The rain continued for the rest of the day, but evening brought the tramp, tramp, of retreating feet. Orders had been given that no inhabitants should appear in the streets after eight o’clock; this that the enemy might escape unnoticed. The city, devastated as it was, received final destructive touches from the outgoing enemy, who set fire to every important building still unharmed, as the retreat was being made. The departure of the foe seemed also to be the signal for the cessation of the tempest, for the setting sun shone forth, and the mutterings of thunder died away with the echoing tread of marching feet. “Free, at last!” cried Lettice, when it became known that the redcoats had really gone. “Yes, but not safe. We’re not out of the woods yet,” her brother told her. “Every man of us must fight those fires, or the little that’s left will go. Run in and stay with the Ingles, Lettice. Mr. Baldwin and I must go.” “Oh, but--but he is not well enough.” “I can carry a bucket of water,” said the young man, smiling down at her. “And ask no reward?” she said in a whisper. He turned around and looked at her searchingly, so that a soft pink overspread her face. “Would you give it?” he whispered back. Then he bit his lip and turned away before she could answer, leaving her half abashed at her own words, and half sorry that she had let him go. She ran out of the gate to her good neighbors and found them rejoicing at the departure of the enemy, but still in alarm lest the surrounding fires should break forth and destroy the dwellings still standing. However, many willing hands were ready to stifle the rising flames, and forlorn, miserable, wretched-looking as the poor little city appeared, its season of trial was over. The despoiled capital was a poor abiding-place, but as soon as Patsey and her sister returned, they urged Lettice to stay, rather than to go back to Baltimore, whither her brother was bent on hurrying; for it was said that General Ross had his eyes turned upon that place. “And they will not come here again, for they have taken all there was to take. Bad as it is, there is one consolation--if there is one place above another that is absolutely safe, it is Washington,” said Patsey. “You would better stay with us, Lettice; I should think you had seen about enough of this war.” But Lettice shook her head. “It is dreadful to think of anything happening to Betty and the baby, and my brother will be there. I must stick by my family through thick and thin.” And she set forth, to arrive in Baltimore, there to find every one apprehensive of an attack from the British.