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 know, here is a paper, which in the last extremity, you may show, and it will save you.'"

William "What did that paper contain?"

Gen. P. "It was what is called a pass—it was signed by the committee of safety; and ordered, that the person who had it should be suffered to pass without injury.

"In a few days, Crosby was ready. He had provided himself with a peddlar's pack, in which he had put a set of shoemaker's tools. His design was to go round the country, and work at his trade; and, at the same time, to get such information as might be useful to his employers."

Illustration_7

"Not long after he set out upon his adventures, he arrived just at evening at a small house, at which he knocked, hoping to procure a night's lodging.

"It was some time before he was heard. At length a girl came, and inquired his errand.

"'I wish for a lodging to-night,' said Crosby—'if it may be'—

"'I don't know, sir,' replied the girl—'I'll go and ask mother.'

"The girl soon reappeared, and bade him walk in. On reaching the kitchen, he made known his wishes, to the mistress of the family.

"'Lodgings! sir—did you ask for lodgings? we don't keep lodgings here, sir.'

"'I suppose not, madam,' said Crosby, in a kind manner—'but I am quite fatigued, and thought, perhaps, you would let me stay till morning.'

"'I don't know but what you may. The man is gone from home. There's such work now-a-days, that a body don't know nothing what to say or do—pray, what do you carry in that huge pack?'

"'In this pack, madam? only some shoemaker's tools. I am a shoemaker, madam—perhaps, you have some work for me to do? I'll take it off with your leave.'

"'Well, do as you please. Our John wants a pair of shoes; and perhaps the man of the house will give you the job when he comes home.'

"'I shall be glad to do it,' said Crosby. 'Madam, have you heard the news?'

"'What news?'

"'Why, that Washington is on the retreat, and that the British army is pursuing him, and likely to overtake him.'

"'Ah! that's good news,' exclaimed the old lady, 'you may stay here to-night. Sally! Sally! here get this man some supper—he brings good news—I hope the rebels every one will be shot. Sally!—make up the best bed. Here's a chair—sit down, sir; and make yourself at home.

"Crosby accordingly took a seat. Supper was soon ready, and he eat heartily.

"When he had done, he drew his chair to the fire, about which time, the man of the house came in. He was told the good news by his wife, and Crosby was made welcome.

"The evening was spent in talking about the war, and the prospects of the country. The host proved himself a firm tory, and wondered that Crosby and every one else should not think and feel precisely as he did.

"'Have you many of your way of thinking in these parts?' inquired Crosby.

"'That we have,' replied the host—'more than we shall have a few days hence.'

"'I hope so,' whispered Crosby to himself. 'But, sir, how so?' inquired he, with some surprise.

"'Why,' replied the host, 'you must know that we've a company nearly ready to march. I guess they'll go the sooner, now that the British are after Washington. They'll wish to get there in time to see some of the fun.'

"'Could you introduce me to some of the company?' asked Crosby.

"'That I can. You'd better join them. I'll tell you what—you'll have good pay and short work.'

"The following morning, after breakfast, the host took Crosby abroad, and introduced him to the captain of the tory company, as one who, perhaps, might be persuaded to enlist.

"'Would you like to enlist?' asked the captain—at the same time running his eye over the stout frame of Crosby.

"'I would like to see your muster-roll, first,' replied Crosby."

Henry. "Pray, father, what is a muster-roll?"

Gen. P. "A paper, my son, on which the names of the soldiers are registered."

Henry. "Why did Crosby wish to see that?"

Gen. P. "I was going to tell you. He wished to ascertain who had joined the company."

William. "Did the captain show him the roll?"

Gen. P. "Yes; and carefully did Crosby run over the names.

"'Will you join us?' asked the captain, when Crosby had finished looking at the roll.

"'They are all strangers to me,' said Crosby, 'and besides, I fear that the roll may fall into the hands of the Americans—then, what will become of us?'

"'No fear of that,' said the captain. 'Come with me, and see how we manage.'

"Crosby was now led into a large meadow, at no great distance, in which stood a large stack of hay.

"'Look at this stack, sir—what do you think of this?'

"'It is monstrous,' said Crosby. 'Why so much hay in one stack?'

"'Not so much neither, replied the captain, 'it isn't every one that knows how to manage—here, take a look inside,' at the same time drawing aside some long hay, which concealed an apartment within.

"Crosby started. The stack was hollow—capable of holding at least fifty men."

Illustration_8

"'Ha! ha! ha!' roared out the captain, 'you are afraid the muster roll will fall into bad hands—are you? Well, what think you now? Is that likely, when we know how to manage? Many a rebel has passed by this stack, but he hadn't brains enough to think what was inside. Come, my good fellow, shall I enter your name?'

"'I'll think of it,' said Crosby, 'and let you know soon.'

"While Crosby was apparently making up his mind, the day passed by. He was still at the captain's, who invited him to spend the night. This invitation was accepted, and at an early hour, he retired to rest.

"But he could not sleep. What should he do? He thought—pondered— hesitated—but at length, resolved. Midnight came. He rose, and having put on his clothes, softly passed from his chamber down stairs. At every step he listened—all was still—without disturbing even the wary captain, he left the premises, and was soon on his way towards White Plains.

"An hour or two brought him to the residence of Mr. Jay, whom he called from his bed, and to whom he related what he knew. A plan was soon concerted, by which to take the whole company. This being settled, Crosby hastened back; and, before any one was up at the captain's, was safely, and without having excited suspicion, in his bed.

"In the course of the day, he was strongly urged to enlist—but he wished to see the company together, he said. 'You shall see them together,' said the captain, 'it would be well to meet—we must arrange matters before we go.'

"A hasty summons, was therefore, sent round, and before nine o'clock that night, the whole company had assembled;—it was a season of great joy among them—the rebels, they said, were so depressed, that they would have but little to do, but to march down and see them ground arms.

"'Well, Mr. Crosby,' bawled out the captain, 'what say you? will you go with us, and'—

"'Hark! hark! hark!' exclaimed a soldier, who sat near the door—'I hear horses approaching.'

"'Out with the lights!—out with the lights!' said the captain— 'silence every man—keep your places.'

"At this moment, a loud rap was heard at the door—soon after which it was thrown open, and the word 'surrender,' uttered by an officer, came in like a peal of thunder.

"'Who are you?' demanded the tory captain, rising with some effort— his knees trembling under him.

"'Who am I!' uttered the same voice, 'you will soon know who I am, unless you surrender—you are surrounded—you are prisoners.'

"Dismay now filled the company. They rose, and in the darkness which pervaded the room, attempted to escape. In the haste and confusion, chairs were broken—benches overturned—pitchers and tumblers dashed in pieces—some plunged from the windows, and were taken—others felt their way up chamber, and hid in the garret, while several, in attempting to reach the cellar, were plunged headlong upon the bottom.

"In a little time, however, matters were more quiet. The horsemen had surrounded the house, and none could escape. From their hiding places they were, at length, dragged—poor Crosby with the rest—and tied together in pairs, were marched to the village of White Plains."

CHAPTER V.