 Chapter 7 of True to the Old Flag C. Peter," Harold exclaimed, There is a whole fleet of boats ahead. I see them," Peter said, and have seen them for the last quarter of an hour. It's Skylar with the rest of what they call their army. Steer a little out of the course. We must pass close by them. They won't suspect nothing wrong and will suppose we are merely carrying a message. In half an hour they were abreast of the flotilla, consisting of flat boats laden with troops. With them were two or three Indian canoes. Peter steered so as to pass at a distance of a hundred and fifty yards. They rode less strongly now, but still vigorously. There was a shout from the boat. All well on the island? All well, Peter shouted back, waving his hand, and without further word the canoe passed on. There, do you hear that? Peter exclaimed. They're firing shots from the canoes to call their attention. The chances are they won't hear them, for the rattle of their oars and the talking and the row they're making are enough to drown the sound of a cannon. Now put it on again as hard as you can. Another hour will take us to the landing place. They could see, when the flotilla came up to the pursuing boats, that the canoes which accompanied it turned their heads and joined in the pursuit, but they were now near three miles ahead, and there was no chance whatever of their being overtaken. They slackened their speed slightly as they approached the land and rode up to the landing place without any signs of extraordinary haste. A few men were loitering about. What's the news from the island? One asked as they landed. All well there, Peter said. Did you see anything of Skyler? Yes, we met him about halfway across. What have you come for? General Montgomery says that no spare flints have been sent over for the fire locks. I'll swear that some went, one of the men exclaimed, for I packed a sack of them myself in one of the boats. I suppose they have been mislaid, Peter said. Perhaps one of the stores have got heaped over them. If you are quite certain, we have had our journey for nothing. As certain as life, the man replied, I'll swear to the sack full of flints and tarnation heavy they was, too. Well, then, I neemed out trouble about it further, Peter said. We'll take a rest and paddle back in an hour or two. Was there any marks on the sack so as I may tell the general how to look for it? Marks, the man repeated, Why, it had flints written on it in big black letters six inches long. It must turn up anyhow. They'll find it when they come to shift the stores. Then, accompanied by his two companions, Peter strolled quietly through the little village. Stopping at a small store, he purchased some flour and tea. Then he followed the road inland and was soon out of sight of the village. He stopped for a moment and then shook his head. It's no use trying to hide our trail here, he said. The road's an inch thick in dust. And do what we will, they'll be able to see where we turn off. It's our legs as we have got to trust you for a bit. We've got a good half hour start of the canoes. They were along three miles behind when we struck the shore. Leaving the road, he led the way with a long swinging stride across the cultivated land. Twenty minutes walk took them into the forest, which extended from the shore of the lake many miles inland. Take off your boots, Harold, he said, as he entered the wood. Them heels will leave marks that a redskin could pick up at a run. Now tread as near as you can in the exact spot where the Seneca has trodden before you. He'll follow in my track, and you may be sure that I'll choose the hardest bits of ground I can come across. There the varmints are on shore. As he spoke, an angry yell rose from the distant village. At a long steady pace, which taxed to the utmost Harold's powers as a walker, they kept their way through the woods, not pursuing a straight course, but turning, winding, and zigzagging every few minutes. Harold could not but feel impatient at what seemed to him such a loss of time, especially when a yell from the edge of the wood told that the Indians had traced them thus far, showed, too, that they were far nearer than before. But, as Peter afterward explained to him, all this turning and winding made it necessary for the Indians to follow every step as they would an animal to guess the direction they had taken. The weather had been dry, and the ground was hard. Therefore, the most experienced trapper would be obliged to proceed very slowly on the trail and would frequently be for a time at fault. Whereas, had they continued in a straight line, the Indians could have followed at a run, contenting themselves with seeing the trail here and there. They came across two or three little streams running down toward the lake. These they followed, in some cases up, in others down, for a considerable distance, leaving the bed where the bushes grew thick and hid the marks of their feet as they stepped out from the water. Harold would gladly have gone at a run, but Peter never quickened his pace. He knew that the Indians could not pick up the trail at a rate faster than that at which they were going, and that great delay would be caused at each of the little streams as it would be uncertain whether they had passed up or down. As the time passed, the Indian yells, which had, when they first entered the wood, sounded so alarmingly near, died away, and a perfect stillness reigned in the forest. It was late in the afternoon before Peter halted. We can rest now, he said. It'll be hours before the critters can be here. Now let us have some tea. He began to look for some dried sticks. Harold offered to assist. You sit down, the scouts said. A nice sort of fire we should get with sticks of your picking up. Why, we should have a smoke that would bring all the engines in the woods on to us. No, the sticks as the Seneca and meal pick up won't give as much smoke as you can put in a teacup. But I wouldn't risk even that if we was nigh the lake, for it might be seen by any redskins out in a canoe. But we are miles back from the lake, and there ain't no other open space where they could get a view over the treetops. Harold watched the Indian in the scout collecting dry leaves and sticks and took particular notice for future use of the kinds which they selected. A light was struck with a flint and steel, and soon a bright blaze sprang up, without so far as Harold could see the slightest smoke being given off. Then the hunter produced some food from his wallet and a tin pot. He had at the last spring they passed filled a skin which hung on his shoulder with water, and this was soon boiling over the fire. A handful of tea was thrown in and the pot removed. Some flour mixed with water was placed on a small iron plate which was put on the red hot ashes. A few cakes were baked, and with these the cold venison and the tea an ample meal was made. After nearly an hour's halt they again proceeded on their way. A consultation had taken place between Peter and the Seneca as to the best course to be pursued. They could, without much difficulty or risk, have continued the way through the woods beyond the lake, but it was important that they should reach the other side by the evening of the following day to give warning of the intended attack by the Americans. There were, they knew, other red skins in the woods besides those on their trail, and the nearer they approached the shore the greater the danger. They had determined that they should at all hazards endeavor to obtain another canoe and cross the lake. Until nightfall they continued their course, and then knowing that their trail could no longer be followed, they made down to the lake. They were many miles distant from it, and Harold was completely worn out when at last he saw a gleam of water through the trees. He was not yet to rest, entering the lake they began wading through it at a few feet from the edge. After an hour's walking thus they entered the bushes which thickly covered the shore, and made their way through these until they came to a spot sufficiently open for them to lie down. Harold, wrapping himself in the blanket which he carried over his shoulder, was sound asleep in less than a minute. When he woke the sun was shining brightly. Get up youngster, we're in luck, the scout said. Here's a canoe with two of the varmints making toward the shore. By the way they're going they'll land not far off. The scout led the way, crawling on his hands and knees to the water's edge, to where the Seneca was sitting watching the canoe through a cover of green leaves. The course that the boat was taking would lead it to a point some three hundred yards from where they were sitting. We shall have no difficulty in managing them, Harold said, and grasped his rifle eagerly. Not too fast, Peter said, the chances are that the varmints have friends on shore, like enough they have been out fishing. The shore formed a slight sweep at this point, and the bushes in which they were hidden occupied the point of one extremity. In the center of the little bay there was a spot clear from bushes. To this the canoe was directed. When the men approached the shore two other Indians appeared at the water's edge. One of them asked a question, and in reply a paddler held up a large bunch of fish. Just as I thought, like enough there are a dozen of them there, said Peter. On reaching the shore the men sprang out, taking their fish with them. The canoe was fastened by its lead rope to the bushes, and the Indians moved a short distance inland. As their smoke, Peter said, indicating a point some thirty feet from the lake, but so slight was it that, even when it was pointed out to him, Harold could hardly make out the light mist rising from among the bushes. Presently he looked around for the Seneca, but the Indian had disappeared. He's gone scouting, Peter said, in answer to Harold's question. If there are only four of them it would be an easy job, but I expect there's more of the red varmints there. In ten minutes the Seneca returned as noiselessly as he had gone. He opened his hand and all the fingers twice. The third time he showed only three fingers. Thirteen, Peter said, too many of them even for a sudden onslaught. The Indians said a few words to Peter, the latter nodded, and Deertail again quietly stole away. He's going to steal the boat, Peter said. It's a risky job for where it lies it can be seen by him as they sit. Now you and me must be ready with our shooting irons to cover him if need be. If he's found out before he gets the boat he'll take to the woods and lead them away from us. But if he's fairly in the boat then we must do our best for him. If the west comes to the west I reckon we can hold these bushes again them for some time, but in the end I don't disguise from ye youngster they'll beat us. Harold now sat intently watching the canoe. It seemed an age to him before he saw a hand emerge from the bushes and take hold of the head rope. The motion given to the canoe was so slight as to be almost imperceptible. It seemed as if it was only drifting gently before the slight breeze which was creeping over the surface of the lake. Half its length had disappeared from the open space when an Indian appeared by the