It was a very anxious time for Gen.

O'Neil and his officers, and they spent some hours in earnest deliberation as to what would be the best course for them to pursue.

They were now between "the devil and the deep sea," with the wide river and lake in front of them, and an avenging army of British and Canadian troops, well equipped with cavalry, artillery and trained infantry, gradually tightening the coils around their position from the rear, in which direction there was no avenue of escape.

It was indeed a serious predicament, and the only hope of the Fenians rested in the possibility of being able to escape across the river and abandon their project to capture Canada, at this point at least.

To guard against surprises, Gen.