Vlll 
LIFE OF CAPTAIN CLAPPERTON. 
of defending it : he had only one small gun for its defence ; he was attacked by ant 
American schooner; the blockhouse was soon demolished by the superiority of the 
enemy’s fire; and he found that himself and the party must either become prisoners of 
war, or form the resolution of immediately crossing Lake Michigan upon the ice, a journey 
of nearly sixty miles, to York, the capital of Upper Canada, and the nearest British 
depot. Notwithstanding the difficulty and danger attending a journey of such length 
over the ice in the depth of winter, the alternative was soon adopted, and the party set 
out to cross tire lake, but had not gone more than ten or twelve miles, before a boy, one 
of the party, was unable to proceed from the cold ; every one of the sailors declared that 
they were unable to carry him, as they were so benumbed with the cold, and had scarcely 
strength sufficient to support themselves. Clapperton’s generous nature could not bear 
the idea of a fellow-creature being left to perish under such appalling circumstances, for a 
dreadful snow-storm had commenced ; he therefore took the boy upon his back, holding 
him with his left hand, and supporting himself from slipping with a staff in his right. 
In this manner he continued to go forward for eight or nine miles, when he perceived 
that the boy relaxed his hold ; and on Clapperton examining the cause, he found that 
the boy w-as in a dying state from the cold, and he soon after expired. The sufferings 
of the whole party were great before they reached York ; the stockings and shoes com- 
pletely worn off their feet ; their bodies in a dreadful state from the want of nourishment, 
they having nothing during the journey except one bag of meal. From the long in- 
action of Clapperton’s left hand, in carrying the boy upon his back, he lost, from the 
effects of the fi'ost, the first joint of his thumb. 
Not long after this, Sir Edward Owen was appointed to the command upon the 
lakes. A short time after his ari'ival, he gave to Clapperton an acting order as a lieu- 
tenant, and appointed him to the Confiance. While belonging to this ship, he often made 
excursions on shore, with his gun, into the woods, for the purpose of getting a little fresh 
meat. In these excursions he cultivated an acquaintance with the aborigines of the 
forest, and was much charmed with their mode of life, He had sent to his uncle in 
England the acting order which Sir Edwai’d Owen had given him, that it might be laid 
before the Board of Admiralty for their confirmation ; but, unfortunately, a very large 
promotion had taken place a little before his acting order came to England, and the 
Board declined confirming his commission. No sooner was he made acquainted with its 
ill success, than he formed the idea of quitting his Majesty’s service altogether, and be- 
coming one of the inhabitants of the North American foi*ests. Fortunately for him, he 
some time afterwards abandoned that idea. 
While the Confiance was at anchor near the shores of the Lake, Clapperton often 
went on shore to dinner and other parties. When he thought it time to return on board, 
he never employed a boat; being an expert swimmer, he plunged into the water with his 
clothes on, and swam along-side of the vessel; but this mode of proceeding very nearly 
