At nightfall their course was changed, and, after journeying another two or three miles, a halt was called, for Rogers was sure that the Indians would abandon pursuit, when night came on without their having overtaken the fugitives.
Before daybreak the march was continued, and, in the afternoon, the party arrived at Fort William Henry.
James now determined to leave the force, and return at once to New York, where his letters were to be addressed to him.

He took with him a letter from General Johnson, speaking in the warmest tones of his conduct.
On arriving at New York he found, at the post office there, a great pile of letters awaiting him.

They had been written after the receipt of his letter at the end of July, telling those at home of his share in Braddock's disaster.
"I little thought, my boy," his mother wrote, "when we received your letter, saying that you had got your discharge from the ship, and were going with an expedition against the French, that you were going to run into such terrible danger.

Fortunately, the same vessel which brought the news of General Braddock's defeat also brought your letter, and we learned the news only a few hours before your letter reached us.

It was, as you may imagine, a time of terrible anxiety to us, and the squire and Aggie were almost as anxious as I was.