Page:Dorothy's spy; a story of the first "fovrth of Jvly" celebration, New York, 1776.djvu/162

 CHAPTER IX

LIEUTENANT OAKMAN

Master Lamb's prayer had been brought to a close, the inmates of the house, including the children, went to the lower floor expecting, and with good cause, that within a very few moments the conflagration would be increased by the destruction of the buildings in Hanover square.

They halted in the main hall, near the door leading to the street, because from that point some idea might be had as to what was going on outside, and were not kept long in suspense.

Exclamations of anger, oaths, and a loud hum, as of many people speaking at the same time, could already be heard, and Master Lamb said as he took up his station at the door:

"I hope, Jacob Dean, that you will allow me to speak to our enemies as if I was master here, and indeed, except as to the value of the goods which will be destroyed, my interest is as great as yours."

As he spoke Master Lamb looked at Sarah and her mother, showing that there, instead of stored in attic or cellar, was his real treasure. 149