edge of the water. He looked at the canoe, looked over the lake, and withdrew again. The hand had disappeared in the bushes on his approach. The movement of the canoe, slight as it was, had caught his eye, but satisfied that it was caused only by the wind he had returned to his fire again. The hand appeared again through the bushes and the canoe was drawn along until hidden from the sight of those sitting by the fire. Again the watchful Indian appeared, but the boat was lying quietly by the bushes at full length of its head rope. He stooped down to see that this was securely fastened and again retired. Harold held his breath, expecting that every moment the presence of the Seneca would be discovered. Scarcely had the Indian disappeared then the Seneca crawled out from the bushes. With a sweep of his knife he cut the rope of the canoe and noiselessly entered it, and as he did so gave a shove with his foot which sent it dancing along the shore toward the spot where Harold and his companion were hidden. Then he seized the paddle and in half a dozen strokes brought it within reach of them. Harold and Peter stepped into it as they did so there was a sudden shout. The Indian had again strolled down to look at the canoe whose movements, slight as they had been, had appeared suspicious to him. He now, to his astonishment, saw it at the point with two white men and an Indian on board. He had left his gun behind him and, uttering his war cry, found it back for it. Round the pint quick, Peter exclaimed, they'll riddle us in the open. Two strokes took the canoe round the projecting point of bushes and she then darted along the shore, driven by the greatest efforts of which the three paddlers were capable. Had the shore been open the Indians would have gained upon them but they were unable to force their way through the thick bushes at anything like the rate at which the canoe was flying over the water. The first start was upward of a hundred yards and this was increased by fifty before the Indians arriving at the point opened fire. The distance was beyond anything like an accurate range with Indian guns. Several bullets struck the water round the canoe. Now steer out, Peter said as the firing suddenly ceased. They're making a detour among the bushes and will come down ahead of us if we keep near the shore. Two or three more shots were fired but without effect and the canoe soon left the shore far behind. Now, Peter said, I think we're safe. It's not likely they've another canoe anywhere near on this side as most of them would have gone with the expedition. If the firing has been heard it will not attract much attention being on this side and I see nothing in the way of a boat out in the lake. Still these redskins' eyes can see most any distance. Now chief, he went on to the Indian in his native language. The young in an aisle lied down at the bottom of the boat. Do you paddle quietly and easily as if you were fishing. The canoe with a single Indian in it will excite no suspicion and even if you see other canoes you had better keep on in that way unless you see that any of them are intending to overhaul you. The chief nodded ascent. Peter and Harold stretched themselves at full length in the canoe and the Indian paddled quietly and steadily on. For an hour not a word was spoken in the canoe. Harold several times dozed off to sleep. At last the Seneca spoke. Many boats out on water, American army. Harold was about to raise his head to look out when Peter exclaimed, Lie close Harold, if a head were shown now it would be worse than if we had sat up all the time. We know there are Indian canoes with the flats and they may be watching us now. We may be a long way off but there's no saying how far a redskins' eyes can carry. Can you see where they are going to chief? He asked the Seneca. Are they heading for Isla Noir as we heard them say they were going to do? The Seneca nodded, going to island. Then Peter said the sooner we're across the lake the better. The Seneca again spoke and after a consultation with Peter laid in his paddle. What is he doing now? Harold asked. Our course lies pretty near the same way as theirs. Peter said the island is but a short distance from the shore near the mouth of the sorrel. So where we're going would take us right across their line. We fooled them yesterday but are not likely to do it again today. So the chief has stopped paddling and makes as if he were fishing. I doubt whether it will succeed for he would hardly be fishing so far out but we'll soon see. It's better so than to turn and paddle in any other direction as that would be sure to excite their suspicions. The fleet of boats had already passed the spot where the canoe would have crossed had she been going directly across the lake when she was first seen and was therefore now ahead of it. The great flotilla kept on as if the canoe with its single occupant in its rear had not excited suspicion. The Seneca however knew that sharp eyes must be upon him. The manner in which the canoe had baffled pursuit the day before must have inflicted a severe blow upon the pride of the Indians and although having driven them off the lake they could have no reason for suspecting that their foes could have obtained a fresh canoe. The Seneca knew that their vigilance would not sleep for a moment. Therefore although bending over the side of the canoe as if watching his lines his eyes were never off the boats. There are canoes making for the shore both ways. He said at last, it is time that my white brother should take the paddle. Peter and Harold at once sat up in the boat and looked round the lake which at this point was about ten miles wide. The canoe was four miles from the eastern side the flotilla was a mile further up the lake and the same distance nearer to the western shore. Four or five canoes were detaching themselves from the flotilla apparently rowing direct for the shore. It would have been easy for the canoe to have regained the eastern side long before she could have been cut off but here they might find the Chippewas. The Indians whose both they had taken would assuredly follow along the shores of the lake in hopes that something might occur to drive them back. Besides had they landed there they would be unable to carry in time the news of the approaching attack upon St. John's. For the same reason it was important to land up the lake near the Canadian end. Peter rapidly took in the situation. He saw that it was possible and only just possible to reach the shore at a point opposite to that at which they now were before the hostile forces could cut them off from it. If they headed them there they would be obliged to run down to the other end of the lake before effecting a landing. While he could not calculate on being able to beat all the canoes most of which carried four paddlers who would strain every nerve to retrieve their failure of the previous day. Not a word was spoken as the boat darted through the water. Harold, unaccustomed to judge distances, could form no idea whether the distant canoes would or would not intercept them. At present both seemed to him to be running toward the shore on nearly parallel courses and the shorter distance that the Indians would have to row seemed to place them far ahead. The courses however were not parallel as the Indians were gradually turning their canoes to intercept the course of that which they were pursuing. As the minutes went by and the boats converged more and more toward the same point Harold saw how close the race would be. After twenty minutes hard paddling the boats were within a quarter of a mile of each other and the courses which they were respectively taking seemed likely to bring them together at about a quarter of a mile from the shore. There were three Indian canoes and these kept well together so close did the race appear that Harold expected every moment to see Peter sweep the head of the canoe round and make a stern chase of it by running down the lake. This Peter had no intention of doing. The canoes he saw traveled as fast as his own and could each spare a man to fire occasionally while he and his companions would be obliged to continue paddling. Better accustomed to judge distances than Harold he was sure at the speed at which they were going he would be able to pass somewhat ahead of his foes. Row all you know Harold, he said, now chief send her along. Harold had been rowing to the utmost of his strength but he felt by the way the canoe quivered at every stroke that his companions were only now putting out their extreme strength. The boat seemed to fly through the water and he began to think for the first time that the canoe would pass ahead of their pursuers. The latter were clearly also conscious of the fact for they now turned their boats heads more toward the shore so that the spot where the lines would meet would be close to the shore itself. The canoes were now within two hundred yards of each other. The Indians were nearer to the shore but the oblique line that they were following would give them about an equal distance to row to the point for which both were making. Harold could not see that there was the slightest difference in the rate at which they were traveling. It seemed to him that the four canoes would all arrive precisely at the same moment at the land which was now some five or six hundred yards distant. Another two minutes paddling and when the canoes were but seventy or eighty yards apart Peter with a sweep of his paddle turned the boat's head nearly half round and made obliquely for the shore so throwing his pursuers almost a stern of them. The shore was but three hundred yards distant they were but fifty ahead of their pursuers. The latter gave a loud yell at seeing the change in the position in the chase. They had of course foreseen the possibility of such a movement but had been powerless to prevent it. But they were prepared for on the instant one man in each canoe dropped his paddle and standing up fired. It is a difficult thing to take aim when standing in a canoe dancing under the vigorous strokes of three paddlers. It was the more difficult since the canoes were at the moment sweeping round to follow the movement of the chase. The three balls whistled closely round the canoe but no one was hit. The loss of three paddlers for even so short a time checked the pace of the canoes. The Indians saw that they could not hope to overtake their foes whose canoe was now but a few lengths from shore. They dropped their paddles and each man seized his rifle. Another moment and the nine pieces would have poured their fire into the canoe about fifty yards ahead of them. When from the bushes on the shore three puffs of smoke shot out and three of the Indians fell one of them upsetting his boat in his fall. A yell of surprise and dismay broke from them. The guns were thrown down, the paddles grasped again and the heads of the canoes turned from the shore. The Indians in the overturned boat did not wait to ride it but scrambled into the other canoes and both were soon paddling at the top of their speed from the shore not without further damage. For the guns in the bushes again spoke out and Peter and the Seneca added their fire the instant they leaped from the boat