INTRODUCTION

Chap.  I. Gen P. tells about the early life of Enoch Crosby.

Chap.  II.  Gen. P. tells about the war, and how Crosby enlisted as a soldier for one campaign.

Chap.  III.  Gen. P. tells how Crosby again enlisted as a soldier, and of his singular adventures.

Chap.  IV.  Gen. P. tells how Crosby enlisted in the service of the Committee of Safety, and how he was taken prisoner.

Chap.  V. Gen. P. tells about how Crosby’s visit to a mountain cave—­ how he was again taken prisoner—­and the manner in which he escaped.

Chap.  VII.  Gen. P. tells about the farther adventures of Crosby—­how he was obliged to show his secret pass—­how he resided at a Dutchman’s—­how afterwards he was cruelly beaten and wounded.—­ Conclusion.

INTRODUCTION.

“Will you tell me a story this evening, father?” asked William P., a fine lad of twelve years of age, the son of General P., who had been a gallant officer in the revolutionary war.

“And what story shall I tell you, my son?” said the general.

“Something about the war, father.”

“You are always for hearing about the war, William,” said General P.  “I have told you almost all the stories I recollect.  And besides, William, if you love to hear about war so well, when you are young, you will wish to be a soldier, when you become a man.”

“And would you not wish to have me a soldier, father, if war should come?—­you was once a soldier, and I have heard people say, that you was very brave, and fought like a hero!”

“Well, well, William,” said the general, “I must tell you one story more.  Where are Henry and John?  You may call them—­they will like to hear the story too.”

(Enter William, Henry and John.)

Henry.  “Father!  William says you are going to tell us a story about the war! what——­”

[Illustration]

John.  “Shall you tell us about some battle, where you fought?”

Gen. P.  “Sit down, my children, sit down.  Did I ever tell you about Enoch Crosby?”

William. “Enoch Crosby? why, I never heard of such a man.”

Henry.  “Nor did I.”

Gen. P.  “I suppose not; but he was a brave man, and did that for his country, which is worthy to be told.”

John.  “Was he a general, father?”

Gen. P.  “No; he was a spy.”

William.  “A spy! a spy! father, I thought a spy was an odious character?”

Gen. P.  “Well, a real spy is generally so considered.  I think it would be more appropriate to say, that he was an informer.  During the war, many Americans were employed to obtain information about the enemy.  They were often soldiers, and received pay, as did the soldiers, and sometimes obtained information, which was very important, especially about the tories, or such Americans as favoured the British cause.”