The minutes became an hour before the guests dreamed of the
flight of time.
At length a negro servant, who had been on the lookout from
the housetop, entered the room, made a significant sign to
his mistress, and at once withdrew. Mrs. Murray now rose,
and with a meaning smile turned to her titled guest.
"Will you be kind enough to come with me, Sir Henry?" she
asked. "I have something of great interest to show you."
"With pleasure," he replied, rising with alacrity, and
following her from the room.
She led the way to the lookout in the upper story, and
pointed to the northern side of the hill, where could be
seen the American flag, proudly waving over the ranks of the
retiring army. They were marching in close array into the
open plain of Bloomingdale.
"How do you like the prospect, Sir Henry?" she calmly
inquired. "We consider the view from this side an admirable
one."
What Sir Henry replied, history has not recorded. No doubt
it lacked the quality of politeness. Down the stairs he
rushed, calling to his officers as he passed, leaped upon
his horse, and could scarcely find words in his nervous
haste to give orders for pursuit.
He was too late. The gap was closed; but nothing, except
such baggage and stores as could not be moved, remained in
the trap which, if sprung an hour earlier, would have caught
an army.
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