_St. L_. General Burgoyne, is not it a singular circumstance, that the enemy should allow us to take possession of a point like that without opposition,--so trifling a detachment, too? Why, that hill commands the fort,--certainly it does. _Bur_. Well--well. They are pretty much reduced, I fancy, Sir. We shall hardly hear much more from them. Let me see,--this is the hill. _St. L_. A pity we could not provoke them into an engagement, though! They depend so entirely upon the popular feeling for supplies and troops, and the whole machinery of their warfare, that it is rather hazardous reckoning upon them, after all. If we could draw them into an engagement _now_, the result would be certain. _Bur_. Yes, yes; we must contrive to do that ere long. Rather troublesome travelling companions they make, that's certain. Like those insects that swarm about us here,--no great honor in fighting them, but a good deal of discomfort in letting them alone. We must sweep them out of our way, I think, or at all events give them a brush, that will quiet them a little. _St. L_. Or they might prove, after all, like the gadfly in the fable. I do not think this outbreak will be any disadvantage in the end, General. _Bur_. Not a whit--not a whit--they have needed this. It will do them good, Sir. _St. L_. The fact is, these colonies were founded in the spirit of insubordination, and all the circumstances of their position have hitherto tended to develope only these disorganizing elements. _Bur_. It will do them good, Sir. Depend upon it, they'll remember this lesson. Pretty well sickened of war are they all. They'll count the cost ere they try it again. _St. L_. We can hardly expect the news from General Reidesel before sunset, I suppose. _Bur_. If my messenger returns by to-morrow's sunrise, it is better fortune than I look for. (_Col. St. Leger goes out_.) (_Burgoyne resumes his plan_.) _A Ser't_. (_At the door_.) Capt. Maitland, Sir. _Bur_. Capt. Maitland! _Ser't_. From Fort Ann, Sir. (_Maitland enters_.) _Bur_. Captain Maitland! Good heavens, I thought you were at Skeensborough by this,--what has happened? or am I to congratulate myself that the necessity of your embassy is obviated. You met them, perhaps?-- _Maitland_. There's but little cause of congratulation, Sir, as these dispatches will prove to you. I returned only because my embassy was accomplished. _Bur_. Do you mean to say, Captain Maitland, that you have seen the waters of Lake Champlain, since you left here this morning? _Mait_. I do, Sir. _Bur_. On my word, these roads must have improved since we travelled them some two days agone. I am sorry for your horses, Sir. You saw General Reidesel? _Mait_. I left him only at nine o'clock this morning. (_Burgoyne examines the dispatches_.)