Severe and harassing as had been the duty on board this
vessel for many months,--at one moment exposed to the
assaults of the savages, at another assailed by the
hurricanes that are so prevalent and so dangerous on the
American lakes,--the situation of the crew was even less
enviable than that of the garrison itself. What chiefly
contributed to their disquietude, was the dreadful
consciousness that, however their present efforts might
secure a temporary safety, the period of their fall was
only protracted. A few months more must bring with them
all the severity of the winter of those climes, and then,
blocked up in a sea of ice,--exposed to all the rigour
of cold,--all the miseries of hunger,--what effectual
resistance could they oppose to the numerous bands of
Indians who, availing themselves of the defenceless
position of their enemies, would rush from every quarter
to their destruction.
At the outset of these disheartening circumstances the
officer had summoned his faithful crew together, and
pointing out the danger and uncertainty of their position,
stated that two chances of escape still remained to them.
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