oppressive silence soon pervaded the fleet, save here and there a sound
of distress from the wounded. The Captain now retired for reflection,
for his mind and heart were too full for rest. He then thought of his
young devoted wife whose prayers he believed had been his shield in
battle; that his work was yet incomplete while the British had an army
on the borders of the Lake, or in Upper Canada,--how he could best aid
General Harrison's army; and then resolved on the work of the morrow;
when, soothed by reflection, his tired nature gave out, and he, too,
sank into a fitful slumber.

The mind of Barclay, relieved of present responsibility, evolved other
less pressing but more pensive thoughts. He thought not of himself or
his bleeding wound, for he had bled before for his country, when he
earned his stars and made his fame secure at Trafalgar; but as the sun
went down that night he thought that no more in the evening twilight
would the mariners of England standing under the cross of St. George, on
that great inland water, sing their national song, "Brittania rules the
waves;" no more the echoes of that stirring air rolling over the silver
surface of the Lake to its islands and shores would arouse the sturdy
dwellers there to join in glad unison in those lofty strains which
everywhere, the world over, melt into one every true and loyal British
heart. He then was moved by the sadder thought, that on that night the
sun of British power which had hitherto dominated the great Northern
Lakes of America had gone down forever.

Perry's available vessels were now taken to transport General Harrison's
army across the Lake, and up the Detroit river. The Lawrence, as soon as
she was put into condition took on board the wounded of both fleets, and
under the command of the gallant but wounded Yarnell carried them to
Erie. The other vessels were repaired and fitted for other duties, or