So, while the wind continued contrary, the plundering and the
destruction continued. Before long the seashore dwellers might do their
share of rescue, as the articles which were thrown into the
harbor--"mahogany chairs, tables, etc.," records Abigail Adams--were
cast up on the beaches. But one by one the transports filled and dropped
down the harbor, until at last Washington grew impatient, and on the
night of the 16th made his last move. Though the British, aware of the
attempt, fired with their remaining guns all night at Nook's Hill, the
Americans doggedly entrenched without returning a shot, and in the
morning showed a finished redoubt. It was, as Trevelyan well says,
Washington's notice to quit.

Howe meekly accepted it. "At 4 o'clock in the Morn.," writes Lieutenant
Barker, "the troops got under arms, at 5 they began to move, and by
about 8 or 9 were all embarked, the rear being covered by the Grenadiers
and Light Infantry." The ships sailed down the channel, no shot was
fired from the American batteries, and in return the _Fowey_, the last
of the fleet, which Howe had threatened should fire the town before she
departed, carried away with her her "carcases and combustibles," and
Boston stood free and unharmed.

In half an hour the Americans were in possession. From Roxbury a company
of five hundred, picked for the service because they had had the
smallpox, entered the British lines, and manned the fortifications which
looked toward the harbor. In the redoubt at Bunker Hill sentries
appeared to be still doing their duty; but two men who were sent to
reconnoitre found them to be dummies, and signalled their companions to
follow them. General Putnam was given command of the town, from entering
which the army in general, and all civilians, were prohibited until it
was ascertained whether there was danger of smallpox.

Washington's other measures were decisive. He directed Manly, admiral of
his little squadron, to follow the British fleet and cut off as many
vessels as possible. One result of this order gave the greatest
satisfaction. "The brave Captain Manly," wrote Andrews, "has taken the
Brig that contained that _cursed_ villain, Crean Brush, with great part
of the plunder he rob'd the stores of here, that I immagine she must be
the richest vessell in the fleet." Other ships were either similarly
taken, or were forced to put ashore from lack of provision or of
preparation.

Another of Washington's moves was to d