec replied gleefully. “We should -be able to hem her in with but little trouble, and I warrant that -Oliver isn’t losing the sight of such a possibility.”</p> - -<p>“He may have such a plan in mind, but I misdoubt his being able to -carry it out,” the gunner said, as he scanned the horizon. “Unless this -is the time when all signs fail, we’ll soon have so much wind that it -will be a question of shortening canvas, and the commodore won’t be so -venturesome as to fool around among these islands, takin’ the chances -of losin’ one or more of the fleet.”</p> - -<p>Until this moment I had failed to note the unpleasant fact that the -wind was rising rapidly.</p> - -<p>Low-hanging clouds in the east told of a storm, accompanied by more of -a breeze than would be comfortable or pleasant, and, in addition, night -was close at hand.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_230">[Pg 230]</span></p> - -<p>“The Britisher is in as much danger of coming to grief as we are,” Alec -said at length, after observing the signs of which I have spoken. “Our -pilot should know the channels as well as theirs, and—”</p> - -<p>An exclamation of dismay from Master Boyd’s lips checked his speech, -and, following the direction of the gunner’s outstretched hand, we saw -the gallant little <i>Scorpion</i> come to a sudden stop, roll to and -fro for an instant, after which she settled down in such manner as told -us she had taken ground.</p> - -<p>An instant later her canvas was furled, and we knew that, so far as she -was concerned, the chase had come to an end.</p> - -<p>The Britisher had disappeared behind Put-in-Bay island, and she was no -more than shut out from our view when the squall burst upon us with a -fury such as I have seldom seen equalled.</p> - -<p>It surely seemed as if the elements conspired to aid our enemies, and -at that moment I lost hope.</p> - -<p>Commodore Perry was a man who appeared to gain courage when the outlook -was most gloomy, and now he gave new proof of his ability to command.</p> - -<p>Signals were set for the fleet to heave to, and when this had been -done, the first officer was sent to each vessel with instructions as to -where they should anchor.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_231">[Pg 231]</span></p> - -<p>The night had fully come before these orders could be obeyed, and then, -from the location of the riding-lights, we could see that each craft -had been stationed where she might best guard the outlet from the -islands.</p> - -<p>Unless the Britisher had put to sea during the first outburst of the -tempest, she was held prisoner, and we might make her our prize when -the day dawned.</p> - -<p>Master Champlin had already sent word that his schooner was resting -easily on the sands, and could readily be hauled off when the wind -abated, therefore we no longer had any anxiety concerning the -<i>Scorpion</i>.</p> - -<p>As may be supposed, every vessel in the squadron was snugged down in -proper shape to ride out the gale, which promised to be as short-lived -as it was fierce, and but for the fact that we had lost our prize there -would have been nothing to disturb us.</p> - -<p>The stars were shining brightly at midnight; the wind was no heavier -than a gentle breeze, and every man in the fleet remained on the -lookout for the Britisher.</p> - -<p>Before morning the <i>Scorpion</i> was floated, and her captain -reported that she had sustained no injury.</p> - -<p>When the day broke every craft was under sail,<span class="pagenum" id="Page_232">[Pg 232]</span> and within an hour we -discovered that the enemy had given us the slip.</p> - -<p>He must have gone out from behind the island in the teeth of the -wind, while we were occupied with the <i>Scorpion</i>, and the first -opportunity was lost.</p> - -<p>“It’s a bad sign,” old Silas said, with an ominous shake of the head, -when we had discovered that the Britisher was not within our grasp. -“It’s a bad sign, an’ I’d be willin’ to give up all the wages comin’ to -me on this cruise if it hadn’t happened.”</p> - -<p>“Don’t croak, Master Boyd,” Alec shouted, with a hearty laugh that went -far toward driving the sense of disappointment from my heart; “signs -don’t count except among old women, and because we failed to capture -one small Britisher, there’s no reason to believe we shan’t bag plenty -of them before this voyage has come to an end.”</p> - -<p>The gunner refused to be cheered, and as our fleet stood out from the -harbor, heading for Sandusky bay, where General Harrison was encamped, -Silas went below, as if there was no longer any necessity for him to -perform a seaman’s duty.</p> - -<p>I am overly long in coming to that portion of my story which is of -importance, and therefore must put an end to the words lest it become -necessary to cut short the account of that day when Oliver Perry<span class="pagenum" id="Page_233">[Pg 233]</span> made -his name famous, at the same time giving every man of us an opportunity -to distinguish himself.</p> - -<p>We arrived off the point of the peninsula at the entrance of Sandusky -bay on the morning of August 18th, and there signal guns were fired -that General Harrison might have knowledge of our position.</p> - -<p>Then we waited for some word from the troops until evening, when -Colonel Gaines, with several officers and a guard of Indians, came on -board.</p> - -<p>Camp Seneca was only twenty-seven miles away, so the colonel informed -our commodore, and boats were sent at once to bring the general out to -the <i>Lawrence</i>.</p> - -<p>Four-and-twenty hours later Harrison came on board with a large -following of Americans and Indians, and for a time the deck of the -<i>Lawrence</i> was much like a fair-ground.</p> - -<p>From this time until a full week had passed, it seemed as if Silas Boyd -was in the right when he declared that our failure to capture the first -of the enemy’s vessels sighted was proof that ill-luck would attend the -cruise.</p> - -<p>Immediately after General Harrison came on board plans for the campaign -were laid, and we spent much time sailing to and fro to find a suitable -place for a rendezvous.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_234">[Pg 234]</span></p> - -<p>Then my father was sent in the <i>Ohio</i> to procure additional stores -from Presque Isle, and also to make certain that matters there were -as they should be. At the same time the fleet sailed toward Malden -on a reconnoissance, but was met by heavy weather which rendered it -impossible to accomplish anything of importance.</p> - -<p>While off the mouth of the Detroit river, Commodore Perry, Dr. Parsons, -Alec, myself, and fully forty others, were attacked by what was -called “bilious fever,” and so many were on sick leave that it became -necessary to make some port.</p> - -<p>On the 27th of August the squadron came to anchor in Put-in-Bay harbor, -and instead of being war vessels, it was much as if ours was a fleet of -floating hospitals.</p> - -<p>Alec and I were quartered aft, greatly to old Silas’s displeasure, for -he held that we should have remained with our messmates; and a most -dismal time we had of it.</p> - -<p>The doctor was so ill that it was necessary he should be carried from -one bedside to another, else had we received no medical attendance, and -we were forced to get along without nursing, waiting upon ourselves as -best we might.</p> - -<p>Four days after coming to anchor, General Harrison sent thirty-six men -to act as marines, and take the<span class="pagenum" id="Page_235">[Pg 235]</span> places of those sailors who were too -feeble to even stand watch.</p> - -<p>With a view to giving the invalids a needed tonic, Commodore Perry -ordered the squadron under way, and we cruised to and fro, where I know -not, for at the time I was so ill as to give no heed whatsoever to -anything around me.</p> - -<p>It was the 5th day of September when I had recovered sufficiently -to go on deck,—Alec left his bunk four-and-twenty hours before -it was possible for me to move about,—and then many of the crew -were convinced that within a few days at the most we would have an -opportunity to engage the enemy.</p> - -<p>I believe of a verity that such intelligence did more toward reviving -the invalids than any of the nauseous potions Dr. Parsons forced them -to swallow, for within twenty hours every man had shown himself on -deck, eager to learn what might be the prospects for a fight.</p> - -<p>Old Silas was the one to whom we lads applied for information, as may -readily be guessed, and that which he told us was in the highest degree -cheering.</p> - -<p>Our scouts had ventured into Malden, and there learned beyond question -that the enemy were on the point of making a move in some direction.</p> - -<p>It was said that General Proctor’s army had but a<span class="pagenum" id="Page_236">[Pg 236]</span> scanty store of -provisions, and it had been decided Commodore Barclay should at all -hazards open communication with Long Point, where were gathered the -British supplies.</p> - -<p>Our commodore believed this information to be true, as could be -understood by the precautions he was taking to prevent the enemy from -slipping past him.</p> - -<p>Lookouts were stationed on Gibraltar island; every vessel was kept -in readiness for a quick start; anchors were hove short, sails only -loosely stowed, and no man, save those who acted as watchmen, was -allowed ashore.</p> - -<p>We could be in sailing trim within five minutes after the Britishers -hove in sight, and, weak though the majority of the men were from the -recent attack of fever, we knew full well all hands would give the -redcoats a good sample of how Yankees could fight.</p> - -<p>Each hour brought us nearer the battle in which we believed we should -win some honor for ourselves, and inflict considerable injury upon the -foe, and it was said by his messmates that old Silas slept with one eye -open, lest by closing both at the same moment he might lose time in -opening them.</p> - -<p>It is impossible for me to give even a faint idea of the suppressed -excitement under which we labored during these long, weary days of -waiting!</p> - -<p>Fancy what a strain it must be on the nerves to know<span class="pagenum" id="Page_237">[Pg 237]</span> for five days -and nights on a stretch that at any moment one might be summoned to -do desperate battle for his country—that he might meet his death -during the engagement, or at the best come out maimed for life, and -some slight idea can be had of our mental condition from the hour -of learning that it had become absolutely necessary for the British -commodore to leave his hiding-place.</p> - -<p>On the evening of September 9th, all the officers of the fleet were on -board the <i>Lawrence</i>, having been summoned by the commander to a -consultation for the purpose of deciding whether it might not be wise -to attack the enemy’s squadron even while it was under the guns of the -fortifications at Malden.</p> - -<p>The gentlemen were on the quarterdeck, and amidships the crew had -gathered, hoping to catch a word now and then which would give them an -idea of what might be expected.</p> - -<p>Then it was that our commodore did that which would have endeared -himself to every man in his command, even had he been unfriendly with -them up to that time.</p> - -<p>Alec and I were sitting cross-legged on the deck by Master Boyd’s side, -and, thanks to the light of the full moon, could see everything that -took place aft.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_238">[Pg 238]</span></p> - -<p>The officers had been excitedly discussing the question of attacking -Commodore Barclay while his vessels remained at anchor, when Alec’s -brother suddenly unrolled a square, blue banner, on which in letters -formed of white cotton, were the words uttered by the gallant commander -of the <i>Chesapeake</i>:—</p> - -<p> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">“DON’T GIVE UP THE SHIP.”</span><br /> -</p> - -<p>“There, gentlemen,” he said, holding the bunting high in the air that -all might see it, “there is the flag under which we will go into -action, whether on the open lake, or in the harbor of Malden. When this -flag is hoisted at the mainroyal masthead, it shall be your signal -for opening the engagement. We will meet Commodore Barclay inside of -four-and-twenty hours, and when that long-hoped-for moment comes, -remember the instructions Nelson gave: ‘If you can lay your enemy close -alongside, you cannot be out of your place.’”</p> - -<p>When he ceased speaking every man of us leaped to his feet as if moved -by a spring, and what a round of cheers rent the air!</p> - -<p>It was a timely vent for the excitement which had kept us in a fever -so long, and we yelled until those on the other vessels hailed to know -what had set us going.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_239">[Pg 239]</span></p> - -<p>If I could have been in Commodore Perry’s stead, and heard an hundred -men or more cheering me in that fashion, it would have been glory -enough for one lifetime.</p> -<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop" /> - -<div class="chapter"> -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_240">[Pg 240]</span></p> - -<h2 class="nobreak" id="CHAPTER_XIV">CHAPTER XIV.<br /><span class="small">SAIL HO!</span></h2> -</div> - - - -<p>Although we—and I mean the crew—had no assurance that our fleet would -soon engage the enemy, every man appeared to be positive a battle was -near at hand.</p> - -<p>The unfurling of that blue banner appeared a promise to be fulfilled in -the near future, and when the excitement had in a measure died away we -began discussing the probable result, no one venturing to suggest that -the Britishers might possibly come off best. Victory seemed assured, -despite the fact that Commodore Barclay carried thirty-five long guns -to our fifteen; we said to ourselves that Perry would soon lay us -alongside the enemy, when our smaller pieces must equalize the weight -of metal.</p> - -<p>Why every man felt confident a battle was very near at hand, I am -unable to say.</p> - -<p>Beyond the fact that the officers had been discussing the advisability -of attacking the enemy in Malden harbor, should he refuse to come out, -there was nothing<span class="pagenum" id="Page_241">[Pg 241]</span> to indicate an immediate meeting with him, yet we -spoke among ourselves as if a decisive engagement would positively be -fought on the morrow.</p> - -<p>Old Silas was the only man among the crew, with the exception of the -officers, who had ever smelled burning powder in a fight on shipboard, -and this night his opinion was eagerly sought for and implicitly relied -upon.</p> - -<p>“From what our commodore did at the taking of Fort George, I hold to it -we shan’t work at long range many minutes, if it so be the wind serves -us properly,” he said to the group of men around him, among which were -Alec and I, and my comrade interrupted by saying proudly:—</p> - -<p>“You may be certain of that! Oliver isn’t one who will hang off when an -enemy is within striking distance!”