With Perry on Lake Erie

by James Otis

FOOTNOTES:

[3] Formerly the Contractor.

CHAPTER XII.
PUT-IN-BAY.

As a rule the crews of the several vessels shared the old gunner’s opinion regarding Commodore Perry’s intention of giving us all the work possible, now that his squadron was at liberty.

It seems really wonderful, as I look back on those days when I hoped to win fame as a soldier or sailor, how quickly the men came to have confidence in our boyish-looking commodore. Hardly one of them had ever seen him before he arrived in Presque Isle, and yet all were ready to trust their lives in his hands without reserve.

All believed as did old Silas, and every one labored with a will to make the Niagara ready that there might be no delay when our commander found the opportunity to strike a blow.

At five o’clock on that afternoon the last gun had been brought off from the shore, and without waiting until the decks could be put shipshape, word was passed from one craft to the other for all to make sail, following the lead of the flag-ship.

“Now you can see whether I told the truth,” old Silas said triumphantly when the Lawrence was gotten under way, her flags floating proudly in the breeze. “There’s not a craft in the fleet ready for action, and yet off we go in search of the enemy. Precious little time lost in that kind of work, eh?”

Nobody grumbled because of such eagerness, although it kept us all jumping mighty lively when we should have been bottling up sleep after four nights of almost incessant labor; but we toiled and sweated hour after hour as cheerfully as if it was done solely for our private benefit.

By break of day we had arrived off the North Foreland. The vessels were in something approaching proper trim, and half of the men had been told off to take a watch below.

Alec and I were among those thus released from duty, yet we remained on deck when our eyes seemed glued together owing to lack of sleep, in the hope that we might catch a glimpse of Leon Marchand.

Although I have never mentioned the lad’s name since relating the particulars of our second escape from North Foreland, I have not kept silence because we failed to think of him.

Hardly a day had passed but that we held converse regarding the French boy, speculating as to what might have been his fate after the soldiers discovered that he had led them on a wild-goose chase, and promising that whenever the fortunes of war should permit we would do our best at finding him.

Therefore it was we remained on deck when we might have been sleeping, even though there was not one chance in a thousand of seeing, or, if we did catch a glimpse of the lad, there could be no possibility of having speech with him.

We sighted no living thing along the entire shore of the North Foreland.

By aid of a glass it was possible to make out the barracks where the troops had been encamped; but they appeared to be deserted, and we had good reasons for believing that the famous descent upon Presque Isle was abandoned.

The British squadron was keeping out of sight also, and I, believing Commodore Perry would make immediate search for them, suddenly discovered cause for alarm.

“Suppose your brother sails either east or west with the hope of coming across Commodore Barclay, is he not leaving Presque Isle unprotected?” I asked of Alec, as if believing he could answer the question in a satisfactory manner. “Who shall say that the much-talked-of expedition is not near the town at this moment, having awaited just such an opportunity as has now been given?”

Old Silas passed at the moment I spoke, and, overhearing the question, took it upon himself to make reply:—

“Do you think our commander can be so stupid as you are tryin’ to make out? I’ll go bail that we look in at Presque Isle bay as often as once in every four-and-twenty hours so long as the wind serves, an’ while it holds calm there’s little chance the Britishers will land any very great shakes of an expedition.”

“That’s it, exactly!” Alec cried, apparently much relieved by this view of the matter. “I knew Oliver wouldn’t leave his base of supplies at the mercy of the enemy, yet didn’t see exactly how it might be guarded if we were to search for Commodore Barclay’s squadron. There’s no hope of our seeing the French lad, and we’d best take our trick below, Dicky Dobbins, before it expires.”

“That’s where you’re right, lad!” the old gunner cried approvingly. “Never lose a chance to take a rest, and by such means you will always be ready for hot work.”

Then we two lads went to our hammocks on the gun-deck, and, once stretched out at full length, slumber visited our eyelids with but little delay.

We were not awakened until sunset, and then going on deck we saw dead ahead, hardly more than two miles away, the entrance to Presque Isle bay.

Old Silas was in the right when he said we should look in here as often as once in every four-and-twenty hours, for until the 9th day of August we cruised back and forth, watching and praying for a sight of the enemy.

It was on the morning of the fourth day since our fleet came out across the bar, that we received reliable intelligence concerning the enemy from a French-Canadian, who was friendly to the Americans because of his enmity to the British.

Commodore Barclay had gone with his squadron to Malden, there to await the completion of another ship which was nearly ready for sea, and it was generally believed he would remain in that harbor until able to strengthen his fleet by the addition of this new craft.

It seemed that he was unwilling to meet us on equal terms, although having professed eagerness to come at us in any shape, regardless of men or armament, and now had gone into hiding until he might have nearly two guns for every one of ours.

On the strength of this information General Mead decided to disband the militia which had come to the defence of Presque Isle. The larger number of them were farmers, and it was high time they got into their harvest fields.

Therefore, on this 9th of August the troops marched out of the town, and once more the citizens banded together in military fashion to protect their homes.

This day was destined to bring great changes and decided advantages to all of us, whether ashore or afloat.

The militia had hardly more than gotten out of the town before an hundred disciplined sailors and marines, well officered and under command of Captain Jesse D. Elliott, marched in, and immediately signals were set in token that those on shore desired to communicate with the commander of the fleet.

It can well be fancied that we were overjoyed by the arrival of this sadly needed reënforcement, and the squadron came to anchor just off the bar to receive the newcomers.

The men and officers already on the Niagara were distributed among the other vessels, and the brig was put under command of Captain Elliott, who took on board with him the force he had brought in.

Commodore Perry now had under his command nearly four hundred men, and the moment had come when he believed it his duty to report as being ready to coöperate with General Harrison, even though by so doing he would be leaving Presque Isle at the mercy of the enemy.

“I’m allowin’ Barclay won’t have a chance to do much mischief in this section of the country,” old Silas said, when a dozen or more in the watch to which we two lads belonged were discussing the news that had been whispered around, no one knowing how it had leaked out of the cabin. “Our commodore ain’t countin’ on givin’ the Britishers any very great amount of spare time, an’ that famous squadron of theirs will have to move mighty lively in order to steer clear of a row.”

To me it seemed almost wicked, this going away from Presque Isle when it appeared as if the town was in greatest danger; but Alec argued that in war there can be no discrimination, and that, as in all things, “the greatest good to the largest number” is the rule to be observed.

It made little difference, however, what I might have thought of this new order of affairs. The command was given that the fleet make sail for Put-in-Bay, and the town wherein was my mother must be left with no other protection than could be afforded by the armed citizens.

If Captain Elliott had arrived twelve hours earlier, or if General Mead had delayed an equal length of time before disbanding the militia, the situation of affairs might have been far different, and my heart would have been less heavy on that morning when we set sail in regular battle order to begin active operations against our country’s enemies.

During such time as we were at sea nothing in the way of a British craft was sighted, and now is the moment when I may set down certain matters regarding the traitor Alec and I had captured.

Until this morning when we left the entrance of Presque Isle bay, some of us never to return, I had believed Nathaniel Hubbard was confined on board the Caledonia; but as we made sail I heard one of the sailors complaining that he was deprived of what might be a last glimpse of home in order to “feed a villanous traitor.”

“Who is it?” I asked, surprised at learning there was any one imprisoned on board the Lawrence.

“You should know, seeing that you had a hand in his capture,” the man replied surlily. “Why he wasn’t sent on shore instead of bein’ transferred to this brig, beats me.”

“When was he brought aboard?”

“The night after we crossed the bar, and before the fleet put across to the North Foreland.”

“Are we to carry him with us on this cruise?”

“You’ll have to ask the commodore for that information. I’m not supposed to know what he counts on doin’. It’s enough for me that I must fetch an’ carry for a gallows-bird like him.”

The man was in such an ill temper that it was useless to question him further, and I went to old Silas, as both Alec and I had come to believe was our right.

It was plain to be seen, when I put the first question, that Master Boyd could give much more information than he then seemed disposed to do.

He answered me almost curtly, never volunteering even an opinion, and this was so entirely contrary to his usual manner that my suspicions were aroused.

“It seems to me that Alec and I have the right to know what is being done with the man,” I said hotly. “We captured him without aid from any one, and yet it is forbidden us to know other than that he was put on board the Caledonia.”

“There’s no call to lose your temper, lad, seein’s how the fellow has been held just as you delivered him, except that a change of prisons was made, and I’m allowin’ the commodore ran away with the idea that he might venture thus far without your permission.”

I was ashamed, immediately after having spoken, and the old man’s reply only served to increase my confusion.

“It is proving myself a simple, to speak in such a tone,” I said humbly. “There’s no reason why either Alec or I should know anything regarding the prisoner which the commander wishes to keep a secret.”

“From what I’ve heard and can guess, I allow you two lads will not have the chance to complain of bein’ kept in the dark, so far as he’s concerned, many days longer.”

“What do you mean?” I asked, my curiosity provoked by his air of mystery.

“Time will show, and you’re young enough to be willin’ to wait a few hours.”

Having said this, old Silas turned away, as if his breath was too valuable to be wasted on one like me, and I went in search of Alec.

He was in the commodore’s cabin, one of the officers told me, and I, not daring to venture there without special invitation, was forced to curb my impatience as best I might.

An hour later, when I had heartily repented having spoken so hastily to old Silas, a sailor came with an order for me to present myself before the commander in his quarters.

“The gunner has repeated what I said, and now I must confess myself a meddling fool before the one man above all others whose good opinion I wish to keep,” I muttered to myself while obeying the order, and when I finally stood in the presence of the commodore the expression on his face frightened me.

He looked as grave as if about to pronounce sentence of death, and Alec, who sat on a locker near the bunk, was pale and nervous.

“Surely,” I said to myself, “there is no good reason for their making so much ado about the words I spoke thoughtlessly;” for it seemed to me that I had been summoned solely because of what I said to old Silas.

“Richard, did you know that Nathaniel Hubbard was a prisoner on board this brig?” Commodore Perry asked abruptly.

“Silas Boyd told me, when I was so foolish as to question him.”

“You must also understand that we cannot in justice take him into action, and it is certain we shall engage the enemy before many days have passed.”

I nodded my head like any simple, wondering what connection there was between such a proposition and my hasty words.

“You and my brother made a prisoner of the man, and thereby performed most valuable service, because if he had carried to the enemy information of what we were about to do, it is probable the fleet would not have gotten across the bar without a scratch.”

Again I nodded, and thinking now of that interview, I can well understand what an idiot I must have appeared.

