During the earlier portion of the task the men had labored with now and then a jest or a cheery word; some speculated as to what would be done once the ships were afloat, and all seemed in a certain degree happy, although excited. But now, when we were doing that which would compass our own destruction should the enemy’s squadron heave in sight, every face wore an expression of deepest gravity; men spoke in whispers, as if fearing the lightest sound of their voices might be token of what we were about, and I saw no smile, nor heard an idle word during all that while. To get the camels into position under the brig was a difficult matter, but finally accomplished, and on the morning of the 4th of August Captain Perry’s flag-ship, with every small boat towing ahead, was hauled across the barrier of sand into the waters of Lake Erie. Then, while a portion of the force labored at dismantling and making ready the _Niagara_ for the same passage, the remainder set about replacing the guns, reloading the ammunition and the stores, and by two o’clock of that day every man and boy among us breathed more freely, for one of our ships was in condition to give battle to whosoever might attempt to work us a mischief. By thus dividing the laboring force in order to arm the _Lawrence_ as speedily as possible, the work on the _Niagara_ required much more time than it had on the flag-ship, and not until noon of the 5th did the last vessel of the squadron move out over the bar. Just at that moment, when our work was so well-nigh completed that we need have little fear, the enemy’s squadron appeared in sight. Commodore Barclay had at last come to his senses; but it was too late, so far as capturing the Yankee fleet on the bar was concerned. Eight-and-forty hours previous, the sight of the British flags hoisted on vessels carrying forty-four guns would have filled us with dismay, and well it might, for then our doom was sealed. Now, however, having successfully combated greater difficulties, we felt as if the coming of Commodore Barclay was something so trifling as not to be considered, and many of our people, like old Silas, rejoiced in the belief that we might even at this moment, when the _Niagara_ was virtually dismantled, give them battle. Among those who were eager to meet the British, even though we were unprepared, was Captain Perry. It is proper now, perhaps, that I call him by a higher title, since he was really in command of the fleet, and I noted the fact, as did Alec, with most intense satisfaction, that once the vessels were in deep water the men spoke of our commander as “commodore,” when previously it had been simply “captain.” We had a taste of what this young commander was ready to do, when he sent orders to Lieutenant Packet and Sailing-Master Champlin to go out with their respective vessels, the _Ariel_ and the _Scorpion_, and boldly engage the squadron for the purpose of detaining them until we should be able to come up.