first boat to make proper disposition
of the brigades as they arrive? I shall come over after the first
division has passed. Then General Sullivan, and lastly our friend
General Knox with his artillery. I expect we shall have to wait for
him. Well, we cannot dispense with either him or the guns."

"You won't have to wait any longer than is absolutely necessary to get
the guns and horses over, general."

"I know that, Knox, I know that. Now, gentlemen, forward! and may God
bless you!"

In a few moments the terrible passage began.

CHAPTER XXIV

_Crossing the Delaware_

The men, divided into small squads, marched down to the boats,--large
unwieldy scows, which had been hauled up against the shore,--and each
boat was speedily filled to its utmost capacity. The most experienced
seized the oars; three or four Marblehead fishermen armed with long
poles took their stations forward and aft along the upper side of the
boat, with one to steer and one to command; and then, seizing a
favorable opportunity, the boat was pushed off from the shore, and
threading its way in and out between the enormous ice-cakes grinding
down upon her, the difficult and dangerous passage began. Should the
heavily laden boat be overturned, very few of its occupants would be
able to reach the shore. Once on the other side, the fishermen took
the boat back, and the weary process was gone over again. Fortunately
it was yet bright moonlight, though ominous clouds were banking up in
the northeast, and everything could be clearly seen; each boat was
perfectly visible all the way across to the eager watchers on the
shore, and a sigh of relief went up after each fortunate passage. In
this labor Seymour and Bentley, and in a less degree Philip Wilton,
aided Colonel Glover's men; Seymour having the helm of one boat
continuously, Bentley that of another.

About half-past nine it was reported to General Washington that all of
the first division had crossed, and the boat was now ready for him
according to his orders. The largest and best boat had been selected
for the commander-in-chief, one sufficiently capacious to receive his
horses and those of his staff who accompanied him. Seymour was to
steer the boat; Bentley stood in the bow; Colonel Glover stationed
himself amidships, with three or four of his trustiest men, to
superintend the crossing, and all the oars were manned by the hardy
fishermen instead of the soldiers. The general dism