Page:Dorothy's spy; a story of the first "fovrth of Jvly" celebration, New York, 1776.djvu/156

Rh the city, until the fire, which has just been described, broke out, Masters Dean and Lamb remained in the house, believing it best not to show themselves publicly until after the first rejoicings of the Tories had come to an end.

During this time the two merchants remained unmolested; but this happy fact they attributed to the precautions taken; the dwelling, being closely shuttered on the front and sides, gave curious ones the impression that its owner had fled when the majority of the Whigs sought safety elsewhere. Scipio was the only inmate who ventured abroad, and he was instructed to be particularly careful when departing from, or approaching the building, not to allow himself to be seen by such of the neighbors as yet remained in New York.

Thus it was that when nearly a week had passed in safety to them, Masters Dean and Lamb had no hesitation in saying that there was good reason to believe they had acted wisely in staying to care for their property.

"If we continue to be as cautious a week or so longer, there is little question but that we can open our shops with a prospect of doing sufficient business to keep our families from actual want," the silversmith said on this evening before the fire broke out, and his friend replied:

"I have misjudged some whom I had good