James Otis Kaler

“ Mistress Dean went into an adjoining room with all speed, for of a verity she was eager to be rid of the British officer as quickly as possible, and Sarah and Dorothy, having heard the announcement, set up a most doleful cry; but the latter was no longer inclined to give herself wholly over to grief.
"He will be hanged if you take him away!" she cried imploringly.
"Ay, my child, and richly does he deserve the fate, not only for plying the trade of spy, but because he has put honest men, like neighbor Lamb and myself, in such sore straits." ”

“ Dorothy and Sarah clung to their mothers' dresses, terrified by the tone as well as the words, and the two women came forward as if to lay violent hands upon the angry silversmith; but Master Lamb was before them.
"You shall not do that thing, Jacob Dean!" he cried sternly. "If it so be that these kindly neighbors of ours deprive us of a shelter, we will stand by and see it done, rejoicing that we are free and in each other's company. ”

“ Master Dean literally screamed, and Dorothy replied in a matter-of-fact tone:
"Yes, sir; didn't he, Sarah?"
Then Master Lamb's daughter nodded in the affirmative, and the bewilderment of the elderly people was merged into stupefaction.
It was Master Lamb who first "gathered himself together" sufficiently to speak, and, striding across the room, he cried:
"And I assured those worthy citizens that no one had left this house, while at the same time my own daughter had but just finished the work of aiding that most dastardly of enemies—a spy! It is shameful! Monstrous!" ”

“ Sarah asked in surprise.
"Certainly, my dear. If yonder man really be a spy, then he has come here to learn all he can to advantage the king's soldiers, and to work our undoing."
"He must be very wicked, and I hope he will be caught!" Dorothy cried decidedly.
"The poor man is doing that which he believes to be right, and if he is captured, our people will surely hang him, for such is the punishment dealt out to spies." ”

“ Dorothy grew brave once more, remembering that it was a man's life she was trying to save, and, with her mouth close to the keyhole, she cried at the full strength of her lungs:
"There is nobody in here except Sarah Lamb, daughter of Master Anthony Lamb, and me—Dorothy Dean! We can't let you in until father comes, and he should be here soon, for I have just sent Scip after him."
"We can't wait for any such foolishness. A British spy ran into one of these houses; we have searched the others, and know he must be here. Open the door. There is nobody with us who will harm a couple of children." ”

“ It is much nicer to have you here in the place of Scip," Dorothy said in the most friendly tone.
"I thank you, young mistress, and I am well pleased to have shown that a British officer, even though he be playing the spy for the time, is not as great a villain as you had supposed. But how can you, the daughter of Jacob Dean, that most violent of Whigs, allow a spy to outwit those children of liberty who are howling for blood?" and Lieutenant Oakman waved his hand toward that point from which the cries and shouts could yet be heard. ”

“ It was Master Lamb who first saw a glimmer of light in the cloud, and he cried suddenly, as if such a possibility had never before occurred to him:
"After all, friend Dean, we are the only persons, with the exception of the spy himself, who knows what has been done. The citizens must believe that those who chased the Britisher were mistaken in the supposition that he entered this house, and if we hold our peace no one will be the wiser." ”

“ Master Dean said as he concluded his story in detail of the battle of Long Island. "Already are the people fleeing in every direction, and Tories stand on the street corners flaunting their loyalty to the king unrebuked; they have even begun to threaten us, and I was told not an hour since, that this house is to be burned within eight and forty hours after Howe takes possession of the town, because, as that reptile, St. John Newcomb, said, I am a viper, who, with all my brood, must be smoked out."
"If there is yet time, why do we not join those who are fleeing from the trouble to come?" ”

“ As he spoke Master Lamb looked at Sarah and her mother, showing that there, instead of stored in attic or cellar, was his real treasure.
"You will do well to take charge, Anthony Lamb," the silversmith replied in a low tone. "It is well known that your judgment is better than mine, although, argue as you may with those wolves outside, I question if anything of benefit to ourselves will be effected. They have come to destroy all save our lives, and soft words will not turn them from such a purpose." ”

