GEN. P. TELLS OF THE FARTHER ADVENTURES OF CROSBY--HOW HE WAS OBLIGED TO SHOW HIS SECRET Pa.s.s--OF HIS RESIDENCE AT A DUTCHMAN"S--OF HIS BEING CRUELLY BEATEN AND WOUNDED.--CONCLUSION.
_Gen. P_. "Crosby, as I said, was in a safe retreat, on the mountain, before morning."
_William_. "Were any measures adopted to retake him?"
_Gen. P_. "No very active measures, probably--but Townsend declared, that if Crosby should ever fall in his way again, he would give him a halter forthwith.
"During the following night, our hero descended the mountain, in a southerly direction; and at a late breakfast hour, the next morning, came to a farm house, the kind mistress of which gave him a comfortable meal.
"For several days from this time, Crosby wandered round the country, without any certain object. He greatly wished for an interview with the Committee of Safety; but the attempt he found would be hazardous, until the troops in the immediate neighbourhood of Fishkill should be sent on some expedition, at a distance.
"This was a gloomy period for Crosby. Although conscious of toiling in a good cause, and of promoting the interests of his country--somehow, he felt alone--not a friend had he to whom he could unbosom his cares--and often was he houseless, and in want. Besides, he began to be known--to be suspected; and the double and treble caution, which he found it necessary to exercise, made his employment almost a burden.
"While maturing some plan, by which he could effect an interview with the Committee of Safety, he called, just at evening, at a farm house, and requested a night"s lodging. This was readily granted him, and he laid aside his pack, thankful to find a resting place, after the toils of the day.
"It was not long, before two very large men, armed with muskets, entered the house. One of them started on seeing Crosby, and whispered something to his companion, to which the latter apparently a.s.sented.
"Then, turning to Crosby--"I have seen you before, I think, sir?" said he.
""Probably," replied Crosby, "though I cannot say that I recollect you."
""Perhaps not--but I am sure you were not long since at Fishkill? ha?""
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""The very fellow!" exclaimed the other--"you recollect how he escaped--seize him!"
"In a moment, the strong hand of the first was laid upon him, and his grasp was the grasp of an Anakim--and though Crosby might have been a match for him alone,--prudence forbade resistance--they were two--he was but one;--they were armed with muskets--he had no weapon about him.
""To-morrow," said the princ.i.p.al, "you shall go to head quarters, where, my word for it, you"ll swing without much ceremony. The committee will never take the trouble to try you again, and Townsend declares that he wishes only to come once more within gun shot of you."
""Is it so?" asked Crosby.
""Even so"--replied the stranger--"your time is short."
"Crosby was seldom alarmed--but _now_ he could perceive real danger.
Could he be fairly tried he might escape--but to be delivered into Townsend"s hands, and perhaps the Committee of Safety at a distance-- he might, indeed, come to harm.
"He had _one_ resort--he could show his _pa.s.s_, and it might save him.
Accordingly, drawing it forth, he presented it to his captors; "Read that," said he, "and then say, whether I am worthy of death."
"Astonishment sat on the countenances of both while they read the pa.s.s. When it was finished, the princ.i.p.al observed, "I am satisfied-- we have been deceived--others are deceived also;--you are at liberty to go where you please. This is the hand-writing of Mr. Jay--I know it well."
"Crosby might, perhaps, have staid where he was through the night--but his feelings were such, that he preferred to seek other lodgings.
Accordingly, shouldering his pack, he set forth in quest of a resting place; which at the distance of a couple of miles, he was so fortunate as to obtain.
"But he was destined to other troubles. Scarcely had he laid aside his pack, and taken a seat near a comfortable fire, before a man entered, whom he was sure that he had seen before.
"At the same time, the stranger cast upon him an eye of deep scrutiny, and increasing severity.
""A cool evening abroad"--observed Crosby.
"The stranger made no reply--but springing upon his feet, darted upon him, like a fiend.
""Now, I know you"--exclaimed he--"I thought it was you. You are the villain who betrayed us to the Committee of Safety. Clear out from the house quickly, or I"ll call one of my neighbours, who says that if he ever sees you again, he"ll suck your very heart"s blood."
""Ah!" said Crosby, quite calm and collected--"perhaps"--
""Leave this house instantly"--vociferated the man, now nearly choked with rage--"but before you go, take one pounding."
""A pounding!" exclaimed Crosby, in contempt--"Come then,"--rising like a lion from his lair--"Come,"--said he, at the same time rolling up his sleeves, and showing a pair of fists, which resembled a trip-hammer for hardness.
""Come on, and I"ll try you a pull"--the muscles of his arm contracting, and lying out like cart-ropes the whole length--from shoulder to wrist--and his countenance, at the same time, looking as terrific as a madman"s--"Come on," said he."
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""Why! we-we-ll--upon the whole"--said the man--"I--I--think I"ll let you off, if you"ll never set foot here again."
""I"ll promise no such thing," said Crosby. "I"m willing to go-- indeed, I would, not stay in such a habitation as this; but I"ll not be driven."
"Crosby well knew that prudence required his departure; and with some deliberation, he shouldered his pack once more, and with a short "good by"--left the house. At the distance of a mile, he found lodgings where he slept unmolested.
"On the following morning, he ascertained that the Committee of Safety were alone at Fishkill--the troops having gone abroad on some expedition. Seizing the opportunity of their absence, he crossed the river, and was soon at the residence of Mr. Duer.
"That Crosby was in more than ordinary danger in traversing the country, was apparent both to himself and Mr. Duer. He was advised, therefore, to repair to an honest old Dutchman"s, who lived in a retired place, some miles distant, and there wait until farther orders.
"Accordingly, being furnished with a complete set of tools, he proceeded to the appointed place, and was so fortunate as to find ample employ for some time, under the very roof of his host.
"A few days only, however, had elapsed, when an express arrived, bringing him a letter from Mr. Duer.
"The worthy old Dutchman was quite curious to know from whom the letter came, and what was its purport.
""Val," said he, knocking the ashes from his pipe--"you know tee shentlemen of tee armee? Vat for tey rite you?--eh?"
"Crosby waived an answer as well as he was able, informing his host that he must be absent a short time, when he would return, and finish the shoes.
""Val," said the Dutchman, "how you go?--on shank"s mare? You no trudge so--you nebber get tere. Here, you Hauns! Puckle tee pest shaddle on mine horse, and pring him to tee horse plock tirectly--you hear?"
"The horse was brought out accordingly, and Crosby was soon on his way to Fishkill. On his arrival, circ.u.mstances existed, which rendered it imprudent for him to tarry, and he was directed to go to Dr. Miller"s, who kept an apothecary"s shop at some distance, and there wait the arrival of one of the Committee of Safety.
"On reaching the place, he inquired for Dr. Miller, who he was told was absent. This information was given him by a girl, whom he was sure he had seen before, but where he could not recollect.
""If you wish to trade," said the girl, "I can wait upon you. Perhaps you would like some of Dr. Miller"s opiates. You recollect they are quite powerful."
"Crosby was on the point of exclaiming. But the girl whispered him to be silent. "These men," said she, "who are around us, are _whigs_, but you must not let your name be known."
"While thus conversing, and listening to the conversation of several men, at the fire, a stranger entered the shop, and inquired for a vial of medicine. Crosby recognized that it was Mr. Jay--so slipping out of the door, he pretended to be admiring the stranger"s fine horse, when Mr. Jay came out; and, as he mounted, whispered to Crosby to return to the Dutchman"s, and wait for farther orders.