“They will have to hurry then, for the red-coats are coming again.”
“And here are the boys,” was the laughing reply as the lads arrived.
The Continentals kept within their camp until their foes were close upon them, then, springing out, drove them back to the position they had occupied earlier in the day.
It was, however, not an easy task, and night came by the time it was accomplished, putting an end to the conflict. The Continentals withdrew to their entrenchments; the British lay on the battlefield. Both parties claimed the victory; but the British had failed to force their way to Albany, while the Americans held their ground. It was, therefore, a drawn battle, in which the losses of the Yankees were less than three hundred, while those of the king’s troops were more than five hundred.
CHAPTER XV.
THE CHANCE MEETING.
On the following morning the British retreated to their old camping ground, and thus each army occupied precisely the same position it did prior to the battle, but with the difference that one was disheartened, and the other was encouraged.
“It is clear we have Burgoyne in our power,” Colonel Arnold said to a group of fellow officers, as he watched the movements of the red-coats.
For a brief time there was no response, and then Colonel Morgan replied in a low tone:
“He would be, if Schuyler was our commander. When I remember that General Gates did not appear on the field at any time yesterday, it makes my blood boil.”
“It appears as if some one else is expected to do the work, while he reaps the reward,” another said.