at part of the frontier comprised between
Lakes Ontario and Erie, subject to a condition that forty-eight hours'
notice should be given by either party for a recommencement of
hostilities [a condition violated by the American commander]. This
arrangement [considered disadvantageous to the British cause] was at
first censured by individuals unaware of the motives by which General
Sheaffe was actuated. It was not, in the flush of victory, taken into
consideration that the number of American prisoners then in his charge
far exceeded the numerical strength of his army, when the Indian force
was withdrawn; and that, with his very limited means of defence, he had
a frontier of forty miles to protect."[199]

Before noticing the _third_ American invasion of Canada, in 1812, or the
second on the Niagara frontier, we will conclude this Chapter by adding
a few incidents on the Niagara river frontier, at Fort Erie, after the
death of General Brock, October 13, 1812, by Lieutenant Driscoll, of the
100th Regiment:

"I was stationed at Fort Erie on the memorable 13th of October, 1812. At
daybreak, having returned with my escort as visiting rounds, after a
march of about six miles in muddy roads through the forests, and about
to refresh the inward man, after my fatiguing trudge, I heard a booming
of distant artillery, very faintly articulated.

"Having satisfied myself of the certainty of my belief, hunger, wet, and
fatigue were no longer remembered; excitement banishes these trifling
matters from the mind; and I posted off to my commanding officer to
report the firing, now more audible and rapid.

"I found my chief, booted, spurred, and snoring--lying, as was his wont,
on a small hair mattress on the floor in his barrack-room, which boasted
of furniture, one oak table covered with green baize, a writing-desk, a
tin basin containing water, and a brass candlestick, which had planted
in it a regulation mutton-dip, dimly flickering its last ray of light,
paling before the dawn, now making its first appearance through the
curtainless window.

"The noise I made on entering the major's sleeping and other apartment
awoke him. As he sat up on his low mattrass, he said, 'What is the
matter?' 'Heavy firing down the river, sir.' 'Turn the men out.' 'All
under arms, sir.' 'That'll do.'

"By this time he was on his legs--his hat and gloves on. His hutman was
at the door with his charger, and his spurs in his horse's flanks in an
instant--lea