He had found shelter for his armed scows, for they were no more than this, in the Patuxent River, but as he could not hope to defend them against a combined attack by British ships and troops he wisely blew them up.

This turn of affairs left a fine British army all landed and with nothing else to do than promenade through a pleasant region with nobody to interfere.

The generals and admirals discussed the matter and decided to saunter on to Washington instead of to Baltimore.

In the heat of August the British regiments tramped along the highways, frequently halting to rest in the shade, until they were within ten miles of the capital of the nation.

There they found the American outposts in a strong position on high ground, but these tarried not, and the invaders sauntered on another mile before making camp for the night.