The Liberty Boys Running the Blockade | Page 8

"I don't know what I should have done without you. He never ran away before and I didn't know what do."
"What started him up, Miss Watrous?" asked Dick, stroking the horse and getting him into calmer mood.
"I am sure I don't know. I have been before and he never acted in this fashion."
"Who harnessed him?" asked Bob, looking the horse.
"Why, I did. The boy was busy and I couldn't wait, so I did it myself. Why shouldn't I do things for myself instead of being always dependent upon others?"
"That is all right in theory," laughed Bob, "but you have not done it right, and the horse has been chafed and annoyed, and has finally tried to get out of it and has run away. You had better let me fix things."
"Well, I declare!" exclaimed the girl. "And I thought I could do most anything!"
Just then Dick caught sight of one of the men he had seen the night before going down Broadway, and he said to Bob in a low tone:
"Look after the young lady, Bob. There is one of those ruffians. Take Major up with you when you get through."
Then he went away at not too rapid a walk and followed the man he had seen, observing him go into a tavern on the other side of the street and just below the corner.
"Not a very reputable place," he said to himself, "but I think I am safe enough."
Entering the place, he saw the man he had followed sitting in a corner talking to a man who, if he was not greatly mistaken, was the chief of the two spies he had captured the day before and had turned over to General Putnam. The man recognized him, and hastily arose, and Dick knew that he was not mistaken, although how he should have escaped was a puzzle to him.
"Stop that man! He is a spy of the British!" he cried. "And the man with him is a thief!"
"Better not talk too loud in this place, you saucy young rebel!" growled the landlord, coming forward. "All my customers are respectable persons, and if you don't like 'em, your room is preferable to your company."
From the black looks cast at him, Dick saw that he was likely to get into trouble, the patrons of the place being evidently persons of shady character and Tories. He pushed forward, nevertheless, and, suddenly drawing a pistol, said in a very determined manner:
"If you attempt to stop me you do it at your own risk. One of those men is an enemy to the country and the other an enemy to society, and I purpose to arrest them both."
"Run, Hughson!" muttered the thief. "I'll fix the young rebel. He threw me downstairs last night, and---"
Dick sprang upon the table, leaped to the floor, seized the thief by the collar and dragged him to the door, and then, turning upon the men in the place, said:
"If any one attempts to follow he will get hurt, so I advise you to remain where you are!"
Then, dragging the man out of the door, he said:
"The spy can wait. I have got you and you will have to give an account of yourself. Keep quiet, or I will hand you over to the bailiffs at once. You must know by this time that I am a boy of considerable determination."
They were in the alley by this time, and Dick, with his hand on the man's collar, continued:
"Will you go along quietly or shall I call a constable?"
"H'm! you've got more pluck than a dozen constables!" the fellow growled. "Oh, I'll go along with you, 'cause you've got the best o' me. You didn't get Hughson, anyhow. How did you know I was with him?"
"I did not, but I knew you and was determined to have you. You can give me some information concerning the stone house, and later I will look after the spy."
The man gave a grunt, and by that time they were out upon a side street leading into Broadway or to the river.
"We will go there now," said Dick. "Some of the Liberty Boys are waiting for me at the house and we can continue our investigations with your assistance."
"Huh! you seem to think I am going to tell you all I know about the place," muttered the man. "S'pose I don't?"
"Then you will get into worse trouble," shortly.
It was dark in the room, so the boys could not see the man who had challenged them, their matches having burned out: Harry stumbled over something on the floor and fell headlong, Sam falling on top of him. At the same instant came a flash and a report, and the boys saw the man about to make a dash for the door. Will lighted another match, and