So that, after giving the men a much needed rest, securing their booty, and burying the dead, the evening found the little army, with its prisoners, retracing its steps toward the ford and its former camping-ground.
But with what different feelings the hungry, worn-out, tattered mass of men marched along in the bitter night! The contrast between the well-clothed and well-fed Hessians and their captors was surprising, but not less striking than that between their going out and coming in.
Little recked the frozen men of the hardships of the way.

They had shown the world that they possessed other capabilities than facility in retreating, and no American army, however small or feeble, would ever again be despised by any foe.
The return passage was made without incident, save that just on the crest of the hills leading down to the Ford, the general, who was in advance again, noticed a suspicious-looking, snow-covered mound by the roadside.

Riding up to it, one of his aids dismounted and uncovered the body of a man, a Continental soldier, frozen to death.

The cold weapon was grasped tightly in the colder hand.

A little farther on there was another body asleep in the snow,--another soldier! The last was that man of the headquarters guard who had spoken of his little children at home on Christmas day.