seven o'clock
We were now not half a mile ahead . The destroyers pursued us at top speed , though being now directly behind , they were in poor position for using their guns . Our captain seemed content to keep this distance ; though it would have been easy for him to increase it , and then at nightfall , to dodge back behind the enemy . Already Buffalo had disappeared on our right , and a little after seven o'clock the opening of the Niagara River appeared ahead . If he entered there , knowing that he could not return , our captain must have lost his mind ! And in truth was he not insane , this man who proclaimed himself , who believed himself , Master of the World ? I watched him there , calm , impassive not even turning his head to note the progress of the destroyers and I wondered at him .