But the Americans did not wish to leave the support of the Lake Erie gun boats until they were sure their Ontario fleet were in Niagara River. Ned was at Queenston, while Edgar was still with the Indians, who were acting as pickets in the woods near the Falls. Two days after the battle, Vere rode to St. Davids, and as he spoke to Betty, Indian scouts ran through the village, calling that the Americans were coming, destroying the country as they came. Cattle and poultry were killed and burnt, fields and gardens trampled down. Only dwelling houses with women and children in them were untouched. Ferguson was in no condition to travel, but as to stay meant the prison-hulks at Sackett's Harbour, he went off through the woods, guided by Kawque. Vere had his horse, but leaving it with Chloe for a minute he ran up to the room the Fergusons used. From its window he saw an American patrol riding in, and picking up a rifle he fired at them, emptying a saddle. Then leaping downstairs, he mounted and tore down the road. Ten minutes later, the house was surrounded, and its occupants questioned by an angry American officer. "I can see there have been men in this house," he said to Betty. "Now unless you will tell me which roads they took through the woods, I shall hold you guilty of firing on my men." "You must know," Betty answered calmly, "that as a loyal Englishwoman I cannot give you any correct information, and as a Christian I cannot tell you anything false." To the credit of their blood, there is no instance of women being mishandled by the men of either side during the war in Canada, and the officer answered shortly, "In five minutes, if you do not speak I shall fire your house." "It is only what I must expect," said Betty, "but I pray you, sir, watch that the fire does not spread. Everything is so hot and dry." With nothing saved but the clothes they had on, Bee and Chloe with Betty and Mrs. Ferguson, who both held their children, stood on the road, not knowing which way to go, for the fire did spread, and every house in pretty St. Davids went down. Meanwhile of the two men who left St. Davids, Ferguson had been taken by Kawque safely to the Queenston lines, and Ned drove him to Fort George. Evidently a bit of lead was still in his arm, for it was terribly swollen and painful, and almost black. Ned had to go back at once, so he left Ferguson at the hospital--a horror of war. "You inexpressible idiot," roared the doctor. "Why didn't you ask for me at once? Thought others were worse than you, eh? Well if you had not always lived as you have, this arm would have to come off at once, but now there's a chance."