Indeed, on the lower point of this latter isle stood
once that "Terrapin Tower" so daringly built in the midst of the
plunging waters on the very edge of the abyss. It has been destroyed;
for the constant wearing away of the stone beneath the cataract makes
the ledge move with the ages slowly up the river, and the tower has
been drawn into the gulf.
The town of Fort Erie stands on the Canadian shore at the entrance of
the river. Two other towns are set along the banks above the falls,
Schlosser on the right bank, and Chippewa on the left, located on
either side of Navy Island. It is at this point that the current,
bound within a narrower channel, begins to move at tremendous speed,
to become two miles further on, the celebrated cataract.
The "Terror" had already passed Fort Erie. The sun in the west
touched the edge of the Canadian horizon, and the moon, faintly seen,
rose above the mists of the south. Darkness would not envelop us for
another hour.
The destroyers, with huge clouds of smoke streaming from their
funnels, followed us a mile behind. They sped between banks green
with shade trees and dotted with cottages which lay among lovely
gardens.
Obviously the "Terror" could no longer turn back. The destroyers shut
her in completely. It is true their commanders did not know, as I
did, that an accident to her machinery had forced her to the surface,
and that it was impossible for her to escape them by another plunge.
Pages:
134
135
136
137
138
139
140
141
142
143
144
145
146
147
148
149
150
151
152
153
154
155
156
157
158