CARLETON. 381 homes, and that he would not take the advantage of their deserted and distressed situation to make them prisoners of war. Arnold encamped on the heights of Abraham, where he fortified himself, and continued the siege of Quebec in the following year (1776) but retired from thence on the arrival of an English squadron. General Carleton being now reinforced by troops, which, added to what he had, formed a body of thirteen thousand men, prepared for offensive operations, and the Americans evacuated their conquests, stationing themselves at Crown Point, whither the British commander did not follow them for the present. An armament was now prepared for crossing Lake Champlain, in order to besiege Crowh Point, and Ticonderago. The Americans had a considerable fleet on Lake Champlain, whereas the British had not a single vessel. The general therefore used every effort to procure the requisite naval force, but October had commenced before he was ready to oppose them. On the 11th Octo- ber, the British fleet commanded by Captain Pringle, and under the direction of General Carleton, discovered the armament of the enemy posted to defend the passage be- tween the island of Valicour and the Western Main. An engagement commenced, and continued on both sides for several hours with great intrepidity, but a contrary wind preventing the chief British ships from taking a part, and night coming on, it was thought prudent to discontinue the action, and Arnold took advantage of the night to retreat. The British pursued them the next day, and the day following, and the wind being favourable for bringing all the ships into action, overtook them a few leagues from Crown Point. The American commander unable to avoid an engagement, made the best disposition which his force permitted. About noon the battle began and con- tinued with great fury for two hours, but at length the superior force and skill of the British prevailed. General Carleton remained at Crown Point till 3rd November, and
