CHAPTER I.

This etext was produced by Gardner Buchanan with help from

Charles Franks and Distributed Proofers.

The Canadian Brothers; or, The Prophecy Fulfilled.

A tale of the late American war.

By Major Richardson,

Knight of the military order of Saint Ferdinand,

author of "Ecarte," "Wacousta," &c. &c.

In Two Volumes.

VOLUME I.

INSCRIPTION.

To His Excellency Major General Sir John Harvey, K.C.B.:

K.C.H. Lieutenant Governor of New Brunswick who bore a

conspicuous part in the war of 1812, and who contributed

so essentially to the success of the British arms during

the campaigns of 1813 and 1814, and particularly at Stoney

Creek in Upper Canada, on the night of the 5th June 1813,

when, entrusted with the execution of his own daring

plan, he, at the head of sever hundred and twenty men of

the 8th and 49th Regiments, (The former the Author's

Corps,) surprised and completely routed at the point of

the bayonet, a division of the American army, (under

generals Winder and Chandler,) three thousand five hundred

strong, capturing their leaders, with many other inferior

prisoners, and several pieces of cannon; the Canadian

edition of this historical talk is inscribed, with

sentiments of high public and personal esteem, by his

faithful and obedient servant,

The Author.

PREFACE.

Windsor Castle, October 29, 1832.

DEAR SIR,--I have received your letter of the 27th instant,

and beg to reply that there cannot be the least objection

to your sending a copy of your work, with the autograph

addition; and that if you will send it to me, I will

present it to His Majesty.

I do not presume you wish to apply for permission to

dedicate the work to His Majesty, which is not usually

given for work of fiction.

I remain, Dear Sir, your faithful Servant,

(Signed,) H. TAYLOR

Lieut. RICHARDSON, &c. &c. &c.

H. P. 92nd Regt.

BRIGHTON, December 18, 1832.

DEAR Sir,--I beg to acknowledge the receipt of your letter

of the 14th instant, and of the copy of your work,

WACOUSTA, for the King, which I have had the honor of

presenting to His Majesty, who received it very graciously.

I remain, Dear Sir, your faithful Servant,

(Signed,) H. TAYLOR

Lieut. RICHARDSON, &c. &c. &c.

H. P. 92nd Regt.

WINDSOR CASTLE, August 7, 1833.

DEAR SIR,--I have to acknowledge your letter of the 1st

instant, together with its enclosure, and beg to express

the deep gratification I have felt in the perusal of that

chapter of your new work which treats of the policy of

employing the Indians in any future war we may have with

the United States. Should you be desirous of dedicating

it to His Majesty I can foresee no difficulty.

Permit me to avail myself of this opportunity of assuring

you of the deep interest with which your WACOUSTA has

been read by the whole Court.

I remain, Dear Sir, your faithful Servant,

(Signed,) H. TAYLOR.

Lieut. RICHARDSON, &c. &c. &c.

H. P. 92nd Regt.

WINDSOR CASTLE, August 12, 1833.

DEAR SIR,--I beg to acknowledge the receipt of your letter

of the 9th, and to acquaint you that His Majesty acquiesces

in your wish to be permitted to dedicate your new work

to him.

I remain, Dear Sir, your faithful Servant,

(Signed,) H. TAYLOR.

Lieut. RICHARDSON, &c, &c. &c.

H. P. 92nd Regt.

By the above letters, two material points are established.

The first is that, although works of fiction are not

usually dedicated to the Sovereign, an exception was made

in favour of the following tale, which is now for the

first time submitted to the public, and which, from its

historical character, was deemed of sufficient importance

not to be confounded with mere works of fiction. The

exception was grounded on a chapter of the book, which

the seeker after incident alone will dismiss hastily,

but over which the more serious reader may be induced to

pause.

The second, and not least important, point disposed of,

is one which the manner in which the principal American

characters have been disposed of, renders in some degree

imperative.

The Author has no hesitation in stating, that had it not

been for the very strong interest taken in their appearance,

by a portion of the American public in the first instance,

these volumes never would have been submitted to the

press of this country. Hence, to a corresponding feeling

might, under other circumstances, have been ascribed the

favorable light under which the American character has

been portrayed. From the dates of the above letters from

the principal Aid-de-Camp and Private Secretary to His

late Majesty, it will, however, be seen, that the work

was written in England, and therefore before there could

have existed the slightest inducement to any undue

partiality.

That this is the case, the Author has reason to rejoice;

since in eschewing the ungenerous desire of most English

writers on America, to convey a debasing impression of

her people, and seeking, on the contrary, to do justice

to their character, as far as the limited field afforded

by a work, pre-eminently of fiction, will admit, no

interested motive can be ascribed to him. Should these

pages prove a means of dissipating the slightest portion

of that irritation which has--and naturally--been

engendered in every American heart, by the perverted and

prejudiced statements of disappointed tourists, whose

acerbity of stricture, not even a recollection of much

hospitality could repress; and of renewing that healthy

tone of feeling which it has been endeavoured to show

had existed during the earlier years of the present

century, the Author will indeed feel that he has not

written in vain.

One observation in regard to the tale itself. There is

a necessary anachronism in the book, of too palpable a

nature not to be detected at a glance by the reader. It

will. however, be perceived, that such anachronism does

not in any way interfere with historical fact, while it

has at the same time facilitated the introduction of

events, which were necessary to the action of the story,

and which have been brought on the scene before that

which constitutes the anachronism, as indispensable

precursors to it. We will not here mar the reader's

interest in the story, by anticipating, but allow him to

discover and judge of the propriety of the transposition

himself.

Tecumseh, moreover, is introduced somewhat earlier than

the strict record of facts will justify; but as his

presence does not interfere with the general accuracy of

the detail, we trust the matter of fact reader, who

cannot, at least, be both to make early acquaintance with

this interesting Chieftain, will not refuse us the exercise

of our privilege as a novelist, in disposing of characters,

in the manner most pleasing to the eye.

We cannot conclude without apology for the imperfect

Scotch, which we have (to use a homely phrase,) put into

the mouth of one of our characters, our apology for which

is that we were unaware of the error, until the work had

been so far printed as not to admit of our remedying it.

We are consoled, however, by the reflection that we have

given the person in question so much of the national

character that he can well afford to lose something in

a minor particular.

THE AUTHOR.

THE CANADIAN BROTHERS;

OR,

THE PROPHECY FULFILLED.

CHAPTER I.

At the northern extremity of the small town which bears

its name, situated at the head of Lake Erie, stands, or

rather stood--for the fortifications then existing were

subsequently destroyed--the small fortress of Amherstburg.

It was the summer of 1812. Intelligence had been some

days received at that post, of the declaration of war by

the United States, the great aim and object of which was

the conquest, and incorporation with her own extensive

territories, of provinces on which she had long cast an

eye of political jealousy, and now assailed at a moment

when England (fighting the battles of the, even to this

moment, recreant and unredeemed Peninsula,) could ill

spare a solitary regiment to the rescue of her threatened,

and but indifferently defended transatlantic possessions.

Few places in America, or in the world, could, at the

period embraced by our narrative, have offered more

delightful associations than that which we have selected

for an opening scene. Amherstburg was at that time one

of the loveliest spots that ever issued from the will of

a beneficent and gorgeous nature, and were the

world-disgusted wanderer to have selected a home in which

to lose all memory of artificial and conventional forms,

his choice would assuredly have fallen here. And

insensible, indeed, to the beautiful realities of the

sweet wild solitude that reigned around, must that man

have been, who could have gazed unmoved, from the lofty

banks of the Erie, on the placid lake beneath his feet,

mirroring the bright starred heavens on its unbroken

surface, or throwing into full and soft relief the snow

white sail, and dark hull of some stately war-ship,

becalmed in the offing, and only waiting the rising of

the capricious breeze, to waft her onward on her THEN

peaceful mission of dispatch. Lost indeed to all perception

of the natural must he have been, who could have listened,

without a feeling of voluptuous melancholy, to the

plaintive notes of the whip-poor-will, breaking on the

silence of night, and harmonising with the general

stillness of the scene. How often have we ourselves, in

joyous boyhood, lingered amid these beautiful haunts,

drinking in the fascinating song of this strange night-bird,

and revelling in a feeling we were too young to analyze,

yet cherished deeply--yea, frequently, even to this hour,

do we in our dreams revisit scenes no parallel to which

has met our view, even in the course of a life passed in

many climes; and on awaking, our first emotion is regret

that the illusion is no more.

Such was Amherstburg, and its immediate vicinity, during

the early years of the present century, and up to the

period at which our story commences. Not, be it understood,

that even THEN the scenery itself had lost one particle

of its loveliness, or failed in aught to awaken and fix

the same tender interest. The same placidity of earth,

and sky, and lake remained, but the whip-poor-will, driven

from his customary abode by the noisy hum of warlike

preparation, was no longer heard, and the minds of the

inhabitants, hitherto disposed, by the quiet pursuits of

their uneventful lives, to feel pleasure in its song,

had eye nor ear for aught beyond what tended to the

preservation of their threatened homes.

Let us, however, introduce the reader more immediately

to the scene. Close in his rear, as he stands on the

elevated bank of the magnificent river of Detroit, and

about a mile from its point of junction with Lake Erie,

is the fort of Amherstburg, its defences consisting

chiefly of stockade works, flanked, at its several angles,

by strong bastions, and covered by a demi lune of five

guns, so placed as to command every approach by water.

Distant about three hundred yards on his right is a large,

oblong square building, resembling in appearance the red

low roofed blockhouses peering above the outward defences

of the fort. Surrounding this, and extending to the skirt

of the thinned forest, the original boundary of which is

marked by an infinitude of dingy half blackened stumps,

are to be seen numerous huts or wigwams of the Indians,

from the fires before which arises a smoke that contributes,

with the slight haze of the atmosphere, to envelope the

tops of the tall trees in a veil of blue vapour, rendering

them almost invisible. Between these wigwams and the

extreme verge of the thickly wooded banks, which sweeping

in bold curvature for an extent of many miles, brings

into view the eastern extremity of Turkey Island, situated

midway between Amherstburg and Detroit, are to be seen,

containing the accumulated Indian dead of many years,

tumuli, rudely executed it is true, but picturesquely

decorated with such adornments as it is the custom of

these simple mannered people to bestow on the last

sanctuaries of their departed friends. Some three or four

miles, and across the water, (for here it is that the

river acquires her fullest majesty of expansion,) is to

be seen the American Island of Gros Isle, which, at the

period of which we write, bore few traces of cultivation

--scarcely a habitation being visible throughout its

extent--various necks of land, however, shoot out abruptly,

and independently of the channel running between it and

the American main shore, form small bays or harbours in

which boats may always find shelter and concealment.

Thus far the view to the right of the spectator, whom we

assume to be facing the river. Immediately opposite to

the covering demi lune, and in front of the fort, appears,

at a distance of less than half a mile, a blockhouse and

battery, crowning the western extremity of the Island of

Bois Blanc, which, one mile in length and lashed at its

opposite extremity by the waters of Lake Erie, at this

precise point, receives into her capacious bosom the vast

tribute of the noble river connecting her with the higher

lakes. Between this island and the Canadian shore lies

the only navigable channel for ships of heavy tonnage,

for although the waters of the Detroit are of vast depth

every where above the island, they are near their point

of junction with the lake, and, in what is called the

American channel, so interrupted by shallows and sandbars,

that no craft larger than those of a description termed

"Durham boats" can effect the passage--on the other hand

the channel dividing the island from the Canadian shore

is at once deep and rapid, and capable of receiving

vessels of the largest size. The importance of such a

passage is obvious; but although a state of war necessarily

prevented aid from armed vessels to such forts of the

Americans as lay to the westward of the lake, it by no

means effectually cut off their supplies through the

medium of the Durham boats already alluded to. In order

to intercept those, a most vigilant watch was kept by

the light gun boats despatched into the lesser channel

for that purpose.

A blockhouse and battery crowned also the eastern extremity

of the island, and both, provided with a flag staff for

the purpose of communication by signal with the fort,

were far from being wanting in picturesque effect. A

subaltern's command of infantry, and a bombardier's of

artillery, were the only troops stationed there, and

these were there rather to look out for, and report the

approach of whatever American boats might be seen stealing

along their own channel, than with any view to the serious

defence of a post already sufficiently commanded by the

adjacent fortress. In every other direction the island

was thickly wooded--not a house--not a hut arose to

diversify the wild beauty of the scene. Frequently, it

is true, along the margin of its sands might be seen a

succession of Indian wigwams, and the dusky and sinewy

forms of men gliding round their fires, as they danced

to the monotonous sound of the war dance; but these

migratory people, seldom continuing long in the same

spot, the island was again and again left to its solitude.

Strongly contrasted with this, would the spectator, whom

we still suppose standing on the bank where we first

placed him, find the view on his left. There would he

behold a neat small town, composed entirely of wooden

houses variously and not inelegantly painted; and receding

gradually from the river's edge to the slowly disappearing

forest, on which its latest rude edifice reposed. Between

the town and the fort, was to be seen a dockyard of no

despicable dimensions, in which the hum of human voices

mingled with the sound of active labour--there too might

be seen, in the deep harbour of the narrow channel that

separated the town from the island we have just described,

some half-dozen gallant vessels bearing the colours of

England, breasting with their dark prows the rapid current

that strained their creaking cables in every strand, and

seemingly impatient of the curb that checked them from

gliding impetuously into the broad lake, which some few

hundred yards below, appeared to court them to her bosom.

But although in these might be heard the bustle of warlike

preparation, the chief attention would be observed to be

directed towards a large half finished vessel, on which

numerous workmen of all descriptions were busily employed,

evidently with a view of preparing for immediate service.

Beyond the town again might be obtained a view of the

high and cultivated banks, sweeping in gentle curve until

they at length terminated in a low and sandy spot, called

from the name of its proprietor, Elliott's Point. This

stretched itself toward the eastern extremity of the

island, so as to leave the outlet to the lake barely wide

enough for a single vessel to pass at a time, and that

not without skilful pilotage and much caution.

Assuming our reader to be now as fully familiar with the

scene as ourselves, let him next, in imagination, people

it, as on the occasion we have chosen for his introduction.

It was a warm, sunny, day in the early part of July. The

town itself was as quiet as if the glaive of war reposed

in its sheath, and the inhabitants pursued their wonted

avocations with the air of men who had nothing in common

with the active interest which evidently dominated the

more military portions of the scene. It was clear that

among these latter some cause for excitement existed,

fat, independently of the unceasing bustle within the

dock yard--a bustle which however had but one undivided

object-the completion and equipment of the large vessel

then on the stacks--the immediate neighbourhood of the

fort presented evidence of some more than ordinary

interest. The encampment of the Indians, on the verge

of the forest, had given forth the great body of their

warriors, and these clad in their gayest apparel, covered

with feathers and leggings of bright colours, decorated

with small tinkling bells that came not inharmoniously

on the ear, as they kept tone to the measured walk of

their proud wearers, were principally assembled around

and in front of the large building we have described as

being without, yet adjacent to, the fort. These warriors

might have been about a thousand in number, and amused

themselves variously--(the younger at least)--with

leaping--wrestling--ball playing-and the foot race--in

all which exercises they are unrivalled. The elders bore

no part in these amusements, but stood, or sat cross

legged, on the edge of the bank, smoking their pipes,

and expressing their approbation of the prowess or

dexterity of the victors in the games, by guttural, yet

rapidly uttered exclamations. Mingled with these were

some six or seven individuals, whose glittering costume

of scarlet announced them for officers of the garrison,

and elsewhere dispersed, some along the banks and crowding

the battery in front of the fort, or immediately around

the building, yet quite apart from their officers, were

a numerous body of the inferior soldiery.

But although these distinct parties were assembled, to

all appearance, with a view, the one to perform in, the

other to witness, the active sports we have enumerated,

a close observer of the movements of all would hare

perceived there was something more important in

contemplation, to the enactment of which these exercises

were but a prelude. Both officers, and men, and even the

participators in the sports, turned their gaze frequently

up the Detroit, as if they expected some important

approach. The broad reach of the wide river, affording

an undisturbed view, as we have stated, for a distance

of some nine or ten miles, where commenced the near

extremity of Turkey Island, presented nothing, however,

as yet, to their gate, and repeatedly were the telescopes

of the officers raised only to fall in disappointment

from the eye. At length a number of small dark specks

were seen studding the tranquil bosom of the river, as

they emerged rapidly, one after the other, from the cover

of the island. The communication was made, by him who

first discovered them, to his companions. The elder

Indians who sat near the spot on which the officers stood,

were made acquainted with what even their own sharp sight

could not distinguish unaided by the glass. One sprang

to his feet, raised the telescope to his eye, and with

an exclamation of wonder at the strange properties of

the instrument, confirmed to his followers the truth of

the statement. The elders, principally chiefs, spoke in

various tongues to their respective warriors. The sports

were abandoned, and all crowded to the bank with anxiety

and interest depicted in their attitudes and demeanor.

Meanwhile, the dark specks upon the water increased

momentarily in size. Presently they could be distinguished

for canoes, which, rapidly impelled, and aided in their

course by the swift current, were not long in developing

themselves to the naked eye. These canoes, about fifty

in number, were of bark, and of so light a description,

that a man of ordinary strength might, without undergoing

serious fatigue, carry one for miles. The warriors who

now propelled them, were naked in all save their leggings

and waist cloths, their bodies and faces begrimed with

paint: and as they drew neater, fifteen was observed to

be the complement of each. They sat by twos on the narrow

thwarts; and, with their faces to the prow, dipped their

paddles simultaneously into the stream, with a regularity

of movement not to be surpassed by the most experienced

boat's crew of Europe. In the stern of each sat a chief

guiding his bark, with the same unpretending but skilful

and efficient paddle, and behind him, drooping in the

breezeless air, and trailing in the silvery tide, was to

be seen a long pendant, bearing the red cross of England.

It was a novel and beautiful sight to behold that imposing

fleet of canoes, apparently so frail in texture that the

dropping of a pebble between the skeleton ribs might be

deemed sufficient to perforate and sink them, yet withal

so ingeniously contrived as to bear safely not only the

warriors who formed their crews, hut also their arms of

all descriptions, and such light equipment of raiment

and necessaries as were indispensable to men who had to

voyage long and far in pursuit of the goal they were now

rapidly attaining. The Indians already encamped near the

fort, were warriors of nations long rendered familiar by

personal intercourse, not only with the inhabitants of

the district, but with the troops themselves; and these,

from frequent association with the whites, had lost much

of that fierceness which is so characteristic of the

North American Indian in his ruder state. Among these,

with the more intelligent Hurons, were the remnants of

those very tribes of Shawanees and Delawares whom we have

recorded to have borne, half a century ago, so prominent

a share in the confederacy against England, but who,

after the termination of that disastrous war, had so far

abandoned their wild hostility, as to have settled in

various points of contiguity to the forts to which they,

periodically, repaired to receive those presents which

a judicious policy so profusely bestowed.

The reinforcement just arriving was composed principally

of warriors who had never yet pressed a soil wherein

civilization had extended her influence--men who had

never hitherto beheld the face of a white, unless it were

that of the Canadian trader, who, at stated periods,

penetrated fearlessly into their wilds for purposes of

traffic, and who to the bronzed cheek that exposure had

rendered nearly as swarthy as their own, united not only

the language but so wholly the dress--or rather the

undress of those he visited, that he might easily have

been confounded with one of their own dark blooded race.

So remote, indeed, were the regions in which some of

these warriors had been sought, that they were strangers

to the existence of more than one of their tribes, and

upon these they gazed with a surprise only inferior to

what they manifested, when, for the first time, they

marked the accoutrements of the British soldier, and

turned with secret, but unacknowledged awe and admiration

upon the frowning fort and stately shipping, bristling

with cannon, and vomiting forth sheets of flame as they

approached the shore. In these might have been studied

the natural dignity of man. Firm of step--proud of

mien--haughty yet penetrating of look, each leader offered

in his own person a model to the sculptor, which he might

vainly seek elsewhere. Free and unfettered in every limb,

they moved in the majesty of nature, and with an air of

dark reserve, passed, on landing, through the admiring

crowd.

There was one of the number, however, and his canoe was

decorated with a richer and a larger flag, whose costume

was that of the more civilized Indians, and who in

nobleness of deportment, even surpassed those we have

last named. This was Tecumseh. He was not of the race

of either of the parties who now accompanied him, but of

one of the nations, many of whose warriors were assembled

on the bank awaiting his arrival. As the head chief of

the Indians, his authority was acknowledged by all, even

to the remotest of these wild but interesting people,

and the result of the exercise of his all-powerful

influence had been the gathering together of those

warriors, whom he had personally hastened to collect from

the extreme west, passing in his course, and with impunity,

the several American posts that lay in their way. In

order more fully to comprehend the motives and character

of this remarkable man, it may not be impertinent to

recur summarily to events that took place prior to the

declaration of war by the United States against England.

It being a well established--and even by themselves

uncontradicted--fact, we can have no hesitation in stating

(what we trust no American will conceive to be stated in

illiberality of spirit, since such feeling we utterly

disclaim) that the government of the United States, bent

on the final acquisition of all the more proximate

possessions of the Indians, had for many consecutive

years, waged a war of extermination against these

unfortunate people, and more especially those residing

on the Wabash, to which the eye of interest or preference,

or both, had directed a jealous attention. For a series

of years the aggression had been prosecuted with fearful

issue to the Indians, when, at length, one of those daring

spirits, that appear like meteors, few and far between,

in the horizon of glory and intelligence, suddenly started

up in the person of Tecumseh, who, possessed of a genius,

as splendid in conception, as it was bold in execution,

long continued to baffle the plans and defeat the measures

of his most experienced enemies. Whether the warrior owed

his original influence, or rather the opportunity for

development of his extraordinary talents, both diplomatic

and warlike, to the fact of his being the brother of the

Prophet--a similar, and rather mean looking person, whom

a deep reading of the prejudices of his followers had

bound to him in an enthusiasm of superstitious credence

--whether, we repeat, Tecumseh owed his elevation to this

circumstance in part, or wholly to his own merit, it is

difficult to determine with certainty, but it is matter

of history, that plausible and powerful as the Prophet

had rendered himself, his more open and generous brother,

while despising in his heart the mummeries practised by

his wily relative, was not long in supplanting him in

the affections, as he rapidly superseded him in authority

and influence, over his people--All looked up to him as

the defender and saviour of their race, and so well did

he merit the confidence reposed in him, that it was not

long after his first appearance as a leader in the

war-path, that the Americans were made sensible, by

repeated defeat, of the formidable character of the chief

who had thrown himself into the breach of his nation's

tottering fortunes, resolved rather to perish on the spot

on which he stood, than to retire one foot from the home

of their forefathers. What self-ennobling actions the

warrior performed, and what talent he displayed during

that warfare, the page of American history must tell.

With the spirit to struggle against, and the subsequent

good fortune to worst the Americans in many conflicts,

these latter, although beaten, have not been wanting in

generosity to admire their formidable enemy while living,

neither have they failed to venerate his memory when

dead. If they have helped to bind the laurel around his

living brow, they have not been the less willing to weave

the cypress that encircles his memory.

In almost every encounter with them, Tecumseh was more

or less successful; but, like the conqueror of other

days, he might have exclaimed, "another such victory and

I am lost." Weakened in a constant succession of

engagements, the Indians, and the Shawnees in particular,

now presented but a skeleton of their former selves,

while the Americans, on the contrary, with an

indefatigability that would have done credit to a better

cause, kept pouring in fresh forces to the frontier,

until, in the end, opposition to their purpose seemed

almost hopeless. It is doubtful, however, what would have

been the final result of a contest against a warrior of

such acknowledged ability and resource as Tecumseh, had

it not unfortunately happened that the Americans, taking

advantage of the performance of some of those mummeries

by which the Prophet still sought to uphold his fast

declining power, managed to surprise the Shawanee encampment

in the dead of night, when, favoured by circumstances,

they committed fearful havoc, nearly annihilating their

enemies.

Finding every effort to preserve his situation on the

Wabash unavailing, Tecumseh, accompanied by the remnant

of his followers, fell back on the Ohio, Miami, and

Detroit, where his first object was to enter into a

treaty, offensive and defensive, with the formidable

nations of the Delawares, Hurons, etc. An alliance with

the English, then momentarily apprehending a rupture with

the United States, was, moreover renewed, and then with

the hope strong at his heart of combating his enemies

once more, with success, he had with exulting spirit and

bounding step, set out to win to the common interest,

the more distant tribes of the Sioux, Minouminies,

Winnebagoes, Kickapoos, etc., of whom he had secured the

services of the warriors just arrived.

It was amidst the blaze of an united salvo from the demi

lune crowning the bank, and from the shipping, that the

noble chieftain, accompanied by the leaders of those wild

tribes, leaped lightly, yet proudly to the beach; and

having ascended the steep bank by a flight of rude steps

cut out of the earth, finally stood amid the party of

officers waiting to receive them. It would not a little

have surprised a Bond street exquisite of that day to

have witnessed the cordiality with which the dark hand

of the savage was successively pressed in the fairer

palms of the English officers, neither would his

astonishment have been abated, on remarking the proud

dignity of carriage maintained by the former, in this

exchange of courtesy, as though, while he joined heart

to hand wherever the latter fell, he seemed rather to

bestow than to receive a condescension.

Had none of those officers ever previously beheld him,

the fame of his heroic deeds had gone sufficiently before

the warrior to have insured him their warmest greeting

and approbation, and none could mistake a form that, even

amid those who were a password for native majesty, stood

alone in its bearing: but Tecumseh was a stranger to few.

Since his defeat on the Wabash he had been much at

Amherstburg, where he had rendered himself conspicuous

by one or two animated and highly eloquent speeches,

having for their object the consolidation of a treaty,

in which the Indian interests were subsequently bound in

close union with those of England; and, up to the moment

of his recent expedition, had cultivated the most perfect

understanding with the English chiefs.

It might, however, be seen that even while pleasure and

satisfaction at a reunion with those he in torn esteemed,

flashed from his dark and eager eye, there was still

lurking about his manner that secret jealousy of

distinction, which is so characteristic of the haughty

Indian. After the first warm salutations had passed, he

became sensible of the absence of the English chief; but

this was expressed rather by a certain outswelling of

his chest, and the searching glance of his restless eye,

than by any words that fell from his lips. Presently,

he whom he sought, and whose person had hitherto been

concealed by the battery on the hank, was seen advancing

towards him, accompanied by his personal staff. In a

moment the shade passed away from the brow of the warrior,

and warmly grasping and pressing, for the second time,

the hand of a youth--one of the group of junior officers

among whom he yet stood, and who had manifested even more

than his companions the unbounded pleasure he took in

the chieftain's re-appearance--he moved forward, with an

ardour of manner that was with difficulty restrained by

his sense of dignity, to give them the meeting.

The first of the advancing party was a tall, martial

looking man, wearing the dress and insignia of a general

officer. His rather florid countenance was eminently

fine, if not handsome, offering, in its more Roman than

Grecian contour, a model of quiet, manly beauty; while

the eye, beaming with intelligence and candour, gave, in

the occasional flashes which it emitted, indication of

a mind of no common order. There was, notwithstanding,

a benevolence of expression about it that blended (in a

manner to excite attention) with a dignity of deportment,

as much the result of habitual self command, as of the

proud eminence of distinction on which he stood. The

sedative character of middle age, added to long acquired

military habits, had given a certain rigidity to his fine

form, that might have made him appear to a first observer

even older than he was, but the placidity of a countenance

beaming good will and affability, speedily removed the

impression, and, if the portly figure added to his years,

the unfurrowed countenance took from them in equal

proportion.

At his side, hanging on his arm and habited in naval

uniform, appeared one who, from his familiarity of address

with the General, not less than by certain appropriate

badges of distinction, might be known as the commander

of the little fleet then lying in the harbour. Shorter

in person than his companion, his frame made up in activity

what it wanted in height, and there was that easy freedom

in his movements which so usually distinguishes the

carriage of the sailor, and which now offered a remarkable

contrast to that rigidity we have stated to have attached

(quite unaffectedly) to the military commander. His eyes,

of a much darker hue, sparkled with a livelier intelligence,

and although his complexion was also highly florid, if

was softened down by the general vivacity of expression

that pervaded his frank and smiling countenance. The

features, regular and still youthful, wore a bland and

pleasing character; while neither, in look, nor bearing,

nor word could there be traced any of that haughty reserve

usually ascribed to the "lords of the sea." There needed

no other herald to proclaim him for one who had already

seen honorable service, than the mutilated stump of what

had once been an arm: yet in this there was no boastful

display, as of one who deemed he had a right to tread

more proudly because he had chanced to suffer, where all

had been equally exposed, in the performance of a common

duty. The empty sleeve, unostentatiously fastened by a

loop from the wrist to a button of the lappel was suffered

to fall at his side, and by no one was the deficiency

less remarked than by himself.

The greeting between Tecumseh and these officers, was

such as might be expected from warriors bound to each

other by mutual esteem. Each held the other in the highest

honor, but it was particularly remarked that while the

Indian Chieftain looked up to the General with the respect

he felt to be due to him, not merely as the dignified

representative of his "Great Father," but as one of a

heart and actions claiming his highest personal admiration,

his address to his companion, whom he now beheld for the

first time, was warmer, and more energetic; and as he

repeatedly glanced at the armless sleeve, he uttered one

of those quick ejaculatory exclamations, peculiar to his

race, and indicating, in this instance, the fullest extent

of approbation. The secret bond of sympathy which chained

his interest to the Commodore, might have owed its being

to another cause. In the countenance of the latter there

was much of that eagerness of expression, and in the eye

that vivacious fire, that flashed, even in repose, from

his own swarthier and more speaking features; and this

assimilation of character might have been the means of

producing that preference for, and devotedness to, the

cause of the naval commander, that subsequently developed

itself in the chieftain. In a word, the General seemed

to claim the admiration and the respect of the Indian--

the Commodore, his admiration and friendship.

The greeting between these generous leaders was brief.

When the first salutations had been interchanged, it was

intimated to Tecumseh, through the medium of an interpreter,

then in attendance on the General, that a war-council

had been ordered, for the purpose of taking into

consideration the best means of defeating the designs of

the Americans, who, with a view to offensive operations,

had, in the interval of the warrior's absence, pushed on

a considerable force to the frontier. The council,

however, had been delayed, in order that it might have

the benefit of his opinions, and of his experience in

the peculiar warfare which was about to be commenced.

Tecumseh acknowledged his sense of the communication with

the bold frankness of the inartificial son of nature,

scorning to conceal his just self-estimate beneath a veil

of affected modesty. He knew his own worth, and while he

over-valued not one iota of that worth, so did he not

affect to disclaim a consciousness of the fact--that

within his swarthy chest and active brain there beat a

heart and lived a judgment, as prompt to conceive and

execute as those of the proudest he that ever swayed the

destinies of a warlike people. Replying to the

complimentary invitation of the General, he unhesitatingly

said he had done well to await his (Tecumseh's) arrival,

before he determined on his course of action, and that

he should now have the full benefit of his opinions and

advice.

If the chief had been forcibly prepossessed in favour of

the naval commander, the latter had not been less

interested. Since his recent arrival, to assume the

direction of the fleet, Commodore Barclay had had

opportunities of seeing such of the chiefs as were then

assembled at Amherstburg; but great as had been his

admiration of several of these, he had been given to

understand they fell far short, in every moral and physical

advantage, of what their renowned leader would be found

to possess, when, on his return from the expedition in

which he was engaged, fitting opportunity should be had

of bringing them in personal proximity. This admission

was now made in the fullest sense, and as the warrior

moved away to give the greeting to the several chiefs,

and conduct them to the council hall, the gallant sailor

could not refrain from expressing, in the warmest terms

to General Brock, as they moved slowly forward with the

same intention, the enthusiastic admiration excited in

him by the person, the manner, and the bearing, of the

noble Tecumseh.

Again the cannon from the battery and the shipping pealed

forth their thunder. It was the signal for the commencement

of the council, and the scene at that moment was one of

the most picturesque that can well be imagined. The sky

was cloudless, and the river, no longer ruffled by the

now motionless barks of the recently arrived Indians,

yet obeying the action of the tide, offered, as it glided

onward to the lake, the image of a flood of quick-silver;

while, in the distance, that lake itself, smooth as a

mirror, spread far and wide. Close under the bank yet

lingered the canoes, emptied only of their helmsmen (the

chiefs of the several tribes,) while, with strange tongues

and wilder gestures, the warriors of these, as they rested

on their paddles, greeted the loud report of the cannon--

now watching with eager eye the flashes from the vessel's

sides, and now upturning their gaze, and following with

wild surprise, the deepening volumes of smoke that passed

immediately over their heads, from the guns of the battery,

hidden from their view by the elevated and overhanging

bank. Blended with each discharge arose the wild yell,

which they, in such a moment of novel excitement, felt

it impossible to control, and this, answered from the

Indians above and borne in echo almost to the American

shore, had in it something indescribably startling. On

the bank itself the effect was singularly picturesque.

Here were to be seen the bright uniforms of the British

officers, at the head of whom was the tall and martial

figure of General Brock, furthermore conspicuous from

the full and drooping feather that fell gracefully over

his military hat, mingled with the wilder and more fanciful

head dresses of the chiefs. Behind these again, and

sauntering at a pace that showed them to have no share

in the deliberative assembly, whither those we have just

named were now proceeding amid the roar of artillery,

yet mixed together in nearly as great dissimilarity of

garb, were to be seen numbers of the inferior warriors

and of the soldiery, while, in various directions, the

games recently abandoned by the adult Indians, were now

resumed by mere boys. The whole picture was one of strong

animation, contrasting as it did with the quiet of the

little post on the Island, where some twelve or fifteen

men, composing the strength of the detachment, were now

sitting or standing on the battery, crowned, as well as

the fort and shipping, and in compliment to the newly

arrived Indians, with the colours of England.

Such was the scene, varied only as the numerous actors

in it varied their movements, when the event occurred,

with which we commence our next chapter.

CHAPTER II.

Several hours had passed away in the interesting discussion

of their war plans, and the council was nearly concluded,

when suddenly the attention both of the officers and

chiefs was arrested by the report of a single cannon.

From the direction of the sound, it was evident the shot

had been fired from the battery placed on the southern

or lakeward extremity of the Island of Bois Blanc, and

as the circumstance was unusual enough to indicate the

existence of some approaching cause for excitement,

several of the younger of both, who, from their youth,

had been prevented from taking any active share in the

deliberations of the day, stole, successively and

unobservedly, through the large folding doors of the

building, which, owing to the great heat of the weather,

bad been left open. After traversing about fifty yards

of sward, intersecting the high road, which, running

parallel with the river, separated the council hall from

the elevated bank, the officers found, collected in groups

on the extreme verge of this latter and anxiously watching

certain movements in the battery opposite to them, most

of the troops and inferior Indians they had left loitering

there at the commencement of the council. Those movements

were hasty, and as of men preparing to repeat the shot,

the report of which had reached them from, the opposite

extremity of the Island. Presently the forms, hitherto

intermingled, became separate and stationary--an arm of

one was next extended--then was seen to rise a flash of

light, and then a volume of dense smoke, amid which the

loud report found its sullen way, bellowing like thunder

through some blackening cloud, while, from the peculiar

nature of the sound, it was recognized, by the experienced

in those matters, to have proceeded from a shotted gun.

The war in Canada had its beginning in the manner thus

described. They were the first shots fired in that

struggle, and although at an object little calculated to

inspire ranch alarm, still, as the first indications of

an active hostility, they were proportionably exciting

to those whose lot it was thus to "break ground," for

operations on a larger scale.

Although many an eager chief had found it difficult to

repress the strong feeling of mingled curiosity and

excitement, that half raised him from the floor on which

he sat, the first shot had been heard without the effect

of actually disturbing the assembly from its fair propriety;

but no sooner had the second report, accompanied as it

was by the wild yell of their followers without, reached

their ears, than, wholly losing sight of the dignity

attached to their position as councillors, they sprang

wildly up, and seizing the weapons that lay at their

side, rushed confusedly forth, leaving Tecumseh, and two

or three only of the more aged chiefs, behind them. The

debate thus interrupted, the council was adjourned, and

soon afterwards General Brock, accompanied by his staff,

and conversing, through his interpreter, with the Shawanee

chieftain as they walked, approached the groups still

crowded along the bank of the river.

Meanwhile, after the discharge of the last gun, the

battery on the Island had been quitted by the officer in

command, who, descending to the beach, preceded by two

of his men, stepped into a light skiff that lay chained

to the gnarled root of a tree overhanging the current,

and close under the battery. A few sturdy strokes of the

oars soon brought the boat into the centre of the stream,

when the stout, broad built, figure, and carbuncled face

of an officer in the uniform of the ---- regiment, were

successively recognised, as he stood upright in the stem.

"What the deuce brings Tom Raymond to us in such a hurry?

I thought the order of the General was that he should on

no account leave his post, unless summoned by signal,"

observed one of the group of younger officers who had

first quitted the council hall, and who now waited with

interest for the landing of their companion.

"What brings him here, can you ask?" replied one at the

side of the questioner, and with a solemnity of tone and

manner that caused the whole of the group to torn their

eyes upon him, as he mournfully shook his head.

"Aye, WHAT brings him here?" repeated more than one voice,

while all closed inquiringly around for information.

"Why, the thing is as clear as the carbuncles on his own

face--the boat to be sure. "And the truism was perpetrated

with the same provokingly ludicrous, yet evidently forced,

gravity of tone and manner.

"Execrable, Middlemore--will you never give over that

vile habit of punning?"

"Detestable," said another.

"Ridiculous," repeated a third.

"Pshaw, the worst you ever uttered, "exclaimed a fourth,

and each, as he thus expressed himself, turned away with

a movement of impatience.

"That animal, Raymond, grows like a very porpoise,"

remarked a young captain, who prided himself much on the

excessive smallness of his waist. "Methinks that, like

the ground hogs that abound on his Island, he must fatten

on hickory nuts. Only see how the man melts in the noon-day

sun. But as you say, Villiers, what can bring him here

without an order from the General? And then the gun last

fired. Ha! I have it. He has discovered a Yankee boat

stealing along through the other channel."

"No doubt there is CRAFT of some description IN THE WIND,"

pursued the incorrigible Middlemore, with the same affected

unconsciousness; "and that may account for poor Raymond

being BLOWN here."

"Ha! severe, are you," returned Captain Molineux, the

Officer who had commented so freely upon the appearance

of the fat Lieutenant in the boat." But your pun, infamous

as it would be at the best, is utterly without point now,

for there has not been a breath of wind stirring during

the whole morning."

"Pun, did you say?" exclaimed Middlemore, with well affected

surprise at the charge." My dear fellow, I meant no pun."

Further remark was checked by an impatience to learn the

cause of Lieutenant Raymond's abrupt appearance, and the

officers approached the principal group. The former had

now reached the shore, and, shuffling up the bank as fast

as his own corpulency and the abruptness of the ascent

would permit, hastened to the General, who stood at some

little distance awaiting the expected communication of

the messenger.

"Well, Mr. Raymond, what is it--what have you discovered

from your post?" demanded the General, who, with those

around him, found difficulty in repressing a smile at

the heated appearance of the fat subaltern, the loud

puffing of whose lungs had been audible before he himself

drew near enough to address the chief--"something important,

I should imagine, if we may judge from the haste with

which you appear to have travelled over the short distance

that separates us?"

"Something very important, indeed, General," answered

the officer, touching his undress cap, and speaking

huskily from exertion; "there is a large bark, sir, filled

with men, stealing along shore in the American channel,

and I can see nothing of the gun boat that should be

stationed there. A shot was fired from the eastern battery,

in the hope of bringing her to, but, as the guns mounted

there are only carronades, the ball fell short, and the

suspicious looking boat crept still closer to the shore--

I ordered a shot from my battery to be tried, but without

success, for, although within range, the boat hugs the

land so closely that it is impossible to distinguish her

hull with the naked eye."

"The gun boat not to be seen, Mr. Raymond?" exclaimed

the General; "how is this, and who is the officer in

command of her?"

"One," quickly rejoined the Commodore, to whom the last

query was addressed; "whom I had selected for that duty

for the very vigilance and desire for service attributed

to him by my predecessor--of course I have not been long

enough here, to have much personal knowledge of him

myself."

"His name?" asked the General.

"Lieutenant Grantham."

"Grantham?" repeated the General, with a movement of

surprise; "It is indeed strange that HE should forego

such an opportunity."

"Still more strange," remarked the Commodore, "that the

boat he commands should have disappeared altogether. Can

there be any question of his fidelity? the Granthams are

Canadians, I understand."

The General smiled, while the young officer who had been

noticed so particularly by Tecumseh on his landing,

colored deeply.

"If," said the former, "the mere circumstance of their

having received existence amid these wilds can make them

Canadians, they certainly are Canadians; but if the blood

of a proud race can make them Britons, such they are. Be

they which they may however, I would stake my life on

the fidelity of the Granthams--still, the cause of this

young officer's absence must be inquired into, and no

doubt it will be satisfactorily explained. Meanwhile,

let a second gunboat be detached in pursuit."

The Commodore having given the necessary instructions to

a young midshipman, who attended him in the capacity of

an aid-de-camp, and the general having dismissed Lieutenant

Raymond back to his post on the island, these officers

detached themselves from the, crowd, and, while awaiting

the execution of the order, engaged in earnest conversation.

"By Jove, the Commodore is quite right in his observation,"

remarked the young and affected looking officer, who had

been to profuse in his witticisms on the corpulency of

Lieutenant Raymond; "the General may say what he will in

their favour, but this is the result of entrusting so

important a command to a Canadian."

"What do you mean, sir?" hastily demanded one even younger

than himself--it was the youth already named, whose

uniform attested him to be a brother officer of the

speaker. He had been absent for a few minutes, and only

now rejoined his companions, in time to hear the remark

which had just been uttered.

"What do you mean, Captain Molineux?" he continued, his

dark eye flashing indignation, and his downy cheek

crimsoning with warmth. "Why this remark before me, sir,

and wherefore this reflection on the Canadians?"

"Why really, Mr. Grantham," somewhat sententiously drawled

the captain; "I do not altogether understand your right

to question in this tone--nor am I accountable for any

observations I may make. Let me tell you, moreover--"

this was said with the advising air of a superior in

rank--"that it will neither be wise not prudent in you,

having been received into a British regiment, to become

the Don Quixotte of your countrymen."

"RECEIVED into a British regiment, sir! do you then

imagine that I, more than yourself, should feel this to

be a distinction," haughtily returned the indignant youth.

"But, gentlemen, your pardon," checking himself and

glancing at the rest of the group, who were silent

witnesses of the scene; "I confess I do feel the distinction

of being admitted into so gallant a corps--this in a way,

however, that must be common to us all. Again I ask,

Captain Molineux," turning to that officer, "the tendency

of the observation you have publicly made in regard to

my brother."

"Your question, Mr. Grantham, might, with as much propriety,

be addressed to any other person in the full enjoyment

of his senses, whom you see here, since it is the general

topic of conversation; but, as you seem to require an

answer from me particularly, you shall have it. My remark

referred to the absence of the officer in charge of the

gun boat, from the station allotted to him, at a moment

when an ARMED vessel of the enemy is in sight. Is this

the fact, or is it not?"