“ Sarah said with a sob, whereat the silversmith looked dismayed; but recovered himself an instant later to reply with a smile of content:
"He can't use it to advantage while he is locked in the chest, and the weapon shall be delivered up before we open the lid very wide. Come, friend Lamb, we will strike our first real blow against the enemies of the colony."
Master Dean had forgotten in his eagerness, that Dorothy claimed to have the key of the chest in her pocket; but would have advanced boldly, so much courage did the loaded pistols impart. ”

“ Sarah wailed softly. "Of course God looks after children; but we can't see Him, and we could any human folks who were with us!"
Then came a time of silence, during which the girls listened in fear and trembling; but without being able to distinguish any very fearful noises.
Once the mice scampering in the walls caused them to shrink back against the fireplace, to the further detriment of their clothing, and a fresh outburst of tears followed. ”

“ Dorothy leaped to her feet in excitement, mentally asking if it could really be possible that the search had been in vain. It seemed to her as if the first object which would have caused suspicion was the oaken chest, and even now she could hardly credit the fact that, for the officer in hiding, the danger had passed, at least, until Master Dean was made aware of his whereabouts.
"These gentlemen declare that they are satisfied," the silversmith announced as the searching party entered the living room. "And if such be the fact, we will hope to be free from further outrage. ”

“ Anthony Lamb replied; "but it must be a friend whom God has raised up, for I believed of a verity there were none remaining in the city who would dare to lift a voice in our behalf."
"The soldiers! The soldiers!" the merchants heard several of those on the outside cry as if in alarm, and St. John Newcomb answered them by saying confidently:
"Hold your hands for a moment, and let them come. My lord Howe will permit no interference with our sport, when it is known whom we have here at bay." ”

“ Life is not yours to throw away while you have a woman and a child dependent upon you!"
"Enough, Anthony Lamb! Enough! I am ever quick to speak without first weighing the cost. If it be that these scoundrelly Tories destroy our property without our striking a blow in self-defense, you shall see that I can look on as calmly as you, and when this dwelling has been burned, my shop and your buildings will be given over to the torch." ”

“ Once on the streets, which were thronged with citizens in holiday garb, the two girls decided that it was indeed a fine thing for the Congress to make a declaration of independence if it resulted in such a spectacle as had been promised, and never once did they realize that those brave men who signed it had, with due knowledge of all the dangers which threatened, "mutually pledged to each other, their lives, their fortunes, and their sacred honor." ”

“ The silversmith shut the outer door with a bang, locked it noisily, and entered the living room where Master Lamb was waiting to take his departure, it being high time that he and his family were at home.
"It has been a most trying evening for you, friend Jacob," Anthony Lamb said when his host appeared. "One cannot give you much blame for being angry; but in these days, when the colony needs just such men as went to make up that mob, we, their leaders, must meet their lawlessness with a certain degree of forbearance." ”

“ We demand admission in the name of the United Colonies!" a peremptory voice cried from the outside, and Master Lamb said sharply to Scipio:
"Obey the summons at once; but spend a few moments in pretending that it is difficult to turn the key."
"What would you do now?" the silversmith asked angrily. "The mischief may be repaired if we do not provoke them. It is evident that the citizens who are waiting have received encouragement from one high in authority, otherwise they would not dare present themselves here a second time, and we must explain all." ”

“ Sarah cried in alarm.
"Of course not; but I have a mind to lock it, and then Scip will be forced to beg us to let him in."
"But we would be here alone!"
"We are alone now, and it will be safer if the door is locked. Any straggler could get in if we left it as it is."
As she spoke Dorothy took hold of the big key, using all her strength to turn it in the lock; but her efforts were in vain.
"Don't try," Sarah said imploringly. "It is too heavy for you to turn." ”

“ And now Mistress Dean, since I am the invited guest of you and your sister, will it please you that I extinguish the candle?"
"This is not my sister, sir," and the girl took her companion by the hand. "This is Sarah Lamb, whose father keeps a shop on Old Slip, and I am Dorothy Dean."
"I am in a nest of patriots without mistake," Lieutenant Oakman muttered to himself, most likely speculating as to whether those Sons of Liberty who claimed these children as daughters, would be as willing to extend hospitality to a British spy. ”

