Page:Dorothy's spy; a story of the first "fovrth of Jvly" celebration, New York, 1776.djvu/52

 CHAPTER III

THE SPY

was a positive relief to the girls when the tumult outside increased until individual cries could be distinguished. Scipio's stories of the horrible had plunged them into that frame of mind where they almost expected to see or hear something unearthly, and when the uproar first broke the stillness of that part of the city, it was as if the African ghosts had suddenly arrived.

"What is it?" Dorothy asked in tremulous tones, as the three stood in the middle of the room listening intently, but making no move toward going into that part of the house where it might be possible to see what was being done outside.

"I 'spects it's annuder spy, honey, else dey've done picked up a Tory what's been makin' brash talk," Scipio replied sagely.

"It sounds as if a great crowd was coming into the square."

"So it does, chile. I reckon dis yere place am beginnin' to be a mighty brisk part ob de city."

"Kill him! Kill him!" shouted a voice so 41