</p> - -<p>The old gunner paid no attention to this remark, but continued, as soon -as the lad ceased speaking:—</p> - -<p>“Leftenant Forrest told me that our scouts have reported the -Britishers’ strength to be much in this ’ere way. The ship -<i>Detroit</i>, just off the stocks, so to speak, carryin’ nineteen -guns, one in pivot, an’ two howitzers; the ship <i>Queen Charlotte</i>, -with seventeen guns an’ a howitzer; the schooner <i>Lady Prevost</i> -mountin’ thirteen guns an’ a howitzer; the brig <i>Hunter</i><span class="pagenum" id="Page_242">[Pg 242]</span> of -ten guns; the sloop <i>Little Belt</i>, carryin’ three guns, an’ the -schooner <i>Chippewa</i>, with one gun an’ two swivels. Now as you all -know without my tellin’ you, our strength is fifty-two guns an’ two -swivels. If Captain Dobbins were here with the <i>Ohio</i>, we’d be a -little better off; but seein’s he has gone to Presque Isle, it’s a case -of gettin’ on without him, which is like to make his heart ache when we -sail into the bay with a long string of prizes.”</p> - -<p>“My father would not have gone at such a time unless he had been -ordered to do so,” I said quickly, thinking for the moment that the -gunner would have it understood differently.</p> - -<p>“I know that full well, lad. There’s no man in this fleet, or among -the Britishers, for that matter, who doesn’t know Daniel Dobbins for -a brave sailor, to say nothin’ of his bein’ the best navigator on the -lakes. As I said, his heart will ache when he hears that we’ve given -the Britishers a lickin’, an’ he wasn’t here to take a hand in the -scrimmage.”</p> - -<p>“Accordin’ to your own figgerin’, we need a good sailin’ breeze when -the Englishmen heave in sight, else we’re likely to be taken at a -disadvantage,” one of the sailors suggested.</p> - -<p>“Right you are, lad, right you are; an’ yet when they heave in sight -there’s like to be a stiffish breeze, else<span class="pagenum" id="Page_243">[Pg 243]</span> Barclay would hold snug -in port. Of course it’ll be another matter in case we run into Malden -after ’em.”</p> - -<p>“You’ve counted up only the guns, Silas,” another sailor cried. “What -about the men?”</p> - -<p>“There’s where we’re a bit weak, I’ll admit; but a Yankee who’s -fightin’ within sight of home should be able to count for more than -one Britisher. It’s said Barclay has better than five hundred men, all -in good condition—one hundred an’ fifty from the royal navy, eighty -Canadian sailors, two hundred and forty soldiers, mostly regulars, -an’ a sprinklin’ of Indians. Now Leftenant Forrest tells me we’ve -four hundred an’ ninety names on the muster-roll; but one hundred an’ -sixteen are on the sick-list, an’ nigh to all of that number too weak -to lend a hand at anything. Therefore you can set our force down as -three hundred an’ seventy-five all told, one quarter bein’ from Rhode -Island, a quarter regular seamen, the third quarter green hands, an’ -the balance made up of niggers and Injuns.”</p> - -<p>“If that figgerin’ be true, an’ I’m not sayin’ it ain’t, the Britishers -have about an hundred an’ twenty-five the best of us,” the sailor who -had first spoken said gravely.</p> - -<p>“That’s the size of it, lad.”</p> - -<p>“Then what about its bein’ our trick to fight at close quarters?”</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_244">[Pg 244]</span></p> - -<p>“We’re bound to do it with the idee of evenin’ up the weight of metal. -I’m not allowin’ that the difference in men goes for very much, seein’s -how us Yankees are bound to do the most fightin’, in consideration of -bein’ at home.”</p> - -<p>To my mind the old gunner’s argument was not a good one; we knew full -well that the Britishers were as brave as we, and a goodly number of -them were near to their homes.</p> - -<p>It pleased me that our men should be confident of winning a victory, -and yet I feared for the result.</p> - -<p>By thinking long on this subject I might have grown timorous while all -the others were so brave; but I put the matter from my mind by saying -that there were no more signs of an immediate battle than at almost -any other time since we crossed the bar of Presque Isle bay, and for -the moment I was near to wishing that Commodore Barclay might find it -possible to give us the slip.</p> - -<p>The crew of the <i>Lawrence</i> gave little heed to sleeping, on this -night; there were a few who turned into their hammocks, but Alec and -I were not among the number. It would have been impossible for me to -close my eyes while death seemed so near, and he, dear lad, could not -rest because of the anxiety in his heart.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_245">[Pg 245]</span></p> - -<p>We two left the group of sailors who listened eagerly to the wondrous -tales with which old Silas was regaling them, and walked well aft where -we might see the commodore when he came on deck, for the officers of -the brig had gone below immediately after the new banner was displayed.</p> - -<p>“If Oliver lives through the morrow, he will have won for himself a -name such as few can boast of,” Alec said proudly.</p> - -<p>It seemed as if the lad lost sight of himself in the great love he bore -this brother who was our commander, and, realizing that a trifling -accident might change the fortunes of war, I said, with the idea of -lessening his disappointment in case it chanced that the British won -the victory:—</p> - -<p>“We are the weaker in both guns and men, Alec, and old Silas argues -idly when he claims that our people can fight better than the enemy.”</p> - -<p>“Commodore Barclay is not as good an officer as Oliver.”</p> - -<p>“He has surely had more experience,” I ventured to suggest.</p> - -<p>“That does not count against such a man as my brother.”</p> - -<p>“I am ready to admit all you claim for our commodore, and make even -stronger statements; but yet<span class="pagenum" id="Page_246">[Pg 246]</span> it is not well to be so positive -regarding the result, Alec dear. No man can say what a day may -bring forth, and our crews are to be pitted against experienced -men-of-war’s-men.”</p> - -<p>“Oliver will be the victor!” the lad said emphatically, and in such a -tone as told me that any attempt to make him less confident might cause -hard feelings between us.</p> - -<p>“God grant he be!” I replied, and never did I speak more fervently; -the words were, in reality, a prayer. Then, coming back to the thought -which had been near to a hope, I added, “We are counting on a battle -to-morrow as if there could be no question about it, and yet what -grounds have we for believing that the Britishers will venture out of -Malden harbor?”</p> - -<p>“Oliver says they will,” Alec replied, and as against such profound -faith I could say no more.</p> - -<p>We paced to and fro until nearly daybreak, and then the commodore came -on deck, looking weak and worn from the ravages of the fever; but with -a sparkle of the eyes which I could see plainly even in the darkness.</p> - -<p>He threw one arm around Alec’s neck, and held out a hand for me to -clasp.</p> - -<p>“What are you two lads doing on deck at this<span class="pagenum" id="Page_247">[Pg 247]</span> hour, when you should be -in your hammocks gaining rest and strength against the work of this -coming day?”</p> - -<p>“Then you really believe we shall at last face the Britishers?” Alec -asked, caressing his brother’s hand.</p> - -<p>“Ay, lad; for if Commodore Barclay refuses to come out, it is decided -that we shall go in after him.”</p> - -<p>“And am I to serve on Master Boyd’s gun, or will you permit that I -stand by your side?”</p> - -<p>“Remain at the station to which you have been assigned, dear lad. My -choice would be to have you close by me; but every hand is needed, and -I am certain you and Richard will count as men during the engagement.”</p> - -<p>I tried in vain to make a fitting reply, but the words refused to come -when most needed, and it was possible only to press his hand warmly in -token of my good intentions; yet at the same time there was a terrible -fear in my heart lest at the critical moment I might show myself a -coward.</p> - -<p>“You can depend upon us both so long as we are alive,” Alec said, in a -tone so solemn that it was as if he had a premonition of sudden death.</p> - -<p>“That is my true brother!” the commodore said proudly. “I have -no question but that you will prove yourself worthy to be called -Americans. Now<span class="pagenum" id="Page_248">[Pg 248]</span> I beg that you seek repose. A brave man cares well for -his body, lest it should be weaker than his will.”</p> - -<p>“Have you slept?” Alec asked quickly.</p> - -<p>“It would be impossible; and, besides, the belief that we shall soon -meet the enemy has so refreshed me that I no longer need rest.”</p> - -<p>“It would be useless for me to lie down, Oliver. How could I sleep when -within a few hours my brother is to show the world that no braver man -than he lives?”</p> - -<p>“It is not well that praise be bestowed before having been earned, Alec -dear,” the commodore said, with a low laugh. “I promise to do my best; -and after the victory has been won you shall say what you please.”</p> - -<p>Then we three paced to and fro on the quarterdeck, the commodore’s arm -yet around his brother’s neck, and I holding him firmly by the hand, -for in that hearty clasp I found much to give me courage.</p> - -<p>It was in this fashion that the light of a new day found us, and I -believe the marines, who paced to and fro guarding the commander’s -quarters, shortened their beats, lest by advancing too near they break -in upon what was neither more nor less than a season of devotion.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_249">[Pg 249]</span></p> - -<p>As the light grew stronger, from this vessel and from that came signs -of life, until the still air was vibrant with the hum of voices, and it -seemed good to be alive.</p> - -<p>I had, for the time being, forgotten that the day was come on which -our people believed we would be brought yard-arm to yard-arm with -the enemy, until startled almost into timorousness by a cry from the -lookout:—</p> - -<p>“Sail ho! Sail ho!”</p> - -<p>It seemed in the highest degree improbable that the anticipations of -our people were to be so soon realized, and yet I found myself, with -many another, gazing out over the lake in the expectation of seeing our -enemy coming toward us.</p> - -<p>Nor were we disappointed.</p> - -<p>The morning breeze was feeble and gave indications of soon dying away -entirely, yet Commodore Barclay had at last left his place of refuge, -driven out by lack of provisions, for there on the sparkling waters -could be seen the British squadron heading west by south, making for -the North Foreland in quest of the supplies which the king’s army were -needing.</p> - -<p>In a twinkling, as it were, Commodore Perry forgot all else save that -the fleet for which he had waited so long was in sight. Wresting -himself free from<span class="pagenum" id="Page_250">[Pg 250]</span> us two lads, he was on the instant transformed from -the loving brother and dear friend into the eager, valiant commander.</p> - -<p>Hurriedly, speaking so quickly that one order was almost merged into -the other, he gave the word for signals to be hoisted, and within three -minutes from the time the lookout reported a sail, our bunting was -flying.</p> - -<p>“Enemy in sight!”</p> - -<p>“Get under way!”</p> - -<p>These commands were given by the tiny flags which floated from the -<i>Lawrence</i>, and in a twinkling every vessel in the fleet was alive -with hurrying, eager men, rushing here and there like unto a swarm of -bees.</p> - -<p>The premonitions of the previous night had not been vain; at last the -enemy for which we searched was in full view, and now nothing save rank -cowardice could prevent an encounter.</p> - -<p>I quaked inwardly, not because a battle was about to be fought, but -lest while it was waging I should shame my father by proving myself a -coward; and, in fact, I was near to being one at that moment, when it -was shown we would have an opportunity of measuring strength with the -foe.</p> - -<p>Timid though I was, and fearing for myself, I yet<span class="pagenum" id="Page_251">[Pg 251]</span> had enough of Yankee -courage to weigh well the chances for or against us.</p> - -<p>The wind was blowing light from the southwest, and on the horizon were -low-hanging clouds which gave promise of rain. There was not weight -enough in the breeze to admit of our manœuvring freely, and I wondered -how it might be possible for the commodore to bring the fleet into -close quarters, as old Silas had declared was necessary in order to -equalize the weight of metal and force of men.</p> - -<p>But even a coward must have been inspired by the scene around him. -Here, there, and seemingly everywhere, were Yankee sailors making ready -for the fray, and all working with an eagerness which told how fearful -they were lest this opportunity, so long sought, should be lost.</p> - -<p>The clanking of chains as the anchors were hove apeak; cries of the -men as they cheered each other in the work which preceded the carnage; -the shrill whistles of the boatswains as they thus repeated the orders -given by the officers, and the beat of drums summoning men to the -shedding of blood, would have aroused the most timorous, causing even a -coward to feel a sense of pride that his countrymen were so willing to -try conclusions with a foe that was superior in strength.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_252">[Pg 252]</span></p> - -<p>Alec and I hastened to our stations, even though knowing that many -hours must elapse before the guns could be used, and there we found old -Silas, as might confidently have been expected, overlooking all the -details lest he should be caught napping.</p> - -<p>“Well, lads, the Britishers have shown themselves at last!” he cried, -when we came up. “I felt in my bones last night that the time was nigh -at hand when we might show the king’s men they had no right on these -’ere waters; but never counted on their comin’ to the scratch so early. -We’ve got plenty of time to give them a sound drubbin’, ’twixt now an’ -sunset.”</p> - -<p>“There’s time enough,” Alec said, speaking carelessly, as if used to -such work; “but how are we to get at them? There isn’t weight enough in -this wind to move the brig, save at a snail’s pace.”</p> - -<p>“I’m allowin’ that the commodore will find a way to give us the chance -we want. Look at him now! If yonder fleet gets off without our havin’ a -fair show at ’em, it’ll break his heart!”</p> - -<p>“All that I agree to; but even my brother can’t command the wind.”</p> - -<p>“He can do what will amount to the same thing, lad, and before -nightfall you won’t complain because we didn’t burn our powder in -proper fashion. Two or three boats’ crews ahead with a tow-line will -make<span class="pagenum" id="Page_253">[Pg 253]</span> this old hooker walk through the water as if the girls at home -had hold of her.”</p> - -<p>“Do you fancy the Britishers will stand still while we’re towing our -fleet into position?” Alec asked with a laugh.