Henry.  “Is that the meaning of the word tory?”

Gen. P.  “Yes; tories were Americans, who wished that the British aims might succeed, and the king of England might still be king of the colonies.  Those who wished differently, and who fought against the British, were called whigs.”

John.  “Was Crosby a whig?”

Gen. P.  “Yes; no man could be more devoted to the liberty of his country.”

William.  “Whence were the names whig and tory derived?”

Gen. P.  “Do you wish to know the original meaning of the words, my son?”

William.  “Yes, sir.”

Gen. P.  “The word tory, the learned Webster says, was derived from the Irish, in which language it signifies a robber.  Tor, in that language, means a bush; and hence tory, a robber, or bushman; because robbers often secrete themselves in the bushes.  The meaning of the word whig, I am unable to tell you.  Its origin is uncertain.  It was applied, as I told you, to those who fought for the liberty of America.”

William.  “If the word tory means a robber, it was very properly applied to those, who wished to rob the people of America of their rights—­don’t you think so, father?”

Gen. P.  “Exactly so, William—­a very just remark.”

John.  “Father!  I thought you was going to tell about Enoch Crosby?—­”

Gen. P.  “True, master John, we will begin.”

CHAPTER I.

GEN.  P. TELLS ABOUT THE EARLY LIFE OF ENOCH CROSBY.

Gen. P.  “Enoch Crosby was born in Massachusetts, in 1750.  When he was only three years old, his father took him, and the rest of his family, into the state of New-York to live.  He was a farmer, and had bought a farm in Southeast, a town which borders on the state of Connecticut.

“Southeast is a wild, rough, and romantic place.  Its hills are high and steep.  Several cataracts tumble over precipices, and fall upon the ear with deafening noise.  Two rivers, called the Croton and the Mill river, wind through the place.  Several large ponds enrich the scenery.

“In this rude, but yet delightful country, Enoch Crosby lived, till he was sixteen years old.  He was a strong and active boy.  He could climb the highest hills without fatigue, and walk on the brink of frightful precipices without fear.  His playmates admired him for his courage.  He always took the lead because they wished it—­they loved him, because he was generous and noble.

“When Enoch was, sixteen years of age, misfortune came upon his father.  The family had lived comfortably.  They were prosperous farmers—­but now, a blast came—­I know not the cause—­but it came, and they were poor.

“Enoch’s father decided that his son must learn a trade.  It was no hardship for him to work—­this he had been accustomed to.  In those times, people laboured harder than now-a-days.  Industry was a virtue—­ idleness a shame.  And it was hard labour, and solid fare, that made the men of those times so much stronger, than those of the present generation.