Page:Dorothy's spy; a story of the first "fovrth of Jvly" celebration, New York, 1776.djvu/44

Rh "Mine looks as if it had been worn every day for a month," Sarah said mournfully. "Mother thought it would serve until next winter for best. While General Washington and his soldiers stay here the city will be very gay, and I must have fine clothes, unless I'm to be shamed every time I go out of doors."

"I heard some ob de ossifers talkin' 'bout dis yere Britisher, Gineral Howe, comin' up from de island wid his red-coats, an' when dat happens I 'lows our soldiers am boun' for to git away mighty quick," Scipio said gravely, as he led the way through the deserted streets at a rapid pace.

"My lord Howe's men can't come into the city while our soldiers are here, for General Washington will stop them," Dorothy replied very decidedly, but the old darkey shook his head despondently.

"Massa Dean sent me up to Fraunce's tabern dis yere mawnin', an' while I was waitin' for de ossifer to make up his mind which ob de silber cups he wanted, I heared 'em talkin' 'bout how dere wasn't soldiers enuf in town to stop dem Britishers ef dey took it inter dere heads to come."

"Then you heard that which wasn't true, Scip, for I am certain my father would have known it, and he wasn't afraid the British troops could take the city," Dorothy said sharply, and Sarah added: