by a deserter; which alone, in Putnam’s opinion, saved them from being checked in their career, and utterly destroyed by the batteries. CHAPTER XXXI. THE BATTLE OF LONG ISLAND. The movements of the British fleet, and of the camp on Staten Island, gave signs of a meditated attack; but, as the nature of that attack was uncertain, Washington was obliged to retain the greater part of his troops in the city for its defence, holding them ready, however, to be transferred to any point in the vicinity. General Mifflin, with about five hundred of the Pennsylvania troops, of Colonels Shee and Magaw’s regiments, were at King’s Bridge, ready to aid at a moment’s notice. “They are the best disciplined of any troops that I have yet seen in the army,” said General Heath, who had just reviewed them. General George Clinton was at that post, with about fourteen hundred of his yeomanry of the Hudson. As the Phœnix and Rose had explored the shores, and taken the soundings as far as they had gone up the river, General Heath thought Howe might attempt an attack somewhere above King’s Bridge, rather than in the face of the many and strong works erected in and around the city. “Should his inclination lead him this way,” adds be, “nature has done much for us, and we shall, as fast as possible, and the strength of art. We are pushing our works with great diligence.”[94] Reports from different quarters, gave Washington reason to apprehend that the design of the enemy might be to land part of their force on Long Island, and endeavor to get possession of the heights of Brooklyn, which overlooked New York; while another part should land above the city, as General Heath suggested. Thus, various disconnected points, distant from each other, and a great extent of intervening country, had to be defended by raw troops, against a superior force, well disciplined, and possessed of every facility for operating by land and water. General Greene, with a considerable force, was stationed at Brooklyn. He had acquainted himself with all the localities of the island, from Hell Gate to the Narrows, and made his plan of defence accordingly. His troops were diligently occupied in works which he laid out, about a mile beyond the village of Brooklyn, and facing the interior of the island, whence a land attack might be attempted.