The Minneapolis journal., 1902-07-19
Chapter VIII.-Continued
BOOK vi.

In the morning 1t was seen that the Ameri-
cans had not finished their redoubt upon
Nook's Hill. But beginning had been made,
and Howe saw that he must hurry. He Or
dered the already laden transports to fall
down the harbor That day within the town
there was spiking of guns. breaking of gun
carriages and throwing OF ammunition into
the water. But the work could not be thor
oughly done; there was barely enough SOL
diers left to guard the fortihcations. Proper
policing and working were no longer pos
sible.
1t was Brushs opportunity, and he seized
1t. He knew the town we'll; he knew the
poorer sort Of tories-hangers-on after the
smaller officers, men ready for Violence like
himself, when fawnlng failed Fawnng had
secured him his commission, but with vio-
lence he meant to execute it. The gang gath
cred about him were ready for whatever he
might propose His vessels began to I'LL up
with the rich harvest he reaped
Stores were broken open, their contents
strewed upon the floor and even the side
walk; here barrels Of -four lying; there sacks
of rice abandoned for a richer booty. The
evidence showed that not Brush alone had
his hand In this; the damage was too wide
and wanton. Brush was attending strlctly
to the gathering Of marketable merchandise.
The looting Of houses was a small matter De-
side his systematic gains.
Some one else than Brush Is doing this,
Tudor said to Sotheran one day. There
must be soldiers at It or men from the fleet"
Sotheran smiled. 'Surely," he said, II saw
last night party of sailors, headed by
petty officer, and with lanterns, at Work upon
a door with hatchets."
otis forbidden under pain OF DEATH cried
Tudor. "'Tis posted In bills"
There was bill upon the door," said
Sotheran.
And you did not interfere?"
Sotheran shrugged. why should II"
Sotheraa shrugged frequently in those days.
even, could not touch him. He curled his
lip when Tabb, for the fourth time, came to
him with a request.
But I cannot get the woman passage" >"
said the captain.
my God, sir!' cried Tabb. ITO leave her
behind. in her condition! And If I had mar
ried her, there would have been room with
the other soldiers Wives
why did you not marry her, then?'
sneered his master. He turned carelessly
away leaving Tabb, with purple face, chok-
ing down curses.
But Tudor was sickening Of the scenes he
saw. He saw that the streets were unsafe
for women even in the day, and forbade Alice
to go beyond the garden. She could not even
90 to Barbara.
Il will take your farewell to her, he said.
"You must not leave this place until we go
to the wharf. Thank heaven, 1 think it will
be but two days more
Two days went by with confusion and loot
ing, and then other days passed, for the
wind became east. Tudor, with Alice's safety
ever on his mind, looked impatiently for a
fair wind. All but few of the royalists had
left their homes; down the harbor by the
castle they were niserably cooped in their
narrow quarters, longing. in the face of the
approaching New England spring, for the
bleak northern port which was to be their
refuge. And with such command over
them that at any time he might destroy half
the British army, Washington grew impatient.
and acted once more.
From the lines they saw that last night.
the glimmer Of lanterns on Nook's, Hill, and
heard across the wind the blow Of picks, so
near was the iutting knoll. All night the
British fired upon it, but without response i;
the Americans knew the town was theirs.
In the morning a small redoubt' stood there,
we'll filled with men and crowded with can
noa which Dickie Ellery but waited for the
word to fire. The defenses at the Neck were
at his mercy.
Howe saw that his time was Zip, and issued
tho order for Immediate evacuation.