"By which remark," returned the other, "you would imply

that officer is either guilty of gross neglect or--"

"I draw no inferences, Mr. Grantham, but, even if I did,

I should be more borne out by circumstances than you

imagine."

"It is plain you would insinuate that my brother shuns

the enemy, Captain Molineux--You shall answer to me for

this insult, sir."

"As you please, Mr. Grantham, but on one condition only."

"Name it, sir, name it," said the younger officer quickly.

"That it is satisfactorily proved your brother has NOT

shunned the enemy."

Bitter feelings swelled the heart of the enthusiastic

Grantham, as, unconsciously touching the hilt of his

sword, he replied: "If your hope of avoidance rest on

this, sir, it will be found to hang upon a very thread

indeed."

The attention of the group where this unpleasant scene

had occurred, and indeed of all parties, was now diverted

by the sudden appearance of the American boat, as, shooting

past the head of the Island, which had hitherto concealed

her from the view of the assembled crowds, her spars and

white sails became visible in the far distance. A slight

and favorable breeze, blowing off the shore which she

still closely hugged, had now apparently sprung up, and,

spreading all her canvass, she was evidently making every

effort to get beyond the reach of the battery, (whither

Lieutenant Raymond had returned) under whose range she

was unavoidably impelled by the very wind that favored

her advance. Owing to some temporary difficulty, the gun

boat, just ordered by the Commodore to follow in pursuit,

was longer than suited the emergency in getting under

way, and when she had succeeded in so doing, nearly half

an hour elapsed, before, owing to the utter absence of

wind (which was partial and wholly confined to the opposite

shore) as well as the rapidity of the current, she could

be brought by the aid of her long and cumbrous sweeps to

clear the head of the Island. The American, now discovered

to be full of troops, had by this time succeeded in

getting out of the range of a fire, which although well

directed had proved harmless, and, using every exertion

of oar and sail, bade fair, favored as she was by the

breeze which reached not the canvass of her enemy, to

effect her escape.

Concern sat on every brow, and was variously expressed--

loud yells marking the fierce disappointment of the

Indians, and undisguised murmurs that of the more

disciplined troops. Coupled with this feeling, among

the officers at least, naturally arose the recollection

of him to whose apparent neglect this escape of the enemy

was to be attributed, until at length the conduct of

Lieutenant Grantham was canvassed generally, and with a

freedom little inferior to that which, falling from the

lips of Captain Molineux, had so pained his sensitive

brother; with this difference, however, that, in this

instance they were the candidly expressed opinions of

men arraigning the conduct of one of their fellows

apparently guilty of a gross dereliction from duty, and

not, as in the former they had seemed to be, with any

ungenerous allusion to his fidelity.

Warmly, and therefore audibly, commented on as was the

unaccountable absence of the officer, by individuals of

almost every rank, it was impossible that many of those

observations could escape the attention of the excited

Henry Grantham. Mortified beyond measure at the fact,

yet unable, as be had done before, to stand forth the

champion of his brother's honor, where all (with a very

few exceptions, among whom he had the consolation to find

the General) were united in opinion against him, his

situation was most painful. Not that he entertained the

remotest doubt of his brother bearing himself harmlessly

through the ordeal, but that his generous, yet haughty

spirit, could ill endure the thought of any human being

daring to cherish, much less to cast the slightest

aspersion on his blood.

Finding it vain to oppose himself to the torrent of openly

expressed opinion, the mortified youth withdrew to a

distance, and, hastening among the rude tumuli we have

described, as being scattered about the edge of the bank,

stood watching, with folded arms and heaving chest, the

gradually receding bark of the enemy. Alternately, as he

thus gazed, his dark eye now flashed with the indignation

of wounded pride, now dilated with the exulting

consciousness of cooling triumph. The assurance was strong

within him, not only that his brother would soon make

his appearance before the assembled groups who had had

the cruelty to impugn his conduct, but that he would do

so under circumstances calculated to change their warm

censure into even more vehement applause. Fully impressed

with the integrity of his absent relative, the impetuous

and generous hearted youth paused not to reflect that

circumstances were such as to justify the belief--or at

least, the doubt--that had been expressed, even by the

most impartial of those who had condemned him. It seemed

to him that others ought to have known and judged him as

he himself did, and he took a secret delight in dwelling

on the self-reproach which (measuring the feelings of

others by the standard of his own,) he conceived would

attach to them, when it should be found how erroneous

had been the estimate formed of his character.

While he thus gazed, with eyes intently bent upon the

river, and manifesting even a deeper interest as the

fleeing bark drew momentarily nearer to one particular

point in the distance, the young officer heard footsteps

approaching him. Hastily dashing away a tear which had

been called up by a variety of emotions, he tamed and

beheld the Chieftain Tecumseh, and with him one, who, in

the full uniform of the British Staff, united, in his

tall and portly figure, the martial bearing of the soldier

to the more polished graces of the habitual courtier.

"Henry, my noble boy," exclaimed the latter, as he pressed

the hand of the youth, "you must not yield to these

feelings. I have marked your impatience at the observations

caused by Gerald's strange absence, but I have brought

you one who is too partial to you both, to join in the

condemnation. I have explained every thing to him, and

he it was who, remarking you to be alone and suspecting

the cause, first proposed coming to rouse you from your

reverie."

Affectionately answering the grasp of his noble looking

uncle, (such was the consanguinity of the parties,) Henry

Grantham turned at the same time his eloquent eye upon

that of the chieftain, and, in a few brief but expressive

sentences, conveyed, in the language of the Warrior,

(with which the brothers were partially conversant), the

gratification he experienced in his unchanged confidence

in the absent officer.

As he concluded, with a warmth of manner that delighted

him to whom he addressed himself, their hands met for

the third time that day. Tecumseh at length replied, by

pointing significantly to the canoes which still lay

floating on the river, unemptied of their warriors,

staling at the same time, that had not his confidence in

his young friend been unbounded, he would long since have

dispatched those canoes in pursuit; but he was unwilling

the officer should lose any of the credit that must attach

to the capture. "I know," he concluded, "where he is

lying like the red skin in ambush for his enemy. Be

patient, and we shall soon see him."

Before Henry Grantham could find time to inquire if the

place of ambush was not the same to which his own hopes,

induced by his perfect knowledge of localities, had,

throughout, pointed as the spot most likely to conceal

the hitherto invisible gun boat, his attention, and that

of his immediate companion, was drawn to a scene that

carried a glow of exaltation to the bosoms of them all.

The American boat, long since out of range of the battery,

and scudding with a speed that mocked the useless exertion

of those on board of the second gun boat, who could with

difficulty impel her through the powerful eddy, formed

by the Island, had been gradually edging from her own

shore into the centre of the stream. This movement,

however, had the effect of rendering her more

distinguishable to the eye, breasting, as she did, the

rapid stream, than while hugging the land, even when much

nearer, she had been confounded with the dark outline of

brushwood which connected the forest with the shore. She

had now arrived opposite a neck of land beyond which ran

a narrow, deep creek, the existence of which was known

only to few, and here it chanced that in the exultation

of escape, (for they were not slow to perceive the

difficulties opposed to the progress of their pursuer,)

they gave a cheer that was echoed back from either shore,

hoisting at the same moment the American colours. Scarcely,

however, had this cheer been uttered, when a second and

more animating, was heard from a different point, and

presently, dashing into the river, and apparently issuing

from the very heart of the wood, was to be seen the gun

boat which had been the subject of so much conversation,

every stitch of her white canvass bellying from the masts,

and her dark prow buried in a wreath of foam created by

her own speed. As she neared the American, a column of

smoke, followed a second or two later, by a dull report,

rose from her bows, enveloping her a moment from the

view, and when next visible she was rapidly gaining on

the chase. The yells of the Indians, and the hurrahs of

the soldiers gave an indescribable animation to the scene.

This was, indeed, a moment of proud triumph to the heart

of Henry Grantham. He saw his brother not only freed from

every ungenerous imputation, but placed in a situation

to win to himself the first laurels that were to be

plucked in the approaching strife. The "Canadian" as he

imagined he had been superciliously termed, would be the

first to reap for Britain's sons the fruits of a war in

which those latter were not only the most prominent

actors, but also the most interested. Already in the

enthusiasm of his imagination, he pictured to himself

the honor and promotion, which bestowed upon his gallant

brother, would be reflected upon himself, and, in the

deep excitement of his feelings he could not avoid saying

aloud, heedless of the presence of his uncle:

"Now, Captain Molineux, your own difficulty is removed--my

brother has revenged himself. With me you will have an

account to settle on my own score."

"What do you mean, Henry?" seriously inquired Colonel

D'Egville; "surely you have not been imprudent enough to

engage in a quarrel with one of your brother officers."

Henry briefly recounted the conversation which had taken

place between Captain Molineux and himself.

"Far be it from my intention to check the nice sense of

honor which should be inherent in the breast of every

soldier," returned his uncle impressively, "but you are

too sensitive, Henry; Captain Molineux, who is, moreover,

a very young man, may not have expressed himself in the

most guarded manner, but he only repeated what I have

been compelled to hear myself--and from persons not only

older, but much higher in rank. Take my advice, therefore,

and let the matter rest where it is; Gerald, you see, has

given the most practical denial to any observations which

have been uttered of a nature derogatory to his honor."

"True," quickly returned the youth, with a flushing cheek,

"Gerald is sufficiently avenged, but you forget the taunt

he uttered against Canadians."

"And if he did utter such taunt, why acknowledge it as

such," calmly rejoined Colonel D'Egville, "are you ashamed

of the name? I too am a Canadian, but so far from

endeavoring to repudiate my country, I feel pride in

having received my being in a land where every thing

attests the sublimity and magnificence of nature. Look

around you, my nephew, and ask yourself what there in

the wild grandeur of these scenes to disown? But ha!" as

he cast his eyes upon the water; "I fear Gerald will lose

his prize after all--that cunning Yankee is giving him

the Indian double."

During the foregoing short conversation, an important

change had been effected in the position of the adverse

boats. The shot fired, apparently with the view of

bringing the enemy to, had produced no favorable result;

but no sooner had the gun boat come abreast with the

chase, than the latter, suddenly clewing up her sails,

put her helm about, and plying every oar with an exertion

proportioned to the emergency, made rapidly for the coast

she had recently left. The intention of the crew was,

evidently to abandon the unarmed boat, and to seek safety

in the woods. Urged by the rapidity of her own course,

the gun boat had shot considerably ahead, and when at

length she also was put about, the breeze blew so

immediately in her teeth that it was found impossible to

regain the advantage which had been lost. Meanwhile, the

American continued her flight, making directly for the

land, with a rapidity that promised fair to baffle every

exertion on the part of her pursuer. The moment was one

of intense interest to the crowd of spectators who lined

the bank. At each instant it was expected the fire of

the gun boat would open upon the fugitives; but although

this was obviously the course to be adopted, it being

apparent a single shot was sufficient to sink her, not

a flash was visible--not a report was heard. Presently,

however, while the disappointment of the spectators from

the bank was rising into murmurs, a skiff filled with

men was seen to pull from the gun boat in the direction

taken by the chase, which was speedily hidden from view

by the point of land from which the latter had previously

been observed to issue. Behind this, her pursuer, also

disappeared, and after the lapse of a few minutes pistol

and musket shots were distinguished, although they came

but faintly on the ear. These gradually became more

frequent and less distinct, until suddenly there was a

profound pause--then three cheers were faintly heard--and

all again was still.

CHAPTER III.

A full half hour had succeeded to these sounds of conflict,

and yet nothing could be seen of the contending boats.

Doubt and anxiety now took place of the confidence that

had hitherto animated the bosoms of the spectators, and

even Henry Grantham--his heart throbbing painfully with

emotions induced by suspense--knew not what inference to

draw from the fact of his brother's protracted absence.

Could it be that the American, defended as she was by a

force of armed men, had succeeded, not only in defeating

the aim of her pursuer, but also in capturing her? Such

a result was not impossible. The enemy against whom they

had to contend yielded to none in bravery; and as the

small bark which had quitted the gun boat was not one

third of the size of that which they pursued, it followed

of necessity, that the assailants must be infinitely

weaker in numbers than the assailed. Still no signal of

alarm was made by the gun boat, which continued to lie

to, apparently in expectation of the return of the detached

portion of her crew. Grantham knew enough of his brother's

character to feel satisfied that he was in the absent

boat, and yet it was impossible to suppose that one so

imbued with the spirit of generous enterprise should hare

succumbed to his enemy, after a contest of so short

duration, as, from the number of shots heard, this had

appeared to be. That it was terminated, there could be

no doubt. The cheers, which had been followed by an

universal silence, had given evidence of this fact; yet

why, in that case, if his brother had been victorious,

was he not already on his return? Appearances, on the

other hand, seemed to induce an impression of his defeat.

The obvious course of the enemy, if successful, was to

abandon their craft, cut off from escape by the gun boat

without, and to make the best of their way through the

woods, to their place of destination--the American fort

of Detroit,--and, as neither party was visible, it was

to be feared this object had been accomplished.

The minds of all were more or less influenced by these

doubts, bat that of Henry Grantham was especially disturbed.

From the first appearance of the gun boat, his spirits

had resumed their usual tone, for he had looked upon the

fleeing bark as the certain prize of his brother, whose

conquest was to afford the flattest denial to the

insinuation that had been breathed against him. Moreover,

his youthful pride bad exulted in the reflection that

the first halo of victory would play around the brow of

one for whom he could have made every personal sacrifice;

and now, to have those fair anticipations clouded at the

very moment when he was expecting their fullest

accomplishment, was almost unendurable. He felt, also,

that, although his resolution was thus made to stand

prominently forth, the prudence of his brother would

assuredly be called in question, for having given chase

with so inferior a force, when a single gun fired into

his enemy must have sunk her. In the impatience of his

feelings, the excited young soldier could not refrain

from adding his own censure of the imprudence, exclaiming

as he played hit foot nervously upon the ground: "Why

the devil did he not fire and sink her, instead of

following in that nutshell?"

While he was yet giving utterance to his disappointment,

a hasty exclamation met his ear, from the chieftain at

his side, who, placing one hand on the shoulder of the

officer with a familiar and meaning grasp, pointed, with

the forefinger of the other, in the direction in which

the boats had disappeared. Before Grantham's eye could

follow, an exulting yell from the distant masses of

Indians announced an advantage that was soon made obvious

to all. The small dark boat of the pursuing party was

now seen issuing from behind the point, and pulling slowly

towards the gun boat. In due course of a minute or two

afterwards appeared the American, evidently following in

the wake of the former, and attached by a tow line to

her stem. The yell pealed forth by the Indians, when the

second boat came in view, was deafening in the extreme;

and every thing became commotion along the bank, while

the little fleet of canoes, which still lay resting on

the beach, put off one after the other to the scene of

action.

Meanwhile, both objects had gained the side of the gun

boat, which, favored by a partial shifting of the wind,

now pursued her course down the river with expanded sails.

Attached to her stern, and following at quarter cable

distance, was to be seen her prize, from which the

prisoners had been removed, while above the American flag

was hoisted, in all the pride of a first conquest, the

Union-Jack of England.

Informed of the success which had crowned the enterprise

of their officer, the crews of the several vessels in

the harbour swelled the crowd assembled on the bank near

the fort, to which point curiosity and a feeling of

interest had moreover brought many of the town's people,

so that the scene finally became one of great animation.

The gun boat had now arrived opposite the fort, when the

small bark, which had recently been used in pursuit, was

again drawn up to the quarter. Into this, to the surprise

of all, was first lowered a female, hitherto unobserved;

next followed an officer in the blue uniform of the United

States regular army; then another individual, whose garb

announced him as being of the militia, and whose rank as

an officer was only distinguishable from the cockade

surmounting his round hat, and an ornamented dagger thrust

into a red morocco belt encircling his waist. After these

came the light and elegant form of one, habited in the

undress of a British naval officer, who, with one arm

supported by a black silk handkerchief, evidently taken

from his throat, and suspended from his neck, and with

the other grasping the tiller of the rudder, stood upright

in the boat, which, urged by six stout rowers, now flew

at his command towards the landing place, above which

lingered, surrounded by several officers of either service,

General Brock and Commodore Barclay.

"Well, Commodore, what think you of your Lieutenant now!"

observed the former to his friend; "the young Canadian,

you must admit, has nobly redeemed my pledge. On the

score of his fidelity there could exist no doubt, and as

for his courage, you see," pointing to the young man's

arm," his conquest has not been bloodless to himself, at

least."

"With all my soul do I disclaim the wrong I have done

him," was the emphatic and generous rejoinder." He is,

indeed, a spirited youth; and well worthy of the favorable

report which led me to entrust him with the command--

moreover he has an easy grace of carriage which pleased

and interested me in his favor, when first I saw him.

Even now, observe how courteously he bends himself to

the ear of his female prisoner, as if to encourage her

with words of assurance, that she may sustain the presence

and yells of these clamorous beings."

The boat had now reached the beach, but the difficulty

of effecting a passage, through the bands of wild Indians

that crowded, yelling, in every direction, to take a

nearer view of the prisoners, would, perhaps, have proved

insurmountable, had it not been for the interference of

one who alone possessed the secret of restraining their

lawlessness. Tecumseh had descended to the beach, eager

to be the first to congratulate his young friend. He

pressed the hand promptly extended to receive his, and

then, at a single word, made those give way whose presence

impeded the landing of the party.

Pursuing their way up the rude steps by which Lieutenant

Raymond had previously descended, the little band of

prisoners soon stood in the presence of the group assembled

to receive them. On alighting from the boat, the youthful

captor had been seen to make the tender of his uninjured

arm to the lady, who, however, had rejected it, with a

movement, seemingly of indignant surprise, clinging in the

same moment to her more elderly companion. A titter among

the younger officers, at Gerald Grantham's expense, had

followed this somewhat rode rejection of his proffered aim.

The young sailor was the first to gain the summit of the

bank. Respectfully touching his hat, and pointing to the

captives, who followed a few paces as in his rear:

"General--Commodore," he observed, his cheek flashing

with a consciousness of the gratifying position in which

he stood, "I have the honor to present to you the first

fruits of our good fortune. We hare taken thirty soldiers

of the American regular regiment, now in garrison at

Detroit, besides the boat's crew. This gentleman," pointing

to the elder officer, "is the commander of the party,

and the lady I believe is--"

"Certainly a non-combatant on this occasion," interrupted

the General, raising his plumed hat, and bowing to the

party alluded to; "Gentlemen," he pursued, addressing

the two officers," I am sorry we do not meet exactly on

the terms to which we hare so long been accustomed; but,

although the fortune of war has made you rather unwilling

guests in the present instance, the rites of hospitality

shall not be the less observed. But, Mr. Grantham, you

have forgotten to introduce these officers by name."

"I plead guilty, General, but the truth is I have neglected

to make the inquiry myself."

"Major Montgomerie, sir of the United States infantry,"

interposed the elderly officer, completely set at his

ease by the affable and attentive manner of the British

leader. "This young lady is my niece."

Again the general slightly, but courteously, bowed. "I

will not, Major Montgomerie, pay you the ill timed

compliment of expressing pleasure in seeing you on an

occasion like the present, since we must unquestionably

consider you a prisoner of war; but if the young lady

your niece, has any desire to continue her journey to

Detroit, I shall feel pleasure in forwarding her thither

under a flag of truce."

"I thank you much, General, for this mark of your

attention," returned the American;" but I think I may

venture to answer for my niece, that she will prefer

remaining with me."

"Not so, sir;" said a voice deep but femininely soft.

"General," she continued, throwing aside her veil, which

had hitherto concealed features pale even to wanness,"

I have the strongest--the most urgent reasons--for the

prosecution of my journey, and gladly do I accept your

offer."

The earnest manner of her address struck every hearer

with surprise, contrasting as it did, with the unchanging

coldness of her look; but the matter was a source of

serious concern to her uncle. He regarded her with an

air of astonishment, not unmixed with displeasure.

"How is this, Matilda," he asked; "after having travelled

thus far into the heart of this disturbed district would

you now leave me?"

"Major Montgomerie," she pursued, somewhat impatiently,

"we are in the presence of strangers, to whom this

discussion must be uninteresting--My mind is fully made

up, and I avail myself of the British General's offer."

"Certainly, certainly," observed that officer, somewhat

disconcerted by the scene; "and I can do it the more

readily, as it is my intention to send an instant summons

to the garrison of Detroit. Miss Montgomerie will, however,

do well to consider before she decides. If the summons

be not obeyed, another week will see our columns marching

to the assault, and she must be prepared for all the

horrors of such an extremity, aided, as I am compelled

to be, (and he glanced at the groups of Indians who were

standing around, but at some distance, looking silently

yet eagerly at the prisoners,) by these wild and

ungovernable warriors. Should she, on the contrary, decide

on remaining here with her uncle, she will be perfectly

safe."

"General," emphatically returned Miss Montgomerie, "were

I certain that the columns to which you allude would not

be repulsed whenever they may venture upon that assault,

and were I as certain of perishing beneath the tomahawk

and scalping knife of these savages"--and she looked

fearlessly towards them--"still would my determination

remain the same."

As she concluded a hectic spot rose to either cheek,

lingered there a moment, and then left it colorless as

before.

"Be it so, Miss Montgomerie, my word is pledged, and you

shall go--Grantham, I had intended sending one of my

personal staff with the summons, but, on reflection, you

shall be the bearer. As the captor of the lady, to you

should be awarded the charge of delivering her over to

her friends."

"Friends!" involuntarily repeated the fair American, her

cheek becoming even paler than before, and her lips

compressed in a way to indicate some deep and painful

emotion. Again she dropped her veil.

No other notice was taken of the interruption than what

the surprised manner of Major Montgomerie manifested,

and the General proceeded:

"I would ask you, Major Montgomerie, to become my guest,

while you remain with us, but fear that, as a bachelor,

I have but indifferent accomodation to offer to your

niece."

"If Miss Montgomerie will accept it," said Colonel

D'Egville, interposing, "I shall be most happy to afford

her the accomodation of a home until she finally departs

for the opposite coast. If the attention of a family of

daughters," he continued, more immediately addressing

himself to the young lady, "can render your temporary

sojourn among us less tedious, you have but to command

them."

So friendly an offer could not well be refused. Miss

Montgomerie inclined her head in acquiescence, and Colonel

D'Egville drew her arm within his own.

"It were unkind," remarked the General good humouredly,

"to separate Major Montgomerie altogether from his niece.

Either the young lady must partake of our rude fare, or

we shall consider ourselves included in your dinner party."

"You could not confer on me a greater pleasure, General--

and indeed I was about to solicit it. Commodore Barclay,

may I hope that so short and unceremonious an invitation

will be excused by the circumstances? Good--I shall expect

you. But there is yet another to be included among our

guests. Gerald, you will not fail to conduct this

gentleman, whose name I have not yet had the pleasure of

hearing"--and he looked at the latter, as if he expected

him to announce himself.

"I fear sir," observed the young officer pointedly, "that

your dinner party would be little honored by such an

addition. Although he wears the uniform of an American

officer, this person is wholly unworthy of a seat at your

table."

"Every eye was turned with an expression of deep

astonishment on the speaker, and thence upon the form of

the hitherto scarcely noticed militia officer; who, with

his head sunk sullenly upon his chest, and an eye now

and then raised stealthily to surrounding objects, made

no attempt to refute, or even to express surprise at,

the singular accusation of his captor.

"This is strong language to apply to a captive enemy,

and that enemy, apparently, an officer," gravely remarked

the General: "yet I cannot believe Mr. Grantham to be

wholly without grounds for his assertion."

Before Grantham could reply, a voice in the crowd exclaimed,

as if the utterer had been thrown off his guard, "what,

Phil!"

On the mention of this name, the American looked suddenly

up from the earth on which bit gaze had been rivetted,

and cast a rapid glance around him.

"Nay, nay, my young friend, do not, as I see you are,

feel hurt at my observation," resumed the General extending

his hand to Gerald Grantham; "I confess I did at one

moment imagine that you had been rash in your assertion,

but from what has this instant occurred, it is evident

your prisoner is known to others as well as to yourself--

No doubt we shall have every thing explained in due season.

By the bye, of what nature is your wound? Slight I should

say, from the indifference with which you treat it.

"Slight, General--far slighter," he continued, coloring,

"than the wound that was sought to be affixed to my fair

name in absence."

All looked at the speaker, and at each other with surprise,

for, as yet, there could have been no communication to

him of the doubts which had been entertained.

"Who is it of you all, gentlemen," pursued the young man,

with the same composedness of voice and manner, and

turning particularly to the officers of the ---- Regiment,

who were grouped around their Chief; "Who is it, I ask,

on whom has devolved the enviable duty of reporting me

as capable of violating my faith as a subject, and my

honor as an officer?"

There was no reply, although the same looks of surprise

were interchanged; but, as he continued to glance his

eye around the circle, it encountered, either by accident

or design, that of Captain Molineux, on whose rather

confused countenance the gaze of Henry Grantham was at

that moment bent with an expression of much meaning.

"No one answers," continued the youth; "then the sting

has been harmless. But I crave your pardon, General--I

am claiming an exemption from censure which may not be

conceded by all. Commodore, how shall I dispose of my

prisoners?"

"Not so, Mr. Grantham; you have sufficiently established

your right to repose, and I have already issued the

necessary instructions. Yet, while you have nobly acquitted

yourself of YOUR duty, let me also perform mine. Gentlemen,"

he continued, addressing the large circle of officers,

"I was the first to comment on Mr. Grantham's supposed

neglect of duty, and to cast a doubt on his fidelity.

That I was wrong I admit, but right I trust will be my

reparation, and whatever momentary pain he may experience

in knowing that he has been thus unjustly judged, it will

I am sure be more than compensated for, when he hears

that by General Brock himself his defence was undertaken,

even to the pledging of his own honor--Mr. Grantham,"

concluded the gallant officer, "how you have obtained

your knowledge of the conversation that passed here,

during your absence, is a mystery I will not now pause

to inquire into, but I would fain apologize for the wrong

I have done. Have I your pardon?"

At the commencement of this address, the visible heaving

of his full chest, the curling of his proud lip, and the

burning flush of his dark cheek, betrayed the mortification

Gerald felt, in having been placed in a position to be

judged thus unjustly; but, as the Commodore proceeded,

this feeling gradually passed away, and when the warm

defence of his conduct, by the General, was alluded to,

closed as the information was with a request for pardon,

his temporary annoyance was banished, and he experienced

only the generous triumph of one who is conscious of

having won his way, through calumny and slander, to the

well merited approbation of all right minded men.

"Come, come," interposed the General, more touched than

he was willing to appear by the expressive manner in

which the only hand of the Commodore now grasped that of

his Lieutenant, and perceiving that the latter was about

to reply; "We will defer all further explanation until

a later period. But, before we depart, this person must

be disposed of--Major Montgomerie, excuse my asking if

you will be personally responsible for your fellow

prisoner?"

"Certainly not," returned the Major quickly, and with

something like alarm at the required responsibility;

"that is to say, he does not belong to the United States

regular service, and I know nothing of him. Indeed, I

never saw him before last night, when he joined me with

a verbal message from Detroit."

Hitherto the individual spoken of had preserved an unbroken

silence, keeping, as we have already shown, his gaze

rivetted on the ground, except at intervals when he seemed

to look around,--with an eye of suspicion, as if to

measure the distance that separated him from the groups

of Indians in the background. The disclaimer of the Major

had, however, the effect of restoring to him the use of

his tongue. Casting his uncertain eye on the gentlemanly

person of the latter he exclaimed, in a tone of insufferable

vulgarity;

"I'll tell you what it is, Mister Major--you may think

yourself a devilish fine feller, but I guess as how an

officer of the Michigan Militia is just as good and as

spry as any blue coat in the United States rig'lars; so

there's that (snapping his fingers) for pretendin' not

to know me."

An ill suppressed titter pervaded the group of British

officers--the General alone preserving his serieux.

"May I ask your name?" he demanded.

"I guess, Giniril, it's Paul, Emilius, Theophilus, Arnoldi;

Ensign in the United States Michigan Militia," was answered

with a volubility strongly in contrast with the preceding

silence of the speaker.

"Then, Mr. Arnoldi, as an officer in the American Militia,

you shall enjoy your liberty on parole. I need not, I

presume, sir, point out to you the breach of private

honor and national faith consequent on any violation of

that parole."

"I guess not, Giniril, for, I take it, the word of a

Michigan Militia officer is as good as that of any United

States rig'lar, as ever stepped in shoe leather."

Another very pardonable disposition, on the part of the

younger officers to indulge in mirth, was interrupted by

the General, desiring a young aid-de-camp to procure the

necessary billet and accomodation for Ensign Arnoldi.

These two individuals having moved away in search of the

required lodging, the General, with his staff and prisoner

guests, withdrew towards the fort. Their departure was

the signal for the breaking up of the groups; and all

dispersed to their several homes, and in pursuit of their

various duties. The recently arrived Indians were

distributed throughout the encampment, already occupied

as we have described, and the prisoners taken in the

morning were provided with suitable accommodation.

As Colonel D'Egville was about to enter the gate of the

fort, with his fair charge leaning on his arm, Gerald

Grantham approached the party, with the intention of

addressing the General in regard to the prisoner Arnoldi;

but finding him engaged in close conversation with Major

Montgomerie, he lingered, as if awaiting a fitting

opportunity to open the subject.

While he yet loitered the eye of Miss Montgomerie met

his. What it expressed we will not venture to describe,

but its effect upon the young officer was profound. The

moment before, discouraged by her apparent reserve, he

had stood coldly by, but now startled into animation, he

bent upon her an earnest and corresponding look; then

with a wild tumult at his heart, which he neither sought

to stifle nor to analyze, and wholly forgetting what had

brought him to the spot, he turned and joined his brother,

who, at a short distance, stood awaiting his return.

CHAPTER IV.

At the garrison mess table that evening the occurrences

of the day naturally formed a chief topic of conversation;

and a variety of conjectures, more or less probable,

regarding the American lady, were hazarded by the officers,

to some of whom she had become an object of curiosity,

as she had to others of interest. This conversation,

necessarily 'parenthesed' with much extraneous matter,

in the nature of rapid demands for solids and liquids,

during the interesting period devoted to the process of

mastication, finally assumed a more regular character

when the cloth had been removed, and the attendants

retired.

"If a am at all a joodge of pheesogs, and a flatter meself

a am," said a raw-boned Scotch Captain of Grenadiers,

measuring six feet two in his stockings, "yon geerl has

a bit of the deevil in her ee, therefor, me lads, tak

heed that nane o' ye lose yer heerts to her."

"Why not, Cranstoun?" asked a young officer.

"Becoose, Veelliers, she seems to have art enoof, and,

to gi' the witch her due, beauty enoof to make a mon play

the rule, an' she tak it into her heed.

"By George, you are right, Cranstoun," said a remarkably

bow-legged, shoulder-of-mutton-fisted, Ensign, whose

sharp face, glowing as a harvest moon, made one feel

absolutely hot in his presence--a sensation that was by

no means diminished by his nasal tone and confident

manner; "I have no fancy for your pale faced people who,

even while their eyes are flashing anger upon all around,

show you a cheek as cold and as pale as a turnip--they're

alway so cursed deep. Don't you think so Granville, old

fellow?

"Too deep for you I dare say, Mr. Langley," observed the

officer last named, (a Captain of Light Infantry) with

a slight degree of sarcasm, for he liked not the vulgar

familiarity of the recently-joined Ensign's address;

"however, be that as it may, I will wager a score of

flour barrels, or even pork barrels, if you prefer them,

that you cannot show me a finer girl. Were I a marrying

man," he continued addressing his companions generally,

"I do not know a woman I would sooner choose to share my

barrack room with me."

"Bravo! bravo! propose to her Granville propose! propose!"

shouted two or three young and joyous voices, amid the

loud clapping of hands; "but what do you mean by offering

Langley so singular a bet?"

"Ask himself," replied Captain Granville drily, "he knows

the value of these things, if you do not. Besides we live

in a country where most dealings are in produce. But,"

he continued, adverting to the first remark, and without

seeming to notice the flush upon the red face of Ensign

Langley, which momentarily increased until it finally

assumed a purple hue--"What the devil should I do with

a wife. Nay, even if I felt so inclined, I saw her give

Gerald Grantham a look that would carry disappointment

to the hopes of any other man--What say you, Henry,"

addressing his subaltern. "How would you like her for

a sister-in-law?"

"Not at all," was the grave reply.

"Apropos," continued Captain Granville, who filled the

president's chair--"we ought to have toasted your brother's

gallant exploit--Gentlemen, fill your glasses--all full?--

Then I will give you the health of Lieutenant Grantham

of the squadron."

The toast was responded to by all but Captain Molineux--

His glass had been filled and raised, but its contents

remained untasted.

The omission was too marked not to be noticed by more

than one of the party, Henry Grantham, whose eye had been

fixed upon Captain Molineux at the time, of course detected

the slight--He sat for some minutes conversing with an

unusual and evidently forced animation, then, excusing

his early departure under the plea of an engagement with

his brother, rose and quitted the mess room.

"What ha' ye doon wi' the oogly loot ye took chairge of,

De Courcy?" inquired Captain Cranstoun, interrupting the

short and meaning pause which had succeeded to Grantham's

departure.

"Why, I calculate Captain," returned the lively aid-de-

camp, imitating the nasal drawl and language which had

called up so much mirth, even in presence of the General--

"I calculate as how I have introduced Ensign Paul, Emilius,

Theophilus, Arnoldi, of the United States Michigan Militia,

into pretty considerable snug quarters--I have billeted

him at the inn, in which he had scarcely set foot, when

his first demand was for a glass of "gin sling," wherewith

to moisten his partick'lar damn'd hot, baked clay."

"What a vulgar and uncouth animal," observed St. Clair,

a Captain of Engineers--"I am not at all surprised at

Major Montgomerie's disinclination to acknowledge him as

a personal acquaintance."

"It is to be hoped," said De Courcy, "we shall not

encounter many such during the approaching struggle, for,

since we have been driven into this war, it will be a

satisfaction to find ourselves opposed to an enemy rather

more chivalrous than this specimen seems to promise."

"Nay, nay, De Courcy," remarked Captain Granville, "you

must not judge of the American officers of the line by

the standard of their backwoodsmen; as, for example,

Major Montgomerie and the person just alluded to. Last

winter," he continued, "there was a continued interchange

of hospitality between the two posts, and, had you been

here to participate in them, you would have admitted

that, among the officers of Detroit, there were many very

superior men indeed."

"Pleasant ball that last they gave," said Lieutenant

Villiers with a malicious laugh, and fixing his eyes on

the Captain of Grenadiers.

"The deevil tak' the ball," impatiently retorted Cranstoun,

who did not seem to relish the allusion; "doont talk

aboot it noo, mon."

"What was it, Villiers? do pray tell us. Something good,

I am sure from Cranstoun's manner," eagerly asked the

aid-de-camp, his curiosity excited by the general titter

that followed the remark.

"Shall I tell him, Cranstoun?" asked Villiers in the same

bantering tone.

"Hoot mon, doon't bother me," petulantly returned the

other, as thrusting his long legs under the table, and

turning his back upon the questioner he joined, or affected

to join, in a conversation that was passing, in a low

tone, at his end of the room.

"I must premise," began Villiers, addressing himself to

the attentively listening De Courcy, "that such is the

mania for dancing in this country, scarcely any obstacle

is sufficient to deter a Canadian lady, particularly a

French Canadian, from indulging in her favorite amusement.

It is, therefore, by no means unusual to see women drawn

in sleighs over drifting masses of ice, with chasms

occasionally occurring of from fifteen to twenty feet;

and that at a moment when, driven by wind and current,

the huge fragments are impelled over each other with a

roar that can only be likened to continuous thunder,

forming, in various directions, lofty peaks from which

the sun's rays are reflected in a thousand fantastic

shades and shapes. On these occasions the sleighs, or

carioles, are drawn, not as otherwise customary, by the

fast trotting little horses of the country, but by expert

natives whose mode of transport is as follows: A strong

rope is fastened to the extremity of the shafts, and into

this the French Canadian, buried to the chin in his

blanket coat, and provided with a long pole terminating

in an iron hook, harnesses himself, by first drawing the

loop of the cord over the back of his neck, and then

passing it under his arms--In this manner does he traverse

the floating ice, stepping from mass to mass with a

rapidity that affords no time for the detached fragment

to sink under the weight with which it is temporarily

laden--As the iron-shod runners obey the slightest

impulsion, the draught is light; and the only fatigue

encountered is in the act of bringing the detached bodies

together. Wherever an opening intervenes, the Canadian

throws forward his pole, and, securing the pointed hook

in some projection of the floating ice, drags it towards

that on the extreme verge of which he stands. In like

manner he passes on to the next, when the same operation

remains to be performed, until the passage is finally

effected. Sometimes it happens that a chasm of more than

ordinary extent occurs, in which case the pole is

unavailable, and then his only alternative is to wait

patiently until some distant mass, moving in a direction

to fill up the interstice, arrives within his reach. In

the meanwhile the ice on which he stands sinks slowly

and gradually, until sometimes it quite disappears beneath

the surface of the water."

"And the women, all this time?" demanded De Courcy, with

something of the nervousness, which might be attributed

to such a situation.

"Sit as quietly and as unconcernedly, wrapped in their

furs, as if they were merely taking their customary drive

on terra firma," continued Villiers, "nay, I am persuaded

that if they ever entertain an anxiety on those occasions,

it is either least the absence of one of these formidable

masses should compel them to abandon an enterprize, the

bare idea of entering upon which would give an European

woman an attack of nerves, or that the delayed aid should

be a means of depriving them of one half minute of their

anticipated pleasure."

"Why," interrupted Middlemore, despite of a dozen ohs

and ahs--"why, I say, is Villiers like a man of domestic

habits? Do you give it up? Because he is fond of dwelling

on his own premises."

"Middlemore, when will you renounce that vile habit of

punning?" said De Courcy with an earnestness of adjuration

that excited a general laugh at his end of the table--

"Come, Villiers, never mind his nonsense, for your

premises, although a little long, are not without deep

interest--but what has all this to do with our good

friend above?"

"You shall hear. After a succession of balls last winter,

to which the ladies on either shore were invariably

invited, the concluding one was given by the officers in

garrison at Detroit. This was at the very close of the

season, and it chanced that, on the preceding night, the

river had broken up, so that the roar and fracas of

crashing ice, might have been likened, during forty eight

hours afterwards, to some terrible disorganization of

nature. Nothing daunted, however, by the circumstance,

many of the Canadian ladies made the usual preparations,

and amongst others the Miss D'Egvilles."

Here Villiers paused a moment, and with a significant

"hem," sought to arouse the attention of the Grenadier;

but Cranstoun, insensible to the appeal, and perhaps

unwilling to listen to a story that occasioned so much

mirth whenever it was repeated continued with his back

immovably turned towards the speaker.

"All very well," pursued Villiers:--"but we know the

adage--'none so deaf as those who will not hear'--I have

said," again turning to De Courcy, while those who were

near, listened not without interest to the story, familiar

even as it was to them all, "that the Miss D'Egvilles

were of the party--At that time our friend was doing the

amiable to the lively Julia, although we never could

persuade him to confess his penchant; and, on this

occasion, he had attached himself to their immediate

sleigh. Provided, like the Canadians, with poles terminated

by an iron hook at one end and a spike at the other, we

made our way after their fashion, but in quicker time

than they possibly could, harnessed as they were in the

sledges. With the aid of these poles, we cleared, with

facility, chasms of from ten to twelve feet, and, alighting

on our moccasined feet, seldom incurred much risk of

losing our hold--Our ball dresses were taken in charge

by the ladies, so that our chief care was the safe passage

of our own persons. We all arrived without accident, and

passed a delightful evening, the American officers exerting

themselves to give the coup d'eclat to the last ball of

the season."

"Yes," interrupted the incorrigible Middlemore, as he

cracked a hickory nut, "and the balls reserved for us

this season will also carry with them the coup de grass."

"The night," pursued Villiers, no one noticing the

interruption save by an impatient 'pish,' "gave every

indication of a speedy break up. The ice yet floated

along in disjoined masses, but with even greater rapidity

than on the preceding day. Two alternatives remained--

either to attempt the crossing before further obstacle

should be interposed, or to remain in Detroit until the

river had been so far cleared of the ice as to admit of

a passage in canoes. With our leaping poles, we were not

so much at a loss, but the fear entertained was principally

for the safety of the sleighs. Nothing dismayed, however,

by the dangerous appearance of the river, the ladies,

after due deliberation, courageously resolved on returning

without delay, and we accordingly set out on our somewhat

hazardous expedition.

"Notwithstanding it was, as I have already remarked, the

close of winter, the cold was intense, and we were warmly

clad. I do not know if you have ever seen Cranstoun's

huge bear skin coat, (an affirmative nod was given by De

Courcy,) well: in this formidable covering had he encased

himself, so that when he quitted the town, surmounted as

his head was moreover with a fur cap, he presented more

of the appearance of a dancing bear than of a human

creature. In this guise he attached himself to the sleigh

of the D'Egvilles, which, in crossing, happened to be

the farthest down the river, of the group."

"What a domn'd loong time ye are teelling that stoopid

stoory Veelliers," at length noticed Cranstoun, wheeling

round and regarding the narrator with a look of ill

assumed indifference, "a coold a toold it mysel in half

the time."

"I am afraid you would not tell it so faithfully" replied

Lieutenant Villiers, amid the loud laugh which was now

raised at Cranstoun's expense. "You see it is so good a

thing I like to make the most of it."

Here Cranstoun again turned his back upon the party, and

Villiers pursued,

"The main body of the expedition had got nearly half way

across the river, when suddenly our ears were assailed

by moanings, resembling those of some wild beast, mingled

with incessant and ungovernable laughter. Checking our

course, and turning to behold the cause, we observed,

about a hundred yards below us, the sledge of the

D'Egvilles, from which the almost convulsive laughter

proceeded, and at a considerable distance beyond this

again, an object the true character of which we were some

time in discovering.

"It appeared, on subsequent explanation, that Cranstoun,

who had been whispering soft nothings in the ear of Julia

D'Egville, (here the Captain was observed to prick his

ear without materially altering his position) hem!

Cranstoun, I say, it appeared had also taken it into his

head to give her a specimen of his agility, by an attempt

to clear a space between two masses of ice of somewhat

too great a breadth for a heavy grenadier, buttoned up

to the chin in a ponderous bear skin coat. He succeeded

in gaining the opposite piece of ice, but had no sooner

reached it, than he fell, entangled in such a manner in

his covering that he found it impossible to extricate

himself. To add to his disaster, the force of his fall

broke off, from the main body, the section of ice on

which he rested. Borne down by the current, in spite of

his vain struggles to free himself, he was unable even

to call for aid, his fingers moreover being so benumbed

with cold that he found it impossible to unbutton the

straps which confined his month. In this emergency he

could only utter the strange and unintelligible moan

which had reached our ears, and which, mingled with the

bursts of laughter from Julia D'Egville, formed a most

incongruous melange.

