The Liberty Boys Running the Blockade | Page 3

me, I suppose? I met you on
Long Island. So you are over here now? Where is your camp? I should
like to send up an ox or two for your use. Where did you say you were
encamped?"
Dick passed at that moment but was not observed, nor was 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