Had the assailants been a body of peasants, I should have feared that they had wreaked on you and Claire the hatred which they feel, I own not unjustly, towards the king's foreign troops.

As they were regular soldiers, I had hopes that they had only carried you off as hostages.
"One of the female servants was found below, killed.

No pursuit was possible, as we could find no one of whom to inquire by which way the enemy retreated; but, in the morning, we found that the horses of the Hessians had been ridden to a spot some miles up the river, where they had swam or forded the stream.

There was a strong party of the enemy on the opposite side.

My anxiety was terrible, till I received your letter, and you may imagine how great a shock it was to me to learn the frightful scene through which you had passed, and how my sentiments changed towards those whom I had regarded as your abductors, but whom I now learn were your saviours.
"I have read that portion of your letter to the king, who is furious at the evil conduct of his troops.