to shore and another of the Indians was seen to fall. Harold was too breathless when he reached the bank to be able to fire. He raised his gun but his hands trembled with the exertion that he had undergone and the beating of his heart and his short panting breath rendered it impossible for him to take a steady aim. A minute later Jake burst his way through the bushes. Ah, Massa Harold! he exclaimed. Rest the Lord that we was here. What a fright you have given me to be sure. We have been watching you for a long time. Ephraim and Doredskin they say they saw a little spot far out on Lake behind Aldo's boats. Then they say other boats set off in Chase. For a long time Jake see nothing about that but at last he see them. Then we hurry along the shore so as to get near the place to where the boats row. Every moment we think that they catch you up. Ephraim say no very close thing but he think you come along first but that we must shoot when they come close. We stand watch for some time. Then Ephraim say that you know able to get to that point. You have to turn along the shore so we change our place and run along and sure enough the boats head turns and you come along in front of us. Then we all shoot and the Redskins detumble over. Well Jake it is fortunate indeed that you were on the spot for they could scarcely have missed all of us. Besides even if we had got to shore safely they would have followed us and the odds against us would have been heavy. Daddard wore a close shave Peter, Ephraim said, and all fired close shave I call it. It wore Ephraim and no mistake. Why didn't you head down along the lake? Because I got news that the colonists are going to attack St. John's tomorrow and I want to get to the fort in time to put them on their guard. Besides both sides of the lake are sure to be full of hostile engines. Those canoes paddled as fast as we did and in the long run might have worn us out. Did you have a fight on the lake two nights ago? Me and the Redskins thought we heard firing. We had a skirmish with them, Peter said, a pretty sharp shave it were too, but we managed to slip away from them. All together we've had some mighty close work I can tell here and I thought more than once as we were going to be wiped out. While they were speaking the men had already started at a steady pace through the woods away from the lake having first drawn up the canoe and carefully concealed it. It was late at night when they reached Fort St. John. A message was at once dispatched to a party of the Seneca's who were at their village about sixteen miles away. They arrived in the morning and together with a portion of the garrison moved out and took their place in the wooded and marshy ground between the fort and the river. Scouts were sent along the sorrel and these returned about one o'clock saying that a large number of boats were coming down the lake from Isle-au-Noir. It had been determined to allow the colonists to land without resistance as the commander of the fort felt no doubt of his ability with the assistance of his Indian allies to repulse their attack. Some twelve hundred men were landed and these at once began to advance toward the fort led by their two generals Skyler and Montgomery. Scarcely had they entered the swamp when from every bush a fire was opened upon them. The invaders were staggered but pushed forward in a weakened undecided way as far as a creek which intercepted their path. In vain General Montgomery endeavored to encourage them to advance. They wavered and soon began to fall back and in an hour from the time of their landing they were again gathered on the bank of the river. Here they threw up a breast work and as his numbers were greatly inferior the British officer in command thought it unadvisable to attack them. After nightfall the colonists took to their boats and returned to Isle-au-Noir. Their loss in this their first attempt at the invasion of Canada being nine men. A day or two later the Indians again attempted to induce General Carlton to permit them to cross the frontier and carry the war into the American settlements. And upon the general's renewed refusal they left the camp in anger and remained from that time altogether aloof from the contest. St. John's was now left with only its own small garrison. Captain Wilson was ordered to fall back with his company to Montreal it being considered that the garrison of St. John's was sufficient to defend that place for a considerable time. As soon as the Indians had marched away having sent word to the colonists that they should take no further part in the fight, Montgomery who was now in command, Skyler having fallen sick, landed the whole of the force and invested the fort. An American officer, Ethan Allen, had been sent with a party to try to raise the colonists in rebellion in the neighborhood of Chambley. He had with him thirty Americans and was joined by eighty Canadians. Dazzled by the success which had attended the surprise of Ticonderoga he thought to repeat the stroke by the conquest of Montreal. He crossed the river in the night about three miles below the city. Peter and some other scouts who had been watching his movements crossed higher up and brought the news. And thirty six men of the twenty sixth regiment, Captain Wilson's company, and two or three hundred loyal Canadians, the whole under the command of Major Campbell, attacked Ethan Allen. He was speedily routed and with thirty eight of his men taken prisoner. The siege of St. John's made but little progress. The place was well provisioned and the Americans encamped in the low swampy ground around it suffered much from ill health. The men were mutinous and insolent, the officers incapable and disobedient. So far the invasion of Canada, of which such great things had been hoped by the Americans, seemed likely to turn out a complete failure. End of Chapter 7. Recording by Tricia G. Chapter 8 of True to the Old Flag. This is a LibriVox recording. All LibriVox recordings are in the public domain. For more information or to volunteer, please visit LibriVox.org. True to the Old Flag by G. A. Henty. Chapter 8. Quebec General Carleton, seeing that Montgomery's whole force was retained idle before St. John's, began to hope that the winter would come to his assistance before the invaders had made any serious progress. Unfortunately he had not reckoned on the utter incapacity of the officer in command of Fort Chambley. Major Stopford of the 7th Regiment had 160 men and a few artillery men, and the fort was strong and well provided with provisions. American spies had found the inhabitants around the place favorable to the Americans. Major Brown was sent down by Montgomery with a small detachment, and being joined by the inhabitants, sat down before the fort. They had only two six-pounders, and could have affected nothing had the fort been commanded by a man of bravery and resources. Such was not the character of its commander, who, after a siege of only a day and a half, surrendered the place with all its stores, which were of inestimable value to the invaders, who were upon the edge of giving up the siege of the fort, their ammunition being entirely exhausted. But the six tons of gunpowder, the seventeen cannon, mortars and muskets which fell into their hands, enabled them to carry on the siege of St. John's with renewed vigor. There was no excuse whatever for the conduct of Major Stopford in allowing these stores to fall into the hands of the Americans, as even had he not possessed the courage to defend the fort, he might before surrendering have thrown the whole of the ammunition into the river, upon which there was a safe sally port where he could have carried on the operation entirely unmolested by the enemy. The colors of the Seventh Regiment were captured and sent to Congress as the first trophy of the war. The siege of St. John's was now pushed on by Montgomery with vigor. Colonel McLean, with 800 Indians and Canadians, attempted to relieve it, crossing the St. Lawrence in small boats. On nearing the other bank, they were received by so heavy a fire by the Americans posted there that they were obliged to retire without effecting a landing. Provisions and ammunition were now running short in St. John's. There was no hope whatever of relief from the outside, and the officer commanding was therefore obliged to surrender on November 14 after a gallant defense. As there were only some fifty or sixty regulars in Montreal, General Carleton was unable to defend that town, and upon the news of the fall of St. John's he had once retired to Quebec, and Montreal was occupied by the Americans. In the meantime another expedition had been dispatched by the Americans under Arnold. This officer, with fifteen hundred men, had started for Quebec from a point one hundred thirty miles north of Boston. Suffering enormous fatigue and hardship, the force made its way up the river, passed rapids, cataracts, and through swamps they dragged and carried their boats and stores. They followed the bed of the river up to its source, and then, crossing the watershed, descended the Chadié and Dulup rivers on to the St. Lawrence, within a few miles of Quebec. This was a wonderful march, one scarcely equaled in the annals of military history. Crossing the St. Lawrence in canoes, Arnold encamped with his little force upon the heights of Abraham. Such a daring attempt could not have been undertaken had not the Americans been aware of the extreme weakness of the Garrison at Quebec, which consisted of only fifty men of the Seventh Regiment, two hundred forty of the Canadian militia, a battalion of seamen from the ships of war under the command of Captain Hamilton of the Lizard, two hundred fifty strong, and the colonial volunteers under Colonel McLean. The fortifications were in ruinous condition. It was fortunate that Colonel McLean, who had come from the Sorrel upon the surrender of St. John's by forced marches, arrived on the very day on which Arnold appeared before the city. Directly he arrived, Arnold attacked the city at the gate of St. Louis, but was sharply repulsed. He then desisted from active operations and awaited the arrival of Montgomery, who was marching down from Montreal. The flotilla in which Carlton was descending the river was attacked by the Americans, who came down the Sorrel and was captured with all the troops and military stores which it was bringing down. General Carlton himself escaped in a small boat under cover of night and reached Quebec. Captain Wilson's company had been attached to the command of Colonel McLean and with it arrived in Quebec in safety. Upon the arrival of Montgomery with his army, the city was summoned to surrender. A strong party in the town were favorable to the invaders, but General Carlton treated the summons with contempt and turned all the inhabitants who refused to join in the defense of the city outside the town. The winter had now set in earnest and the difficulties of the besiegers were great. Arnold's force had been much weakened by the hardships that they had undergone, Montgomery's by desertions. The batteries which they erected were overpowered by the fire of the defenders and the siege made no progress whatever. The men became more and more disaffected and