"The best of the adventure remains, however, to be told.

Numbers of the peasantry from either shore, provided with

poles, guns, and ropes, were now to be seen rushing

towards the half congealed Cranstoun, fully imagining--nay

exclaiming--that it was a wild bear, which, in an attempt

to cross the river, had had its retreat cut off, and was

now, from insensibility, rendered harmless. Disputes even

arose in the distance as to whom the prize should belong,

each pursuer claiming to have seen it first. Nay, more

than one gun had been levelled with a view of terminating

all doubt by lodging a bullet in the carcase, when,

fortunately for the subject in dispute, this proposal

was overruled by the majority, who were more anxious to

capture than to slay the supposed bear. Meanwhile the

Canadian, harnessed to the sleigh of the D'Egvilles,

roared out with all his lungs for the two parties to

hasten to the assistance of the drowning British officer.

In the confusion produced by their own voices, however,

they did not appear to hear or understand him; yet all

pursued the aim they had in view. Cranstoun's body was

so doubled up that it was impossible for any one, who

had not witnessed the accident, to imagine it any thing

in nature but a bear; and this impression, the strange

moaning he continued to make, tended to confirm.

"The party of Canadians, favored by the nature of their

floating ice-bridges, were the first to come up to him.

A desperate effort of his cramped muscles had enabled

Cranstoun to extend one of his legs, at the moment when

they were about to throw a noose round his neck, and this

was the first intimation the astonished peasantry had of

their supposed prize being a human being, instead of the

fat bear they bad expected. Poor Cranstoun was of course

liberated from his 'durance vile,' but so chilled from

long immersion, that he could not stand without assistance,

and it was not until one of their companions had approached

with a sleigh that he could be removed. He kept his bed

three days, as much I believe from vexation as illness,

and has never worn his unlucky bear skin since; neither

has he forgiven Julia D'Egville the laugh she enjoyed at

his expense. Cranstoun," he concluded, "you may turn

now, the story is told."

But Cranstoun, apparently heedless of the laugh that

followed this--as indeed it did every--narration of the

anecdote, was not to be shaken from his equanimity. He

continued silent and unmoved, as if he had not heard a

word of the conclusion.

"Poor Cranstoun," exclaimed the joyous De Courcy, in a

strain of provoking banter, "what an unfortunate leap

that was of yours; and how delighted you must have felt

when you again stepped on terra firma."

"I don't wonder at his leap being unfortunate," observed

Middlemore, all eyes fixed upon him in expectation of

what was to follow, "for Julia D'Egville can affirm that,

while paying his court to her, he had not chosen a leap

year."

While all were as usual abusing the far strained pun, a

note was brought in by the head waiter and handed to the

punster. The officer read it attentively, and then, with

an air of seriousness which in him was remarkable, tossed

it across the table to Captain Molineux, who, since the

departure of Henry Grantham, had been sitting with his

arms folded, apparently buried in profound thought, and

taking no part either in the conversation or the laughter

which accompanied it. A faint smile passed over his

features, as, after having read, he returned, it with an

assentient nod to Middlemore. Shortly afterwards, availing

himself of the opportunity afforded by the introduction

of some fresh topic of conversation, he quitted his seat,

and whispering something in the ear of Villiers, left

the mess room. Soon after, the latter officer disappeared

from the table, and in a few moments his example was

followed by Middlemore.

CHAPTER V.

The dinner party at Colonel D'Egville's was composed in

a manner to inspire an English exclusive with irrepressible

honor. At the suggestion of General Brock, Tecumseh had

been invited, and, with him, three other celebrated Indian

chiefs, whom we beg to introduce to our readers under

their familiar names--Split-log--Round-head--and Walk-

in-the-water--all of the formidable nation of the Hurons.

In his capacity of superintendant of Indian affairs,

Colonel D'Egville had been much in the habit of entertaining

the superior chiefs, who, with a tact peculiar to men of

their sedate and serious character, if they displayed

few of the graces of European polish, at least gave no

manifestation of an innate vulgarity. As it may not be

uninteresting to the reader to have a slight sketch of

the warriors, we will attempt the portraiture.

The chief Split-log, who indeed should rather have been

named Split-ear, as we shall presently show, was afflicted

with an aldermanic rotundity of person, by no means common

among his race, and was one, who from his love of ease

and naturally indolent disposition, seemed more fitted

to take his seat in the council than to lead his warriors

to battle. Yet was he not, in reality, the inactive

character be appeared, and more than once, subsequently,

he was engaged in expeditions of a predatory nature,

carrying off the customary spoils. We cannot import a

better idea of the head of the warrior, than by stating,

that we never recal that of the gigantic Memnon, in the

British Museum, without being forcibly reminded of

Split-log's. The Indian, however, was notorious for a

peculiarity which the Egyptian had not. So enormous a

head, seeming to require a corresponding portion of the

several organs, nature had, in her great bounty, provided

him with a nose, which, if it equalled not that of

Smellfungus in length, might, in height and breadth, have

laughed it utterly to scorn. Neither, was it a single,

but a double nose--two excrescences, equalling in bulk

a moderate sized lemon, and of the spongy nature of a

mushroom, bulging out, and lending an expression of owlish

wisdom to his otherwise heavy features. As on that of

the Memnon, not a vestige of a hair was to be seen on

the head of Split-log. His lips were, moreover, of the

same unsightly thickness, while the elephantine ear had

been slit in such a manner, that the pliant cartilage,

yielding to the weight of several ounces of lead which

had for years adorned it, now lay stretched, and coquetting

with the brawny shoulder on which it reposed. Such was

the Huron, or Wyandot Chief, whose cognomen of Split-log

had, in all probability, been derived from his facility

in "suiting the action to the word;" for, in addition to

his gigantic nose, he possessed a fist, which in size

and strength might have disputed the palm with Maximilian

himself: although his practice had chiefly been confined

to knocking down his drunken wives, instead of oxen.

The second Chief, Round-head, who, by the way, was the

principal in reputation after Tecumseh, we find the more

difficulty in describing from the fact of his having had

few or none of those peculiarities which we have, happily

for our powers of description, been enabled to seize hold

of in Split-log. His name we believe to have been derived

from that indispensable portion of his frame. His eye

was quick, even penetrating, and his stem brow denoted

intelligence and decision of character. His straight,

coal black, hair, cut square over the forehead, fell long

and thickly over his face and shoulders. This, surmounted

by a round slouched hat, ornamented with an eagle's

feather, which he ordinarily wore and had not even now

dispensed with, added to a blue capote or hunting frock,

produced a tout ensemble, which cannot be more happily

rendered than by a comparison with one of his puritanical

sly-eyed namesakes of the English Revolution.

Whether our third hero, Walk-in-the-water, derived his

name from any aquatic achievement which could possibly

give a claim to its adoption, we have no means of

ascertaining; but certain it is that in his features he

bore a striking resemblance to the portraits of Oliver

Cromwell. The same small, keen, searching eye--the same

iron inflexibility of feature, together with the long

black hair escaping from beneath the slouched hat, (for

Walk-in-the-water, as well as Round-head, was characterized

by an unconscious imitation of the Roundheads of the

revolution)--all contributed to render the resemblance

as perfect, as perfection of resemblance can be obtained

where the physical, and not the moral, man, forms the

ground of contrast.

Far above these in nobleness of person, as well as in

brilliancy of intellect, was the graceful Tecumseh. Unlike

his companions, whose dress was exceedingly plain, he

wore his jerkin or hunting coat, of the most beautifully

soft and pliant deer skin, on which were visible a variety

of tasteful devices exquisitely embroidered with the

stained quills of the porcupine. A shirt of dazzling

whiteness was carefully drawn over his expansive chest,

and in his equally white shawl-turban was placed an

ostrich feather, the prized gift of the lady of the

mansion. On all occasions of festivity, and latterly in

the field, he was wont thus to decorate himself; and

never did the noble warrior appear to greater advantage

than when habited in this costume. The contrast it offered

to his swarthy cheek and mobile features, animated as

they were by the frequent flashing of his eagle eye,

seldom failed to excite admiration in the bosoms of all

who saw him.

The half hour that elapsed between the arrival of the

several guests and the announcement of dinner, was passed

under the influence of feelings almost as various in kind

as the party itself. Messieurs Split-log, Round-head,

and Walk-in-the-water, fascinated by the eagles on the

buttons of Major Montgomerie's uniform, appeared to regard

that officer, as if they saw no just cause or impediment

why certain weapons dangling at their sides should not

be made to perform, and that without delay, an incision

in the cranium of their proprietor. True, there was a

difficulty. The veteran Major was partially bald, and

wanted the top knot or scalping tuft, which to a true

warrior was indispensable; not that we mean to insinuate

that either of these chiefs would so far have forgotten

the position in which that gentleman stood, as to have

been tempted into any practical demonstration of their

hostility: but there was a restlessness about the eye

of each that, much like the instinct of the cat, which

regards with natural avidity the bird that is suffered

to go at large within his reach, without daring openly

to attack it, betrayed the internal effort it cost them

to lose sight of the enemy in the prisoner and friend of

their superintendent. The Major, on the other hand,

although satisfied he was under the roof of hospitality,

did not at first appear altogether at his ease, but,

while he conversed with the English officers, turned ever

and anon an eye of distrust on the movements of his

swarthy fellow guests. On the arrival of Tecumseh, who,

detained until a late hour by the arrangements he had

been making for the encampment and supplies of his new

force, was the last to make his appearance, the Major's

doubts passed entirely away. It was impossible to be in

the presence of this chieftain, and fail, even without

any other index to his soul than what the candour of his

expression afforded, to entertain all the security that

man may repose on man. He had in him, it is true, too

much of the sincerity of nature to make any thing like

a friendly advance to one of a people to whom he owed

all the misfortunes of his race, and for whom he had

avowed an inextinguishable hostility of heart and purpose;

but, unless when this night with strict propriety be

exercised, the spirit of his vengeance extended not; and

not only would he have scorned to harm a fallen foe, but

his arm would have been the first uplifted in his defence.

Notwithstanding the glance of intelligence which Captain

Granville had remarked, and which we had previously stated

to have been directed by Miss Montgomerie to her captor

a few hours before, there was nothing in her manner daring

dinner to convey the semblance of a prepossession. True,

that in the tumultuous glow of gratified vanity and

dawning love, Gerald Grantham had executed a toilet into

which, with a view to the improvement of the advantage

he imagined himself to have gained, all the justifiable

coquetry of personal embellishment had been thrown; but

neither the handsome blue uniform with its glittering

epaulette, nor the beautiful hair on which more than

usual pains had been bestowed, nor the sparkling of his

dark eye, nor the expression of a cheek, rendered doubly

animated by excitement, nor the interestingly displayed

arm en echarpe--none of these attractions, we repeat,

seemed to claim even a partial notice from her they were

intended to captivate. Cold, colourless, passionless,

Miss Montgomerie met him with the calmness of an absolute

stranger; and when, with the recollection of the

indescribable look she had bestowed upon him glowing at

his heart, Gerald again sought in her eyes some trace of

the expression that had stirred every vein into transport,

he found there indifference the most complete. How great

his mortification was we will not venture to describe,

but the arch and occasional raillery of his lively cousin,

Julia D'Egville, seemed to denote most plainly that the

conqueror and the conquered had exchanged positions.

Nor was this surprising; Miss Montgomerie's travelling

habit had been discarded for the more decorative ornaments

of a dinner toilet, in which, however, the most marked

simplicity was preserved. A plain white muslin dress gave

full developement to a person, which was of a perfection

that no dress could have disguised. It was the bust of

a Venus, united to a form, to create which would have

taxed the imaginative powers of a Praxiteles--a form so

faultlessly moulded that every movement presented some

new and unpremeditated grace. What added to the surpassing

richness of her beauty was her hair, which, black, glossy,

and of eastern luxuriance, and seemingly disdaining the

girlishness of curls, reposed in broad Grecian bands,

across a brow, the intellectual expression of which they

contributed to form. Yet, never did woman exhibit in her

person and face, more opposite extremes of beauty. If

the one was strikingly characteristic of warmth, the

other was no less indicative of coldness. Fair, even to

paleness, were her cheek and forehead, which wore an

appearance of almost marble immobility, save when, in

moments of oft recurring abstraction, a slight but marked

contraction of the brow betrayed the existence of a

feeling, indefinable indeed by the observer, but certainly

unallied to softness. Still was she beautiful--coldly,

classically, beautiful--eminently calculated to inspire

passion, but seemingly incapable of feeling it.

The coldness of Miss Montgomerie's manner was no less

remarkable. Her whole demeanour was one of abstraction.

It seemed as if heedless, not only of ceremony, but of

courtesy, her thoughts and feelings were far from the

board of whose hospitality she was partaking. Indeed,

the very few remarks she made during dinner referred to

the period of departure of the boat, in which she was to

be conveyed to Detroit, and on this subject she displayed

an earnestness, which, even Grantham thought, might have

been suppressed in the presence of his uncle's family.

Perhaps he felt piqued at her readiness to leave him.

Under these circumstances, the dinner was not, as might

be expected, particularly gay. There was an 'embarras'

among all, which even the circulating wine did not wholly

remove. Major Montgomerie was nearly as silent as his

niece. Mrs. D'Egville, although evincing all the kindness

of her really benevolent nature--a task in which she was

assisted by her amiable daughters, still felt that the

reserve of her guest insensibly produced a corresponding

effect upon herself, while Colonel D'Egville, gay,

polished, and attentive, as he usually was, could not

wholly overcome an apprehension that the introduction of

the Indian Chiefs had given offence to both uncle and

niece. Still, it was impossible to have acted otherwise.

Independently of his strong personal attachment to

Tecumseh, considerations involving the safety of the

Province, threatened as it was, strongly demanded that

the leading Chiefs should be treated with the respect

due to their station; and moreover, while General Brock,

and Commodore Barclay were present, there could be no

ground for an impression that slight was intended. Both

these officers saw the difficulty under which their host

laboured, and sought by every gentlemanly attention, to

remove whatever unpleasantness might lurk in the feelings

of his American guests.

The dessert brought with it but little addition to the

animation of the party, and it was a relief to all, when,

after a toast proposed by the General, to the "Ladies of

America," Mrs. D'Egville made the usual signal for

withdrawing.

As soon as they had departed, followed a moment or two

afterwards by Tecumseh and Gerald Grantham, Messieurs

Split-log, Round-head, and Walk-in-the-Water, deliberately

taking their pipe-bowl tomahawks from their belts,

proceeded to fill them with kinni-kinnick, a mixture of

Virginia tobacco, and odoriferous herbs, than which no

perfume can be more fragrant. Amid the clouds of smoke

puffed from these at the lower end of the table, where

had been placed a supply of whiskey, their favorite

liquor--did Colonel D'Egville and his more civilized

guests quaff their claret; more gratified than annoyed

by the savoury atmosphere wreathing around them, while,

taking advantage of the early departure of the abstemious

Tecumseh, they discussed the merits of that Chief, and

the policy of employing the Indians as allies, as will

be seen in the following chapter:--

CHAPTER VI.

"What a truly noble looking being," observed Major

Montgomerie, as he followed with his eye the receding

form of the athletic but graceful Tecumseh. "Do you know,

Colonel D'Egville, I could almost forgive your nephew

his success of this morning, in consideration of the

pleasure he has procured me in this meeting."

Colonel D'Egville looked the gratification he felt at

the avowal. "I am delighted, Major Montgomerie, to hear

you say so. My only fear was that, in making those

Chieftains my guests, at the same moment with yourself

and niece, I might have unconsciously appeared to slight,

where slight was certainly not intended. You must be

aware, however, of the rank held by them among their

respective nations, and of their consequent claim upon

the attention of one to whom the Indian interests have

been delegated."

"My dear sir," interrupted the Major, eager to disclaim,

"I trust you have not mistaken me so far, as to have

imputed a reserve of speech and manner during dinner, to

which I cannot but plead guilty, to a fastidiousness

which, situated as I am, (and he bowed to the General,

and Commodore,) would have been wholly misplaced. My

distraction, pardonable perhaps under all the

circumstances, was produced entirely by a recurrence to

certain inconveniences which I felt might arise to me

from my imprisonment. The captive bird," he pursued,

while a smile for the first time animated his very fine

countenance, "will pine within its cage, however gilded

the wires which compose it. In every sense, my

experience of to-day only leads me to the expression of

a hope, that all whom the chances of war may throw into

a similar position, may meet with a similar reception."

"Since," observed the General, "your private affairs are

of the importance you express, Major Montgomerie, you

shall depart with your niece. Perhaps I am rather exceeding

my powers in this respect, but, however this may be, I

shall take the responsibility on myself. You will hold

yourself pledged, of course, to take no part against us

in the forthcoming struggle, until you have been regularly

exchanged for whatever officer of your own rank, may

happen to fall into the hands of your countrymen. I shall

dispatch an express to the Commander-in-Chief, to intimate

this fact, requesting at the same time, that your name

may be put down in the first list for exchange."

Major Montgomerie warmly thanked the General for his kind

offer, of which he said he should be glad to avail himself,

as he did not like the idea of his niece proceeding

without him to Detroit, where she was an entire stranger.

This, he admitted, determined as she had appeared to be,

was one of the unpleasant subjects of his reflection

during dinner.

With a view of turning the conversation, and anxious

moreover, to obtain every information on the subject,

the General now inquired in what estimation Tecumseh was

generally held in the United States.

"Among the more intelligent classes of our citizens, in

the highest possible," was the reply; "but by those who

are not so capable of judging, and who only see, in the

indomitable courage and elevated talents of the patriot

hero, the stubborn inflexibility of the mere savage, he

is looked upon far less flatteringly. By all, however,

is he admitted to be formidable without parallel, in the

history of Indian warfare. His deeds are familiar to all,

and his name is much such a bugbear to American childhood,

as Marlborough's was in France, and Napoleon's is in

England. It is a source of much regret to our Government

never to have been enabled to conciliate this extraordinary

man."

"What more feasible," remarked the General, but with a

tone and manner that could not possibly give offence;

"had not the difficulty been of its own creation? Treaty

after treaty, you most admit, Major, had been made and

violated under various pretexts, while the real motive

--the aggrandizement of territories already embracing a

vast portion of their early possessions--was carefully

sought to be concealed from these unfortunate people.

How was it to be expected then that a man, whom the

necessities of his country had raised up to itself in

the twofold character of statesman and warrior--one gifted

with a power of analyzing motives which has never been

surpassed in savage life--how, I ask, was it to be expected

that he, with all these injuries of aggression staring

him in the face, should have been won over by a show of

conciliation, which long experience, independently of

his matured judgment, must have assured him was only held

forth to hoodwink, until fitting opportunity should be

found for again throwing off the mask."

"To the charge of violating treaties," returned Major

Montgomerie, who took the opposite argument in perfectly

good part, "I fear, General, our Government must to a

certain extent plead guilty--much, however, remains to

be said in excuse. In the first place, it must be borne

in mind that the territory of the United States, unlike

the kingdoms of Europe, has no fixed or settled boundary

whereby to determine its own relative bearing. True it

is, that we have the Canadas on one portion of our

frontier, but this being a fixed line of demarcation,

there can exist no question as to a mutual knowledge of

the territorial claims of both countries. Unlike that of

the old world, however, our population is rapidly

progressing, and where are we to find an outlet for tax

surplus of that population unless, unwilling as we are

to come into collision with our mere civilised neighbours,

we can push them forward into the interior. In almost

all the contracts entered into by our Government with

the Indians, large sums have been given for the lands

ceded by the latter. This was at once, of course, a tacit

and mutual revocation of any antecedent arrangements,

and if instances have occurred wherein the sacredness of

treaty has been violated, it has only been where the

Indians have refused to part with their lands for the

proffered consideration and when those lands have been

absolutely indispensable to our agricultural purposes.

Then indeed has it been found necessary to resort to

force. That this principle of "might being the better

right," may be condemned in limine it is true, but how

otherwise, with a superabundant population, can we

possibly act?"

"A superabundance of territory, I grant you, but surely

not of population," remarked the Commodore; "were the

citizens of the United States condensed into the space

allotted to Europeans, you might safely dispense with

half the Union at this moment."

"And what advantages should we then derive from the

possession of nearly a whole continent to ourselves?"

"Every advantage that may be reaped consistently with

common justice. What would be thought in Europe, if, for

instance to illustrate a point, and assuming these two

countries to be in a state of profound peace, Spain, on

the principle of might, should push her surplus population

into Portugal, compelling the latter kingdom to retire

back on herself, and crowd her own subjects into the few

provinces that might yet be left to them."

"I cannot admit the justice of your remark, Commodore,"

returned Major Montgomerie, gradually warming into

animation; "Both are civilized powers, holding the same

rank and filling nearly the same scale among the nations

of Europe. Moreover, there does not exist the same

difference in the natural man. The uneducated negro is,

from infancy and long custom, doomed to slavery, wherefore

should the copper coloured Indian be more free? But my

argument points not at their subjection. I would merely

show that, incapable of benefitting by the advantages of

the soil they inherit, they should learn to yield it with

a good grace to those who can. Their wants are few, and

interminable woods yet remain to them, in which their

hunting pursuits may be indulged without a fear of

interruption."

"That it will be long," observed the General, "before,

in so vast a continent, they will be without a final

resting place, I readily admit; but the hardship consists

in this--that they are driven from particular positions

to which their early associations lend a preference. What

was it that stirred into a flame, the fierce hostility

of Tecumseh but the determination evinced by your Government

to wrest, from the hands of his tribe, their last remaining

favorite haunts on the Wabash?"

"This cannot be denied, but it was utterly impossible we

could forego the possession of countries bordering so

immediately on our settlements. Had we pushed our

colonization further, leaving the tribes of the Wabash

in intermediate occupation, we ran the risk of having

oar settlers cut off in detail, at the slightest assumed

provocation. Nay, pretexts would have been sought for

the purpose, and the result of this would have been the

very war into which we were unavoidably led. The only

difference was, that, instead of taking up arms to avenge

our slaughtered kinsmen, we anticipated the period that

must sooner or later have arrived, by ridding ourselves

of the presence of those from whose hostility we had

every thing to apprehend."

"The expediency of these measures," said the General,

"no one, Major, can of course doubt; the only question

at issue is their justice, and in making this remark it

must be obvious there is no particular allusion to the

United States, further than that country serves to

illustrate a general principle. I am merely arguing

against the right of a strong power to wrest from a weaker

what may be essential to its own interest, without

reference to the comfort, or wishes, or convenience of

the latter."

"In such light assuredly do I take it," observed Major

Montgomerie, bowing his sense of the disclaimer. "But to

prove to you, General, that we are only following in the

course pursued by every other people of the world, let

us, without going back to the days of barbarism, when

the several kingdoms of Europe were overrun by the

strongest, and when your own country in particular became

in turn the prey of Saxons, Danes, Normans, &c. merely

glance our eyes upon those provinces which have been

subjugated by more civilized Europe. Look at South America

for instance, and then say what we have done that has

not been far exceeded by the Spaniards, in that portion

of the hemisphere--and yet, with this vast difference in

the balance, that there the European drove before him

and mercilessly destroyed an unoffending race, while we,

on the contrary, have had fierce hostility and treachery

every where opposed to our progress. The Spaniards,

moreover, offered no equivalent for the country subdued;

now we have ever done so, and only where that equivalent

has been rejected, have we found ourselves compelled to

resort to force. Look again at the islands of the West

Indies, the chief of which are conquests by England.

Where are the people to whom Providence had originally

assigned those countries, until the European, in his

thirst for aggrandizement, on that very principle of

might which you condemn, tore them violently away. Gone,

extirpated, until scarce a vestige of their existence

remains, even as it must he, in the course of time, with

the Indians of these wilds--perhaps not in this century

or the next, but soon or late assuredly. These two

people--the South Americans and Caribs--I particularly

instance, for the very reason that they offer the most

striking parallel with the immediate subject under

discussion. But shall I go further than this, gentlemen,

and maintain that we, the United States, are only following

in the course originally pointed out to us by England."

"I should be glad to hear your argument," said the

Commodore, drawing his chair closer to the table.

"And I," added the General, "consider the position too

novel not to feel interested in the manner in which it

will be maintained."

"I will not exactly say," observed Colonel D'Egville,

smiling one of his blandest smiles, and few men understood

the winning art better than himself, "that Major Montgomerie

has the happy talent of making the worse appear the better

cause; but, certainly I never remember to have heard that

cause more ably advocated."

"More subtly perhaps you would say, Colonel; but seriously,

I speak from conviction alone. It is true, as a citizen

of the United States, and therefore one interested in

the fair fame of its public acts, that conviction may

partake in some degree of partial influences; still it

is sincere. But to my argument. What I would maintain

is, as I have before stated, that in all we hare done,

we have only followed the example of England. For instance,

when the colonization of the Eastern and Southern States

of the Union took place, that is to say when our common

ancestors first settled in this country, how was their

object effected? Why, by driving from their possessions

near the sea, in order to make room for themselves, those

very nations whom we are accused of a desire to exterminate,

as if out of a mere spirit of wantonness. Did either

Dutch or English then hesitate as to what course THEY

should pursue, or suffer any qualms of conscience to

interfere with their Colonial plans? No; as a measure of

policy--as a means of security--they sought to conciliate

the Indians, but not the less determined were they to

attain their end. Who, then, among Englishmen, would have

thought of blaming their fellow countrymen, when the

object in view was the aggrandizement of the national

power, and the furtherance of individual interests? While

the Colonists continued tributary to England they could

do no wrong; they inclined no censure. Each succeding

year saw them, with a spirit of enterprize that was THEN

deemed worthy of commendation, pushing their advantages,

and extending their possessions to the utter exclusion,

and at the expense of the original possessors of the

soil. For this they incurred no blame: but mark the

change. No sooner had the war of the revolution terminated

in our emancipation from the leading strings of childhood;

no sooner had we taken rank among the acknowledged nations

of the world; no sooner had we, in a word, started into

existence as an original people, than the course we had

undeviatingly pursued in infancy, and from which we did

not dream of swerving in manhood, became a subject for

unqualified censure. What had been considered laudable

enterprize in the English Colonist, became unpardonable

ambition in the American Republican, and acts affecting

the national prosperity, that carried with them the

approbation of society and good government during our

nonage, were stigmatized as odious and grasping, the

moment we had attained our majority."

"Most ably and eloquently argued, Major," interrupted

the General, "and I fear with rather more truth than we

Englishmen are quite willing to acknowledge: still, it

must be admitted, that what in the first instance was a

necessity, partook no longer of that character at a later

period. In order to colonize the country originally, it

was necessary to select such portions as were, by their

proximity to the sea, indispensable to the perfection of

the plan. If the English Colonists drove the Indians into

the interior, it was only for a period. They had still

vast tracts to traverse, which have since, figuratively

speaking, been reduced to a mere span: and their very

sense of the difference of the motive--that is to say,

of the difference between him who merely seeks whereon

to erect his dwelling, and him who is anxious to usurp

to himself the possession of almost illimitable territory

--cannot be better expressed than by the different degrees

of enmity manifested against the two several people. When

did the fierceness of Indian hatred blaze forth against

the English Colonists, who were limited in their views,

as it has since against the subjects of the United States,

who, since the revolution, have more than tripled their

territorial acquisitions."

"Nay, General," replied the American, his lip partially

curling with a smile, indicating consciousness of triumphant

argument; "I shall defeat you on your own ground, and

that by going back to a period anterior to the revolution

--to the very period you describe as being characterized

by less intense hostility to your own Government."

"What, for instance, have we seen in modern times to

equal the famous Indian league which, under the direction

of the celebrated Pontiac, a Chieftain only surpassed by

Tecumseh, consigned so many of the European posts to

destruction, along this very line of district, about the

middle of the last century. It has been held up as a

reproach to us, that we have principally subjected

ourselves to the rancorous enmity of the Indians, in

consequence of having wrested from them their favorite

and beautiful hunting grounds, (Kentucky in particular,)

to which their early associations had linked them. But

to this I answer, that in Pontiac's time, this country

was still their own, as well as Ohio, Louisiana, Indiana,

&c. and yet the war of fierce extermination was not the

less waged against the English; not because these latter

had appropriated their principal haunts, but because they

had driven them from their original possessions, near

the sea. The hatred of the Indians has ever been the same

towards those who first secured a footing on their

continent, and, although we are a distinct people in the

eyes of the civilized world, still we are the same in

those of the natives, who see in us, not the emancipated

American, but merely the descendant of the original

Colonist. That their hostility has progressed in proportion

with our extension of territory, I cannot altogether

admit, for although our infant settlements have in a

great degree suffered from occasional irruptions of the

savages, when men, women and children, have alike been

devoted to the murderous tomahawk, in no way have our

fortresses been systematically assailed, as during the

time of Pontiac."

"For this," interrupted the General, "there are two

obvious reasons. In the first instance, your fortresses

are less isolated than ours were at that period, and,

secondly, no such intelligent being as the Chieftain you

have named, had started up among the Indian nations until

now. What Tecumseh may not effect in course of time,

should he not perish in the straggle for his country's

liberty, ought to be a matter of serious consideration

with your Government."

"Of his great talent, and dauntless determination, they

are fully aware," replied the Major, "but, as I have

already said, nothing short, not merely of giving up all

claim to future advantages, but of restoring the country

wrested from him on the Wabash, can ever win him from

his hostility; and this is a sacrifice the Government

will never consent to make."

At this point of the argument, Messieurs Split-log,

Round-head, and Walk-in-the-Water, having finished their

kinni-kinnick, and imbibed a due quantum of whiskey:

possibly, moreover, not much entertained by the conversation

that was carried on in a language neither of them understood

but imperfectly, rose to take their leave. They successively

shook hands with the British leaders, then advancing last

to Major Montgomerie, with a guttural "ugh," so accentuated

as to express good will and satisfaction, tendered their

dark palms to that officer also, muttering as they did

so something about "good Chemocomon." They then with

becoming dignity withdrew, followed by Colonel D'Egville,

who had risen to conduct them to the door.

The conversation, thus temporarily interrupted, was

resumed on that officer's return.

"Admitting the truth of your position, Major Montgomerie,"

remarked the Commodore, "that the Government of the United

States is justified, both by expediency and example, in

the course it has pursued, it will not at least be denied,

that Tecumseh is, on the very same principle, borne out

in the hatred and spirit of hostility, evinced by him

towards the oppressors of his country."

"Granted," returned the Major, "but this point has no

reference to my argument, which tends to maintain, that

in all we have done, we have been justified by necessity

and example."

"The fact is, however, that this condition of things is

one unavoidably growing out of the clashing of adverse

interests--the Indians being anxious to check, we to

extend our dominion and power as a people; and the causes

existing now, were in being nearly a century ago, and

will, in all probability, continue until all vestige of

Indian existence shall have passed utterly away. When

the French were in the occupancy of the Canadas, having

nothing to gain from them, they cultivated the alliance

and friendship of the several nations, and by fostering,

their fierce hostility against the English Colonists,

rendered them subservient to their views. To-day the

English stand precisely where the French did. Having

little to expect from the Indians, but assistance in a

case of need, they behold, and have for years beheld,

with any thing but indifference, the struggle continued

by the United States, which was commenced by themselves.

I hope I shall not be understood as expressing my own

opinion, when I add, that, in the United States, the same

covert influence is attributed to the Commanders of the

British fortresses that was imputed to the French. Indeed,

it is a general belief, among the lower classes

particularly, that, in all the wars undertaken against

the American out-posts and settlements, the Indians have

been instigated to the outrage by liberal distributions

of money, and presents from the British Government."

"It will hardly be necessary to deny the justice of such

an imputation to Major Montgomerie," remarked the General,

with a smile; "especially after having disavowed the

opinion as his own. The charge is too absurd for serious

contradiction--yet, we are not altogether ignorant that

such an impression has gone abroad."

"Few of the more enlightened of our citizens give into

the belief" said the Major; "still it will give me especial

pleasure to have it in my power to contradict the assertion

from the lips of General Brock himself."

"That we have entered into a treaty of alliance with the

Indians," observed Colonel D'Egville, "is most certainly

true; but it is an alliance wholly defensive. I must

further observe that in whatever light the policy of the

Government of the United States, in its relations with

the Indians, may be privately viewed, we are, under all

circumstances, the last people in the world who should

condemn it as injurious to our public interests, since

it has been productive of results affecting the very

existence of these provinces. Had the American Government

studied conciliation, rather than extension of territory,

it is difficult to say to what side the great body of

the Indians would, in the impending struggle, have leaned.

The possibility of some such event as the present had

not only been foreseen, but anticipated. It has long been

obvious to us that the spirit of acquisition manifested

by the United States, would not confine itself to its

customary channels; but on the contrary, that, not

contented with the appropriation of the hunting grounds

of the Indians, it would finally extend its views to

Canada. Such a crisis has long been provided against.

Presents, to a large amount, have certainly been distributed

among the Indians, and not only this, but every courtesy,

consistent at once with our dignity and our interest,

has been shown to them. You have seen, for instance,"

continued he with a smile, "my three friends, who have

just left the room; they are not exactly the happiest

specimens of Indian grace, but they have great weight in

the council, and are the leading men in the alliance to

which you hare alluded, although not wholly for the same

purpose. In the wars of Pontiac--and these are still

fresh in the recollection of certain members of my own

family--the English Commanders, with one or two exceptions,

brought those disasters upon themselves. Forgetting that

the Indians were a proud people, whom to neglect was to

stir into hatred, they treated them, with indifference,

if not with contempt; and dearly did they pay the penalty

of their fault. As we all know, they, with one only

exception, were destroyed. In their fall expired the

hostility they themselves had provoked, and time had

wholly obliterated the sense of injustice from the minds

of the several nations. Were we then with these fearful

examples, yet fresh in our recollection, to fall into a

similar error? No; a course of conciliation was adopted,

and has been pursued for years; and now do we reap the

fruit of what, after all, is but an act of the most

justifiable policy. In my capacity of superintendant of

Indian affairs, Major Montgomerie, even more than at a

Canadian brought up among them, I have had opportunities

of studying the characters of the heads of the several

nations. The most bitter enmity animates the bosoms of

all against the Government and people of the United

States, from whom, according to their own showing, they

have to record injury upon injury; whereas from us they

have received but benefits. I repeat, this is at once

politic and just. What could Canada have hoped to accomplish

in the approaching struggle, had the conduct of the

American Government been such as to have neutralized the

interest we had excited in, and for ourselves? She must

have succumbed; and my firm impression is, that, at

whatever epoch of her existence the United States may

extend the hand of conquest over these provinces, with

the Indian tribes that are now leagued with us crowding

to her own standard, not all the armies England may choose

to send to their defence will be able to prevent it."

"Filling the situation you now occupy, Colonel, there

can be no doubt you are in every way enabled to arrive

at a full knowledge of Indian feelings and Indian interests;

and we have but too much reason to fear that the strong

hatred to the United States, you describe as existing on

the part of their several leaders, has had a tendency to

unite them more cordially to the British cause. But your

course of observation suggests to another question. Why

is it that, with the knowledge possessed by the British

Government of the cruel nature of Indian warfare, it can

consent to enlist them as allies? To prevent their taking

up arms against the Canadas may be well, but in my opinion

(and it is one very generally entertained through the

United States,) the influence of the British authorities

should have been confined to neutralizing their services."

"Nay, Major Montgomerie," observed the General, "it would

indeed be exacting too much to require that we should

offer ourselves unresisting victims to the ambitious

designs (forgive the expression) of your Government; and

what but self immolation would it be to abstain from the

only means by which we can hope to save these threatened

Provinces? Colonel D'Egville has just said that, with

the Indians opposed to us, Canada would fall. I go farther,

and aver that, without the aid of the Indians, circumstanced

as England now is, Canada must be lost to us. It is a

painful alternative I admit, for that a war, which is

not carried on with the conventional courtesies of

civilized belligerent nations, is little suited to our

taste, you will do us the justice to believe; but by whom

have we been forced into the dilemma? Had we been guilty

of rousing the Indian spirit against you, with a view to

selfish advantage; or had we in any may connived at the

destruction of your settlements, from either dread or

jealousy of your too close proximity, then should we have

deserved all the odium of such conduct. But this we

unequivocally deny. Had we even, presuming on the assistance

to be derived from them, been the first to engage the

Indians in this war, and sent them forth to lay waste

your possessions, we might have submitted to well merited

censure; but what is our real position? Without any fair

pretext, and simply in furtherance of its ambitious views,

the Government of the United States declares war against

England, and, with, an eagerness that sufficiently

discloses its true object, marches its rapidly organized

armies as rapidly to our weakly defended frontier. It is

scarcely a week since an express reached this post,

bringing the announcement that hostilities had been

declared and as a proof that these must have been long

in contemplation, even the very day previous to its

arrival, a numerous army marched past on their way to

Detroit. The sound of their drums was the first intimation

we had of their approach, and our surprise was only

equalled by our utter ignorance of the motive, until the

arrival of the express at once explained the enigma.

[Footnote: Fact.] In such a case, I maintain, we stand

justified before God and man in availing ourselves of

every means of defence."

"I cannot acknowledge," replied the American, "that the

war undertaken by our Government, is without sufficient

pretext, or in a mere spirit of conquest. You forget that

an insult was offered to our national flag."

"You of course allude," said the Commodore, "to the affair

of the Little Belt, but I cannot help participating in

the opinion expressed by General Brock. The right of

search, on the part of our vessels, has been too universally

admitted for the American Government to have resisted it

to the extent they have, had they not in this circumstance

found, or fancied they found, a pretext favorable to

their ulterior and more important views. My own firm

impression is, that had England not all her troops engaged

at this moment in the Peninsula, this war never would

have been declared. The opportunity, however, has been

found too tempting, while there are only some half dozen

regular Regiments distributed throughout both provinces;

but the result will prove how far well or ill affected

the Canadians are to the British Crown. Now is the season

arrived to test their allegiance."

"I know not how far the United States Government may have

taken in their calculation a chance of disaffection,"

remarked the General with a smile; "but I think I know

the Canadians, and may venture to assert they will remain

staunch. Every where do they appear to manifest the utmost

enthusiasm."

[Footnote: This certainly was the feeling in 1812.]

"I am only delighted, General, that they have thus an

opportunity of being put to the proof," remarked Colonel

D'Egville. "If they should be found wanting, then do I

much mistake my countrymen. To return, however, to the

subject of the employment of the Indians, which you,

Major Montgomerie, appear to condemn. I would ask you,

if you are aware of the great exertions made by your

Government, to induce them to take an active part in this

very war. If not, I can acquaint you that several of the

chiefs, now here, have been strongly urged to declare

against us; and, not very long since, an important council

was held among the several tribes, wherein some few, who

had been won over by large bribes, had the temerity to

discuss the propriety of deserting the British cause, in

consideration of advantages which were promised them by

the United States. These of course were overruled by the

majority, who expressed the utmost indignation at the

proposal, but the attempt to secure their active services

was not the less made. We certainly have every reason to

congratulate ourselves on its failure."

"This certainly partakes of the argumentum ad hominem,"

said the Major, good humouredly; "I do confess, I am

aware, that since the idea of war against England was

first entertained, great efforts have been made to attach

the Indians to our interests; and in all probability had

any other man than Tecumseh presided over their destinies,

our Government would have been successful. I however,

for one, am no advocate for their employment on either

side, for it must be admitted they are a terrible and a

cruel enemy, sparing neither age nor sex."

"Again, Major," returned the General, "do we shield

ourselves under our former plea--that, as an assailed

party, we have a right to avail ourselves of whatever

means of defence are within our reach. One of two

things--either we must retain the Indians, who are bound

to us in one common interest, or we must, by discarding

them, quietly surrender the Canadas to your armies. Few

will be Quixotic enough to hesitate as to which of the

alternatives we should adopt. If the people of the United

States condemn us for employing the Indians, they are

wrong. They should rather censure their own Government,

either for declaring a war which subjects its inhabitants

to these evils, or for having so long pursued a course

of aggression towards the former, as to have precluded

the means of securing their neutrality. But there is

another powerful consideration which should have its due

weight, I will not say in justifying our conduct, (that

needs no justification,) but in quieting your apprehensions.

As I have before remarked, had we been the first to enter

on this war, sending forth into your settlements a ruthless

enemy to lay waste and massacre wherever they passed, no

time could have washed away the recollection of the

atrocity; but we take our stand on high ground. We war

not on your possessions; we merely await you on the

defensive, and it must be borne in mind that, if these

very people whose employment you deprecate are not let

loose upon the Canadas in a career of unchecked spoliation,

it is only because your Government has failed in the

attempt to blind them to a sense of their numerous wrongs."

"No reasoning can be more candid, General," returned

Major Montgomerie; "and far be it from me wholly to deny

the justice of your observation. My own private impressions

tend less to impugn your policy than to deplore the

necessity for the services of such an ally: for, however,

it may be sought on the part of the British Government,

(and I certainly do differ from the majority of my

countrymen in this instance, by believing it WILL impose

every possible check to unnecessary cruelty,) however,

I repeat, it may be sought to confine the Indians to

defensive operations, their predatory habits will but

too often lead them to the outskirts of our defenceless

settlements, and then who shall restrain them from imbruing

their hands in the blood of the young and the adult--the

resisting and the helpless."

"If we should be accused of neglecting the means of

preventing unnecessary cruelty," observed Colonel D'Egville,

"the people of the United States will do us infinite

wrong. This very circumstance has been foreseen and

provided against. Without the power to prevent the Indians

from entering upon these expeditions, we have at least

done all that experience and a thorough knowledge of

their character admits, to restrain their vengeance, by

the promise of head money. It has been made generally

known to them that every prisoner that is brought in and

delivered up, shall entitle the captor to a certain sum.

This promise, I have no doubt, will have the effect, not

only of saving the lives of those who are attacked in

their settlements, but also of checking any disposition

to unnecessary outrage in the hour of conflict."

"The idea is one certainly reflecting credit on the

humanity of the British authorities," returned Major

Montgomerie; "but I confess I doubt its efficacy. We all

know the nature of an Indian too well to hope that in

the career of his vengeance, or the full flush of victory,

he will waive his war trophy in consideration of a few

dollars. The scalp he may bring, but seldom a living head

with it."

"It is, I fear, the horrid estimation in which the scalp

is held, that too frequently whets the blades of these

people," observed the Commodore. "Were it not considered

a trophy, more lives would be spared; but an Indian, from

all I can understand, takes greater pride in exhibiting

the scalp of a slain enemy, than a knight of ancient

times did in displaying in his helmet, the glove that

had been bestowed on him as a mark of favor by his

lady-love."

"After all," said the General, "necessary as it is to

discourage it by every possible mark of our disapprobation,

I do not (entre nous) see, in the mere act of scalping,

half the horrors usually attached to the practice. The

motive must be considered. It is not the mere desire to

inflict wanton torture, that influences the warrior, but

an anxiety to possess himself of that which gives

indisputable evidence of his courage and success in war.

