At the outset of these disheartening circumstances the
officer had summoned his faithful crew together, and
pointing out the danger and uncertainty of their position,
stated that two chances of escape still remained to them.
The first was, by an attempt to accomplish the passage
of the river Sinclair during some dark and boisterous
night, when the Indians would be least likely to suspect
such an intention: it was at this point that the efforts
of their enemies were principally to be apprehended; but
if, under cover of storm and darkness, they could accomplish
this difficult passage, they would easily gain the Detroit,
and thence pass into lake Erie, at the further extremity
of which they might, favoured by Providence, effect a
landing, and penetrate to the inhabited parts of the
colony of New York. The other alternative was,--and he
left it to themselves to determine,--to sink the vessel
on the approach of winter, and throw themselves into the
fort before them, there to await and share the destiny
of its gallant defenders.

With the generous enthusiasm of their profession, the
noble fellows had determined on the latter course. With
their officer they fully coincided in opinion, that their
ultimate hopes of life depended on the safe passage of
the Sinclair; for it was but too obvious, that soon or
late, unless some very extraordinary revolution should
be effected in the intentions of the Indians, the fortress
must be starved into submission. Still, as it was
tolerably well supplied with provisions, this gloomy