k of placing men and supplies where they will be most needed, he has
been the length of Lake Ontario in the _Royal George_; staying two days
at York, now Toronto; going thence to Niagara and then sailing back to
Kingston. At Kingston there are 1,000 militia and Carleton Island,
(where Tom's father had commanded in the War of the American Revolution)
has been taken by the British--an inglorious success for its garrison
consisted of but three veterans and some women. The adjacent Indians,
says the young Captain, "are anxious to be at the Yankees with their
Toma-hawks." Altogether some exciting campaigns were in prospect and Tom
was glad that his family was "snug at Murray Bay."

[Illustration: SKETCH MAP OF LAKE ONTARIO AND R. ST. LAWRENCE TO
ILLUSTRATE WAR OF 1812]

There, remote and isolated, they seemed indeed safe--so safe that, to
share the security, a general descent of their friends seemed imminent.
At Quebec there was, for a time, something like a panic. "Every one
here," wrote Mrs. Hale to Miss Nairne "is in a complete state of anxiety
and suspense, not at all knowing whether we shall be attacked, or what
may become of us. I have just now seen Colonel Fraser, who assures me I
shall be welcome at your mother's house, in case we should be obliged to
leave Quebec. [He] advised my writing for fear you should have
applications from other quarters.... Many ladies are going to
England.... My spirits are so depressed that I cannot pretend to amuse
you with any anecdotes." Murray Bay offered its hospitality with great
heartiness and Mr. Hale wrote, "I believe all Quebec mean to move
towards you if necessary, so you must prepare."

Quebec was in a flutter of successive excitements, now certain that it
was invulnerable, now fearing an immediate descent of the enemy, and
always longing for peace. In England the Orders in Council which
provoked the war were now revoked, and Malcolm Fraser wrote that this
must soon bring peace in America, especially since New England and New
York were against the war. Miss Nairne's friend in Quebec, Judge
Bowen[23], wrote to her in November, 1812, announcing the armistice for
six months, arranged some time before, and assuring the ladies at Murray
Bay that all cause for anxiety was now past,--an illusive hope for the
armistice was not ratified by President Madison and the war went on. We
get echoes of social jealousies that may now amuse us. Sir James Craig,
the late Governor, had repressed