er, we were forced to
remain in hiding, for his wound was sufficient evidence that he had
taken part in the battle of Bladensburg, and this would insure his
being seized as a prisoner of war.

Jim and Dody, however, went across to where two shops were in flames,
and returned a few moments later with a piece of bacon which had been
trampled upon in the street, a bag of dirty flour, and, what was
better than all, three loaves of bread, the whole of which had been
thrown aside by the Britishers when they plundered the buildings.

It was quite a store for our empty larder, unsavory though the bread
and flour looked; but hungry lads, and particularly those who are
fugitives, cannot afford to be squeamish in regard to their food.

In less than half an hour after the regiment marched from the
encampment toward the upper end of the city, we saw the flames rising
in great volume, telling that there was no idea in the minds of the
victors to spare anything which could readily be destroyed.

As a matter of course, we did not then know what was being done; but
later we learned that the President's mansion, the Treasury buildings,
the Arsenal, and the barracks, where three thousand troops could be
quartered, were all laid in ashes under the orders of General Ross and
Admiral Cockburn.

Before midnight the conflagration in the portion of the city where we
had sought refuge, had so far subsided, because there was nothing left
for the flames to feed upon, that only glowing embers, and the
blackened walls of the Capitol could be seen; but the night was turned
into day because of the fires at the other end of the town.

We lads were weary with watching the wicked work; Jim and Dody had
toasted a large piece of bacon over the embers of the tavern; we had
partaken of a second meal rather because the food was at hand than
owing to hunger, and now all hands felt the need of sleep, even though
we were literally surrounded by enemies.

But Darius had not returned, and we could not give ourselves up to
slumber while he remained absent.

At first I fancied that he was watching the work of the Britishers;
but when my father began to show signs of alarm because the old sailor
did not return, my anxiety was great.

If any of the red-coats came upon him, they would suspect that he had
been among that company of seamen and marines who had inflicted so
much injury upon them during the day just passed, and it was not
difficult to understand