“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.