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famous victory on Lake Erie； marking a new era for the American
cause； followed by the destruction of Moraviantown and the
British army which held it。
Stirred at last to action General Wilkinson sent despatches to
Hampton to arrange an attack on Montreal。 There was no
possibility of failure； he said； for the sole defence of Montreal
was 600 marines。 His army consisted of 8000 men。 Hampton's
consisted of 4000。 By a union of these at the mouth of Chateaugay
River； they would form an invincible array。
So it seemed。 Rolf had not yet seen any actual fighting and began
to long for the front。 But his powers as a courier kept him ever
busy bearing despatches。 The road to Sackett's Harbour and thence
to Ogdensburg and Covington； and back to Plattsburg he knew
thoroughly； and in his canoe he had visited every port on Lakes
Champlain and George。
He was absent at Albany in the latter half of October and first
of November； but the ill news travelled fast。 Hampton requested
MacDonough to 〃swoop down on Isle au Noix〃 an insane request；
compliance with which would have meant certain destruction to the
American fleet。 MacDonough's general instructions were：
〃Cooperate with the army； but at any price retain supremacy of
the lake；〃 and he declined to receive Hampton's order。
Threatening court…martials and vengeance on his return； Hampton
now set out by land； but at Chateaugay he was met by a much
smaller force of Canadians who resisted him so successfully that
he ordered a retreat and his army retired to Plattsburg。
Meanwhile General Wilkinson had done even worse。 His army
numbered 8000。 Of these the rear guard were 2500。 A body of 800
Canadians harassed their line of march。 Turning to brush away
this annoyance； the Americans were wholly defeated at Chrystler's
farm and； giving up the attack on Montreal； Wilkinson crossed the
St。 Lawrence and settled for the winter at Chateaugay。
In December； America scored an important advance by relieving
Hampton of his command。
As the spring drew near； it was clearly Wilkinson's first play to
capture La Colle Mill； which had been turned into a fortress of
considerable strength and a base for attack on the American
border； some five miles away。
Of all the scouts Rolf best knew that region； yet he was the one
left out of consideration and despatched with papers to
Plattsburg。 The attack was bungled from first to last； and when
Wilkinson was finally repulsed； it was due to Macomb that the
retreat was not a rout。
But good came out of this evil； for Wilkinson was recalled and
the law was nearly fulfilled the incompetents were gone。
General Macomb was in command of the land force and MacDonough of
the Lake。
Chapter 78。 Rumours and Papers
MacDonough's orders were to hold control of the Lake。 How he did
it will be seen。 The British fleet at Isle au Noix was slightly
stronger than his own； therefore he established a navy yard at
Vergennes； in Vermont； seven miles up the Otter River； and at the
mouth erected earthworks and batteries。 He sent for Brown （of the
firm of Adam and Noah Brown） a famous New York shipbuilder。 Brown
agreed to launch a ship of twenty…four guns in sixty days。 The
trees were standing in the forest on March 2d the keel was laid
March 7th； and on April 11th the Saratoga was launched forty
days after the timbers were green standing trees on the hills。
Other vessels were begun and pushed as expeditiously。 And now
MacDonough's wisdom in choice of the navy yard was seen； for a
British squadron was sent to destroy his infant fleet； or at
least sink stone…boats across the exit so as to bottle it up。
But their attempts were baffled by the batteries which the
far…seeing American had placed at the river's mouth。
The American victory at Chippewa was followed by the defeat at
Lundy's Lane； and on August 25th the city of Washington was
captured by the British and its public buildings destroyed。 These
calamities； instead of dampening the spirits of the army； roused
the whole nation at last to a realization of the fact that they
were at war。 Fresh troops and plentiful supplies were voted； the
deadwood commanders were retired； and the real men revealed by
the two campaigns were given place and power。
At the same time； Great Britain； having crushed Napoleon； was in
a position to greatly reinforce her American army； and troops
seasoned in Continental campaigns were poured into Canada。
All summer Rolf was busied bearing despatches。 During the winter
he and Quonab had built a birch canoe on special lines for speed；
it would carry two men but no baggage。
With this he could make fully six miles an hour for a short time；
and average five on smooth water。 In this he had crossed and
recrossed Champlain； and paddled its length； till he knew every
bay and headland。 The overland way to Sackett's Harbour he had
traversed several times； the trail from Plattsburg to Covington
he knew in all weathers； and had repeatedly covered its sixty
miles in less than twenty…four hours on foot。 The route he
picked and followed was in later years the line selected for the
military highway between these two camps。
But the chief scene of his activities was the Canadian wilderness
at the north end of Lake Champlain。 Chazy； Champlain； Odelltown；
La Colle Mill； Isle au Noix； and Richelieu River he knew
intimately and had also acquired a good deal of French in
learning their country。
It was characteristic of General Wilkinson to ignore the scout
who knew and equally characteristic of his successors； Izard and
Macomb； to seek and rely on the best man。
The news that he brought in many different forms was that the
British were again concentrating an army to strike at Plattsburg
and Albany。
Izard on the land at Plattsburg and Champlain； and Macomb at
Burlington strained all their resources to meet the invader at
fair terms。 Izard had 4000 men assembled； when an extraordinary
and devastating order from Washington compelled him to abandon
the battle front at Champlain and lead his troops to Sackett's
Harbour where all was peace。 He protested like a statesman； then
obeyed like a soldier； leaving Macomb in command of the land
forces of Lake Champlain； with； all told； some 3400 men。 On the
day that Izard left Champlain； the British troops； under
Brisbane； advanced and occupied his camp。
As soon as Rolf had seen them arrive； and had gauged their
number； he sent Quonab back to report； and later retired by night
ten miles up the road to Chazy。 He was well known to many of the
settlers and was welcome where ever known； not only because he
was a patriot fighting his country's battles； but for his own
sake； for he was developing into a handsome； alert； rather silent
youth。 It is notorious that in the drawing…room； given equal
opportunity； the hunter has the advantage over the farmer。 He has
less self…consciousness； more calm poise。 He is not troubled
about what to do with his feet and hands； and is more convinced
of his native dignity and claims to respect。 In the drawin…room
Rolf was a hunter： the leading inhabitants of the region around
received him gladly and honoured him。 He was guest at Judge
Hubbell's in Chazy； in September of 1814。 Every day he scouted in
the neighbourhood and at night returned to the hospitable home of
the judge。
On the 12th of September； from the top of a tall tree on a
distant wooded hill； he estimated the force at Champlain to be
10；000 to 15；000 men。 Already their bodyguard was advancing on
Chazy。
Judge Hubbell and anxious neighbours hastily assembled now；
discussed with Rolf the situation and above all； 〃What shall we
do with our families？〃 One man broke into a storm of hate and
vituperation against the British。 〃Remember the burning of
Washington and the way they treated the women at Bladensburg。〃
〃All of which about the women was utterly disproved； except in
one case； and in that the criminal was shot by order of his own
commander；〃 retorted Hubbell。
At Plattsburg others maintained that the British had harmed no
one。 Colonel Murray had given strict orders that all private
property be absolutely respected。 Nothing but government property
was destroyed and only that which could be construed into war
stores and buildings。 What further damage was done was the result
of accident or error。 Officers were indeed quartered on the
inhabitants； but they paid for what they got； and even a carpet
destroyed by accident was replaced months afterward by a British
officer who had not the means at the time。
So it was agreed that Hubbell with Rolf and the village fathers
and brothers should join their country's army； leaving wives and
children behind。
There were wet bearded cheeks among the strong； rugged men as
they kissed their wives and little ones and prepared to go； then
stopped； as horrible