“For every day I stand outside your door,
     And bid you wake and rise to fight and win.”

The influence of the great truth as pronounced in the now familiar couplet inspired him.  He recognized the source whence he derived whatever of success had followed his efforts, and prayed for greater sagacity, more vigour of body and tenacity of purpose, a complete surrender of self to the task before him; that if his life was to be the price of duty, he might place it on the altar of his country without one shred of compunction.

* * * * *

He rang the bell for Porter—­his body-servant since Dobson’s death—­directed him to see that the council room was lighted, that pens, ink, paper and cigars were in place, as a meeting of his staff was slated for nine, and sought his sanctum.

[Illustration:  POWDER MAGAZINE, FORT GEORGE, NIAGARA]

CHAPTER XXIV.

BROCK’S LAST COUNCIL.

It was long past midnight on the morning of Tuesday, October 13th, 1812, when Brock dismissed his advisory council of staff officers.  An animated discussion had taken place over the strength of the enemy and the spot he might select to cross the river, for ruses had been resorted to by Van Bensselaer to deceive the British.

“I dare not, gentlemen,” said our hero, in opening the debate, “weaken my flanks at Niagara and Erie, though I realize I am leaving Queenston not properly protected.  I have just learned that General Dearborn states that while ‘Tippecanoe’ Harrison invades Canada, at Detroit, with 7,000 men—­I do not think it necessary I should point out Detroit on the map,” he added with a smile—­“and while a United States squadron—­not a British one, mark you—­sweeps Lake Ontario from Sackett’s Harbour, Dearborn himself will threaten Montreal from Lake Champlain.  While the east and the west are thus being annexed by the enemy, our friend Van Rensselaer is to entertain us here.

“An ordinary boat, as we all know, can be rowed across the river at Queenston in less than ten minutes.  Our spies have reported that forty batteaux, to carry forty men each, are in readiness at Tonawanda.  Evans and Macdonell, when they called on Van Rensselaer, saw at least a dozen boats moored at Lewiston, some of which could carry eighty men.  During the deplorable armistice, as General Sheaffe is aware”—­looking at that officer—­“Van Rensselaer brought up 400 boats and batteaux from Ogdensburg and other points, all of his previously blockaded fleet, so the enemy has no lack of transport.  The most effective disposition of our limited force is, I admit, somewhat of a problem.  There is no use in evading the fact that in point of numbers and ordnance we are too weak, and as Sir George Prevost has written me not to expect any further aid, Colonel Talbot must send us a few of his militia.”

“Macdonell,” he said, turning to his aide, “will you write at once, to-night, to Colonel Talbot, at Port Talbot, stating that I am strongly induced to believe I will soon be attacked, and tell him that I wish him to send 200 men, the militia under his command, without delay, by water to Fort Erie.”