Page:Dorothy's spy; a story of the first "fovrth of Jvly" celebration, New York, 1776.djvu/36

Rh Howe will do to us when he hears of this night's work."

"Surely we are not to blame if the people pull down the king's statue," Dorothy said with a sob.

"But our fathers are, and I would rather be hurt myself, than have mine come to any harm."

The possibility that the king might punish the people for thus declaring themselves free and independent, had occurred to Dorothy only as something so remote that she could have no part in it; but now that Sarah had spoken she began to feel more than a little frightened because she had been so bold, and, like her mother, heartily wished that she was at home out of the treasonable turmoil, even though her father had said it was noble to act in such a manner.

There were big tears in her eyes when she saw the statue sway to and fro as the throng tugged at the ropes with many a shout and huzza, while from every portion of the Green could be heard cries of approval, as if those who had no hold on the rope would thus show that they were fully in accord with what was being done.

Dorothy literally trembled when she recognized her father's voice high above the din, as he shouted:

"Now at it all together! One more pull and his majesty will come down from his high estate in New York!"