left the camp of the
American army far behind, and pushed on for the Delaware. We crossed it
some way up, for the British forces were now in possession of both banks
for a considerable distance above Philadelphia. That city remained
entirely in their hands. An attack had, however, I found from Spinks,
been planned by the American generals to re-take it, but had been
abandoned by Washington on account of the great loss of life it would
have entailed.

In spite, however, of the general want of success of the patriots in the
south, their spirits were raised, and their determination increased, to
hold out by news of the surrender of General Burgoyne and his entire
army to General Gates at Saratoga, as well as of the evacuation of
Ticonderoga, and several forts on the Hudson, and the abandonment of a
marauding expedition up that river from New York. We succeeded in
crossing the Delaware without impediment; but we had no little
difficulty, at times, to avoid falling in with the troops of the
contending parties. Once or twice we had to gallop very hard to get out
of their way. As Spinks observed, "It would be very disagreeable to be
hung up as spies before we had time to explain who we were." In spite
of his weakness, he, poor fellow, bore up manfully, and I was truly
sorry to part from him. At length we came in sight of Little Egg River,
and, to my very great satisfaction, I caught a glimpse of the tender,
directly opposite Mr Plowden's house. I rode up to the door to restore
him his horses, and to return him my thanks for their loan. He most
kindly pressed me to remain a day with him, but I was anxious to be on
board my vessel and once more at sea. Three cheers greeted me as I got
alongside. Not a man had deserted, and Grampus gave me a favourable
account of the behaviour of all hands. The tide and wind were fair for
us. The anchor was hove up and sail was made. It was fortunate that I
had not delayed. Scarcely were we under weigh when, through my glass, I
saw a considerable body of troops with some light artillery march down
to the beach. I doubted much whether Mr Plowden could have protected
me. One or two shots came flying after us to make us heave-to, but the
wind freshened. The little vessel glided swiftly on, till once more she
bounded freely over the blue ocean. As I inhaled the fresh sea air I
felt happier than I had done for many a day. I trimmed sails and stood
away to the northward to rejoin t