The cannon roared louder and louder, though less continuously, as
another hour passed. Now they could see the vessels only four
miles away. The jets of smoke were intermittent from the guns;
masts went down. They could see it plainly. The rowers only set
their lips and rowed and rowed and rowed.
Sir George had reckoned on but one obstacle in his march to
Albany, an obstruction named MacDonough; but he now found there
was another called Macomb.
It was obviously a waste of men to take Plattsburg by front
assault, when he could easily force a passage of the river higher
up and take it on the rear; and it was equally clear that when
his fleet arrived and crushed the American fleet, it would be a
simple matter for the war vessels to blow the town to pieces,
without risking a man.
Already a favouring wind had made it possible for Downie to leave
Isle au Noix and sail down the lake with his gallant crew, under
gallant canvas clouds.
Tried men and true in control of every ship, out- numbering
MacDonough, outweighing him, outpointing him in everything but
seamanship, they came on, sure of success.
Three chief moves were in MacDonough's strategy.
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