Page:Brock centenary 2nd ed. 1913.djvu/23

 INTRODUCTION

laws of his life. The motto on his seal is said to have been " He who guards never sleeps." The legend may not be correct, but it is so appropriate that one likes to perpetuate the tradition.

The United States army as a whole was attack- ing Canada at three points: its right wing was trying to force its way up the valley of the Riche- lieu; its left wing had been disposed of by Brock at Detroit ; its centre was being strengthened every day along the Niagara frontier. From the old French fort at the mouth of the Niagara River to the village of Buffalo there was on both sides of the Niagara an uninterrupted scene of fearful and warlike activity. The heights of Lewiston and the red beach below were white with the tents of nearly four thousand soldiers.

From Queenston a small body of British and Canadian soldiers were watching and waiting. Then — a hundred years ago — it was much the same straggling village as to-day. Here the eddying, foaming, turbulent waters of the Niagara issue from the narrow, rocky gorge to spread out into a gentle stream and wind their way to Lake Ontario, seven miles distant. At the foot of the Canadian cliff nestles Queenston; at the foot of the sister cliff opposite is Lewiston in New York State. A hundred years ago, from the " Heights " a spec- tator would have seen the same glorious panorama of fertile fields and autumn tints; but since June the whole line of the Niagara River had resounded with din of preparations to resist a ruthless and aggressive invader.

But while Brock was absent at Detroit, about the middle of August, Sir George Prevost, the British commander-in-chief, had very unwisely concluded an armistice with General Dearborn, the terms of which extended only to the right wing of the United States army. Accordingly, this gave Major-General Van Rensselaer, who was in com- mand of the enemy on the Niagara, a splendid

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