The prejudice of Europeans is strong against the custom

however, and we look upon it in a light very different,

I am sure, from that in which it is viewed by the Indians

themselves. The burnings of prisoners, which were practised

many years ago, no longer continue; and the infliction

of the torture has passed away, so that, after all, Indian

cruelty does not exceed that which is practised even at

this day in Europe, and by a nation bearing high rank

among the Catholic powers of Europe. I have numerous

letters, recently received from officers of my acquaintance

now serving in Spain, all of which agree in stating that

the mutilations perpetrated by the Guerilla bands, on

the bodies of such of the unfortunate French detachments

as they succeed in overpowering, far exceed any thing

imputed to the Indians of America; and, as several of

these letters an from individuals who joined the Peninsular

Array from this country, in which they had passed many

years, the statement may be relied on as coming from men

who have had men than hearsay knowledge of both parties."

"Whatever the abhorrence in which scalping may be held

by the people of the northern and eastern states," observed

Colonel D'Egville, "it is notorious that the example of

the Indians is followed by those of the western. The

backwoodsman of the new States, and the Kentuckians

particularly, almost invariably scalp the Indians they

have slain in battle. Am I not right, Major Montgomerie?"

"Perfectly, Colonel--but then the Kentuckians," he added

smiling, "are you know in some degree a separate race.

They are scarcely looked upon as appertaining to the

great American family. Half horse, half alligator, as

they are pleased to term themselves, their roving mode

of life and wild pursuits, are little removed from those

of the native Indian, who scarcely inspires more curiosity

among the civilized portion of the Union, than a genuine

Kentuckian."

"Yet, if we may credit the accounts of our Indian spies,"

remarked the General, "the army to which I have alluded,

as having marched forward to Detroit, is composed chiefly

of those backwoodsmen."

"In which case," observed the Commodore, "it will only

be savage pitted against savage after all, therefore,

the exchange of a few scalps can prove but an indifferent

source of national umbrage. Not, however, be it understood,

that I advocate the practice."

Here a tall, fine looking black, wearing the livery of

Colonel D'Egville, entering to announce that coffee was

waiting for them in an adjoining room--the party rose

and retired to the ladies.

CHAPTER VII.

Our readers doubtless bear in mind the spot called

Elliott's Point, at the western extremity of Lake Erie,

to which we have already introduced him. At a considerable

distance beyond that again, (its intermediate shores

washed by the silver waves of the Erie,) stretches a

second, called also, from the name of its proprietor,

Hartley's Point. Between these two necks, are three or

four farms; one of which and adjoining Hartley's, was,

at the period of which we treat, occupied by an individual

of whom, unfortunately for the interests of Canada, too

many of the species had been suffered to take root within

her soil. For many years previous to the war, adventurers

from the United States, chiefly men of desperate fortunes,

and even more desperate characters, had, through a mistaken

policy, been suffered to occupy the more valuable portion

of the country. Upper Canada, in particular, was infested

by these people, all of whom, even while taking the

customary oath of allegiance to the crown, brought with

them, and openly professed, all the partialities of

American citizens. By the Canadians and their descendants,

French and English, they were evidently looked upon with

an eye of distrust, for, independently of the fact of

their having been suffered to appropriate, during pleasure,

many valuable tracts of land, they had experienced no

inconsiderable partiality on the part of the Government.

Those who believe in the possibility of attaching a

renegade to the soil of his adoption and converting him

into a serviceable defender of that soil in a moment of

need, commit a great error in politics. The shrewd

Canadians knew them better. They complained with bitterness,

that at the first appearance of a war, they would hold

their oaths of fealty as naught, or that if they did

remain, it would only be with a view to embarrass the

province with their presence, and secretly to serve the

cause of their native country. The event proved that they

knew their men. Scarcely had the American declaration

of war gone forth, when numbers of these people, availing

themselves of their near contiguity, abandoned their

homes, and embarking in boats all their disposable

property, easily succeeded, under cover of the night, in

gaining the opposite coast. Not satisfied however with

their double treason, they, in the true spirit of the

dog in the manger, seemed resolved others should not

enjoy that which was no longer available to themselves,

and the dawn that succeeded the night of their departure,

more than once broke on scenes of spoliation of their

several possessions, which it required one to know these

desperate people well, to credit as being the work of

their own hands. Melancholy as it was, however, to

reflect that the spirit of conciliation had been thus

repaid, the country had reason to rejoice in their flight;

for, having thus declared themselves, there was nothing

now, beyond their open hostility, to apprehend. Not so

with the few who remained. Alike distrusted with those

who had taken a more decided part, it was impossible to

bring any charge home to them, on which to found a plea

for compelling them to quit the country, in imitation of

the example of their fellows. They had taken the oaths

of allegiance to England--and, although ninety-nine had

deliberately violated these, there was no legal cause

for driving forth the hundredth, who still kept the "word

of promise to the ear," however he might break it to the

hope. Not that, on this account, the hundredth was held

to be one whit more honourable or loyal. It was felt and

known, as though it had been written in characters of

fire upon his brow, that if he did not follow in the

steps of his predecessors, it was because his interests,

not his inclination, induced his pursuing an apparently

opposite course. It is true, those who remained were few

in number; but scattered, as they were, over various

isolated parts of the country, this only rendered them

greater objects of suspicion. If the enemy became apprised

of any of our movements, for the successful termination

of which it was necessary they should be kept in ignorance,

it was at once taken for granted their information had

been derived from the traitors Canada had so long nourished

in her bosom; and as several of them were in the practice

of absenting themselves for days in their boats, under

the plea of duck-shooting, or some other equally plausible

pretence, nothing was more easy of accomplishment. Under

these circumstances of doubt, the general secession of

the Yankees, as they were termed, which had first been

regarded as a calamity, was now looked upon as a blessing;

and if regret eventually lingered in the minds even of

those who had been most forward to promote their

introduction into the country, it arose, not because the

many had departed, but because the few remained. That

they were traitors, all believed; but, although narrowly

watched, in no one instance could their treason be traced,

much less established. In the course of time however they

committed themselves in some one way or other, and then

of necessity their only resource was to flee, as their

companions had fled before them, until ultimately few of

their number were left. If Canada has reason to feel

happy in the late war, inasmuch as that war offered a

means of proving her devoted attachment to the Mother

Country, she has no less reason to rejoice in it, as

having been the indirect means of purging her unrepublican

soil of a set of hollow hearted persons, who occupied

the place and enjoyed all the advantages of loyal men.

Should she, failing to profit by the experience of the

past, again tolerate the introduction of citizens of the

United States into her flourishing provinces, when there

are so many deserving families anxious to emigrate to

her from the Mother Country; then will she merit all the

evils which can attach, in a state of warfare, to a people

diametrically opposed in their interests, their principles,

their habits, and their attachments.

An individual of this description had his residence near

Hartley's Point. Unlike those however whose dwellings

rose at a distance, few and far between, hemmed in by

the fruits of prosperous agriculture, he appeared to have

paid But little attention to the cultivation of a soil,

which in every part was of exceeding fertility. A rude

log hut, situated in a clearing of the forest, the

imperfect work of lazy labour, was his only habitation,

and here he had for years resided without its being known

how he contrived to procure the necessary means of

subsistence; yet, in defiance of the apparent absence of

all resources, it was subject of general remark, that he

not only never wanted money, but had been enabled to

bestow something like an education on a son, who had, at

the epoch opened by our narrative, been absent from him

upwards of five years. From his frequent voyages, and

the direction his canoe was seen to take, it was inferred

by his immediate neighbours, that he dealt in contraband,

procuring various articles on the American coast, which,

he subsequently disposed of in the small town of

Amherstburgh (one of the principal English posts) among

certain subjects domiciliated there, who were suspected

of no very scrupulous desire to benefit the revenue of

the country they called their own. So well and so wisely,

however, did he cover his operations, that he had always

contrived to elude detection--and, although suspicion

attached to his conduct, in no instance had he openly

committed himself. The man himself, tall, stout and of

a forbidding look, was of a fearless and resolute character,

and if he resorted to cunning, it was because cunning

alone could serve his purpose in a country, the laws of

which were not openly to be defied.

For a series of years after his arrival, he had contrived

to evade taking the customary oaths of allegiance; but

this, eventually awakening the suspicions of the magistracy,

brought him more immediately under their surveillance,

when, year after year, he was compelled to a renewal of

the oath, for the imposition of which, it was thought,

he owed more than one of those magistrates a grudge. On

the breaking out of the war, he still remained in

undisturbed possession of his rude dwelling, watched as

well as circumstances would permit, it is true, but not

so narrowly as to be traced in his various nocturnal

excursions by water. Nothing could be conceived more

uncouth in manner and appearance than this man--nothing

more villainous than the expression of his eye. No one

knew from what particular point of the United States he

had come, and whether Yankee or Kentuckian, it would have

puzzled one of that race of beings, so proverbial for

acumen--a Philadelphia lawyer--to have determined; for

so completely did he unite the boasting language of the

latter with the wary caution and sly cunning of the

former, that he appeared a compound of both. The general

opinion, however, seemed rather, to incline in favor of

the presumption that he was less Kentuckian than Yankee.

The day following that of the capture of the American

detachment was just beginning to dawn, as two individuals

appeared on the skirt of the rude clearing in which the

hut of the man we have just described, had been erected.

The persons of both these, wrapt in blue military cloaks,

reposed upon the dark foliage in a manner to enable them

to observe, without being themselves seen, all that passed

within the clearing, from the log hut to the sand of the

lake shore. There had been an indication by one of these

of a design to step forth from his concealment into the

clearing, and advance boldly toward the house; but this

had been checked by his companion, who, laying his hand

upon his shoulder, arrested the movement, pointing out

at the same time, the leisurely but cautious advance of

two men from the hut towards the shore, on which lay a

canoe half drawn up on the sands. Each, on issuing from

the hut, had deposited a rifle against the rude exterior

of the dwelling, the better to enable them to convey a

light mast, sail, paddles, several blankets, and a common

corn-bag, apparently containing provisions, with which

they proceeded towards the canoe.

"So," said the taller of the first party, in a whisper,

"there is that d----d rascal Desborough setting out on

one of his contraband excursions. He seems to have a long

absence in view, if we may judge from the contents of

his provision sack."

"Hist," rejoined his companion, "there is more here than

meets the eye. In the first instance, remove the pistols

from the case, and be prepared to afford me assistance,

should I require it."

"What the devil are you going to do, and what do you

mean?" asked the first speaker, following however the

hint that had been given him, and removing a pair of

duelling pistols from their mahogany case.

While he was in the act of doing this, his companion had,

without replying, quitted his side, and cautiously and

noiselessly advanced to the hut. In the course of a few

minutes he again appeared at the point whence he had

started, grasping in either hand the rifles so recently

deposited there.

"Well, what is the meaning of this feat? you do not

intend, Yankee fashion, to exchange a long shot with poor

Molineux, I hope--if so, my dear fellow, I cry off, for

upon my honor, I cannot engage in any thing that is not

strictly orthodox."

He, thus addressed, could scarcely restrain a laugh at

the serious tone in which his companion expressed himself,

as if he verily believed he had that object in view.

"Would you not like," he asked, "to be in some degree

instrumental in banishing wholly from the country, a man

whom we all suspect of treason, but are compelled to

tolerate from inability to prove his guilt--this same

notorious Desborough?"

"Now that you no longer speak and act in parables, I can

understand you. Of course I should, but what proof of

his treason are we to discover in the mere fact of his

departing on what he may choose to call a hunting excursion?

even admitting he is speculating in the contraband, THAT

cannot banish him; and if it could, we could never descend

to become informers."

"Nothing of the kind is required of us--his treason will

soon unfold itself, and that in a manner to demand, as

an imperative duty, that we secure the traitor. For this

have I removed the rifles which may, in a moment of

desperation, be turned at backwoodsman's odds against

our pistols. Let us steal gently towards the beach, and

then you shall satisfy yourself; but I had nearly

forgotten--suppose the other party should arrive?",

"Then they must in their turn wait for us. They have

already exceeded their time ten minutes."

"Look," exclaimed his companion, as he slightly grasped

the shoulder on which his hand had rested, "he is returning

for the rifles."

Only one of the two men now retrod his steps from the

beach towards the hut, but with a more hurried action

than before. As he passed where the friends still

lingered, he gave a start of surprise, apparently produced

by the absence of the rifles. A moment's reflection

seeming to satisfy him it was possible his memory had

failed him, and that they had been left within the

building, he hurried forward to assure himself. After

a few moments of apparently ineffectual search, he again

made his appearance, making the circuit of the hut to

discover his lost weapons, but in vain; when, in the

fierceness of his anger, he cried aloud, with a bitterness

that gave earnest of sincerity.

"By Gosh, I wish I had the curst British rascal who played

me this trick, on t'other shore--if I wouldn't tuck my

knife into his b----y gizzard, then is my name not Jeremiah

Desborough. What the h--l's to be done now?"

Taking advantage of his entrance into the hut, the two

individuals, first described, had stolen cautiously under

cover of the forest, until they arrived at its termination,

within about twenty yards of the shore, where however

there was no outward or visible sign of the individual

who had been Desborough's companion. In the bows of the

canoe were piled the blankets, and in the centre was

deposited the provision bag that had formed a portion of

their mutual load. The mast had not been hoisted, but

lay extended along the hull, its sail loosened and

partially covering the before mentioned article of

freightage. The bow half of the canoe pressed the beach,

the other lay sunk in the water, apparently in the manner

in which it had first approached the land.

Still uttering curses, but in a more subdued tone, against

"the fellor who had stolen his small bores," the angry

Desborough retraced his steps to the canoe. More than

once he looked back to see if he could discover any traces

of the purloiner, until at length his countenance seemed

to assume an expression of deeper cause for concern, than

even the loss of his weapons.

"Ha, I expect some d----d spy has been on the look out--

if so, I must cut and run I calculate purty soon."

This apprehension was expressed as he arrived opposite

the point where the forest terminated. A slight rustling

among the underwood reduced that apprehension to certainty.

He grasped the handle of his huge knife that was thrust

into the girdle around his loins, and rivetting his gaze

on the point whence the sound had proceeded, retreated

in that attitude. Another and more distinct crush of

underwood, and he stood still with surprise, on finding

himself face to face with two officers of the garrison.

"We have alarmed you, Desborough," said the younger, as

they both advanced leisurely to the beach. "Do you

apprehend danger from our presence?"

A keen searching glance flashed from the ferocious eye

of the Yankee. It was but momentary. Quitting his firm

grasp of the knife, he suffered his limbs to relax their

tension, and aiming at carelessness, observed, with a

smile, that was tenfold more hideous from its being

forced:

"Well now, I guess, who would have expected to see two

officers so fur away from the fort at this early hour of

the mornin'."

"Ah," said the taller of the two, availing himself of

the first opening to a pun which had been afforded, "we

are merely out on a SHOOTING excursion."

Desborough gazed doubtingly on the speaker--"Strange sort

of a dress that for shootin' I guess--them cloaks most

be a great tanglement in the bushes."

"They serve to keep our ARMS warm," continued Middlemore,

perpetrating another of his execrables.

"To keep your arms warm! well sure-LY, if that arn't

droll. It may be some use to keep the primins dry, I

reckon; but I can't see the good of keepin' the fowlin'

pieces warm. Have you met any game yet, officers. I expect

as how I can pint you out a purty spry place for pattridges

and sich like."

"Thank you, my good fellow; but we have appointed to meet

our GAME here."

The dry manner in which this was observed had a visible

effect on the settler. He glanced an eye of suspicion

around, to see if others than the two officers were in

view, and it was not without effort that he assumed an

air of unconcern, as he replied:

"Well I expect I have been many a long year a hunter, as

well as other things, and yet, dang me if I ever calculated

the game would come to me. It always costs me a purty

good chase in the woods."

"How the fellow beats about the bush, to find what game

we are driving at," observed Middlemore, in an under

tone, to his companion.

"Let the Yankee alone for that," returned he, whom our

readers have doubtless recognized for Henry Grantham; "I

will match his cunning against your punning any day."

"The truth is, he is FISHING to discover our motive for

being here, and to find out if we are in any way connected

with the disappearance of his rifles."

During this conversation APART, the Yankee had carelessly

approached his canoe, and was affecting to make some

alteration in the disposition of the sail. The officers,

the younger especially, keeping a sharp look out upon

his movements, followed at some little distance, until

they, at length, stood on the extreme verge of the sands.

Their near approach seemed to render Desborough impatient:

"I expect, officers," he said, with a hastiness that, at

any other moment, would have called down immediate reproof,

if not chastisement, "you will only be losin' time here

for nothin'--About a mile beyond Hartley's there'll be

plenty of pattridges at this hour, and I am jist goin'

to start myself for a little shootin' in the Sandusky

river."

"Then, I presume," said Grantham, with a smile, "you are

well provided with silver bullets, Desborough--for, in

the hurry of departure, you seem likely to forget the

only medium through which leaden ones can be made available:

not a rifle or a shot-gun do I see."

The Yankee fixed his eye for a moment, with a penetrating

expression, on the youth, as if he would have sought a

meaning deeper than the words implied. His reading seemed

to satisfy him that all was right.

"What," he observed, with a leer, half cunning half

insolent, "if I have hid my rifle near the Sandusky swamp,

the last time I hunted there."

"In that case," observed the laughing Middlemore, to whom

the opportunity was irresistible, "you are going out on

a WILD GOOSE CHASE, indeed. Your prospects of a good

hunt, as you call it, cannot be said to be SURE AS A GUN,

for in regard to the latter, you may depend some one has

discovered and RIFLED it before this."

"You seem to have laid in a store of provisions for this

trip, Desborough," remarked Henry Grantham; "how long do

you purpose being absent?"

"I guess three or four days," was the sullen reply.

"Three or four days! why your bag contains," and the

officer partly raised a corner of the sail, "provisions

for a week, or, at least, for TWO for half that period."

The manner in which the TWO was emphasised did not escape

the attention of the settler. He was visibly disconcerted,

nor was he at all reassured when the younger officer

proceeded:

"By the bye, Desborough, we saw you leave the hut with

a companion--what has become of him?"

The Yankee, who had now recovered his self-possession,

met the question without the slightest show of hesitation:

"I expect you mean, young man," he said, with insufferable

insolence, "a help as I had from Hartley's farm, to assist

gittin' down the things. He took home along shore when

I went back to the hut for the small bores."

"Oh ho, sir! the rifles ate not then concealed near the

Sandusky swamp, I find."

For once, the wily settler felt his cunning had over-reached

itself. In the first fury of his subdued rage, he muttered

something amounting to a desire that he could produce

them at that moment, as he would well know where to lodge

the bullets--but, recovering himself, he said aloud:

"The rale fact is, I've a long gun hid, as I said, near

the swamp, but my small bore I always carry with me--only

think, jist as I and Hartley's help left the hut, I pit

my rifle against the outside wall, not being able to

carry it down with the other things, and when I went back

a minute or two ater, drot me if some tarnation rascal

hadn't stole it."

"And if you had the British rascal on t'other shore, you

wouldn't be long in tucking a knife into his gizzard,

would you?" asked Middlemore, in a nearly verbatim

repetition of the horrid oath originally uttered by

Desborough, "I see nothing to warrant our interfering

with him," he continued in an under tone to his companion.

Not a little surprised to hear his words repeated, the

Yankee lost somewhat of his confidence as he replied,

"well now sure-LY, you officers didn't think nothin' o'

that--I expect I was in a mighty rage to find my small

bore gone, and I did curse a little hearty, to be sure."

"The small bore multiplied in your absence," observed

Grantham; "when I looked at the hut there were two."

"Then maybe you can tell who was the particular d----d

rascal that stole them," said the settler eagerly.

Middlemore laughed heartily at his companion, who observed:

"The particular d----d rascal who removed, not stole them

thence, stands before you."

Again the Yankee looked disconcerted. After a moment's

hesitation, he continued, with a forced grin, that gave

an atrocious expression to his whole countenance:

"Well now, you officers are playing a purty considerable

spry trick--it's a good lark, I calculate--but you know,

as the saying is, enough's as good as a feast. Do tell

me, Mr. Grantham," and his discordant voice became more

offensive in its effort at a tone of entreaty, "do tell

me where you've hid my small bore--you little think," he

concluded, with an emphasis then unnoticed by the officers,

but subsequently remembered to have been perfectly

ferocious, "what reason I have to vally it."

"We never descend to larks of the kind," coolly observed

Grantham; "but as you say you value your rifle, it shall

be restored to you on one condition."

"And what may that be?" asked the settler, somewhat

startled at the serious manner of the officer.

"That you show us what your canoe is freighted with.

Here in the bows I mean."

"Why," rejoined the Yankee quickly, but as if without

design, intercepting the officers' nearer approach, "that

bag, I calculate, contains my provisions, and these here

blankets that you see, peepin' like from under the sail,

are what I makes my bed of while out huntin'."

"And are you quite certain there is nothing under those

blankets?--nay do not protest--you cannot answer for what

may have occurred while your back was turned, on your

way to the hut for the rifle."

"By hell," exclaimed the settler, blusteringly, "were

any man to tell me, Jeremiah Desborough, there was any

thin' beside them blankets in the canoe, I would lick

him into a jelly, even though he could whip his own weight

in wild cats."

"So is it? Now then, Jeremiah Desborough, although I have

never yet tried to whip my own weight in wild cats, I

tell you there is something more than those blankets;

and what is more, I insist upon seeing what that something

is."

The settler stood confounded. His eye rolled rapidly from

one to the other of the officers at the boldness and

determination of this language. Singly, he could hare

crushed Henry Grantham in his gripe, even as one of the

bears of the forest, near the outskirt of which they

stood; but there were two, and while attacking the one,

he was sure of being assailed by the other; nay, what

was worse, the neighborhood might be alarmed. Moreover,

although they had kept their cloaks carefully wrapped

around their persons, there could be little doubt that

both officers were armed, not, as they had originally

given him to understand, with fowling pieces, but with

(at the present close quarters at least) far more efficient

weapons--pistols. He was relieved from his embarrassment

by Middlemore exclaiming:

"Nay, do not press the poor devil, Grantham; I dare say

the story of his hunting is all a hum, and that the fact

is, he is merely going to earn an honest penny in one of

his free commercial speculations--a little contraband,"

pointing with his finger to the bows, "is it not

Desborough?"

"Why now, officer," said the Yankee, rapidly assuming a

dogged air, as if ashamed of the discovery that had been

so acutely made, "I expect you won't hurt a poor fellor

for doin' a little in this way. Drot me, these are hard

times, and this here war jist beginnin', quite pits one

to one's shifts."

"This might do, Desborough, were your present freight an

arrival instead of a departure, but we all know that

contraband is imported, not exported."

"Mighty cute you are, I guess," replied the settler,

warily, with something like the savage grin of the wild

cat, to which he had so recently alluded; "but I expect

it would be none so strange to have packed up a few dried

hog skins to stow away the goods I am goin' for."

"I should like to try the effect of a bullet among the

skins," said Grantham, leisurely drawing forth and cocking

a pistol, after having whispered something in the ear of

his companion.

"Nay, officer," said Desborough, now for the first time

manifesting serious alarm--"you sure-LY don't mean to

bore a hole through them innocent skins?"

"True," said Middlemore, imitating, "if he fires, the

hole will be something more than SKIN deep I reckon--these

pistols, to my knowledge, send a bullet through a two

inch plank at twenty paces."

As Middlemore thus expressed himself, both he and Grantham

saw, or fancied they saw, the blankets slightly agitated.

"Good place for HIDE that," said the former, addressing

his pun to the Yankee, on whom however it was totally

lost, "show us those said skins, my good fellow, and if

we find they are not filled with any thing it would be

treason in a professed British subject to export thus

clandestinely, we promise that you shall depart without

further hindrance."

"Indeed, officer," muttered the settler, sullenly and

doggedly, "I shan't do no sich thing. Yon don't belong

to the custom-house I reckon, and so I wish you a good

day, for I have a considerable long course to run, and

must be movin'." Then, seizing the paddles that were

lying on the sand, he prepared to shove the canoe from

the beach.

"Not at least before I have sent a bullet, to ascertain

the true quality of your skins," said Grantham, levelling

his pistol.

"Sure-LY," said Desborough, as he turned and drew himself

to the full height of his bony and muscular figure, while

his eye measured the officer from head to foot, with a

look of concentrated but suppressed fury, "you wouldn't

dare to do this--you wouldn't dare to fire into my canoe--

besides, consider," he said, in a tone somewhat deprecating,

"your bullet may go through her, and you would hardly do

a fellor the injury to make him lose the chance of a good

cargo."

"Then why provoke such a disaster, by refusing to show

us what is beneath those blankets?"

"Because it's my pleasure to do so," fiercely retorted

the other, "and I won't show them to no man."

"Then is it my pleasure to fire," said Grantham. "The

injury be on your own head, Desborough--one--two--."

At that moment the sail was violently agitated--something

struggling for freedom, cast the blankets on one side,

and presently the figure of a man stood upright in the

bows of the canoe, and gazed around him with an air of

stupid astonishment.

"What," exclaimed Middlemore, retreating back a pace or

two, in unfeigned surprise; "has that pistol started up,

like the ghost in Hamlet, Ensign Paul, Emilius, Theophilus,

Arnoldi, of the United States Michigan Militia--a prisoner

on his parole of honor? and yet attempting a clandestine

departure from the country--how is this?"

"Not this merely," exclaimed Grantham, "but a traitor to

his country, and a deserter from our service. This fellow,"

he pursued, in answer to an inquiring look of his companion,

"is a scoundrel, who deserted three years since from the

regiment you relieved--I recognized him yesterday on his

landing, as my brother Gerald, who proposed making his

report to the General this morning, had done before. Let

us secure both, Middlemore, for, thank Heaven we have

been enabled to detect the traitor at last, in that which

will excuse his final expulsion from the soil, even if

no worse befall him. I have only tampered with him thus

long to render his conviction more complete."

"Secure me! secure Jeremiah Desborough?" exclaimed the

settler, with rage manifest in the clenching of his teeth

and the tension of every muscle of his iron frame, "and

that for jist tryin' to save a countryman--well, we'll

see who'll have the best of it."

Before Grantham could anticipate the movement, the active

and powerful Desborough had closed with him in a manner

to prevent his making use of his pistol, had he even so

desired. In the next instant it was wrested from him,

and thrown far from the spot on which he struggled with

his adversary, but at fearful odds, against himself.

Henry Grantham, although well and actively made, was of

slight proportion, and yet in boyhood. Desborough, on

the contrary, was in the full force of a vigorous manhood.

A struggle, hand to hand, between two combatants so

disproportioned, could not, consequently, be long doubtful

as to its issue. No sooner had the formidable Yankee

closed with his enemy, than, pressing the knuckles of

his iron hand which met round the body of the officer,

with violence against his spine, he threw him backwards

with force upon the sands. Grasping his victim with one

hand as he lay upon him, he seemed, as Grantham afterwards

declared, to be groping for his knife with the other.

The settler was evidently anxious to despatch one enemy,

in order that he might fly to the assistance of his son,

for it was he whom Middlemore, with a powerful effort,

had dragged from the canoe to the beach. While his right

hand was still groping for the knife--an object which

the powerful resistance of the yet unsubdued, though

prostrate, officer rendered somewhat difficult of attainment

--the report of a pistol was heard, fired evidently by

one of the other combatants. Immediately the settler

looked up to see who was the triumphant party. Neither

had fallen, and Middlemore, if any thing, had the advantage

of his enemy; but to his infinite dismay, Desborough

beheld a horseman, evidently attracted by the report of

the pistol, urging his course with the rapidity of

lightning, along the firm sands, and advancing with cries

and vehement gesticulations to the rescue.

Springing with the quickness of thought from his victim,

the settler was in the next moment at the side of

Middlemore. Seizing him from behind by the arm within

his nervous grasp, he pressed the latter with such

prodigious force as to cause him to relinquish, by a

convulsive movement, the firm hold he had hitherto kept

of his adversary.

"In, boy, to the canoe for your life," he exclaimed

hurriedly, as following up his advantage, he spun the

officer round, and sent him tottering to the spot were

Grantham lay, still stupified and half throttled. The

next instant saw him heaving the canoe from the shore,

with all the exertion called for by his desperate situation.

And all this was done so rapidly, in so much less time

than it will take our readers to trace it, that before

the horseman, so opportunely arriving, had reached the

spot, the canoe, with its inmates, had pushed from the

shore.

Without pausing to consider the rashness and apparent

impracticability of his undertaking, the strange horseman,

checking his rein, and burying the rowels of his spurs

deep into the flanks of his steed, sent him bounding and

plunging into the lake, in pursuit of the fugitives.

He himself evinced every symptom of one in a state of

intoxication. Brandishing a stout cudgel over his head,

and pealing forth shouts of defiance, he rolled from side

to side on his spirited charger, like some labouring bark

careening to the violence of the winds, but ever, like

that bark, regaining an equilibrium that was never

thoroughly lost. Shallow as the lake was at this point

for a considerable distance, it was long before the noble

animal lost its footing, and thus had its rider been

enabled to arrive within a few paces of the canoe, at

the very moment when the increasing depth of the water,

in compelling the horse to the less expeditions process

of swimming, gave a proportionate advantage to the pursued.

No sooner, however, did the Centaur-like rider find that

he was losing ground, than, again darting his spurs into

the flanks of his charger, he made every effort to reach

the canoe, Maddened by the pain, the snorting beast half

rose upon the calm element, like some monster of the

deep, and, making two or three desperate plunges with

his fore feet, succeeded in reaching the stern. Then

commenced a short but extraordinary conflict. Bearing up

his horse as he swam, with the bridle in his teeth, the

bold rider threw his left hand upon the stern of the

vessel, and brandishing his cudgel in the right, seemed

to provoke both parties to the combat. Desborough, who

had risen from the stern at his approach, stood upright

in the centre, his companion still paddling at the bows;

and between these two a singular contest now ensued.

Armed with the formidable knife which he had about his

person, the settler made the most desperate and infuriated

efforts to reach his assailant; but in so masterly a

manner did his adversary use his simple weapon, that

every attempt was foiled, and more than once did the hard

iron-wood descend upon his shoulders, in a manner to be

heard from the shore. Once or twice the settler stooped

to evade some falling blow, and, rushing forward, sought

to sever the hand which still retained its hold of the

stern; but, with an activity remarkable in so old a man

as his assailant, for he was upwards of sixty years of

age, the hand was removed--and the settler, defeated in

his object, was amply repaid for his attempt, by a severe

collision of his bones with the cudgel. At length,

apparently enjoined by his companion, the younger removed

his paddle, and, standing up also in the canoe, aimed a

blow with its knobbed handle at the head of the horse,

at a moment when his rider was fully engaged with

Desborough. The quick-sighted old man saw the action,

and, as the paddle descended, an upward stroke from his

own heavy weapon sent it flying in fragments in the air,

while a rapid and returning blow fell upon the head of

the paddler, and prostrated him at length in the canoe.

The opportunity afforded by this diversion, momentary as

it was, was not lost upon Desborough. The horseman, who,

in his impatience to avenge the injury offered to the

animal, which seemed to form a part of himself, had

utterly forgotten the peril of his hand; and before he

could return from the double blow that had been so

skilfully wielded, to his first enemy, the knife of the

latter had penetrated his hand, which, thus rendered

powerless now relinquished its grasp. Desborough, whose

object--desperate character as he usually was--seemed

now rather to fly than to fight, availed himself of this

advantage to hasten to the bows of the canoe, where,

striding across the body of his insensible companion,

he, with a few vigorous strokes of the remaining paddle,

urged the lagging bark rapidly a-head. In no way intimidated

by his disaster, the courageous old man, again brandishing

his cudgel, and vociferating taunts of defiance, would

have continued the pursuit, but panting as he was, not

only with the exertion he had made, but under the weight

of his impatient rider, in an element in which he was

supported merely by his own buoyancy, the strength and

spirit of the animal began now perceptibly to fail him,

and he turned, despite of every effort to prevent him,

towards the shore. It was fortunate for the former that

there were no arms in the canoe, or neither he nor the

horse would, in all probability, have returned alive;

such was the opinion, at least, pronounced by those who

were witnesses of the strange scene, and who remarked

the infuriated but impotent gestures of Desborough, as

the old man, having once more gotten his steed into depth,

slowly pursued his course towards the shore, but with

the same wild brandishing of his enormous cudgel, and

the same rocking from side to side, until his body was

often at right angles with that of his jaded but sure-footed

beast. As he is, however, a character meriting rather

more than the casual notice we have bestowed, we shall

take the opportunity while he is hastening to the

discomfited officers on the beach, more particularly to

describe him.

CHAPTER VIII.

Nearly midway between Elliott's and Hartley's points,

both of which are remarkable for the low and sandy nature

of the soil, the land, rising gradually towards the

centre, assumes a more healthy and arable aspect; and,

on its highest elevation, stood a snug, well cultivated,

property, called, at the period of which we write,

Gattrie's farm. From this height, crowned on its extreme

summit by a neat and commodious farm-house, the far

reaching sands, forming the points above named, are

distinctly visible. Immediately in the rear, and commencing

beyond the orchard which surrounded the house, stretched

forestward, and to a considerable distance, a tract of

rich and cultivated soil, separated into strips by zig-zag

enclosures, and offering to the eye of the traveller, in

appropriate season, the several species of American

produce, such as Indian corn, buck wheat, &c. with here

and there a few patches of indifferent tobacco. Thus

far of the property, a more minute description of which

is unimportant. The proprietors of this neat little place

were a father and son, to the latter of whom was consigned,

for reasons which will appear presently, the sole management

of the farm. Of him we will merely say, that, at the

period of which we treat, he was a fine, strapping, dark

curly-haired, white-teethed, red-lipped, broad-shouldered,

and altogether comely and gentle tempered youth, of about

twenty, who had, although unconsciously, monopolized the

affections of almost every well favoured maiden of his

class, for miles around him--advantages of nature, from

which had resulted a union with one of the prettiest of

the fair competitors for connubial happiness.

The father we may not dismiss so hastily. He was--but,

before attempting the portraiture of his character, we

will, to the best of our ability, sketch his person.

Let the reader fancy an old man of about sixty, possessed

of that comfortable amplitude of person which is the

result rather of a mind at peace with itself, and

undisturbed by worldly care, than of any marked indulgence

in indolent habits. Let him next invest this comfortable

person in a sort of Oxford gray, coarse capote, or frock,

of capacious size, tied closely round the waist with one

of those parti-colored worsted sashes, we have, on a

former occasion described as peculiar to the bourgeois

settlers of the country. Next, suffering his eye to

descend on and admire the rotund and fleshy thigh, let

it drop gradually to the stout and muscular legs, which

he must invest in a pair of closely fitting leathern

trowsers, the wide-seamed edges of which are slit into

innumerable small strips, much after the fashion of the

American Indian. When he has completed the survey of the

lower extremities, to which he must not fail to subjoin

a foot of proportionate dimensions, tightly moccasined,

and, moreover, furnished with a pair of old English

hunting spurs, the reader must then examine the head with

which this heavy piece of animated machinery is surmounted.

From beneath a coarse felt hat, garnished with an inch-wide

band or ribbon, let him imagine he sees the yet vigorous

grey hair, descending over a forehead not altogether

wanting in a certain dignity of expression, and terminating

in a beetling brow, silvered also with the frost of years,

and shadowing a sharp, grey, intelligent eye, the vivacity

of whose expression denotes its possessor to be far in

advance, in spirit, even of his still active and powerful

frame. With these must be connected a snub nose--a double

chin, adorned with grisly honors, which are borne, like

the fleece of the lamb, only occasionally to the shears

of the shearer--and a small, and not unhandsome, mouth,

at certain periods pursed into an expression of irresistible

humour, but more frequently expressing a sense of lofty

independence. The grisly neck, little more or less bared,

as the season may demand--a kerchief loosely tied around

the collar of a checked shirt--and a knotted cudgel in

his hand,--and we think our sketch of Sampson Gattrie is

complete.

Nor must the reader picture to himself this combination

of animal properties, either standing, or lying, or

walking, or sitting; but in a measure glued, Centaur-like,

to the back of a noble stallion, vigorous, active, and

of a dark chesnut color, with silver mane and tail. In

the course of many years that Sampson had resided in the

neighbourhood, no one could remember to have seen him

stand, or lie, or walk, or sit, while away from his home,

unless absolutely compelled. Both horse and rider seemed

as though they could not exist while separated, and yet

Silvertail (thus was the stallion named) was not more

remarkable in sleekness of coat, soundness of carcase,

and fleetness of pace, than his rider was in the

characteristics of corpulency and joviality.

Sampson Gattrie had passed the greater part of his younger

days in America. He had borne arms in the revolution,

and was one of those faithful loyalists, who, preferring

rather to abandon a soil which, after all, was one of

adoption, than the flag under which they had been nurtured,

had, at the termination of that contest, passed over into

Canada. Having served in one of those irregular corps,

several of which had been employed with the Indians,

during the revolutionary contest, he had acquired much

of the language of these latter, and to this knowledge

was indebted for the situation of interpreter which he

had for years enjoyed. Unhappily for himself, however,

the salary attached to the office was sufficient to keep

him in independence, and, to the idleness consequent on

this, (for the duties of an interpreter were only

occasional,) might have been attributed the rapid growth

of a vice--an addiction to liquor--which unchecked

indulgence had now ripened into positive disease.

Great was the terror that Sampson was wont to excite in

the good people of Amherstburg. With Silvertail at his

speed, he would gallop into the town, brandishing his

cudgel, and reeling from side to side, exhibiting at one

moment the joyous character of a Silenus, at another, as

we have already shown--that of an inebriated Centaur.

Occasionally he would make his appearance, holding his

sides convulsed with laughter, as he reeled and tottered

in every direction, but without ever losing his equilibrium.

At other times he would utter a loud shout, and, brandishing

his cudgel, dart at full speed along the streets, as if

he purposed singly to carry the town by (what Middlemore

often facetiously called) a coup de main. At these moments

were to be seen mothers rushing into the street to look

for, and hurry away, their loitering offspring, while

even adults were glad to hasten their movements, in order

to escape collision with the formidable Sampson; not that

either apprehended the slightest act of personal violence

from the old man, for he was harmless of evil as a child,

but because they feared the polished hoofs of Silvertail,

which shone amid the clouds of dust they raised as he

passed, like rings of burnished silver. Even the very

Indians, with whom the streets were at this period

habitually crowded, were glad to hug the sides of the

houses, while Sampson passed; and they who, on other

occasions, would have deemed it in the highest degree

derogatory to their dignity to have stepped aside at the

approach of danger, or to have relaxed a muscle of their

stern countenances, would then open a passage with a

rapidity which in them was remarkable, and burst into

loud laughter as they fled from side to side to make way

for Sampson. Sometimes, on these occasions, the latter

would suddenly check Silvertail, while in full career,

and, in a voice that could be beard from almost every

quarter of the little town, harangue them for half an

hour together in their own language, and with an air of

authority that was ludicrous to those who witnessed

it--and must have been witnessed to be conceived.

Occasionally a guttural "ugh" would be responded in mock

approval of the speech, but more frequently a laugh, on

the part of the more youthful of his red auditors, was

the only notice taken. His lecture concluded, Sampson

would again brandish his cudgel, and vociferate another

shout; then betaking himself to the nearest store, he

would urge Silvertail upon the footway, and with a tap

of his rude cudgel against the door, summon whoever was

within, to appear with a glass of his favorite beverage.

And this would he repeat, until he had drained what he

called his stirrup cup, at every shop in the place where

the poisonous liquor was vended.

Were such a character to make his appearance in the Mother

Country, endangering, to all perception, the lives of

the Sovereign's liege subjects, he would, if in London,

be hunted to death like a wild beast, by at least one

half of the Metropolitan police; and, if in a provincial

town, would be beset by a posse of constables. No one,

however--not even the solitary constable of Amherstburg,

ever ventured to interfere with Sampson Gattrie, who was

in some degree a privileged character. Nay, strange as

it may appear, notwithstanding his confirmed habit of

inebriety, the old man stood high in the neighborhood,

not only with simple but with gentle, for there were

seasons when he evinced himself "a rational being," and

there was a dignity of manner about him, which, added to

his then quietude of demeanour, insensibly interested in

his favor, those even who were most forward to condemn

the vice to which he was invariably addicted. Not, be it

understood, that in naming seasons of rationality, we

mean seasons of positive abstemiousness; nor can this

well be, seeing that Sampson never passed a day of strict

sobriety during the last twenty years of his life. But,

it might be said, that his three divisions of day--morning,

noon and night--were characterized by three corresponding

divisions of drunkenness--namely, drunk, drunker, and

most drunk. It was, therefore, in the first stage of this

graduated scale, that Sampson appeared in his most amiable

and winning, because his least uproarious, mood. His

libations commenced at early morn, and his inebriety

became progressive to the close of the day. To one who

could ride home at night, as he invariably did, after

some twelve hours of hard and continued drinking, without

rolling from his horse, it would not be difficult to

enact the sober man in its earlier stages. As his

intoxication was relative to himself, so was his sobriety

in regard to others--and although, at mid-day, he might

have swallowed sufficient to have caused another man to

bite the dust, he looked and spoke, and acted, as if he

had been a model of temperance. If he passed a lady in

the street, or saw her at her window, Sampson Gattrie's

hat was instantly removed from his venerable head, and

his body inclined forward over his saddle-bow, with all

the easy grace of a well-born gentleman, and one accustomed

from infancy to pay deference to woman; nay, this at an

hour when he had imbibed enough of his favorite liquor

to have rendered most men insensible even to their

presence. These habits of courtesy, extended moreover to

the officers of the Garrison, and such others among the

civilians as Sampson felt to be worthy of his notice.

His tones of salutation, at these moments, were soft,

his manner respectful, even graceful; and while there

was nothing of the abashedness of the inferior, there

was also no offensive familiarity, in the occasional

conversations held by him with the different individuals,

or groups, who surrounded and accosted him.

Such was Sampson Gattrie, in the first stage of his

inebriety, no outward sign of which was visible. In the

second, his perception became more obscured, his voice

less distinct, his tones less gentle and insinuating,

and occasionally the cudgel would rise in rapid flourish,

while now and then a load halloo would burst from lungs,

which the oceans of whiskey they had imbibed had not yet,

apparently, much affected. These were infallible indices

of the more feverish stage, of which the gallopings of

Silvertail--the vociferations of his master--the increased

flourishing of the cudgel--the supposed danger of

children--and the consequent alarm of mothers, together

with the harangues to the Indian auditory, were the almost

daily results.

There was one individual, however, in the town of

Amherstburgh, of whom, despite his natural wilfulness of

character, Sampson Gattrie stood much in awe, and that

to such degree, that if he chanced to encounter him in

his mad progress, his presence had the effect of immediately

quieting him. This gentleman was the father of the

Granthams, who, although then filling a civil situation,

had formerly been a field officer in the corps in which

Sampson had served; and who had carried with him into

private life, those qualities of stern excellence for

which he had been remarkable as a soldier--qualities

which had won to him the respect and affection, not only

of the little community over which, in the capacity of

its chief magistrate, he had presided, but also of the

inhabitants of the country generally for many miles

around. Temperate to an extreme himself, Major Grantham

held the vice of drunkenness in deserved abhorrence, and

so far from sharing the general toleration extended to

the old man, whose originality (harmless as he ever was

in his intoxication) often proved a motive for

encouragement; he never failed, on encountering him, to

bestow his censure in a manner that had an immediate and

obvious effect on the culprit. If Sampson, from one end

of the street, beheld Major Grantham approaching at the

other, he was wont to turn abruptly away; but if perchance

the magistrate came so unexpectedly upon him as to preclude

the possibility of retreat, he appeared as one suddenly

sobered, and would rein in his horse, fully prepared for

the stern lecture which he was well aware would ensue.