mutinous. Many of them had nearly served the time for which they had enlisted and Montgomery feared that they would leave him when their engagement came to an end. He in vain tempted the besieged city to make a sally. Carlton was so certain that success would come by waiting that he refused to allow himself to hazard it by a sortie. The weather was fighting for him and the besiegers had before them only the alternatives of taking the place by storm or abandoning the siege altogether. They resolved upon a storm. It was to take place at daybreak on December 31. Montgomery determined to make four attacks, two false and two real ones. Colonel James Livingstone, with two hundred Canadians, was to appear before St. John's Gate and a party under Colonel Brown were to feign a movement against the upper town and from high ground there were to send up rockets as the signal for the real attacks to commence. That led by Montgomery from the south and that under Arnold from the northwest, both against the lower town. The false attacks were made too soon, the rockets being fired half an hour before the main columns reached their place of attack. The British were not deceived, but judging these attacks to be feints, left but a small party to oppose them and marched the bulk of their forces down toward the lower town. Their assistance however came too late, for before they arrived the fate of the attack was already decided. The Americans advanced under circumstances of great difficulty. A furious wind with cutting hail blew in their faces. The ground was slippery and covered with snow. Half an hour before the English supports arrived on the spot, Montgomery, with his leading company, reached the first barricade which was undefended. Passing through this, they pressed on toward the next. The road leading to it was only wide enough for five or six persons abreast. On one side was the river, on the other a steep cliff. In front was a log hut with loopholes for musketry and a battery of two three pounders. It was held by a party of thirty Canadians and eight militiamen under John Coffin, with nine sailors under Bairnsfeather, the captain of the transport to work the guns. Montgomery, with sixty men, pushed on at a run to carry the battery, but when within fifty yards Bairnsfeather discharged his pieces which were loaded with grapeshot with deadly aim. Montgomery, his aide de camp McPherson, Lieutenant Cheeseman and ten others fell dead at the first discharge and with them the soul of the expedition fled. The remaining officers endeavored to get the men to advance, but none would do so, and they fell back without losing another man. So completely cowed were they that they would not even carry off the bodies of their general and his companions. These were brought into Quebec next day and buried with the honors of war by the garrison. The force under Arnold was far stronger than that under Montgomery. The Canadian guard appointed to defend the first barrier fled at the approach, but the small body of sailors fought bravely and were all killed or wounded. Arnold was shot through the leg and disabled. Morgan, who commanded the advanced companies, led his men on and carried the second barrier after an obstinate resistance. They were attacking the third when McLean with his men from the upper town arrived. The British then took the offensive and drove the enemy back, and a party going round fell upon their rear. Fifty were killed in Arnold's column, four hundred taken prisoners, and the rest retreated in extreme disorder. Thus ended the assault upon Quebec, an assault which was all but hopeless from the first, but in which the Americans showed but little valor and determination. In fact throughout the war it may be said that the Americans, when fighting on the defensive behind trees and entrenchments, fought stubbornly, but that they were feeble in attack and wholly incapable of standing against British troops in the open. It would now have been easy for Carlton to have sallied out and taken the offensive, but he preferred holding Quebec quietly. He might have easily driven the Americans from their position before the walls, but with the handful of troops under his orders he could have done nothing toward carrying on a serious campaign in the open. Until spring came and the rivers were opened, no reinforcements could reach him from England, while the Americans could send any number of troops into Canada. Carlton, therefore, preferred to wait quietly within the walls of Quebec allowing the winter, hardships and disunion to work their natural effects upon the invaders. Arnold sent to Washington to demand ten thousand more troops with siege artillery. Several regiments were sent forward, but artillery could not be spared. Eight regiments entered Canada, but they found that, instead of meeting as they had expected an enthusiastic reception from the inhabitants, the population was now hostile to them. The exactions of the invading army had been great, and the feeling in favor of the English was now all but universal. On May 5 two frigates and a sloop of war made their way up the river to Quebec. The Americans endeavored to embark their second artillery above the town. Reinforced by the Marines, the garrisons sallied out and attacked the enemy, who fled with precipitation, leaving their provisions, cannon, five hundred muskets, and two hundred sick behind them. The British pursued them until they reached the mouth of the sorrel. The arrival of the fleet from England brought news of what had taken place since Captain Wilson's company had marched from Boston a short time after the Battle of Bunkers Hill. Immediately after the battle, the colonists had sent two deputies, Penn and Lee, with a petition to parliament for the restoration of peace. This petition was supported by a strong body in parliament. The majority, however, argued that, from the conduct of the Americans, it was clear that they aimed at unconditional, unqualified, and total independence. In all their proceedings they had behaved as if entirely separated from Great Britain. Their professions and petition breathed peace and moderation. Their actions and preparations denoted war and defiance. Every attempt that could be made to soften their hostility had been in vain. Their obstinacy was inflexible, and the more England had given in to their wishes, the more insolent and overbearing had their demands become. The stamp tax had been repealed, but their ill will had grown rather than abated. The taxation on imports had been entirely taken off, save on one small item. But, rather than pay this, they had accumulated arms and ammunition, seized cannon belonging to the king, and everywhere prepared for armed resistance. Only two alternatives remained for the British nation to adopt, either to coerce the colonists to submission or to grant them their entire independence. These arguments were well founded. The concessions which had been made had but encouraged the colonists to demand more. No good whatever would have come from entering into negotiation. There remained but the two alternatives. It would have been far better had Parliament, instead of deciding on coercion, withdrawn altogether from the colonies. For although hitherto the Americans had shown no great fighting qualities, it was clear that so small an army as England could spare could not permanently keep down so vast a country if the people were determined upon independence. They might win every battle, might overpower every considerable force gathered against them, but they could only enforce the king's authority over a mere fractional portion of so great an area. England, however, was unaccustomed to defeat. Her spirit in those days was proud and high, and by a large majority Parliament voted for a continuance of the war. The next step taken was one unworthy of the country. It tended still further to embitter the war, and it added to the strength of the party in favour of the colonists at home. Attempts were made by the government to obtain the services of large numbers of foreign troops. Negotiations were entered into with Russia, Holland, Hesse and other countries. Most of these proved ineffectual, but a considerable number of troops was obtained from Hesse. The news of these proceedings excited the Americans to renewed efforts. The force under Washington was strengthened, and he took possession of Dorchester Heights, commanding the town of Boston. A heavy cannonade was opened on the city. The British guns answered it, but the American position gave them an immense advantage. General Howe, who was in command, at first thought of attempting to storm the Heights, but the tremendous loss sustained at the Battle of Bunkers Hill deterred him from the undertaking. His supineness during the past four months had virtually lost the American colonies to England. He had under his command eight thousand troops, who could have routed with ease the undisciplined levies of Washington. Instead of leading his men out against the enemy, he had suffered them to be cooped up for months in the city, and had failed to take possession of the various Heights commanding the town. Had he done this, Boston might have resisted a force many times as strong as that which advanced against it, and there was now nothing left for the English but to storm the Heights with enormous loss or to evacuate the city. The first was the alternative which had been chosen when the Americans seized Bunkers Hill. The second was that which was now adopted. Having adopted this resolution, Howe carried it out in a manner which would in itself be sufficient to condemn him as a military leader. Nothing was done to destroy the vast stores of arms and ammunition, and two hundred and fifty pieces of cannon were left for the colonists to use against England. No steps were taken to warn ships arriving from England of the surrender of the town. The consequence was that, in addition to the vast amount of stores captured in the town, numbers of the British storeships fell into the hands of the Americans. Among them, a vessel which, in addition to carbines, bayonets, gun carriages, and other stores, had on board more than seventy tons of powder, while Washington's whole stock was all but exhausted. But worse even than this hurried and unnecessary abandonment of vast munitions of war was the desertion of the loyalist population. Boston was full of loyalists, among whom were many of the wealthier and better-born persons in the colony, who, from the commencement of the troubles, had left their homes, their fortunes, and their families to rally around the standard of their sovereign. The very least that Hau could have done for these loyal men would have been to have entered into some terms of capitulation with Washington, whereby they might have been permitted to depart to their homes and to the enjoyment of their property. Nothing of the sort was attempted, and the only choice offered to a loyalist was to remain in the town, exposed to certain insults and ill treatment, perhaps to death at the hands of the rebels, or to leave in the transports for England or Halifax, and to be landed here penniless and starving. Hau's conduct in this was on a piece with his behavior throughout the campaign, but