</p> - -<p>“Ay, lad; unless they’re willin’ to show the white feather in face of -a weaker force. There’s nothin’ save the power of Him who rules all -things, that can prevent a battle this day, so set to work an’ get this -’ere piece into proper trim, for once we’re lyin’ yard-arm to yard-arm -with Barclay’s flag-ship there won’t be much chance for cleanin’ up.”</p> - -<p>I noted with no little surprise that all the men around me were -eager for the coming battle. There were no loud boasts, but on every -countenance could be read a desire to stand face to face with the -enemy, and nowhere did I see any show of fear.</p> - -<p>The men did not jest as was their wont; there was no shuffling around -lazily, but each was on the alert, eager to do his full duty, and -seemingly anxious lest something should be left undone that otherwise -might work to give us the victory.</p> - -<p>And that we would win the battle I believe every one was confident, -although equally positive that much blood must be shed before the end -was attained.</p> - -<p>The bravest or the most cowardly knew beyond a<span class="pagenum" id="Page_254">[Pg 254]</span> peradventure that e’er -the day was come to an end many of them would be still in death, or -suffering from horrible wounds, but yet all wore a smile of content.</p> - -<p>It was enough that the British commodore had at last given them the -opportunity of proving their metal.</p> - -<p>While the bustle of the final preparations could be heard on every -hand, the crews were piped to breakfast under orders from our commodore -himself, for Oliver Perry was one who looked well after the comfort or -well-being of every man in his command, however much he might abuse his -own body.</p> - -<p>Food would have choked me at that moment when death was so near at -hand, staring in the face every individual member of the crew; but Alec -made a hearty meal, and, as I now look back on the events of that day, -I realize the fact that those who showed the most bravery ate the most -heartily.</p> - -<p>Old Silas behaved as if appetite increased with each succeeding -mouthful, and whenever he took a sip from his hook-pot of tea, it was -to drink a health to those who would lead us into the game of death.</p> - -<p>“We’re in rare luck!” he cried, when his breakfast was ended because -the mess-kid had been emptied. “I ain’t sayin’ but what we deserve it, -after chasin’ all over Lake Erie to find the Britishers; but yet at the -same time it’s sheer luck to get them where there’s no runnin’<span class="pagenum" id="Page_255">[Pg 255]</span> away -from a fight, an’ they shall have enough of it before this day has come -to an end.”</p> - -<p>“You may be ended before the day is,” a red-faced sailor cried, as if -trying the courage of our gunner.</p> - -<p>“An’ supposin’ I am, lad, what better endin’ can an old shell-back like -me ask for? So that the stars and stripes float over yonder fleet when -the sun sets, it’s enough. As against givin’ England a proper lesson, -my life don’t amount to the snap of a finger! It will be a glorious way -of gettin’ out of this world.”</p> - -<p>While such conversation as this was being carried on, clouds obscured -the sun’s face, and the rain drove those of us who disliked a wetting -between decks, for until this moment we had been where a view could be -had of the enemy.</p> - -<p>No one paid any particular attention to what gave promise of being only -a shower, save that the wind might come with the water, and thus give -the Britishers a chance to continue on toward the North Foreland, where -they could fight under cover of their shore-batteries; but it still -held reasonably calm.</p> - -<p>In less than ten minutes the clouds had dispersed, and the weather-wise -among us predicted that a breeze would soon follow.</p> - -<p>“We shall get enough to take us out from among these islands, lads, and -I venture to say it won’t help Johnnie<span class="pagenum" id="Page_256">[Pg 256]</span> Bull to any great extent!” old -Silas cried gleefully. “All we need now is to have plenty of powder an’ -ball near at hand, for there’ll be little time to travel from the gun -to the magazine after our work is begun.”</p> - -<p>The British were indeed waiting patiently for us, or, at least, so it -seemed to me, although Alec said, later in the day, they could not have -done otherwise without writing themselves down the veriest cowards.</p> - -<p>The enemy’s fleet lay just off our anchorage, swinging to and fro as -the wind veered, and we could hear the sound of drums and fifes calling -the men to quarters.</p> - -<p>Our crew gathered on deck again when the heaviest of the shower was -over, and all could see Commodore Perry as he paced restlessly to and -fro, watching for an opportunity to strike the long-deferred blow.</p> - -<p>The breeze which had been predicted sprang up, but not with such -strength as filled our sails; and after waiting anxiously fifteen -minutes or more in the hope that it might be increased, Lieutenant -Forrest gave the command which all hands were expecting:—</p> - -<p>“Boats’ crews to their stations! Clear away, and let fall! Work lively, -lads, and we’ll see what effect a white-ash breeze will have on the -brigs! Move with a will, for the flag-ship must be the first to tackle -yonder enemy!”</p> -<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop" /> - -<div class="chapter"> -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_257">[Pg 257]</span></p> - -<h2 class="nobreak" id="CHAPTER_XV">CHAPTER XV.<br /><span class="small">THE FIRST SHOT.</span></h2> -</div> - - - -<p>There is a fair excuse for me if I linger long over this battle, when -we gave to the English king such a surprise as I’m thinking he never -had before, for it was my first real experience in that bloody business -known as warfare, and so decided a victory that I can well be pardoned -for feeling proud, even though my share therein was the least among all -the brave spirits by which I was so fortunate as to be surrounded.</p> - -<p>I would give to all my shipmates the full meed of praise which they -deserve, and yet must I fail in so doing because every man was a hero, -and to speak particularly of one seemingly detracts from the others.</p> - -<p>It is only possible to say that each did his duty, and, perhaps, with -the exception of myself, there was never one in all our fleet who did -not burn with a desire to show the enemy what could be done when the -opportunity offered.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_258">[Pg 258]</span></p> - -<p>It was not until near to ten o’clock in the forenoon that there was -sufficient weight in the wind to fill our sails, and during all that -time of waiting, when every moment was like an hour, the brave fellows -chafed at the delay even as a lion chafes at the bars which confine him.</p> - -<p>The British squadron was as helpless as we, and lay full in our sight -without power of movement.</p> - -<p>It may be that those on board the enemy’s ships were as eager to come -at us as we were to be at their throats, but I questioned it, because -they did not have so much at stake.</p> - -<p>When the breeze was sufficiently strong to belly out the sails, the -command was given as I have already set down, and the words were hardly -spoken before the boats’ crews were at their stations, every man -rejoicing because the moment had arrived when he might do something, -however slight, toward hastening the laggard movement.</p> - -<p>Slowly our vessels moved out on the bosom of the lake, every craft -propelled by boats, and as we advanced the breeze freshened until, when -the fleet was within two miles of the enemy’s squadron, the sails were -filled sufficiently to admit of our depending upon them alone.</p> - -<p>Alec and I were standing well aft, for we had not<span class="pagenum" id="Page_259">[Pg 259]</span> been told off as -the crew of a boat, when the commodore said to his sailing-master, Mr. -Taylor:—</p> - -<p>“When the men have been called in you may run to leeward of the -islands.”</p> - -<p>“Then you will be forced to engage the enemy to leeward,” the officer -replied, and although I failed to understand the meaning of the -nautical terms, my pulse was quickened by the reply:—</p> - -<p>“I don’t care whether it be to windward or to leeward; they shall fight -this day!”</p> - -<p>Then the tiny balls of bunting were run up to the masthead, ordering -the other craft to “wear ship,” but before this command could be -obeyed the wind suddenly shifted until it came out of the southeast, -from which point it was possible for us to keep what is called the -“weather-gauge.”</p> - -<p>“Now we’ve got ’em in proper shape!” I heard old Silas exclaim, and -straightway my spirits rose, for it seemed at the moment as if we had -secured some great advantage, though I failed to understand what it -might be.</p> - -<p>The crew cheered when our fleet, the <i>Lawrence</i> leading, stood out -toward the enemy, a white foam showing under the stem of every vessel, -and we went to our guns, which had long since been loaded with the -utmost care.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_260">[Pg 260]</span></p> - -<p>It must be admitted that the Britishers presented a noble sight as -we bore down upon them. Their vessels, newly painted and with colors -flying, hove to in order to meet us, and now the timorous among us, I -being of the number, could understand that they were not averse to an -encounter.</p> - -<p>There had been a faint hope in my mind that Commodore Barclay -would shun an engagement, but that was dispelled on observing the -preparations made to meet us.</p> - -<p>Nothing short of an interposition by divine Providence could prevent -a battle; and my heart sank within me as I realized that very soon -many of the eager men who manned the <i>Lawrence</i> would be still in -death, or writhing under the surgeon’s knife.</p> - -<p>The arrangements made for the care of the wounded struck a cold chill -to my heart. The ward-room had been cleared that it might be used as -a cockpit, and here Dr. Parsons laid out bandages and knives until it -seemed as if he expected the entire ship’s company would soon be under -his care.</p> - -<p>Half a dozen of those on the sick-list had been told off as his -assistants, and they stood around the hastily constructed tables as if -eager to greet such as might need their aid.</p> - -<p>In all the hours that followed there was nothing<span class="pagenum" id="Page_261">[Pg 261]</span> more horrible than -these preparations for the carving and slashing of those who as yet -were sound in limb and body, save it might be when the decks of the -brig were wetted and strewn with sand.</p> - -<p>I did not understand the meaning of this last work, and asked old -Silas for an explanation, whereupon he replied, as if speaking of some -trifling matter:—</p> - -<p>“It won’t be long, lad, before these ’ere white planks will be slippery -with the blood of them who are now so eager to be at the Britishers, -and it is to soak up that same blood that the sand is strewn around. -Presently, when you have occasion to go to port or starboard, you’ll -realize how necessary that may be.”</p> - -<p>I drew away from the old man, sick at heart. Such precaution caused me -to be more timid than had all the predictions and conjectures.</p> - -<p>I had my fill of warfare even before the action began.</p> - -<p>As I afterward came to know, during the consultation of officers in -the commodore’s cabin on the night previous it had been decided that -when the engagement commenced each vessel in our fleet should attack -some particular ship of the British squadron. As for instance: The -<i>Lawrence</i> was to engage the <i>Detroit</i>; the <i>Niagara</i>, -the <i>Queen Charlotte</i>; and in<span class="pagenum" id="Page_262">[Pg 262]</span> such-like order, every craft -selecting an antagonist somewhere near her own size. Therefore now, -when the wind permitted of our line being formed, the <i>Niagara</i> -led the way.</p> - -<p>Our ship had been cleared for action some time before, and as the real -advance was begun Commodore Perry ordered that the blue banner, with -its inspiring words in white, be brought up from his cabin.</p> - -<p>Holding it at arm’s length that it might be plainly seen by every one -on deck, the commander said, in words that look cold enough when set -down in writing, but which thrilled all who heard, and caused my faint -courage to increase until I almost longed for the combat:—</p> - -<p>“The enemy, for which we have waited so long, is at last before us. -You know we are slightly outclassed in guns and number of men; but to -such brave hearts as yours that is of no especial importance. We shall -soon be within range, and I promise that this brig be laid as close -alongside the <i>Detroit</i> as the wind will permit. It is not for -me to urge upon you the importance of doing full duty this day. Your -country and your honor demands that the enemy be whipped. It was agreed -between the commanders of the other vessels that when this was run up -it should be the signal for action. On it are written<span class="pagenum" id="Page_263">[Pg 263]</span> the last words -of Captain Lawrence, and I know full well you will heed them. They -signify your desire to fight to the last plank. My brave lads, shall I -hoist it?”</p> - -<p class="center p0 p2"><span class="figcenter" id="img004"> - <img src="images/004.jpg" class="w50" alt="AY, AY, SIR, HOIST IT!" /> -</span></p> -<p class="center p0 caption">“‘AY, AY, SIR, HOIST IT!’”<br /></p> - -<p>He would have been the veriest coward living who could not have shouted -as heartily as did we all, my voice rising high as any one around me:—</p> - -<p>“Ay, ay, sir; hoist it!”</p> - -<p>The flag was bent on to the halliards, and as it rose steadily aloft -our crew burst into a very hurricane of cheers, which were echoed by -those on the vessels nearest, for by this time I warrant that every man -in the fleet knew the meaning of that signal.</p> - -<p>We saluted it again and again, and as the tumult of voices went -up on the morning air, I seemed to see before me the commander of -the <i>Chesapeake</i>, as he spoke the words which were to be our -battle-cry.</p> - -<p>From that moment I ceased to hope that the action could be avoided.</p> - -<p>To manœuvre the fleet into position was a slow task, and the hour of -noon came while we were yet beyond range of the enemy, whose vessels -were moving here and there to prevent us from gaining any advantage.</p> - -<p>Our commodore, mindful of the wants of others,<span class="pagenum" id="Page_264">[Pg 264]</span> ordered that food -be served, and I saw men munching bread, cheese, or meat, grumbling -meanwhile because it was not exactly to their liking, who an hour later -had departed from this earth for evermore.</p> - -<p>As for me, I would as soon have eaten with the coffin of my dearest -friend for a table, as to have eaten then; but Alec was stouter -hearted, and took his rations with a relish which I envied.</p> - -<p>“It’s not well to fight on an empty stomach, lad!” old Silas cried, -when he saw me turn away from the food, and I foolishly replied:—</p> - -<p>“It can make little difference to him who falls whether his appetite be -satisfied or not.”