It was on the morning of August 7, that William came hurriedly in, saying: “The British are making for our shores! I must hurry off, Betty. Don’t look so terrified, my love. I trust we shall not suffer from the attack, but the militia are ordered out, and James and I must go. Here, Lettice, take these papers and put them in safe hiding somewhere; they are valuable. I ought to see to it myself, but I shall not have time. If anything happens, get over to Uncle Tom’s as quickly as possible. I fancy Aunt Martha can hold her own, and there is strength in numbers.” And kissing his weeping wife and trembling sister, he mounted his horse and was off, accompanied by James, who made his adieux with a last whisper to Lettice, “If I fall, Lettice, give this little packet to Rhoda.” Lettice nodded, too full of distress to speak, and the two women, holding each other closely, watched the young men as they galloped out of sight. “Oh, Lettice, Lettice,” Betty sobbed, “suppose we never see them again!” “Don’t!” cried Lettice, sharply. “Betty, don’t say such things. Let us busy ourselves about something, or we shall not be fit to face trouble when it comes. I must hide these papers at once.” She concealed them under her apron, and stole through the orchard to the graveyard, where, dropping on her knees, she hastily dug a hole close by the leaning footstone of Theophilus Hopkins’s grave, and in the cavity she placed the box of papers. From time to time she glanced apprehensively around to be sure that no one observed her, and she was startled in the very act of covering up the place of hiding, by hearing some one say: “I knew I should find you here. Are you honoring your ancestor by planting fresh flowers upon his grave? It is rather late in the season, isn’t it?” Lettice, looking greatly confused, stammered: “I--yes--no, I was not. It is rather late for some flowers, to be sure, but some can be planted at almost any time, you know.” As she recovered herself, she spoke with more assurance. “How long have you been watching me, Mr. Clinton?” she asked. “Only a few moments. I saw you digging away for dear life, but I didn’t disturb you, for I liked to watch your little white hands.” He tried to take them in his, but Lettice drew them away. “They are all covered with earth and stuff,” she said. “You came very early.” “Yes, I came from your aunt with a message. We have heard that the British are moving in this direction, and Mrs. Hopkins thinks you will all be safer under her roof. I suppose your brothers are off at first alarm.”