The British loss was 140 killed and wounded; 300
Americans were killed, wounded, or taken prisoners. The fleet attacked
the American squadron on the river and entirely destroyed it. Beyond
sending a flying squadron up the river to destroy the enemy's boats and
stores of provisions, nothing further could be done to effect a
diversion in favor of General Burgoyne.
Four days after Harold's arrival at Ticonderoga the news of the
surrender of General Burgoyne reached the place. Upon the following day
he suggested to Peter Lambton that they should visit the clearing of the
ex-soldier Cameron and see whether their interference had saved him and
his family. Upon arriving at the spot whence Harold had fired the shot
which had brought discovery upon them, they saw a few charred stumps
alone remaining of the snug house which had stood there. In front of it,
upon the stump of a tree, Cameron himself was sitting in an attitude of
utter depression.
They walked across the clearing to the spot, but although the sound of
their footsteps must have reached his ear, the man did not look up until
Harold touched him on the shoulder.
"What has happened?" he asked. "Who has done this ruin?"
The man still remained with his head bent down, as if he had not heard
the question.
"We had hoped that you had escaped," Harold went on. "We were hidden in
the wood when we saw those ruffians drive your wife and daughter out,
and it was the shot from my rifle that killed their leader and brought
them down on us; and a narrow escape we had of it; but we hoped that we
had diverted them from their determination to kill you and your family.
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