It afforded no slight amusement to the townspeople, and

particularly the young urchins, who usually looked up to

Sampson with awe, to be witnesses of one of those

rencontres. In a moment the shouting--galloping--rampaging

cudgel-wielder was to be seen changed, as if by some

magic power, into a being of almost child-like obedience,

while he listened attentively and deferentially to the

lecture of Major Grantham, whom he both feared and loved.

On these occasions, he would hang his head upon his

chest--confess his error--and promise solemnly to amend

his course of life, although it must be needless to add

that never was that promise heeded. Not unfrequently,

after these lectures, when Major Grantham had left him,

Sampson would turn his horse, and, with his arms still

folded across his chest, suffer Silvertail to pursue his

homeward course, while he himself, silent and thoughtful,

and looking like a culprit taken in the fact, sat steadily

in his saddle, without however venturing to turn his eye

either to the right or to the left, as he passed through

the crowd, who, with faces strongly expressive of mirth,

marked their sense of the change which had been produced

in the old interpreter. Those who had seen him thus, for

the first time, might have supposed that a reformation

in one so apparently touched would have ensued; but long

experience had taught that, although a twinge of conscience,

or more probably fear of, and respect for, the magistrate,

might induce a momentary humiliation, all traces of cause

and effect would have vanished with the coming dawn.

To the sterling public virtues he boasted, Sampson Gattrie

united that of loyalty in no common degree. A more staunch

adherent to the British Crown existed nowhere in the

sovereign's dominions; and, such was his devotedness to

"King George," that, albeit he could not in all probability

have made the sacrifice of his love for whiskey, he would

willingly have suffered his left arm to be severed from

his body, had such proof of his attachment to the throne

been required. Proportioned to his love for every thing

British, arose, as a natural consequence, his dislike

for every thing anti-British; and especially for those,

who, under the guise of allegiance, had conducted themselves

in away to become objects of suspicion to the authorities.

A near neighbour of Desborough, he had watched him as

narrowly as his long indulged habits of intoxication

would permit, and he had been the means of conveying to

Major Grantham much of the information which had induced

that uncompromising magistrate to seek the expulsion of

the dangerous settler--an object which, however, had been

defeated by the perjury of the unprincipled individual,

in taking the customary oaths of allegiance. Since the

death of Major Grantham, for whom, notwithstanding his

numerous lectures, he had ever entertained that reverential

esteem which is ever the result of the ascendancy of the

powerful and virtuous mind over the weak, and not absolutely

vicious; and for whose sons he felt almost a father's

affection, old Gattrie had but indifferently troubled

himself about Desborough, who was fully aware of what he

had previously done to detect and expose him, and

consequently repaid with usury--an hostility of feeling

which, however, had never been brought to any practical

issue.

As a matter of course, Sampson was of the number of

anxious persons collected on the bank of the river, on

the morning of the capture of the American gun boat; but,

as he was only then emerging from his first stage of

intoxication, (which we have already shown to be tantamount

to perfect sobriety in any other person) there had been

no time for a display of those uproarious qualities which

characterized the last, and which, once let loose, scarcely

even the presence of the General could have restrained.

With an acuteness, however, which is often to be remarked

in habitual drunkards at moments when their intellect is

unclouded by the confusedness to which they are more

commonly subject, the hawk's eye of the old man had

detected several particulars which had escaped the general

attention, and of which he had, at a later period of the

day, retained sufficient recollection, to connect with

an accidental yet important discovery.

At the moment when the prisoners were landed, he had

remarked Desborough, who had uttered the hasty exclamation

already recorded, stealing cautiously through the

surrounding crowd, and apparently endeavouring to arrest

the attention of the younger of the American officers.

An occasional pressing of the spur into the flank of

Silvertail, enabled him to turn as the settler turned,

and thus to keep him constantly in view; until, at length,

as the latter approached the group of which General Brock

and Commodore Barclay formed the centre, he observed him

distinctly to make a sign of intelligence to the Militia

Officer, whose eye he at length attracted, and who now

bestowed upon him a glance of hasty and furtive recognition.

Curiosity induced Sampson to move Silvertail a little

more in advance, in order to be enabled to obtain a better

view of the prisoners; but the latter, turning away his

head at the moment, although apparently without design,

baffled his penetration. Still he had a confused and

indistinct idea that the person was not wholly unknown

to him.

When the prisoners had been disposed of, and the crowd

dispersed, Sampson continued to linger near the council

house, exchanging greetings with the newly arrived Chiefs,

and drinking from whatever whiskey bottle was offered to

him, until he at length gave rapid indication of arriving

at his third or grand climacteric. Then were to be heard

the loud shoutings of his voice, and the clattering of

Silvertail's hoofs, as horse and rider flew like lightning

past the fort into the town, where a more than usual

quantity of the favorite liquid was quaffed at the several

stores, in commemoration, as he said, of the victory of

his noble boy, Gerald Grantham, and to the success of

the British arms generally throughout the war.

Among the faults of Sampson Gattrie, was certainly not

that of neglecting the noble animal to whom long habit

had deeply attached him. Silvertail was equally a favorite

with the son, who had more than once ridden him in the

occasional races that took place upon the hard sands of

the lake shore, and in which he had borne every thing

away. As Sampson was ever conscious and collected about

this hour, care was duly taken by him that his horse

should be fed, without the trouble to himself of

dismounting. Even as Gattrie sat in his saddle, Silvertail

was in the daily practice of munching his corn out of a

small trough that stood in the yard of the inn where he

usually stopped, while his rider conversed with whoever

chanced to be near him--the head of his cudgel resting

on his ample thigh, and a glass of his favorite whiskey

in his other and unoccupied hand.

Now it chanced, that on this particular day, Sampson had

neglected to pay his customary visit to the inn, an

omission which was owing rather to the hurry and excitement

occasioned by the stirring events of the morning, than

to any wilful neglect of his steed. Nor was it until some

hours after dark that, seized with a sudden fit of

caressing Silvertail, whose glossy neck he patted, until

the tears of warm affection started to his eyes, he

bethought him of the omission of which he had been guilty.

Scarcely was the thought conceived, before Silvertail

was again at full career, and on his way to the inn. The

gate stood open, and, as Sampson entered, he saw two

individuals retire, as if to escape observation, within

a shed adjoining the stable. Drunk as he was, a vague

consciousness of the truth, connected as it was with his

earlier observation, flashed across the old man's mind,

and when, in answer to his loud hallooing, a factotum,

on whom devolved all the numerous offices of the inn,

from waiter down to ostler, made his appearance, Sampson

added to his loudly expressed demand for Silvertail's

corn, a whispered injunction to return with a light.

During the absence of the man he commenced trolling a

verse of "Old King Cole," a favorite ballad with him,

and with the indifference of one who believes himself to

be alone. Presently the light appeared, and, as the bearer

approached, its rays fell on the forms of two men, retired

into the furthest extremity of the shed and crouching to

the earth as if in concealment, whom Sampson recognized

at a glance. He however took no notice of the circumstance

to the ostler, or even gave the slightest indication, by

look or movement, of what he had seen.

When the man had watered Silvertail, and put his corn in

the trough, he returned to the house, and Sampson, with

his arms folded across his chest, as his horse crunched

his food, listened attentively to catch whatever

conversation might ensue between the loiterers. Not a

word however was uttered, and soon after he saw them

emerge from their concealment--step cautiously behind

him--cross the yard towards the gate by which he had

entered--and then disappear altogether. During this

movement the old man had kept himself perfectly still,

so that there could be no suspicion that he had, in any

way, observed them. Nay, he even spoke once or twice

coaxingly to Silvertail, as if conscious only of the

presence of that animal, and in short conducted himself

in a manner well worthy of the cunning of a drunken man.

The reflections to which this incident gave rise, had

the effect of calling up a desperate fit of loyalty,

which he only awaited the termination of Silvertail's

hasty meal to put into immediate activity. Another shout

to the ostler, a second glass swallowed, the reckoning

paid, Silvertail bitted, and away went Sampson once more

at his speed, through the now deserted town, the road

out of which to his own place, skirted partly the banks

of the river, and partly those of the lake.

After galloping about a mile, the old man found the feet

of Silvertail burying themselves momentarily deeper in

the sands which form the road near Elliott's Point.

Unwilling to distress him more than was necessary, he

pulled him up to a walk, and, throwing the reins upon

his neck, folded his arms as usual, rolling from side to

side at every moment, and audibly musing, in the thick

husky voice that was common to him in inebriety.

"Yes, by Jove, I am as true and loyal a subject as any

in the service of King George, God bless him, (here he

bowed his head involuntarily and with respect) and though,

as that poor dear old Grantham used to say, I do drink

a little, (hiccup) still there's no great harm in that.

It keeps a man alive. I am the boy, at all events, to

scent a rogue. That was Desborough and his son I saw just

now, and the rascals, he! he! he! the rascals thought,

I suppose, I was too drunk, (hiccup) too drunk to twig

them. We shall tell them another tale before the night

is over. D--n such skulking scoundrels, I say. Whoa!

Silvertail, whoa! what do yea see there, my boy, eh?"

Silvertail only replied by the sharp pricking of his

ears, and a side movement, which seemed to indicate a

desire to keep as much aloof as possible from a cluster

of walnut trees which, interspersed with wild grape-vines,

may be seen to this hour, resting in gloomy relief on

the white deep sands that extend considerably in that

direction.

"Never mind, my boy, we shall be at home presently,"

pursued Sampson, patting the neck of his unquiet companion.

"But no, I had forgotten; we must give chase to these

(hiccup) to these rascals. Now there's that son Bill of

mine fast asleep, I suppose, in the arms of his little

wife. They do nothing but lie in bed, while their poor

old father is obliged to be up at all hours, devising

plans for the good of the King's service, God bless him!

But I shall soon (hiccup)!--Whoa Silvertail! whoa I say.

D--n you, you brute, do you mean to throw me?"

The restlessness of Silvertail, despite of his rider's

caresses had been visibly increasing as they approached

the dark cluster of walnuts. Arrived opposite to this,

his ears and tail erect, he had evinced even more than

restlessness--alarm: and something, that did not meet

the eye of his rider, caused him to take a sideward spring

of several feet. It was this action that, nearly unseating

Sampson, had drawn from him the impatient exclamation

just recorded.

At length the thicket was passed, and Silvertail, recovered

from his alarm, moved forward once more on the bound, in

obedience to the well known whistle of his master.

"Good speed have they made," again mused Sampson, as he

approached his home; "if indeed, as I suspect, it be them

who are hiding in yonder thicket. Silvertail could not

have been more than ten minutes finishing his (hiccup)

his corn, and the sands had but little time to warm

beneath his hoofs when he did start. These Yankees are

swift footed fellows, as I have had good (hiccup) good

experience, in the old war, when I could run a little

myself after the best of them. But here we are at last.

Whoa, Silvertail, whoa! and now to turn out Bill from

his little wife. Bill, I say, hilloa! hilloa! Bill,

hilloa!"

Long habit, which had taught the old man's truly excellent

and exemplary son the utter hopelessness of his disease,

had also familiarized him with these nightly interruptions

to his slumbers. A light was speedily seen to flash across

the chamber in which he slept, and presently the principal

door of the lower building was unbarred, and unmurmuring,

and uncomplaining, the half dressed young man stood in

the presence of his father. Placing the light on the

threshold, he prepared to assist him as usual to dismount,

but Sampson, contrary to custom, rejected for a time

every offer of the kind. His rapid gallop through the

night air, added to the more than ordinary quantity of

whiskey he had that day swallowed, was now producing its

effect, and, while every feature of his countenance

manifested the extreme of animal stupidity, his apprehension

wandered and his voice became almost inarticulate. Without

the power to acquaint his son with the purpose he had in

view, and of which he himself now entertained but a very

indistinct recollection, he yet strove, impelled as he

was by his confusedness of intention to retain his seat,

but was eventually unhorsed and handed over to the care

of his pretty daughter in law, whose office it was to

dispose of him for the night, while her husband rubbed

down, fed, and otherwise attended to Silvertail.

A few hours of sound sleep restored Sampson to his voice

and his recollection, when his desire to follow the two

individuals he had seen in the yard of the inn the

preceding night, and whom he felt persuaded he must have

passed on the road, was more than ever powerfully revived.

And yet, was it not highly probable that the favorable

opportunity had been lost, and that, taking advantage of

the night, they were already departed from the country,

if such (and he doubted it not) was their intention.

"What a cursed fool," he muttered to himself, "to let a

thimbleful of liquor upset me on such an occasion; but,

at all events, here goes for another trial. With the

impatient, over-indulged Sampson, to determine on a course

of action, was to carry it into effect."

"Hilloa! Bill, I say Bill my boy," he shouted from the

chamber next to that in which his son slept. "Hilloa!

Bill, come here directly."

Bill answered not, but sounds were heard in his room as

of one stepping out of bed, and presently the noise of

flint and steel announced that a light was being struck.

In a few minutes, the rather jaded-looking youth appeared

at the bedside of his parent.

"Bill, my dear boy," said Sampson, in a more subdued

voice, "did you see any body pass last night after I came

home? Try and recollect yourself; did you see two men on

the road?"

"I did, father; just as I had locked the stable door,

and was coming in for the night, I saw two men passing

down the road. But why do you ask!"

"Did you speak to them--could you recognize them," asked

Sampson, without stating his motive for the question.

"I wished them good night, and one of them gruffly bade

me good night too; but I could not make out who they

were, though one did for a moment strike me to be

Desborough, and both were tallish sort of men."

"You're a lad of penetration, Bill; now saddle me Silvertail

as fast as you can."

"Saddle Silvertail! surely father, you are not going out

yet: it's not day-light."

"Saddle me Silvertail, Bill," repeated the old man with

the air of one whose mandate was not to be questioned.

"But where the devil are you going, sir," he added

impatiently.

"Why to saddle Silvertail, to be sure," said the youth,

who was just closing the door for that purpose.

"What, and leave me a miserable old man to get up without

a light. Oh fie, Bill. I thought you loved your poor old

father better than to neglect him so--there, that will

do: now send in Lucy to dress me."

The light was kindled, Bill went in and spoke to his

wife, then descended to the stable. A gentle tap at the

door of the old interpreter, and Lucy entered in her

pretty night dress, and, half asleep, half awake, but

without a shadow of discontent in her look, proceeded to

assist him in drawing on his stockings, &c. Sampson's

toilet was soon completed, and Silvertail being announced

as "all ready," he, without communicating a word of his

purpose, issued forth from his home, just as the day was

beginning to dawn.

Although the reflective powers of Gattrie had been in

some measure restored by sleep, it is by no means to be

assumed he was yet thoroughly sober. Uncertain in regard

to the movements of those who had so strongly excited

his loyal hostility, (and, mayhap, at the moment his

curiosity,) it occurred to him that if Desborough had

not already baffled his pursuit, a knowledge of the

movements and intentions of that individual, might be

better obtained from an observation of what was passing

on the beach in front of his hut. The object of this

reconnoissance was, therefore, only to see if the canoe

of the settler was still on the shore, and with this

object he suffered Silvertail to take the road along the

sands, while he himself, with his arms folded and his

head sunk on his chest, fell into a reverie with which

was connected the manner and the means of securing the

disloyal Desborough, should it happen that he had not

yet departed. The accidental discharge of Middlemore's

pistol, at the very moment when Silvertail had doubled

a point that kept the scene of contention from his view,

caused him to raise his eyes, and then the whole truth

flashed suddenly upon him. We have already seen how

gallantly he advanced to them, and how madly, and, in a

manner peculiarly his own, he sought to arrest the traitor

Desborough in his flight.

"Sorry I couldn't force the scoundrel back, gentlemen,"

said Sampson, as he now approached the discomfited

officers. "Not much hurt, I hope," pointing with his

own maimed and bleeding hand to the leg of Middlemore,

which that officer, seated on the sand, was preparing to

bind with a silk handkerchief. "Ah, a mere flesh wound.

I see. Henry, Henry Grantham, my poor dear boy, what

still alive after the desperate clutching of that fellow

at your throat? But now that we have routed the enemy--

must be off--drenched to the skin. No liquor on the

stomach to keep out the cold. and if I once get an ague

fit, its all over with poor old Sampson. Must gallop

home, and, while his little wife wraps a bandage round

my hand, shall send down Bill with a litter. Good morning,

Mr. Middlemore, good bye Henry, my boy." And then,

without giving time to either to reply, the old man

applied his spurs once more to the flanks of Silvertail,

who, with drooping mane and tail, resembled a half drowned

rat; and again hallooing defiance to Desborough, who lay

to at a distance, apparently watching the movements of

his enemies, he retraced his way along the sands at full

gallop, and was speedily out of sight.

Scarcely had Gattrie disappeared, when two other

individuals, evidently officers, and cloaked precisely

like the party he had just quitted, issued from the wood

near the hut upon the clearing, and thence upon the

sands--their countenances naturally expressing all the

surprise that might he supposed to arise from the picture

now offered to their view.

"What in the name of Heaven is the meaning of all this?"

asked one of the new comers, as both now rapidly advanced

to the spot where Middlemore was yet employed in coolly

binding up his leg, while Henry Grantham, who had just

risen, was gasping with almost ludicrous efforts to regain

his respiration.

"You must ask the meaning of our friend here," answered

Middlemore, with the low chuckling good-natured laugh

that was habitual to him, while he proceeded with his

bandaging. "All I know is, that I came out as a second,

and here have I been made a first--a principal, which,

by the way, is contrary to all my principle."

"Do be serious for once, Middlemore. How did you get

wounded, and who are those scoundrels who have just

quitted you? anxiously inquired Captain Molineux, for it

was he, and Lieutenant Villiers, who, (the party already

stated to have been expected,) had at length arrived.

"Two desperate fellows in their way, I can assure you,"

replied Middlemore, more amused than annoyed at the

adventure. "Ensign Paul, Emilius, Theophilus, Arnoldi,

is, I calculate, a pretty considerable strong active sort

of fellow; and, to judge by Henry Grantham's half strangled

look, his companion lacks not the same qualities. Why,

in the name of all that is precious would you persist in

poking your nose into the rascal's skins, Grantham? The

ruffians had nearly made dried skins of ours."

"Ha! is that the scoundrel who calls himself Arnoldi,"

asked Captain Molineux? "I have heard," and he glanced

at Henry Grantham as he spoke, "a long story of his

villainy from his captor within this very hour."

"Which is your apology, I suppose," said Middlemore, "for

having so far exceeded your apPOINTment, gentlemen."

"It certainly is," said Lieutenant Villiers, "but the

fault was not ours. We chanced to fall in with Gerald

Grantham, and on our way here, and that he detained us,

should be a matter of congratulation to us all."

"Congratulation!" exclaimed Middlemore, dropping his

bandage, and lifting his eyes with an expression of

indescribable humour, "Am I then to think it matter of

congratulation that, as an innocent second, I should have

had a cursed piece of lead stuck in my flesh to spoil my

next winter's dancing. And Grantham is to think it matter

of congratulation that, instead of putting a bullet

through you, Molineux, (as I intend he shall when I hare

finished dressing this confounded leg, if his nerves are

not too much shaken,) he should have felt the gripe of

that monster Desborough around his throat, until his eyes

seem ready to start from their sockets, and all this

because you did not choose to be in time. Upon my word,

I do not know that it is quite meet that we should meet

you. What say you, Grantham?"

"I hope," said Captain Molineux with a smile, "your

principal will think as you do, for should he decline

the meeting, nothing will afford more satisfaction to

myself."

Both Grantham and Middlemore looked their utter surprise

at the language thus used by Captain Molineux, but neither

of them spoke.

"If an apology the most ample for my observation of

yesterday," continued that officer, "an apology founded

on my perfect conviction of error, (that conviction

produced by certain recent explanations with your brother,)

can satisfy you, Mr. Grantham, most sincerely do I make

it. If, however, you hold me to my pledge, here am I of

course to redeem it. I may as well observe to you in the

presence of our friends, (and Villiers can corroborate

my statement,) that my original intention on leaving your

brother, was to receive your fire and then tender my

apology, but, under the circumstances in which both you

and Middlemore are placed at this moment, the idea would

be altogether absurd. Again I tender my apology, which

it will be a satisfaction to me to repeat this day at

the mess table, where I yesterday refused to drink your

brother's health. All I can add is that when you have

heard the motives for my conduct, and learnt to what

extent I have been deceived, you will readily admit that

I acted not altogether from caprice."

"Your apology I accept, Captain Molineux," said Grantham,

coming forward and unhesitatingly offering his hand.

"If you have seen my brother, I am satisfied. Let there

be no further question on the subject."

"So then I am to be the only bulleted man on this occasion,"

interrupted Middlemore, with ludicrous pathos--"the only

poor devil who is to be made to remember Hartley's point

for ever. But no matter. I am not the first instance of

a second being shot, through the awkward bungling of his

principal, and certainly Grantham you were in every sense

the principal in this affair, for had you taken my advice

you would have let the fellows go to the devil their own

way."

"What! knowing, as I did, that the traitor Desborough

had concealed in his canoe a prisoner on parole--nay,

worse, a deserter from our service--with a view of

conveying him out of the country?"

"How did you know it?"

"Because I at once recognized him, through the disguise

in which he left the hut, for what he was. That discovery

made, there remained but one course to pursue."

"Ah! and COURSE work you made of it, with a vengeance,"

said Middlemore, "first started him up like a fox from

his cover, got the mark of his teeth, and then suffered

him to escape."

"Is there no chance of following--no means of overtaking

them?" said Captain Molineux--"No, by Heaven," as he

glanced his eye from right to left, "not a single canoe

to be seen any where along the shore."

"Following!" echoed Middlemore; "faith the scoundrels

would desire nothing better: if two of us had such

indifferent play with them on terra firma, you may rely

upon it that double the number would have no better chance

in one of these rickety canoes. See there how the rascals

lie to within half musket shot, apparently hailing us."

Middlemore was right. Desborough had risen in the stern

of the canoe, and now, stretched to his full height,

called leisurely, through his closed hands, on the name

of Henry Grantham. When he observed the attention of that

officer had, in common with that of his companions, been

arrested, he proceeded at the full extent of his lungs.

"I reckon, young man, as how I shall pay you out for

this, and drot my skin, if I once twists my fingers round

your neck again, if any thing on this side hell shall

make me quit it, afore you squeaks your last squeak.

You've druv me from my home, and I'll have your curst

blood for it yet. I'll sarve you, as I sarved your old

father--You got my small bore, I expect, and if its any

good to you to know that one of its nineties to the pound,

sent the old rascal to the devil--why then you have it

from Jeremiah Desborough's own lips, and be d----d to

you."

And, with this horrible admission, the settler again

seated himself in the stem of his canoe, and making good

use of his paddle soon scudded away until his little

vessel appeared but as a speck on the lake.

Henry Grantham was petrified with astonishment and dismay

at a declaration, the full elucidation of which we must,

reserve for a future opportunity. The daring confession

rang in his ears long after the voice had ceased, and it

was not until a light vehicle had been brought for

Middlemore from Sampson's farm, that he could be induced

to quit the shore, where he still lingered, as if in

expectation of the return of the avowed MURDERER OF HIS

FATHER.

CHAPTER IX.

At the especial invitation of Captain Molineux, Gerald

Grantham dined at the garrison mess, on the evening of

the day when the circumstances, detailed in our last

chapter, took place. During dinner the extraordinary

adventure of the morning formed the chief topic of

conversation, for it had become one of general interest,

not only throughout the military circles, but in the town

of Amherstburg itself, in which the father of the Granthams

had been held in an esteem amounting almost to veneration.

Horrible as had been the announcement made by the dejected

and discomfited settler to him who now, for the first

time, learnt that his parent had fallen a victim to

ruffian vindictiveness, too many years had elapsed since

that event, to produce more than the ordinary emotion

which might be supposed to be awakened by a knowledge

rather of the manner than the fact of his death. Whatever

therefore might have been the pain inflicted on the hearts

of the brothers, by this cruel re-opening of a partially

closed wound, there was no other evidence of suffering

than the suddenly compressed lip and glistening eye,

whenever allusion was made to the villain with whom each

felt he had a fearful account to settle. Much indeed of

the interest of the hour was derived from the animated

account, given by Gerald, of the circumstances which had

led to his lying in ambuscade for the American on the

preceding day; and as his narrative embraces not only

the reasons for Captain Molineux's strange conduct, but

other hitherto unexplained facts, we cannot do better

than follow him in his detail.

"I think it must have been about half past eleven o'clock,

on the night preceding the capture," commenced Gerald,

"that, as my gun boat was at anchor close under the

American shore, at rather more than half a mile below

the farther extremity of Bois Blanc, my faithful old

Sambo silently approached me, while I lay wrapped in my

watch cloak on deck, calculating the chances of falling

in with some spirited bark of the enemy which would afford

me an opportunity of proving the mettle of my crew.

"'Massa Geral,' he said in a mysterious whisper, for old

age and long services in my family have given him privileges

which I have neither the power nor the inclination to

check--'Massa Geral,' pulling me by the collar--'I dam

ib he no go sleep when him ought to hab all him eyes

about him--him pretty fellow to keep watch when Yankee

pass him in e channel.'

"'A Yankee pass me in the channel!'" I would have exclaimed

aloud, starting to my feet with surprise, but Sambo, with

ready thought, put his hand upon my mouth, in time to

prevent more than the first word from being uttered.

"'Hush! dam him, Massa Geral, ib you make a noise you no

catch him.'

"'What do you mean then--what have you seen?'" I asked

in the same low whisper, the policy of which his action

had enjoined on me.

"'Lookee dare, Massa Geral, lookee dare?'

"Following the direction in which he pointed, I now saw,

but very indistinctly, a canoe in which was a solitary

individual stealing across the lake to the impulsion of

an apparently muffled paddle; for her course,

notwithstanding the stillness of the night, was utterly

noiseless. The moon, which is in her first quarter, had

long since disappeared, yet the heavens, although not

particularly bright, ware sufficiently dotted with stars

to enable me, with the aid of a night telescope, to

discover that the figure, which guided the cautiously

moving bark, had nothing Indian in its outline. The crew

of the gun boat (the watch only excepted) had long since

turned in; and even the latter lay reposing on the

forecastle, the sentinels only keeping the ordinary look

out. So closely moreover did we lay in shore, that but

for the caution of the paddler, it might have been assumed

she was too nearly identified with the dark forest against

which her hull and spars reposed, to be visible. Curious

to ascertain her object, I watched the canoe in silence,

as, whether accidentally or with design, I know not, she

made the half circuit of the gun boat and then bore away

in a direct line for the Canadian shore. A suspicion of

the truth now flashed across my mind, and I resolved

without delay to satisfy myself. My first care was to

hasten to the forecastle, and enjoin on the sentinels,

who I feared might see and hail the stranger, the strictest

silence. Then desiring Sambo to prepare the light boat

which, I dare say, most of you have remarked to form a

part of my Lilliputian command, I proceeded to arm myself

with cutlass and pistols. Thus equipped I sprang lightly

in, and having again caught sight of the chase, on which

I had moreover directed one of the sentinels to keep a

steady eye as long as she was in sight, desired Sambo to

steer as noiselessly as possible in pursuit. For some

time we kept the stranger in view, but whether, owing to

his superior paddling or lighter weight, we eventually

lost sight of him. The suspicion which had at first

induced my following, however, served also as a clue to

the direction I should take. I was aware that the scoundrel

Desborough was an object of distrust--I knew that the

strictness of my father, during his magistracy, in

compelling him to choose between taking the oaths of

allegiance, and quitting the country, had inspired him

with deep hatred to himself and disaffection to the

Government; and I felt that if the spirit of his vengeance

had not earlier developed itself, it was solely because

the opportunity and the power had hitherto been wanting;

but that now, when hostilities between his natural and

adopted countries had been declared, there would be ample

room for the exercise of his treason. It was the strong

assurance I felt that he was the solitary voyager on the

face of the waters, which induced me to pursue him, for

I had a presentiment that, could I but track him in his

course, I should discover some proof of his guilt, which

would suffice to rid us for ever of the presence of so

dangerous a subject. The adventure was moreover one that

pleased me, although perhaps I was not strictly justified

in fitting my gun boat, especially as in the urgency of

the moment, I had not even thought of leaving orders with

my boatswain, in the event of any thing unexpected

occurring during my absence. The sentinels alone were

aware of my departure.

"The course we pursued was in the direction of Hartley's

point, and so correct had been the steering and paddling

of the keen-sighted negro, that when we made the beach,

we found ourselves immediately opposite to Desborough's

hut.

"'How is this, Sambo?' I asked in a low tone, as our

canoe grated on the sand within a few paces of several

others that lay where I expected to find but one--'are

all these Desborough's?"

"'No, Massa Geral--'less him teal him toders, Desborough

only got one--dis a public landin' place.'

"'Can you tell which is his?' I inquired.

"'To be sure--dis a one,' and he pointed to one nearly

twice the dimensions of its fellows.

"'Has it been lately used, Sambo--can you tell?"

"'I soon find out, Massa Geral.'

"His device was the most simple and natural in the world,

and yet I confess it was one which I never should have

dreamt of. Stooping on the sands, he passed his hand

under the bottom of the canoe, and then whispered.

"'Him not touch a water to-night Massa Geral--him dry as

a chip.'

"Here I was at fault. I began to apprehend that I had

been baffled in my pursuit, and deceived in my supposition.

I knew that Desborough had had for years, one large canoe

only in his possession, and it was evident that this had

not been used during the night. I was about to order

Sambo to shove off again, when it suddenly occurred to

me that, instead of returning from a visit, the suspected

settler might have received a visiter, and I accordingly

desired my fides achates to submit the remainder of the

canoes to the same inspection.

"After having passed his hand ineffectually over several,

he at length announced, as he stooped over one which I

recognized, from a peculiar elevation of the bow and

stern, to be the same we had passed.

"'Dis a one all drippin' wet, Massa Geral. May I nebber

see a Hebben ib he not a same we follow.'

"A low tapping against the door of the hut, which although

evidently intended to be subdued, was now, in the silence

of night, distinctly audible; while our whispers, on the

contrary, mingled as they were with the crisping sound

of the waves rippling on the sands were, at that distance,

undistinguishable. It was evident that I had erred in

my original conjecture. Had it been Desborough himself,

living alone as he did, he would not have knocked for

admission where there was no one to afford it, but would

have quietly let himself in. It could then be no other

than a visiter--perhaps a spy from the enemy--and the

same to whom we had given chase.

"From the moment that the tapping commenced, Sambo and

I stood motionless on the shore, and without trusting

our voices again, even to a whisper. In a little time we

heard the door open, and the low voice of Desborough in

conversation with another. Presently the door was shut,

and soon afterwards, through an imperfectly closed shutter

on the only floor of the hut, we could perceive a streak

of light reflected on the clearing in front, as if from

a candle or lamp, that was stationary,

"'I tink him dam rascal dat man, Massa Geral;' at length

ventured my companion. "I 'member long time ago,' and he

sighed, "'when Sambo no bigger nor dat paddle, one berry

much like him. But, Massa Geral,' Missis always tell me

nebber talk o' dat.'

"'A villain he is, I believe, Sambo, but let us advance

cautiously and discover what he is about.'

"We now stole along the skirt of the forest, until we

managed to approach the window, through which the light

was still thrown in one long, fixed, but solitary ray.

It was however impossible to see who were within, for

although the voices of men were distinguishable, their

forms were so placed as not to be visible through the

partial opening.

"The conversation had evidently been some moments commenced.

The first words I heard uttered, were by Desborough.

"'A Commissary boat, and filled with bags of goold eagles,

and a fiftieth part ourn, if we get her clean slick

through to Detroit. Well, drot me, if that aint worth

the trial. Why didn't they try it by land, boy?'

"'I reckon, father, that cock wouldn't fight. The Injuns

are outlyin' every where to cut off our mails, and the

ready is too much wanted to be thrown away. No, no: the

river work's the safest I take it, for there they little

expect it to come.'

"The voice of the last speaker, excited in me a strong

desire to see the face of Desborough's visiter. Unable,

where I stood, to catch the slightest view of either, I

fancied that I might be more successful in rear of the

hut. I therefore moved forward, followed by Sambo, but

not so cautiously as to prevent my feet from crushing a

fragment of decayed wood, that lay in my path.

"A bustle within, and the sudden opening of the door

announced that the noise had been overheard. I held up

my finger impressively to Sambo, and we both remained

motionless.

"'Who the hell's there?' shouted Desborough, and the

voice rang like the blast of a speaking trumpet along

the skirt of the forest.

"'Some raccoon looking out for Hartley's chickens, I

expect,' said his companion, after a short pause. 'There's

nothin' human I reckon, to be seen movin' at this hour

of the night.'

"'Who the hell's there?' repeated Desborough--still no

answer.

"Again the door was closed, and under cover of the slight

noise made by the settler in doing this, and resuming

his seat, Sambo and I accomplished the circuit of the

hut. Here we had an unobstructed view of the persons of

both. A small store room or pantry communicated with that

in which they were sitting at a table, on which was a

large flagon, we knew to contain whiskey, and a couple

of japanned drinking cups, from which, ever and anon,

they "wetted their whistles," as they termed it, and

whetted their discourse. As they sat each with his back

to the inner wall, or more correctly, the logs of the

hut, and facing the door communicating with the store

room left wide open, and in a direct line with the back

window at which we had taken our stand, we could distinctly

trace every movement of their features, while, thrown

into the shade by the gloom with which we were enveloped

we ran no risk of detection ourselves. It is almost

unnecessary to observe, after what has occurred this

morning, that the companion of Desborough was no other

than the soi-disant Ensign Paul, Emelius, Theophilus,

Arnoldi; or, more properly, the scoundrel son of a yet

more scoundrel father. He wore the dress in which you

yesterday beheld him, but beneath a Canadian blanket

coat, which, when I first saw him in the hut, was buttoned

up to the chin, so closely as to conceal every thing

American about the dress.

"'Well now I reckon we must lay our heads to do this

job;' said the son as he tossed off a portion of the

liquid he had poured into his can. 'There's only that

one gun boat I expect in t'other channel.'

"'Only one Phil, do you know who commands it?'

"'One of them curst Granthams, to be sure. I say, old

boy,' and his eye lighted up significantly, as he pointed

to the opposite wall, 'I see you've got the small bore

still.'

"A knowing wink marked the father's sense of the allusion.

'The devil's in it,' he rejoined, 'if we can't come over

that smooth faced chap, some how or other. Did you see

any thin' of him as you come along?'

"'I reckon I did. Pretty chick he is to employ for a look

out--why I paddled two or three times round his gun boat,

as it lay 'gin the shore, without so much as a single

livin' soul being on deck to see me.'

"It is proverbial," continued Grantham, "that listeners

never hear any good of themselves. I paid the common

penalty. But if I continued calm, my companion did not.

Partly incensed at what had related to me--but more

infuriated at the declaration made by the son, that he

had paddled several times round the gun boat, without a

soul being on deck to see him, he drew near to me, his

white teeth displaying themselves in the gloom, as he

whispered, but in a tone that betrayed extreme irritation.

"'What a dam Yankee liar rascal, Massa Geral. He nebber

go round: I see him come a down a ribber long afore he

see a boat at all.'

"'Hush Sambo--hush not a word,' I returned in the same

low whisper. "The villains are at some treason, and if

we stir, we shall lose all chance of discovering it."

"'Me no peak Massa Geral; but dam him lyin' teef,' he

continued to mutter, 'I wish I had him board a gun boat.'

"'A dozen fellors well armed, might take the d----d

British craft,' observed Desborough. 'How many men may

there be aboard the Commissary.'

"'About forty, I reckon, under some d----d old rig'lar

Major. I've got a letter for him here to desire him to

come on, if so be as we gets the craft out of the way.'

"'Drot me if I know a better way than to jump slick aboard

her,' returned Desborough musingly; 'forty genuine

Kaintucks ought to swallow her up, crew and all.'

"'I guess they would,' returned his companion, 'but they

are not Kaintucks, but only rig'lars; and then agin if

they are discovered one spry cannon shot might sink her;

and if the eagles go to the bottom, we shall lose our

fiftieth. You don't reckon that."

"'What the hell's to be done then,' exclaimed Desborough,

resorting to his favorite oath when in doubt.

"'My plan's already cut and dried by a wiser head nor

yours nor mine, as you shall larn; but first let a fellor

wet his whistle.' Here they both drained off another

portion of the poison that stood before them.

"Not to tire you," pursued Grantham, "with a repetition

of the oaths and vulgar and interjectional chucklings

that passed between the well assorted pair, during the

disclosure of the younger, I will briefly state that it

was one of the most stupid that could have been conceived,

and reflected but little credit on the stratagetic powers

of whoever originated it.

"The younger scoundrel, who since his desertion from our

service, claims to be a naturalized citizen of the United

States (his name of Desborough being changed for that of

Arnoldi, and his rank of full private for that of Ensign

of Militia,) had been selected from his knowledge of the

Canadian shore, and his connexion with the disaffected

settler, as a proper person to entrust with a stratagem,

having for its object the safe convoy of a boat, filled

with specie, of which the American garrison it appears

stands much in need. The renegade had been instructed to

see his father, to whom he was to promise, a fiftieth of

the value of the freight, provided he should by any means

contrive to draw the gun boat from her station. The most

plausible plan suggested, was that he should intimate to

me, that a prize of value was lying between Turkey Island

and our own shore, which it required but my sudden

appearance to ensure, without even striking a blow. Here

a number of armed boats were to be stationed in concealment,

in order to take me at a disadvantage, and even if I

avoided being captured, the great aim would be accomplished

--namely, that of getting me out of the way, until the

important boat should have cleared the channel, running

between Bois Blanc and the American shore, and secreted

herself in one of the several deep creeks which empty

themselves into the river. Here she was to have remained

until I had returned to my station, when her passage

upward might be pursued, if not without observation, at

least without risk. As Desborough was known to be suspected

by us, it was further suggested that he should appear to

have been influenced in the information conveyed to me,

not by any motives of patriotism, which would have been

in the highest degree misplaced, but by the mere principle

of self interest. He was to require of me a pledge that,

out of the proceeds of the proposed capture, a twentieth

share should be his, or, if I would not undertake to

guarantee this from the Government or my own authority,

that I should promise my own eventual share should be

divided with him. This stratagem successful, the younger

Desborough was to repair to the boat which had been lying

concealed for the last day or two, a few miles below me,

with an order for her to make the best of her way during

the night if possible. If failing on the other hand, she

was to return to the port whence she had sailed, until

a more fitting opportunity should present itself.

"This," continued Grantham, after a slight pause, during

which the bottle was again circulated, "was delightful

intelligence. Distrustful as I was of Desborough, I could

not have been deceived by this device, even had I not

thus fortunately become acquainted with the whole of the

design: but now that I knew my man, and could see my

way, I at once resolved to appear the dupe they purposed

to make me. Specie too, for the payment of the garrison!

This was no contemptible prize with which to commence my

career. Besides the boat was well manned, and although

without cannon, still in point of military equipment

quite able to cope with my crew, which did not exceed

thirty men.

"With your knowledge of Desborough's character it will

not surprise you to learn, although I confess I boiled

with indignation at the moment to hear, that the object

of the scoundrels was, with a view to the gratification

of their own private vengeance, not merely to raise a

doubt of my fidelity, but to prefer against me a direct

charge of treason. Thus in their vulgar language they

argued. If misled by their representations, I quitted my

station on the channel, and fell into the ambuscade

prepared for me near Turkey Island, I raised a suspicion

of the cause of my absence, which might be confirmed by

an anonymous communication; and if, on the other hand,

I escaped that ambuscade, the suspicion would be even

stronger, as care would be taken to announce to the

English garrison, the fact of my having been bribed to

leave the channel free for the passage of a boat, filled

with money and necessaries for Detroit. My return to my

post immediately afterwards, would confirm the assertion;

and so perfectly had they, in their wise conceit, arranged

their plans, that a paper was prepared by the son and

handed to his father, for the purpose of being dropped

in the way of one of the officers; the purport of which

was an accusation against me, of holding a secret

understanding with the enemy, in proof whereof it was

stated that at an important moment, I should be found

absent from my post--I think I am correct, Captain

Molineux."

"'Perfectly,' returned that officer--'such indeed were

the contents of the paper which I picked up in my rounds

about day light yesterday morning, and which I have only

again to express my regret that I should have allowed to

make on me even a momentary impression. Indeed, Grantham,

I am sure you will do me the justice to believe, that

until we actually saw the American boat passing, while

you were no where to be seen, I never for one moment

doubted its being, what it has proved to be--the falsest

and most atrocious of calumnies."

"Your after doubt was but natural," replied the sailor,

"although I confess I could not help wincing under the

thought of its being entertained. I knew that, on my

return, I should be enabled to explain every thing, but

yet felt nettled that even my short absence should, as

I knew it must, give rise to any strictures on my conduct.

It was that soreness of feeling which induced my impatient

allusion to the subject, even after my good fortune of

yesterday, for I at once detected that the slanderous

paper had been received and commented on; and from the

peculiar glance, I saw Henry direct to you, I was at no

loss to discover into whose hands it had fallen. But to

resume.

"Their plan of action being finally settled, the traitors

began to give indication of separating--the one to hasten

and announce to the American boat the removal of all

impediment to her passage upwards--the other to my gun

boat, in order to play off the falsehood devised for the

success of their stratagem.

"'Here's damnation to the curst race of Granthams,' said

the son, as raising his tall and lanky body, he lifted

the rude goblet to his lips.

"'Amen,' responded the father, rising also and drinking

to the pledge, 'and what's more, here's to the goold

eagles that'll repay us for our job. And now Phil, let's

be movin'.'

"The heavy tread of their feet within the hut as they

moved to and fro, to collect the several articles belonging

to the equipment of Desborough's canoe, promising fair

to cover the sound of our footsteps, I now whispered to

Sambo, and we hastily made good our retreat to the point

where we had left our skiff. In a few minutes, we were

again on the lake, paddling swiftly but cautiously towards

my gun boat. I had instructed the sentinels not to hail

me on my return, therefore when I gained the deck, it

was without challenge or observation of any kind, which

could denote to those from whom I had so recently parted,

that any one had been absent,

"Again I had thrown myself upon the deck, and was ruminating

on the singular events of the evening, associating the

rich prize, which I now already looked upon as my own,

with the rascality of those who, imagining me to be their

dupe, were so soon to become mine; and moreover meditating

such measures as I fancied most likely to secure a result

so opposite to that which they anticipated, when the loud

quick sharp hail of the sentinels announced that a craft

of some kind was approaching.