he was little, if at all, inferior to the other generals, who vied with each other in incapacity and folly. Never in the whole history of England were her troops led by men so inefficient, so sluggish, and so incapable as those who commanded her armies in the American Revolutionary War. The first ships from England, which arrived at Quebec, were followed a few days later by the Niger and Triton, convoy transports with troops. The British now took the offensive in earnest. From the west, Captain Forster marched from Detroit, with forty men of the Eighth Regiment, one hundred Canadians, and some Indians, against a pass called the Cedars, situated fifteen leagues above Montreal. This was held by four hundred men with two cannons. As soon as the British force opened fire, the Americans surrendered. The following day Forster's force, advancing, came upon one hundred forty men under Major Sherburn, who were marching to reinforce the garrison at the Cedars. They were forced to retreat, and one hundred of them taken prisoners. Arnold, with seven hundred men, advanced against the British force. The British officer, fearing that in case of an attack the Indians with him might massacre the prisoners, released the whole of them, four hundred seventy-four in number, under the promise that an equal number of British prisoners would be returned. This engagement was shamefully broken by the Americans, who raised a number of frivolous excuses, among others, that prisoners taken by the British were ill treated. An accusation which excited the indignation of the prisoners themselves, some of whom wrote to members of Congress, stating that nothing could be kinder or more courteous than the treatment which they received. While Forster was advancing toward Montreal from the west, Carlton was moving up against the Americans at Sorrel from Quebec. At the death of Montgomery, Forster had taken the command of the main American force. He had been succeeded by Thompson, but the latter, dying of smallpox, Sullivan took his place. The new commander determined to take the offensive against the English, and dispatched a force of about two thousand men to attack General Fraser, who then held a post at a place called Three Rivers. A Canadian peasant brought news to General Fraser of the approach of the Americans, and as he had received reinforcements from below, he determined to anticipate their attack. His movements were completely successful. Some of the Americans fought well, but the rest dispersed with but little resistance. Two hundred were killed, and one hundred fifty taken prisoners. The rest succeeded in returning to Sorrel. The main body of the British army now came up the river in their ships, and as they approached Sorrel, Sullivan broke up his camp and retreated. At the same time, Arnold, who commanded at Montreal, evacuated the town and joined Sullivan's army at St. John's. Had the English pushed forward with any energy, the whole of the American army of invasion would have fallen into their hands. They were completely broken in spirits, suffering terribly from sickness, and were wholly incapable of making any defense. Burgoyne, who commanded the advance of the British army, moved forward very slowly, and the Americans were unable to take to their boats and cross, first to Isle-à-Noir, and then to Crown Point. An American historian, who saw them after they landed, says, At the sight of so much privation and distress, I wept until I had no more power to weep. I did not look into a tent or hut, in which I did not find either a dead or dying man. Of about five thousand men, full half were invalids. In little more than two months, they had lost by desertion and death more than five thousand men." Captain Wilson and his company were not present with the advance of the British troops. General Howe, after evacuating Boston, had sailed with his army to Halifax, there to wait until a large body of reinforcements should be sent in the spring from England. General Carlton had, in his dispatches, mentioned favorably the services which the little company of loyalists from Boston had performed, and Lord Howe wrote requesting that the company should be sent down by ship to Halifax, as he was about to sail from New York to undertake operations on a large scale, and should be glad to have with him a body of men accustomed to scouting and acquainted with the country. Accordingly, the company was embarked in a transport, and reached Halifax early in June. On the eleventh, they sailed with the army, and arrived at Sandy Hook on the twenty ninth. On July three, the army landed on Staten Island, opposite Long Island, and soon afterward, Lord Howe, brother of General Howe, arrived with the main army from England, raising the total force to nearly thirty thousand men. It consisted of two battalions of light infantry, two of Grenadiers, the fourth, fifth, tenth, seventeenth, and twenty-second, twenty-third, twenty-seventh, thirty-fifth, thirty-eighth, fortieth, forty-second, forty-third, forty-fourth, forty-fifth, forty-ninth, fifty-second, fifty-fifth, sixty-third, and sixty-fourth regiments of foot, part of the forty-sixth and seventy-first regiments, and the seventeenth regiment of light dragoons. There were besides two battalions of volunteers from New York, each one thousand strong. Had this force arrived, as it should have done three months earlier, it might have achieved great things. But the delay had enabled the Americans to make extensive preparations to meet the coming storm. Lord Howe brought with him a communication from Parliament, giving him and his brother full power to treat with the Americans on any terms which they might think fit. Upon his arrival, Lord Howe addressed a letter to Dr. Franklin, informing him of the nature of his communication, expressing hopes that he would find in America the same disposition for peace that he brought with him, and requesting his aid to accomplish the desired end. Dr. Franklin in answer informed Lord Howe that, quote, prior to the consideration of any proposition for friendship or peace, it would be required that Great Britain should acknowledge the independence of America, should defray the expense of the war, and identify the colonists for all damages committed, end, quote. After such a reply as this, Lord Howe had no alternative but to commence hostilities, which he did by landing the army in Gravesend Bay, Long Island. The enemy offered no opposition to the landing, but retreated at once, setting fire to all the houses and granaries, and taking up a position in the wooded heights which commanded the line by which the English must advance. The American main force, 15,000 Strong, was posted on a peninsula between Mill Creek and Wallabout Bay, and had constructed a strong line of entrenchments across the end of the peninsula. The entrenchments were strengthened by Abitus and flanked by strong redoubts. 5,000 remained to guard this post, and 10,000, under General Puttenham, advanced to hold the line of wooded hills which run across the island. In the center of the plain at the foot of these hills stood the village of Flatbush. The Hessian division of the British army, under General de Heister, advanced against this, while General Clinton, with the right wing of the English army, moved forward to attack the enemy's left. This force marched at nine o'clock at night on August 26, General Sir William Howe himself accompanied it. The line of hills trended away greatly to the left, and the enemy had neglected to secure the passes over the hills on this flank. Consequently, at nine o'clock in the morning, the British passed the range of hills without resistance, and occupied Bedford in its rear. Had Sir William Howe now pushed on vigorously, the whole of Puttenham's force would have been captured. In the meantime, the Hessians from Flatbush attacked the center of the Americans, and after a warm engagement, routed them and drove them into the woods with a loss of three pieces of cannon. On the British left, General Grant also advanced, and at midnight carried a strong pass on the enemy's left. Retiring, they held a still stronger position further back and offered a fierce resistance until the fires at Bedford showed that the English had obtained a position almost in their rear when they retreated precipitately. Sketch of the British position on Long Island. The victory was a complete one, but it had none of the consequences which would have attended it had the English pushed forward with energy after turning the American left. Six pieces of cannon were captured, and two thousand men killed or taken prisoners. The English lost seventy killed and two hundred thirty wounded. So impetuously did the English attack that even Sir William Howe admitted that they could have carried the entrenchments. He alleges he did not permit them to do so because he intended to take the position by regular approaches and wished therefore to avoid the loss of life which an immediate assault would have occasioned. On the twenty-seventh and twenty-eighth, regular approaches were commenced, but on the twenty-ninth, under cover of a fog, the Americans embarked in boats and succeeded in carrying the whole of their force without the loss of a man across to the mainland. The escape of this body of men was disgraceful in the extreme to the English commanders. They had a great fleet at their disposal, and had they placed a couple of frigates in the East River between Long Island and New York, the escape would have been impossible, and General Washington and his army of fifteen thousand men must have been taken prisoners. Whether this misfortune would have proved conclusive of the war, it is now too late to speculate, but so splendid an opportunity was never before let slip by in English general, and the negligence was the more inexcusable in as much as the fleet of boats could be seen lying alongside of the American position. Their purpose must have been known, and they could at any moment have been destroyed by the guns of a ship of war taking up its position outside them. Lord Howe dispatched the American General Sullivan, who had been taken prisoner on Long Island, to Congress, repeating his desire to treat. A committee of three members accordingly waited on Lord Howe, who informed them that it was the most ardent wish of the King and the Government of Great Britain to put an end to the dissatisfaction between the mother country and the colonists. To accomplish this desire, every act of Parliament which was considered obnoxious to the colonists should undergo a rebizal, and every just cause of complaint should be removed if the colonists would declare their willingness to submit to the authority of the British Government. The committee replied that it was not America which had separated herself from Great Britain, but Great Britain had separated herself from America. The latter had never declared herself independent until the former had made war upon her, and even if Congress were willing to place America in her former situation, it could not do so, as the Declaration of Independence had been made in consequence of the congregated voice of the whole people by whom alone it could be abolished. The country was determined not to return under