Page:Dorothy's spy; a story of the first "fovrth of Jvly" celebration, New York, 1776.djvu/46

Rh showing that it had been built by one of the Dutch settlers, there was no glow in the sky to betoken that the fire had been kindled, and Scipio was in good humor, believing he would be able to see, even though from a distance, that rare spectacle which the Sons of Liberty had promised should be presented on this day of festivity.

Three or four minutes elapsed before the old darkey could move the ponderous key in the huge lock, and when the heavy front door was swung open the dark interior of the house caused the girls to shrink back, as if fearing that something frightful might come from out the gloom, despite the fact that the dwelling had been free from any save household objects when they left it a few hours previous.

"Do you go ahead to the living room," Dorothy said, clutching Scipio by the skirts of his coat with one hand, and holding Sarah's dimpled fingers in the other. "Make no delay, Scip; but light the candles as soon as you may, for I do not like this blackness."

"I'se mos' ginerally got my eye out for spooks, an' sich like truck, honey; but it's too early for dem to be prowlin' 'roun', an' we'se snug here as bugs in a rug; but I ain't sayin' dat I'd like to poke my brack nose inter de dark 'long 'bout midnight, kase den dere's likely ter be trubble."