72 THE ROYAL SOCIETY OF CANADA 



From the time of their arrival there on the 13 December to the 

 period of their Evacuation on the 15 January, you may be sure such 

 restless adventurers were not idle in concocting mischief — fortu- 

 nately however thro' the fickleness of their plans and their constant 

 difïerences and quarrels, no measures were effected for our annoyance 

 further than what I mentioned relative to their occasional Cannon 

 Exercise and rifle shooting: — It was imagined however, that one 

 Night, they were ripe for some expedition, and in order to give signals 

 and divert us from their Movements — they lighted up a Machine 

 which was moved to and fro on the Island. — From it issued a most 

 dazzling and brilliant light, which could be seen for many miles around. 

 It was supposed to consist of Tar Barrels and other Inflammable 

 Materials, which burnt for several hours. — No movement however 

 took place. — They had schemes to divert our attention in various 

 ways, which were afterwards acknowledged. 



Their general Correspondence, which was freely 



carried on by Spies, notwithstanding our vigilance. They knew all our 

 movements, although we could gather nothing of their's from their 

 peculiar locality on an Island 



Nearly a day elapsed before we knew of their departure and great 

 conjecture arose as to their point of destination. In the course of 

 the day one solitary Individual was seen waving a flag but this was 

 looked upon with suspicion — In the afternoon authentic Intelligence 

 arrived of the Event, yet, very many even then were incredulous, 

 altho from the circumstance of seeing none on guard as usual it was 

 apparent some Movement had taken place. — To settle the question, 

 a party volunteered to go over; it was considered a hazardous under- 

 taking, more especially as many surmised that they had excavated 

 subterraneous caverns to Enter, and knowing the schemes they 

 planned to deceive us it was no wonder a source of anxiety to learn 

 the result. At the time, the Information of very few could be relied 

 on, as so many strange rumours were afloat and so many spies over 

 here awaiting our Movements and spreading reports to mislead us. — 

 A great number assembled on the shore as you may imagine to know 

 the result, and many anxious hearts were relieved when a general 

 huzza proclaimed that the Island was once more in our possession 

 and the British flag flying. 



Their movements had been so rapid to clear out, as they termed 

 it, that one poor wretch was left behind, ^^ who was glad enough to 

 hail his rescuers, from the thraldom he had so long entrammelled in — 



