The next thing I saw was a large building on
fire, and through the windows I saw books burning, with some curious-
looking things, of which I do not know the names."
"The Military Institute, with the books and scientific apparatus," said
Mohun, calmly.
"Was it, sir? I did not know."
"What did you see afterward, Amanda?"
"Another house burning, sir; the Federal people gave the ladies ten
minutes to leave it, and then set it on fire."
Mohun glanced at me.
"That is strange," he said; "do you know the name of the family?"
"No, sir."
"It was Governor Letcher's. Well, what next?"
"Then they went in a great crowd, and broke open another building--a
large house, sir--and took every thing. Among the things they took was
a statue, which they did not break up, but carried away with them."
"Washington's statue!" murmured Mohun; and, turning to me, he
added:--
"This is curious, is it not, Surry?"
I nodded.
"_Very_ curious."
I confess I believed that the strange woman was trifling with us, and
had simply made up this story after the event. Mohun saw my
incredulity, and said, in a low tone:--
"You do not believe in this?"
"No," I returned, in the same tone.
"And yet one thing is remarkable."
"What?"
"That a lady of the highest character assured me, the other day, that
all this was related to her before Hunter even entered the Valley.
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