</p> - -<p>“True for you, lad; but some of us will be alive when this battle is -ended by the haulin’ down of the British flags, and they’ll need be -ready to clear the decks of those who are no longer to be counted on -the ship’s list.”</p> - -<p>That the others cheered these words only served to show me how -heartless men may become after having learned the “art” of warfare, and -I turned away with a sensation such as cannot well be described.</p> - -<p>Now the line of battle was formed. The British flag-ship, supported by -the schooner <i>Chippewa</i>, was in the lead. After her came the brig -<i>Hunter</i>; then the<span class="pagenum" id="Page_265">[Pg 265]</span> <i>Queen Charlotte</i>, commanded by Captain -Finnis; flanked by the schooners <i>Lady Prevost</i> and <i>Little -Belt</i>.</p> - -<p>The <i>Lawrence</i> led our line, with the <i>Scorpion</i> and the -<i>Ariel</i> on her left, and the <i>Caledonia</i> on the right. The -orders were that these three craft should encounter the <i>Detroit</i>, -<i>Hunter</i>, and <i>Chippewa</i>.</p> - -<p>Next came the <i>Niagara</i>, with instructions to fight the -<i>Queen Charlotte</i>, while the <i>Somers</i>, <i>Porcupine</i>, -<i>Tigress</i>, and the <i>Trippe</i> were to engage with the <i>Lady -Prevost</i> and the <i>Little Belt</i>.</p> - -<p>We were yet a full mile and a half away, and it was close to noon when -a bugle sounded on the deck of the <i>Detroit</i>, the bands on the -several Britishers struck up the tune of “Rule Britannia,” and a ball -from the enemy’s flag-ship came directly toward the <i>Lawrence</i>, -but fell far short of its mark.</p> - -<p>The first shot of the battle had been fired, and, seeing the iron -missile cleaving the air in a direct line for us, I involuntarily -shrank behind Alec, whereupon old Silas shouted:—</p> - -<p>“None of that, lad! None of that! A shipmate’s body is no protection, -and you should be willin’ to take your full dose!”</p> - -<p>The laughter which was provoked by this remark caused my cheeks to burn -with shame, and from that<span class="pagenum" id="Page_266">[Pg 266]</span> moment I stood firm, however great might -have been the fear in my heart.</p> - -<p>“Remember that every shot does not go where it is aimed,” Alec -whispered to me, hoping with the words to check my fears; and I replied -with such firmness of voice as could be summoned just then:—</p> - -<p>“It was more instinct than fear which caused the movement, dear lad, -though God knows I am afraid.”</p> - -<p>“So are all of us,” he replied, with a hearty grip of the hand; “and he -who talks the loudest is trying the hardest to prevent it from being -known.”</p> - -<p>It seemed as if the blood stood still in my veins as we continued to -advance slowly amid a silence so profound that I could hear my own -heart beat; and then a cry of fear burst from my lips as another shot -came toward us, plowing its way through the brig’s bulwarks with a -mighty shower of splinters, but, fortunately, wounding no one.</p> - -<p>There must have been others beside me who showed signs of fear at this -first proof of what the enemy could do, for Commodore Perry shouted, -while he stood a fair mark for the enemy:—</p> - -<p>“Steady, boys! Steady! There’s not likely to be much blood spilled by -such gunnery as that!”</p> - -<p>Our commander was wearing no uniform; clad only in the garb of a common -sailor, with blue nankeen<span class="pagenum" id="Page_267">[Pg 267]</span> jacket and white duck trousers, he was none -the less a commodore, and there was not a Britisher so dull who would -not have singled him out as the man who directed all our movements.</p> - -<p>We advanced without opening fire until each vessel of our fleet was -nearly in the position marked out for her the night previous, and then -we set the signal to open the action.</p> - -<p>The first gun on the American side came from the <i>Scorpion</i>, as I -knew full well because of having my eyes on the schooner at the time; -then the <i>Ariel</i> discharged two of her short twelves, and an -instant later old Silas began his work.</p> - -<p>This last shot struck the <i>Detroit</i> just above the water-line, -plowing its way through her hull with a splintering of timbers which -told that much damage had been done.</p> - -<p>What a cheer went up from our men at this moment!</p> - -<p>I think the fact that we had succeeded in sending a shot fairly home -caused me to forget the danger, for certain it is I ceased to be -afraid, and remained keenly on the alert for all that was passing -around me.</p> - -<p>I saw the schooner <i>Trippe</i>, outsailed in the advance, fully two -miles astern, and wondered vaguely how long it might be before she -would be near enough to give an account of herself.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_268">[Pg 268]</span></p> - -<p>The <i>Scorpion</i> and the <i>Ariel</i> remained near at hand, doing -good work as I could see, viewing the scene like one in a dream, and -I also understood that the enemy’s squadron was concentrating all its -fire upon our brig.</p> - -<p>It was as if to them there was no other vessel in the engagement save -the one bearing our commodore’s flag, and that once she was disabled -the victory would be won.</p> - -<p>Within ten minutes after the first shot was fired I knew full well why -the decks had been wetted and covered with sand.</p> - -<p>Already were the white timbers stained crimson with the blood of my -shipmates; but I was in such mental condition of excitement as neither -to know nor care who had fallen.</p> - -<p>I understood that Alec was as yet unhurt, because he worked by my side, -cheering when a shot struck the enemy, and soothing with kindly word -some poor fellow of ours who had been mangled by British iron.</p> - -<p>That the <i>Lawrence</i> was speedily getting the worst of the fight -could be told even by a lad like myself, and I felt a certain sense of -satisfaction when Commodore Perry shouted through a speaking trumpet to -the craft nearest, which chanced to be the <i>Niagara</i>:—</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_269">[Pg 269]</span></p> - -<p>“Pass the word for all hands to make sail and bear down on Barclay. Lay -him close alongside at all hazards!”</p> - -<p>Then, even above the roar of the guns, I heard the order transmitted -from one craft to the other, until it seemed that every sailing-master -in the fleet must have heard it; but to my surprise the <i>Niagara</i> -hauled off slightly, instead of obeying the commands.</p> - -<p>To my eyes the engagement had ceased to be a battle, but was become a -slaughter.</p> - -<p>On every hand were dead, dying, or wounded men, and four times within -twice as many minutes had the crew of our gun been so thinned out that -old Silas was forced to call for assistance.</p> - -<p>Then it was, just at the moment he urged one of the new men who had -been sent to assist us, to stand bravely up to his work, that the old -man’s hip was shattered by a grape-shot, and he fell like one dead -across the breach of the gun.</p> - -<p>“We must get him into the cockpit,” Alec said to me, speaking as calmly -as if this was but an incident which we had been anticipating. “Take -him by the head, and move quickly, else he will bleed to death before -Dr. Parsons has a chance at him!”</p> - -<p>Numbed with horror, I obeyed; and as we carried the old hero across the -deck a stream of blood<span class="pagenum" id="Page_270">[Pg 270]</span> marked our way, making such a trail that it -seemed as if his veins must have been emptied before we had traversed -half the short distance.</p> - -<p>Once in the ward-room I understood in a single instant what might be -the horrors of war, better than I could have done by remaining on deck -the full day.</p> - -<p>The scene in this place, which was separated from the terrible tumult -above only by the deck-planking, was more horrible than can be -described in mere words.</p> - -<p>The groans, the prayers of the dying, and the bustling to and fro of -the surgeon and his assistants, all combined to make a noise more -terrifying than the roar of the guns and the crashing of timbers.</p> - -<p>The hue of blood everywhere, the cutting of human flesh, or the probing -of ghastly wounds, sickened me until never again can I be brought to -believe that there is anything noble or grand in warfare.</p> - -<p>Even as we laid old Silas, now unconscious from loss of blood, upon one -of the rough tables whereon were shreds of flesh and fragments of bone, -a shot came crashing into the brig’s side, tearing a passage straight -through this place of torment, and releasing from their misery two poor -fellows who had suffered the tortures of the amputating knife.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_271">[Pg 271]</span></p> - -<p>One of the surgeon’s assistants was wounded by the same shot, but Dr. -Parsons gave his attention first to old Silas, and in answer to Alec’s -eager question replied:—</p> - -<p>“The wound is not necessarily fatal, lad. On shore I would say the man -had every chance for recovery; but, unfortunately, he cannot have here -such care as is needed.”</p> - -<p>I would have lingered by the old gunner’s side, for I had come to -look upon him as a friend, and it cut me to the heart that he might -go out of the world without a word of farewell; but Alec forced me to -accompany him.</p> - -<p>“We are needed on deck, and by loitering here may lay ourselves open to -a charge of cowardice.”</p> - -<p>Heaven knows there was no desire in my mind to loiter in that horrible -place! I had lingered only in the hope the old gunner might revive -sufficiently to give me at least a last word.</p> - -<p>When we came out of the cockpit dense clouds of pungent smoke hid -everything from view; it was difficult to distinguish objects ten feet -away on our own decks, and I was thankful for the obscurity.</p> - -<p>I knew, however, that on every hand were the dead and the dying; that -the brig which had looked so neat and trim less than an hour previous, -was<span class="pagenum" id="Page_272">[Pg 272]</span> torn and splintered, every plank dyed crimson by the blood of the -brave men who had defended her so nobly, and that all the ships of the -enemy’s squadron were pouring into her a deadly fire!</p> - -<p>“Where is the <i>Niagara</i>?” I asked of Alec, shrieking the question -in his ear, otherwise he might not have heard it amid that thunderous -din, and from out of the smoke came the voice of a grievously wounded -sailor:—</p> - -<p>“The cowards are hanging back, even though they were the first to get -the order for close action. When the smoke lifted a few minutes ago I -saw the brig almost out of range, using her heavy guns as if at target -practice.”</p> - -<p>Alec, uttering a cry of mingled sorrow and anger, ran aft, I keeping -close at his heels, and he had no more than gained the quarterdeck when -a splintered fragment of our starboard rail struck him on the shoulder, -literally tearing the clothes from his back.</p> - -<p>I sprang forward quickly, believing him to be wounded; but the -commodore was ahead of me, and for an instant he ceased to observe what -was going on around us in his anxiety for the lad.</p> - -<p>“I’m not hurt, Oliver dear,” Alec said with a smile; but the sudden -pallor of his face told that the shock had been a severe one. “It’s not -the nearest<span class="pagenum" id="Page_273">[Pg 273]</span> call for a wound that I have had,” he added, showing his -hat, through which had passed two musket-balls.</p> - -<p>“I don’t ask you to be less brave, brother mine, for now is the -time when every man must hold his life cheaply; but you should be -sufficiently cautious not to expose yourself unnecessarily.”</p> - -<p>“I came to ask why the commander of the <i>Niagara</i> had not obeyed -orders? It is said she lays at long range while we are so sorely -pressed.”</p> - -<p>“I cannot answer your question, lad,” the commodore replied bitterly. -“Elliott is no coward, and yet he has given us but little support. -Richard Dobbins, go forward and ascertain how much damage the -<i>Lawrence</i> has sustained in that quarter.”</p> - -<p>I obeyed on the instant, forgetting all my fear and horror in the -terrible thought that we were surely being worsted, else why had our -commander spoken in so hopeless a tone.</p> - -<p>Once forward of the foremast, and I did not get there without stumbling -again and again over a dead or a wounded man, it was as if I had -suddenly boarded a wreck.</p> - -<p>Everything was carried away forward from the after portion of the -forecastle-deck, and I was like to being pitched overboard as I pressed -blindly along until coming upon the very edge of the shattered timbers.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_274">[Pg 274]</span></p> - -<p>I believe of a verity that a missile of some description struck this -portion of the brig every five seconds, and but for the horror of the -discovery my legs would have trembled beneath me in abject fear of -death; whereas I utterly failed to realize the danger.</p> - -<p>The <i>Lawrence</i> was little better than a wreck; it did not seem -possible she could swim ten minutes longer, and I hastened back over -that deck slippery with blood, despite the sand which had been strewn -upon it, to make my doleful report.</p> - -<p>I had but just gained the quarterdeck when a round shot struck the -mainmast within three feet of my head, sending huge splinters flying in -every direction, one of them hitting Alec Perry full in the breast.</p> - -<p>I saw the dear lad fling up his hands convulsively, and then pitch -forward upon the deck like one smitten by sudden death.</p> - -<p>It was as if that terrible sight deprived me of all my senses save that -of affection for him who had proven himself such a true comrade, and -with a cry of despair I flung myself upon the deck by his side, heeding -neither the danger to life, nor of defeat.</p> -<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop" /> - -<div class="chapter"> -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_275">[Pg 275]</span></p> - -<h2 class="nobreak" id="CHAPTER_XVI">CHAPTER XVI.<br /><span class="small">THE BATTLE.</span></h2> -</div> - - - -<p>After reading over what has been set down, I am afraid that I have made -it appear much as if the commodore, old Silas, Alec, and myself were -the only Americans present at the battle of Lake Erie.</p> - -<p>That I have said too much regarding my own fears and hopes is positive, -and in these last pages I will try to remedy the matter by speaking of -the battle as I have heard old and experienced men, who were present, -describe it, halting here only so long as may be necessary to explain -that Alec Perry was not dangerously wounded.</p> - -<p>Every one who saw him fall felt certain he had received his death-blow. -During fully a moment the commodore was convinced of the same; but -within a very short time after I flung myself down by his side, the -dear lad revived sufficiently to speak, and the terrible load was -lifted from my heart.</p> - -<p>Alec was badly bruised, as indeed any one would likely be who had -been struck twice by splinters, but the injuries were not serious, -and he refused decidedly<span class="pagenum" id="Page_276">[Pg 276]</span> to present himself before Dr. Parsons, as I -suggested and even urged.