the domination of England. The negotiations were therefore broken off. Lord Howe published a declaration to the people of America, giving the answer of the committee to his offer of reconciliation. He acquainted them with the fact that the parent country was willing to receive into its bosom and protection all who might be willing to return to their former obedience. In taking this step, Lord Howe was convinced that a majority of the inhabitants of America were still willing to enter into an accommodation of the differences between the two powers, and the conviction was not ill-founded. The declaration, however, produced but little effect for the dominant section that resolved to break off all connection with England, had acquired the sole management of affairs, and no offers which could possibly have been made would have been accepted by them. Convinced that all further negotiations would be ineffectual, Lord Howe prepared to carry his army across from Long Island to New York, where the American army had taken up their post after the retreat from Long Island. The armies were separated by the East River, with a breadth of about 1,300 yards. A cannonade was kept up for several days. On September 13 some ships of war were brought up to cover the passage. Washington, seeing the preparations, began to evacuate the city and to abandon the strong entrenchments which he had thrown up. At eleven o'clock on the morning of the fifteenth, the men of war opened a heavy fire, and Clinton's division, consisting of four thousand men in eighty-four boats, sailed up the river, landed on Manhattan Island at a place called Kipps Bay, and occupied the heights of Inklinburg, the enemy abandoning their entrenchments at their approach. General Washington rode toward Kipps Bay to take command of the troops stationed there, but found the men who had been posted at the lines running away, and the brigades which should have supported them, flying in every direction, heedless of the exertions of their generals. Puttinham's division of four thousand men was still in the lower city, and would be cut off, unless the British advance should be checked. Washington, therefore, made the greatest efforts to rally the fugitives and to get them to make a stand to check the advancing army, but in vain. For as soon as even small bodies of red coats were seen advancing, they'd grop and flood in panic. How, as usual, delayed giving orders for an advance, and thus permitted the whole of Puttinham's brigade, who were cut off and must have been taken prisoners, to escape unharmed. And thus, with comparatively little loss, the Americans drew off, leaving behind them only a few heavy cannon and some bayonets in stores. So rapid had been their flight at the approach of the English that only fifteen were killed, two men falling on the English side. CHAPTER IX THE SURPRISE OF TRENTON The Americans, finding that they were not pursued, rallied from their panic and took up a position at Harlem and Kingsbridge. So great was the disorganization among them that had the British advanced at once, they would have taken the place with scarcely any loss, strong as it was by nature and by the entrenchments which Washington had prepared. Great numbers deserted, disputes broke out between the troops of the various states, insubordination prevailed, and the whole army was utterly disheartened by the easy victories which the British had obtained over them. Washington reported the cowardice of his troops to Congress, who passed a law inflicting the punishment of death for cowardice. Before leaving New York, the Americans had made preparations for burning the whole town, but the speediness of their retreat prevented the preparations being carried into effect. Fire was set to it in several places, and a third of the town was destroyed. The position taken up by the enemy was so strong that it was determined to operate in the rear. Some readouts were thrown up to cover New York during the absence of the main part of the British force. A portion of the British army was landed at a point threatening the retreat of the Americans, and a series of skirmishes of no great importance took place. The enemy fell back from their most advanced works, but no general move was undertaken. Although, as the numbers on both sides were about even and the superior fighting powers of the English had been amply demonstrated, there could have been no doubt as to the result of a general battle. Lord Howe, however, wasted the time in a series of petty movements, which, although generally successful, had no influence upon the result and served only to enable the Americans to recover from the utter depression which had fallen upon them after the evacuation of Long Island and the loss of New York. Gradually, the Americans fell back across a country so swampy and difficult that it was now no longer possible to bring on a general action. Their retreat had the effect of isolating the important positions of Kingsbridge and Fort Washington. The latter post was of the utmost importance in as much as it secured the American intercourse with the Jersey Shore. The fortifications were very strong and stood upon rising and open ground. It was garrisoned by three thousand of the best American troops under the command of Colonel Maga. Washington was gradually withdrawing his army and had already given orders that Fort Washington should be evacuated, but General Lee, who was second in command, so strongly urged that it should be retained that, greatly against his own judgment, he was obliged to consent to its being defended, especially as Colonel Maga insisted that the fort could stand a siege. On the night of November 14 the British passed some troops across the creek and Lord Howe summoned the place to surrender on pain of the garrison being put to the sword. Maga had upon the previous day received large numbers of reinforcements and replied that he should defend the fort. Soon after daybreak on the 16th the artillery opened on both sides. Five thousand Hessians, under the command of General Niphausen, moved up the hill, penetrated some of the advanced works of the enemy and took post within a hundred yards of the fort. The second division, consisting of the guards and light infantry, with two battalions of Hessians and the thirty-third regiment, landed at Island Creek, and after some stiff fighting forced the enemy from the rocks and trees up the steep and rugged mountain. The third and fourth divisions fought their way up through similar defenses. So steep was the hill that the assailants could only climb it by grasping the trees and bushes, and so obstinate was the defense that the troops were sometimes mixed up to gather. The bravery and superior numbers of the British troops bore down all resistance, and the whole of the four divisions reached their places round the fort. They then summoned it to surrender, and its commander, after half an hour's consideration, seeing the impossibility of resisting the assault which was threatened, opened the gates. Upon the English side about eight hundred men were killed and wounded, of whom the majority were Hessians. These troops fought with extreme bravery. The American loss owing to their superior position was about one hundred fifty killed and wounded, but the prisoners taken amounted to over three thousand. On the eighteenth Lord Howe landed a strong body on the Jersey shore under Lord Cornwallis, who marched to Fort Lee and surprised it. A deserter had informed the enemy of his approach, and the garrison had fled in disorder, leaving their tents, provisions, and military stores behind them. Lord Cornwallis, pushing forward with great energy, drove the Americans out of New Jersey, another expedition occupied Rhode Island. Cold weather now set in, and the English went into winter quarters. Their success had been complete without a single check, and had they been led vigorously, the Army of Washington might on two occasions have been wholly destroyed. In such a case the moderate portion of the population of the colonists would have obtained a hearing, and a peace honorable to both parties might have been arrived at. The advantage gained by the gallantry of the British troops was, however, entirely neutralized by the lethargy and inactivity of their general, and the colonists had time given them to recover from the alarm which the defeat of their troops had given them to put another Army in the field and to prepare on a great scale for the coming campaign. The conduct of General Howe in allowing Washington's Army to retire almost unmolested was to the officers who served under him unaccountable. His arrangements for the winter were even more singularly defective. By the end of concentrating his troops he scattered them over a wide extent of country at a distance too great to support each other, and thus left it open to the enemy to crush them in detail. General Howe now issued a proclamation offering a free pardon to all who surrendered, and great numbers of colonists came in and made their submission. Even in Philadelphia the longing for peace was so strong that General Washington was obliged to send a force there to prevent the town from declaring for England. During the operations which had taken place since the landing of the British troop on Long Island, Captain Wilson's company had taken but little part in the operations. All had been straightforward work and conducted on the principles of European warfare. The services of the volunteers as scouts had not therefore been called into requisition. The success which at first attended the expedition had encouraged Captain Wilson to hope for the first time since the outbreak of the Revolution that the English might obtain such decisive successes that the colonists would be willing to accept some propositions of peace such as those indicated by Lord Howe, a repeal of all obnoxious laws, freedom from any taxation except that imposed by themselves, and a recognition of the British authority. When he saw that Lord Howe, instead of actively utilizing the splendid force at his disposal, frittered away in minor movements and allowed Washington to withdraw with his beaten army unmolested, his hopes again faded, and he felt that the colonists would in the long run succeed in gaining all that they contended for. When the army went into winter quarters, the company was ordered to take post on the Delaware. There were four frontier posts at Trenton, Bordentown, Whitehorse and Burlington. Trenton, opposite to which lay Washington with the main body of his army, was held by only 1200 Hessians, and Bordentown, which was also on the Delaware, was like Trenton garrisoned by these troops. No worse choice could have been made. The Hessians were brave soldiers, but their ignorance of the language and of the country made them particularly unsuitable troops for outpost work, as they were unable to obtain any information. As foreigners, too, they were greatly disliked by the country people. Nothing was done to strengthen these frontier posts, which were left wholly without redoubts or entrenchments into which the garrison could withdraw in case of attack. Captain Wilson's little company were to act as scouts along the line of frontier. Their headquarters