The Canadian Brothers (Volume II) or The Prophecy Fulfilled

e earth with enduring snows, and the waters with bridges of seemingly eternal ice, and yet no effor

ll of Detroit, than means, slow but certain, were taken for the recovery of a post, with which, their national glory was in no slight degree identified. The country whence they drew their resources for the occasion, were the new states of Ohio and Kentucky, and one who had previously travelled through those immense tracts of forests, where the dwelling of the backwoodsman is met with at long intervals, would have marvelled at the zeal and promptitude with which these adventurous people, abandoning their homes, and disregarding their personal interests, flocked to the several rallying points. Armed and accoutred at their own expence, with the unerring rifle that provided them with game, and the faithful h

s of which, and on the ruins of one of the old English forts of Pontiac's days, they had constructed new fortifications, and otherwise strongly entrenched themselves. It was a mistake, however, to imagine that the enemy would be content with establishing himself here. The new fort merely served as a nucleus for the concentration of such resources of men and warlike equipment, as were necessary to the subjection, firstly of Detroit, and afterwards of Amherstburgh. Deprived of the means of transport, the shallow bed of the Miami aiding them but little, it was a matter of no mean difficulty with the Americans to convey through several hundred miles of forest, the heavy guns

was to push rapidly on to Detroit, leaving Amherstburgh behind to be disposed of later. The officer who brought this intelligence was the fat Lieutenant Raymond, who commanding an outpost at

host of flattering fears and anxieties in the bosoms of the female votaries of Terpsichore. We believe, however, that there existed some dissimilarity in the several modes of communication-the Duke of Wellington receiving his with some appearance of regard, on

ickdust; boots from which all polish had been taken by the grease employed to render them snow-proof; a brace of pistols thrust into the black waist belt that encircled his huge circumference, and from which depended a sword, whose steel scabbard shewed the rust of the rudest bivouac. Let him, moreover, figure to himself that ruddy carbuncled face, and nearly as ruddy brow, suffused with perspiration, although in a desperately cold winter's night, and the unwashed hands, and mouth, and lips black from the frequent biting of the ends of cartri

arrayed in the bivouac garb in which we have described him, contrasted as it was with the elegant ball dresses of his brother officers, and not attribute his presence to some extraordinary motive; and as almost e

moniously in, and thrown en masse upon the deserted benches of the ball room. Then was there a scramble among the fair dancers, who, having secured their respective property, quitted the house, not however, without a secret fear on the part of many, that the first object they should encounter, on sallying forth, would be a corps of American sharp-shooters. To the confusion within was added, the clamour without, arising from swearing drivers, neighing horses, jingling bells, and jostling sledges. Finally the only remaining ladies of the party were the D'Egvilles, whose sledge had not yet arrived, and with these lingered Captain Molineux, Middlemore, and Henry Grantham, all of whom, having obtained leave of absence for the occasion, had accompanied them from Detroit. The two former, who had just termi

bled one of the ground hogs of his old command of Bois Blanc, more than any

out him," said Middlemore; "if we may judge from

fficers can have made such HEAD against, and s

here were certainly some extrao

t if he shewed them his back, as from his heated appearance I strongly suspect that he did, he must

inquired Henry Grantham, whose attention had been

ddlemore, "we have ANSER

ed Molineux and St

on poor Mr. Raymond is hardly fair. Recollect (turning to Middlemore,) it is not given to all to possess the refinement of wit, nor, (addressing St. Clair) the advantages of

red Molineux, secretly delighted that the lash of the r

hearted, considerate cousi

. Clair, "we shall have her next exclaimin

Raymond,

aymond, the

ue eyes, shewed his white teeth, slightly reddened, and looked altog

fight his own battles," contin

hispered

," added Middlemore,

wnspeople; "I have, within the last twenty four hours, had so much running and fighting for my country, that strength is scarcely left me to fight my own battles. But what is it, Miss D'Egville?" a

d Captain Molineux, with the air of one who really r

lighted to see yo

ai

following the example of the others, and extending hi

s he passed his hand over his Falstaffian stomach; "only a little fatigued with the last six hou

