“’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 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.