e lake; whilst appearances seemed to indicate the total
impracticability of the scheme. From firm ground to the water's
edge was here a distance of many miles, through the very centre
of a morass where human foot had never before trodden. Yet it was
desirable at least to make the attempt; for if it failed we
should only be reduced to our former alternative of gaining a
battle or surrendering at discretion.

Having determined to adopt this course, General Lambert
immediately dispatched strong working parties, under the guidance
of engineer officers, to lengthen the road, keeping as near as
possible to the margin of the creek. But the task assigned to
them was burthened with innumerable difficulties. For the extent
of several leagues no firm footing could be discovered on which
to rest the foundation of a path; nor any trees to assist in
forming hurdles. All that could be done, therefore, was to bind
together large quantities of reeds, and lay them across the
quagmire; by which means at least the semblance of a road was
produced, however wanting in firmness and solidity. But where
broad ditches came in the way, many of which intersected the
morass, the workmen were necessarily obliged to apply more
durable materials. For these, bridges composed in part of large
branches brought with immense labour from the woods, were
constructed; but they were, on the whole, little superior in
point of strength to the rest of the path, for though the edges
were supported by timber, the middle was filled up only with
reeds.

To complete this road, bad as it was, occupied the space of nine
days, during which time our army remained in position without
making any attempt to molest the enemy. The Americans, however,
were not so inactive. In the course of two days six guns were
again mounted upon the bank of the river, from which a continual
fire was kept up upon our camp. The same mode of proceeding was
adopted in front, and thus, night and day, were we harassed by
danger against which there was no fortifying ourselves. Of the
extreme unpleasantness of our situation it is hardly possible to
convey any adequate conception. We never closed our eyes in
peace, for we were sure to be awakened before many minutes
elapsed, by the splash of a round shot or shell in the mud beside
us. Tents we had none, but lay, some in the open air, and some
in huts made of boards, or any materials that could be procured.
From the first moment of ou