</p> - -<p>While we two lay there, I trying to make out if my comrade was nigh to -death, Lieutenant Yarnall came up, looking more ghastly than any man -I had seen since the action began. His nose had been cut through by -a splinter, and was swollen until it resembled a huge piece of liver -rather than anything I can bring to mind. He was bleeding from several -wounds, but his courage was in nowise injured.</p> - -<p>“All the officers in my division have been cut down, sir, and I would -like to have others,” he said, saluting gravely as if on parade.</p> - -<p>“I have no more to give you,” the commodore replied, returning the -salute. “You must endeavor to make out alone.”</p> - -<p>“Very well, sir,” and the first officer of the <i>Lawrence</i> returned -through that storm of cannon-balls and musket-bullets to his station -as calmly as he might have done had we simply been firing a friendly -salute.</p> - -<p>Now here is a description of the battle from the beginning up to this -time, as I have seen it written down by one who was more familiar with -the details than I, for enshrouded in smoke, and a novice in such -matters, I know no more than what happened immediately around me:—</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_277">[Pg 277]</span></p> - -<p>“Perry<a id="FNanchor_4" href="#Footnote_4" class="fnanchor">[4]</a> soon perceived that he was yet too far distant to damage the -enemy materially, so he ordered word to be sent from vessel to vessel -by trumpet for all to make sail, bear down upon Barclay, and engage in -close combat.</p> - -<p>“The order was transmitted by Captain Elliott, who was the second -in command, but he failed to obey it himself. His vessel was a fast -sailer, and his men were the best in the squadron, but he kept at a -distance from the enemy, and continued firing his long guns.</p> - -<p>“Perry, meanwhile, pressed on with the <i>Lawrence</i>, accompanied -by the <i>Scorpion</i>, <i>Ariel</i>, and <i>Caledonia</i>; and at -meridian exactly, when he supposed he was near enough for execution -with his carronades, he opened the first division of his battery on -the starboard side of the <i>Detroit</i>. His balls fell short, while -his antagonist and her consorts poured upon the <i>Lawrence</i> a -heavy storm of round shot from their long guns, still leaving the -<i>Scorpion</i> and <i>Ariel</i> almost unnoticed.</p> - -<p>“The <i>Caledonia</i>, meanwhile, engaged with the <i>Hunter</i>, but -the <i>Niagara</i> kept at a respectful distance from the <i>Queen -Charlotte</i>, and gave that vessel an opportunity to go to the -assistance of the <i>Detroit</i>. She passed the <i>Hunter</i>, and, -placing herself astern<span class="pagenum" id="Page_278">[Pg 278]</span> of the <i>Detroit</i>, opened heavily upon -the <i>Lawrence</i>, now, at a quarter past twelve, only musket-shot -distance from her chief antagonist.</p> - -<p>“For two hours the gallant Perry and his devoted ship bore the brunt -of the battle with twice his force, aided only by the schooners on his -weather bow and some feeble shots from the distant <i>Caledonia</i>, -when she could spare time from her adversary, the <i>Hunter</i>. During -that tempest of war his vessel was terribly shattered. Her rigging was -nearly all shot away; her sails were torn in shreds; her spars were -battered into splinters; her guns were dismounted; and she lay upon the -waters almost a helpless wreck.</p> - -<p>“The carnage on her deck had been terrible. Out of one hundred and -three sound men that composed her officers and crew when she went into -action, twenty-two were slain and sixty-one were wounded. Perry’s -little brother had been struck down by a splinter at his side, but soon -recovered....</p> - -<p>“While the <i>Lawrence</i> was being thus terribly smitten, officers -and crew were anxiously wondering why the <i>Niagara</i>—the swift, -stanch, well-manned <i>Niagara</i>—kept aloof, not only from her -prescribed antagonist, the <i>Queen Charlotte</i>, now battling the -<i>Lawrence</i>, but the other assailants of the flag-ship. Her -commander himself had passed the order for close conflict,<span class="pagenum" id="Page_279">[Pg 279]</span> yet he kept -far away; and when afterward censured, he pleaded, in justification -of his course, his perfect obedience to the original order to keep at -‘half cable length behind the <i>Caledonia</i> on the line.’ It may -be said that his orders to fight the <i>Queen Charlotte</i>, who had -left <i>her</i> line and gone into the thickest of the fight with the -<i>Lawrence</i> and her supporting schooners, were quite as imperative, -and that it was his duty to follow. This he did not do until the guns -of the <i>Lawrence</i> became silent, and no signals were displayed -by, nor special orders came from Perry. These significant tokens of -dissolution doubtless made Elliott believe that the commodore was -slain, and he himself had become the chief commander of the squadron.</p> - -<p>“He then hailed the <i>Caledonia</i>, and ordered Lieutenant Turner -to leave the line and bear down upon the <i>Hunter</i> for close -conflict, giving the <i>Niagara</i> a chance to pass for the relief -of the <i>Lawrence</i>. The gallant Turner instantly obeyed, and the -<i>Caledonia</i> fought her adversary nobly. The <i>Niagara</i> spread -her canvas before a freshening breeze that had just sprung up; but, -instead of going to the relief of the <i>Lawrence</i>, thus silently -pleading for protection, she bore away toward the head of the enemy’s -squadron, passing the American flag-ship to the windward, and<span class="pagenum" id="Page_280">[Pg 280]</span> leaving -her exposed to the still galling fire of the enemy, because, as was -alleged in extenuation of this apparent violation of the rules of naval -warfare and the claims of humanity, both squadrons had caught the -breeze and moved forward, and left the crippled vessel floating astern.”</p> - -<p>It was only by the cessation of the shocks which told of the brig’s -having been struck by a ball that we on board knew the enemy was moving -forward, leaving us little else than a hulk upon the waters.</p> - -<p>Then the smoke of battle which had hung over our decks like a shroud -was wafted away by the wind; and we saw the <i>Niagara</i>, half a mile -or more on the larboard beam, engaged with the <i>Queen Charlotte</i>, -<i>Lady Prevost</i>, and <i>Hunter</i>.</p> - -<p>It was as if we had been cast aside as worthless, and that the -remainder of the fight would be between those who had suffered less -injury.</p> - -<p>Perhaps, under another commander, such would have been the case; but -Oliver Perry was never one to be cast aside or to shrink from any -danger, and it was not in his mind to remain at a distance.</p> - -<p>First, however, he gave heed to the gallant fellows who had been -disabled; and Alec and I walked by his side as he moved from one to -another of those who as yet had not been carried into the dismantled -cockpit.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_281">[Pg 281]</span></p> - -<p>There were but fourteen men and boys on board who had not been injured -more or less severely, and among them no more than two guns’ crews -could have been made up.</p> - -<p>While we were amidships, Alec and I took advantage of the opportunity -to run into the ward-room, where Dr. Parsons, now working alone because -all his assistants had been summoned on deck to aid in working the -brig, was performing his cruel-looking offices of mercy.</p> - -<p>It was for the purpose of learning if old Silas yet lived that -we ventured into the horrible place, strewn here and there with -dismembered limbs or fragments of human flesh, and to our great joy the -gunner had so far recovered from his faintness as to be quarrelling -with the surgeon because that officer refused to allow him to go on -deck.</p> - -<p>“A bit knocked up, lads; but with blood enough left in my veins to give -the Britishers another chance at drawin’ it. This ’ere sawbones is -takin’ too much on himself, when he sets up that Silas Boyd shan’t do -his duty.”</p> - -<p>“There is nothing left for you to do, Master Boyd,” Alec said, as he -laid his hand upon the old man’s head. “The <i>Lawrence</i> is out of -the fight just now, and even though she wasn’t, I question if you could -find a serviceable gun aboard.”</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_282">[Pg 282]</span></p> - -<p>“You’re not tellin’ me that the brig has struck her colors?” and the -old man would have sprung up but that we two lads held him down by main -strength.</p> - -<p>“Not a bit of it. The blue flag is still flying; but the brig appears -to be little better than a wreck, and both squadrons have drawn off -from us.”</p> - -<p>“And the fight? What kind of a turn is that takin’?”</p> - -<p>“We appear to be holding our own.”</p> - -<p>“No more? No more than holdin’ our own, lad?”</p> - -<p>“I cannot see that we gain any advantage; but the flag-ship is the only -craft which has been so badly used.”</p> - -<p>The commodore’s voice from above summoned us to the deck, and as we -clambered up the narrow companionway I heard old Silas giving the -surgeon a tongue-lashing because the latter had threatened to tie the -gunner to a stanchion if he persisted in his attempts to leave the -cockpit.</p> - -<p>When Alec and I were come on deck again an exclamation of surprise -burst from our lips.</p> - -<p>We had left the commodore clad in the garb of a sailor, smoke-begrimed -and covered with the blood of others to whom he had lent a helping hand.</p> - -<p>Now he was arrayed in the uniform of an officer in the American navy, -from the epaulets to the sword,<span class="pagenum" id="Page_283">[Pg 283]</span> and looked to my eye more like a -victor than one whose ship had been literally torn to pieces beneath -his feet.</p> - -<p>I stared at him in astonishment; but Alec, going to his brother’s side, -asked in surprise:—</p> - -<p>“What is the meaning of this, Oliver?”</p> - -<p>“Of what, lad?”</p> - -<p>“Why have you laid aside the clothes you wore in action?”</p> - -<p>“It is well that not only my own men, but the enemy, shall recognize me -when I transfer my flag.”</p> - -<p>Alec looked at the commodore in mute surprise, and for the moment I -believed our commander had lost his head.</p> - -<p>“The <i>Niagara</i> appears to be in good condition,” Perry said with -a smile, “and it is from her deck that I will direct the battle to a -glorious ending.”</p> - -<p>I looked out over the waters, which were literally boiling and spouting -under the falling shot, asking myself how it might be possible for -the commodore to do as he had said, knowing full well that the -<i>Lawrence</i>, wreck as she was, could not be manœuvred.</p> - -<p>“Lieutenant Yarnall,” Perry said, turning to the first officer, who -was bleeding from four or five wounds, with his face disfigured as I -have already related, “I leave the <i>Lawrence</i> in your charge, -with discretionary powers. Hold out, or surrender, as your judgment -and<span class="pagenum" id="Page_284">[Pg 284]</span> the circumstances shall dictate. Have a boat lowered, and detail -a full complement of oarsmen, if it so be that number of unwounded men -be found aboard. Take down my pennant and the blue banner, for the -remainder of the fleet shall fight under both until victory is brought -out of this tangle.”</p> - -<p>“Will you leave me here, Oliver?” Alec asked, when Lieutenant Yarnall -had set about obeying the orders.</p> - -<p>“You shall go with me, lad, for it is well we two remain together while -it be possible.”</p> - -<p>“And Richard?” the dear lad asked, noting the look of entreaty in my -eyes.</p> - -<p>“He had best stay here; we cannot take too many into such peril, for it -will be no child’s play to pull through yonder storm of shot.”</p> - -<p>“You need oarsmen, sir, and I question if enough can be found to man -the boat, without taking every one from the brig,” I said quickly, -distressed beyond measure at the thought that I might be separated from -my comrade.</p> - -<p>“You shall go as a member of the boat’s crew,” the commodore replied -promptly, and at the same time kindly; “yet I am not certain it is a -friendly act to take you two lads through that deadly fire.”</p> - -<p>“We would venture very much more, sir, for the sake of being with you,” -I made bold to say, and was rewarded<span class="pagenum" id="Page_285">[Pg 285]</span> for the speech by a kindly smile -from the man who on that day proved himself to be chief of a band -wherein every man was a hero.</p> - -<p>At this point Lieutenant Yarnall reported that the required number of -unwounded men could not be mustered in the brig unless all the guns -were abandoned, and I stepped forward, for now was come the time when I -could make no claim of comradeship—in this hour of death the brothers -stood apart by themselves, out of my world, as it were.</p> - -<p>“With this lad, I can give you four at the oars, sir,” the lieutenant -reported, and our commodore replied, with that smile which had come to -be in my eyes more precious than anything he could bestow:—</p> - -<p>“It will do, Mr. Yarnall. The smaller the number the less to be put in -jeopardy of their lives. Is the boat away?”</p> - -<p>“Ay, sir, all is ready, now that the lad will be taken on as an able -seaman.”</p> - -<p>Obeying a gesture of the lieutenant’s, I went forward to the starboard -rail, beneath which was the tiny craft for the conveyance of the -commander-in-chief, and without venturing to presume upon any possible -claims of comradeship, took my place among the oarsmen.</p> - -<p>As soon thereafter as might be, the commodore and<span class="pagenum" id="Page_286">[Pg 286]</span> Alec came over the -shattered rail, the former carrying under his arm the broad banner of -blue, and the pennant.</p> - -<p>I had been eager to accompany the commander, and yet when I took my -station in the boat, and had a better view of that stretch of water -whereon it seemed that every square inch was covered by bullet or ball, -the chance of escaping with life seemed less than when we stood on the -deck of the <i>Lawrence</i> exposed to the fire of the Britishers’ -heaviest guns.</p> - -<p>“Little show of takin’ a cockle-shell like this across yonder stretch, -eh?” one of the seamen said, with a grin, observing the direction of my -glance, and most likely noting the sudden pallor of my face.</p> - -<p>“It surely seems as if we would be cut to pieces before going fifty -yards from the brig’s side,” I replied, and certain am I that my voice -trembled like a coward’s, although at the moment I was not conscious of -what might rightly be called fear.</p> - -<p>“That’s what I allow will happen,” the man said, as he stuffed his -mouth full of tobacco. “It’s a likely spot in which to swamp a boat, -yet I’m not so sure but that a decent man would choose to die there, -rather than in yonder hole where Dr. Parsons hacks an’ hews to his -heart’s content before the breath of life goes out.”