"'Want to see the officer,' shouted a voice which I knew

to be Desborough's. "Somethin' very partick'lar to tell

him, I guess."

"Permission having been granted, the canoe came rapidly

up to the side, and in the next minute, the tall heavy

form of the settler stood distinctly defined against the

lake, as he stepped on the gun-wale of the boat.

"It must be needless here to repeat the information of

which he was the bearer," pursued Grantham. Its purport

was, in every sense, what I had so recently overheard in

the hut.

"'And how am I to know that this tale of yours is correct,'

I demanded when he had concluded, yet in a tone that

seemed to admit, I was as much his dupe as he could

reasonably desire. 'You are aware Desborough, that your

character for loyalty does not stand very high, and this

may prove but a trick to get me out of the way. What good

motive can you give for my believing you.'

"'The best I calculate as can be,' he unhesitatingly

answered, 'and that is my own interest. I don't make no

boast of my loyalty, as you say, to be sure, Mr. Grantham,

but I've an eye like a hawk for the rhino, and I han't

giv' you this piece of news without expectin' a promise

that I shall git a purty considerable sum in eagles, if

so be as you succeeds in wallopin' the prize.'

"'Walloping--what do you call walloping, man?'

"'What do I call wallopin'? why licking her slick and

clean out, and gettin' hold of the dust to be sure.'

"I could have knocked the scoundrel to the deck, for the

familiarity of the grin which accompanied this reply,

and as for Sambo, I had more than once to look him

peremptorily into patience.

"I knew from what had passed between father and son,

that, until the former had communicated with, and impressed

a conviction of the accuracy of his report, upon me,

nothing was to be attempted by the boat, the capture of

which was now, for a variety of reasons, an object of

weighty consideration. Whatever violence I did to myself

therefore, in abstaining from a castigation of the traitor,

I felt that I could not hope for success, unless, by

appearing implicitly to believe all he had stated, I thus

set suspicion at rest.

"'A more satisfactory motive for your information you

could not have given me Desborough,' I at length replied,

with a sarcasm which was however lost upon him, 'and I

certainly do you the justice to believe that to the self

interest you have avowed, we shall be indebted for the

capture of the prize in question. She lies, you say,

between Turkey Island and our own shores.'

"'I guess as how she does,' replied the settler, with an

eagerness that betrayed his conviction that the bait had

taken; 'but Mr. Grantham,'--and I could detect a lurking

sneer, 'I expect at least that when you have lick'd the

prize you will make my loyalty stand a little higher than

it seems to be at this moment, for I guess, puttin' the

dollars out of the question, it's a right loyal act I am

guilty of now.'

"'You may rely upon it, Desborough, you shall have all

the credit you deserve for your conduct on the occasion--

that it shall be faithfully reported on my return, you

may take for granted.' Here I summoned all hands up to

weigh anchor and make sail for Turkey Island. 'Now then,

Desborough, unless you wish to be a sharer in our

enterprize, the sooner you leave us the better, for we

shall be off immediately.'

"'In obedience to my order, all hands were speedily upon

deck, and busied in earnest preparation. In pleasing

assurance that I was as completely his dupe as could be

desired, the villain had now the audacity to demand from

me a written promise that, in consideration of the

information given, five hundred dollars should be paid

to him on the disposal of the prize. This demand (aware

as he was--or rather as he purposed--that I was to play

the part of the captured instead of that of the captor),

was intended to lull me into even greater reliance on

his veracity. I had difficulty in restraining my

indignation, for I felt that the fellow was laughing at

me in his sleeve; however the reflection that, in less

than twenty-four hours, the tables would be turned upon

him, operated as a check upon my feelings, and I said

with a hurried voice and air:

"'Impossible, Desborough, I have no time now to give the

paper, for as you perceive we are getting under way--I

however, repeat to you my promise, that if your claims

are not attended to elsewhere, you shall have my share

of the profits, if I take this prize within the next

eight and forty hours within the boundary of Turkey

Island--Will that content you?'

"'I expect as how it must,' returned the secretly delighted,

yet seemingly disappointed settler, as he now prepared

to recross the gun-wale into his canoe; 'but I guess,

Mr. Grantham, you might at least advance a fellor a little

money out of hand, on the strength of the prize. Jist

say twenty dollars.'

"'No, Desborough, not one. 'When the Turkey Island prize

is mine, then if the Government refuse to confirm your

claims, we will share equally; but, as I said before, I

must first capture her, before I consent to part with a

shilling.'

"'Well then, I guess I must wait,' and the scoundrel

confidently believing that he had gulled me to his heart's

content, stepped heavily into his canoe, which he directed

along the lake shore, while we with filling sails, glided

up the channel and speedily lost him from our view.'

"A perfect adventure upon my word," interrupted De Courcy.

"What a bold and deliberate scoundrel," added Captain

Granville. "I confess, Grantham, I cannot but admire the

coolness and self-possession you evinced on this occasion.

Had I been there in your stead, I should have tied the

rascal up, given him a dozen or two on the spot, and then

tumbled him head foremost into the lake."

"Oh yes, but then you have such a short way of doing

things, Captain Granville," remarked Ensign Langley, in

a tone rather less marked by confidence than that of the

preceding day, and, on this occasion, not omitting to

prefix the rank of him whom he addressed, and his

acquaintance with whom had been slight.

"I admit, Mr. Langley, I have a very short and unceremonious

way of treating vulgar people, who are my antipathy,"

returned Captain Granville, in his usual dry manner.

"Had Geerald doon this he would ha' maired his feenal

treomph over the veellain," observed Cranstoun. "Na, na,

Granville, our friend here has acted like a prudent mon,

as well as a gaillant officer. Geerald, the boottle stands

with you."

"To say nothing of his desire to secure the prize money,"

gaily remarked the young sailor, as he helped himself to

wine.

"Eh, true, the preeze mooney, and a very neecessary

consederetion too, Geerald; and one that may weel joostify

your prudence in the affair. I did na' theenk o' that at

fairst."

"But come, Grantham," interrupted Captain Granville, "you

have not informed us of what happened after the departure

of the settler."

"The remainder is soon told," continued Gerald. "On

parting from Desborough I continued my course directly

up the channel, with a view of gaining a point, where

unseen myself, I could observe the movements of the

American boat, which from all I had heard, I fully expected

would attempt the passage in the course of the following

day. My perfect knowledge of the country suggested to

me, as the safest and most secure hiding place, the creek

whence you saw me issue at a moment when it was supposed

the American had altogether escaped. The chief object of

the enemy was evidently to get me out of the channel.

That free, it was of minor importance whether I fell into

the ambuscade or not, so that the important boat could

effect the passage unobserved, or at least in safety. If

my gun boat should be seen returning unharmed from Turkey

Island, the American was to run into the first creek

along the shore, which she had orders to hug until I had

passed and not until I had again resumed my station in

the channel, was she to renew her course upwards to

Detroit which post it was assumed she would then gain

without difficulty."

"It was scarcely yet day," continued Grantham, "when I

reached and ran into the creek of which I have just

spoken, and which, owing to the narrowness of the stream

and consequent difficulty of waring, I was obliged to

enter stem foremost. That no time might be lost in getting

her out at the proper moment, I, instead of dropping her

anchor, made the gun boat fast to a tree; and, desiring

the men, with the exception of the watch, to take their

rest as usual, lay quietly awaiting the advance of the

enemy."

The gun fired from the lower battery on the island, was

the first intimation we had of the approach of the prize

which I had given my gallant fellows to understand was

in reserve for us; and presently afterwards Sambo, whom

I had dispatched on the look out, appeared on the bank,

stating that a large boat, which had been fired at

ineffectually, was making the greatest exertions to clear

the channel. A second shot discharged from a nearer point,

soon after announced that the boat had gained the head

of the Island, and might therefore be shortly expected,

in the impatience of my curiosity I sprang to the shore,

took the telescope out of the hands of Sambo, and hastened

to climb the tree from which he had so recently descended.

I now distinctly saw the boat, as, availing herself of

the rising and partial breeze, she steered more into the

centre of the stream; and I thought I could observe marks

of confusion and impatience among the groups in front of

the fort, whom I had justly imagined to have been assembled

there to witness the arrival of the canoes, we had seen

descending the river, long before the first gun was fired.

"The opportunity of achieving a daring enterprize, in

the presence of those assembled groups," pursued Grantham

with a slight blush, "was, I thought, one so little likely

to occur again, that I felt I could not do better than

turn it to the best account; and with this view my original

intention had been to man my small boat with the picked

men of my crew, and attempt the American by boarding.

Two circumstances, however, induced me to change my plan.

The first was that the enemy, no longer hugging the shore,

had every chance of throwing me out by the sudden and

unexpected use of her canvass, and the second (here Gerald

slightly colored, while more than one emphatic hem! passed

round the table,) that I had, with my telescope, discerned

there was a lady in the boat. Under these circumstances,

I repeat, I altered my mode of attack, and proposed rather

to sink my laurels than to lose my prize. ("Hem! your

prizes I suppose you mean," interrupted De Courcy,) "and

adopted what I thought would be a surer expedient--that

of firing over her. This demonstration, I imagined might

have the effect of bringing her to, and causing her to

surrender without effusion of blood. You were ail witnesses

however of the unexpected manner in which, owing to the

sadden falling off of the wind, I was compelled to have

recourse to the boat at last."

"But the chase, and the firing after you doubled the

point?" inquired Captain Granville. "We saw nothing of

this."

"The American, plying his oars with vigour, gave us

exercise enough," answered the young sailor, "and had

made considerable way up the creek, before we came up

with him. An attempt was then made to escape us by running

ashore, and abandoning the boat, but it was too late.

Our bow was almost touching his stern, and in the

desperation of the moment, the American troops discharged

their muskets, but with so uncertain an aim, in consequence

of their being closely crowded upon each other, that only

three of my men were wounded by their fire. Before they

could load again we were enabled to grapple with them

hand to hand. A few of my men had discharged their pistols,

in answer to the American volley, before I had time to

interfere to prevent them; but the majority, having

reserved theirs, we had now immeasurably the advantage.

Removing the bayonets from their muskets, which at such

close quarters were useless, they continued their contest

a short time with these, but the cutlass soon overpowered

them, and they surrendered."

"And the Major, Grantham; did he behave well on the

occasion?"

"Gallantly. It was the Major that cut down the only man

I had dangerously wounded in the affair, and he would

have struck another fatally, had I not disarmed him.

While in the act of doing so, I was treacherously shot

(in the arm only, fortunately,) by the younger scoundrel

Desborough, who in turn I saved from Sambo's vengeance,

in order that he might receive a more fitting punishment.

And now, gentlemen, you have the whole history."

"Yes, as far as regards the men portion," said De Courcy,

with a malicious smile; "but what became of the lady all

this time, my conquering hero? Did you find her playing

a very active part in the skirmish?"

"Active, no;" replied Gerald, slightly coloring, as he

remarked all eyes directed to him at this demand, "but

passively courageous she was to a degree I could not have

supposed possible in woman. She sat calm and collected

amid the din of conflict, as if she had been accustomed

to the thing all her life, nor once moved from the seat

which she occupied in the stern, except to make an effort

to prevent me from disarming her uncle. I confess that

her coolness astonished me, while it excited my warmest

admiration.

"A hope it may be noothing beyoond admeeration," observed

the Captain of Grenadiers, "a tell ye as a freend, Geerald,

a do not like this accoont ye gi' of her coonduct. A

wooman who could show no ageetation in sooch a scene,

must have either a domn'd coold, or a domn'd block hairt,

and there's but leetle claim to admeeration there."

"Upon my word, Captain Cranstoun," and the handsome

features of Gerald crimsoned with a feeling not unmixed

with serious displeasure, "I do not quite understand

you--you appear to assume something between Miss Montgomerie

and myself, that should not be imputed to either--and

certainly, not thus publicly."

"Hoot toot mon, there's no use in making a secret of the

maitter," returned the positive grenadier. "The soobject

was discoosed after dinner yeesterday, and there was

noobody preesent who didn't agree that if you had won

her hairt you had geevin your own in exchange."

"God forbid," said Henry Grantham with unusual gravity

of manner, while he looked affectionately on the changing

and far from satisfied countenance of his conscious

brother, "for I repeat, with Captain Cranstoun, I like

her not. Why, I know not; still I like her not, and I

shall be glad, Gerald, when you have consigned her to

the place of her destination."

"Pooh! pooh! nonsense;" interrupted Captain Granville,

"Never mind, Gerald," he pursued good humouredly "she is

a splendid girl, and one that you need not be ashamed to

own as a conquest. By heaven, she has a bust and hips to

warm the bosom of an anchorite, and depend upon it, all

that Cranstoun has said arises only from pique that he

is not the object preferred. These black eyes of hers

have set his ice blood on the boil, and he would willingly

exchange places with you, at I honestly confess I should."

Vexed as Gerald certainly felt at the familiar tone the

conversation was now assuming in regard to Miss Montgomerie,

and although satisfied that mere pleasantry was intended,

it was not without a sensation of relief he found it

interrupted by the entrance of the several non-commissioned

officers with their order books. Soon after the party

broke up.

CHAPTER X.

Before noon on the following day, the boat that was to

convey Major Montgomerie and his niece to the American

shore, pulled up to the landing place in front of the

fort. The weather, as on the preceding day, was fine,

and the river exhibited the same placidity of surface.

Numerous bodies of Indians were collected on the banks,

pointing to, and remarking on the singularity of the

white flag which hung drooping at the stern of the boat.

Presently the prisoners were seen advancing to the bank,

accompanied by General Brock, Commodore Barclay, and the

principal officers of the garrison. Major Montgomerie

appeared pleased at the prospect of the liberty that

awaited him, while the countenance of his niece, on the

contrary, presented an expression of deep thought, although

it was afterwards remarked by Granville and Villiers--

both close observers of her demeanour that as her eye

occasionally glanced in the direction of Detroit, it

lighted up with an animation strongly in contrast with

the general calm and abstractedness of her manner. All

being now ready, Gerald Grantham, who had received his

final instructions from the General, offered his arm to

Miss Montgomerie, who, to all outward appearance, took

it mechanically and unconsciously, although, in the

animated look which the young sailor turned upon her in

the next instant, there was evidence the contact had

thrilled electrically to his heart. After exchanging a

cordial pressure of the hand with his gallant entertainers,

and reiterating to the General his thanks for the especial

favor conferred upon him, the venerable Major followed

them to the boat. His departure was the signal for much

commotion among the Indians. Hitherto they had had no

idea of what was in contemplation; but when they saw them

enter and take their seats in the boat, they raised one

of those terrific shouts which have so often struck terror

and dismay, and brandishing their weapons seemed ready

to testify their disapprobation by something more than

words. It was however momentary--a commanding voice made

itself heard, even amid the din of their loud yell, and,

when silence had been obtained, a few animated sentences,

uttered in a tone of deep authority, caused the tumult

at once to subside. The voice was that of Tecumseh, and

there were few among his race who, brave and indomitable

as they were, could find courage to thwart his will.

Meanwhile the boat, impelled by eight active seamen,

urged its way through the silvery current, and in less

than an hour from its departure had disappeared.

Two hours had elapsed--the General and superior officers

had retired; and the Indians, few by few had repaired to

their several encampments, except a party of young

warriors, who, wrapped in their blankets and mantles,

lay indolently extended on the grass, smoking their pipes,

or producing wild sounds from their melancholy flutes.

Not far from these, sat, with their legs overhanging the

edge of the steep bank, a group of the junior officers

of the garrison, who, with that indifference which

characterized their years, were occupied in casting

pebbles into the river, and watching the bubbles that

arose to the surface. Among the number was Henry Grantham,

and, at a short distance from him, sat the old but athletic

negro, Sambo, who, not having been required to accompany

Gerald, to whom he was especially attached, had continued

to linger on the bank long after his anxious eye had lost

sight of the boat in which the latter had departed. While

thus engaged, a new direction was given to the interest

of all parties, by a peculiar cry, which reached them

from a distance over the water, apparently from beyond

the near extremity of the Island of Bois Blanc. To the

officers the sound was unintelligible, for it was the

first of the kind they had ever heard, but the young

Indians appeared fully to understand its import. Starting

from their lethargy, they sprang abruptly to their feet,

and giving a sharp answering yell, stamped upon the green

turf, and snuffed the hot air, with distended nostrils,

like so many wild horses let loose upon the desert. Nor

was the excitement confined to these, for, all along the

line of encampment, the same wild notes were echoed, and

forms came bounding again to the front, until the bank

was once more peopled with savages.

"What was the meaning of that cry, Sambo, and whence came

it?" asked Henry Grantham, who, as well as his companions,

had strained their eyes in every direction, but in vain,

to discover its cause.

"Dat a calp cry, Massa Henry--see he dere a canoe not

bigger nor a hick'ry nut," and he pointed with his finger

to what in fact had the appearance of being little larger;

"I wish," he pursued with bitterness, "dey bring him calp

of dem billians Desborough--Dam him lying tief to hell."

"Bravo!" exclaimed De Courcy, who, in common with his

companions, recollecting Gerald's story of the preceding

day, was at no loss to understand why the latter epithet

had been so emphatically bestowed; "I see (winking to

Henry Grantham) you have not yet forgiven his paddling

round the gun boat the other night, while you and the

rest of the crew were asleep, eh, Sambo?

"So help me hebben, Obbicer, he no sail around a gun

boat, he dam a Yankee. He come along a lake like a dam

tief in e night and I tell a Massa Geral--and Massa Geral

and me chase him all ober e water--I not a sleep Massa

Courcy;" pursued the old man with pique; "I nebber

sleep,--Massa Geral, nebber sleep."

"The devil ye don't" observed De Courcy quaintly, "then

the Lord deliver ME from gun boat service, I say."

"Amen" responded Villiers.

"Why," asked Middlemore, "do Gerald Grantham and old

Frumpy here remind one of a certain Irish festival? Do

you give it up? Because they are AWAKE--"

The abuse heaped on the pre-eminently vile attempt was

unmeasured--Sambo conceived it a personal affront to

himself, and he said, with an air of mortification and

wounded dignity, not unmixed with anger!

"Sambo poor black nigger--obbicer berry white man, but

him heart all ob a color. He no Frumpy--Massa Geral no

like an Irish bestibal. I wonder he no tick up for a

broder, Massa Henry." His agitation here was extreme.

"Nonsense Sambo--don't you see we are only jesting with

you," said the youth, in the kindest tone, for he perceived

that the faithful creature was striving hard to check

the rising tear--"there is not an officer here who does

not respect you for your long attachment to my family,

and none would willingly give you pain--neither should

you suppose they would say anything offensive in regard

to my brother Gerald."

Pacified by this assurance, which was moreover, corroborated

by several of his companions, really annoyed at having

pained the old man, Sambo sank once more into respectful

silence, still however continuing to occupy the same

spot. During this colloquy the cry had been several

times repeated, and as often replied to from the shore;

and now a canoe was distinctly visible, urging its way

to the beach. The warriors it contained were a scouting

party, six in number--four paddling the light bark, and

one at the helm, while the sixth who appeared, to be the

leader, stood upright in the bow, waving from the long

pole to which it was attached a human scalp. A few minutes

and the whole had landed, and were encircled on the bank

by their eager and inquiring comrades. Their story was

soon told. They had encountered two Americans at some

distance on the opposite shore, who were evidently making

the best of their way through the forest to Detroit. They

called upon them to deliver themselves up, but the only

answer was an attempt at flight. The Indians fired, and

one fell dead, pierced by many balls. The other, however,

who happened to be considerably in advance, threw all

his energy into his muscular frame, and being untouched

by the discharge that had slain his companion, succeeded

in gaining a dense underwood, through which he finally

effected his escape. The scouts continued their pursuit

for upwards of an hour, but finding it fruitless, returned

to the place where they had left their canoe, having

first secured the scalp and spoils of the fallen man."

"Dam him, debbel," exclaimed Sambo, who as well as the

officers, had approached the party detailing their exploit,

and had fixed his dark eye on the dangling trophy. "May

I nebber see a hebben ib he not a calp of a younger

Desborough. I know him lying tief by he hair--he all

yaller like a sogers breast plate--curse him rascal (and

his white and even teeth, were exhibited in the grin that

accompanied the remark,) he nebber no more say he sail

round Massa Geral gun boat, and Massa Geral and Sambo

sleep."

"By Jove he is right," said De Courcy. "I recollect

remarking the colour of the fellow's hair yesterday when

on calling for a glass of "gin sling," at the inn to

which I had conducted him, he threw his slouched hat

unceremoniously on the table, and rubbed the fingers of

both hands through his carrotty locks, until they actually

appeared to stand like those of the Gorgon perfectly on

end."

"And were there other proof wanting," said Villiers, "we

have it here in the spoil his slayers are exhibiting to

their companions. There are the identical powder horn,

bullet pouch, and waist belt, which he wore when he landed

on this very spot."

"And I," said Middlemore, "will swear by the crooked buck

horn handle of that huge knife, or dagger; for in our

struggle on the sands yesterday morning, his blanket coat

came open, and discovered the weapon on which I kept a

sharp eye, during the whole time. Had he but managed to

plant that monster (and he affected to shudder,) under

my middle ribs, then would it hare been ail over with

poor Middlemore."

"There cannot be a doubt," remarked Henry Grantham.

"With Sambo and De Courcy, I well recollect the hair,

and I also particularly noticed the handle of his dagger,

which, as you perceive, has a remarkable twist in it."

All doubt was put to rest by Sambo, who, having spoken

with its possessor for a moment, now returned, bearing

the knife, at the extremity of the handle of which, was

engraved on a silver shield the letters P. E. T. A. Ens.

M. M.

"Paul, Emilius, Theophilus, Arnoldi, Ensign Michigan

Militia," pursued Grantham reading. "This then is

conclusive, and we have to congratulate ourselves that

one at least of two of the vilest scoundrels this country

ever harboured, has at length met the fate he merited."

"Fate him merit, Massa Henry," muttered the aged and

privileged negro, with something like anger in his tones,

as he returned the knife to the Indian; "he dam 'serter

from a king! No, no, he nebber deserb a die like dis. He

ought to hab a rope roun him neck and die him lying teef

like a dog."

"I guess however our friend Jeremiah has got clean slick

off," said Villiers, imitating the tone and language of

that individual, "and he, I take it, is by far the more

formidable of the two. I expect that, before he dies, he

will give one of us a long shot yet, in revenge for the

fall of young hopeful."

"Traitorous and revengeful scoundrel," aspirated Henry

Grantham, as the recollection of the manner of his father's

death came over his mind. "It is, at least, some consolation

to think his villainy has in part met its reward. I

confess I think in the death of young Desborough, less

even because a dangerous enemy has been removed, than

because in his fall the heart of the father will be racked

in its only assailable point. I trust I am not naturally

cruel, yet do I hope the image of his slain partner in

infamy may ever after revisit his memory, and remind him

of his crime."

An exclamation from the Indians now drew the attention

of the officers to a boat that came in sight, in the

direction in which that of Gerald Grantham had long since

disappeared, and as she drew nearer, a white flag, floating

in the stem became gradually distinguishable. Expressions

of surprise passed among the officers, by whom various

motives were assigned as the cause of the return of the

flag of truce, for that it was their own boat no one

doubted, especially, as, on approaching sufficiently

near, the blue uniform of the officer who steered the

boat was visible to the naked eye. On a yet nearer

approach, however, it was perceived that the individual

in question wore not the uniform of the British Navy,

but that of an officer of the American line, the same

precisely, indeed, as that of Major Montgomerie. It was

further remarked that there was no lady in the boat, and

that, independently of the crew, there was besides the

officer already named, merely one individual, dressed in

the non-commissioned uniform, who seemed to serve as his

orderly. Full evidence being now had that this was a

flag sent from the American Fort, which had, in all

probability, missed Gerald by descending one channel of

the river formed by Turkey Island, while the latter had

ascended by the other, the aid-de-camp, De Courcy hastened

to acquaint General Brock with the circumstance, and to

receive his orders. By the time the American reached the

landing place, the youth had returned, accompanying a

superior officer of the staff. Both descended the flight

of steps leading to the river, when, having saluted the

officer, after a moment or two of conversation, they

proceeded to blindfold him. This precaution having been

taken, the American was then handed over the gun-wale of

the boat, and assisted up the flight of steps by the two

British officers on whose arms he leaned. As they passed

through the crowd, on their way to the Fort, the ears of

the stranger were assailed by loud yells from the bands

of Indians, who, with looks of intense curiosity and

interest, gazed on the passing, and to them in some degree

inexplicable, scene. Startling as was the fierce cry,

the officer pursued his course without moving a muscle

of his fine and manly form, beyond what was necessary to

the action in which he was engaged. It was a position

which demanded all his collectedness and courage, and he

seemed as though he had previously made up his mind not

to be deficient in either. Perhaps it was well that he

had been temporarily deprived of sight, for could he have

remarked the numerous tomahawks that were raised towards

him, in pantomimic representation of what they would have

done had they been permitted, the view would in no way

have assisted his self-possession. The entrance to the

fort once gained by the little party, the clamour began

to subside, and the Indians, by whom they had been

followed, returned to the bank of the river to satisfy

their curiosity with a view of those who had been left

in the boat, to which, as a security against all possible

outrage, a sergeant's command had meanwhile been despatched.

It was in the drawing room of Colonel D'Egville, that

the General, surrounded by his chief officers, awaited

the arrival of the flag of truce. Into this the American

Colonel, for such was his rank, after traversing the area

of the fort that lay between, was now ushered, and, the

bandage being removed, his eye encountered several to

whom he was personally known, and with these such

salutations as became the occasion were exchanged.

"The flag you bear, sir," commenced the General, after

a few moments of pause succeeding these greetings, "relates

I presume, to the prisoners so recently fallen into our

hands."

"By no means, General," returned the American, "this is

the first intimation I have had of such fact--my mission

is of a wholly different nature. I am deputed by the

officer commanding the forces of the United States, to

summon the garrison of Amherstburg, with all its naval

dependencies, to surrender within ten days from this

period."

The General smiled. "A similar purpose seems to have

actuated us both," he observed. "A shorter limit have I

prescribed to the officer by whom I have, this very day,

sent a flag to General Hull; I have caused it to be

intimated, that, failing to comply with my summons, he

may on the ensuing Sabbath expect to see the standard of

England floating over the walls of his citadel. This,

Colonel, you may moreover repeat as my answer to your

mission."

The American bowed. "Such then, General, is your final

determination?"

"Not more certain is it that the next Sabbath will dawn,

than that the force I have the honor to command will

attempt the assault upon that day."

"What, within three days? You would seem to hold us

cheaply, General," said the American piquedly, "that you

do not even leave us in doubt as to the moment of your

intended attack."

"And if I would, it were useless," was the reply, "since

what I do attempt shall be attempted openly. In the broad

face of day will I lead my troops to the trenches. By

this time, however, your chief must know my determination--

where, may I ask, did you pass my flag?"

"I met with none, General, and yet my boat kept as nearly

in the middle of the stream as possible."

"Then must ye have passed each other on the opposite

sides of Turkey Island. The officer in charge was moreover

accompanied by two of the prisoners to whom I have alluded

--one a field officer in your own regiment."

"May I ask who?" interrupted the American quickly, and

slightly coloring.

"Major Montgomerie."

"So I suspected. Was the other officer of my regiment?"

"The other," said the General, "bears no commission, and

is simply a volunteer in the expedition--one in short,

whose earnest wish to reach Detroit, was the principal

motive for my offering the Major his liberty on parole."

"And may I ask the name of this individual, so unimportant

in rank, and yet so filled with ardor in the cause, as to

be thus anxious to gain the theatre of war?"

"One probably not unknown to you, Colonel, as the niece

of your brother officer--Miss Montgomerie."

"Miss Montgomerie here!" faltered the American, rising

and paling as he spoke, while he mechanically placed on

the table a glass of wine he had the instant before raised

to his lips--"surely it cannot be."

There was much to excite interest, not only in the changed

tone but in the altered features of the American, as he

thus involuntarily gave expression to his surprise. The

younger officers winked at each other, and smiled their

conviction of une affaire de coeur--while the seniors

were no less ready to infer that they now had arrived at

the true secret of the impatience of Miss Montgomerie to

reach the place of her destination. To the penetrating

eye of the General, however, there was an expression of

pain on the countenance of the officer, which accorded

ill with the feeling one might be supposed to entertain,

who had been unexpectedly brought nearer to an object of

attachment, and he kindly sought to relieve his evident

embarrassment by remarking:

"I can readily comprehend your surprise, Colonel. One

would scarcely have supposed that a female could have

had courage to brave the dangers attendant on an expedition

of this kind, in an open boat--but Miss Montgomerie, I

confess, appears to me to be one whom no danger could

daunt, and whose resoluteness of purpose, once directed,

no secondary agency could divert from its original aim."

Before the officer, having partially regained his composure,

could reply, Colonel D'Egville, who had absented himself

during the latter part of the conversation, returned and

addressing the former in terms that proved their

acquaintance to have been of previous date, invited him

to partake of some refreshment, which had been prepared

for him in an adjoining apartment. This the American at

first faintly declined, on the plea of delay having been

prohibited by his chief; but, on the General jocosely

remarking that, sharing their hospitality on the present

occasion would be no barrier to breaking a lance a week

hence, he assented; and, following Colonel D'Egville,

passed through a short corridor into a smaller apartment

where a copious but hurried refreshment had been prepared.

The entry of the officer was greeted by the presence of

three ladies--Mrs. D'Egville and her daughters--all of

whom received him with the frank cordiality that bespoke

intimacy, while, on the countenance of one of the latter,

might be detected evidences of an interest that had its

foundation in something more than the mere esteem which

dictated the conduct of her mother and sister. If Julia

D'Egville was in reality the laughing, light hearted,

creature represented in the mess room conversation of

the officers of the garrison, it would have been difficult

for a stranger to have recognized her in the somewhat

serious girl who now added her greetings to theirs, but

in a manner slightly tinctured with embarrassment.

The American, who seemed not to notice it, directed his

conversation, as he partook of the refreshment, principally

to Mrs. D'Egville, to whom he spoke of various ladies at

Detroit, friends of both, who were deep deplorers of the

war and the non-communication which it occasioned; alluded

to the many delightful parties that had taken place, yet

were now interrupted; and to the many warm friendships

which had been formed, yet might by this event be severed

for ever. He concluded by presenting a note front a very

intimate friend of the family, to which, he said, he had

been requested to take back a written answer.

A feeling of deep gratification pervaded the benevolent

countenance of Mrs D'Egville, as, on perusal, she found

that it contained the offer of an asylum for herself and

daughters in case Amherstburg should be carried by storm,

as, considering the American great superiority of force,

was thought likely, in the event of the British General

refusing to surrender.

"Excellent, kind hearted friend!" she exclaimed when she

had finished--"this indeed does merit an answer. Need of

assistance, however, there is none, since my noble friend,

the General, has pledged himself to anticipate any attempt

to make our soil the theatre of war--still, does it give

me pleasure to be enabled to reciprocate her offer, by

promising, in my turn, an asylum against all chances of

outrage on the part of the wild Indians, attached to our

cause"--and she left the room.

No sooner did the American find himself alone with the

sisters, for Colonel D'Egville had previously retired to

the General, than discarding all reserve, and throwing

himself on his knees at the feet of her who sat next him,

he exclaimed, in accents of the most touching pathos:

"Julia, dearest Julia! for this alone am I here. I

volunteered to be the bearer of the summons to the British

General, in the hope that some kind chance would give

you to my view, and now that fortune, propitious beyond

my utmost expectations, affords me the happiness of

speaking to you whom I had feared never to behold more,

oh, tell me that, whatever be the result of this unhappy

war, you will not forget me. For me, I shall ever cherish

you in my heart's core."

The glow which mantled over the cheek of the agitated

girl, plainly told that this passionate appeal was made

to no unwilling ear. Still she spoke not.

"Dearest Julia, answer me--the moments of my stay are

few, and at each instant we are liable to interruption.

In one word, therefore, may I hope? In less than a week,

many who have long been friends will meet as enemies.

Let me then at least have the consolation to know from

your lips, that whatever be the event, that dearest of

all gifts--your regard--is unchangeably mine."

"I do promise, Ernest," faltered the trembling girl.

"My heart is yours and yours forever--but do not

unnecessarily expose yourself," and her head sank

confidingly on the shoulder of her lover.

"Thank you, dearest," and the encircling arm of the

impassioned officer drew her form closer to his beating

heart. Gertrude, you are witness of her vow, and before

you, under more auspicious circumstances, will I claim

its fulfilment. Oh Julia, Julia, this indeed does

recompense me for many a long hour of anxiety and doubt."

"And hers too have been hours of anxiety and doubt," said

the gentle Gertrude. "Ever since the war has been spoken

of as certain, Julia has been no longer the gay girl she

was. Her dejection has been subject of remark with all,

and such is her dislike to any allusion to the past, that

she never even rallies Captain Cranstoun on his bear-skin

adventure of last winter on the ice."

"Ah," interrupted the American, "never shall I forget

the evening that preceded that adventure. It was then,

dearest Julia, that I ventured to express the feeling

with which you had inspired me. It was then I had first

the delight of hearing from your lips that I need not

entirely despair. I often, often, think of that night."

"Of course you have not yet received my note, Ernest.

Perhaps you will deem it inconsiderate in me to have

written, but I could not resist the desire to afford you

what I conceived would be a gratification, by communicating

intelligence of ourselves."

"Note! what note! and by whom conveyed?"

"Have you not heard," enquired Gertrude, warming into

animation, "that the General has sent a flag this morning

to Detroit, and, under its protection, two prisoners

captured by my gallant cousin, who is the officer that

conducts them."

"And to that cousin you have confided the letter?"

interrupted the Colonel, somewhat eagerly.

"No, not my cousin," said Julia, "but to one I conceived

better suited to the trust. You must know that my father,

with his usual hospitality, insisted on Major Montgomerie

and his niece, the parties in question, taking up their

abode with us during the short time they remained."

"And to Miss Montgomerie you gave your letter," hurriedly

exclaimed the Colonel, starting to his feet, and exhibiting

a countenance of extreme paleness."

"Good heaven, Ernest! what is the matter? Surely you do

not think me guilty of imprudence in this affair. I was

anxious to write to you,--I imagined you would be glad

to hear from me, and thought that the niece of one of

your officers would be the most suitable medium of

communication. I therefore confessed to her my secret,

and requested her to take charge the letter."

"Oh, Julia, you have been indeed imprudent. But what said

she--how looked she when you confided to her our secret?"

"She made no other remark than to ask how long our

attachment had existed, adding that she had once known

something of you herself; and her look and voice were

calm, and her cheek underwent no variation from the

settled paleness observable there since her arrival."

"And in what manner did she receive her trust?" again

eagerly demanded the Colonel.

"With a solemn assurance that it should be delivered to

you with her own hand--then, and then only, did a faint

smile animate her still but beautiful features. Yet why

all these questions, Ernest? Or can it really be? Tell

me," and the voice of the young girl became imperative,

"has Miss Montgomerie any claim upon your hand--she

admitted to have known you?"

"On my honor, none;" impressively returned the Colonel.

"Oh, what a weight you have removed from my heart, Ernest,

but wherefore your alarm, and wherein consists my

imprudence?"

"In this only, dearest Julia, that I had much rather

another than she had been admitted into your confidence.

But as you have acted for the best, I cannot blame you.

Still I doubt not," and the tones of the American were

low and desponding, "that, as she has promised, she will

find means to deliver your note into my own hands--the

seal is--?"

"A fancy one--Andromache disarming Hector."

"Rise, for Heaven's sake rise," interrupted Gertrude;

"here comes mamma."

One fond pressure of her graceful form, and the Colonel

had resumed his seat. In the next moment Mrs. D'Egville

entered, by one door, and immediately afterwards her

husband by another. The former handed her note, and during

the remarks which accompanied its delivery, gave the

little party (for Gertrude was scarcely less agitated

than her sister) time to recover from their embarassment.

Some casual conversation then ensued, when the American,

despite of Mrs. D'Egville's declaration that he could

not have touched a single thing during her absence,

expressed his anxiety to depart. The same testimonies

of friendly greeting, which had marked his entrance, were

exchanged, and preceded by his kind host. The Colonel

once more gained the apartment where the General still

lingered, awaiting his reappearance.

Nothing remaining to be added to the answer already given

to the summons, the American, after exchanging salutations

with such of the English Officers as were personally

known to him, again submitted himself to the operation

of blindfolding; after which he was reconducted to the

beach, where his boat's crew, who had in their turn been

supplied with refreshments, were ready to receive him.

As on his arrival, the loud yellings of the Indians

accompanied his departure but as these had been found to

be harmless, they were even less heeded than before.

Within two hours, despite of the strong current, the boat

had disappeared altogether from the view.

Late in that day, the barge of Gerald Grantham returned

from Detroit. Ushered into the presence of the General,

the young sailor communicated the delivery of his charge

into the hands of the American Chief, who had returned

his personal acknowledgments for the courtesy. His answer

to the summons, however, was that having a force fully

adequate to the purpose, he was prepared to defend the

fort to the last extremity, and waiving his own original

plan of attack, would await the British General on the

defensive, when to the God of Battles should be left the

decision of the contest. To a question on the subject,

the young officer added that he had seen nothing of the

American flag of truce, either in going or returning.

That night orders were issued to the heads of the different

departments, immediately to prepare materiel for a short

siege; and, an assault at the termination of the third

day. By both troops and Indians, this intelligence was

received with pleasure; for all, sanguine as they were

under such a leader, looked confidently to the speedy

conquest of a post which was one of the highest importance

on that frontier.

CHAPTER XI.

Conformably with the orders of the British General, the

siege of the American fortress was commenced on the day

following that of the mutual exchange of flags. The

elevated ground above the village of Sandwich, immediately

opposite to the enemy's fort, was chosen for the erection

of three batteries, from which a well sustained and well

directed fire was kept up for several successive days,

yet without effecting any practicable breach in their

defences. One of these batteries, manned principally by

sailors, was under the direction of Gerald Grantham,

whose look out duty had been in a great degree rendered

unnecessary, by the advance of the English flotilla up

the river, and who had consequently been appointed to

this more active service.

During the whole of Saturday, the 15th of August, the

British guns had continued to play upon the fort, vomiting

shot and shell as from an exhaustless and angry volcano--

and several of the latter falling short, the town which

was of wood had been more than once set on fire. As,

however, it was by no means the intention of the General

to do injury to the inhabitants, no obstacle was opposed

to the attempts of the enemy to get it under, and the

flames were as often and as speedily extinguished. An

advanced hour of night at length put an end to the firing,

and the artillery men and seamen, extended on their great

coats and pea jackets, in their several embrasures,

snatched from fatigue that repose which their unceasing

exertions of the many previous hours had rendered at once

a luxury and a want.

The battery commanded by Gerald Grantham, was the central

and most prominent of the three, and it had been remarked

by all--and especially by the troops stationed in the

rear in support of the guns--that his firing during the

day, had been the most efficient, many of his shot going

point blank into the hostile fortress, and (as could be

distinctly seen with the telescope) occasioning evident

confusion.

The several officers commanding batteries were now met

in that of the young sailor, and habited in a garb

befitting the rude duty at which they had presided, were

earnestly engaged in discussing the contents of their

haversacks, moistened by occasional drafts of rum and

water from their wooden canteens, and seasoned with

frequent reference to the events of the past day, and

anticipations of what the morrow would bring forth. A

lantern so closed as to prevent all possibility of contact

with the powder that lay strewed about, was placed in

the centre of the circle, and the dim reflexion from this

upon the unwashed hands and faces of the party, begrimed

as they were with powder and perspiration, contributed

to give an air of wildness to the whole scene, that found

its origin in the peculiar circumstances of the moment.

Nor was the picture at all lessened in ferocity of effect,

by the figure of Sambo in the back ground, who, dividing

his time between the performances of such offices as his

young master demanded, in the coarse of the frugal meal

of the party, and a most assiduous application of his

own white and shining teeth to a huge piece of venison

ham, might, without effort, have called up the image of

some lawless, yet obedient slave, attending on and sharing

in the orgies of a company of buccaneers.

At length the meal was ended, and each was preparing to

depart, with a view to snatch an hour or two of rest in

his own battery, when the pricked ear and forward thrown

head of the old negro, accompanied by a quick, "Husha,

Massa Geral," stilled them all into attitudes of expectancy.

Presently the sound of muffled oars was heard, and then

the harsh grating as of a boat's keel upon the sands.

In the next minute the officers were at their posts; but

before they could succeed in awakening their jaded men,

who seemed to sleep the sleep of death, the sentinel at

the first battery had received, in answer to his hurried

challenge, the proper countersign, and, as on closer

inspection it was found that there was only one boat, he

knew it must be their own, and the alarm which had seized

them for the security of their trust passed away.

They were not long kept in suspense. One individual alone

had ascended from the beach, and now stood among them,

habited in a dread-nought jacket and trousers and round

hat. His salutation to each was cordial, and he expressed

in warm terms the approbation he felt at the indefatigable

and efficient manner in which the duty assigned to each

had been conducted.

"Well, gentlemen," continued the Commodore, (for it was

he), "you have done famously today--and in most masterly

style did you silence those batteries, which the enemy,

to divert your fire from the fort, had erected on the

opposite bank. Much has been done, but more remains.

Tomorrow you must work double tides. At daylight you must

re-open with showers of shot and shell, for it is, during

the confusion caused by your fire, that the General

intends crossing his troops and advancing to the assault.

But this is not all--we have some suspicion the enemy

may attempt your batteries this very night, with a view

of either spiking the guns, if they cannot maintain the

position; or of turning them, if they can, on our advancing

columns. Now all the troops destined for the assault,

are assembled ready to effect their landing at day-break,

and none can be spared unless the emergency be palpable.

What I seek is a volunteer to watch the movements of the

enemy during the remainder of the night--one (and he

looked at Grantham) whose knowledge of the country will

enable him to approach the opposite coast unseen, and

whose expedition will enable us to have due warning of

any hostile attempt."

"I shall be most happy, sir, to undertake the task, if

you consider me worthy of it," said Grantham, "but--"

"But what?" interrupted the Commodore hastily.

"My only difficulty, sir, is the means. Had I my light

canoe here, with Sambo for my helmsman, I would seek

their secret even on their own shores."

"Bravo, my gallant fellow," returned the Commodore, again

cordially shaking the hand of his Lieutenant. "This I

expected of you, and have come prepared. I have had the

precaution to bring your canoe and paddles with me--you

will find them below in my boat."

"Then is every difficulty at an end," exclaimed the young

sailor joyously. "And our dress, sir?"

"No disguise whatever, in case of accidents--we must not

have you run the risk of being hanged for a spy."

Gerald Grantham having secured his cutlass and pistols,

now descended with the Commodore to the beach, whither

Sambo (similarly armed) had already preceded him. Under

the active and vigorous hands of the latter, the canoe

had already been removed from the boat, and now rested

on the sands ready to be shoved off. The final instructions

of the Commodore to his officer, as to the manner of

communicating intelligence of any movement on the part

of the Americans, having been given, the latter glided

noiselessly from the shore into the stream, while the

boat, resuming the direction by which it had approached,

was impelled down the river with as little noise as

possible, and hugging the shore for greater secrecy, was

soon lost both to the eye and to the ear.

