Page:Dorothy's spy; a story of the first "fovrth of Jvly" celebration, New York, 1776.djvu/119

106 fur story-tellin', an' I'se 'spectin' to see er whole drove ob ghosts flickerin' 'roun' afore long."

Sarah trembled. Until this moment she had given no heed to the fact that they were in the darkness; but now a great fear began to creep over her.

Dorothy was not disposed to linger, for she believed her father was anxious that the work be done quickly, and, kneeling by the side of the chest, which was found after much groping around, she whispered loudly:

"Master Oakman, it is me—Dorothy. Sarah is here too, and Scip has come with the clothes-line. Do you hear me?"

"Yes, child," came in a muffled tone from the inside of the chest.

"Shall I open the lid?"

"Certainly."

Dorothy pushed into the lock the key she had been holding in her hand since the moment of receiving her father's supposed commands, and when it was possible the lieutenant sat upright.

"What shall I do?" he asked, and Dorothy replied:

"Father is terribly fussed because you are here, and wants you to escape. If we let you out of the back window can you get to your soldiers?"

"Is the house surrounded by those who chased me here?"