They had him now surely in their grip.

There could be no mistake this time, and there was therefore no need of a forced march.

But they had not yet learned that to Washington even hours meant much, and when, after duly resting, they reached the Delaware, they found the Americans on the other side, and all the boats destroyed for a distance of seventy miles.
It was winter now, the short gray days had come, and with them piercing cold and storms of sleet and ice.

It seemed as if the elements alone would finally disperse the feeble body of men still gathered about the commander-in-chief.

Congress had sent him blank commissions and orders to recruit, which were well meant, but were not practically of much value.