"Accordingly, he soon after left Miller"s, and before night was again at his quarters.
""Sho, ten, you cot pack"--said the Dutchman as Crosby rode into the yard--the smoke at the same time running in a fine curl from his mouth.
""Safe home again," replied Crosby.
""Yaw, tee horse pe true--true--he vill ride any potty rite to mine ouse. Hauns! here--take off his shaddle--rup him toun mit a whisp of shtraw--tont let him trink till he coutch"d cuoold."
"A few days from this time, Crosby received definite instructions from the Committee of Safety, to repair to Vermont, on a secret expedition; and as no time was to be lost, he was obliged to bid his host adieu, quite suddenly.
""Can you direct me the road to S----," asked Crosby.
""To S----? Yaw--you see dat road pon de hel?"
""O, yes," said Crosby, "I see it.""
[Ill.u.s.tration]
""Val, you musht not take dat roat. But, I tell you vat, you musht go right straight by the parn, and vere you see yon roat dat crooks just so--see here"--bending his elbow--"you must go right strait--ten you vill turn de potato patch round, de pridge over, and de river up stream, and de hel up; and tirectly you see mine prother Haunse"s parn shingled mit straw; dat"s his house, vare mine prother Schnven lives.
He"ll tell you so petter as I can. And you go little farther, you see two roats--you musht not take bote of "em--understand?"
""Quite plain! quite plain!" said Crosby--adding in a low tone to himself, "that you are a Dutchman. Well, friend, good morning.""
"We shall not attempt to follow Crosby on his northern tour; nor to relate the many adventures with which he met during his absence. He proved of great service to the cause of his country; but often suffered much by being taken with tories, whose capture he was instrumental in effecting.
"At length he returned to the theatre of his former operations, but he was now suspected by the tories of being a secret friend to the whigs, and opposed to the royal cause. He was, therefore, narrowly watched, and even found it necessary to hide himself at a brother-in-law"s in the Highlands. Nor was he even here secure, for on the second night after reaching his brother-in-law"s residence, a musket was discharged through the window at him, the ball of which grazed his neck, and tore the collar of his coat.
"It was apparent from this circ.u.mstance that his retreat was known; but it was rendered quite certain a few nights after, by the appearance of an armed gang at the door, who having burst in, dragged Crosby"s brother-in-law from the bed, and demanded where Crosby slept.
"This information, for a time, was refused; but at length, death was threatened, in case of refusal, and his bed chamber was pointed out.
"Crosby heard the coming of the a.s.sailants, and sprung to his gun; but, before he could reach it, a ruffian had snapped a pistol at his head. Fortunately, it missed fire--but _now_ a most desperate engagement followed, in which Crosby showed the most astonishing strength and agility--but numbers, at length, overpowered him, and he was left for dead.
"Life, however, was not extinct. And after the ruffians had retired, Crosby in a measure came to himself; but months pa.s.sed away before he was able to resume the business, in which he had been engaged. Indeed, after this period, less was required. The long and b.l.o.o.d.y contest was in a measure drawing to a close. Liberty, for which so many had fought and bled, was destined to take up her delightful abode on the American soil.
"But had the same necessity existed, it was apparent that Crosby must be released. It was becoming dangerous for him to be seen abroad. He was known to many, to whose capture he had been directly instrumental.
Such were of course bitter against him, and needed only an opportunity to wreak their vengeance upon him. Yet he continued with the army some time longer. At length his time of service expired, upon which he returned to South-East, where he still lives."
_William_. "What! alive yet, father?"
_Gen. P_. "Yes, still living, and enjoying the pleasant reflection that millions are freemen, whom he helped to make free--but who, without his labours, and those of kindred spirits, might this day be doing homage to British power."
THE END.