“ Mistress Lamb replied. "For my part I am not eager to see a bonfire, and Sarah's frock will be ruined if we get into another crowd."
"But we can't go home now," and there was a tone of deepest regret in Mistress Dean's voice. "The gentlemen are to meet us at Bowling Green after the festivities are over, and if we were not there they might spend half the night searching over the city. We must go on; but I should feel much easier in mind if the girls were safely at home; there are many rough people abroad."
"All of which is fortunate for us," Dorothy whispered to Sarah. ”

“ Dorothy began pleadingly, and her mother, returning with the weapons at this moment, interrupted her by saying:
"It is not seemly that children should dispute with their parents. Your father knows what is best, and that will be done."
"Ay, I will strive to wipe the stain from my name," the silversmith said as he flourished the pistols to the great alarm of the ladies. "Follow me, friend Lamb, and we will soon have the scoundrel out of hiding."
"Have a care for your safety, father," Mistress Dean said warningly. "He must be a desperate fellow, and no one knows what he may attempt to do. ”

“ Lieutenant Oakman followed the children, his hand on Sarah's head as if by touching her hair he was brought nearer his own little ones, and when the three were in the living room again, Dorothy said:
"Think you those men would search the house while my father and mother were away?" and the officer replied thoughtfully:
"They are capable of doing all that; but the fact that Jacob Dean is so prominent in this rebellion, and you two children are here alone, might cause the men to wait until your parents return. ”

“ Sarah asked when the three were in the kitchen alone, and the foremost of the visitors were trooping into the living room with the air of people who have both might and right on their side.
"I'm sure I can't tell. He was real angry, too!" and Dorothy choked back a sob, realizing that she had cried quite enough for one evening. ”

“ Two blows should be enough, and then the Whig silversmith, who has made his money from profits paid by those whom he calls Tories, shall know what it means to be smoked out—he and his brood!"
"It will be well for us to stand near the kitchen door, and go out as they come in," Master Lamb said hoarsely. "It is not possible we can effect anything by words, and it would be folly to allow the women and children to remain while the work of destruction is going on. ”

“ Master Lamb asked, and the silversmith replied bitterly;
"The Britishers couldn't have done this wickedness, for they need the town. It must have been the work of those whom we have met again and again as fellow citizens."
"They have performed the task too well, for while the fire is raging so fiercely it will be impossible for them to save their own dwellings. We yet have much to be thankful for, friend Dean. The flames are extending up Broad Way, and this building is like to escape destruction, unless other fires are kindled." ”

“ It was almost comfortable here with Scip, before the man ran into the square."
"I suppose they were chasing him, and he couldn't go anywhere else. You would run very fast, and never think you might be making trouble for two little girls, if men were close behind trying with all their might to hang you, Sarah Lamb!"
"I suppose I should," was the meek reply, and then, after a brief time of silence, Sarah added, "Why is Scip staying in the entry? Why don't he come in here?"
"He has no business to leave us alone so long!" Dorothy said indignantly. "He shall be made to know his duty toward us! ”

“ Dorothy said half to herself, for she had given no attention to Sarah's remark, so full was her mind of repairing the mischief which had been wrought through her.
"Here's des de figger," Scip whispered as he re-entered the kitchen, holding a long length of clothes-line. "Dis yere's gwin ter do de business for de Britisher!"
"Come up-stairs at once, or father will be angry because we are so slow," Dorothy said, and there was no thought in her mind but that she was doing exactly that which her parents had virtually commanded. ”

“ Lieutenant Oakman was making a brave effort to speak in a jovial tone that the children might not be yet more alarmed; but the tremor of his voice told that he was not succeeding remarkably well.
"Can you light the candle with the flint and cotton, sir?" Dorothy asked.
"Possibly, after a clumsy fashion; but it is better that we go in the dark, for the light may be seen from the outside, and the question would be asked as to why you went up-stairs." ”