Vlll LIFE OF CAPTAIN CLAPPERTON.

of defending it : he had only one small gun for its defence ; he was attacked by ant American schooner; the blockhouse was soon demolished by the superiority of the enemy’s fire; and he found that himself and the party must either become prisoners of war, or form the resolution of immediately crossing Lake Michigan upon the ice, a journey of nearly sixty miles, to York, the capital of Upper Canada, and the nearest British depot. Notwithstanding the difficulty and danger attending a journey of such length over the ice in the depth of winter, the alternative was soon adopted, and the party set out to cross tire lake, but had not gone more than ten or twelve miles, before a boy, one of the party, was unable to proceed from the cold ; every one of the sailors declared that they were unable to carry him, as they were so benumbed with the cold, and had scarcely strength sufficient to support themselves. Clapperton’s generous nature could not bear the idea of a fellow-creature being left to perish under such appalling circumstances, for a dreadful snow-storm had commenced ; he therefore took the boy upon his back, holding him with his left hand, and supporting himself from slipping with a staff in his right.

In this manner he continued to go forward for eight or nine miles, when he perceived that the boy relaxed his hold ; and on Clapperton examining the cause, he found that the boy w-as in a dying state from the cold, and he soon after expired. The sufferings of the whole party were great before they reached York ; the stockings and shoes completely worn off their feet ; their bodies in a dreadful state from the want of nourishment, they having nothing during the journey except one bag of meal. From the long inaction of Clapperton’s left hand, in carrying the boy upon his back, he lost, from the effects of the fi'ost, the first joint of his thumb.

Not long after this, Sir Edward Owen was appointed to the command upon the lakes. A short time after his ari'ival, he gave to Clapperton an acting order as a lieutenant, and appointed him to the Confiance. While belonging to this ship, he often made excursions on shore, with his gun, into the woods, for the purpose of getting a little fresh meat. In these excursions he cultivated an acquaintance with the aborigines of the forest, and was much charmed with their mode of life, He had sent to his uncle in England the acting order which Sir Edwai’d Owen had given him, that it might be laid before the Board of Admiralty for their confirmation ; but, unfortunately, a very large promotion had taken place a little before his acting order came to England, and the Board declined confirming his commission. No sooner was he made acquainted with its ill success, than he formed the idea of quitting his Majesty’s service altogether, and becoming one of the inhabitants of the North American foi*ests. Fortunately for him, he some time afterwards abandoned that idea.

While the Confiance was at anchor near the shores of the Lake, Clapperton often went on shore to dinner and other parties. When he thought it time to return on board, he never employed a boat; being an expert swimmer, he plunged into the water with his clothes on, and swam along-side of the vessel; but this mode of proceeding very nearly