“Because of the great service you performed, and also since I believe both you lads may be trusted implicitly, Captain Dobbins and myself decided, before getting under way, that you were the only two who should be allowed to know the outcome of the affair. The man deserves death, for I have no doubt but that he has played the spy upon the people of Presque Isle these many days, but it is an open question if he could be convicted of the dastardly crime, owing to lack of proof. Then, again, your father, Richard, is most eager to save an old neighbor and former friend.”

The commodore paused for an instant, as if at loss for a word, and I looked in amazement at Alec, who sat on the locker, gazing first at his brother and then at me; but it was impossible to read any solution to the seeming mystery upon his face. He answered my glance without a change of expression, and I fancied he was questioning me with his eyes.

“Captain Dobbins and myself have decided that no good can come of trying to punish the traitor, while by showing mercy—mistaken mercy, perhaps,—he yet has an opportunity to redeem himself. Therefore it is that we take you lads into our confidence, asking your assistance.”

I was even more bewildered than before, and gazed in open-mouthed astonishment at my commander.

“We depend upon you to liberate this man as secretly as may be, trusting only Silas Boyd, who will lend the necessary assistance, and allow it to be believed that he escaped.”

For a moment it seemed to me I must be dreaming! I could not believe that my father, whom I knew was devoted to his country, and Commodore Perry, who had been literally consumed with impatience because he could not come at our enemies, would plot to release a traitor—a man ready to sell his friends and his native land to the highest bidder.

“I see that the proposition astonishes you, as it did Alexander; but it is a sound one, of which I am not ashamed. Talk the matter over with my brother, and by the time the plans can be put into execution you lads will have come to a thorough understanding concerning it.”

Having said this the commodore arose, a movement which I understood to be a token that the interview was at an end, and as I turned to leave the cabin Alec linked his arm in mine, walking in this fashion until we were come on deck, where I observed old Silas gazing at us curiously.

Not until we were well forward on the forecastle-deck where none could creep up on us unawares, did I speak, and then it was to ask:—

“What do you think, Alec Perry, of this proposition to set free a traitor who would have delivered us over to the enemy without remorse?”

“It has the approval of both your father and my brother.”

“Now you are begging the question. I asked for your opinion.”

“At first I looked at the matter much as I believe you do; but after thinking it over, and I have had ample time, I fancy there is much of good in it.”

“In what way?”

It would be impossible for me to set down here all the arguments Alec advanced in favor of the plan, explaining as he spoke that he but repeated what his brother had said. It is enough if I give the chief points, and it appears to me that the case should be made plain lest we be blamed for what we afterward did.

First the difficulty of proving the man’s guilt was brought up, and I was free to admit that argument a good one, because we had really seen nothing which would absolutely fasten the crime upon him.

Then came the supposition that, being given a chance to redeem himself, Nathaniel Hubbard might become a better man. If he would do his part in such a plan it was strong reason why he should be set free; but I doubted the man’s desire for reformation.

The shame which would come upon his family with the publication of his guilt was another argument, and I did not try to answer it. The strongest reason for freeing him was a general one, and did more toward convincing me than any other. I knew full well there were many in the United States who cried out that this was an unjust war—that Americans had no right to uphold it, and once it was noised about that a prominent citizen of the town which had begged the hardest for troops was in full sympathy with England, it would go far toward proving to the people at large that the wrongs of us on the frontier were imaginary rather than real.

I know not, even now the words are written, whether I have made my meaning plain; but it is the best I can do in the way of explanation. I know for a certainty that the arguments convinced me even against my will, and when we two lads came down from the forecastle-deck I was pledged to do whatsoever lay in my power to set Nathaniel Hubbard free in such a manner that the crew of the Lawrence, and all others in the fleet, for that matter, should remain in ignorance of our movements.

“When is it to be done?” I asked, as we walked aft, and Alec replied in a whisper:—

“After we have arrived at Put-in-Bay. There we shall come to anchor, and ample time will be given us.”

This was the ending to our conversation, and the matter was not referred to again until the evening of August 15th, when our fleet entered the harbor known as Put-in-Bay.

Then it was that Alec said to me, when our duties were come to an end for the day, and we free to remain on deck or below as best pleased us:—

“The work must be done tonight. I will speak privately with my brother, and do you broach the subject to old Silas. We shall need the assistance of at least one man, and Oliver believes the gunner can be fully trusted.”

Having said this Alec went into the commodore’s cabin, and I approached Master Boyd, who was pacing the forward deck in a manner which told that he had some weighty subject for thought.

“I would have speech with you, if it so be you are at liberty,” I began; and before it was possible to say more the old man interrupted gruffly:—

“Very well, lad; but there’s little need to make many words over it, for I can guess what you would talk about. It goes mightily agin the grain to help such as that traitor; but I suppose it must be done if both the commodore and your father have set their hearts upon it.”

“How did you know what had been kept a profound secret?” I asked in surprise, forgetting for the moment that the old man had intimated as much a few moments before the plan was revealed to me.

“Your father, fearin’ lest I mightn’t take kindly to the job, gave me a hint of what would be done, an’ there’s no likelier spot than this in which to work the traverse. I’ll run the boat alongside near about midnight, an’ you two lads must attend to the rest of the work.”

Having said this much old Silas walked away, as if unwilling to speak further on a disagreeable subject, and I sat on the rail aft, feeling more anger against Nathaniel Hubbard because it was he who forced us to such work, than for what he may have done against his country.

Alec did not remain long below; in less than half an hour he was by my side, holding up what I soon saw was a key.

“With this we can unlock the door of his prison. He is confined amidships in the petty officers’ quarters.”

“How are we to get him out secretly?”

“That is for us to decide. My brother will aid us so far as may be possible; but he must not take the chances of being known in the business. What does old Silas say?”

“No more than that he’ll have a boat alongside at midnight. That is to be the extent of his work, as I understand it.”

“How can it be done?” Alec said, half to himself, and it was beyond me to answer the question.

In silence we two sat on the rail with eyes fixed upon the deck, trying to puzzle out what would have perplexed older heads than were on our shoulders.

CHAPTER XIII.
CRUISING.

It lacked half an hour of midnight when I saw dimly in the gloom the outlines of a man in a boat on the port side of the brig, and knew that old Silas had fulfilled his promise.

Alec and I had moved restlessly to and fro during the evening, sometimes walking together, and again separating for a time, as if courting loneliness; but without having arrived at any decision regarding a method by which the traitor could be secretly released.

We had formed plans in plenty; but on discussing them some fatal defect was presented, and midnight was like to find us still undecided as to how the work might be performed.

“We will trust to chances,” Alec said finally, after old Silas had made his boat fast and clambered up on the brig’s rail, where he seated himself. “It is not possible to figure out every detail beyond liability of failure, and we can only hold ourselves in readiness for whatever may happen.”

This was not an unwise speech in view of the fact that we had racked our brains in vain during four hours or more, and it was with a most profound sense of relief that I gave over the mental effort.

“Is it all arranged?” the old gunner asked in a hoarse whisper, when I passed near where he was sitting.

“We have agreed upon nothing,” I replied. “At the last moment matters may turn in our favor.”

“Does the traitor know what we are figuring on?”

“I suppose Alec’s brother has given him a hint of how matters stand.”

“Why not lounge around below, and see how the land lays?”

“Look here, Master Boyd,” I said, seized by a sudden idea, “why should you not take this matter in hand? You can make a success where we would meet only with failure.”

“I’m not minded to dirty my hands more than is necessary,” the old man replied emphatically. “If traitors are to be turned loose instead of hanged, let some one else work the traverse.”

There was little thought in my mind that I might be able to convince Silas Boyd it was his duty to help us yet further than had been promised; but, having nothing better to do, I set about the task, and by virtue of soft words, mingled with much flattery, I finally succeeded so far that he said, as if angry because of having yielded:—

“I’ll make a try for it, lad, though it’s hard lines when a man at my time of life sets about lendin’ traitors a helpin’ hand. Get into the boat, an’ see that Alec is with you, for if it so be I succeed, we’ll need to get away in a hurry.”

Then the old gunner went below, and I walked aft where my comrade was standing near the head of the companionway, hoping, most likely, that his brother might come on deck to offer some suggestion.

An exclamation of relief and joy burst from his lips when I repeated what had passed between Master Boyd and myself, and it can readily be fancied that we lost no time in taking our places in the little craft, which had been borrowed from one of the gunboats, as I afterward learned.

During fully an hour we remained silent and motionless, alternately hoping old Silas would succeed, and fearing lest he had been discovered, and then two dark forms appeared on the rail above us.

I would have called aloud in order to make certain who they were, but that Alec prevented any such indiscretion by placing his hand firmly over my mouth, and while I was thus powerless to speak the gunner and the traitor descended.

Old Silas cast off the painter, giving the light skiff a vigorous push which sent her far away from the brig’s side, and when we were swallowed up by the gloom Alec and I plied the oars.

“Where shall we land?” my comrade asked, when we were midway between the brig and the shore.

“It makes little difference,” Master Boyd replied sulkily, as if angry with himself because of having taken part in such business. “So that we gain the mainland, one place is as good as another.”

No other word was spoken until the skiff’s bow grated upon the sand, and our prisoner arose to his feet. Then he said in a low tone, his voice trembling with suppressed emotion:—

“I shall never forget what has been done this night. The word of one like me is not counted for much by those who hold true to their country, yet I ask you to believe it. I have come to realize fully the enormity of my crime, although until taken prisoner I believed myself justified in the course pursued. From this moment it shall be my earnest endeavor to repair the wrongs committed against my countrymen.”

Having said this he stepped ashore, and an instant later was lost to view in the gloom.

“HE STEPPED ASHORE, AND AN INSTANT LATER WAS LOST TO VIEW.”

“Perhaps it is best he should go free,” Alec said with a long-drawn sigh of relief, and old Silas replied in an angry tone:—

“We have made ourselves akin to him by this night’s work, and I shall never have the same respect for myself that I had four-and-twenty hours ago.”

Then he took up the oars, pulling vigorously toward the brig, and after a brief interval I made bold to ask:—

“How did you succeed in getting him off?”

“It was a simple matter. The sentry went forward to light his pipe; and, with the key you gave me, the door was soon opened. Hubbard must have been warned of what would happen, for he came forward immediately, and I had but to lead the way after having locked the cabin as before. We met no one while coming aft, and soon it was so dark that those on deck might have rubbed elbows with us and not known who walked by my side.”

“It is well over, and I feel as if a great load had been lifted from my shoulders,” Alec exclaimed.

