S4 NATURAL AND CIVIL 



his vessel, though shattered and almost torn t(^ 

 pieces. 



The result of this action had been in favor of 

 the British, but less so than they expected. 

 Their fofce, in every respect, was double to 

 that of the Americans, and ihey did not suspect 

 that they would dare to dispute with them for 

 the naval superiority on the lake ; but they had 

 met with an animirted opposition, and considerable 

 loss ; two of their gondolas were sunk, and one 

 blown up with sixty men. The Americans had 

 one of their schooners burnt, and a gondola 

 3unk, and several, of their vessels much injured. 

 Arnold thouefh resolute and ambitious in the 

 highest degree, was convinced that the British 

 force was so much superiour to his own that it 

 couid not be attacked with any prospect or suc- 

 cess, and: must in the event prevail. His en- 

 deavour now was to draw off his yessels, and 

 ■under cover of the night to make a safe retreat 

 to Tyconderoga. This measure was plannec] 

 .and executed with ability, and so far succeeded 

 that the next morning his vessels were out of 

 ^^ght of the British. Fearful of loosing a deci- 

 sive victory, ^le British commenced the chase 

 the next day, and one of the American gondo- 

 las ^as overtaken and Ciiptured. On the thir- 

 tcerjth of October the wind pro\'ed favon:ble 

 to the British ; they renewed the chase \'\ith 

 much vigor, and about noon overtook the Amef- 

 ican vessels, a few leagues from Crown Point. 

 A warm engagement Ensued ; the British pres- 

 sed on with energy and resolution, and the A- 

 mericiins mi.de a desparate resistance. The 

 Washington galley, commanded by general 



