King, and he naturally remonstrated strongly against such action, especially in regard to leaving so many prisoners in his charge, as they outnumbered the strength of his command, and in his isolated position there was a strong possibility that they might be rescued by their friends from the other side of the river before assistance could reach him.

Lieut.-Col.
Dennis, however, was obdurate, and was making arrangements to billet the Welland Canal Battery in the village when the intelligence came that a battle had been fought at Ridgeway, and that the Fenians were on their way back to Fort Erie, moving rapidly.
Lieut.-Col.

Dennis did not place much reliance on this rumor, and seemed determined to carry out his plan of leaving the Battery on shore.

But Capt.

King was solicitous for the safety of his men and the prisoners, and after some parley Lieut.-Col.