“With me it is as if a heavy burden had been put on my back,” old Silas added. “The business is done, so far as concerns settin’ the traitor free; but now we stand a chance of this night’s work bein’ known to our messmates, in which case not one of ’em would so much as look at us again. There’ll be a hue an’ cry when it’s known he’s no longer aboard, an’ there’s a good show of our bein’ suspected.”

This last possibility did not trouble either Alec or I as it did the old man, and we went on board the brig with the belief that the disagreeable matter was finally ended.

We turned in quietly, as may well be imagined, but I had not gained any great amount of sleep when I was awakened by a tumult on deck.

“Hubbard’s escape has been discovered,” Alec whispered when I sprang up, so bewildered for the instant that I failed to understand the meaning of the noise. “Our best plan is to remain here as if yet asleep.”

As he suggested, so we did, and after a short time the confusion subsided; when, despite the gravity of the situation, slumber again closed my eyelids.

It was broad day when I awakened; Alec was standing by the side of my hammock, and the report he made was most assuring.

“I have just been on deck. Matters there are in our favor; it is believed that the key was left in Hubbard’s door by the marine who served him with supper—”

“That can easily be disproven by finding the key.”

“It has been kept in the mess-room, in charge of the third officer, who now reports it missing. In my opinion, old Silas got hold of it after coming aboard last night. At all events, there appears to be little fear of our being suspected, more particularly since we shall put to sea again as soon as a fresh supply of water can be taken aboard.”

Although the escape of a prisoner through what appeared to be carelessness on the part of his keepers was a serious matter, it sank into insignificance when a sail was sighted three miles off the entrance of the harbor, and signals were set for the Scorpion to put off in pursuit.

The schooner was quickly gotten under way, and while this was being done orders were given for the entire fleet to follow.

In less than ten minutes after the lookout had reported the stranger, our squadron was carrying full sail, the Scorpion leading by half a mile or more, and every man laboring under the greatest excitement, for it surely appeared as if we were in a fair way to make a prize.

The escape of the traitor was entirely forgotten, for the time being, and we lads knew full well that the commodore would not press the matter unless it should seem necessary in order to avoid suspicion.

Most exciting was this chase after we made out beyond doubt that the strange sail was a British vessel heavily armed.

Every stitch of canvas was spread, and the question as to which craft in the fleet was the best sailer bid fair to be settled before we were come up with the chase.

The Britisher was a clipper, and soon gave evidence that she could hold her own against our swiftest vessel; but where there were so many against one it seemed almost certain we might succeed in cornering her.

I venture to say that every man aboard the Lawrence, including the commodore himself, remained on deck during the entire day, watching the chase eagerly.

Now and then it would seem as if the Scorpion, which craft was by long odds the swiftest of the fleet, gained on the stranger, and our hopes rose accordingly; but only to be dashed a short time later when the Britisher recovered her lost ground, darting ahead at such a pace as threatened to give her an advantage that could not be overcome.

The chase headed for the Canadian shore on first discovering our squadron; but, fearing most likely that we might cut her off on the west and east, she soon hauled around on a course directly up the lake.

Then, when our vessels were strung out in a line, she came about, actually doubling on us until headed for the North Foreland.

Signals were set for the fleet to make for the Canadian shore, and we were no more than on a new course when the stranger hauled around once more, this time making directly for Put-in-Bay.

“She counts on givin’ us the slip among the islands,” old Silas said late in the day, when it was certain the Britisher could not safely make another turn, because orders had been given for our vessels to take such a course as would cut her off from any more twisting and turning.

“She’s lost, once she gets inshore,” Alec replied gleefully. “We should be able to hem her in with but little trouble, and I warrant that Oliver isn’t losing the sight of such a possibility.”

“He may have such a plan in mind, but I misdoubt his being able to carry it out,” the gunner said, as he scanned the horizon. “Unless this is the time when all signs fail, we’ll soon have so much wind that it will be a question of shortening canvas, and the commodore won’t be so venturesome as to fool around among these islands, takin’ the chances of losin’ one or more of the fleet.”

Until this moment I had failed to note the unpleasant fact that the wind was rising rapidly.

Low-hanging clouds in the east told of a storm, accompanied by more of a breeze than would be comfortable or pleasant, and, in addition, night was close at hand.

“The Britisher is in as much danger of coming to grief as we are,” Alec said at length, after observing the signs of which I have spoken. “Our pilot should know the channels as well as theirs, and—”

An exclamation of dismay from Master Boyd’s lips checked his speech, and, following the direction of the gunner’s outstretched hand, we saw the gallant little Scorpion come to a sudden stop, roll to and fro for an instant, after which she settled down in such manner as told us she had taken ground.

An instant later her canvas was furled, and we knew that, so far as she was concerned, the chase had come to an end.

The Britisher had disappeared behind Put-in-Bay island, and she was no more than shut out from our view when the squall burst upon us with a fury such as I have seldom seen equalled.

It surely seemed as if the elements conspired to aid our enemies, and at that moment I lost hope.

Commodore Perry was a man who appeared to gain courage when the outlook was most gloomy, and now he gave new proof of his ability to command.

Signals were set for the fleet to heave to, and when this had been done, the first officer was sent to each vessel with instructions as to where they should anchor.

The night had fully come before these orders could be obeyed, and then, from the location of the riding-lights, we could see that each craft had been stationed where she might best guard the outlet from the islands.

Unless the Britisher had put to sea during the first outburst of the tempest, she was held prisoner, and we might make her our prize when the day dawned.

Master Champlin had already sent word that his schooner was resting easily on the sands, and could readily be hauled off when the wind abated, therefore we no longer had any anxiety concerning the Scorpion.

As may be supposed, every vessel in the squadron was snugged down in proper shape to ride out the gale, which promised to be as short-lived as it was fierce, and but for the fact that we had lost our prize there would have been nothing to disturb us.

The stars were shining brightly at midnight; the wind was no heavier than a gentle breeze, and every man in the fleet remained on the lookout for the Britisher.

Before morning the Scorpion was floated, and her captain reported that she had sustained no injury.

When the day broke every craft was under sail, and within an hour we discovered that the enemy had given us the slip.

He must have gone out from behind the island in the teeth of the wind, while we were occupied with the Scorpion, and the first opportunity was lost.

“It’s a bad sign,” old Silas said, with an ominous shake of the head, when we had discovered that the Britisher was not within our grasp. “It’s a bad sign, an’ I’d be willin’ to give up all the wages comin’ to me on this cruise if it hadn’t happened.”

“Don’t croak, Master Boyd,” Alec shouted, with a hearty laugh that went far toward driving the sense of disappointment from my heart; “signs don’t count except among old women, and because we failed to capture one small Britisher, there’s no reason to believe we shan’t bag plenty of them before this voyage has come to an end.”

The gunner refused to be cheered, and as our fleet stood out from the harbor, heading for Sandusky bay, where General Harrison was encamped, Silas went below, as if there was no longer any necessity for him to perform a seaman’s duty.

I am overly long in coming to that portion of my story which is of importance, and therefore must put an end to the words lest it become necessary to cut short the account of that day when Oliver Perry made his name famous, at the same time giving every man of us an opportunity to distinguish himself.

We arrived off the point of the peninsula at the entrance of Sandusky bay on the morning of August 18th, and there signal guns were fired that General Harrison might have knowledge of our position.

Then we waited for some word from the troops until evening, when Colonel Gaines, with several officers and a guard of Indians, came on board.

Camp Seneca was only twenty-seven miles away, so the colonel informed our commodore, and boats were sent at once to bring the general out to the Lawrence.

Four-and-twenty hours later Harrison came on board with a large following of Americans and Indians, and for a time the deck of the Lawrence was much like a fair-ground.

From this time until a full week had passed, it seemed as if Silas Boyd was in the right when he declared that our failure to capture the first of the enemy’s vessels sighted was proof that ill-luck would attend the cruise.

Immediately after General Harrison came on board plans for the campaign were laid, and we spent much time sailing to and fro to find a suitable place for a rendezvous.

Then my father was sent in the Ohio to procure additional stores from Presque Isle, and also to make certain that matters there were as they should be. At the same time the fleet sailed toward Malden on a reconnoissance, but was met by heavy weather which rendered it impossible to accomplish anything of importance.

While off the mouth of the Detroit river, Commodore Perry, Dr. Parsons, Alec, myself, and fully forty others, were attacked by what was called “bilious fever,” and so many were on sick leave that it became necessary to make some port.

On the 27th of August the squadron came to anchor in Put-in-Bay harbor, and instead of being war vessels, it was much as if ours was a fleet of floating hospitals.

Alec and I were quartered aft, greatly to old Silas’s displeasure, for he held that we should have remained with our messmates; and a most dismal time we had of it.

The doctor was so ill that it was necessary he should be carried from one bedside to another, else had we received no medical attendance, and we were forced to get along without nursing, waiting upon ourselves as best we might.

Four days after coming to anchor, General Harrison sent thirty-six men to act as marines, and take the places of those sailors who were too feeble to even stand watch.

With a view to giving the invalids a needed tonic, Commodore Perry ordered the squadron under way, and we cruised to and fro, where I know not, for at the time I was so ill as to give no heed whatsoever to anything around me.

It was the 5th day of September when I had recovered sufficiently to go on deck,—Alec left his bunk four-and-twenty hours before it was possible for me to move about,—and then many of the crew were convinced that within a few days at the most we would have an opportunity to engage the enemy.

I believe of a verity that such intelligence did more toward reviving the invalids than any of the nauseous potions Dr. Parsons forced them to swallow, for within twenty hours every man had shown himself on deck, eager to learn what might be the prospects for a fight.

Old Silas was the one to whom we lads applied for information, as may readily be guessed, and that which he told us was in the highest degree cheering.

Our scouts had ventured into Malden, and there learned beyond question that the enemy were on the point of making a move in some direction.

It was said that General Proctor’s army had but a scanty store of provisions, and it had been decided Commodore Barclay should at all hazards open communication with Long Point, where were gathered the British supplies.

Our commodore believed this information to be true, as could be understood by the precautions he was taking to prevent the enemy from slipping past him.

Lookouts were stationed on Gibraltar island; every vessel was kept in readiness for a quick start; anchors were hove short, sails only loosely stowed, and no man, save those who acted as watchmen, was allowed ashore.

We could be in sailing trim within five minutes after the Britishers hove in sight, and, weak though the majority of the men were from the recent attack of fever, we knew full well all hands would give the redcoats a good sample of how Yankees could fight.

Each hour brought us nearer the battle in which we believed we should win some honor for ourselves, and inflict considerable injury upon the foe, and it was said by his messmates that old Silas slept with one eye open, lest by closing both at the same moment he might lose time in opening them.

