Page:Dorothy's spy; a story of the first "fovrth of Jvly" celebration, New York, 1776.djvu/39

28 half a dozen boys to prevent him from slipping off, around the Green, amid the hoots and derisive cries of a majority of the spectators, who believed that a "Tory ride" was a most seemly portion of the celebration.

"If we hadn't been so foolish as to promise the gentlemen we would meet them here after the bonfire!" good Mistress Dean cried in distress. "It wouldn't seem quite so bad if the children were at home!"

"I'se mighty glad for to run 'cross ye. Missus," a voice from out the surrounding throng said in tones of deepest thankfulness, and Dorothy absolutely shouted with joy as old Scip, the Negro servant employed by her father at the shop, forced his way to her side.

Scipio Africanus was his full name; but it is a question if either he or Dorothy was aware of the fact, for to her, and himself, for that matter, he was simply "Scip," while the boys knew him only as "Jacob Dean's nigger Scip."

Mistress Dean was no less pleased by the arrival of the old man than was her daughter, for she suddenly saw her way out of at least a portion of her difficulties.

"Have you seen your master since he came on the Green?"

"Nebber once. Missus; he done gone got hissef mixed up wid dem Sons, an' is habin' his han's