“Because General Howe cannot stay. The provincials are in a position to sink his ships and set the town on fire with their bombs.”
“Can’t General Howe drive Mr. Washington from the hill just as he did at Charlestown?”
“He was going to do it yesterday, but the sea wouldn’t let him, and now it is too late.”
“He must do it, and I will go and tell him so. Leave our home and become wanderers and vagabonds? Never!” she cried with flashing eyes.
“It is decided. Orders have been issued. The fear is that the provincials may open fire upon the fleet and sink the ships before the army can get away.”
“Why didn’t General Howe take possession of the hill, and prevent the provincials from doing it?”
“The Lord knows, and perhaps General Howe does, but I don’t. I have seen for some time what might happen, and now we have it. We have got to go, and God help us.”
Mrs. Newville, overwhelmed, tottered to a chair.
“So this is what Sam Adams and John Hancock have done. I hate them. But why must we go? Why not stay? We have as good a right to stay as they. Give up our home? Never! Never!”
With flashing eyes, and teeth set firmly together, she rose, and took a step or two as if ready to confront a foe.