were fixed at Bordentown, where Captain Wilson obtained a large house for their use. Most of the men were at home at work of this kind, and Peter Lampton, Ephraim and the other frontiersmen were dispatched from time to time in different directions to ascertain the movements and intentions of the enemy. Harold asked his father to allow him, as before, to accompany Peter. The inactivity of a life at a quiet little station was weary some, and with Peter he was sure of plenty of work with a chance of adventure. The life of exercise and activity, which he had led for more than a year, had strengthened his muscles and widened his frame, and he was now able to keep up with Peter, however long and tiresome the day's work might be. Jake, too, was of the party. He had developed into an active soldier, and although he was but of little use for scouting purposes, even Peter did not object to his accompanying him, for the negro's unfailing good temper and willingness to make himself useful had made him a favorite with the scout. The weather was now setting in, exceedingly cold. The three men had more than once crossed the Delaware in a canoe and scouted in the very heart of the enemy's country. They were now sitting by the bank, watching some drifting ice upon the river. There won't be many more passages of the river by water, Peter remarked. Another ten days and it'll be frozen across. Then we can cross on foot, Peter. Yes, we can do that, the scout said, and so can the enemy. If their general has got any enterprise with him, and if he can get them chaps as he calls soldiers to fight, he'll be crossing over one of these knights and capturing the hull of them Hessians at Trenton. What general Howe means by leaving them there is more nor I can think. He might as well have sent so many babies. The critters can fight and fight well, too, than their good soldiers. But what's the good of them in a frontier post? They know nothing of the country. They can't speak to the people, nor ask no questions, nor find out nothing about what's doing the other side of the river. They air no more than mere machines. What was wanted was two or three battalions of light troops who would make friends with the country people and learn all that's doing opposite. If the Americans are sharp, they'll give us lots of trouble this winter, and you'll find there won't be much sitting quiet for us at Bordentown. Fortunately, Bordentown and Trenton ain't far apart, and one garrison ought to be able to arrive to the assistance of the other before it's overpowered. We shall see. Now I propose that we cross again tonight and try and find out what the enemy's doing. Then we can come back and manage for you to eat your Christmas dinner with your father, as you seem to have bent your mind upon that, though why it matters about dinner one day more than another, is more nor I can see. That night the three scouts crossed the river in the canoe. Avoiding all houses, they kept many miles straight on beyond the river and lay down for a few hours before morning dawned. Then they turned their faces the other way and walked up to the first farmhouse they saw. Can we have a drink of milk? the hunter asked. You can, the farmer replied, and some breakfast if you like to pay for it. At first I was glad to give the best I had to those who came along, but there have been such numbers going one way and the other, either marching to join the army or running away to return to their homes that I should be ruined if I gave to all comers. We're ready to pay, Peter said, drawing some money from his pocket. Then come in and sit down. In a few minutes an excellent breakfast was put before them. You are on your way to join the army, of course, the farmer asked. Just that, Peter replied, we think it's about our time to do a little shooting, though I don't suppose there'll be much done till the spring. I don't know, the farmer said. I should not be surprised if the general wakes up them Germans when the Delaware gets frozen. I heard some talk about it from some men who came past yesterday. Their time was expired, they said, and they were going home. I hear, too, that they are gathering a force down near Mount Holly, and I reckon that they are going to attack Borden Town. Is that so? Peter asked. In that case we might as well tramp in that direction. It don't matter a cornchuck to us where we fight, so as it's soon. We've come to help lick those British and we means to do it. Ah, the farmer said. I have heard that sentiment a good many times, but I have not seen much come of it yet. So far it seems to me as the licking has been all the other way. That's so, Peter agreed. But everyone knows that the Americans are just the bravest people on the face of the habitable earth. I reckon their danders not fairly up yet, but when they begin in earnest you'll see what they'll do. The farmer gave a grunt which might mean anything. He had no strong sympathies either way, and the conduct of the numerous deserters and disbanded men who had passed through his neighborhood had been far from impressing him favorably. I don't pretend to be strong either for the Congress or the King. I don't want to be taxed, but I don't see why the colonists should not pay something toward the expenses of the government. And now that Parliament seems willing to give all we ask for, I don't see what we want to go on fighting for. Well, Peter exclaimed in a tone of disgust, you're one of the half-hearted ones. I am like a great majority of the people of this country. We are of English stock, and we don't want to break with the old country. But the affairs have gotten to the hands of the preachers and the newspaper men and the chaps that want to push themselves forward and make their pile out of the war. As I read it, it's just the Civil War in England over again. We were all united at the first against what we considered as tyranny on the part of the Parliament, and now we have gone setting up demands which no one dreamed of at first, and which most of us object to now, only we have no longer the control of our own affairs. The great heart of this country beats for freedom, Peter Lampton said. Who, said the farmer contemptuously, the great heart of the country wants to work its farms and do its business quietly. The English general has made fair offers, which might well be accepted. And as for freedom, there was no tyranny greater than that of the New England States. As long as they managed their own affairs, there was neither freedom of speech nor religion. No, sir, what they call freedom was simply the freedom to make everyone else do and think like the majority. Well, we won't argue it out, Peter said, for I'm not good at argument, and I came here to fight and not to talk. Besides, I want to get to Mount Holly in time to dine in this battle, so I guess we'll be moving. Paying for the breakfast, they started at once in the direction of Mount Holly, which lay some twenty-five miles away. As they approached the place early in the afternoon, they overtook several men going in the same direction. They entered into conversation with them, but could only learn that some four hundred fifty of the militia from Philadelphia and the counties of Gloucester and Salem had arrived on the spot. The men whom they had overtaken were armed countrymen who were going to take a share in the fight on their own account. Entering the place with the others, Peter found that the information given him was correct. We better be out of this at once, he said to Harold, and make for Borden Town. You don't think that there is much importance in the movement, Harold said as they tramped along. There ain't no importance whatever, Peter said, and that's what I want to tell them. They're never thinking of attacking the two thousand Hessians at Borden Town with that ragged lot. But what can they have assembled them for within twelve miles of the place? Harold asked. It seems to me, the hunter replied, that it's just a trick to draw the Germans out from Borden Town and sew away from Trenton. At any rate, it's well that the true account of the force here should be known. These things gets magnified, and they may think that there's a whole army here. It was getting dusk when they entered Borden Town, and Harold was glad when he saw the little town, for since sunset on the evening before, they had tramped nearly sixty miles. The place seemed singularly quiet. They asked the first person they met what had become of the troops, and they were told that Colonel Dunnop, who commanded, had marched an hour before with his whole force of two thousand men toward Mount Holly, leaving only eighty men in garrison at Borden Town. We are too late, Harold said. They have gone by the road, and we kept straight through the woods, and so missed them. Well, I hope no harm will come of it. I suppose they mean to attack at daylight, and in course that rabble will run without fighting. I hope when the Colonel seizes how there's no enemy they're worth speaking of, he'll march straight back again. Unfortunately, this was not the case. The militia, according to their orders, had once dispersed when their outposts told them of the approach of the British, but the German officer, instead of returning instantly, remained for two days near Mount Holly, and so gave time to Washington to carry out his plans. Captain Wilson's company had gone out with the force, and Peter and his companions had the house to themselves that night. Harold slept late, being thoroughly fatigued by his long march the day before, carrying his rifle, blanket, and provisions. Peter woke him at last. Now, youngen, you've had a good sleep. It's eleven o'clock. I'm off to Trenton to see what's doing there. Will you go with me, or will you stop here on the chance of eating your dinner with your father? Oh, it's Christmas day, Harold said, stretching. Well, what do you think, Peter? Are they likely to come back or not? They ought to be back. There's no doubt about that. But whether they will or not is a different affair altogether. I've never seen them hurry themselves yet, not since the war began. Things would have gone a good deal better if they had, but time never seems of no consequence to them. They marched twelve miles last night, and I reckon it's likely they'll halt today and won't be back till tomorrow. I feel uneasy in my mind about the whole affair, for I can't see a single reason for the enemy sending that weak force to Mount Holly, unless it was to draw away the troops from here, and the only motive there could be for that would be because they intend to attack Trenton. Very well, Peter, I will go with you. Accompanied by Jake, they set out at once for Trenton. On arriving there, they found no particular signs of vigilance. Since the Hessians had reached Trenton, their discipline had much relaxed. A broad river separated them from the enemy, who were known to be extremely discontented and disorganized. They had received instruction on no account to cross the river to attack the colonials, and the natural consequence of this forced inactivity had manifested itself. Discipline was lax, and but a slight watch was kept on the movements of the enemy across the stream. Ignorant of the language of the people, they