17
and Chippewa being all the steam-boats in Luke Erie, except the Superior. The Chippewa was appointed to tow down the pirate schooner (as she was termed) the Michigan, which service she performed. I took my passage on board this boat, and we got underway before the others passed through the basin at Black Rock, and about a mile below the Rock took in tow the vessel destined to make the dreadful plunge. As soon as we got underway, the scene became interesting. The sun shone in full splendour, the waters of Erie were placid, there being scarcely a ruffle upon its surface, and a a few miles astern of us, four steamers crowded with passengers, and hands of music on board, were plowing their way down the rapids of Niagara. Our little boat towed the Michigan as far as Yale's landing on the British shore, within 3 miles of the Falls, where she anchored; and at this place the Chippewa landed her passengers as well as the William Penn, and they were conveyed from thence to the Falls, in vehicles of all descriptions. The three other steam boats landed their passengers on the American side.
Three o'clock was the hour appointed to weigh anchor on board the Michigan.— The task of towing her from Yale's landing to the rapids, and a most hazardous one, was entrusted to Captain Rouhg, the oldest Captain on the lake. With a yawl boat and five oarsmen, of stout hearts and strong arms, the old Captain got the schooner under way, and towed her to within