It is impossible for me to give even a faint idea of the suppressed excitement under which we labored during these long, weary days of waiting!

Fancy what a strain it must be on the nerves to know for five days and nights on a stretch that at any moment one might be summoned to do desperate battle for his country—that he might meet his death during the engagement, or at the best come out maimed for life, and some slight idea can be had of our mental condition from the hour of learning that it had become absolutely necessary for the British commodore to leave his hiding-place.

On the evening of September 9th, all the officers of the fleet were on board the Lawrence, having been summoned by the commander to a consultation for the purpose of deciding whether it might not be wise to attack the enemy’s squadron even while it was under the guns of the fortifications at Malden.

The gentlemen were on the quarterdeck, and amidships the crew had gathered, hoping to catch a word now and then which would give them an idea of what might be expected.

Then it was that our commodore did that which would have endeared himself to every man in his command, even had he been unfriendly with them up to that time.

Alec and I were sitting cross-legged on the deck by Master Boyd’s side, and, thanks to the light of the full moon, could see everything that took place aft.

The officers had been excitedly discussing the question of attacking Commodore Barclay while his vessels remained at anchor, when Alec’s brother suddenly unrolled a square, blue banner, on which in letters formed of white cotton, were the words uttered by the gallant commander of the Chesapeake:—

“DON’T GIVE UP THE SHIP.”

“There, gentlemen,” he said, holding the bunting high in the air that all might see it, “there is the flag under which we will go into action, whether on the open lake, or in the harbor of Malden. When this flag is hoisted at the mainroyal masthead, it shall be your signal for opening the engagement. We will meet Commodore Barclay inside of four-and-twenty hours, and when that long-hoped-for moment comes, remember the instructions Nelson gave: ‘If you can lay your enemy close alongside, you cannot be out of your place.’”

When he ceased speaking every man of us leaped to his feet as if moved by a spring, and what a round of cheers rent the air!

It was a timely vent for the excitement which had kept us in a fever so long, and we yelled until those on the other vessels hailed to know what had set us going.

If I could have been in Commodore Perry’s stead, and heard an hundred men or more cheering me in that fashion, it would have been glory enough for one lifetime.

CHAPTER XIV.
SAIL HO!

Although we—and I mean the crew—had no assurance that our fleet would soon engage the enemy, every man appeared to be positive a battle was near at hand.

The unfurling of that blue banner appeared a promise to be fulfilled in the near future, and when the excitement had in a measure died away we began discussing the probable result, no one venturing to suggest that the Britishers might possibly come off best. Victory seemed assured, despite the fact that Commodore Barclay carried thirty-five long guns to our fifteen; we said to ourselves that Perry would soon lay us alongside the enemy, when our smaller pieces must equalize the weight of metal.

Why every man felt confident a battle was very near at hand, I am unable to say.

Beyond the fact that the officers had been discussing the advisability of attacking the enemy in Malden harbor, should he refuse to come out, there was nothing to indicate an immediate meeting with him, yet we spoke among ourselves as if a decisive engagement would positively be fought on the morrow.

Old Silas was the only man among the crew, with the exception of the officers, who had ever smelled burning powder in a fight on shipboard, and this night his opinion was eagerly sought for and implicitly relied upon.

“From what our commodore did at the taking of Fort George, I hold to it we shan’t work at long range many minutes, if it so be the wind serves us properly,” he said to the group of men around him, among which were Alec and I, and my comrade interrupted by saying proudly:—

“You may be certain of that! Oliver isn’t one who will hang off when an enemy is within striking distance!”

The old gunner paid no attention to this remark, but continued, as soon as the lad ceased speaking:—

“Leftenant Forrest told me that our scouts have reported the Britishers’ strength to be much in this ’ere way. The ship Detroit, just off the stocks, so to speak, carryin’ nineteen guns, one in pivot, an’ two howitzers; the ship Queen Charlotte, with seventeen guns an’ a howitzer; the schooner Lady Prevost mountin’ thirteen guns an’ a howitzer; the brig Hunter of ten guns; the sloop Little Belt, carryin’ three guns, an’ the schooner Chippewa, with one gun an’ two swivels. Now as you all know without my tellin’ you, our strength is fifty-two guns an’ two swivels. If Captain Dobbins were here with the Ohio, we’d be a little better off; but seein’s he has gone to Presque Isle, it’s a case of gettin’ on without him, which is like to make his heart ache when we sail into the bay with a long string of prizes.”

“My father would not have gone at such a time unless he had been ordered to do so,” I said quickly, thinking for the moment that the gunner would have it understood differently.

“I know that full well, lad. There’s no man in this fleet, or among the Britishers, for that matter, who doesn’t know Daniel Dobbins for a brave sailor, to say nothin’ of his bein’ the best navigator on the lakes. As I said, his heart will ache when he hears that we’ve given the Britishers a lickin’, an’ he wasn’t here to take a hand in the scrimmage.”

“Accordin’ to your own figgerin’, we need a good sailin’ breeze when the Englishmen heave in sight, else we’re likely to be taken at a disadvantage,” one of the sailors suggested.

“Right you are, lad, right you are; an’ yet when they heave in sight there’s like to be a stiffish breeze, else Barclay would hold snug in port. Of course it’ll be another matter in case we run into Malden after ’em.”

“You’ve counted up only the guns, Silas,” another sailor cried. “What about the men?”

“There’s where we’re a bit weak, I’ll admit; but a Yankee who’s fightin’ within sight of home should be able to count for more than one Britisher. It’s said Barclay has better than five hundred men, all in good condition—one hundred an’ fifty from the royal navy, eighty Canadian sailors, two hundred and forty soldiers, mostly regulars, an’ a sprinklin’ of Indians. Now Leftenant Forrest tells me we’ve four hundred an’ ninety names on the muster-roll; but one hundred an’ sixteen are on the sick-list, an’ nigh to all of that number too weak to lend a hand at anything. Therefore you can set our force down as three hundred an’ seventy-five all told, one quarter bein’ from Rhode Island, a quarter regular seamen, the third quarter green hands, an’ the balance made up of niggers and Injuns.”

“If that figgerin’ be true, an’ I’m not sayin’ it ain’t, the Britishers have about an hundred an’ twenty-five the best of us,” the sailor who had first spoken said gravely.

“That’s the size of it, lad.”

“Then what about its bein’ our trick to fight at close quarters?”

“We’re bound to do it with the idee of evenin’ up the weight of metal. I’m not allowin’ that the difference in men goes for very much, seein’s how us Yankees are bound to do the most fightin’, in consideration of bein’ at home.”

To my mind the old gunner’s argument was not a good one; we knew full well that the Britishers were as brave as we, and a goodly number of them were near to their homes.

It pleased me that our men should be confident of winning a victory, and yet I feared for the result.

By thinking long on this subject I might have grown timorous while all the others were so brave; but I put the matter from my mind by saying that there were no more signs of an immediate battle than at almost any other time since we crossed the bar of Presque Isle bay, and for the moment I was near to wishing that Commodore Barclay might find it possible to give us the slip.

The crew of the Lawrence gave little heed to sleeping, on this night; there were a few who turned into their hammocks, but Alec and I were not among the number. It would have been impossible for me to close my eyes while death seemed so near, and he, dear lad, could not rest because of the anxiety in his heart.

We two left the group of sailors who listened eagerly to the wondrous tales with which old Silas was regaling them, and walked well aft where we might see the commodore when he came on deck, for the officers of the brig had gone below immediately after the new banner was displayed.

“If Oliver lives through the morrow, he will have won for himself a name such as few can boast of,” Alec said proudly.

It seemed as if the lad lost sight of himself in the great love he bore this brother who was our commander, and, realizing that a trifling accident might change the fortunes of war, I said, with the idea of lessening his disappointment in case it chanced that the British won the victory:—

“We are the weaker in both guns and men, Alec, and old Silas argues idly when he claims that our people can fight better than the enemy.”

“Commodore Barclay is not as good an officer as Oliver.”

“He has surely had more experience,” I ventured to suggest.

“That does not count against such a man as my brother.”

“I am ready to admit all you claim for our commodore, and make even stronger statements; but yet it is not well to be so positive regarding the result, Alec dear. No man can say what a day may bring forth, and our crews are to be pitted against experienced men-of-war’s-men.”

“Oliver will be the victor!” the lad said emphatically, and in such a tone as told me that any attempt to make him less confident might cause hard feelings between us.

“God grant he be!” I replied, and never did I speak more fervently; the words were, in reality, a prayer. Then, coming back to the thought which had been near to a hope, I added, “We are counting on a battle to-morrow as if there could be no question about it, and yet what grounds have we for believing that the Britishers will venture out of Malden harbor?”

“Oliver says they will,” Alec replied, and as against such profound faith I could say no more.

We paced to and fro until nearly daybreak, and then the commodore came on deck, looking weak and worn from the ravages of the fever; but with a sparkle of the eyes which I could see plainly even in the darkness.

He threw one arm around Alec’s neck, and held out a hand for me to clasp.

“What are you two lads doing on deck at this hour, when you should be in your hammocks gaining rest and strength against the work of this coming day?”

“Then you really believe we shall at last face the Britishers?” Alec asked, caressing his brother’s hand.

“Ay, lad; for if Commodore Barclay refuses to come out, it is decided that we shall go in after him.”

“And am I to serve on Master Boyd’s gun, or will you permit that I stand by your side?”

“Remain at the station to which you have been assigned, dear lad. My choice would be to have you close by me; but every hand is needed, and I am certain you and Richard will count as men during the engagement.”

I tried in vain to make a fitting reply, but the words refused to come when most needed, and it was possible only to press his hand warmly in token of my good intentions; yet at the same time there was a terrible fear in my heart lest at the critical moment I might show myself a coward.

“You can depend upon us both so long as we are alive,” Alec said, in a tone so solemn that it was as if he had a premonition of sudden death.

“That is my true brother!” the commodore said proudly. “I have no question but that you will prove yourself worthy to be called Americans. Now I beg that you seek repose. A brave man cares well for his body, lest it should be weaker than his will.”

“Have you slept?” Alec asked quickly.

“It would be impossible; and, besides, the belief that we shall soon meet the enemy has so refreshed me that I no longer need rest.”

“It would be useless for me to lie down, Oliver. How could I sleep when within a few hours my brother is to show the world that no braver man than he lives?”

“It is not well that praise be bestowed before having been earned, Alec dear,” the commodore said, with a low laugh. “I promise to do my best; and after the victory has been won you shall say what you please.”

Then we three paced to and fro on the quarterdeck, the commodore’s arm yet around his brother’s neck, and I holding him firmly by the hand, for in that hearty clasp I found much to give me courage.

