Before he could get to Albany their number might
exceed his, and then what? Unless Great Britain could send a new
army or a fleet to support him, he must meet the fate of
Burgoyne. Prevost proposed to take no such chances and the night
of the 11th eight hours after MacDonough's victory, he gave the
order "Retire to Canada."
To hide the move as long as possible, no change was made till
after sundown; no hint was given to the beleaguered town; they
must have no opportunity to reap the enormous advantages, moral
and material, of harrying a retreating foe. They must arise in
the morning to find the enemy safely over the border. The plan
was perfect, and would have been literally carried out, had not
he had to deal with a foe as clever as himself.
How eagerly Rolf took in the scene on Chazy Road; how much it
meant! how he longed to fly at his fastest famous speed with the
stirring news. In two hours and a half he could surely let his
leader know. And he gazed with a sort of superior pride at the
martial pomp and bravery of the invaders driven forth.
Near the last was a gallant array of gentlemen in gorgeous
uniforms of scarlet and gold; how warlike they looked, how
splendid beside the ill-clad riflemen of Vermont and the rude
hunters of the Adirondacks.
Pages:
441
442
443
444
445
446
447
448
449
450
451
452
453
454
455
456
457
458
459
460
461
462
463
464
465