n force, under General Boyd, landed and encamped near Crysler's
farm, a short distance above the beginning of the Long Sault Rapids on
the St. Lawrence, to descend which needed caution. As the American rear
was some distance from the vanguard, the British, though much inferior
in numbers, thought the time favourable for attack. On the morning of
the 11th when General Boyd was about to begin his day's march forward,
the British, some 800 against a force of 1800, advanced in line. Their
right was on the river and the line extended to a wood about 700 yards
to the left. The American general did not refuse the gage of battle and
a sharp fight followed. Boyd tried to outflank the British left and
Nairne's company was sent forward to charge for one of the enemy's guns.
When well in advance it was checked by a deep ravine lying between the
two armies and the American cavalry made a movement to cut off the
advancing party. The pause was fatal to Thomas Nairne. A musket ball
entered his head just above the left ear; he died instantly and without
pain. The British won the day. After a fierce fight the enemy fled to
their boats, embarked in great disorder and fled down the river. Their
generals, when they could hold a council, decided that the attack on
Montreal must be abandoned.

Meanwhile dead on the field of battle lay Thomas Nairne. When the action
was over and the enemy had retired, his fellow officers bethought them
of the body of their companion lying stark where he fell. Already some
sinister visitor had been upon the spot for his watch was stolen--"as
was not unusual on such occasions," wrote Nairne's Commanding-officer,
Colonel Plenderleath, grimly. They dug a grave; Colonel Plenderleath
stooped over the body to cut off for those who loved him a lock of hair
falling over the dead face, and then, without a coffin, they laid him in
the earth. But before the grave was filled a member of the Canadian
militia stepped forward. He said that he had known Nairne's father, and
begged that, for the esteem and veneration which he bore that gallant
soldier, he might be allowed time to provide a coffin for his son. A
rough box was hastily prepared. In this the body was placed and once
more lowered into the grave and there, a few yards from where he fell,
the mortal remains of Thomas Nairne were committed to the earth with the
solemn rites of the Anglican Church.

The next day Colonel Plenderleath, who was not two yards away when
Cap