</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_287">[Pg 287]</span></p> - -<p>Perhaps it was some such reminder as this which I needed to give me the -proper amount of spirit, for once he spoke of the cockpit I felt such -a sense of relief at being free from it for the moment that there came -to me a certain degree of calmness, enabling me to greet our commander -properly when he came over the rail, followed by Alec.</p> - -<p>It was as if my comrade shared in the glory which Commodore Perry had -already won, and yet I did not envy him the honor. He was a brave lad, -while I could be counted only as a timorous being whose courage was -like to fail him at the supreme moment, and I felt more pride in his -distinction of place than if our positions had been reversed.</p> - -<p>Alec and his brother took their places in the stern-sheets, and the -latter cried to Lieutenant Yarnall and the other bleeding, brave -fellows who overhung the rail:—</p> - -<p>“Do as you will with the <i>Lawrence</i>, Mr. Yarnall, and whatever -may be the turn of affairs, count on our speedily coming to your -assistance.”</p> - -<p>“God bless you, commodore!” was the gallant officer’s reply, and then -we left him on a sinking ship with only grievously wounded men as -shipmates and crew.</p> - -<p>It was the commodore himself who gave the order<span class="pagenum" id="Page_288">[Pg 288]</span> for us to push off, -and, as if thinking we at the oars needed heartening lest we should -falter in the task after reaching that spot where the iron hail was -thickest, he wrapped the pennant around his shoulders, standing erect -while we pulled out to what seemed certain death.</p> - -<p>Once we were clear of the brig it was as if the enemy knew full well -the precious cargo our boat carried, and understood that only by -compassing the commodore’s death could they hope to win the day, for on -the instant every gun was aimed at us, and every sharp-shooter on the -Britishers’ decks used us as a target.</p> - -<p>I may live to be a very old man, and take part in many another battle, -but it is not possible I shall ever again find myself in such a deadly -shower as was poured upon us from the moment we left the side of the -shattered <i>Lawrence</i>.</p> - -<p>The bullets struck everywhere around us; the cannon-balls made the -water boil and spout so high as to come over the gunwales until the -light craft was in great danger of being swamped; but, singularly -enough, not one found lodgment among us.</p> - -<p>At that moment I believed a divine Providence was watching over our -commodore lest he should come to harm, and I have never since had good -reason to change my opinion.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_289">[Pg 289]</span></p> - -<p>Of a verity all the marines who wore red coats aimed their guns at -Perry, and we at the oars cried out to him that he must take such -shelter as was possible.</p> - -<p>“It is proper the commander of a squadron show himself,” was all -the reply our entreaties could provoke, and finally I said to Alec, -emboldened now by the despair which came upon me with the thought -that the day was indeed lost if that bold spirit continued to present -himself as a mark for the British bullets:—</p> - -<p>“Unless the commodore sits down, and takes care to hide himself from -sight of the enemy, I for one will lay down my oar, trusting that the -wind may blow us out of musket-shot range!”</p> - -<p>“I stand by what the lad has said,” one of the seamen cried, and on the -instant every man stopped rowing, for there was not one aboard minded -to have any share in a martyr’s death.</p> - -<p>“To your oars, lads, to your oars!” the commodore cried excitedly. -“Every second may be of the greatest value to us now!”</p> - -<p>I had not the courage to oppose his will, but the eldest of the seamen -said decidedly:—</p> - -<p>“We’re not warranted in disobeying orders, sir; but I for one will -never carry you to certain death, whatever may be the commission you -hold.”</p> - -<p>And another added:—</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_290">[Pg 290]</span></p> - -<p>“Cease to make yourself so conspicuous, sir, an’ you shall see how -readily we will obey the lightest order you choose to give, even though -knowin’ we go to our death. It is your life, not ours, which is of -importance this day.”</p> - -<p>The gallant young officer looked at us for an instant as if minded to -administer some sharp reproof, and then I, who observed him closely, -saw the moisture gathering in his eyes as he said in a low tone:—</p> - -<p>“You be brave lads, all; and at such a moment as this there shall be no -question of authority.”</p> - -<p>Whereat he seated himself by Alec’s side, and the dear lad clasped his -brother’s neck closely as he looked at me with pride beaming from his -eyes.</p> - -<p>The bunting was unwound from around the hero’s shoulders, and while he -presented quite as fair a target for the bullets, it did not seem to us -that he offered the enemy as much of an advantage.</p> - -<p>Then we bent ourselves to the oars once more, pulling with every ounce -of strength that could be forced from our muscles, and heading straight -toward the <i>Niagara</i> whereon was Captain Elliott, hugging to his -heart the belief that at last he was the sole commander of the American -squadron.</p> - -<p>It is not for such as me to criticise the doings of one whom the -government had placed high in command,<span class="pagenum" id="Page_291">[Pg 291]</span> yet I say now, as I have a -thousand times since that terrible yet glorious day, that the commander -of the <i>Niagara</i> kept aloof from the heat of battle with no other -idea in his mind save that he might rise to fame over the dead body of -our commodore.</p> - -<p>To look back now in my mind’s eye on what I saw then, it seems like -relating the story of some miracle to say that we came out of that -murderous fire, pulling alongside the <i>Niagara</i> in safety.</p> - -<p>Our boat was literally riddled with bullets, and yet not one of us had -received a wound. Every oar was shattered, but we worked with such -timber as remained, until our hero had been put in a position which -enabled him to win the day.</p> - -<p>Even now, the proudest memory of mine is that I did my share in winning -the battle of Lake Erie, timorous lad though I am.</p> - -<p>It was Captain Elliott himself who met Commodore Perry at the -<i>Niagara’s</i> gangway, and he stared as if facing a ghost, when our -commander saluted him ceremoniously, for he believed him dead.</p> - -<p>“How is the day going, sir?” Elliott asked, as soon as he could control -his voice sufficiently to speak.</p> - -<p>“Badly, Mr. Elliott, badly. I have lost nearly all my men; the -<i>Lawrence</i> is a wreck, and I am transferring<span class="pagenum" id="Page_292">[Pg 292]</span> my flag and the -banner to this ship. What are the gunboats doing so far astern? Why do -they not bear their full share of the burden?”</p> - -<p>“With your permission I will go to ascertain the reason, and bring them -up.”</p> - -<p>“Very well, sir. Lose no time, and see to it that they come to close -quarters without delay.”</p> - -<p>Then we, who had come out of death, as it were, clambered up on the -<i>Niagara’s</i> deck, cheered to the echo by every man who saw us, -and the officer who for a few moments had believed himself first in -command, took Commodore Perry’s place in the stern-sheets of the boat -with a full crew at the oars to carry him rearward.</p> - - -<div class="footnotes"><h3>FOOTNOTES:</h3> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a id="Footnote_4" href="#FNanchor_4" class="label">[4]</a> Lossing’s “War of 1812.”</p> - -</div> -</div> -<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop" /> - -<div class="chapter"> -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_293">[Pg 293]</span></p> - -<h2 class="nobreak" id="CHAPTER_XVII">CHAPTER XVII.<br /><span class="small">VICTORY.</span></h2> -</div> - - -<p>To men who had come from such a scene of ruin as had we, the -<i>Niagara</i> appeared to be in perfect condition. But few of her crew -were wounded, and she was in as perfect order for the conflict as if -having just come from the navy-yard.</p> - -<p>Before I could clamber up on her deck, being, as a matter of course, -some distance behind Alec and his brother, the commodore’s pennant had -been displayed, and with it was run up the blue banner which bore the -letters in white, and I venture to say that the death of the gallant -Lawrence was fresh in the mind of every American on Lake Erie this 10th -day of September in the year of grace 1813.</p> - -<p>It was some such signal as this which our brave fellows aboard the -other vessels needed to assure them that the commander in whom they -trusted was still directing the course of events, and as the two bits -of bunting were run up we heard a volley of cheers from every craft in -the line, telling that the courage of all was strengthened.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_294">[Pg 294]</span></p> - -<p>“Now we shall win the day,” Alec said confidently, as for a moment I -came to his side, although, strictly speaking, my place was forward of -the quarter, while he, released from duty as a member of the gun’s crew -under old Silas, had liberty to remain by the side of the commodore. -“Now we shall win the day, for it is as if we were come into action -with a fresh vessel, thanks to the timorousness of Captain Elliott.”</p> - -<p>Even as he spoke, and as if to check the exultation which had come -upon us all when the commodore’s flag was safely transferred, we -saw the stars and stripes drop slowly down from the masthead of the -<i>Lawrence</i>, in token that she had surrendered.</p> - -<p>Dr. Parsons has since told me that when Lieutenant Yarnall, after -consulting with Lieutenant Forrest and Sailing-Master Taylor, decided -to show signs of submission, those poor wounded wretches in the -cockpit, mangled and hacked until some of them no longer had the -semblance of humanity, begged that the ship be sunk rather than -surrendered, and refused to allow the surgeon to attend to their -wounds, hoping they might die before the Britishers could take -possession of the craft which had been fought so gallantly, yet so -vainly.</p> - -<p>However, it was not long that they were forced to remain thus hopeless.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_295">[Pg 295]</span></p> - -<p>Once our young commander had beneath him a craft which could be -manœuvred, he changed his plan of action so far as the situation -seemed to require, hoisting a signal once more for close action as the -<i>Niagara</i> was steered straight toward the British line of battle, -half a mile away.</p> - -<p>As he had fought the <i>Lawrence</i>, so did he count on fighting her -sister ship, and, inspirited by what they had seen, every man aboard -our fleet was ready to follow at his beck wherever he might lead.</p> - -<p>We had seen sharp fighting before; but now was come the time, as it -seemed to me, when we were to take part in such an action as would dim -all previous efforts, and even amid the noise and confusion of the -conflict I found myself wishing that Silas Boyd might be with us, to -have a share in the glorious dash which I knew was near at hand.</p> - -<p>Now, indeed, was gone from my mind all sensations of fear. I ceased to -have any thought of self, but lived only with those around me, making -their fate as much a part of mine as if we were linked together in -body, as in purpose.</p> - -<p>Having come on board a vessel which had suffered comparatively small -loss during the two hours of conflict, and, as has been said, was the -best manned in the fleet, there was little Alec and I could do save -to<span class="pagenum" id="Page_296">[Pg 296]</span> jump here or there, wherever a spare hand was needed, and set our -shoulders to whatsoever portion of the wheel needed uplifting.</p> - -<p>Therefore it was we had more of an opportunity to observe the battle. -We could see, when the clouds of smoke were not too dense, each -particular vessel, and knew, almost as well as did the commodore -himself, what was taking place on the bosom of that lake whose waters, -it seemed to me, should by this time have been stained crimson by the -blood of brave men.</p> - -<p>If I have made it appear that, up to this time, we two lads had seen -the most desperate portion of the conflict, my purpose has been -overrun, for once on board the <i>Niagara</i> the action became so -fierce and deadly as to make it seem that until now we had been outside -the range of the deadliest fire.</p> - -<p>With the new flag-ship in the lead, and the signals for every craft to -use both sails and oars so that they close in more quickly, we went -straight forward toward the enemy, passing within half a pistol-shot -distance of the <i>Lady Prevost</i> and the <i>Chippewa</i> on the -larboard hand, and the <i>Detroit</i>, <i>Queen Charlotte</i>, and -<i>Hunter</i> on the starboard.</p> - -<p>We broke directly through the enemy’s line, and not until we were come -within such short range that I could have tossed my hat aboard either -vessel, did we open fire.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_297">[Pg 297]</span></p> - -<p>Then it was that both broadsides were discharged; the <i>Niagara</i> -rolled to and fro under the shock of the heavy guns, until it seemed -as if every timber would be riven asunder; and from either side poured -in upon us a cross firing, until a perfect network of whistling shot -and bullets was formed above our heads, but fortunately so high that we -suffered comparatively little loss of life.</p> - -<p>Here and there men fell, pierced by a musket-shot, or literally cut -asunder by the heavy cannon-balls; but it was not as we had known it on -the deck of the <i>Lawrence</i>, when nearly four-fifths of our people -were disabled.</p> - -<p>The din was fearful. One ceased to think of the loss of life, because -in that terrific uproar it seemed only natural men must die.</p> - -<p>The hue of blood which stained the white planking and the black -bulwarks was no longer an ominous color, because that was needed to -make the picture of war more perfect; and I believe every person on -board the <i>Niagara</i>, save the commodore himself, lost, as I did, -all thought of self in that pandemonium of destruction.</p> - -<p>Right and left came broadsides from double-shotted guns; here, there, -and everywhere poured in musket-balls from sharpshooters, who, in their -excitement, had ceased to take aim.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_298">[Pg 298]</span></p> - -<p>Spars fell from aloft, or crashed on either side as our balls tore them -from their fastenings on the enemy’s ships; there were shouts of anger, -cries of pain, moans and imprecations, while over all could be heard -the crackle of musketry and the roar of heavy guns that was like to -burst one’s ear-drums.</p> - -<p>It was no longer war, but had become a fever of death, wherein each man -strove to kill, and regarded not his own life.</p> - -<p>I would that some worthier hand could set down clearly the varied and -rapidly-passing sensations which floated through my brain, for then -might it be possible to describe to another what one experiences at -such a time.