SOMETHING ABOUT FORT NIAGARA
We will now go back to Dave, at the time he was thrown into the waters of the lake, in the midst of the storm.
For the moment after the waters closed over him, the young soldier was too bewildered to do more than throw out his hands wildly. He attempted to cry out, and the water rushed into his mouth, almost drowning him. Then he spluttered and struggled, and more by instinct than anything else began to strike out.
When he came up he took a fresh breath and dashed the water from his eyes. He could see but little in the darkness, and although he could hear many cries, and a shout or two from distant boats, yet the craft remained invisible to him.
At length another flash of lightning showed him that one batteau had gone down and also showed him the sailor-soldier struggling near him.
"Hullo there!" shouted the other, whose name was Simon Lapp. "Can you swim?"
"Yes, but not extra well," panted Dave.
"Move this way, then—the shore's over yonder, and I think we'll soon strike bottom with our feet."
Dave did as suggested, and ranged up alongside of Simon Lapp. The proximity of the sailor-soldier gave the youth confidence, and he did his best to keep up with the man.
It was the hardest swim of his life and more than once Dave felt as if the weight of his uniform would carry him down. The two were alone in the vicinity, the others having either gone down or struck out for the uninjured boats nearest to them.