1814	British and Americans on Canadian lakes	337

expedition, remained three miles in the rear ; and at 9 p.m. the schooner appeared in sight. As soon as she discovered the boats, which was not till they had approached within 100 yards of her, the American vessel opened a smart fire from her long 24-pounder and musketry. The boats, however, advanced rapidly ; and two of them boarding her on each side, Lieutenant Worsley carried, in five minutes, the United States' schooner Tigress, of one long 24-pounder on a pivot-carriage, and 28 officers and men. The British loss was two seamen killed, Lieutenant Bulger, and four or five soldiers and seamen wounded; and the American loss, three men, including one or two officers, wounded.

On the 4th, early in the morning, the prisoners were sent in one of the boats, under a guard, to Michilimacinac, and preparations were made to attack the other schooner, which was understood to be at anchor 15 miles further down. On the 5th the Scorpion was discovered working up to join her supposed consort, the American ensign and pendant being still kept flying on board the Tigress. In the evening the Scorpion anchored at the distance of about two miles from the Tigress ; who, just as day was dawning on the 6th, slipped her cable, and, running down under her foresail and jib, was within 10 yards of the Scorpion before any discovery was made. In five minutes more the deck of the latter was covered by the two lieutenants and their men, and the British flag was hoisted over that of the United States. The Scorpion was manned with 30 officers and men ; and carried one long 24, and, in her hold, one long 12 pounder. Her loss amounted to two killed and two wounded ; that of the British to one or two soldiers wounded, making the total British loss, in capturing the two vessels, amount to three killed and eight wounded. These two American " gun-boats," averaged, according to British measurement, 100 tons. They had on board abundance of shot, including some 32-pounders, and in small-arms, between them, 64 muskets and 104 cutlasses and boarding-pikes. As a proof of the value of these two schooners, now that they were afloat upon Lake Huron, their hulls and stores were appraised by the proper officers at upwards of 16,0001. sterling. In another point of view, they were still more valuable. Commodore Perry's victory left the Americans without an enemy to fear upon the lakes Erie and Huron ; and yet do we find, still remaining on board of the four (including two that will be named presently) smallest of his nine vessels, three times as many experienced seamen, as were on board all the " very superior British fleet, " which that " illustrious American commodore, " after an obstinate struggle, succeeded in capturing.

On the 12th of August the three United States' armed schooners, Somers, Ohio, and Porcupine, each with 35 men commanded by a lieutenant, being stationed close to Fort Erie, then

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