194 OCEAN TO OCEAN ON HORSEBACK. 



But it was not until long after this that the sound of 

 the woodman's axe was heard in the forests at the 

 foot of Lake Erie, when the pioneer had come to 

 make his home, and to lay the foundation of a future 

 city. 



One after another crude cabins were raised, and in 

 turn were replaced by more comfortable houses, so 

 that in 1813 the settlement was large enough to make 

 quite a bontire for the British and their dusky allies. 

 The events which took place at Buffalo, connected 

 with this war, were singularly exciting; and, although 

 there were brave hearts and stout arms ready to de- 

 fend their country, we cannot but regret the peculiar 

 circumstances which led to the general havoc here. 



Historians have gleaned such glowing descriptions 

 from those who were either witnesses or participants 

 in these stirring scenes, that we cannot fail to be 

 moved by them. 



The night surprise, in the woods, near Black Rock, 

 when the American troops were suddenly greeted by 

 ambushed Britons : the rout which followed when 

 the terrified horsemen dashed back in retreat through 

 the ranks of the infantry, demoralizing them in turn, 

 is so vividly drawn that it has tiie reality of later times. 

 Afterwards when the alarmed people heard the cry 

 that the British were coming, and we see them in con- 

 fused masses trying to escape with their household 

 goods, we sympathize with their terror as tliey saw in 

 the distance the dreaded Indian jogging towards them 

 with club and hatchet. 



It was then that Job Hoysington, who was with 

 one of the retreating parties, lingered behind his com- 

 panions, saying that he would have " one more shot at 



