Page:Tomlinson--The rider of the black horse.djvu/399

Rh into Canada was impossible for Burgoyne now, for his enemies were in his rear as well as before his face. His sole hope rested upon Clinton, and if he had received the message which had been hidden within the tiny silver bullet that his messenger had vainly endeavored to conceal when he had been made a prisoner, doubtless he would have held out a little longer, and the history of the United States would have been far different from that which it has since become.

In his desperation, with no knowledge of Clinton's approach, and with no word received of his coming, John Burgoyne at last, on the 17th day of October, 1777, surrendered with his entire army, and all fears of his invasion were at an end.

It would be impossible to describe the enthusiasm of the people when news of this great event was received, and nowhere was the excitement greater than in the little force that still remained with General Clinton in Orange County. Even Robert Dorlon apparently forgot his own sufferings, and joined enthusiastically in the celebrations that followed.

"This means that we can go home now," said Joseph joyfully to Robert.