It was in this fashion that the light of a new day found us, and I believe the marines, who paced to and fro guarding the commander’s quarters, shortened their beats, lest by advancing too near they break in upon what was neither more nor less than a season of devotion.

As the light grew stronger, from this vessel and from that came signs of life, until the still air was vibrant with the hum of voices, and it seemed good to be alive.

I had, for the time being, forgotten that the day was come on which our people believed we would be brought yard-arm to yard-arm with the enemy, until startled almost into timorousness by a cry from the lookout:—

“Sail ho! Sail ho!”

It seemed in the highest degree improbable that the anticipations of our people were to be so soon realized, and yet I found myself, with many another, gazing out over the lake in the expectation of seeing our enemy coming toward us.

Nor were we disappointed.

The morning breeze was feeble and gave indications of soon dying away entirely, yet Commodore Barclay had at last left his place of refuge, driven out by lack of provisions, for there on the sparkling waters could be seen the British squadron heading west by south, making for the North Foreland in quest of the supplies which the king’s army were needing.

In a twinkling, as it were, Commodore Perry forgot all else save that the fleet for which he had waited so long was in sight. Wresting himself free from us two lads, he was on the instant transformed from the loving brother and dear friend into the eager, valiant commander.

Hurriedly, speaking so quickly that one order was almost merged into the other, he gave the word for signals to be hoisted, and within three minutes from the time the lookout reported a sail, our bunting was flying.

“Enemy in sight!”

“Get under way!”

These commands were given by the tiny flags which floated from the Lawrence, and in a twinkling every vessel in the fleet was alive with hurrying, eager men, rushing here and there like unto a swarm of bees.

The premonitions of the previous night had not been vain; at last the enemy for which we searched was in full view, and now nothing save rank cowardice could prevent an encounter.

I quaked inwardly, not because a battle was about to be fought, but lest while it was waging I should shame my father by proving myself a coward; and, in fact, I was near to being one at that moment, when it was shown we would have an opportunity of measuring strength with the foe.

Timid though I was, and fearing for myself, I yet had enough of Yankee courage to weigh well the chances for or against us.

The wind was blowing light from the southwest, and on the horizon were low-hanging clouds which gave promise of rain. There was not weight enough in the breeze to admit of our manœuvring freely, and I wondered how it might be possible for the commodore to bring the fleet into close quarters, as old Silas had declared was necessary in order to equalize the weight of metal and force of men.

But even a coward must have been inspired by the scene around him. Here, there, and seemingly everywhere, were Yankee sailors making ready for the fray, and all working with an eagerness which told how fearful they were lest this opportunity, so long sought, should be lost.

The clanking of chains as the anchors were hove apeak; cries of the men as they cheered each other in the work which preceded the carnage; the shrill whistles of the boatswains as they thus repeated the orders given by the officers, and the beat of drums summoning men to the shedding of blood, would have aroused the most timorous, causing even a coward to feel a sense of pride that his countrymen were so willing to try conclusions with a foe that was superior in strength.

Alec and I hastened to our stations, even though knowing that many hours must elapse before the guns could be used, and there we found old Silas, as might confidently have been expected, overlooking all the details lest he should be caught napping.

“Well, lads, the Britishers have shown themselves at last!” he cried, when we came up. “I felt in my bones last night that the time was nigh at hand when we might show the king’s men they had no right on these ’ere waters; but never counted on their comin’ to the scratch so early. We’ve got plenty of time to give them a sound drubbin’, ’twixt now an’ sunset.”

“There’s time enough,” Alec said, speaking carelessly, as if used to such work; “but how are we to get at them? There isn’t weight enough in this wind to move the brig, save at a snail’s pace.”

“I’m allowin’ that the commodore will find a way to give us the chance we want. Look at him now! If yonder fleet gets off without our havin’ a fair show at ’em, it’ll break his heart!”

“All that I agree to; but even my brother can’t command the wind.”

“He can do what will amount to the same thing, lad, and before nightfall you won’t complain because we didn’t burn our powder in proper fashion. Two or three boats’ crews ahead with a tow-line will make this old hooker walk through the water as if the girls at home had hold of her.”

“Do you fancy the Britishers will stand still while we’re towing our fleet into position?” Alec asked with a laugh.

“Ay, lad; unless they’re willin’ to show the white feather in face of a weaker force. There’s nothin’ save the power of Him who rules all things, that can prevent a battle this day, so set to work an’ get this ’ere piece into proper trim, for once we’re lyin’ yard-arm to yard-arm with Barclay’s flag-ship there won’t be much chance for cleanin’ up.”

I noted with no little surprise that all the men around me were eager for the coming battle. There were no loud boasts, but on every countenance could be read a desire to stand face to face with the enemy, and nowhere did I see any show of fear.

The men did not jest as was their wont; there was no shuffling around lazily, but each was on the alert, eager to do his full duty, and seemingly anxious lest something should be left undone that otherwise might work to give us the victory.

And that we would win the battle I believe every one was confident, although equally positive that much blood must be shed before the end was attained.

The bravest or the most cowardly knew beyond a peradventure that e’er the day was come to an end many of them would be still in death, or suffering from horrible wounds, but yet all wore a smile of content.

It was enough that the British commodore had at last given them the opportunity of proving their metal.

While the bustle of the final preparations could be heard on every hand, the crews were piped to breakfast under orders from our commodore himself, for Oliver Perry was one who looked well after the comfort or well-being of every man in his command, however much he might abuse his own body.

Food would have choked me at that moment when death was so near at hand, staring in the face every individual member of the crew; but Alec made a hearty meal, and, as I now look back on the events of that day, I realize the fact that those who showed the most bravery ate the most heartily.

Old Silas behaved as if appetite increased with each succeeding mouthful, and whenever he took a sip from his hook-pot of tea, it was to drink a health to those who would lead us into the game of death.

“We’re in rare luck!” he cried, when his breakfast was ended because the mess-kid had been emptied. “I ain’t sayin’ but what we deserve it, after chasin’ all over Lake Erie to find the Britishers; but yet at the same time it’s sheer luck to get them where there’s no runnin’ away from a fight, an’ they shall have enough of it before this day has come to an end.”

“You may be ended before the day is,” a red-faced sailor cried, as if trying the courage of our gunner.

“An’ supposin’ I am, lad, what better endin’ can an old shell-back like me ask for? So that the stars and stripes float over yonder fleet when the sun sets, it’s enough. As against givin’ England a proper lesson, my life don’t amount to the snap of a finger! It will be a glorious way of gettin’ out of this world.”

While such conversation as this was being carried on, clouds obscured the sun’s face, and the rain drove those of us who disliked a wetting between decks, for until this moment we had been where a view could be had of the enemy.

No one paid any particular attention to what gave promise of being only a shower, save that the wind might come with the water, and thus give the Britishers a chance to continue on toward the North Foreland, where they could fight under cover of their shore-batteries; but it still held reasonably calm.

In less than ten minutes the clouds had dispersed, and the weather-wise among us predicted that a breeze would soon follow.

“We shall get enough to take us out from among these islands, lads, and I venture to say it won’t help Johnnie Bull to any great extent!” old Silas cried gleefully. “All we need now is to have plenty of powder an’ ball near at hand, for there’ll be little time to travel from the gun to the magazine after our work is begun.”

The British were indeed waiting patiently for us, or, at least, so it seemed to me, although Alec said, later in the day, they could not have done otherwise without writing themselves down the veriest cowards.

The enemy’s fleet lay just off our anchorage, swinging to and fro as the wind veered, and we could hear the sound of drums and fifes calling the men to quarters.

Our crew gathered on deck again when the heaviest of the shower was over, and all could see Commodore Perry as he paced restlessly to and fro, watching for an opportunity to strike the long-deferred blow.

The breeze which had been predicted sprang up, but not with such strength as filled our sails; and after waiting anxiously fifteen minutes or more in the hope that it might be increased, Lieutenant Forrest gave the command which all hands were expecting:—

“Boats’ crews to their stations! Clear away, and let fall! Work lively, lads, and we’ll see what effect a white-ash breeze will have on the brigs! Move with a will, for the flag-ship must be the first to tackle yonder enemy!”

CHAPTER XV.
THE FIRST SHOT.

There is a fair excuse for me if I linger long over this battle, when we gave to the English king such a surprise as I’m thinking he never had before, for it was my first real experience in that bloody business known as warfare, and so decided a victory that I can well be pardoned for feeling proud, even though my share therein was the least among all the brave spirits by which I was so fortunate as to be surrounded.

I would give to all my shipmates the full meed of praise which they deserve, and yet must I fail in so doing because every man was a hero, and to speak particularly of one seemingly detracts from the others.

It is only possible to say that each did his duty, and, perhaps, with the exception of myself, there was never one in all our fleet who did not burn with a desire to show the enemy what could be done when the opportunity offered.

It was not until near to ten o’clock in the forenoon that there was sufficient weight in the wind to fill our sails, and during all that time of waiting, when every moment was like an hour, the brave fellows chafed at the delay even as a lion chafes at the bars which confine him.

The British squadron was as helpless as we, and lay full in our sight without power of movement.

It may be that those on board the enemy’s ships were as eager to come at us as we were to be at their throats, but I questioned it, because they did not have so much at stake.

When the breeze was sufficiently strong to belly out the sails, the command was given as I have already set down, and the words were hardly spoken before the boats’ crews were at their stations, every man rejoicing because the moment had arrived when he might do something, however slight, toward hastening the laggard movement.

Slowly our vessels moved out on the bosom of the lake, every craft propelled by boats, and as we advanced the breeze freshened until, when the fleet was within two miles of the enemy’s squadron, the sails were filled sufficiently to admit of our depending upon them alone.

Alec and I were standing well aft, for we had not been told off as the crew of a boat, when the commodore said to his sailing-master, Mr. Taylor:—

“When the men have been called in you may run to leeward of the islands.”

“Then you will be forced to engage the enemy to leeward,” the officer replied, and although I failed to understand the meaning of the nautical terms, my pulse was quickened by the reply:—

“I don’t care whether it be to windward or to leeward; they shall fight this day!”

Then the tiny balls of bunting were run up to the masthead, ordering the other craft to “wear ship,” but before this command could be obeyed the wind suddenly shifted until it came out of the southeast, from which point it was possible for us to keep what is called the “weather-gauge.”

“Now we’ve got ’em in proper shape!” I heard old Silas exclaim, and straightway my spirits rose, for it seemed at the moment as if we had secured some great advantage, though I failed to understand what it might be.

