A new stimulus was given to the Whartons by the intelligence conveyed in
the letter of Dunwoodie; and Caesar, with his horses, was once more put
in requisition. The relics of the property were intrusted to a neighbor,
in whom they had confidence; and, accompanied by the unconscious Sarah,
and attended by four dragoons and all of the American wounded, Mr.
Wharton's party took their departure. They were speedily followed by the
English chaplain, with his countrymen, who were conveyed to the
waterside, where a vessel was in waiting to receive them. Lawton
joyfully witnessed these movements; and as soon as the latter were out
of sight, he ordered his own bugle to sound. Everything was instantly in
motion. The mare of Mrs. Flanagan was again fastened to the cart; Dr.
Sitgreaves exhibited his shapeless form once more on horseback; and the
trooper appeared in the saddle, rejoicing in his emancipation.
The word to march was given; and Lawton, throwing a look of sullen
ferocity at the place of the Skinner's concealment, and another of
melancholy regret towards the grave of Isabella, led the way,
accompanied by the surgeon in a brown study; while Sergeant Hollister
and Betty brought up the rear, leaving a fresh southerly wind to whistle
through the open doors and broken windows of the "Hotel Flanagan," where
the laugh of hilarity, the joke of the hardy partisan, and the
lamentations of the sorrowing, had so lately echoed.
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