The wind still stood at the westward, and the rate of sailing was rapid.  About the close of the day the party drew near to the outlet, when Peter directed the sails to be taken in.  This was done to prevent their being seen, a precaution that was now aided by keeping as near to the shore as possible, where objects so small and low would be very apt to be confounded with others on the land.

It was quite dark when the canoes entered the St. Clair river.  Favored by the current and the wind, their progress was rapid, and ere the day returned, changing his direction from the course ordinarily taken, Peter entered the lake by a circuitous passage; one of the many that lead from the river to the lake, among aquatic plants that form a perfect shelter.  This detour saved the fugitives from falling into the hands of one party of their enemies, as was afterward ascertained by the Indians.  Bear’s Meat had left two canoes, each manned by five warriors, to watch the principal passages into Lake St. Clair, not anticipating that any particular caution would be used by the bee-hunter and his friends, at this great distance from the place where they had escaped from their foes.  But the arrival of Peter, his sagacity, and knowledge of Indian habits, prevented the result that was expected.  The canoes got into the lake unseen, and crossed it a little diagonally, so as to reach the Canada shore in the middle of the afternoon of the succeeding day, using their sails only when far from land, and not exposed to watchful eyes.

The bee-hunter and his friends landed that afternoon at the cabin of a Canadian Frenchman, on the shore of the lake, and at a safe distance from the outlet which led still farther south.  Here the females were hospitably received, and treated with that kindness which marks the character of the Canadian French.  It mattered little to these simple people, whether the travellers were of the hostile nation or not.  It is true, they did not like the “Yankees,” as all Americans are termed by them, but they were not particularly in love with their English masters.  It was well enough to be repossessed of both banks of the Detroit, for both banks were then peopled principally by their own race, the descendants of Frenchmen of the time of Louis XIV., and who still preserved much of the language, and many of the usages, of the French of that period.  They spoke then, as now, only the language of their fathers.

The bee-hunter left the cottage of these simple and hospitable people, as soon as the night was fairly set in; or, rather, as soon as a young moon had gone down.  Peter now took the command, steering the canoe of le Bourdon, while Gershom followed so close as to keep the bow of his little craft within reach of the Indian’s arm.  In less than an hour the fugitives reached the opening of the river, which is here divided into two channels by a large island.  On that very island, and at that precise moment, was Bear’s Meat lying in wait for their appearance,