His theory proved correct.

The British advanced and retreated, burned houses and villages and made feints, but all in vain.
Washington baffled them at every point, and finally Sir William evacuated the Jerseys entirely and withdrew to New York and Staten Island, where active preparations for some expedition were at once begun.

Again came anxious watching, with the old fear that Howe meant to go northward and join the now advancing Burgoyne.

The fear was groundless.

On July 23 the British fleet set sail from New York, carrying between fifteen and eighteen thousand men.