in 1776 boston was evacuated. washington, in order to ascertain whether lord howe had a call to fish, cut bait, or go ashore, began to fortify dorchester heights, march 17, and on the following morning he was not a little surprised to note the change. as the weather was raw, and he had been in-doors a good deal during the winter, lord howe felt the cold very keenly. he went to the window and looked at the americans, but he would come back chilly and ill-tempered to the fire each time. finally he hitched up and went away to halifax, where he had acquaintances.