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228 Boston and attack that town. This he intrusted to a messenger, who by design was captured by the Americans, and the message fell into the hands of Washington.

The American leader, the fox, as he was called by the British, was too keen to be deceived by the trick, and kept himself fully informed concerning the movements of his adversary. Accordingly he quickly recalled General Sullivan and General Sterling with their men to the west side of the Hudson, and with the greater part of his own army began to march toward Delaware Bay, whither it was reported that Howe had sailed. And yet it was difficult for Washington to believe that the present move of the British was anything more than one of the numerous tricks they had been trying to play upon him throughout the summer. Sullivan was to advance as far as Morristown and remain there, and every day Washington was expecting to receive word that the British had quickly returned to New York and were advancing with all haste up the Hudson. He could not persuade himself that Howe really was planning to abandon New York, give up all thought of going to the aid of Burgoyne, and make an attack upon Philadelphia, which, though it was the capital of