The capture of Detroit was a very real victory. Had the day gone otherwise, Hull might have made his boasted march to Quebec, and that as a conqueror. But his march now was as a prisoner of war. Brock had dared what looked impossible and by a stroke of fortune had won out. His victory was an imposingly public one. It cheered his men. It made those Canadian inhabitants who were hesitating declare definitely for the British, while those with leanings towards the United States kept silent. It saved Canada from invasion at a moment when, owing to the shortsightedness of her rulers, she was particularly vulnerable. Brock apprised Sir George Prevost, modestly enough, of his victory and wrote to his brothers: “Rejoice at my good fortune, and join me in prayers to Heaven. I send you a copy of my hasty note to Sir George. Let me know that you are all united and happy.” Footnote 1: In the general order issued by the commander-in-chief at Quebec on August 6th, 1812, the conduct of the 41st Regiment is specially praised. The order goes on to say: “In justice to that corps, His Excellency wishes particularly to call the attention of the troops to the heroism and self-devotion displayed by two privates, who, being left as sentinels when the party to which they belonged had retired, continued to maintain their station against the whole of the enemy’s force, until they both fell, when one of them, whose arm was broken, again raising himself, opposed with his bayonet those advancing against him, until overwhelmed by numbers.” The names of the two privates of the 41st were Hancock and Dean. CHAPTER VIII HIS HANDS ARE TIED