The Liberty Boys Running the Blockade | Page 3

a certain sign he made to Bob. Then the call of a bird was heard and Ben, Sam and the rest began to close in.
"On the Commons," replied Bob. "Come up and see us some time. You are Mr. Bulwinkle, are you not?"
"Yes. I see you remember me very well."
Then all at once he found himself surrounded by Liberty Boys, and a young man in plain garments stepped up and said:
"You are a British spy. You and a man in a steeple-crowned hat in Fraunces tavern tried to listen to my conversation. I have not yet caught your employer, but if you make any alarm or try to get away you will be denounced. Go with these boys. They will show you our camp, where you will remain a prisoner until I can deliver you up to General Putnam."
The man's face blanched, and then he recognized Dick, and muttered:
"Jove! you are Slater, the rebel, himself! How did you manage---"
"Slater, the patriot, you mean. Your superior is not very clever. I detected him following us. Then he sat too close. Next he scratched a message on the pewter after beckoning to you. You were told to follow me. You thought I was coming here in uniform, didn't you? After practically telling you that I was going to be here. I am afraid you are new at spying, too. Go with the boys, but talk and laugh and don't let any one think that you are a prisoner."
"Jove! but I never would have suspected you of all this clever work." muttered the other.
"I did not want you to!" laughed Dick and he and Bob went one way, while the boys went another with their prisoner.
CHAPTER II.
--The Spy in Danger.
Dick Slater and Bob Estabrook set off down Broadway and had nearly reached Bowling Green when Dick saw the man in the steeple-crowned hat approaching. He evidently took Dick for his friend at first, for he came forward quickly, and then suddenly stopped, looked at both boys, flushed, and, turning upon his heel, darted across Broadway and into Pearl street, where he disappeared. Dick was after him at once, but by the time he reached Pearl street, nothing was to be seen of the spy.
The boys walked down to Whitehall wharf, where they could see over to Staten Island, where the British ships seemed to be getting ready to change their positions. The day was wearing on rapidly, and as they could not get any additional information at the wharf, they turned their faces toward the city and made their way at a good jog toward the Commons, where the camp was located. As they neared Thames street, above the church, Dick said in a low tone:
"There is that spy going down the street. He has changed his disguise and I would not be surprised if he had taken off his beard.
"Where is he, Dick?" eagerly.
"Going down Thames street on the right, the man in brown with a cocked hat. I recognize his walk. Keep behind him, Bob. The sight of a Continental uniform may have a bad effect upon him."
"But he has seen you in that disguise, Dick."
"Yes, and there is nothing striking about it. He would have to see my face to recognize me and I shall take care that he does not."
Indeed, Dick had so many ways of changing his expression, that it was quite likely he could deceive the spy even were they to meet face to face. Bob kept behind Dick as they went down the street on the same side as the spy, the young patriot watching the man closely, and at length seeing him go into a wine shop of a rather unsavory reputation. When he disappeared, Dick turned to Bob and said quickly:
"There is another door to this place down the alley. Go there at once and watch for this fellow to come out. He will do so as soon as he recognizes me."
Then Dick waited a moment for Bob to go down the alley, and entered the shop. He saw the spy sitting at a table, and now, having his own expression, was recognized in a moment.
"Good afternoon," he said, as he walked over to the spy, who was unable to repress a start of surprise. "You did not expect to see me here, did you?"
"Who are you?" the other snarled. "I don't know you from a side of sole leather. Why do you speak to me?"
"I am Captain Dick Slater," said Dick, taking a seat opposite the spy. "You escaped me just now and changed your dress and also took off your beard. You had a friend--a short, somewhat stout man. We have taken care of him. You will find my lieutenant at the other door. I see you are looking toward it. I