It was with a caution rendered necessary by the presence

of the vessels in the harbour, that Gerald Grantham and

his faithful companion, having gained the middle of the

river, now sought to approach nearer to the shore. The

night, although not absolutely gloomy, was yet sufficiently

obscure to aid their enterprize; and notwithstanding they

could distinctly hear the tread of the American sentinels,

as they paced the deck of their flotilla, such was the

stillness of Sambo's practised paddle, that the little

canoe glided past them unheard, and, stealing along the

shore, was enabled to gain the farther extremity of the

town, where however, despite of the most scrupulous

inspection, not the slightest evidence of a collective

movement was to be observed. Recollecting that most of

the American boats used for the transport of their Army

from the Canadian shore, (which they had occupied for

some time,) were drawn up on the beach at the opposite

end of the town, and deeming that if any attempt on the

batteries was in contemplation, the troops ordered for

that duty would naturally embark at a point whence,

crossing the river considerably above the object of their

expedition, they might drift down with the current, and

effect a landing without noise, he determined to direct

his course between the merchantmen and vessels of war,

and pursue his way to the opposite end of the town. The

enterprise, it is true, was bold, and not by any means,

without hazard; but Grantham's was a spirit that delighted

in excitement, and moreover he trusted much to the skill

of his pilot, the darkness of the night, and the seeming

repose of the enemy. Even if seen, it was by no means

certain he should be taken, for his light skiff could

worm its way where another dared not follow, and as for

any shot that might be sent in pursuit of them, its aim

would, in the obscurity of the night, be extremely

uncertain.

Devoted as the old negro was to Gerald's will, it was

but to acquaint him with his intention to ensure a

compliance; although, in this case, it must be admitted

a reluctant one. Cautiously and silently, therefore,

they moved between the line of vessels, keeping as close

as they could to the merchantmen, in which there was

apparently no guard, so that under the shadow of the

hulls of these they might escape all observation from

the more watchful vessels of war without. They had

cleared all but one, when the head of the canoe suddenly

came foul of the hawser of the latter, and was by the

checked motion brought round, with her broadside completely

under her stern, in the cabin windows of which, much to

the annoyance of our adventurer, a light was plainly

visible. Rising as gently as he could to clear the bow

of the light skiff, he found his head on a level with

the windows, and as his eye naturally fell on all within,

his attention was arrested sufficiently to cause a sign

from him to Sambo to remain still. The cabin was spacious,

and filled every where with female forms, who were lying

in various attitudes of repose, while the whole character

of the arrangements were such as to induce his belief,

that the vessel had been appropriated to the reception

of the families of the principal inhabitants of the place,

and this with a view of their being more secure from

outrage from the Indians on the ensuing day. In the

midst of the profound repose in which, forgetful of the

dangers of the morrow, all appeared to be wrapped, there

was one striking exception. At a small table in the centre

of the cabin, sat a figure enveloped in a long and ample

dark cloak, and covered with a slouched hat. There was

nothing to indicate sex in the figure, which might have

been taken either for a woman, or for a youth. It was

clear, however, that it wanted in its contour the

proportions of manhood. At the moment when Gerald's

attention was first arrested, the figure was occupied in

reading a letter, which she afterwards sealed with black.

The heart of the sailor beat violently, he knew not

wherefore, but before he could explain his feelings even

to himself, he saw the figure deposit the letter, and

remove, apparently from the bosom of its dress, a miniature

on which it gazed intently for upwards of a minute. The

back being turned towards the windows he could trace no

expression on the countenance, but in the manner there

was none of that emotion, which usually accompanies the

contemplation of the features of a beloved object.

Depositing the picture in the folds of its cloak, the

figure rose, and with a caution indicating desire not to

disturb those who slumbered around, moved through the

straggling forms that lay at its feet, and ascending the

stairs, finally disappeared from the cabin.

Somewhat startled, the young officer hesitated as to what

course he should pursue, for it was evident that if the

figure, whoever it might prove, should come to the stem

of the vessel, he and his companion must be discovered.

For a moment he continued motionless, but with ear and

eye keenly on the alert. At length he fancied he heard

footsteps, as of one treading the loose plank that led

from the vessel's side to the wharf. He pushed the canoe

lightly along, so as to enable him to get clear of her

stem, when glancing his eye in that direction, he saw

the figure, still in the same dress, quit the plank it

had been traversing, and move rapidly along the wharf

towards the centre of the town.

Ruminating on the singularity of what he had observed,

our adventurer now pursued his course up the river; but

still without discovering any evidence of hostile

preparation. On the contrary, a deep silence appeared to

pervade every part of the town, the repose of which was

the more remarkable, as it was generally known, that the

attack on the fort was to be made on the following day.

Arrived opposite the point where the town terminated,

Grantham could distinctly count some twenty or thirty

large boats drawn up on the beach, while in the fields

beyond, the drowsy guard evidently stationed there for

their protection, and visible by the dying embers of

their watch-fire, denoted any thing but the activity

which should have governed an enterprize of the nature

apprehended. Satisfied that the information conveyed to

his superiors was incorrect, the young officer dismissed

from his mind all further anxiety on the subject; yet,

impelled by recollections well befitting the hour and

the circumstances, he could not avoid lingering near a

spot, which, tradition had invested with much to excite

the imagination and feeling. It was familiar to his

memory, (for he had frequently heard it in boyhood,) that

some dreadful tragedy had, in former days, been perpetrated

near this bridge; and he had reason to believe that some

of the actors in it, were those whose blood flowed in

his own young veins. The extreme pain it seemed to give

his parents, however, whenever allusion was made to the

subject, had ever repressed inquiry, and all his knowledge

of these events, was confined to what he had been enabled

to glean from the aged Canadians. That Sambo, who was a

very old servant of the family, had more than hear-say

acquaintance with the circumstances, he was almost certain;

for he had frequently remarked, when after having had

his imagination excited by the oft told tale, he felt

desirous of visiting the spot, the negro obedient in all

things else, ever found some excuse to avoid accompanying

him, nor, within his own recollection, had he once

approached the scene. Certain vague allusions, of late

date, by the old man, had moreover, confirmed him in his

impression, and he now called forcibly to mind an

observation made by his faithful attendant on the night

of their pursuit of the younger Desborough, which,

evidently referred to that period. Even on the present

occasion, he had been struck by the urgency with which

he contended for a return to their own shore, without

pursuing their course to the extreme end of the town;

nor was his unwillingness to approach the bridge overcome,

until Gerald told him it was the positive order of the

Commodore, that they should embrace the whole of the

American lines in their inspection, and even THEN, it

was with a relaxed vigour of arm, that he obeyed the

instruction to proceed.

Determined to sound him, as to his knowledge of the fact,

Grantham stole gently from the bow to the stern of the

canoe, and he was about to question him, when the other,

grasping his arm with an expressive touch, pointed to a

dark object moving across the road. Gerald turned his

head, and beheld the same figure that had so recently

quitted the cabin of the merchantman. Following its

movements, he saw it noiselessly enter into the grounds

of a cottage, opposite an old tannery, where it totally

disappeared.

A new direction was now given to the curiosity of the

sailor. Expressing in a whisper to Sambo, his determination

to follow, he desired him to make for the shore, near

the tannery, beneath the shadow of which he might be

secure, while he himself advanced, and traced the movements

of the mysterious wanderer.

"Oh Massa Geral," urged the old man in the same whisper--his

teeth chattering with fear--"for Hebben' sake e no go

ashore. All dis a place berry bad, and dat no a livin'

ting what e see yonder. Do Massa Geral take poor nigger

word, and not so dere affer e ghost."

"Nay, Sambo, it is no ghost, but flesh and blood, for I

saw it in the brig we were foul of just now, however be

under no alarm. Armed as, I am, I have nothing to fear

from one individual, and if I am seen and pursued in my

turn, it is but to spring in again, and before any one

can put off in chase we shall have nearly reached the

opposite shore--You shall remain in the canoe it--you

please, but I most certainly will see where that figure

went."

"Berry well, Massa Geral," and the old man spoke piquedly,

although partly re-assured by the assurance that it was

no ghost. "If e no take e poor nigger wice e do as e

like; but I no top in e canoe while e go and have him

troat cut, or carry off by a debbil--I dam if e go--I go

too."

This energetic rejoinder being conclusive, and in no wise

opposed by his master, the old man made for the shore as

desired. Both having disembarked, a cautious examination

was first made of the premises, which tending to satisfy

them that all within slumbered, the canoe was secreted

under the shadow of the cottage, the adventurers crossed

the road in the direction taken by the figure--Sambo

following close in the rear of his master, and looking

occasionally behind him, not with the air of one who

fears a mortal enemy, but of one rather who shrinks from

collision with a spirit of another world.

The front grounds of the cottage were separated from the

high road by a fence of open pallisades, in the centre

of which was a small gate of the same description. It

was evidently through this latter that the figure had

disappeared, and as its entrance had been effected without

effort. Gerald came to the conclusion, on finding the

latter yield to his touch, that this was the abode of

the midnight wanderer. Perhaps some young American

officer, whom intrigue or frolic had led forth in disguise

on an excursion from which he was now returned. His

curiosity was therefore on the point of yielding to the

prudence which dictated an immediate relinquishment of

the adventure, when he felt his right arm suddenly seized

in the convulsed and trembling grasp of his attendant.

Turning to ascertain the cause, he beheld as distinctly

as the gloom of the night would permit, the features of

the old man worked into an expression of horror, while

trembling in every joint, he pointed to the mound of

earth at the far extremity of the garden, which was known

to contain the ashes of those from whom his imagination

had been so suddenly diverted by the reappearance of the

figure. This, owing to the position in which he stood,

had hitherto escaped the notice of the officer, whose

surprise may be imagined, when, looking in the direction

pointed out to him, he beheld the same muffled figure,

reposing its head apparently in an attitude of profound

sorrow, against one of the white tomb stones that rose

perpendicularly from the graves.

That Sambo feared nothing which emanated not from the

world of spirits, Grantham well knew. It therefore became

his first care to dismiss from the mind of the poor fellow

the superstitious alarm that had taken possession of

every faculty. From their proximity to the party, this

could only be done by energetic signs, the progress of

which was however interrupted by their mutual attention

being diverted by a change in the position of the figure,

which, throwing itself at its length upon the grave, for

a moment or two sobbed audibly Presently afterwards it

rose abruptly, and wrapping its disguise more closely

around it, quitted the mound and disappeared in the rear

of the house.

The emotion of the figure, in giving evidence of its

materiality, had, more than all the signs of his master,

contributed to allay the agitation of the old negro. When

therefore Gerald, urged by his irrepressible curiosity,

in a whisper declared his intention to penetrate to the

rear of the house, he was enabled to answer.

"For Gorramity's sake, Massa Geral, nebber go dare. Dis

a place all berry bad for e family. Poor Sambo hair white

now but when he black like a quirrel he see all a dis a

people kill--" (and he pointed to the mound) "oh, berry

much blood spill here, Massa Geral. It make a poor nigger

heart sick to link of it."

Gerald grasped the shoulder of the old man. "Sambo," he

whispered, in the same low, but in a determined tone, "I

have long thought you acquainted with the history of this

place, although you have eluded my desire for information

on the subject. After the admission you have now made,

however, I expect you will tell me all and every thing

connected with it. Not now--for I am resolved to see who

that singular being is, who apparently, like myself,

feels an interest in these mouldering bones. As you

perceive it is no ghost, but flesh and blood like ourselves,

stay here if you will, until I return; but something more

must I see of this mystery before I quit the spot."

Without waiting for reply, he gently pushed the unlatched

gate before him. It opened without noise, and quitting

the pathway he moved along the green sward in the direction

in which the figure had disappeared. Love for his master,

even more than the superstitious awe he felt on being

left alone, in that memorable spot, at so late an hour,

put an end to the indecision of the old man. Entering

and cautiously closing the gate, he followed in the

footsteps of his master, and both in the next minute were

opposite to the mound where the figure had first been

observed.

As he was about to quit the grass, and enter upon the

gravelled walk that led to the rear of the cottage, he

fancied he distinguished a sound within, similar to that

of a door cautiously opening. Pausing again to listen,

he saw a light strongly reflected from an upper window,

upon what had the appearance of a court yard in the rear,

and in that light the dark shadow of a human form. This

he at once recognized, from its peculiar costume to be

the mysterious person who had so strongly excited his

curiosity. For a moment or two all was obscurity, when

again, but from a more distant window, the same light

and figure were again reflected. Presently the figure

disappeared, but the light still remained. Impelled by

an uncontrollable desire to behold the features, and

ascertain, if possible, the object of this strange

wanderer, the young sailor cast his eye rapidly in search

of the means of raising himself to a level with the

window, when, much to his satisfaction, he remarked

immediately beneath, a large water butt which was fully

adequate to the purpose, and near this a rude wooden

stool which would enable him to gain a footing on its

edge, without exertion, or noise. It is true there was

every reason to believe that what he had seen was, an

officer belonging to the guard stationed in the adjoining

held, who had his temporary residence in this building,

and was now, after the prosecution of some love adventure

returning home; but Gerald could not reconcile this with

the strong emotion he had manifested near the tomb, and

the startling secrecy with which, even when he had entered,

he moved along his own apartments. These contradictions

were stimulants to the gratification of his own curiosity,

or interest, or whatever it might be; and although he

could not conceal from himself that he incurred no

inconsiderable risk from observation, by the party itself,

the desire to see into the interior of the apartment and

learn something further, rose paramount to all consideration

for his personal safety. His first care now was to

disencumber himself of his shoes and cutlass, which he

gave in charge to Sambo, with directions to the latter

to remain stationary on the sward, keeping a good look-out

to guard against surprise. As by this arrangement his

master would be kept in tolerable proximity, the old

negro, whose repugnance to be left alone in that melancholy

spot was invincible, offered no longer an objection, and

Gerald, bracing more tightly round his loins, the belt

which contained his pistols, proceeded cautiously to

secure the stool, by the aid of which he speedily found

his feet resting on the edge of the water butt, and his

face level with the window. This, owing to the activity

of his professional habits, he had been enabled to

accomplish without perceptible noise.

The scene that met the fixed gaze of the adventurous

officer, was one to startle and excite in no ordinary

degree. The room into which he looked was square, with

deep recesses on the side where he lingered, formed by

the projection of a chimney in which, however, owing to

the sultry season of the year, no traces of recent fire

were visible. In the space between the chimney and wall,

forming the innermost recess, was placed a rude uncurtained

bed, and on this lay extended, and delineated beneath

the covering, a human form, the upper extremities of

which was hidden from view by the projecting chimney.

The whole attitude of repose of this latter indicated

the unconciousness of profound slumber. On a small table

near the foot, were placed several books and papers, and

an extinguished candle. Leaning over the bed and holding

a small lamp which had evidently been brought and lighted

since its entrance, stood the mysterious figure on whom

the interest of Gerald had been so strongly excited. It

seemed to be gazing intently on the features of the

sleeper, and more than once, by the convulsed movements

of its form, betrayed intense agitation. Once it made a

motion as if to awaken the person on whom it gazed, but

suddenly changing its purpose, drew from its dress a

letter which Gerald recognized to be that so recently

prepared in the cabin of the brig. Presently both letter

and lamp were deposited on the bed, and in one upraised

hand of the figure gleamed the blade of a knife or dagger,

while the left grasped and shook, with an evident view

to arouse, the sleeper. An exclamation of horror,

accompanied by a violent struggle of its limbs, proclaimed

reviving consciousness in the latter. A low wild laugh

burst in scorn from the lips of the figure, and the

strongly nerved arm was already descending to strike its

assassin blow, when suddenly the pistol, which Gerald

had almost unconsciously cocked and raised to the window,

was discharged with a loud explosion. The awakened

slumberer was now seen to spring from the bed to the

floor, and in the action the lamp was overturned and

extinguished; but all struggle appeared to have ceased.

Bewildered beyond measure in his reflection, yet secure

in the conviction that he had by this desperate step

saved the life of a human being from the dagger of the

assassin, the only object of Gerald now was to secure

himself from the consequences. Springing from his position

he was soon at the side of the startled Sambo, who had

witnessed his last act with inconceivable dismay. Already

were the guard in the adjoining field, alarmed by the

report of the pistol, hurrying toward the house, when

they reached the little gate, and some even appeared to

be making for their boats on the beach. With these motives

to exertion, neither Gerald nor the old negro were likely

to be deficient in activity. Bending low as they crossed

the road, they managed unperceived to reach that part of

the tannery where their canoe had been secreted, and

Sambo having hastily launched it, they made directly for

the opposite shore, unharmed by some fifteen or twenty

shots that were fired at them by the guard, and drifting

down with the current, reached, about an hour before

dawn, the battery from which they had started.

CHAPTER XII.

At day-break on the rooming of Sunday, the 16th of August,

the fire from the batteries was resumed, and with a fury

that must have satisfied the Americans, even had they

been ignorant of the purpose, it was intended to cover

some ulterior plan of operation on the part of the British

General. Their own object appeared rather to make

preparation of defence against the threatened assault,

than to return a cannonade, which, having attained its

true range, excessively annoyed and occasioned them much

loss. Meanwhile every precaution had been taken to secure

the safe transport of the army. The flotilla, considerably

superior at the outset of the war, to that of the Americans,

had worked up the river during the night, and anchored

in the middle lay with their broadsides ready to open

upon any force that might appear to oppose the landing

of the troops, while numerous scows, for the transport

of a light brigade of horse artillery, and all the boats

and batteaux that could be collected, added to those of

the fleet, lay covering the sands, ready to receive their

destined burdens. At length the embarkation was completed,

and the signal having been given, the several divisions

of boats moved off in the order prescribed to them. Never

did a more picturesque scene present itself to the human

eye, than during the half hour occupied in the transit

of this little army. The sun was just rising gloriously

and unclouded, as the first division of boats pushed from

the shore, and every object within the British and American

line of operation, tended to the production of an effect,

that was little in unison with the anticipated issue of

the whole. Not a breeze ruffled the fair face of the

placid Detroit, through which the heavily laden boats

now made their slow, but certain way, and a spectator

who, in utter ignorance of events, might hare been suddenly

placed on the Canadian hank, would have been led to

imagine, that a fete, not a battle, was intended.

Immediately above the village of Sandwich, and in full

view of the American Fort, lay the English flotilla at

anchor, their white sails half clewed up, their masts

decked with gay pendants, and their taffrails with,

ensigns that lay drooping over their sterns into the

water, as if too indolent to bear up against the coming

sultriness of the day. Below these, glittering in bright

scarlet, that glowed not unpleasingly on the silvery

stream, the sun's rays dancing on their polished muskets

and accoutrements, glided like gay actors in an approaching

pageant, the columns destined for the assault, while

further down, and distributed far and wide over the

expanse of water, were to be seen a multitude of canoes,

filled with Indian warriors, whose war costume could not,

in the distance, be distinguished from that of the dance;

the whole contributing, with the air of quietude on both

shores, and absence of all opposition on the American

especially, to inspire feelings of joyousness and pleasure,

rather than the melancholy consequent on a knowledge of

the final destination of the whole. Nor would the incessant

thunder of the cannon in the distance, have in any way

diminished this impression; for as the volumes of smoke,

vomited from the opposing batteries, met and wreathed

themselves together in the centre of the stream, leaving

at intervals the gay colours of England and America,

brightly displayed to the view, the impression, to a

spectator, would have been that of one who witnesses the

exchange of military honors between two brave and friendly

powers, preparing the one to confer, the other to receive

all the becoming courtesies of a chivalrous hospitality.

If any thing were wanting to complete the illusion, the

sound of the early mass bell, summoning to the worship

of that God whom no pageantry of man may dispossess of

homage, would amply crown and heighten the effect of the

whole, while the chaunting of the hymn of adoration,

would appear a part of the worship of the Deity, and of

the pageantry itself.

Vying, each with the other, who should first gain the

land, the exertions of the several rowers increased, as

the distance to be traversed diminished, so that many

arrived simultaneously at the beach. Forming in close

column of sections as they landed, the regular troops

occupied the road, their right flank resting on the river,

while a strong body of Indians under Round-head, Split-log,

and Walk-in-the-Water, scouring the open country beyond,

completely guarded their left from surprise. Among the

first to reach the shore, was the gallant General, the

planner of the enterprise, who, with his personal staff,

crossed the river in the barge of the Commodore, steered

by that officer himself. During the short period that

the columns were delayed for the landing of the artillery,

necessarily slower in their movements, a short conference

among the leaders, to whom were added Tecumseh and Colonel

D'Egville, as to their final operations, took place.

Never did the noble Indian appear to greater advantage

than on this occasion. A neat hunting dress, of smoked

deer skin, handsomely ornamented, covered his fine and

athletic person, while the swarthiness of his cheek and

dazzling lustre of his eye, were admirably set off, not

only by the snow white linen which hung loose and open

about his throat, but by a full turban, in which waved

a splendid white Ostrich feather, the much prized gift,

as we have already observed, of Mrs. D'Egville. Firmly

seated, on his long tailed gray charger, which he managed

with a dexterity uncommon to his race, his warrior and

commanding air, might have called up the image of a

Tamerlane, or a Genghis Khan, were it not known, that to

the more savage qualities of these, he united others that

would lend lustre to the most civilized Potentates. There

was, however, that ardor of expression in his eye which

rumor had ascribed to him, whenever an appeal to arms

against the deadly foe of his country was about to be

made, that could not fail to endear him to the soldier

hearts of time who stood around, and to inspire them with

a veneration and esteem, not even surpassed by what they

entertained for their own immediate leader, who in his

turn, animated by the inspiriting scene, and confident

in his own powers, presented an appearance so anticipatory

of coining success, that the least sanguine could not

fail to be encouraged by it.

It had been arranged that on the landing of the troops,

the flotilla should again weigh anchor, and approach as

near as possible to the American Fort, with a view, in

conjunction with the batteries, to a cross-fire that

would cover the approach of the assaulting columns. The

Indians, meanwhile, were to disperse themselves throughout

the skirt of the forest, and, headed by the Chiefs already

named, to advance under whatever they might find in the

shape of hedges, clumps of trees, or fields, sufficiently

near to maintain a heavy fire from their rifles on such

force as might appear on the ramparts to oppose the

assault--a task in which they were to be assisted by the

brigade of light guns charged with shrapnell and grape.

Tecumseh himself, accompanied by Colonel D'Egville, was

with the majority of his warriors, to gain the rear of

the town, there to act at circumstances might require.

To this, as an inferior post, the Chieftain had at first

strongly objected, but when it was represented to him

that the enemy, with a view to turn the English flank on

the forest side, would probably detach in that direction

a strong force, which he would have the exclusive merit

of encountering, he finally assented; urged to it, as he

was, moreover, by the consideration that his pretence

would be effectual in repressing any attempt at massacre,

or outrage, of the helpless inhabitants, by his wild and

excited bands.

The guns being at length disembarked and limbered, every

thing was now in readiness for the advance. The horses

of the General and his staff, had crossed in the scows

appropriated to the artillery, and his favorite charger,

being now brought up by his groom, the former mounted

with an activity and vigour, not surpassed even by the

youngest of his aides-de-camp, while his fine and martial

form, towered above those around him, in a manner to

excite admiration in all who beheld him. Giving his brief

instructions to his second in command, he now grasped

and shook the hand of his dark brother in aims, who,

patting spurs to his horse, dashed off with Colonel

D'Egville into the open country on the left, in the

direction taken by his warriors, while the General and

his staff, boldly, and without escort, pursued their way

along the high road at a brisk trot. The Commodore in

his torn, sprang once more into his barge, which, impelled

by stout hearts, and willing hands, was soon seen to gain

the side of the principal vessel of the little squadron,

which, rapidly getting under weigh, had already loosened

its sails to catch the light, yet favorable breeze, now

beginning to curl the surface of the river.

The little army composing this adventurous expedition,

consisted of about five hundred men of the regular troops,

forming the garrison of Amherstburgh, to which had been

added about three hundred well organized militia, from

the central district--volunteers on the occasion, and

habited in a manner to give them the appearance of troops

of the line--in all, however, there were not more than

eight hundred men, exclusive of Indians; yet, these were

advancing, confident of success, against a fortress

defended with five and thirty pieces of cannon, and

garrisoned by upwards of two thousand men. A stronger

illustration of what the directing powers of a master

mind may accomplish, over those under its control, was

probably never afforded more than on this occasion. One

would have imagined, from the reckless laugh and ready

repartee, which marked the early part of the march, that

they expected to possess themselves of the Fort merely

by the will of their General, and without suffering any

of those contingencies which are the unfailing results

of such enterprizes. In short, it seemed as if they

thought that whatever be directed, they could perform,

no matter what the difficulty; and such was their exuberance

of spirits, that it was not without effort, that their

officers, making all due allowance for the occasion,

could keep them within those bounds required by discipline,

and by the occasion.

During all this time, the cannon from our batteries, but

faintly answered by the Americans, had continued to

thunder without intermission, and as the columns drew

nearer, each succeeding discharge came upon the ear with

increased and more exciting loudness. Hitherto the view

had been obstructed by the numerous farm houses and other

buildings, that skirted the windings of the road, but

when at length the column emerged into more open ground,

the whole scene burst splendidly and imposingly upon the

sight. Within half a mile, and to the left, rose the

American ramparts, surmounted by the national flag,

suspended from a staff planted on the identical spot

which had been the scene of the fearful exploit of Wacousta

in former days. Bristling with cannon, they seemed now

to threaten with extermination those who should have the

temerity to approach them, and the men, awed into silence,

regarded them with a certain air of respects. Close under

the town were anchored the American vessels of war, which,

however, having taken no part in returning the bombardment,

had been left unmolested across the river, and in full

view of all, was to be seen the high ground where the

batteries had been erected and, visible at such intervals

as the continuous clouds of smoke and flashes of fire

would permit, the Union Jack of England floating above

the whole; while in the river and immediately opposite

to the point the columns had now reached, the English

flotilla, which had kept pace with their movements, were

already taking up a position to commence their raking

fire. What more than all, however, attracted the general

attention, was the appearance of two or three heavy guns,

crowning the ascent of the sloping road by which they

had advanced, and now, at the distance of not quite half

a mile, defending the entrance to the town. If the British

force had felt surprise at the non-resistance to their

landing, that surprise was increased to astonishment on

finding that not one of these guns, which might hare

raked the entire column, destroying numbers in the choked

up road, opened upon them: Had the Americans done as they

might, many a British soldier would have there found his

grave; but Providence had decreed that a day so fair and

beautiful, commencing in the homage of human hearts to

the source of all good, should not be sullied by the

further shedding of human blood.

It was on reaching this point of the road, that the little

army, obedient to the command of the General, who from

a farm house on the left, was then examining the American

defences, filed off past the house into a large field,

preparatory to forming into column to attack. Scarcely,

however, had the General descended to the field to make

his dispositions, when it was observed that the batteries

had suddenly discontinued their fire, and on looking to

ascertain the cause, a white flag was seen waving on the

eminence where the heavy guns just alluded to had been

placed. While all were yielding to their surprise at this

unexpected circumstance, De Courcy, who by the direction

of his General, had remained reconnoitring with his

telescopes at the top of the house, announced that an

officer, bearing a smaller white flag, was then descending

the road, with an evident view to a parley.

"Ah! is it even so?" exclaimed the General, with vivacity,

as if to himself. "Quick, my horse! I must go to meet

him. He has seen that we have stout hearts--but he must

not perceive the weakness of our numbers. Captain Stanley--

De Courcy--mount--St. Julian (turning to his second in

command) finish what I have begun--let the columns be

got ready in the order I have directed. We may have need

of them yet."

So saying he once more sprang into his saddle, and

accompanied by his young aides-de-camp, galloped past the

line of admiring troops, who involuntarily cheered him as

he passed; and quitting the field hastened to leach the

flag, before the bearer could approach sufficiently near

to make any correct observation respecting his force.

Nearly twenty minutes of anxious suspense had succeeded

the departure of the officer, when De Courcy again made

his appearance at full speed.

"Hurrah! hurrah !" he shouted, as he approached a large

group of his more immediate companions, who were canvassing

the probable termination of this pacific demonstration

on the part of the enemy--"the Fort is our own," (then

turning to the second in command,) "Colonel St. Julian,

it is the General's desire that the men pile their arms

on the ground they occupy, and refresh themselves with

whatever their haver sacks contain."

"How is this, De Courcy." "Surely the Americans do not

capitulate"--"Is it to be child's play after all." "Dom

it mon who would ha' thoat it poossible? "were among the

various remarks made to the young aid-de-camp, on his

return from the delivery of the last order.

"Heaven only knows how, Granville," said the vivacious

officer, in reply to the first querist; "but certainly

it is something very like it, for the General, accompanied

by Stanley, has entered the town under the flag. However

before we discuss the subject further, I vote that we

enter the farm house and discuss wherewith to satisfy

our own appetites--I saw a devilish pretty girl just

now--one who seemed to have no sort of objection to a

handsome scarlet uniform whatever her predilection for

a blue with red facings may formerly have been. She looked

so good naturedly on Stanley and myself, that we should

have ogled her into a breakfast ere this, had not the

General sworn he would not break his fast until he had

planted the colours of England on yon fortress, or failed

in the attempt. Of course we, as young heroes, could not

think of eating after that. But come along-Nay Cranstoun,

do not look as if you were afraid to budge an inch without

an order in writing--I have it in suggestion from Colonel

St. Julian, that we go in and do the best we can.

"Hoot De Courcy, yer' speerits are so floostersome one

would be inclined to theenk ye were not at all soorry to

see the white cloot flying on yonder hill--"

"Bravo Cranstoun," said Villiers somewhat maliciously;

"hard hit there De Courcy, eh!"

"Not so HARD HIT either as he might have been had he

ventured into yonder trenches," said Middlemore.

"If Cranstoun means that I prefer entering the place with

a whole head rather than a BARE skin, I honestly confess

that such is my peculiar taste," answered De Courcy,

significantly smiling.

"Nay, nay De Courcy, you are too severe on poor Cranstoun,"

said Captain Granville with provoking sympathy--"that

unfortunate bear skin affair should not be revived again,

and so immediately in the theatre near which it occurred.

"Particularly when we consider from what DIFFICULT-TIE

he was released" said Middlemore, who even under the

cannon's mouth could not have forborne his inveterate

habit.

"It is the sight of the old place that has stirred up

his bile," remarked Captain Molineux. "Usually good

tempered as he is, he would not have taken offence at De

Courcy's unmeaning remark at any other moment."

"A very nice adventure that--I frequently think of it,"

said Villiers, adding his mite to the persiflage all

appeared determined to bestow upon the touchy grenadier.

"Yes, quite AN ICE adventure," chimed in Middlemore, with

the low chuckling laugh that betrayed his consciousness

of having something not wholly intolerable.

But Cranstoun, now that his ludicrous disaster had been

brought up, was not to be shaken from the imperturbability

he ever adopted when it became a topic of conversation

among his companions. Drawing his lengthy legs after him

with slow and solemn precision, he continued to whistle

a Scotch air, in utter seeming abstraction from all

around, and in his attempt to appear independent and

perfectly at his ease, nearly ran down the pretty girl

alluded to by De Courcy, who stood in the door way

curtseying graciously, and welcoming each of the British

officers, as they passed into the house.

"Bread, eggs, milk, fruit, cider, and whatever the remains

of yesterday's meal afforded, were successively brought

forward by the dark eyed daughter of the farmer, who, as

De Courcy had remarked, seemed by no means indisposed

towards the gay looking invaders of her home. There was

a recklessness about the carriage of most of these, and

even a foppery about some, that was likely to be any

thing but displeasing to a young girl, who, French Canadian

by birth, although living under the Government of the

United States, possessed all the natural vivacity of

character peculiar to the original stock. Notwithstanding

the pertinacity with which her aged father lingered in

the room, the handsome and elegant De Courcy contrived

more than once to address her in an under tone, and elicit

a blush that greatly heightened the brilliant expression

of her large black eyes, and Villiers subsequently declared

that he had remarked the air of joyousness and triumph

that pervaded her features on the young aid-de-camp

promising to return to the farm as soon as the place had

been entered, and leisure afforded him.

"But the particulars of the flag, De Courcy," said Captain

Granville, as he devoured a hard boiled turkey egg, which

in quantity fully made up for what it wanted in quality.

"When you have finished flirting with that unfortunate

girl, come and seat yourself quietly, and tell us what

passed between the General and the--officer who bore it.

Why, I thought you had a devil of an appetite just now?"

"Ah, true," returned the young man, taking his seat at

the rude naked table which bore their meal. "I had quite

forgotten my appetite-mais ca viendra en mangent, n'est-ce

pas?" and he looked at the young girl.

"Plait-il, monsieur?"

"Tais toi ma fille--ce n'est pas a toi qu'on parle,"

gruffly remarked her father.

"The old boy is becoming savage at your attentions,"

remarked Villiers, "you will get the girl into a scrape."

"Bah," ejaculated De Courcy, "Well but of the General.

Who think you was the bearer of the flag. No other than

that fine looking fellow, Colonel--what's his name, who

came to us the other day."

"Indeed, singular enough--what said the General to him,

on meeting?" asked Henry Grantham.

"'Well, Colonel,' said he smiling, 'you see I have kept

my word. This is the day on which I promised that we

should meet again.'

"What answer did he make?" demanded Villiers.

"'True, General, and most happily have you chosen. But

one day sooner and we should have dared your utmost in

our strong-hold: Today,' and he spoke in a tone of deep

mortification, 'we have not resolution left to make a

show even in vindication of our honor. In a word, I am

here to conduct you to those who will offer terms derogatory

at once to our national character, and insulting to our

personal courage.'

"The General," pursued De Courcy, "respecting the

humiliated manner of the American, again bowed, but said

nothing--After a moment of pause, the latter stated that

the Governor and Commander of the fortress were waiting

to receive and confer with him as to the terms of

capitulation. Whether the General had calculated upon

this want of nerve in his antagonist, I know not, but on

the communication of the intelligence I remarked a slight

curl upon his lip, that seemed to express the triumph of

one whose ruse had taken. This might or might not be,

however, for as you are all aware, I pretend to very

little observation except (and he turned his eye upon

the daughter of their host,) where there is a pretty girl

in the case. All I know is, that, attended by Stanley,

he has accompanied the flag into the town, and that,

having no immediate occasion for my valuable services,

he sent me back to give to Colonel St. Julian the order

you have heard.

"How vary extraordinary, to soorrender the ceetadel

without firing a shoat," said Cranstoun, who ever ready

to fight as to eat, seemed rather disappointed at the

issue, if one might judge from the lengthened visage with

which he listened to these tidings.

"Singular enough," added Captain Granville. "Did the

Colonel hint at any cause for this sudden change of

purpose, De Courcy."

"Oh, by the way, yes, I had forgotten. He stated with a

sneer of contempt, that he believed the nerves of the

Governor had been shaken by the reports conveyed to him

of the destructive nature of the fire from the batteries,

the centre of which especially had so completely got the

range that every shot from it came into the fortress with

fearful effect. One point blank in particular, had entered

the gate which was open, and killed and wounded four

officers of rank, who were seated at breakfast in one of

their barrack rooms, while a second had carried off no

less than three surgeons."

"Well done, Gerald," exclaimed Captain Granville, delighted

at the reflection, that he had been so mainly instrumental

in determining the surrender of the Fort."

"Cleverly done, indeed," said Villiers, "that is pinking

off the pill-boxes with a vengeance--an Indian rifle

could not do better."

"It is by breeking the heeds of her coontrymen, A suppoose,

he hopes to gain the feevor of his meestriss," drawled

out Cranstoun. "A do na theenk she is joost the one to

forgeeve that."

The deep roll of the drum summoning to fall in, drew them

eagerly to their respective divisions. Captain Stanley,

the senior aid-de-camp was just returned with an order

for the Several columns to advance and take up their

ground close under the ramparts of the Fort.

It was an interesting and a novel sight, to see the

comparatively insignificant British columns, flanked by

the half dozen light guns which constituted their whole

artillery, advance across the field, and occupy the plain

or common surrounding the Fort, while the Americans on

the ramparts appeared to regard with indignation and

surprise, the mere handful of men to whom they were about

to be surrendered. Such a phenomenon in modern warfare

as that of a weak besieging force bearding a stronger in

their hold, might well excite astonishment; and to an

army, thrice as numerous as its captors, occupying a

fortress well provided with cannon, as in this instance,

must have been especially galling. More than one of the

officers, as he looked down from his loftier and more

advantageous position, showed by the scowl that lingered

on his brow, how willingly he would have applied the

match to the nearest gun whose proximity to his enemies

promised annihilation to their ranks. But the white flag

still waved in the distance, affording perfect security

to those who had confided in their honor, and although

liberty and prosperity, and glory were the sacrifice,

that honor might not be tarnished.

At length the terms of capitulation being finally adjusted,

De Courcy, who, with his brother aid-de-camp, had long

since rejoined the General, came up with instructions

for a guard to enter and take possession preparatory to

the Americans marching out. Detachments from the flank

companies, under the command of Captain Granville, with

whom were Middlemore and Henry Grantham, were selected

for the duty, and these now moved forward, with drums

beating and colours flying, towards the drawbridge then

lowering to admit them.

The area of the fort in no way enlarged, and but slightly

changed in appearance, since certain of our readers first

made acquaintance with it, was filled with troops, and

otherwise exhibited all the confusion incident to

preparations for an immediate evacuation. These

preparations, however were made with a savageness of mien

by the irregulars, and a sullen silence by all, that

attested how little their inclination had been consulted

in the decision of their Chief. Many an oath was muttered,

and many a fierce glance was cast by the half civilized

back-woodsmen, upon the little detachment as it pursued

its way, not without difficulty, through the dense masses

that seemed rather to oppose than aid their advance to

the occupancy of the several posts assigned them.

One voice, deepest and most bitter in its half suppressed

execration, came familiarly on the ear of Henry Grantham,

who brought up the rear of the detachment. He turned

quickly in search of the speaker, but, although he felt

persuaded it was Desborough who had spoken, coupling his

own name even with his curses, the ruffian was no where

to be seen. Satisfied that he must be within the Fort,

and determined if possible, to secure the murderer who

had, moreover, the double crime of treason and desertion,

to be added to his list of offences, the young officer

moved to the head of the detachment when halted, and

communicated what he heard to Captain Granville. Entering

at once into the views of his subaltern, and anxious to

make an example of the traitor, yet unwilling to act

wholly on his own responsibility, Captain Granville

dispatched an orderly to Colonel St. Julian to receive

his instructions. The man soon returned with a message

to say that Desborough was by all means to be detained,

and secured, until the General, who was still absent,

should determine on his final-disposal.

Meanwhile the sentinels at the several posts having been

relieved, and every thing ready for their departure, the

American army, leaving their arms piled in the area,

commenced their evacuation of the Fort, the artillery

and troops of the line taking the lead. Scarcely had

these defiled across the draw-bridge into the road that

conducted to a large esplanade in front, to which their

baggage had previously been transported, when--amid a

roar of artillery from the opposite batteries, the

flotilla, and ramparts themselves--the flag of America

was lowered, and that of England raised in its stead. In

the enthusiasm of the moment, the men on the rampart

employed on duty gave three cheers, which were answered

by the columns without, who only waited until the last

of the Garrison should have crossed the drawbridge, before

they entered themselves. Watchfully alive to the order

that had been received, Captain Granville and Henry

Grantham lingered near the gate, regarding, yet with an

air of carelessness, every countenance among the irregular

troops as they issued forth. Hitherto their search had

been ineffectual, and to their great surprise, although

the last: few files of the prisoners were now in the act

of passing them, there was not the slightest trace of

Desborough. It was well known that the fort had no other

outlet, and any man attempting to escape over the ramparts,

must have been seen and taken either by the troops or by

the Indians, who in the far distance completely surrounded

them. Captain Granville intimated the possibility of

Henry Grantham having been deceived in the voice, but

the latter as pertinaciously declared he could not be

mistaken, for, independently of his former knowledge of

the man, his tones had so peculiarly struck him on the

day when he made boastful confession of his father's

murder, that no time could efface them from his memory.

This short discussion terminated just as the last few

files were passing. Immediately in the rear of these were

the litters, on which were borne such of the wounded as

could be removed from the hospital without danger. These

were some thirty in number, and it seemed to both officers

as somewhat singular, that the faces of all were, in

defiance of the heat of the day, covered with the sheets

that had been spread over each litter. For a moment the

suspicion occurred Jo Grantham, that Desborough might be

of the number; but when he reflected on the impossibility

that any of the wounded men could be the same whose voice

had sounded so recently in the full vigour of health in

his ear, he abandoned the idea. Most of the wounded, as

they passed, indicated by low and feeble moaning, the

inconvenience they experienced from the motion to which

they were subjected, and more or less expressed by the

contortions of their limbs, the extent of their sufferings.

An exception to this very natural conduct was remarked

by Grantham, in the person of one occupying nearly a

central position in the line, who was carried with

difficulty by the litter-men. He lay perfectly at his

length, and without any exhibition whatever of that

impatient movement which escaped his companions. On the

watchful eye of Grantham, this conduct was not lost. He

had felt a strong inclination from the first, to uncover

the faces of the wounded men in succession, and had only

been restrained from so doing by the presence of the

American medical officer who accompanied them, whom he

feared to offend by an interference with his charge.

Struck as he was however by the remarkable conduct of

the individual alluded to, and the apparently much greater

effort with which he was carried, he could not resist

the temptation which urged him to know more.

"Stay," he exclaimed to the bearers of the litter, as

they were in the act of passing. The men stopped. "This

man, if not dead, is evidently either dying or fainting

--give him air."

While speaking he had advanced a step or two, and now

extending his right hand endeavoured gently to pull down

the sheet from the head of the invalid, but the attempt

was vain. Two strong and nervous arms were suddenly

raised and entwined in the linen, in a manner to resist

all his efforts.

Grantham glanced an expressive look at Captain Granville.

The latter nodded his head in a manner to show he was

understood, then desiring the litter-men to step out of

the line and deposit their burden, he said to the medical

officer with the sarcasm that so often tinged his address.

"I believe, sir, your charge embraces only the wounded

of the garrison. This dead man can only be an incumbrance

to you, and it shall be my care that his body is properly

disposed of."

The officer coloured and looked confused. "Really, sir,

you must be mistaken."

But Captain Granville cut short his remonstrance, by an

order to the file of men in his rear, who each seizing

on the covering of the litter, dragged it forcibly off,

discovering in the act the robust and healthy form of

Desborough.

"You may passion, continued the officer to the remainder

of the party. This fellow, at once a murderer and a

traitor, is my prisoner."

"I know him only as an American, sir," was the reply.

"He has taken the oaths of allegiance within the last

week, and as such is an acknowledged subject of the

American States."

"I have no time to enter into explanation, neither am I

competent to discuss this question, sir. For what I have

done, I have the instructions of my superior. If you have

complaint to make it most be to your own Chief. To mine

alone am I responsible. Let the scoundrel be well secured,"

he pursued, as the last of the litters at length defiled,

and addressing the men to whom Desborough had been given

in charge.

