The Liberty Boys Running the Blockade | Page 8

general, who was well
acquainted with Dick, Bob and many of the Liberty Boys.
They left the place, jumped into the saddle, were going up toward the
Commons when, as they neared the head of Maiden Lane, they
suddenly heard a sharp cry, and saw a young girl in a chaise come
dashing toward them at a terrific pace, the horse having taken fright at
something and being now beyond the girl's control.
"Quick, Bob!" cried Dick. "We must save her!"
"Why, it's Sarah Watrous," said Bob, that being the name of the girls'
friend whom the boys had seen the night before.
The boys dashed forward, one on each side the chaise, Dick
dismounting and catching of the bridle, throwing himself backward and
checking the animal's speed. Bob reached out at the same time and did
what he could to stop horse, the two boys between them succeeding in
checking him in a short time.
"Oh, I am so glad you came!" gasped the girl who seemed nearly ready
to swoon. "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