trees across the paths, and destroying the communications. Scarcely
could the army advance a mile in a day, and it was the end of July
before it arrived on the Hudson.

On the approach of the British, the enemy quitted Fort Edward, and
retreated to Saratoga. All kinds of provisions and stores had already
reached Fort George; but the means of transport were lamentably
deficient, and the impossibility of bringing up supplies compelled the
army to a fatal inaction. On the 15th of August, after a fortnight's
incessant exertion, there were only four days' provisions in store.

Meantime, the enemy was daily becoming stronger. The conduct of the
savages had roused the whole country; and the British bore the odium of
excesses which the General could not prevent, and dared not punish. The
loyalists could not remain near the army, for they were almost equally
exposed to the cruelties of the savages, who spared neither age nor sex.
Others, who would have gladly staid at home, found that their only
safety was to take arms, and join the camp. Thus the British were left
without a friend in the country, while the American commanders, who took
every advantage of these atrocities, were soon at the head of an army
more numerous and formidable than that which had been dispersed.

General Arnold was sent to command the force at Saratoga. He drew it
back to Stillwater, a township about twelve miles down the Hudson, that
he might check Colonel St. Leger, who, with 700 or 800 men, was
besieging Fort Stanwix, on the Mohawk, and had given a severe defeat to
a party sent to relieve it. General Burgoyne, desiring to effect a
junction with St. Leger, moved down the east bank of the Hudson to
Saratoga, where he threw a bridge of rafts over the river, and crossed
an advanced corps. Being almost destitute of supplies, and too weak to