hin' proceedin's like that chap, I
forget his name, who played on the fiddle while Rome was burnin'. An'
all this is bein' done by the high an' lofty Britishers, who count on
settin' the pace for the whole world!"

Jim Freeman and Dody Wardwell, who could not find perches near the
window that they might look out, now opened the door regardless of
consequences, and stood gazing at as cruel a scene as can well be
imagined.

Women and children, driven back by the red-coats, stood tearfully
watching the destruction of their homes, forced to see every cherished
article destroyed, and, more than that! I saw a soldier tear from the
hands of an old lady a small box which he opened, took some things
therefrom which I judged were pieces of jewelry, and threw the
remainder into the flames.

The smoke-house was as hot a place as I care to remain in very long
at a time, and as well filled with smoke as when put to the use for
which it was originally intended. Even Darius had doubts about the
small buildings escaping the flames, and said to my father:

"Keep watch for the first show of fire, Master Grout, an' we'll see
that you're posted as to what is bein' done outside. If we have to
leave here, it'll be a good idee to draw off toward the rope-walk;
there's no one near by that place, an' we may contrive to steer clear
of the enemy."

Now it was that long tongues of fire curled above the government
building, swaying this way and that in the wind like fiery serpents,
until the inflammable portion of the nation's Capitol was ablaze.

It seemed as if our smoke-house was completely surrounded by burning
buildings. Had the Britishers given any attention to such an
insignificant structure as we were concealed in, Jim and Dody must
have been discovered, for they gave no heed to hiding themselves as
they stood literally transfixed with horror at the terrible scenes.

Not until all the buildings were so enveloped in flames that there
could be no possibility of saving them, did the two officers ride
away, and then it was to go in the direction of their encampment.

I gave no further heed to the barbarians; but watched with a sort of
fascination the destroying element until Darius cried:

"There's more mischief afoot! See, a full regiment are under marchin'
orders!"

"What can they do now?" I asked helplessly. "Everything around here is
in flames; the entire city is ruined!"

"There's the President's house, an' a good many fine dw