The crew cheered when our fleet, the Lawrence leading, stood out toward the enemy, a white foam showing under the stem of every vessel, and we went to our guns, which had long since been loaded with the utmost care.

It must be admitted that the Britishers presented a noble sight as we bore down upon them. Their vessels, newly painted and with colors flying, hove to in order to meet us, and now the timorous among us, I being of the number, could understand that they were not averse to an encounter.

There had been a faint hope in my mind that Commodore Barclay would shun an engagement, but that was dispelled on observing the preparations made to meet us.

Nothing short of an interposition by divine Providence could prevent a battle; and my heart sank within me as I realized that very soon many of the eager men who manned the Lawrence would be still in death, or writhing under the surgeon’s knife.

The arrangements made for the care of the wounded struck a cold chill to my heart. The ward-room had been cleared that it might be used as a cockpit, and here Dr. Parsons laid out bandages and knives until it seemed as if he expected the entire ship’s company would soon be under his care.

Half a dozen of those on the sick-list had been told off as his assistants, and they stood around the hastily constructed tables as if eager to greet such as might need their aid.

In all the hours that followed there was nothing more horrible than these preparations for the carving and slashing of those who as yet were sound in limb and body, save it might be when the decks of the brig were wetted and strewn with sand.

I did not understand the meaning of this last work, and asked old Silas for an explanation, whereupon he replied, as if speaking of some trifling matter:—

“It won’t be long, lad, before these ’ere white planks will be slippery with the blood of them who are now so eager to be at the Britishers, and it is to soak up that same blood that the sand is strewn around. Presently, when you have occasion to go to port or starboard, you’ll realize how necessary that may be.”

I drew away from the old man, sick at heart. Such precaution caused me to be more timid than had all the predictions and conjectures.

I had my fill of warfare even before the action began.

As I afterward came to know, during the consultation of officers in the commodore’s cabin on the night previous it had been decided that when the engagement commenced each vessel in our fleet should attack some particular ship of the British squadron. As for instance: The Lawrence was to engage the Detroit; the Niagara, the Queen Charlotte; and in such-like order, every craft selecting an antagonist somewhere near her own size. Therefore now, when the wind permitted of our line being formed, the Niagara led the way.

Our ship had been cleared for action some time before, and as the real advance was begun Commodore Perry ordered that the blue banner, with its inspiring words in white, be brought up from his cabin.

Holding it at arm’s length that it might be plainly seen by every one on deck, the commander said, in words that look cold enough when set down in writing, but which thrilled all who heard, and caused my faint courage to increase until I almost longed for the combat:—

“The enemy, for which we have waited so long, is at last before us. You know we are slightly outclassed in guns and number of men; but to such brave hearts as yours that is of no especial importance. We shall soon be within range, and I promise that this brig be laid as close alongside the Detroit as the wind will permit. It is not for me to urge upon you the importance of doing full duty this day. Your country and your honor demands that the enemy be whipped. It was agreed between the commanders of the other vessels that when this was run up it should be the signal for action. On it are written the last words of Captain Lawrence, and I know full well you will heed them. They signify your desire to fight to the last plank. My brave lads, shall I hoist it?”

“‘AY, AY, SIR, HOIST IT!’”

He would have been the veriest coward living who could not have shouted as heartily as did we all, my voice rising high as any one around me:—

“Ay, ay, sir; hoist it!”

The flag was bent on to the halliards, and as it rose steadily aloft our crew burst into a very hurricane of cheers, which were echoed by those on the vessels nearest, for by this time I warrant that every man in the fleet knew the meaning of that signal.

We saluted it again and again, and as the tumult of voices went up on the morning air, I seemed to see before me the commander of the Chesapeake, as he spoke the words which were to be our battle-cry.

From that moment I ceased to hope that the action could be avoided.

To manœuvre the fleet into position was a slow task, and the hour of noon came while we were yet beyond range of the enemy, whose vessels were moving here and there to prevent us from gaining any advantage.

Our commodore, mindful of the wants of others, ordered that food be served, and I saw men munching bread, cheese, or meat, grumbling meanwhile because it was not exactly to their liking, who an hour later had departed from this earth for evermore.

As for me, I would as soon have eaten with the coffin of my dearest friend for a table, as to have eaten then; but Alec was stouter hearted, and took his rations with a relish which I envied.

“It’s not well to fight on an empty stomach, lad!” old Silas cried, when he saw me turn away from the food, and I foolishly replied:—

“It can make little difference to him who falls whether his appetite be satisfied or not.”

“True for you, lad; but some of us will be alive when this battle is ended by the haulin’ down of the British flags, and they’ll need be ready to clear the decks of those who are no longer to be counted on the ship’s list.”

That the others cheered these words only served to show me how heartless men may become after having learned the “art” of warfare, and I turned away with a sensation such as cannot well be described.

Now the line of battle was formed. The British flag-ship, supported by the schooner Chippewa, was in the lead. After her came the brig Hunter; then the Queen Charlotte, commanded by Captain Finnis; flanked by the schooners Lady Prevost and Little Belt.

The Lawrence led our line, with the Scorpion and the Ariel on her left, and the Caledonia on the right. The orders were that these three craft should encounter the Detroit, Hunter, and Chippewa.

Next came the Niagara, with instructions to fight the Queen Charlotte, while the Somers, Porcupine, Tigress, and the Trippe were to engage with the Lady Prevost and the Little Belt.

We were yet a full mile and a half away, and it was close to noon when a bugle sounded on the deck of the Detroit, the bands on the several Britishers struck up the tune of “Rule Britannia,” and a ball from the enemy’s flag-ship came directly toward the Lawrence, but fell far short of its mark.

The first shot of the battle had been fired, and, seeing the iron missile cleaving the air in a direct line for us, I involuntarily shrank behind Alec, whereupon old Silas shouted:—

“None of that, lad! None of that! A shipmate’s body is no protection, and you should be willin’ to take your full dose!”

The laughter which was provoked by this remark caused my cheeks to burn with shame, and from that moment I stood firm, however great might have been the fear in my heart.

“Remember that every shot does not go where it is aimed,” Alec whispered to me, hoping with the words to check my fears; and I replied with such firmness of voice as could be summoned just then:—

“It was more instinct than fear which caused the movement, dear lad, though God knows I am afraid.”

“So are all of us,” he replied, with a hearty grip of the hand; “and he who talks the loudest is trying the hardest to prevent it from being known.”

It seemed as if the blood stood still in my veins as we continued to advance slowly amid a silence so profound that I could hear my own heart beat; and then a cry of fear burst from my lips as another shot came toward us, plowing its way through the brig’s bulwarks with a mighty shower of splinters, but, fortunately, wounding no one.

There must have been others beside me who showed signs of fear at this first proof of what the enemy could do, for Commodore Perry shouted, while he stood a fair mark for the enemy:—

“Steady, boys! Steady! There’s not likely to be much blood spilled by such gunnery as that!”

Our commander was wearing no uniform; clad only in the garb of a common sailor, with blue nankeen jacket and white duck trousers, he was none the less a commodore, and there was not a Britisher so dull who would not have singled him out as the man who directed all our movements.

We advanced without opening fire until each vessel of our fleet was nearly in the position marked out for her the night previous, and then we set the signal to open the action.

The first gun on the American side came from the Scorpion, as I knew full well because of having my eyes on the schooner at the time; then the Ariel discharged two of her short twelves, and an instant later old Silas began his work.

This last shot struck the Detroit just above the water-line, plowing its way through her hull with a splintering of timbers which told that much damage had been done.

What a cheer went up from our men at this moment!

I think the fact that we had succeeded in sending a shot fairly home caused me to forget the danger, for certain it is I ceased to be afraid, and remained keenly on the alert for all that was passing around me.

I saw the schooner Trippe, outsailed in the advance, fully two miles astern, and wondered vaguely how long it might be before she would be near enough to give an account of herself.

The Scorpion and the Ariel remained near at hand, doing good work as I could see, viewing the scene like one in a dream, and I also understood that the enemy’s squadron was concentrating all its fire upon our brig.

It was as if to them there was no other vessel in the engagement save the one bearing our commodore’s flag, and that once she was disabled the victory would be won.

Within ten minutes after the first shot was fired I knew full well why the decks had been wetted and covered with sand.

Already were the white timbers stained crimson with the blood of my shipmates; but I was in such mental condition of excitement as neither to know nor care who had fallen.

I understood that Alec was as yet unhurt, because he worked by my side, cheering when a shot struck the enemy, and soothing with kindly word some poor fellow of ours who had been mangled by British iron.

That the Lawrence was speedily getting the worst of the fight could be told even by a lad like myself, and I felt a certain sense of satisfaction when Commodore Perry shouted through a speaking trumpet to the craft nearest, which chanced to be the Niagara:—

“Pass the word for all hands to make sail and bear down on Barclay. Lay him close alongside at all hazards!”

Then, even above the roar of the guns, I heard the order transmitted from one craft to the other, until it seemed that every sailing-master in the fleet must have heard it; but to my surprise the Niagara hauled off slightly, instead of obeying the commands.

To my eyes the engagement had ceased to be a battle, but was become a slaughter.

On every hand were dead, dying, or wounded men, and four times within twice as many minutes had the crew of our gun been so thinned out that old Silas was forced to call for assistance.

Then it was, just at the moment he urged one of the new men who had been sent to assist us, to stand bravely up to his work, that the old man’s hip was shattered by a grape-shot, and he fell like one dead across the breach of the gun.

“We must get him into the cockpit,” Alec said to me, speaking as calmly as if this was but an incident which we had been anticipating. “Take him by the head, and move quickly, else he will bleed to death before Dr. Parsons has a chance at him!”

Numbed with horror, I obeyed; and as we carried the old hero across the deck a stream of blood marked our way, making such a trail that it seemed as if his veins must have been emptied before we had traversed half the short distance.

Once in the ward-room I understood in a single instant what might be the horrors of war, better than I could have done by remaining on deck the full day.

The scene in this place, which was separated from the terrible tumult above only by the deck-planking, was more horrible than can be described in mere words.

The groans, the prayers of the dying, and the bustling to and fro of the surgeon and his assistants, all combined to make a noise more terrifying than the roar of the guns and the crashing of timbers.

The hue of blood everywhere, the cutting of human flesh, or the probing of ghastly wounds, sickened me until never again can I be brought to believe that there is anything noble or grand in warfare.

Even as we laid old Silas, now unconscious from loss of blood, upon one of the rough tables whereon were shreds of flesh and fragments of bone, a shot came crashing into the brig’s side, tearing a passage straight through this place of torment, and releasing from their misery two poor fellows who had suffered the tortures of the amputating knife.

