Others trusted themselves to single planks upon which to gain support while they endeavored to swim across the current.
The covering of one of the docks afforded the means for this purpose.

It was a very risky method of navigation, and it is generally supposed that several of the Fenian "Leanders" who attempted the passage of the Niagara "Hellespont" in this way lost their lives in doing so, as they were reported "missing" afterwards.
Late that night signal lights were displayed from the American shore, which by the Fenian code signified to Gen.

O'Neil that a movement was on foot in Buffalo to attempt to run the blockade with reinforcements.

But the remnant of the Fenian army which was bivouacked in the ruins of old Fort Erie was too much demoralized to take any further interest in the campaign, and signalled back the information that the reinforcements were too late--that they intended to evacuate the country, and needed speedy relief.
About midnight two steam tugs, with a couple of canal boats in tow, quietly slipped out of Buffalo Creek, and escaping the vigilance of the American authorities, headed for the Canadian shore.

These boats contained about 500 reinforcements for the Fenians, but when about half way over the river the transports were met by a messenger in a rowboat with an order from Gen.