But, though beaten, the indomitable Americans were not conquered. They would never give up the ships. By Arnold’s order the small galleys were run ashore in a creek near by and there fired, Arnold, in the _Congress_, covering their retreat until their crews were safe on shore, when he ran the _Congress_ ashore also, and then stood guard while his crew fired her, “remaining on board of her until she was in flames, lest the enemy should get possession and strike his flag, which was kept flying to the last.” When the _Congress_ was so well on fire that she could not be saved, Arnold himself leaped overboard, waded ashore, formed his men in an orderly line, and marched away over a woodsy trail. He escaped the savages that were sent ashore seeking scalps, and safely reached Crown Point. The best all-around fighter under George Washington was Benedict Arnold. As a leader in actual combat he was simply unequalled. Words cannot now be found to adequately express the pity of it when it is remembered that injustice and disappointment at the last drove him mad. Although this fight on Lake Champlain was ordered on the American side by an army officer, and the crews were chiefly landsmen, it was unquestionably an exhibit of the early sea power of the United States, for the ships were built at the national expense and the crews were in the national service. [Illustration: _A Description of the Engagement on Lake_ CHAMPLAIN. Copy _of a_ LETTER _from General Sir_ GUY CARLETON _to Lord_ GEORGE GERMAIN, _Principal Secretary of State for the_ American _Department_. _On board the Maria off Crown-Point, October 14, 1776._ My Lord, The rebel fleet upon Lake Champlain has been entirely defeated in two actions; the first on the 11th instant, between the island of Valcour and the main; and the second on the 13th, within a few leagues of Crown-Point. We have taken Mr. Waterburg, the second in command, one of their brigadier-generals, with two of their vessels, and ten others have been burnt and destroyed; only three of fifteen sail, a list of which I transmit, having escaped. For further particulars I refer your Lordship to Lieutenant Dacres, who will be the bearer of this letter, and had a share in both actions, particularly the first, where his gallant behaviour in the Carleton schooner, which he commanded, distinguished him so much as to merit great commendation: and I beg to recommend him to your Lordship’s notice and favour: at the same time I cannot omit taking notice to your Lordship of the good service done, in the first action, by the spirited conduit of a number of officers and men of the corps of artillery, who served the gun-boats, which, together with the Carleton, sustained for many hours the whole fire of the enemy’s fleet, the rest of our vessels not being able to work up near enough to join effectually in the engagement.