He marched here and there in New Jersey and kept Washington alarmed and exhausted by counter marches, and always puzzled as to what the next move should be.

Howe purposely let one of his secret messengers be taken bearing a despatch saying that the fleet was about to sail for Boston.

All these things took time and the summer was slipping away.

In the end Washington realized that Howe intended to make his move not by land but by sea.
Could it be possible that he was not going to make aid to Burgoyne his chief purpose?
Could it be that he would attack Boston?
Washington hoped so for he knew the reception certain at Boston.

Or was his goal Charleston?
On the 23d of July, when the summer was more than half gone, Washington began to see more clearly.