"Ha!" exclaimed Middlemore, who had all this time been

absent on the duties connected with his guard, and now

approached the scene of this little action for the first

time; "what! do I see my friend Jeremiah Desborough-the

prince of traitors, and the most vigorous of

wrestlers--verily my poor bones ache at the sight of you.

How came you to be caught in this trap, my old boy, better

have been out duck-shooting with the small bores I reckon?"

But Desborough was in no humour to endure this mirth.

Finding himself discovered, he had risen heavily from

the litter to his feet, and now moved doggedly towards

the guard house, where the men had orders to confine him.

His look still wore the character of ferocity, which

years had stamped there, but with this was mixed an

expression that denoted more of the cowering villain,

whom a sudden reverse of fortune may intimidate, than

the dauntless adventurer to whom enterprizes of hazard

are at once a stimulus and a necessity. In short, he was

entirely crest fallen.

"Come and see the effect of Gerald's excellent fire,"

said Middlemore, when Desborough had disappeared within

the guard room. "No wonder the American General was

frightened into SIR-RENDER, hem! I will show you the room

pointed out to toe by the subaltern whom I relieved, as

that in which the four field officers and three surgeons

were killed."

Preceded by their companion, Captain Granville and Grantham

entered the piazza, leading to the officers' rooms,

several of which were completely pierced with twenty-four

pound shot, known at once as coming from the centre

battery, which alone mounted guns of that calibre. After

surveying the interior a few moments, they passed into

a small passage communicating with the room in question.

On opening the door, all were painfully struck by the

sight which presented itself. Numerous shot holes were

visible every where throughout, while the walls at the

inner extremity of the apartment, were completely bespotted

with blood and brains, scarcely yet dry any where, and

in several places dripping to the floor. At one corner

of the room and on a mattress. lay the form of a wounded

man, whom the blue uniform and silver epaulettes, that

filled a chair near the head, attested for an American

officer of rank. At the foot of the bed, dressed in black,

her long hair floating wildly over her shoulders, and

with a hand embracing one of those of the sufferer, sat

a female, apparently wholly absorbed in the contemplation

of the scene before her. The noise made by the officers

on entering had not caused the slightest change in her

position, nor was it until she heard the foot-fall of

Captain Granville, as he advanced for the purpose of

offering his services, that she turned to behold who were

the intruders. The sight of the British uniform appeared

to startle her, for she immediately sprang to her feet,

as if alarmed at their presence. It was impossible they

could mistake those features, and that face. It was Miss

Montgomerie. He who lay at her feet, was her venerable

uncle. He was one of the field officers who had fallen

a victim to Gerald's fire, and the same ball which had

destroyed his companions, had carried away his thigh,

near the hip bone. The surgeons had given him over, and

he had requested to be permitted to die where he lay.

His wish had been attended to, but in the bustle of

evacuation, it had been forgotten to acquaint the officers

commanding the British guard that he was there. The last

agonies of death had not yet passed away, but there seemed

little probability that he could survive another hour.

Perceiving the desperate situation of the respectable

officer, Captain Granville staid not to question on a

subject that spoke so plainly for itself. Hastening back

into the piazza with his subalterns, he reached the area

just as the remaining troops, intended for the occupation

of the Fort, were crossing the drawbridge, headed by

Colonel St. Julian. To this officer he communicated the

situation of the sufferer, when an order was given for

the instant attendance of the head of the medical staff.

After a careful examination, and dressing of the wound,

the latter pronounced the case not altogether desperate.

A great deal of blood had been lost, and extreme weakness

had been the consequence, but still the Surgeon was not

without hope that his life might yet be preserved,

although, of course, he would be a cripple for the

remainder of his days.

It might have been assumed, that the hope yet held out

of preservation of life on any terms, would have been

hailed with some manifestation of grateful emotion, on

the part of Miss Montgomerie; but it was remarked and

commented on, by those who were present, that this

unexpectedly favorable report, so far from being received

with gratitude and delight, seemed to cast a deeper gloom

over the spirit of this extraordinary girl. The contrast

was inexplicable. She had tended him at the moment when

he was supposed to be dying, with all the anxious solicitude

of a fond child, and now that there was a prospect of

his recovery, there was a sadness in her manner, that

told too plainly the discomfort of her heart."

"In veerity an unaccoontable geerl," said Cranstoun, as

he sipped his wine that day after dinner in the mess room

at Detroit. "A always seed she was the cheeld of the

deevil."

"Child of the devil in soul, if you will," observed

Granville, "but a true woman--a beautiful, a superb woman

in person at least, did she appear this morning, when we

first entered that room--did she not Henry?"

"Beautiful indeed," was the reply--"yet, I confess, she

more awed than pleased me. I could not avoid, even amid

that melancholy scene, comparing her to a beautiful

casket, which, on opening is found to contain not a gem

of price, but a subtle poison, contact with which is

fatal; or to a fair looking fruit which, when divided,

proves to be rotten at the core."

"Allegorical, by all that is good, bad, and indifferent."

exclaimed Villiers. "How devilish severe you are Henry,

upon the pale Venus. It is hardly fair in you thus to

rate Gerald's intended."

"Gerald's intended! God forbid."

This was uttered with an energy that startled his

companions. Perceiving that the subject gave him pain,

they discontinued allusion to the lady in question,

further than to inquire how she was to be disposed of,

and whether she was to remain in attendance on her uncle.

In answer, they were informed, that as the Major could

not be removed, orders had been given by the General,

for every due care to be taken of him where he now lay,

while Miss Montgomerie, yielding to solicitation, had

been induced to retire into the family of the American

General in the town, there to remain until it should be

found convenient to have the whole party conveyed to the

next American post on the frontier.

CHAPTER XIII.

It is impossible to review the whole tenor of General

Brock's conduct, on the occasion more immediately before

our notice, and fail to be struck by the energy and

decision of character which must have prompted so bold

an enterprise. To understand fully the importance of the

operation it will be necessary to take a partial survey

of the position of affairs anterior to this period. When

the announcement of the American declaration of war first

reached the Michigan frontier, the garrisons of Amherstburg

and Detroit were nearly equal in strength, neither of

them exceeding five hundred men; but the scale was soon

made to preponderate immeasurably in favor of the latter,

by the sudden arrival of a force of upwards of two thousand

men. General Hull, who was in command of that army

immediately crossed over into Canada, occupying the

village of Sandwich as his head quarters, and pouring

his wild Kentuckians over the face of the country which

they speedily laid under contribution. Instead, however,

of marching without delay upon Amherstburg, as ill defended

as it was weakly garrisoned, he contented himself with

pushing forward skirmishers, who amused themselves during

the day, against an advanced post of regulars, militia

and Indians, stationed for the defence of an important

pass, and retired invariably on the approach of night.

This pass, the Canard bridge--and the key to Amherstburg

--was, at this period, the theatre of several hot and

exciting affairs. In this manner passed the whole of the

month of July.

Meanwhile, intelligence having been conveyed to General

Brock, then in command of the centre division of the

army, of the danger with which Amherstburg was threatened.

He immediately embarked what remained of the Regiment

occupying that post, with from one hundred and fifty to

two hundred choice Militia, in boats he had caused to be

collected for the purpose, and, coasting along the lake,

made such despatch that he arrived at Amherstburg only

a few days after General Hull, in his turn apprized of

the advance of this reinforcement, had recrossed the

river, and with the majority of his force, taken refuge

within the fortifications of Detroit. Thus was that

portion of Upper Canada, which by Proclamation of the

American General, had already been incorporated with,

and become a portion of the United States, restored to

its original possessors.

Not a moment did the English Commander lose, in following

up the advantage resulting from this mark of timidity in

his opponent. As soon as he had arrived and ascertained

the true state of affairs, he issued orders for the march

of the whole force to Sandwich, and, having explained in

a council with the Indian Chiefs, the main features of

his plan of attack, proceeded to carry it into instant

execution. His arrival at Amherstburg was about the 13th

of August, so that until the morning of his meditated

attack scarcely three days were occupied in preparations,

including the march to Sandwich, a distance of eighteen

miles.

It is difficult to imagine that the English General could,

in any way have anticipated so easy a conquest. He had

no reason to undervalue the resolution of the enemy, and

yet he appears to have been fully sanguine of the success

of his undertaking. Possibly he counted much on his own

decision and judgment, which, added to the confidence

reposed in him by all ranks and branches of the expedition,

he might have felt fully adequate to the overthrow of

the mere difficulty arising from superiority of numbers.

Whatever his motive, or however founded his expectations

of success, the service he performed was eminent, since

he not merely relieved Amherstburgh, the key of Upper

Canada, from all immediate danger, but at a single blow

annihilated the American power throughout that extensive

frontier. That this bold measure, powerfully contrasted

as it was with his own previous vacillation of purpose,

had greatly tended to intimidate the American General,

and to render him distrustful of his own resources, there

can be little doubt. The destructive fire from the well

served breaching batteries, was moreover instanced as an

influencing cause of the capitulation.

In justice to many American officers of rank, and to the

Garrison generally, it must be admitted that the decision

of their leader, if credence might be given to their

looks and language, was any thing but satisfactory to

them, and it must be confessed that it most have been

mortifying in the extreme to have yielded without a blow

a fortress so well provided with the means of defence.

What the result would have been, had the British columns

mounted to the assault, it is impossible to say. That

they would have done their duty is beyond all question,

but there is no reason to believe the Americans, under

a suitable commander, would have failed in theirs.

Superiority of numbers and position was on the one side:

a daring Chief, an ardent desire of distinction, and the

impossibility of retreat without humiliation, on the

other.

In alluding thus to the capitulation of Detroit, we beg

not to be understood as either reflecting on the American

character, or unduly exalting our own. Question of personal

bravery there was none, since no appeal was made to arms;

but the absence of sanguinary event left in high relief

the daring of the British Commander, whose promptitude

and genius alone secured to him so important yet bloodless

a conquest. Had he evinced the slightest indecision, or

lost a moment in preparing for action, the American

General, already intimidated by the mere report of his

approach (as was evinced by his hasty abandonment of the

Canadian shore) would have had time to rally, and believing

him to be not more enterprizing than his predecessor,

would have recovered from his panic and assumed an

attitude, at once, more worthy of his trust, commensurate

with his means of defence, and in keeping with his former

reputation. The quick apprehension of his opponent,

immediately caught the weakness, while his ready action

grappled intuitively with the advantage it presented.

The batteries, as our narrative has shown, were opened

without delay--the flotilla worked up the river within

sight of the fortress--and the troops and Indians effected

their landing in full view of the enemy. In fact, every

thing was conducted in a manner to show a determination

of the most active and undoubted description. With what

result has been seen.

It was in the evening of the day of surrender, that the

little English squadron, freighted with the prisoners

taken in Detroit, dropped slowly past Amherstburg, into

Lake Erie. By an article in the capitulation, it had

been stipulated, that the irregular troops should be

suffered to return to their homes, under the condition

that they should not again serve during the war, while

those of the line were to be conducted to the Lower

Province, there to remain until duly exchanged. The

appearance as captives of those who had, only a few days

before, been comfortably established on the Sandwich

shore, and had caused the country to feel already some

of the horrors of invasion, naturally enough drew forth

most of the inhabitants to witness the sight; and as the

Sunday stroll of the little population of Amherstburg

led in the direction of Elliott's point, where the lake

began, the banks were soon alive with men, women and

children, clad in holiday apparel, moving quickly, to

keep up with the gliding vessels, and apparently, although

not offensively, exulting in the triumph of that flag

beneath which the dense masses of their enemies were now

departing from their rescued territory.

Among those whom the passing barks had drawn in unusual

numbers to the river's side, were the daughters of Colonel

D'Egville, whose almost daily practice it was to take

the air in that direction, where there was so much of

the sublime beauty of American scenery to arrest the

attention. Something more however than that vague

curiosity, which actuated the mass, seemed to have drawn

the sisters to the bank, and one who had watched them

narrowly, most have observed, that their interest was

not divided among the many barks that glided onward to

the lake, but was almost exclusively attracted by one,

which now lay to, with her light bows breasting the

current like a swan, and apparently waiting either for

a boat which had been dispatched to the shore, or with

an intention to send one. This vessel was filled in every

part with troops, wearing the blue uniform of the American

regular army, while those in advance were freighted with

the irregulars and backwoodsmen.

"Is not this, Julia, the vessel to which the Commodore

promised to promote Gerald, in reward of his gallant

conduct last week?" asked the timid Gertrude, with a

sigh, as they stood stationary for a few moments, watching

the issue of the manoeuvre just alluded to.

"It is, Gertrude," was the answer of one whose fixed eye

and abstracted thought, betokened an interest in the same

vessel, of a nature wholly different from that of her

questioner.

"How very odd, then, he does not come on shore to us.

I am sure he must see us, and it would not take him two

minutes to let us know he is unhurt, and to shake hands

with us. It is very unkind of him I think."

Struck by the peculiar tone in which the last sentence

had been uttered, Julia D'Egville turned her eyes full

upon those of her sister. The latter, could not stand

the inquiring gaze, but sought the ground, while a

conscious blush confirmed the suspicion.

"Dearest Gertrude," she said, as she drew the clasped

arm of her sister more fondly within her own; "I see how

it is; but does he love you in return. Has he ever told

you so, or hinted it. Tell me my dear girl."

"Never," faltered the sensitive Gertrude, and she hung

her head, to conceal the tear that trembled in her eye.

Her sister sighed deeply, and pressed the arm she held

more closely within her own. "My own own sister, for

worlds I would not pain you; but if you would be happy,

you must not yield to this preference for our cousin.

Did you not remark how completely he seemed captivated

by Miss Montgomerie? Depend upon it, his affections are

centered in her."

Gertrude made no reply, but tears trickled down her

cheeks, as they both slowly resumed their walk along the

beach. Presently the splash of oars was heard, and turning

quickly to discover the cause, Julia saw a boat leave

the vessel, at which they had just been looking, and pull

immediately towards them. In the stern stood an officer

in American uniform, whom the eyes of Love were not slow

to distinguish, even in the growing dusk of evening.

"It is Ernest," exclaimed the excited girl, forgetting

for a moment her sister in herself. "I thought he would

not have departed without seeking to see me."

A few strokes of the oars were sufficient to bring the

boat to the shore. The American stepped out, and leaving

the boat to follow the direction of the vessel, now

drifting fast with the current towards the outlet, which

the remainder of the flotilla had already passed, pursued

his course along the sands in earnest conversation with

the sisters, or rather with one of them, for poor Gertrude,

after the first salutation, seemed to have lost all

inclination to speak.

"Fate, dearest Julia," said the officer despondingly,

"has decreed our interview earlier than I had expected.

However, under all circumstances, I may esteem myself

happy, to have seen you at all. I am indebted for this

favor to the officer commanding yonder vessel, in which

our regiment is embarked, for the satisfaction, melancholy

as it is, of being enabled to bid you a temporary farewell."

"Then are we both indebted to one of my own family for

the happiness; for that it is a happiness, Ernest, I can

answer from the depression of my spirits just now, when

I feared you were about to depart without seeing me at

all. The officer in command of your vessel is, or ought

to be, a cousin of our own."

"Indeed!--then is he doubly entitled to my regard. But,

Julia, let the brief time that is given us, be devoted

to the arrangement of plans for the future. I will not

for a moment doubt your faith, after what occurred at

our last interview; but shall I be certain of finding

you here, when later we return to wash away the stain

this day's proceedings have thrown upon our national

honor. Forgive me, if I appear to mix up political

feelings, with private grief, but it cannot be denied,

(and he smiled faintly through the mortification evidently

called up by the recollection,) that to have one's honor

attainted, and to lose one's mistress in the same day,

are heavier taxes on human patience, than it can be

expected a soldier should quietly bear."

"And when I am yours at a later period, I suppose you

will expect me to be as interested in the national honor,

as you are," replied Julia, anxious to rally him on a

subject she felt, could not but be painful to a man of

high feelings, as she fully believed the Colonel to be.

How are we to reconcile such clashing interests? How am

I so far to overcome my natural love for the country

which gave me birth, as to rejoice in its subjugation by

yours; and yet, that seems to be the eventual object at

which you hint. Your plan, if I understand right, is to

return here with an overwhelming army; overrun the

province, and make me your property by fight of conquest,

while all connected with me, by blood, or friendship,

are to be borne into captivity. If we marry, sir, we must

draw lots which of us shall adopt a new country."

"Nay dearest Julia, this pleasantry is unseasonable. I

certainly do intend, provided I am exchanged in time to

return here with the army, which I doubt not will be

instantly dispatched to restore our blighted fame, and

then I shall claim you as my own. Will you then hesitate

to become mine? Even as the daughter forsakes the home

of her father without regret, to pass her days with him

who is to her father, mother, all the charities of life,

in short--so should she forsake her native land, adopting

in preference that to which her husband is attached by

every tie of honor, and of duty. However, let us hope

that ere long, the folly of this war will be seen, and

that the result of such perception, will be a peace

founded on such permanent basis, that each shall be bound,

by an equal tie of regard, to the home of the other."

"Let us hope so," eagerly replied Julia. "But what has

become of our friend, Miss Montgomerie, in all the

confusion of this day. Or am I right in supposing that

she and her uncle, are of the number of those embarked

in my cousin's vessel?"

The name of the interesting American, coupled as it was,

with that of one infinitely more dear to her caused

Gertrude for the first time, to look up in the face of

the officer, in expectation of his reply. She was struck

by the sadden paleness that came over his features again,

as en the former occasion, when allusion was made to her

at his recent visit to Amherstburgh. He saw that his

emotion was remarked, and fought to bide it under an

appearance of unconcern, as he replied:

"Neither Miss Montgomerie nor her uncle are embarked.

The latter, I regret to say, has been one of the few

victims who have fallen."

"What! dead--that excellent kind old man--dead, demanded

the listen, nearly in the same breath?"

"No; not dead--but I fear with little hope of life. He

was desperately wounded soon after day-break this morning,

and when I saw hi half an hour afterwards, he had been

given over by the surgeons."

"Poor old Major," sighed Gertrude; "I felt when he was

here the other day, that I could bare loved him almost

as my owe father. How broken-hearted Miss Montgomerie

must be at his loss."

A sneer of bitterness passed over the fine features of

the American, as he replied with emphasis:

"Nay, dear Gertrude, year sympathies there are but ill

bestowed. Miss Montgomerie's heart will scarcely sustain

the injury you seem to apprehend."

"What mean you Ernest?" demanded Julia, with eagerness.

"How is it that you judge thus harshly of her character.

How, in short, do you pretend to enter into her most

secret feelings, and yet deny all but a general knowledge

of her? What can you possibly knew of her heart?"

"I merely draw my inferences from surmise," replied the

Colonel, after a few moments of pause. "The fact it, I

have the vanity to imagine myself a correct reader of

character, and my reading of Miss Montgomery's has not

been the happiest."

Julia's look betrayed incredulity. "There is evidently

some mystery in all this," she rejoined; "but I will not

seek to discover more than you choose at present to

impart. Later I may hope to possess more of your confidence.

One question more, however, and I have done. Have you

seen her since your return to Detroit, and did she give

you my letter?"

The Colonel made no answer, but produced from his pocket

a note, which Julia at once recognized as her own.

"Then," said Gertrude, "there was not so much danger

after all, in intrusting it. You seemed to be in a sad

way, when you first heard that it had been given to her."

"I would have pledged myself on its safe deliverance,"

added her sister, "for the promise was too solemnly given,

to be broken."

"And solemnly has it been kept, "gravely returned the

American. "But hark, already are they hailing the boat,

and we must part."

The time occupied in conversation, had brought them down

to the extreme point, where the river terminated, and

the lake commenced. Beyond this lay a sand bar, which it

was necessary to clear, before the increasing dusk of

the evening rendered it hazardous. All the other vessels

had already passed it, and were spreading their white

sails before the breeze, which here, unbroken by the

island, impelled them rapidly onward. A few strokes of

the oar, and the boat once more touched the beach. Low

and fervent adieus were exchanged, and the American,

resuming his station in the stern, was soon seen to ascend

the deck, he had so recently quitted. For a short time,

the sisters continued to watch the movements of the

vessel, as she in turn having passed, spread all her

canvass to the wind, until the fast fading twilight

warning them to depart, they retraced their steps along

the sands to the town. Both were silent and pensive; and

while all around them found subject for rejoicing in the

public events of the day, they retired at an early hour

to indulge at leisure in the several painful retrospections

which related more particularly to themselves.

CHAPTER XIV.

If the few weeks preceding the fall of Detroit, had been

characterized by much bustle and excitement, those which

immediately succeeded, were no less remarkable for their

utter inactivity and repose. With the surrender of the

fortress vanished every vestige of hostility in that

remote territory, enabling the sinews of watchfulness to

undergo a relaxation, nor longer requiring the sacrifice

of private interests to the public good. Scarcely had

the American prisoners been despatched to their several

destinations, when General Brock, whose activity and

decision, were subject of universal remark, quitted his

new conquest and again hastened to resume the command on

the Niagara frontier, which he had only left to accomplish

what had been so happily achieved. The Indians, too,

finding their services no longer in immediate demand,

dispersed over the country, or gave themselves up to the

amusement of the chase, ready however to come forward

whenever they should be re-summoned to the conflict;

while the Canadians, who had cheerfully abandoned their

homes to assist in the operations of the war, returned

once more to the cultivation of that soil they had so

recently looked upon as wrested from them for ever.

Throughout the whole line of Detroit, on either shore,

the utmost quietude prevailed; and although many of the

inhabitants of the conquered town, looked with an eye of

national jealousy on the English flag that waved in

security above the Fort, they submitted uncomplainingly

to the change, indulging only in secret, yet without

bitterness, in the hope of a not far distant reaction of

fortune, when their own National Stars should once more

be in the ascendant.

The garrison left at Detroit consisted merely of two

companies-those of Captains Granville and Molineux, which

included among their officers, Middlemore, Villiers and

Henry Grantham. After the first excitement produced in

the minds of the townspeople, by their change of rulers,

had passed away, these young men desirous of society,

sought to renew their intimacy with such of the more

respectable families as they had been in the habit of

associating with prior to hostilities; but although in

most instances they were successful, their reception was

so different from what it had formerly been, (a change

originating not so much in design perhaps as resulting

from a certain irrepressible sense of humiliation, which

gave an air of gene to all their words and actions,) that

they were glad to withdraw themselves altogether within

the rude resources of their own walls. It happened however

about this period that Colonel D'Egville had received a

command to transfer the head of his department from

Amherstburg to Detroit, and, with a view to his own

residence on the spot, the large and commodious mansion

of the late Governor was selected for the abode of his

family. With the daughters of that officer, the D'Egvilles

had long been intimate, and as the former were to continue

under the same roof until their final departure from

Detroit, it was with a mutual satisfaction the friends

found themselves thus closely reunited--Added to this

party were Major Montgomery, (already fast recovering

from the effect of his wound,) and his niece, both of

whom only awaited the entire restoration of the former,

to embark immediately for the nearest American port.

At Colonel D'Egville's, it will therefore be supposed

the officers passed nearly all their leisure hours;

Molineux and Villiers flirting with the fair American

sisters, until they had nearly been held fast by the

chains with which they dallied, and Middlemore uttering

his execrable puns with a coolness of premeditation that

excited the laughter of the fair part of his auditors,

while his companions, on the contrary, expressed their

unmitigated abhorrence in a variety of ways. As for the

somewhat staid Captain Granville, he sought to carry his

homage to the feet of Miss Montgomerie, but the severe

and repellant manner in which she received all his

advances, and the look which almost petrified where it

fell, not only awed him effectually into distance, but

drew down upon him the sarcastic felicitations of his

watchful brother officers. There was one, however, on

whose attentions her disapprobation fell not, and Henry

Grantham, who played the part of an anxious observer,

remarked with pain that HE had been fascinated by her

beauty, in a manner which showed her conquest to be

complete.

The cousins of Gerald Grantham had been in error in

supposing him to be the officer in command of the vessel

on board which the lover of Julia had embarked. His

transfer from the gun boat had taken place, but in

consideration of the fatigue he had undergone during the

three successive days in which he had been employed at

the batteries, the Commodore had directed another officer

to take command of the vessel in question, and charge

himself with the custody of the prisoners on board.

Finding himself at liberty, until the return of the

flotilla from this duty, the first care of Gerald was to

establish himself in lodgings at Detroit, whence he daily

sallied forth to the apartments in the Governor's house,

occupied by the unfortunate Major Montgomerie, in whose

situation he felt an interest so much the more deep and

lively as he knew his confinement to have been in some

degree the work of his own hands. All that attention and

kindness could effect was experienced by the respectable

Major, who, in return found himself growing more and more

attached to his youthful and generous captor. These

constant visits to the uncle naturally brought our hero

more immediately into the society of the niece, but

although he had never been able to banish from his memory

the recollection of one look which she had bestowed upon

him on a former occasion, in almost every interview of

the sort now, she preserved the same cold reserve and

distance which was peculiar to her.

A week had elapsed in this manner, when it chanced that

as they both sat one evening, about dusk, near the couch

of the invalid, the latter, after complaining of extreme

weakness and unusual suffering, expressed his anxiety at

the possibility of his niece being left alone and

unprotected in a strange country.

It was with a beating pulse and a glowing cheek that

Gerald looked up to observe the effect of this observation

on his companion. He was surprised, nay, hurt, to remark

that an expression of almost contemptuous loathing sat

upon her pale but beautiful countenance. He closed his

eyes for a moment in bitterness of disappointment--and

when they again opened and fell upon that countenance,

he scarcely could believe the evidence of his senses.

Every feature had undergone a change. With her face half

turned away, as if to avoid the observation of her uncle,

she now exhibited a cheek flushed with the expression of

passionate excitement, while from her eye beamed that

same unfathomable expression which bad carried intoxication

once before to the inmost soul of the youth. Almost wild

with his feelings, it was with difficulty he restrained

the impulse that would have urged him to her feet; but

even while he hesitated, her countenance had again

undergone a change, and she sat cold and reserved and

colorless as before.

That look sealed, that night, the destiny of Gerald

Grantham. The coldness of the general demeanour of Matilda,

was forgotten in the ardor of character which had escaped

from beneath the evident and habitual disguise; and the

enthusiastic sailor could think of nothing but the witchery

of that look. To his surprise and joy, the following day,

and ever afterwards, he found that the manner of the

American, although reserved as usual with others, had

undergone a complete change towards himself. Whenever he

appeared alone a smile was his welcome, and if others

were present she always contrived to indemnify him for

a coldness he now knew to be assumed, by conveying

unobserved one of those seductive glances the power of

which she seemed so fully to understand.

Such was the state of things when the D'Egvilles arrived.

Exposed to the observations of more than one anxious

friend, it was not likely that a youth of Gerald's open

nature, could be long in concealing his prepossession;

and as Matilda, although usually guarded in her general

manner, was observed sometimes to fix her eyes upon him

with the expression of one immersed in deep and speculative

thought, the suspicion acquired a character of greater

certainty.

To Harry Grantham, who doated upon his brother, this

attachment was a source of infinite disquiet, for, from

the very commencement, Miss Montgomerie had unfavorably

impressed him; why he knew not, yet impelled by a feeling

he was unable to analyze, he deeply lamented that they

had ever become acquainted, infatuated as Gerald appeared

by her attractions. There was another, too, who saw with

regret the attachment of Gerald to his fair prisoner. It

was Gertrude D'Egville, but her uncomplaining voice spoke

not, even to her beloved sister, of the anguish she

endured--she loved her cousin, but he knew it not--and

although she felt that she was fast consuming with the

disappointment that preyed upon her peace, she had obtained

of her sister the promise that the secret should never

reach the ear of its object.

In this manner passed the months of August and September.

October had just commenced, and with it, that beautiful

but brief season which is well known in Canada as the

Indian summer. Anxious to set out on his return to that

home to which his mutilation must confine him for the

future, Major Montgomerie, now sufficiently recovered to

admit of his travelling by water, expressed a desire to

avail himself of the loveliness of the weather, and embark

forthwith on his return.

By the officers whom the hospitality of Colonel D'Egville

almost daily assembled beneath his roof, this announcement

was received with dismay, and especially by Molineux,

and Villiers who had so suffered themselves to be fascinated

by the amiable daughters of General Hull, as to have

found it necessary to hold a consultation (decided however

in the negative.) whether they should, or should not

tempt them to remain, by making an offer of their hands.

It was also observed that these young ladies, who at

first, had been ail anxiety to rejoin their parent,

evinced no particular satisfaction in the intimation of

speedy departure thus given to them. Miss Montgomerie on

the contrary, whose anxiety throughout, to quit Detroit,

had been no less remarkable than her former impatience

to reach it, manifested a pleasure that amounted almost

to exultation: and yet it was observed that by a strange

apparent contradiction, her preference for Gerald from

that moment became more and more divested of disguise.

There are few spots in the world, perhaps, that unite so

many inducements to the formation of those sociable little

reunions which come under the denomination of pic-nics,

as the small islands adorning most of the American rivers.

Owing to the difficulty of procuring summer carriages,

and in some decree to the rudeness of the soil, in the

Upper Province especially, boats are in much more general

use; and excursions on the water, are as common to that

class "whose only toil is pleasure." as cockney trips to

Richmond, or to any other of the thousand and one places

of resort, which have sprung into existence, within twenty

miles of the Metropolis of England. Not confined, however,

to picking daisies for their doxies, as these said cockneys

do, or carving their vulgar names on every magnificent

tree, that spreads its gorgeous arms to afford them the

temporary shelter of a home, the men severally devote

themselves, for a period of the day, to manlier exercises.

The woods, abounding with game, and the rivers with fish

of the most delicate flavor--the address of the hunter

and the fisher, is equally called into action; since upon

their exertions, primarily depend the party for the fish

and fowl portion of their rural dinner. Guns and rods

are, therefore, as indispensable part of the freightage,

as the dried venison and bear hams, huge turkies, pasties,

&c. which together with wines, spirits, and cider ad

libitum, form the mass of alimentary matter; not to forget

the some half dozen old novels, constituting the several

libraries of the females of the party, and collected

together for general amusement on these occasions. Bands,

it is true, they possess not, but they have the music of

their own, and boatmen's voices, and the rippling of the

current over the pebbly shallow, or the impetuous dashing

of some distant waterfall--while on every side the eye

is arrested by images of grandeur, which dispose the

heart to benevolence, towards man, and the soul to

adoration towards the Creator. Here is to be heard,

neither the impertinent coxcombry, of the European self

styled exclusive, nor the unmeaning twaddle of the daughter

of false fashion, spoiled by the example of the said

exclusive, and almost become a dowager in silliness,

before she has attained the first years of womanhood. No

lack-a-daisical voice, the sex of which it is difficult

to distinguish, is attempted to be raised in depreciation

of the party to which it had been esteemed too great an

happiness to be invited, the evening before; nor is the

bride of last week heard boastingly to deplore, the

enormous sums lost within the last week, at the private

gaming table of her dear friend, the Duchess of this, or

the Countess of that. One half of the party address not

the other in doled accents of fashionable friendship, in

one key, and abuse them piteously in another. No sarcastic

allusion seeks to stamp with ridicule, the amusement in

which the utterer is embarked, as if a sense of shame

attached to the idea of being amused, by that which

affords amusement to his associates; nor is the manner

of the actors, that, of people suffering an infliction

rather than participating in a pleasure. The sneer of

contempt--the laugh of derision--is no where to be heard;

neither is the pallid brow, and sunken cheek, the fruit

of late hours and forced excitement to be seen. Content

is in each heart, the flow of health upon each face. All

appear eager to be happy, pleased with each other, and

at ease with themselves. Not that theirs is the enjoyment

of the mere holiday mind, which grasps with undiscerning

avidity, at whatever offers to its gratification, but

that of those, on whom education, acting on innate good

breeding, has imposed a due sense of the courtesies of

life, and on whom fashion has not superseded the kindlier

emotions of nature. These at least WERE traits of

simplicity, peculiar to Upper Canada, at an early period

of its settlement. What they are now, we pretend not to

determine.

Several of these pic-nics had taken place among the party

at Detroit, confined, with one or two exceptions, to the

officers of the garrison, and the family of Colonel

D'Egville, with their American inmates; and it was proposed

by the former, that a final one should be given a few

days prior to the embarkation in Gerald Grantham's new

command, which lay waiting in the river for the purpose.

The Major remaining as hitherto at home, under the

guardianship of the benevolent Mrs. D'Egville, whose

habits of retirement disinclined her to out door amusement.

Hitherto their excursions had been principally directed

to some of the smaller islands, which abound in the river

nearer Amherstburgh, and where game being found in greater

abundance, the skill of the officers had more immediate

opportunity for display; but in this excursion, at the

casual suggestion of Miss Montgomerie, Hog Island was

selected, as the scene of their day's amusement. Thither,

therefore the boat which contained the party now proceeded,

the ladies costumed in a manner to thread the mazes of

the wood, and the gentlemen in equally appropriate gear,

as sportsmen, their guns and fishing rods, being by no

means omitted in the catalogue of orders entrusted to

their servants. In the stern of the boat, the trustworthy

coxswain on this occasion--sat old Sambo, whose skill in

the conduct of a helm, was acknowledged to be little

inferior to his dexterity in the use of a paddle, and

whose authoritative voice, as he issued his commands in

broken English to the boatmen, added in no small degree,

to the exhilaration of the party,

To reach Hog Island, it was necessary to pass by the

tannery and cottage already described, which, latter, it

will be remembered, had been the scene of a singular

adventure to our hero, and his servant on the night of

their reconnoitring the coast, in obedience to the order

of the Commodore. By the extraordinary and almost romantic

incidents of that night, the imagination of Gerald had

been deeply impressed, and on retiring to his rude couch

within the battery he had fully made up his mind to

explore further into the mysterious affair, with as little

delay as possible after the expected fall of the American

fortress. In the hurry, confusion, and excitement, of

that event however, his original intention was forgotten;

or, rather so far delayed, that it was not until the

third or fourth day of his establishment in the town,

that it occurred to him to institute inquiry. He had

accordingly repaired thither, but finding the house

carefully shut up, and totally uninhabited, had contented

himself with questioning the tanner and his family, in

regard to its late inmates, reserving to a future

opportunity the attempt to make himself personally

acquainted with all that it contained. From this man he

learnt, that, the house had once been the property of an

aged Canadian, at whose death (supposed to have been

occasioned by violence,) it had passed into the hands of

an American, who led a roving and adventurous life, being

frequently away for months together, and then returning

with a canoe, but never continuing for more than a night

or two. That latterly it had been wholly deserted by its

owner, in consequence of which it had been taken possession

of, and used as quarters by the officers of the American

guard, stationed at this part of the town, for the

protection of the boats, and as a check upon the incursions

of the Indians. In all this statement, there was every

appearance of truth, but in no part of it did Gerald find

wherewith to elucidate what he himself had witnessed. He

described the costume, and questioned of the mysterious

figure, but the only reply he obtained from the independent

tanner, when he admitted to him that he had been so near

a visitor on that occasion, and had seen what he described,

was an expressed regret that he had not been "wide awake

when any Brittainer ventured to set foot upon his grounds,

otherwise, tarnation seize him with all due respect, if

he wouldn't a stuck an ounce o' lead in the region of

his bread-basket, as quickly as he would tan a hide," a

patriotic sentiment in which it may be supposed our hero

in no way coincided. With the tanners assurance, however,

that no living thing was there at this moment, Gerald

was fain to content himself for the present, fully

resolving to return at another time with Sambo, and effect

a forcible entrance into a place, with which were connected

such striking recollections. He had, however, been too

much interested and occupied elsewhere, to find time to

devote to the purpose.

CHAPTER. XV.

As the boat, which contained the party, pulled by six of

the best oars-men among the soldiers of the Garrison,

and steered, as we have shown, by the dexterous Sambo,

now glided past the spot, the recollections of the

tradition connected with the bridge drew from several of

the party expressions of sympathy and feigned terror, as

their several humours dictated. Remarking that Miss

Montgomerie's attention appeared to be deeply excited by

what she heard, while she gazed earnestly upon the dwelling

in the back ground, Gerald Grantham thought to interest

her yet more, and amuse and startle the rest of the party,

by detailing his extraordinary, and hitherto unrevealed

adventure, on a recent occasion. To this strange tale,

as may naturally be supposed, some of his companions

listened with an air of almost incredulity, nor indeed

would they rest satisfied until Sambo, who kept his eyes

turned steadily away from the shore, and to whom appeal

was frequently made by his master, confirmed his statement

in every particular; and with such marks of revived horror

in his looks, as convinced them, Gerald was not playing

upon their facility of belief. The more incredulous his

brother officers, the more animated had become the sailor

in his description, and, on arriving at that part of his

narrative which detailed the reappearance and reflection

of the mysterious figure in the tipper room, upon the

court below, every one became insensibly fixed in mute

attention. From the moment of his commencing, Miss

Montgomerie had withdrawn her gaze from the land, and

fixing it upon her lover, manifested all the interest he

could desire. Her feelings were evidently touched by what

she heard, for she grew paler as Gerald proceeded, while

her breathing was suspended, as if fearful to lose a

single syllable he uttered. At each more exciting crisis

of the narrative, she betrayed a corresponding intensity

of attention, until at length, when the officer described

his mounting on the water butt, and obtaining a full view

of all within the room, she looked as still and rigid as

if she had been metamorphosed into a statue. This eagerness

of attention, shared as it was, although not to the same

extent perhaps, by the rest of Gerald's auditory, was

only remarkable in Miss Montgomerie, in as much as she

was one of too much mental preoccupation to feel or betray

interest in any thing, and it might have been the risk

encountered by her lover, and the share he had borne in

the mysterious occurrence, that now caused her to lapse

from her wonted inaccessibility to impressions of the

sort. As the climax of the narrative approached, her

interest became deeper, and her absorption more profound.

An involuntary shudder passed over her form, and a slight

contraction of the nerves of her face was perceptible,

when Gerald described to his attentive and shocked

auditory, the raising of the arm of the assassin; and

her emotion at length assumed such a character of

nervousness, that when he exultingly told of the rapid

discharge of his own pistol, as having been the only

means of averting the fate of the doomed, she could not

refrain from rising suddenly in the boat, and putting

her hand to her side, with the shrinking movement of one

who had been suddenly wounded.

While in the act of rising she had drawn the cloak with

which, like the other ladies, she was provided more

closely over her shoulders--Sambo seemed to have caught

some new idea from this action, for furtively touching

Henry Grantham, who sat immediately before him, and on

the right of Miss Montgomerie, he leaned forward and

whispered a few sentences in his ear.

Meanwhile Miss Montgomerie was not a little rallied on

the extreme susceptibility which had led her as it were

to identify herself with the scene. Gerald remarked that

on recovering her presence of mind, she at first looked

as if she fancied herself the subject of sarcasm, and

would have resented the liberty; but finding there was

nothing pointed in the manner of those who addressed her,

finished by joining, yet with some appearance of constraint,

in the laugh against herself.

"I confess," she said coloring, "that the strange incident

which Mr. Grantham has related, and which he has so well

described, has caused me to be guilty of a ridiculous

emotion. I am not usually startled into the expression

of strong feeling, but there was so much to excite and

surprise in his catastrophe that I could not avoid in

some measure identifying myself with the scene."

"Nay, Miss Montgomerie," remarked Julia D'Egville, "there

can be no reason why such emotion should either be

disavowed or termed ridiculous. For my part, I own that

cannot sufficiently express my horror of the wretch who

could thus deliberately attempt the life of another. How

lucky was it Gerald that you arrived at that critical

moment; but have you no idea--not the slightest--of the

person of the assassin or of his intended victim?"

"Not the slightest--the disguise of the person was too

effectual to be penetrated, and the face I had not once

an opportunity of beholding."

"Yet," observed Miss Montgomerie, "from your previous

description of the figure, it is by no means a matter of

certainty that it was not a woman you pursued, instead

of a man--or, was there any thing to betray the vacillation

of purpose which would naturally attend one of our sex

in an enterprize of the kind."

"What! a woman engage in so unnatural a deed," remarked

Henry Grantham--"surely Miss Montgomerie," for he always

spoke rather AT, than TO her "cannot seek to maintain a

supposition so opposed to all probability--neither will

she be so unjust towards herself as to admit the existence

of such monstrous guilt in the heart of another of her

sex."

"Impossible," said Gerald. "Whatever might have been my

impression when I first saw the figure in the merchantman

--that is to say, if I had then a doubt in regard to the

sex, it was entirely removed, when later I beheld the

unfaltering energy with which it entered upon its murderous

purpose. The hand of woman never could have been armed

with such fierce and unflinching determination as was

that hand."

"The emergency of the occasion, it would seem, did not

much interfere with your study of character," again

observed Miss Montgomerie, with a faint smile--"but you

say you fired--was it--with intent to kill the killer?"

"I scarcely know with what intent myself; but if I can

rightly understand my own impulse, it was more with a

view to divert him from his deadly object, than to slay

--and this impression acquires strength from the fact of

my having missed him--I am almost sorry now that I did."

"Perhaps," said Miss Montgomerie, "you might have slain

one worthier than him you sought to save. As one of your

oldest poets sings--'whatever it is right.--"

"What!" exclaimed the younger Grantham with emphasis "Can

Miss Montgomerie then form any idea of the persons who

figured in that scene?"

Most of the party looked at the questioner with surprise.

Gerald frowned, and, for the first time in his life,

entertained a feeling of anger against his brother. In

no way moved or piqued by the demand, Miss Montgomerie

calmly replied.

"I can see no just reason for such inference, Mr. Grantham;

I merely stated a case of possibility, without anything

which can refer to the merit of either of the parties."

Henry Grantham felt that he was rebuked--but although he

could not avoid something like an apologetical explanation

of his remark, he was not the more favorably disposed

towards her who had forced it from him. In this feeling

he was confirmed by the annoyance he felt at having been

visited by the anger of the brother to whom he was so

attached. Arrived at Hog Island, and equipped with their

guns and fishing rods, the gentlemen dispersed in quest

of game, some threading the mazes of the wood in pursuit

of the various birds that frequent the vicinity, the

others seeking these points of the island where the dense

foliage affords a shade to the numerous delicately

flavoured fish, which, luxuriating in the still deep

water, seek relief from the heat of summer. To these

latter sportsmen, the ladies of the party principally

attached themselves, quitting them only at intervals to

collect pebbles on the sands, or to saunter about the

wood, in search of the wild flowers or fruits that abounded

along its skirt, while the servants busied themselves in

erecting the marquee and making preparation for dinner.

Among those who went in pursuit of game were the Granthams,

who, like most Canadians, were not only excellent shots,

but much given to a sport in which they had had considerable

practice in early boyhood. For a short time they had

continued with their, companions, but as the wood became

thicker, and their object consequently more attainable

by dispersion, they took a course parallel with the point

at which the fishers had assembled, while their companions

continued to move in an opposite direction. There was an

unusual reserve in the manner of the brothers as they

now wound through the intricacies of the wood. Each

appeared to feel that the other had given him cause for

displeasure and each--unwilling to introduce the subject