With Perry on Lake Erie

by James Otis

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.

“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.”