, it would appear,"

uckian of the whole American army active enough

made, he seems to have lost but l

more, "these long fellows co

't know; why

the men of TROY to reduce the

so near, Mr. Raymo

ious to turn t

Egville, since, as you see they have

e heard without; and they were soon distingui

little coterie near the fire place. Like Lieutenant Raymond's, his dress was more suited

pursuit had been the latter, that for the space of six leagues they had scarce relaxed in their retreat. The information now brought by Colonel D'Egville, was that the Americans had not advanced a single foot beyond the outpost in question, but on the contrary had commenced constructing a stockade, and throwing up entrenchments. He added, moreover, that he had just dispatched an express to Sandwich, to General Proctor, (who had, since the departure of General Brock, succeeded to the command of the district,) communicating the intelligence, and suggesting the propriety of an attack before they could advance farther, and favor any movement on the part of t

his, on their way home, they revenged themselves by every sort of persiflage their humour could adapt to the occasion, until in the end, they completely succeeded in destroying the good humor of Raymond, who eventually quitted them under feelings of mortified pride, which excited all the generous sympathy of the younger Grantham, while it created in his breast a sentiment of almost wrath against his inco

s lively and more favored brother officers, but often good-naturedly joined in the laugh against himself-all the badinage uttered against his personal appearance, he had, on this occasion, borne with the most perfect temper; but when, presuming on his forbearance, they proceeded to reflect on the

l D'Egville had been adopted, and the same express, which carried to General Proctor the information of the advance of the enemy, and, the expulsion of Lieutenant Raymond from his post, was pushed on to Detroit, with an order for every man who could be spared from that fortress, to be marched, without a moment's delay, to Amherstburg. At no

crossed the firm yet rumbling ice, at the head of the now deserted Island of Bois-Blanc. Nor was this at all lessened in effect by the wild and irregular movements of the Indians, who advancing by twos and t

ning country. If successful, then would the repose of the anxious inhabitants once more be secured, and the horrors of invasion again averted from their soil; but if on the contrary, they should be defeated, then must every hope be extinguished, and the so recently conquered completely change side

who had been dispatched at nightfall to observe their motions, it was gathered that, so far from apprehending or being prepared for an attack, all was quiet in their camp, in which the customary night fires were then burning. Thus favored by the false security of their enemies, the British force, after partaking of their rude, but substantial meal, and preparing their arms, laid themselves down to rest in their accoutrements and greatcoats; their

ouac of the officers, who, seated squatted around their fire after the manner of the Indians, instead of courting a sleep which the intense cold rendered as difficult of attainment, as unrefreshing when attained, rather sought solace in humorous conversation, while the animal warmth was kept alive by frequent puffings from that campaigners' first resource the cigar, seasoned by short and occasional libations from the well filled canteen. Most of them wore over their regimentals, the grey great coat then peculiar to the service, and had made these in the highest possible degree available by fur trimmings on the cuffs and collar, which latter was tightly buttoned round the chin, while their heads were protected by furred caps, made like those of the men, of the raccoon skin. To this uniformity of costume, there was, as far as regarded the outward clothing, one exception in the person of Captain Cr

ect questions. The renewed attack, at first, drew from him no comment, although it was evident he felt greatly pained; but when he had finished smoking his cigar, he raised himself, not without difficulty, from the ground, (a circumsta

eux, hazarding his pun, "we naturally

lemen!" resumed Raymon

lemore. "Have a care Molineux, that the butt does

Clair, "good, excellent, the b

nful as I have sometimes found your humour, I could still endure it; but when I perceive those whom I have looked upon as friends and brothers, casting imputations upon my courage, I may be excused for feeling offended. You have succeeded in wounding my heart, and some of you will regret the hour when you did so. Another perhaps, would a

