Page:Dorothy's spy; a story of the first "fovrth of Jvly" celebration, New York, 1776.djvu/28

Rh was the opposite of what Dorothy and Sarah supposed necessary for a general who was fighting against the king, with the very good assurance that he would be hanged without very much ceremony, if captured.

"All those who are confined in jail for debt are to be released this evening," a gentleman who was standing near-by said to his companion, and Sarah asked why that was to be done.

"In order that the unfortunate creatures may have good reason for remembering the day when the colonists declared themselves free," Mistress Dean explained, and then the soldiers whose camps were near at hand marched forward as those from the Broad Way came on the parade ground.

With wondrous exactness the square was formed around the group of officers on horseback, and one of the general's aids began to read in a clear, ringing voice that declaration which was to arouse the world.

"When, in the course of human events, it becomes necessary for one people to dissolve the political bands which have connected them with another—"

Dorothy and Sarah could hear distinctly the words; but, pay ever so close attention as they might, it was impossible for them to understand the meaning, except as it had already been