were incapable of distinguishing between those who were friendly and those who were hostile to the crown, and they behaved as if in a conquered country, taking such necessaries as they required without payment, and even sending parties to a considerable distance on plundering expeditions. Peter, on his arrival, proceeded to the headquarters of Colonel Rail, who was in command, an officer of great bravery and energy. One of his officers was able to speak English, and to him Peter reported the departure of the force from Borden Town, of which Colonel Rail was already aware, and the weakness of the American force at Mount Holly. He stated also his own belief that it was merely a faint to draw off Colonel Dunnop, and that preparatory to an attack on Trenton. The officer treated the information lightly, and pointing to the mass of ice floating down the river, asked whether it would be possible for boats to cross. When the river freezes, he said, there may be some chance of attack, till then we are absolutely safe. Peter, shaking his head, rejoined his companions, and told them of the manner in which his advice had been received. But it would be difficult to cross the river, Harold said. Look at the masses of ice on the water. It would be difficult, the hunter admitted, but not by no manner of means impossible. Determined men could do it. Well, I've done my duty and can do no more. If the night passes off quietly, we'll cross again before daybreak and go right into the Yankee camp, and see what they're up to. Now, Harold, you can take it easy till nightfall. There's not to be learned till then, and as we shall be on foot all night, you may as well sleep today. Returning to a spot on the banks of the river at a short distance from the town, they made a fire on which Jake cooked some steaks of venison they had procured. After smoking a pipe, the hunter set the example by stretching himself on the ground near the fire and going to sleep. Used as he was to night marches, he had acquired the faculty of going to sleep at any hour at will. Jake and Harold were some time before they followed his example, but they too were at last asleep. At sunset they were on their feet again, and after taking supper proceeded along the river. The night passed off quietly, and Harold became convinced that his companions' fears were unfounded. Toward morning he suggested that it was time to be crossing the river. I'm not going yet, the hunter said. Before I start, we'll go down to Trenton Ferry a mile below the town. If they come over at all, it's likely enough to be there. There'll be time then to get back and cross before it's light. It's six o'clock now. They kept along the road by the river until they were within a quarter of a mile of the ferry. Presently they saw a dark mass ahead. Jerusalem, Peter exclaimed, there they are. They immediately discharged their rifles and ran back at full speed to the outposts, which were but a quarter of a mile from the town. The Americans had also pressed forward at full speed, and the outposts which had been alarmed by the discharge of the rifles were forced at once to abandon the post and to run into the town whether they had on hearing the rifles already sent in one of their number with the news. Here all was in confusion. The Hessian leader was trying to collect his troops who were hurrying in from their quarters, but many of them thought more of storing their plunder away in the wagons than of taking their places in the ranks. Washington had crossed with 2,500 men and a few field pieces, and upon gaining the Jersey side had divided his troops into two detachments, one of which marched by the riverside, the other by an upper road. Hurrying forward they surrounded the town and placing their field pieces in the road opened fire on the astonished Hessians. Rail had by this time succeeded in assembling the greater part of his force and charged the Americans with his usual courage. He received, however, a mortal wound as he advanced. His troops immediately lost heart and finding their retreat cut off at once surrendered. The body of Hessian light horse succeeded in making their escape. The casualties were few on either side, but 1,000 prisoners were taken. Two other divisions of the Americans had attempted to cross, the one at Bordentown, the other at Mackenzie's Ferry, but both had failed owing to the quantity of floating ice. Washington retired across the Delaware the same afternoon. The consequences of this success were great. The spirits of the Americans, which had fallen to the lowest ebb and consequence of the uninterrupted series of defeats, rose greatly. They found that the British were not invincible, and that, if unable to oppose them in great battles, they might at least inflict heavy losses on them and weary them out with skirmishes and surprises. The greatest joy ranged throughout the various states. Fresh levies were ordered, the voices of the moderate party which had been gaining strength were silenced, and the determination to continue the war vigorously was in the ascendancy. The lesson given at Trenton was wholly lost upon the English commander-in-chief. Instead of it once ordering General Leslie to advance from Princeton and to hold the enemy in check by reoccupying and fortifying Trenton, he allowed Colonel Donop to abandon Bordentown and to fall back to Princeton, thus laying it open to Washington to cross the Delaware again and carry the war into New Jersey. Washington, after waiting eight days, seeing the indecision and ineptitude of the British general, again crossed with four thousand men and occupied Trenton. Peter Lampton and his two companions were not among the prisoners taken at Trenton. On entering the town, Harold was about to join the Hessians assembling under Colonel Rail, but Peter gave a violent tug to his coat. Come along, youngen, he said. The darned fools have let themselves be caught in a trap, and they'll find there's no way out of it. In ten minutes the Americans will be all around the place, and as I don't wish to spend a year or two in a Yankee prison at present, I'm going to make tracks at once. Fighting aren't no good now. Men who'll let themselves be caught in a trap like this will never be able to cut their way out of it. Come on! Against his will Harold yielded to Peter's wishes, and the three kept straight on through the town by the riverside and issued into the country beyond before the Americans had surrounded it. A minute or two after leaving the town, the light horse galloped past. There are some more out of the hole, and I reckon that's about all. There, do you hear the guns? The Yankees have brought their artillery over. I reckon the fight won't last long. For two or three minutes there was a roar of musketry, then this suddenly ceased. I thought as much, Peter said. They've surrendered. If they had only kept together and fought well, they should have cut their way through the enemy. Lord, what poor things regular soldiers are in the dark. A frontiersman would just as soon fight in the dark as in the light. But here are the men who climbed up the hill to Fort Washington, and that was no child's play, no better nor a pack of women when they're attacked half asleep and half awake just as day is breaking. The three comrades walked to Bordentown, which they were relieved to find had not been attacked. A few miles beyond this place, they met Colonel Dunnop marching back at full speed with his corps, having received the news of the disaster at Trenton from the horsemen who had fled. They joined their company and marched to Princeton. A fortnight later, Lord Cornwallis, with his forces at Brunswick under General Grant, advanced to Princeton and then moved forward to attack the army at Trenton. General Washington, on his approach, retired from the town and, crossing a rivulet at the back of it, took post on some high ground there, with the apparent intention of defending himself against an attack. It was late in the afternoon, and a heavy cannonade was kept up till night time. Lord Cornwallis determined to attack next morning. At two in the morning, Washington retired suddenly, leaving his fires burning. Quitting the main road, he made a long circuit through Allentown and marched with all speed towards Princeton, which place he intended to surprise. When Lord Cornwallis advanced, he had left the 17th, 40th, and 55th regiments there. On arriving at Trenton, he had sent word back for the 17th and 55th to advance to Maidenhead, a village halfway between Princeton and Trenton. Colonel Mahood, who commanded, marched at daylight, but scarcely had he started when he met Washington advancing with his army. The morning was foggy, and it was at first supposed that the enemy were a body of British troops marching back to Princeton, but it was soon found that the force was a hostile one. Its strength could not be seen on account of the fog, and he determined to engage it. Possessing himself of some high ground, he sent his wagons back to Princeton and ordered the 40th Regiment to come out to his assistance. As the Americans advanced, the artillery on both sides opened fire. The leading columns of the colonists soon showed signs of disorder. The 17th Regiment fixed bayonets, and with great gallantry charged the enemy in front of them, driving them back with considerable slaughter. And so far did they advance that they were separated from the other battalions, and cutting their way through the American force, the Regiment pursued its march to Maidenhead. The 40th and 55th fought stoutly, but were unable to make their way through the American force and fell back to Brunswick, while the Americans occupied Princeton. At daybreak Lord Cornwallis discovered the retreat of the American army, and being apprehensive for the safety of Brunswick, where great stores of the army were accumulated, marched with all haste toward that town. Brigadier Matthew, the officer commanding there on hearing of the approach of the enemy, had once dispatched the store wagons toward the rear and drew up his small command to defend the place to the last. The gallant resistance before Princeton had delayed the Americans so long that the van of the army of Cornwallis was already close to their rear as they approached Brunswick. Seeing this, Washington abandoned his design on that town and crossed the Millstone River, breaking down the bridge at Kingston to stop pursuit. Washington now overran East and West Jersey, penetrated into Essex County, and making himself master of the country opposite to Staten Island, thus regained almost all the district which the English had taken from him in the autumn. All this greatly heightened the spirit and courage of the Americans, while the loyalists and the English troops were disheartened and disgusted at seeing an army of 30,000 fine troops kept inactive, while the enemy with but 4,000 men who were wholly incapable of opposing an equal number of British troops were allowed to wander unchecked to attack and harass the British pickets and to utilize the whole of the resources of their country. Had General Howe entertained a fixed desire to see English authority overthrown in America, he could not have acted in a manner more calculated to carry those wishes into effect.