</p> - -<p>As for myself, I no longer thought of country or of the enemy. There -was simply an intense desire to kill; an eagerness to see blood -flow—for the time being we were become as brutes.</p> - -<p>I know, because of having been told at a later day, that we passed -straight through the British line; broke it, and, ranging ahead on the -other side, rounded to, pouring great broadsides of hot iron into the -<i>Detroit</i> and the <i>Queen Charlotte</i>, which vessels had fouled -each other and were lying at our mercy.</p> - -<p>I have since read the following description of what we did when I was -no longer capable of seeing, or,<span class="pagenum" id="Page_299">[Pg 299]</span> seeing, was so overcome by feverish -excitement as not to be conscious of that which lay fair before my -eyes:<a id="FNanchor_5" href="#Footnote_5" class="fnanchor">[5]</a>—</p> - -<p>“Ranging ahead of the vessels on the starboard, Perry rounded to and -raked the <i>Detroit</i> and <i>Queen Charlotte</i>. Close and deadly -was his fire upon them with great guns and musketry. Meanwhile the -<i>Lawrence</i>, having drifted out of her place in the line, her -position against the <i>Detroit</i> was taken by the <i>Caledonia</i>; -the latter’s place in line, as opposed to the <i>Hunter</i>, was -occupied by the <i>Trippe</i>, the two vessels being commanded by -Captain Turner and Lieutenant Holdup. These gallant young officers -had exchanged signals to board the <i>Detroit</i> when they saw the -<i>Niagara</i> with the commodore’s pennant bearing down to break -the British line. Turner followed closely with the <i>Caledonia</i>; -but the freshening breeze having brought up the <i>Somers</i> under -Mr. Almy, the <i>Tigress</i>, under Lieutenant Concklin, and the -<i>Porcupine</i>, under Acting-Master Senat, the whole American -squadron, excepting the <i>Lawrence</i>, was for the first time engaged -in the conflict. The fight was terrible for a few minutes, and the -combatants were completely enveloped in smoke.”</p> - -<p>How long we were engaged after all the ships,<span class="pagenum" id="Page_300">[Pg 300]</span> save the poor wounded -<i>Lawrence</i>, were brought into the conflict, I cannot say; so far -as my own knowledge is concerned, it might have been five minutes, or -as many hours, for I ceased to exist as a distinct human being; but -had become simply a fraction, wherein the whole was the crew of the -<i>Niagara</i>.</p> - -<p>It so chanced that when the cloud of smoke lifted so that we might be -able to distinguish objects at a distance, Alec Perry was standing -by my side, having come forward with some order for his brother, and -at that instant the British flag-ship, the <i>Detroit</i>, was lying -plainly within our range of vision.</p> - -<p>“We have at least given <em>her</em> a lesson!” Alec said, pointing to -the shattered spars and fragments of rigging that had been cut by our -shot, and even as we looked the British ensign was lowered from the -masthead, fluttering in the breeze as it came nearer and nearer the -deck, until I distinctly saw one of the seamen gather it up in his arms.</p> - -<p>During an instant the full significance of this act escaped me. I -stood, with my arm linked in Alec’s, wondering what it all meant, when -a great cheer rose from round about us, echoed by the crews of all the -other vessels near at hand.</p> - -<p>Then we knew that the <i>Detroit</i>, like the <i>Lawrence</i>, -was out of the fight.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_301">[Pg 301]</span></p> - -<p>“We have whipped one of them!” Alec cried in glee, clapping his -blood-stained hands childishly. “Commodore Barclay’s ship has given up -the fight, and now we shall see if he has pluck enough to transfer his -flag in the heat of battle, as did my brother!”</p> - -<p>At that instant, and when the crew of every gun was working with -feverish haste to reload that they might take advantage of this first -sign of submission, there came from the quarterdeck the command, loud, -triumphant, and cheery:—</p> - -<p>“Hold your fire, lads! The enemy is whipped!”</p> - -<p>I wondered that our commodore could be so sanguine, for it seemed to -me the Britishers would not admit themselves beaten until every craft -was disabled; but, involuntarily glancing toward the right, I saw the -cross of <abbr title="saint">St.</abbr> George being lowered from the masthead of the <i>Queen -Charlotte</i>, and almost before I could call Alec’s attention to -the fact, every vessel in all that squadron, excepting the <i>Little -Belt</i> and the <i>Chippewa</i>, were showing the same signs of -submission.</p> - -<p>It seemed incredible that we should have won the fight after having -suffered such loss as had been inflicted upon the <i>Lawrence</i>.</p> - -<p>It was impossible for the moment to believe that<span class="pagenum" id="Page_302">[Pg 302]</span> this British -squadron, whose commander had claimed he need only “come out and show -himself in order to send the Yankees to their knees,” had surrendered -to a force much smaller than his own, and without discipline!</p> - -<p>Even when I could realize that we had earned the victory,—bought it by -the blood of those brave fellows whom I had seen lying in the cockpit -of the <i>Lawrence</i>,—it was difficult to understand, even though we -had fought so valiantly, how it all came about.</p> - -<p>We were the victors in the first naval engagement fought on the lakes.</p> - -<p>Commodore Perry had earned for himself that fame and that glory which -his brother predicted, and I was his brother’s friend.</p> - -<p>Alec, delirious with joy, flung his arms around my neck as one British -ensign after another fluttered down from its masthead, and we two -danced here and there over the blood-stained deck, unconscious almost, -that we were making such an exhibition of ourselves, until we saw -the sailors—old men bleeding from wounds that needed a surgeon’s -attention—hugging each other around the waist as they swung to and -fro, cheering and yelling as if it were not possible to show their -happiness save by movement and by noise.</p> - -<p>The battle was ended, and Commodore Perry, Alec’s<span class="pagenum" id="Page_303">[Pg 303]</span> brother, was the one -hero, to my eyes, among all who had proven their valor since the war -began.</p> - -<p>Here it is that my poor attempt at describing what befell my comrade -and I while we served with Perry on Lake Erie, must come to an end, for -the tale is done.</p> - -<p>After a certain time I returned to my home at Presque Isle, and Alec -accompanied his brother on what was little less than a triumphal tour -to Washington.</p> - -<p>Perhaps it is well to gather up the scattered threads of the story -by explaining, what is most likely known to every one who shall -chance to read these lines, that before sunset the <i>Little Belt</i> -and the <i>Chippewa</i> were captured by the <i>Scorpion</i> and -the <i>Trippe</i>, and brought to an anchor under the stern of the -<i>Lawrence</i>.</p> - -<p>It was hardly more than half an hour from the time our commodore left -the flag-ship, and the dying men in the cockpit were sorrowing because -of what seemed defeat, when he went on board again.</p> - -<p>There, among all the evidences of what had well-nigh been a disaster, -he received the swords of the Britishers who had been worsted in a fair -fight wherein the odds were in their favor.</p> - -<p>The <i>Lawrence</i> had lowered her flag; but so hot had been the -engagement immediately afterward that the<span class="pagenum" id="Page_304">[Pg 304]</span> enemy did not have an -opportunity to take possession of her, and when we returned, for I -accompanied Alec and our commodore, it was the same as if she had never -submitted.</p> - -<p>I have heard it said that never before had an American fleet or -squadron encountered the enemy in regular line of battle, and never -before, since England possessed a navy, had a whole British fleet been -captured.</p> - -<p>Even before we returned to our flag-ship, the commodore wrote on the -back of an old letter this message to General Harrison, and sent it at -once by special messenger:—</p> - -<div class="blockquot"> - -<p>“We have met the enemy, and they are ours: Two ships, two brigs, one -schooner and one sloop.</p> - -<p class="center">“Yours with great respect and esteem,</p> - -<p class="right"> -“<span class="smcap">O. H. Perry</span>.”<br /> -</p> -</div> - - -<p>[<span class="smcap">By the Editor.</span>] It seems fitting that Master Dobbins’s story -should be concluded with the following extract from the “War of 1812,” -written by that eminent historian, Benson J. Lossing:—</p> - -<p>“Then the ceremony of taking possession of the conquered vessels, and -receiving the formal submission of the vanquished, was performed. Perry -gave the signal to anchor, and started for his battered flag-ship, -determined, on her deck, and in the presence<span class="pagenum" id="Page_305">[Pg 305]</span> of her surviving officers -and crew, to receive the commanders of the captured squadron. ‘It was a -time of conflicting emotions,’ says Dr. Parsons, ‘when he stepped upon -deck. The battle was won, and he was safe, but the deck was slippery -with blood, and strewn with the bodies of twenty officers and men, -seven of whom had sat at table with us at our last meal, and the ship -resounded everywhere with the groans of the wounded. Those of us who -were spared and able to walk, met him at the gangway to welcome him on -board, but the salutation was a silent one on both sides; not a word -could find utterance.’</p> - -<p>“The next movement in the solemn drama was the reception of the British -officers, one from each of the captured vessels. Perry stood on the -after-part of the deck, and his sad visitors were compelled to pick -their way to him among the slain. He received them with solemn dignity -and unaffected kindness. As they presented their swords, with the -hilts toward the victor, he spoke in a low but firm tone, without the -betrayal of the least exultation, and requested them to retain their -weapons....</p> - -<p>“Vessels of both squadrons were dreadfully shattered, especially the -two flag-ships. Sixty-eight persons had been killed and one hundred -and ninety<span class="pagenum" id="Page_306">[Pg 306]</span> wounded during the three hours that the battle lasted. Of -these, the Americans lost one hundred and twenty-three, twenty-seven -of whom were killed. Barclay, of the <i>Detroit</i>, the British -commander, who had lost an arm at Trafalgar, was first wounded in the -thigh, and then so severely injured in the shoulder as to deprive him -of the use of the other arm. Finnis, of the <i>Queen Charlotte</i>, the -second in command, was mortally wounded, and died that evening....</p> - -<p>“Perry’s victory proved to be one of the most important events of the -war. At that moment two armies, one on the north and the other on -the south of the warring squadrons, were waiting for the result most -anxiously. Should the victory remain with the British, Proctor and -Tecumtha<a id="FNanchor_6" href="#Footnote_6" class="fnanchor">[6]</a> were ready at Malden, with their motley army five thousand -strong, to rush forward and lay waste the entire country. Should -the victory rest with the Americans, Harrison, with his army in the -vicinity of Sandusky bay, was prepared to press forward by land or -water for the seizure of Malden and Detroit, the recovery of Michigan, -and the invasion of Canada.</p> - -<p>“All along the borders of the lake within sound of the cannon in the -battle (and they were heard from Cleveland to Malden), women with -terrified children,<span class="pagenum" id="Page_307">[Pg 307]</span> and decrepit old men, sat listening with the -deepest anxiety; for they knew not but with the setting sun they -would be compelled to flee to the interior to escape the fangs of -the red bloodhounds who were ready to be let loose upon helpless -innocency by the approved servants of the government that boasted of -its civilization and Christianity. Happily for America—happily for -the fair fame of Great Britain—happily for the cause of humanity—the -victory was left with the Americans, and the savage allies of the -British were not allowed to repeat the tragedies in which they had -already been permitted to engage....</p> - -<p>“That victory led to the destruction of the Indian confederacy, and -wiped out the stigma of the surrender at Detroit thirteen months -before. It opened the way for Harrison’s army to repossess the -territory then surrendered, and to penetrate Canada. It was speedily -followed by the overthrow of British power in the Canadian peninsula, -and the country bordering on the upper lakes, and the absolute security -forever of the whole northwestern frontier from British invasion and -Indian depredations.”</p> - - -<div class="footnotes"><h3>FOOTNOTES:</h3> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a id="Footnote_5" href="#FNanchor_5" class="label">[5]</a> Lossing’s “War of 1812.”</p> - -</div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a id="Footnote_6" href="#FNanchor_6" class="label">[6]</a> Tecumseh [<span class="smcap"><abbr title="editor">Ed.</abbr></span>].</p> - -</div> -</div> - -<p class="center p4">THE END.</p> - - - -<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop" /> - -<div class="chapter bbox"> -<h2 class="nobreak" id="With_Preble_at_Tripoli"><i>With Preble at Tripoli</i></h2> - -<hr class="r65" /> -<p class="center">A STORY OF “OLD IRONSIDES” AND THE TRIPOLITAN WAR</p> - -<p class="center big"><span class="smcap">By</span> JAMES OTIS</p> - -<p class="center">349 pages. Cloth. 12mo. $1.50</p> - -<p class="center">Second Volume in “<i>The Great Admiral Series</i>”</p> - -<hr class="r5" /> -<p>It is a typical, dashing, instructive, and thrilling story. It is -intended for boys, but there is hardly a person, young or old, who -would not be intensely interested in it. Such a book as this should be -welcomed by every parent.—<i>Boston Journal.</i></p> - -<p>This volume gives us a most vivid description of the exploits of the -old “Constitution” and the brave men under Commander Preble’s command. -It is of the best juvenile literature.—<i>The Indianapolis Journal.</i></p> - -<p>It is a thrilling account of the loss of the “Philadelphia,” and of -the most famous “cutting out” party in our naval history. It adds a -second volume to one of the most interesting series of books for young -people.—<i>The Dial.</i></p> - -<p>The ever-stimulating account of “Old Ironsides” and her famous campaign -against the Tripolitan pirates forms the basis of one of Mr. Otis’s -best stories; correct in its historical facts, interesting from -beginning to end, it will be welcomed not only by the younger reader, -but by the older one as well.—<i>The Presbyterian.</i></p> - -</div> -<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop" /> - -<div class="chapter bbox"> -<h2 class="nobreak" id="WITH_PORTER_IN_THE_ESSEX">WITH PORTER IN THE ESSEX</h2> - - -<p class="center">A STORY OF HIS FAMOUS CRUISE <i>in</i> SOUTHERN WATERS DURING THE WAR -OF 1812.</p> - -<p class="center"><i>By James Otis.