Page:Dorothy's spy; a story of the first "fovrth of Jvly" celebration, New York, 1776.djvu/153

140 hope for but little from our new masters," and the worthy silversmith bowed his head on his hands in an agony of despair.

The two merchants made no effort to carry on their business during this time of suspense. In the first place it would have been dangerous, for the rough element of the city, knowing the American soldiers were powerless to prevent them, were already beginning to rob and ill-treat the better classes. Again, had Masters Dean and Lamb owned the most tempting goods to be found in all the colonies, they would have had no customers, since the greater majority of the Whigs had fled, and the Tories would not deal with them.

Then came the hour when all the wagons and transports at the command of the Americans were employed in removing the sick and wounded to King's Bridge, and it was confidently announced that the able-bodied men would begin the retreat on the following day.

When the Sunday morning came that they were to be left in New York without semblance of protection, the family in the house on Hanover square gathered at the breakfast table silent and sorrowful, to be aroused before the meal was finished, by the entrance of old Scip, who, with terror written on every feature of his face, shouted: