CHAPTER X.FRANCE TO THE RESCUE.
During 1778 and 1779 French effort had failed.

Now France resolved to do something decisive.

She never sent across the sea the eight thousand men promised to La Fayette but by the spring of 1780 about this number were gathered at Brest to find that transport was inadequate.

The leader was a French noble, the Comte de Rochambeau, an old campaigner, now in his fifty-fifth year, who had fought against England before in the Seven Years' War and had then been opposed by Clinton, Cornwallis, and Lord George Germain.

He was a sound and prudent soldier who shares with La Fayette the chief glory of the French service in America.