Whig Against Tory | Page 9

rapped at the door, and called, and, as you say, Master Henry, when you speak Monsieur Tonson--
"'And loud indeed were they obliged to bawl, Ere they could rouse the torpid lump of clay.'
"The door, however, was at length opened, and after receiving a growl from the landlord, and a snarl from the landlady, that their rest should be thus broken--they were shown to a bed room, where both in the same bed soon forgot the toils of the night, in a refreshing sleep.
"The committee were together at an early hour, as had been promised. Again Crosby told over his story--and when he had finished,--'Are you willing,' asked the committee, 'to accompany a body of horse to the spot, and attempt to take the traitors?'
"'Sure I am,' said Crosby. 'I gave them encouragement that I would 'join' them, and well should I like to fulfil such an engagement.'
"'You shall have an opportunity,' said the committee. 'Hold yourself in readiness, and may success crown the enterprise.'
"'At the appointed time, a company of troop well mounted, left White Plains; and, under the pilotage of Crosby, directed their course towards the spot. In the mean time, the company had assembled, and now, amid the darkness of the night, were arranging their plans----"
* * * * *
"'What noise is that!' asked one--rising from his seat, and turning his ear towards the quarter whence the sound came.
"'Nothing, I guess,' said a witty sort of fellow, in one corner of the room, 'but my old horse, taking lessons at the post, before----'
"'Something more serious, perhaps,' said the farmer, with whom Enoch Crosby had quartered, 'that yankee!'
"'Where is he?' asked a dark eyed, keen sighted tory, rising from his seat--'I didn't much like his looks, the other day.'
"'Something serious abroad!'--exclaimed several at the same time rising--'Captain! Captain!'
"'Go to the door,' thundered the Captain of the gang--'and reconnoitre'--
"'You are prisoners!' exclaimed a voice which struck a panic through the clan, as the door was opened--'surrender, or you are dead men!'
"'By whose authority is this?' asked the captain of the tories, rushing to the door, with his sword drawn, followed by his clan, with their guns uncharged.
"'We demand it in the name of the Continental Congress'--exclaimed he of the whigs.
"'We surrender to nothing, but to superior strength,' said the tory captain. 'Soldiers! come on.'
"'My brave comrades! advance,' exclaimed the leader of the patriots-- 'death or victory--make ready!'--
"'It's of no use to contend,' said the farmer--'not a gun loaded, captain!--we're betrayed!--a blight on that yankee!--'
"'Take aim!'--uttered the patriot leader.
"'Hold! hold!' exclaimed the captain of the tories--'it's needless to shed blood--what are your terms?'"
[Illustration]
"'Immediate surrender!' replied the commander of the whigs.
"'Done'--rejoined the leader of the traitors--and now they were marched out, and were tied together in pairs, and were conducted to prison, some miles distant to the tune, of 'Rogue's march.'"
William. "Was Crosby seen by them?"
Gen. P. "Probably not. The darkness of the night would conceal him; and it was needless to expose himself, as their betrayer. He was suspected by some--especially by the farmer--who recollected a significant look which Crosby gave him, when he left him."
Henry. "He was justly rewarded, was'n't he, father?"
Gen. P. "Justly, indeed!--and all the rest, who were designing to sacrifice their country's liberty and honour."
CHAPTER IV.
GEN. P. TELLS HOW CROSBY ENLISTED IN THE SERVICE OF THE COMMITTEE OF SAFETY, AND HOW HE WAS TAKEN PRISONER.
Gen. P. "Crosby felt quite satisfied with his success; but not more so, than the committee of safety. They sent for him--told him he had done his country real service, and wished to know what his plans were.
"'You are going to enlist into the army, are you?' asked Mr. Jay.
"'I am,' replied Crosby. 'My country needs my services, and she shall have them.'
"'Your resolution is honourable,' said Mr. Jay--'but may you not be of greater service, in another way? We have enemies among us--secret foes--who are plotting our ruin. We need information respecting them. We wish for some one, who has prudence and skill--one, who will go round the country--who will find out where these men live--where they meet and form their plans. It is a dangerous service,--but, then, the reward.'
"'I care not for danger,' said Crosby--'my country is dear to me. My life is at her service. Sir, I will go--but--but one thing I ask-- only one--if I fall, do justice to my memory. Let the world know, that Enoch Crosby was in your service--in the service of his country--and that he fell a martyr to the cause of liberty.'
"'It shall be done,' said Mr. Jay--'we pledge it, by our sacred honour.'
"'But,' continued he to Crosby, 'let no man know your secret--no, not even should you be taken. If you are ever taken by the Americans, as belonging to the British, we will help you to escape--but, if you cannot let us