Page:Dorothy's spy; a story of the first "fovrth of Jvly" celebration, New York, 1776.djvu/158

Rh the occupants of the house, only partially clad, were standing at the window through which the spy had been allowed to escape, gazing in fear and trembling at the leaping tongues of flame not many squares away, as they darted here and there with gigantic leaps and bounds.

"Think you this is the work of Howe's men, or the Tories?" Master Lamb asked, and the silversmith replied bitterly;

"The Britishers couldn't have done this wickedness, for they need the town. It must have been the work of those whom we have met again and again as fellow citizens."

"They have performed the task too well, for while the fire is raging so fiercely it will be impossible for them to save their own dwellings. We yet have much to be thankful for, friend Dean. The flames are extending up Broad Way, and this building is like to escape destruction, unless other fires are kindled."

The cries of the people could be heard as they worked to save the doomed structures, or ran hither and thither with their portable property; but in the vicinity of Hanover square the utmost silence reigned until after the conflagration had been in progress an hour or more, when voices were suddenly heard near by, as if the speakers were approaching.

"It is the Tories who have done this dreadful