“I thought I heard a sound, a moment since.”
“The girls, perhaps; open that door, and look into the kitchen.”
Joseph rose and opened the door; the kitchen was empty; the fire burned low upon the hearth, and the rays danced upon the dishes in the dresser.
“You heard the wind,” said Van Curter; “it is rising fast. It will rain to-night.”
“I am glad I got in safe before the storm. Hark to that.”
The wind was rising with a sullen and fast-increasing roar; in a few moments the rain begun to fall. Joseph stirred the fire with a feeling of enjoyment, and the two drew up to the table.
“You remember this Captain Holmes—my curse upon his head—who would not pause when I told him to strike and stay?” said Van Curter.
“I remember him well.”
“He commands this post at Windsor; if any thing would make me long to take the post more than another, it would be the fact that I hate him. To him we may trace the entrance of these Yankees into our midst.”