“Awake! Awake, Henry Egan! The British and Tories are coming. Awake, man, awake!”
“Friend,” called the girl excitedly, “who is thee?”
“A friend. Jack Simpson,” he answered. “Is Egan dead, that he does not answer? He must awake.”
Peggy ran to the door of the bedchamber, calling wildly:
“Friend Henry, Friend Mandy, awake, awake!”
“Who calls?” cried Egan, sitting up suddenly.
“’Tis Peggy,” answered she quickly. “A friend is here who says the Tories are coming.”
“The Lord have mercy on us,” ejaculated Mistress Egan springing out of bed. “Henry, Henry, get up! The British and Tories are upon us.”
At last awake, the fisherman sprang from his bed, and rushed to the door.
“Get your wife and whatever you want to save,” shouted the man outside. “The British are out with Fanning’s Tories burning every suspected house in the district. No time to lose, Henry. They’re coming now.”