One of the surgeon’s assistants was wounded by the same shot, but Dr. Parsons gave his attention first to old Silas, and in answer to Alec’s eager question replied:—

“The wound is not necessarily fatal, lad. On shore I would say the man had every chance for recovery; but, unfortunately, he cannot have here such care as is needed.”

I would have lingered by the old gunner’s side, for I had come to look upon him as a friend, and it cut me to the heart that he might go out of the world without a word of farewell; but Alec forced me to accompany him.

“We are needed on deck, and by loitering here may lay ourselves open to a charge of cowardice.”

Heaven knows there was no desire in my mind to loiter in that horrible place! I had lingered only in the hope the old gunner might revive sufficiently to give me at least a last word.

When we came out of the cockpit dense clouds of pungent smoke hid everything from view; it was difficult to distinguish objects ten feet away on our own decks, and I was thankful for the obscurity.

I knew, however, that on every hand were the dead and the dying; that the brig which had looked so neat and trim less than an hour previous, was torn and splintered, every plank dyed crimson by the blood of the brave men who had defended her so nobly, and that all the ships of the enemy’s squadron were pouring into her a deadly fire!

“Where is the Niagara?” I asked of Alec, shrieking the question in his ear, otherwise he might not have heard it amid that thunderous din, and from out of the smoke came the voice of a grievously wounded sailor:—

“The cowards are hanging back, even though they were the first to get the order for close action. When the smoke lifted a few minutes ago I saw the brig almost out of range, using her heavy guns as if at target practice.”

Alec, uttering a cry of mingled sorrow and anger, ran aft, I keeping close at his heels, and he had no more than gained the quarterdeck when a splintered fragment of our starboard rail struck him on the shoulder, literally tearing the clothes from his back.

I sprang forward quickly, believing him to be wounded; but the commodore was ahead of me, and for an instant he ceased to observe what was going on around us in his anxiety for the lad.

“I’m not hurt, Oliver dear,” Alec said with a smile; but the sudden pallor of his face told that the shock had been a severe one. “It’s not the nearest call for a wound that I have had,” he added, showing his hat, through which had passed two musket-balls.

“I don’t ask you to be less brave, brother mine, for now is the time when every man must hold his life cheaply; but you should be sufficiently cautious not to expose yourself unnecessarily.”

“I came to ask why the commander of the Niagara had not obeyed orders? It is said she lays at long range while we are so sorely pressed.”

“I cannot answer your question, lad,” the commodore replied bitterly. “Elliott is no coward, and yet he has given us but little support. Richard Dobbins, go forward and ascertain how much damage the Lawrence has sustained in that quarter.”

I obeyed on the instant, forgetting all my fear and horror in the terrible thought that we were surely being worsted, else why had our commander spoken in so hopeless a tone.

Once forward of the foremast, and I did not get there without stumbling again and again over a dead or a wounded man, it was as if I had suddenly boarded a wreck.

Everything was carried away forward from the after portion of the forecastle-deck, and I was like to being pitched overboard as I pressed blindly along until coming upon the very edge of the shattered timbers.

I believe of a verity that a missile of some description struck this portion of the brig every five seconds, and but for the horror of the discovery my legs would have trembled beneath me in abject fear of death; whereas I utterly failed to realize the danger.

The Lawrence was little better than a wreck; it did not seem possible she could swim ten minutes longer, and I hastened back over that deck slippery with blood, despite the sand which had been strewn upon it, to make my doleful report.

I had but just gained the quarterdeck when a round shot struck the mainmast within three feet of my head, sending huge splinters flying in every direction, one of them hitting Alec Perry full in the breast.

I saw the dear lad fling up his hands convulsively, and then pitch forward upon the deck like one smitten by sudden death.

It was as if that terrible sight deprived me of all my senses save that of affection for him who had proven himself such a true comrade, and with a cry of despair I flung myself upon the deck by his side, heeding neither the danger to life, nor of defeat.

CHAPTER XVI.
THE BATTLE.

After reading over what has been set down, I am afraid that I have made it appear much as if the commodore, old Silas, Alec, and myself were the only Americans present at the battle of Lake Erie.

That I have said too much regarding my own fears and hopes is positive, and in these last pages I will try to remedy the matter by speaking of the battle as I have heard old and experienced men, who were present, describe it, halting here only so long as may be necessary to explain that Alec Perry was not dangerously wounded.

Every one who saw him fall felt certain he had received his death-blow. During fully a moment the commodore was convinced of the same; but within a very short time after I flung myself down by his side, the dear lad revived sufficiently to speak, and the terrible load was lifted from my heart.

Alec was badly bruised, as indeed any one would likely be who had been struck twice by splinters, but the injuries were not serious, and he refused decidedly to present himself before Dr. Parsons, as I suggested and even urged.

While we two lay there, I trying to make out if my comrade was nigh to death, Lieutenant Yarnall came up, looking more ghastly than any man I had seen since the action began. His nose had been cut through by a splinter, and was swollen until it resembled a huge piece of liver rather than anything I can bring to mind. He was bleeding from several wounds, but his courage was in nowise injured.

“All the officers in my division have been cut down, sir, and I would like to have others,” he said, saluting gravely as if on parade.

“I have no more to give you,” the commodore replied, returning the salute. “You must endeavor to make out alone.”

“Very well, sir,” and the first officer of the Lawrence returned through that storm of cannon-balls and musket-bullets to his station as calmly as he might have done had we simply been firing a friendly salute.

Now here is a description of the battle from the beginning up to this time, as I have seen it written down by one who was more familiar with the details than I, for enshrouded in smoke, and a novice in such matters, I know no more than what happened immediately around me:—

“Perry[4] soon perceived that he was yet too far distant to damage the enemy materially, so he ordered word to be sent from vessel to vessel by trumpet for all to make sail, bear down upon Barclay, and engage in close combat.

“The order was transmitted by Captain Elliott, who was the second in command, but he failed to obey it himself. His vessel was a fast sailer, and his men were the best in the squadron, but he kept at a distance from the enemy, and continued firing his long guns.

“Perry, meanwhile, pressed on with the Lawrence, accompanied by the Scorpion, Ariel, and Caledonia; and at meridian exactly, when he supposed he was near enough for execution with his carronades, he opened the first division of his battery on the starboard side of the Detroit. His balls fell short, while his antagonist and her consorts poured upon the Lawrence a heavy storm of round shot from their long guns, still leaving the Scorpion and Ariel almost unnoticed.

“The Caledonia, meanwhile, engaged with the Hunter, but the Niagara kept at a respectful distance from the Queen Charlotte, and gave that vessel an opportunity to go to the assistance of the Detroit. She passed the Hunter, and, placing herself astern of the Detroit, opened heavily upon the Lawrence, now, at a quarter past twelve, only musket-shot distance from her chief antagonist.

“For two hours the gallant Perry and his devoted ship bore the brunt of the battle with twice his force, aided only by the schooners on his weather bow and some feeble shots from the distant Caledonia, when she could spare time from her adversary, the Hunter. During that tempest of war his vessel was terribly shattered. Her rigging was nearly all shot away; her sails were torn in shreds; her spars were battered into splinters; her guns were dismounted; and she lay upon the waters almost a helpless wreck.

“The carnage on her deck had been terrible. Out of one hundred and three sound men that composed her officers and crew when she went into action, twenty-two were slain and sixty-one were wounded. Perry’s little brother had been struck down by a splinter at his side, but soon recovered....

“While the Lawrence was being thus terribly smitten, officers and crew were anxiously wondering why the Niagara—the swift, stanch, well-manned Niagara—kept aloof, not only from her prescribed antagonist, the Queen Charlotte, now battling the Lawrence, but the other assailants of the flag-ship. Her commander himself had passed the order for close conflict, yet he kept far away; and when afterward censured, he pleaded, in justification of his course, his perfect obedience to the original order to keep at ‘half cable length behind the Caledonia on the line.’ It may be said that his orders to fight the Queen Charlotte, who had left her line and gone into the thickest of the fight with the Lawrence and her supporting schooners, were quite as imperative, and that it was his duty to follow. This he did not do until the guns of the Lawrence became silent, and no signals were displayed by, nor special orders came from Perry. These significant tokens of dissolution doubtless made Elliott believe that the commodore was slain, and he himself had become the chief commander of the squadron.

“He then hailed the Caledonia, and ordered Lieutenant Turner to leave the line and bear down upon the Hunter for close conflict, giving the Niagara a chance to pass for the relief of the Lawrence. The gallant Turner instantly obeyed, and the Caledonia fought her adversary nobly. The Niagara spread her canvas before a freshening breeze that had just sprung up; but, instead of going to the relief of the Lawrence, thus silently pleading for protection, she bore away toward the head of the enemy’s squadron, passing the American flag-ship to the windward, and leaving her exposed to the still galling fire of the enemy, because, as was alleged in extenuation of this apparent violation of the rules of naval warfare and the claims of humanity, both squadrons had caught the breeze and moved forward, and left the crippled vessel floating astern.”

It was only by the cessation of the shocks which told of the brig’s having been struck by a ball that we on board knew the enemy was moving forward, leaving us little else than a hulk upon the waters.

Then the smoke of battle which had hung over our decks like a shroud was wafted away by the wind; and we saw the Niagara, half a mile or more on the larboard beam, engaged with the Queen Charlotte, Lady Prevost, and Hunter.

It was as if we had been cast aside as worthless, and that the remainder of the fight would be between those who had suffered less injury.

Perhaps, under another commander, such would have been the case; but Oliver Perry was never one to be cast aside or to shrink from any danger, and it was not in his mind to remain at a distance.

First, however, he gave heed to the gallant fellows who had been disabled; and Alec and I walked by his side as he moved from one to another of those who as yet had not been carried into the dismantled cockpit.

There were but fourteen men and boys on board who had not been injured more or less severely, and among them no more than two guns’ crews could have been made up.

While we were amidships, Alec and I took advantage of the opportunity to run into the ward-room, where Dr. Parsons, now working alone because all his assistants had been summoned on deck to aid in working the brig, was performing his cruel-looking offices of mercy.

It was for the purpose of learning if old Silas yet lived that we ventured into the horrible place, strewn here and there with dismembered limbs or fragments of human flesh, and to our great joy the gunner had so far recovered from his faintness as to be quarrelling with the surgeon because that officer refused to allow him to go on deck.

“A bit knocked up, lads; but with blood enough left in my veins to give the Britishers another chance at drawin’ it. This ’ere sawbones is takin’ too much on himself, when he sets up that Silas Boyd shan’t do his duty.”

