He slipped in quietly.
"What news?" she said. "They say that MacDonough has won
on the Lake, but Plattsburg is taken."
"No, indeed; Plattsburgh is safe; MacDonough has captured the fleet.
I am nearly sure that the whole British army is retiring to Canada."
"Thank God, thank God," she said fervently, "I knew it must be
so; the women have met here and prayed together every day,
morning and night. But hush!" she laid a warning finger on her
lips and pointed up toward one of the rooms -- "British officer."
She brought two blankets from a press and led up to the garret.
At the lowest part of the roof was a tiny door to a lumber
closet. In this Rolf spread his blankets, stretched his weary
limbs, and soon was sound asleep.
At dawn the bugles blew, the camp was astir. The officer in the
house arose and took his post on the porch. He was there on guard
to protect the house. His brother officers joined him. Mrs.
Hubbell prepared breakfast. It was eaten silently, so far as Rolf
could learn. They paid for it and, heading their regiment, went
away northward, leaving the officer still on the porch.
Presently Rolf heard a stealthy step in his garret, the closed
door was pushed open, and Mrs.
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