CHAPTER XIV. 



1763. 

 THE INDIANS CONTINUE TO BLOCKADE DETROIT. 



We return once more to Detroit and its belea- 

 guered garrison. On the nineteenth of June, a 

 rumor reached them that one of the vessels had 

 been seen near Turkey Island, some miles below 

 the fort, but that, the wind failing her, she had 

 dropped down with the current, to wait a more 

 favorable opportunity. It may be remembered 

 that this vessel had, several weeks before, gone 

 down Lake Erie to hasten the advance of Cuyler's 

 expected detachment. Passing these troops on her 

 way, she had held her course to Niagara ; and here 

 she had remained until the return of Cuyler, with 

 the remnant of his men, made known the catas- 

 trophe that had befallen him. This officer, and 

 the survivors of his party, with a few other troops 

 spared from the garrison of Niagara, were ordered 

 to embark in her, and make the best of their way 

 back to Detroit. They had done so, and now, as 

 we have seen, were almost within sight of the fort ; 

 but the critical part of the undertaking yet re- 

 mained. The river channel was in some places 