“There is nothing left for you to do, Master Boyd,” Alec said, as he laid his hand upon the old man’s head. “The Lawrence is out of the fight just now, and even though she wasn’t, I question if you could find a serviceable gun aboard.”

“You’re not tellin’ me that the brig has struck her colors?” and the old man would have sprung up but that we two lads held him down by main strength.

“Not a bit of it. The blue flag is still flying; but the brig appears to be little better than a wreck, and both squadrons have drawn off from us.”

“And the fight? What kind of a turn is that takin’?”

“We appear to be holding our own.”

“No more? No more than holdin’ our own, lad?”

“I cannot see that we gain any advantage; but the flag-ship is the only craft which has been so badly used.”

The commodore’s voice from above summoned us to the deck, and as we clambered up the narrow companionway I heard old Silas giving the surgeon a tongue-lashing because the latter had threatened to tie the gunner to a stanchion if he persisted in his attempts to leave the cockpit.

When Alec and I were come on deck again an exclamation of surprise burst from our lips.

We had left the commodore clad in the garb of a sailor, smoke-begrimed and covered with the blood of others to whom he had lent a helping hand.

Now he was arrayed in the uniform of an officer in the American navy, from the epaulets to the sword, and looked to my eye more like a victor than one whose ship had been literally torn to pieces beneath his feet.

I stared at him in astonishment; but Alec, going to his brother’s side, asked in surprise:—

“What is the meaning of this, Oliver?”

“Of what, lad?”

“Why have you laid aside the clothes you wore in action?”

“It is well that not only my own men, but the enemy, shall recognize me when I transfer my flag.”

Alec looked at the commodore in mute surprise, and for the moment I believed our commander had lost his head.

“The Niagara appears to be in good condition,” Perry said with a smile, “and it is from her deck that I will direct the battle to a glorious ending.”

I looked out over the waters, which were literally boiling and spouting under the falling shot, asking myself how it might be possible for the commodore to do as he had said, knowing full well that the Lawrence, wreck as she was, could not be manœuvred.

“Lieutenant Yarnall,” Perry said, turning to the first officer, who was bleeding from four or five wounds, with his face disfigured as I have already related, “I leave the Lawrence in your charge, with discretionary powers. Hold out, or surrender, as your judgment and the circumstances shall dictate. Have a boat lowered, and detail a full complement of oarsmen, if it so be that number of unwounded men be found aboard. Take down my pennant and the blue banner, for the remainder of the fleet shall fight under both until victory is brought out of this tangle.”

“Will you leave me here, Oliver?” Alec asked, when Lieutenant Yarnall had set about obeying the orders.

“You shall go with me, lad, for it is well we two remain together while it be possible.”

“And Richard?” the dear lad asked, noting the look of entreaty in my eyes.

“He had best stay here; we cannot take too many into such peril, for it will be no child’s play to pull through yonder storm of shot.”

“You need oarsmen, sir, and I question if enough can be found to man the boat, without taking every one from the brig,” I said quickly, distressed beyond measure at the thought that I might be separated from my comrade.

“You shall go as a member of the boat’s crew,” the commodore replied promptly, and at the same time kindly; “yet I am not certain it is a friendly act to take you two lads through that deadly fire.”

“We would venture very much more, sir, for the sake of being with you,” I made bold to say, and was rewarded for the speech by a kindly smile from the man who on that day proved himself to be chief of a band wherein every man was a hero.

At this point Lieutenant Yarnall reported that the required number of unwounded men could not be mustered in the brig unless all the guns were abandoned, and I stepped forward, for now was come the time when I could make no claim of comradeship—in this hour of death the brothers stood apart by themselves, out of my world, as it were.

“With this lad, I can give you four at the oars, sir,” the lieutenant reported, and our commodore replied, with that smile which had come to be in my eyes more precious than anything he could bestow:—

“It will do, Mr. Yarnall. The smaller the number the less to be put in jeopardy of their lives. Is the boat away?”

“Ay, sir, all is ready, now that the lad will be taken on as an able seaman.”

Obeying a gesture of the lieutenant’s, I went forward to the starboard rail, beneath which was the tiny craft for the conveyance of the commander-in-chief, and without venturing to presume upon any possible claims of comradeship, took my place among the oarsmen.

As soon thereafter as might be, the commodore and Alec came over the shattered rail, the former carrying under his arm the broad banner of blue, and the pennant.

I had been eager to accompany the commander, and yet when I took my station in the boat, and had a better view of that stretch of water whereon it seemed that every square inch was covered by bullet or ball, the chance of escaping with life seemed less than when we stood on the deck of the Lawrence exposed to the fire of the Britishers’ heaviest guns.

“Little show of takin’ a cockle-shell like this across yonder stretch, eh?” one of the seamen said, with a grin, observing the direction of my glance, and most likely noting the sudden pallor of my face.

“It surely seems as if we would be cut to pieces before going fifty yards from the brig’s side,” I replied, and certain am I that my voice trembled like a coward’s, although at the moment I was not conscious of what might rightly be called fear.

“That’s what I allow will happen,” the man said, as he stuffed his mouth full of tobacco. “It’s a likely spot in which to swamp a boat, yet I’m not so sure but that a decent man would choose to die there, rather than in yonder hole where Dr. Parsons hacks an’ hews to his heart’s content before the breath of life goes out.”

Perhaps it was some such reminder as this which I needed to give me the proper amount of spirit, for once he spoke of the cockpit I felt such a sense of relief at being free from it for the moment that there came to me a certain degree of calmness, enabling me to greet our commander properly when he came over the rail, followed by Alec.

It was as if my comrade shared in the glory which Commodore Perry had already won, and yet I did not envy him the honor. He was a brave lad, while I could be counted only as a timorous being whose courage was like to fail him at the supreme moment, and I felt more pride in his distinction of place than if our positions had been reversed.

Alec and his brother took their places in the stern-sheets, and the latter cried to Lieutenant Yarnall and the other bleeding, brave fellows who overhung the rail:—

“Do as you will with the Lawrence, Mr. Yarnall, and whatever may be the turn of affairs, count on our speedily coming to your assistance.”

“God bless you, commodore!” was the gallant officer’s reply, and then we left him on a sinking ship with only grievously wounded men as shipmates and crew.

It was the commodore himself who gave the order for us to push off, and, as if thinking we at the oars needed heartening lest we should falter in the task after reaching that spot where the iron hail was thickest, he wrapped the pennant around his shoulders, standing erect while we pulled out to what seemed certain death.

Once we were clear of the brig it was as if the enemy knew full well the precious cargo our boat carried, and understood that only by compassing the commodore’s death could they hope to win the day, for on the instant every gun was aimed at us, and every sharp-shooter on the Britishers’ decks used us as a target.

I may live to be a very old man, and take part in many another battle, but it is not possible I shall ever again find myself in such a deadly shower as was poured upon us from the moment we left the side of the shattered Lawrence.

The bullets struck everywhere around us; the cannon-balls made the water boil and spout so high as to come over the gunwales until the light craft was in great danger of being swamped; but, singularly enough, not one found lodgment among us.

At that moment I believed a divine Providence was watching over our commodore lest he should come to harm, and I have never since had good reason to change my opinion.

Of a verity all the marines who wore red coats aimed their guns at Perry, and we at the oars cried out to him that he must take such shelter as was possible.

“It is proper the commander of a squadron show himself,” was all the reply our entreaties could provoke, and finally I said to Alec, emboldened now by the despair which came upon me with the thought that the day was indeed lost if that bold spirit continued to present himself as a mark for the British bullets:—

“Unless the commodore sits down, and takes care to hide himself from sight of the enemy, I for one will lay down my oar, trusting that the wind may blow us out of musket-shot range!”

“I stand by what the lad has said,” one of the seamen cried, and on the instant every man stopped rowing, for there was not one aboard minded to have any share in a martyr’s death.

“To your oars, lads, to your oars!” the commodore cried excitedly. “Every second may be of the greatest value to us now!”

I had not the courage to oppose his will, but the eldest of the seamen said decidedly:—

“We’re not warranted in disobeying orders, sir; but I for one will never carry you to certain death, whatever may be the commission you hold.”

And another added:—

“Cease to make yourself so conspicuous, sir, an’ you shall see how readily we will obey the lightest order you choose to give, even though knowin’ we go to our death. It is your life, not ours, which is of importance this day.”

The gallant young officer looked at us for an instant as if minded to administer some sharp reproof, and then I, who observed him closely, saw the moisture gathering in his eyes as he said in a low tone:—

“You be brave lads, all; and at such a moment as this there shall be no question of authority.”

Whereat he seated himself by Alec’s side, and the dear lad clasped his brother’s neck closely as he looked at me with pride beaming from his eyes.

The bunting was unwound from around the hero’s shoulders, and while he presented quite as fair a target for the bullets, it did not seem to us that he offered the enemy as much of an advantage.

Then we bent ourselves to the oars once more, pulling with every ounce of strength that could be forced from our muscles, and heading straight toward the Niagara whereon was Captain Elliott, hugging to his heart the belief that at last he was the sole commander of the American squadron.

It is not for such as me to criticise the doings of one whom the government had placed high in command, yet I say now, as I have a thousand times since that terrible yet glorious day, that the commander of the Niagara kept aloof from the heat of battle with no other idea in his mind save that he might rise to fame over the dead body of our commodore.

To look back now in my mind’s eye on what I saw then, it seems like relating the story of some miracle to say that we came out of that murderous fire, pulling alongside the Niagara in safety.

Our boat was literally riddled with bullets, and yet not one of us had received a wound. Every oar was shattered, but we worked with such timber as remained, until our hero had been put in a position which enabled him to win the day.

Even now, the proudest memory of mine is that I did my share in winning the battle of Lake Erie, timorous lad though I am.

It was Captain Elliott himself who met Commodore Perry at the Niagara’s gangway, and he stared as if facing a ghost, when our commander saluted him ceremoniously, for he believed him dead.

“How is the day going, sir?” Elliott asked, as soon as he could control his voice sufficiently to speak.

“Badly, Mr. Elliott, badly. I have lost nearly all my men; the Lawrence is a wreck, and I am transferring my flag and the banner to this ship. What are the gunboats doing so far astern? Why do they not bear their full share of the burden?”

“With your permission I will go to ascertain the reason, and bring them up.”

“Very well, sir. Lose no time, and see to it that they come to close quarters without delay.”

Then we, who had come out of death, as it were, clambered up on the Niagara’s deck, cheered to the echo by every man who saw us, and the officer who for a few moments had believed himself first in command, took Commodore Perry’s place in the stern-sheets of the boat with a full crew at the oars to carry him rearward.