tain Barclay, was a
fighting sailor who had lost an arm at Trafalgar. In the battle of Lake
Erie he was twice wounded and had to be carried below. His first
lieutenant was mortally hurt and in the critical moments the ship was
left in charge of the second lieutenant. In this gallant manner did
Perry and Barclay, both heirs of the bulldog Anglo-Saxon strain, wage
their bloody duel without faltering and thus did the British sailor
keep his honor bright in defeat.

The little American schooners played a part in smashing the enemy. The
_Ariel_ and _Scorpion_ held their positions in the van and their long
guns helped deal the finishing blows to the _Detroit_, while the others
came up when the breeze grew stronger and engaged their several
opponents. The _Caledonia_ was effective in putting the _Queen
Charlotte_ out of action. When the larger British ships surrendered, the
smaller craft were compelled to follow the example, and the squadron
yielded to Perry after three hours of battle. It was in no boastful
strain but as the laconic fact that he sent his famous message to the
nation. He had met the enemy and they were all his. It was
leadership--brilliant and tenacious--which had employed makeshift
vessels, odd lots of guns, and crews which included militia, sick men,
and "a motley set of blacks and boys." Barclay had labored under
handicaps no less heavy, but it was his destiny to match himself against
a superior force and a man of unquestioned naval genius. Oliver Hazard
Perry would have made a name for himself, no doubt, if his career had
led him to blue water and the command of stately frigates.

On Lake Ontario, Chauncey dragged his naval campaign through two
seasons and then left the enemy in control. Perry, by opening the way
for Harrison, rewon the Northwest for the United States because he
sagaciously upheld the doctrine of Napoleon that "war cannot be waged
without running risks." Behind his daring, however, lay tireless,
painstaking preparation and a thorough knowledge of his trade.

CHAPTER IV

EBB AND FLOW ON THE NORTHERN FRONT

The events of the war by land are apt to be as confusing in narration as
they were in fact. The many forays, skirmishes, and retreats along the
Canadian frontier were campaigns in name only, ambitiously conceived but
most haltingly executed. Major General Dearborn, senior officer of the
American army, had failed to begin operations in the center and on the
eastern flank in t