</i></p> - -<p class="center"><i>344 pages. Cloth. 12mo. $1.50.</i></p> - -<hr class="r65" /> - -<p class="p2">One of the best books that this favorite writer has ever penned, for it -is full of life and vigor.—<i>Inter-Ocean.</i></p> - -<p>It is an ideal boys’ story book and will inspire the youthful reader -alike with patriotism and courage.—<i>Library Bulletin.</i></p> - -<p>The book is historically instructive and the story admirably -told.—<i>Chicago Evening Post.</i></p> - -<p>Mr. Otis has a style peculiarly interesting to boys, and in this -book he is up to his usual mark of excellence both as to accuracy of -historical knowledge and fluency of narration.—<i>The Examiner.</i></p> - -<p>The events and issues of the war of 1812 have never received the -attention they deserve at the hand of American students of history. -This book will help to give life and reality to a subject at once -thrilling and memorable in many ways.—<i>The Union.</i></p> - -<p>This story purports to be the personal experience of two boys, who -enlist and the early age of fourteen, and who were with the Essex until -the time of its capture. The book is sufficiently full of excitement -to please boys, and while it pleases them it will also instruct -them.—<i>The Intelligencer.</i></p> - - -<p class="bt center p2"> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;"><span class="smcap">Boston</span> <span class="big">W. A. WILDE COMPANY</span> <span class="smcap">Chicago</span></span><br /> -</p> -</div> - -<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop" /> - -<div class="chapter bbox"> -<h2 class="nobreak" id="The_Treasury_Club"><i>The Treasury Club</i></h2> - - -<p class="center">A STORY OF THE UNITED STATES TREASURY DEPARTMENT</p> - -<p class="center small">BY</p> - -<p class="center big">WILLIAM DRYSDALE</p> - -<p class="center"> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">330 <abbr title="pages">pp.</abbr> Ill. 12mo. Cloth, $1.50</span><br /> -</p> - -<p class="center">First Volume in the United States Government Series.</p> - -<hr class="r5" /> -<p>This, the first volume in the United States Government Series, blends -true information with an interesting story; it teaches and entertains -at the same time.—<i>Congregationalist.</i></p> - -<p>It is an intelligently written narrative in story form, and will prove -most interesting to all up-to-date young people. The idea of the book -is both good in itself and most commendably worked out.—<i>Dial.</i></p> - -<p>“The Treasury Club” is a unique book, full of useful and valuable -information. Parents will be glad to be able to get such a book as this -to place in the hands of their children.—<i>Boston Journal.</i></p> - -<p>We welcome most heartily this most recent book by Mr. Drysdale. Should -the subsequent volumes in this series be as entertaining as is this -one, the entire set will be worthy of a high place among young people’s -books.—<i>The Standard.</i></p> - -<p>The underlying idea of the United States Government Series, of -which this volume is the first, is a most excellent one. It is to -give young readers an idea of the practical workings of the various -departments of the United States Government, imparting special -interest to the descriptions by putting them into story form. This -volume, treating as it does of persons who may be seen to-day in and -around the Treasury Department, and treating of facts gathered on the -ground, is an exceedingly valuable addition to our young people’s -literature. Certainly it is a most useful, instructive, and interesting -volume.—<i>Boston Transcript.</i></p> - -</div> -<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop" /> - -<div class="chapter bbox"> -<h2 class="nobreak small" id="IN_WAR_OF_THE_REVOLUTION_SERIES"><i>IN “WAR OF THE REVOLUTION SERIES.”</i></h2> - - -<h3>THREE COLONIAL BOYS:</h3> - -<p class="center">A STORY OF THE TIMES OF ’76.</p> - -<p class="center"><i>By Everett T. Tomlinson, Ph. D.</i></p> - -<p class="center"><i>12 mo. 368 <abbr title="pages">pp.</abbr> Cloth, $1.50. Ill.</i></p> -<hr class="r65" /> - -<p>“Colonial Boys” a story patriotic, exciting, pleasing and helpful, -and instructs without appearing to. The number of really good stories -for young people on the Revolutionary period of American History is -surprisingly small, therefore we welcome this volume. The customs of -our forefathers’ time are admirably portrayed, and strong lessons of -patriotism are taught in “Three Colonial Boys,” and for this reason it -is a book which should be in every library.—<i>Boston Transcript.</i></p> - -<hr class="r5" /> - -<p>There is no more interesting period of American History as a background -for fiction than the days leading up to the Revolution. Colonial Boys -works in most happily historical scenes and incidents, and follows -three manly boys through numerous exciting episodes.—<i>Boston -Journal.</i></p> - -<hr class="r5" /> - -<p>A healthful and very readable story for young people. It deals with -one of the most interesting periods of American History, and is based -on facts. Pure in tone, it is admirably suited for school libraries -because of its historic teaching.—<i>The Advance.</i></p> - -<hr class="r5" /> - -<p>Our literature for the young is none too well supplied with books of -interest on their country’s history, so we gladly welcome the “Three -Colonial Boys,” the first of a promised War of the Revolution Series, -dealing with events prior to and during the war. We are impressed by -the wholesome lessons of patriotism inculcated by the three youths. Our -boys need it, and the work is well begun.—<i>Congregationalist.</i></p> - -<hr class="r65" /> -<h3>THREE YOUNG CONTINENTALS:</h3> - -<p class="center">A STORY OF THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION.</p> - -<p class="center"><i>By Everett T. Tomlinson, Ph. D.</i></p> - -<p class="center"><i>12 mo. 364 <abbr title="pages">pp.</abbr> Cloth, $1.50. Ill.</i></p> - -<hr class="r65" /> -<p>A splendid book for boys is “Three Young Continentals.”—<i>Bookseller, -Newsdealer & Stationer.</i></p> - -<hr class="r5" /> - -<p>It is a book which deserves special mention. The story gives a -vivid and accurate picture of events which culminated in the battle -of Long Island, and the part taken in them by the three Colonial -boys.—<i>Independent.</i></p> - -<hr class="r5" /> - -<p>The author in the “Three Young Continentals” has left no stone unturned -to make his romance both attractive and reliable.—<i>Interior.</i></p> - -<hr class="r5" /> - -<p>An historical story which will not only entertain, but inculcate a -desire for the study of history. The exciting incidents related are -true. By the use of such a book as this, boys can learn as a pastime -that which is not only good in itself, but is very likely to set their -minds on eager inquiry for further information on the subject, and so -develop in them a taste for history.—<i>San Francisco Call.</i></p> - -<hr class="r5" /> - -<p>Such a book as this is one of the best educators of our young, both in -history and in patriotism.—<i>The Outlook.</i></p> - -<hr class="r65" /> -<h3>WASHINGTON’S YOUNG AIDS:</h3> - -<p class="center">A STORY OF THE NEW JERSEY CAMPAIGN OF 1776-1777.</p> - -<p class="center"><i>By Everett T. Tomlinson, Ph. D.</i></p> - -<p class="center"><i>12 mo. 391 <abbr title="pages">pp.</abbr> Cloth, $1.50. Ill.</i></p> - -<hr class="r65" /> -<p>“Washington’s Young Aids” deals in a way dear to the boyish hearts -with thrilling events of the New Jersey Campaign of 1776-7. Into the -story are interwoven historical facts of great value, taken from old -records and less familiar than those relating to other periods in the -struggle for liberty. Thus the boys who read this delightful tale will -be absorbing history as well as enjoying the story.—<i>Examiner.</i></p> - -<hr class="r5" /> - -<p>Few stories show so close a study of history combined with -story-telling power.—<i>The Outlook.</i></p> - -<hr class="r5" /> - -<p>“Washington’s Young Aids” makes pleasant and effective use of familiar -historical matter. It is spirited and high-toned, and the boys and -girls will enjoy thoroughly and gain from it a good idea of the events -of the period selected.—<i>Congregationalist.</i></p> - -<hr class="r5" /> - -<p>In “Washington’s Young Aids” the author makes his boy heroes -resourceful and devoted, serving Washington with ardor and skill. -Numerous vivid word-picturing and the making of his figureheads very -real, characterizes the author’s method and manner.—<i>Sunday School -Times.</i></p> - -<hr class="r5" /> - -<p>The author’s greatest success in “Washington’s Young Aids” lies in the -clearness with which he draws the picture of the actual conditions -which existed during the Revolution. The boys will be eager for -this new volume, which is the third in the “War of the Revolution -Series.”—<i>Boston Transcript.</i></p> - -<hr class="r65" /> -<h3>TWO YOUNG PATRIOTS:</h3> - -<p class="center">A STORY OF BURGOYNE’S INVASION.</p> - -<p class="center"><i>By Everett T. Tomlinson, Ph. D.</i></p> - -<p class="center"><i>12 mo. 366 <abbr title="pages">pp.</abbr> Cloth, $1.50. Ill.</i></p> - -<hr class="r65" /> -<p>“Two Young Patriots” takes up as its pivotal point, Burgoyne’s -invasion, and the narrative deals particularly with the historic events -connected with the campaign. It not only gives to the reader a story, -but also a most correct outline of the Invasion itself. The book is -full of fervor, fire and fun, and its author here reasserts his claim -to consideration as a high-class writer for first-rate books for -boys.—<i>S. S. Times.</i></p> - -<hr class="r5" /> - -<p>A story of Burgoyne’s invasion. Indians and Indian warfare naturally -have a very large place in these picturesque pages, and the reader will -travel on through the book with breathless interest until he reaches -the culmination of the story in the surrender of Saratoga.—<i>Book -Buyer.</i></p> - -<hr class="r5" /> - -<p>A very shrewdly-planned campaign was Burgoyne’s invasion, but it was -equally shrewdly met by the colonists. Such is the basis of “Two Young -Patriots,” and the story loses nothing in the author’s telling, for he -has spared no pains with his historic accuracy, and it will doubtless -convey to its readers a clearer idea of this pivotal point in the -Revolution than they have ever enjoyed before.—<i>The Interior.</i></p> - -<hr class="r5" /> - -<p>It is exciting and thrilling, maintaining a strong interest throughout -its pages. The make-up of the book is remarkably good, and the -illustrations form a splendid addition.—<i>Journal of Education.</i></p> - -<hr class="r5" /> - -<p>A story of Burgoyne’s invasion must take the boy reader by -storm.—<i>Christian Endeavor World.</i></p> - -</div> -<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop" /> - -<div class="chapter bbox"> -<h2 class="nobreak small" id="BOOKS_BY_WILLIAM_DRYSDALE"><i>BOOKS BY WILLIAM DRYSDALE</i></h2> - - -<h3>THE YOUNG REPORTER</h3> - -<p class="center big">A STORY OF PRINTING HOUSE SQUARE</p> - -<p class="center"><i>300 <abbr title="pages">pp.</abbr> Cloth. $1.50</i></p> -<hr class="r65" /> - -<p>If ever a writer knew how to tell a rattling story that almost lifts -you off your feet on the first page, it is William Drysdale. His style -is vivacious and racy, and the events hurry along like the current of a -stream above a cascade. The story in itself is intensely interesting, -but, aside from its interest, it gives an insight into the life of a -great daily paper of the city that it would be hard to find elsewhere. -Thus the book is instructive as well as captivating.—<i>Lutheran -Evangelist.</i></p> - -<hr class="r5" /> - -<p>“The Young Reporter” is a rattling book for boys. It is written by Mr. -William Drysdale, a retired journalist, who has held responsible desks -upon the Sun, the Recorder and other papers, and who knows just what he -is talking about.—<i>New York Recorder.</i></p> - -<hr class="r5" /> - -<p>A genuine boys’ book for genuine boys. It is full of life, clean, clear -cut, and inspiring. We can commend this book to any lover of boys’ -stories. It is illustrated with spirit, the pictures adding greatly to -the attractiveness of the book.—<i>Journal of Education.</i></p> - -<hr class="r5" /> - -<p>This is a story of real power, full of life and action, and will -enlist the interest of every stirring and wide-awake boy.—<i>Herald & -Presbyter.</i></p> - -<hr class="r65" /> -<h3 id="CADET_STANDISH_OF_THE_ST_LOUIS">CADET STANDISH OF THE <abbr title="saint">ST.</abbr> LOUIS</h3> - - -<h4>A STORY OF OUR NAVAL CAMPAIGN IN CUBAN WATERS.</h4> - -<p class="center"><i>352 pages. Cloth. $1.50.</i></p> - -<hr class="r65" /> -<p>In “Cadet Standish of the <abbr title="saint">St.</abbr> Louis” Mr. William Drysdale tells the -story of an American boy to whom the Spanish war brought some novel -and exciting experiences. The lad took part in the cable cutting off -Guantanamo, the first exploit in which the great “merchant cruiser” -distinguished herself. Not only is Mr. Drysdale an accomplished writer, -but he has an intimate knowledge of the West Indian regions where most -of the scenes are laid. The result is a most graphic and entertaining -volume.—<i>Boston Journal.</i></p> - -<hr class="r5" /> - -<p>This is a story of the recent naval combat in Cuban waters. The book -is picturesque and interesting from cover to cover. The local color is -presented in a series of vivid touches and is skillfully interwoven -with the narrative interest. The story is that of a young cadet on -board the <i><abbr title="saint">St.</abbr> Louis</i>, who is detailed for dangerous shore duty. -His adventures make up the story that at once attracts and informs the -reader.—<i>The Baptist Union.</i></p> - -<hr class="r5" /> - -<p>It is pleasant to be able to say that this tale of Cadet Standish is -interesting, wholesome, natural, even among exciting scenes. The hero -is a fine fellow in every way: in his relations to his widowed mother, -as a young business man, and with his associates in the navy.—<i>The -Literary World.</i></p> - -</div> -<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop" /> - -<div class="chapter transnote"> -<h2 class="nobreak" id="Transcribers_Notes">Transcriber’s Notes</h2> - - -<p>Obvious errors in punctuation have been fixed.</p> - -<p><a href="#Page_56">Page 56</a>: “was so necesssary” changed to “was so necessary”</p> - -<p><a href="#Page_148">Page 148</a>: “Captian Perry” changed to “Captain Perry”</p> -</div> -<div style='display:block; margin-top:4em'>*** END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK WITH PERRY ON LAKE ERIE: A TALE OF 1812 ***</div> -<div style='text-align:left'> - -<div style='display:block; margin:1em 0'> -Updated editions will replace the previous one—the old editions will -be renamed. -</div> - -<div style='display:block; margin:1em 0'> -Creating the works from print editions not protected by U.S. copyright -law means that no one owns a United States copyright in these works, -so the Foundation (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United -States without permission and without paying copyright -royalties. 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