On October 7th they fought a battle, which the British technically claimed as a victory, as they were not driven from their position, but it left them virtually hemmed in without a line of escape.

Burgoyne waited several days irresolute.

He hoped that something favorable to him might turn up.

He had a lurking hope that General Clinton was near by, coming to his rescue.

He wavered, gallant though he was, and would not give the final order of desperation--to cut their way through the enemy lines.