When we were thus come twenty-four miles in as many hours, and the little fleet of vessels and boats lay becalmed upon the mirror-like lake, a canoe, in which were two men, put out from the American shore, one of the boatmen paddling vigorously, while the other waved a small flag in such manner as gave us to understand that they were either fleeing from pursuit, or bringing important intelligence. Becalmed as the _Caledonia_ was, we could do no less than await the coming of these strangers, even had we been otherwise disposed; and when they were finally arrived on board we had ample food for reflection and fear. The British squadron, under command of Captain Finnis, was even at that time searching for us, so the newcomers reported; within eight-and-forty hours they had passed over this same course, and in such force as boded ill for us should we chance to come upon them. The squadron consisted, so we were told, of the ship _Queen Charlotte_, carrying seventeen guns; the schooner _Lady Prevost_, with thirteen guns; the brig _Hunter_, having ten guns; the schooner _Little Belt_, mounting three guns, and the _Chippewa_, of one gun. Our little fleet consisted of the brig _Caledonia_, mounting two small guns (the same craft which had been captured on the ninth of October under the guns of Fort Erie by the expedition in command of Lieutenant Elliott); the schooner _Somers_, which carried one long twenty-four-pounder; the schooner _Ariel_, with one long eighteen-pounder; the schooner _Ohio_, with one long twenty-four-pounder, and the sloop _Contractor_,[2] with one long eighteen-pounder, to say nothing of the small boats. Taking all our armament into account, we could add to such a number of guns as I have mentioned, perhaps two hundred muskets, therefore it behooved us to keep out of the way if possible. When those who brought the disagreeable intelligence came on board the _Caledonia_, Captain Perry was lying in his berth; Dr. Parsons had just given him a most bitter potion, and Alec and I stood by with fans, for the heat in the close cabin was almost unbearable. I watched the young captain closely, expecting to see some show of fear when he learned in what force the enemy had mustered; but it was as if that which to nearly every one was most unwelcome intelligence, only served to animate him. Despite the doctor’s angry protest and Alec’s pleading, the captain leaped to his feet, and of a verity I believe that the information brought by the strangers did more toward breaking up the fever which had held him captive, than any of the drugs Dr. Parsons administered. From that moment it was as if he had never been ill, and without delay every precaution was made for defence, much as though he counted on forcing a battle with the enemy should we come within range, instead of running away, as would have been the proper manœuvre.