d the queeps of the hair-breened deevils. Ye see a neever t

hich lighted the ruder bivouac of the adjutant and quarter master, and was there

sly," said Molineux, half vexed at himself, half

Tell him we are ready to make any-every at

r another pun at his expense as l

take a single step on his mission of peace, the low roll of the drum, summoning to fall in, warned them that the hour of action had already arrived, and ea

efore its rear could disengage itself from the first. The effect of this, by the dim and peculiar light reflected from the snow across which they moved, was picturesque in the extreme, nor was the interest diminished by the utter silence that had pervaded every part of the little army, the measured tramp of whose march, mingled with the hollow and unavoidable rumbling of the light guns, being the only sounds to be heard amid th

is inconsiderate brother officers, to reflect seriously on his conduct in the recent retreat-or, indeed, to intend their observations for any thing beyond a mere pleasantry. As, however, the strictest order had been commanded to be observed in the march, and Raymond and he happened to be at opposite extremities of the division, this had been for some time impracticable. A temporary

s it you Henry-Egad, my dear boy, I was just thinking of you-and how very kind you have always been; never quizzing me as those thoughtless fellow

nything beyond a jest. I can assure you they did not, for when you quitted us they asked me to go in search of you, but the as

at they should not wantonly wound the feelings of an unoffending comrade. As I told them, they may

you, my dea

f, but something tells me ve

sion, produced by fatigue and over excitement,

nd nor relative on earth-no one to inherit the little property I possess. In the event of my falling, you will find the

tion it contains; should I myself survive; but I can

quickly in a whisper from f

Raymond, again pressing the han

that to night," wa

Raymond, God bles

ck to his place

isi

l's well" of the sentinels could be occasionally heard. Except these, all profoundly slept, nor was there anything to indicate they had the slightest suspicion of an ene

Cranstoun, as they were brought together by their stations at the adjacent

ulian propoose and even enseest upoon it. But the Geeneral seems to theenk

minutes would suffice to bring us into the very heart of the encam

eral so uncheevalrous as to poonce upoon a set of poor unarmed and unprepared creeturs. Depeend upon it he would n

o the guns to the front-hark there is a shot; the sentinels have discovered us at last; and

their goots. There oopen too those stooped leetle three poonders. Tha might joost as weel be used f

vely between their heads. "Ha, here they begin

s roar, and bustle, an

w Sir John) Harvey, not long subsequently at Stoney Creek, he might have annihilated that enemy with the bayonet, and with little comparative loss to himself. We will merely observe that having failed to do so, nothing but the determination and courage of his troops brought him through the difficulties he himself had crea

s had advanced in the morning. From the field, in which the troops had commenced the action, numerous sledges were seen departing, laden with the dead-the wounded having previously been sent off. One of these sledges remained s

from a sling, attested he had not come scatheless out of the action. It was St. Clair, whose great ambition it had

added a second, "you say Grantham,

easily forget. He observed to me, jestingly, just before deploying into line, that he felt his time was come, b

ry to the catastrophe, but the past could not be recalled. The body, covered with blood, exuding from several wounds, was now placed with that of Ensign Langley, (who had also fallen,

at a field day, and who was literally covered with wounds, having received no less than five balls, in various parts of his body, seeing this movement, called out for volunteers to rescue the gun from its perilous situation. Scarcely had the words passed his lips when an individual moved forward from the line, in the direction indicated.-It was Lieutenant Raymond-Exposed to the fire, both of friends and foes, the unfortunate officer advanced calmly and unconcernedly, in the presence of the whole line, and before the Americans, (kept in check by a

that may soothe and flatter after death, was erected to his memory by those very officers whose persiflage, attacking in this instance even his honor as a soldier, had driven him to seek the fate he found. Of this there could he no question-for, brave as he unquestionably was, Raymond would not have acted as if courting death t