enemy gave up the chase. It was high time for some more
to come on board. As I have before mentioned, there were but seven left
to take care of the 59 prisoners and work the ship. No doubt they would
have attempted to rise had it not been for a few rifles at full
cock pointed at them. Seeing our own perilous position with an enemy
numbering 900 at Fort Erie, and thousands of sympathizing spectators
on the opposite shore, our Captain determined to run the gauntlet and
proceed to Port Colborne with his prisoners, fearing that the enemy
might get a tug or two in Buffalo and attempt their rescue, thus causing
more loss of life than was necessary. We then steamed up the river,
close to the American shore, in silence, having been forbidden to fire
while in American waters. As soon as we arrived opposite Lower Black
Rock, the Fenians opened a furious fire upon us, and continued firing
while we were going a distance of three-quarters of a mile. Their whole
aim seemed to be the pilot-house, through which six shots passed, one
of them grazing the head of our gallant Lieutenant Robb, who remarked to
the wheelsman to jump up and take his place in case he fell. Those six
shots struck the boat, doing no further injury than disfiguring the
woodwork and painting. We arrived safely at Port Colborne and marched
our prisoners to the railway station amid the deafening cheers of the
volunteers and the citizens. Our officer delivered them to Lieut.-Col.
Wm. McGiverin, who escorted them to Brantford, guarded by thirty men
of the St. Catharines Special Service Company of Home Guards. A more
rascally set of vagabonds were never congregated together. There were
a great many Dunnville people at the Port on our arrival, and when they
heard of the capture of our men volunteered to go and attempt their
rescue; but owing to the scarcity of arms we could not accept them,
besides we could not move without orders. These we received after
waiting some time, which was to cruise along the lake as far as Windmill
Point and no further. (It was a great pity we had not a gun on board
and gone to Fort Erie, for if we had we could have captured or sunk
the whole of the Fenian army, either of which would have given us great
pleasure). On our return again to Port Colborne we received orders
to proceed to Fort Erie, the Commander offering us as many men as we
wanted. Our Captain said twelve good ones were all he wanted; these
were immediately furnished him and we sta