There had been a struggle at the front door; some of the assailants had achieved entrance through the window, and that had practically ended the affair.
But what had become of Peter?
Of the girl?
Who composed the attacking party?
The Indian had been despatched to Valley Forge with my memoranda; probably Peter, the Irishman, and a negro or two were alone left to defend the house.

As to the identity of the marauders, I had small doubt; their handiwork was too plainly revealed, and those two dead men remained as evidence.

Rough as were British and Hessian foragers, they were seldom guilty of such wanton destruction as this.

Besides this was the home of a prominent loyalist, protected from despoliation by high authority.

The hellish work must have been accomplished by one or more bands of those "Pine Robbers" who infested Monmouth County, infamous devils, hiding in caves among sand hills, and coming forth to plunder and rob.