Rock Creek, engaged in repairs. Probably these were absolutely
necessary, and we should find the boat still there. As to how the
"Terror" came to be in Lake Erie, Arthur Wells and I discussed that,
and agreed that it was a very probable place for her. The last time
she had been seen was on Lake Superior. From there to Lake Erie the
machine could have come by the roads of Michigan, but since no one
had remarked its passage and as both the police and the people were
specially aroused and active in that portion of the country, it
seemed more probable, that the "Terror" had come by water. There was
a clear route through the chain of the Great Lakes and their rivers,
by which in her character of a submarine she could easily proceed
undiscovered.

And now, if the "Terror" had already left the creek, or if she
escaped when we attempted to seize her, in what direction would she
turn? In any case, there was little chance o following her. There
were two torpedo-destroyers at the port of Buffalo, at the other
extremity of Lake Erie. By treaty between the United States and
Canada, there are no vessels of war whatever on the Great Lakes.
These might, however, have been little launches belonging to the
customs service. Before I left Washington Mr. Ward had informed me
of their presence; and a telegram to their commanders would, if there
were need, start them in pursuit of the "Terror." But despite their
splendid speed, how could they vie with her! And if she plunged
beneath the waters, they would be helpless. Moreover Arthur Wells
averred that in case of a battle, the advantage would not be with the
destroyers, despite their large crews, and many guns. Hence, if we
did not succeed this night, the campaign would end in failure.

Arthur Wells knew Black Rock Creek thoroughly, having hunted there