“When he had finished his meal—­’Well,’ said the gentleman, ’I have an important message to deliver to you.’

“‘What is it?’ inquired Crosby.

“’The committee of safety wish you to cross the Hudson immediately, where you are to take measures to seize an English officer, and a company of tories whom he has enlisted on that side.’

“‘Cross to-night?’ asked Crosby.

“‘Immediately,’ replied Mr. ——­ ’no time is to be lost.  You are fatigued—­but once on the other side, you will be more safe, and can take rest.’

“‘I will go,’ said Crosby.

“‘And I will set you across myself,’ said the gentleman, ’it is only a short distance.’

“Accordingly they proceeded to the river, where a boat was in readiness, in which they soon reached the opposite shore.

“Having received the necessary directions, Crosby now proceeded on his course; and, by the hour of breakfast, had reached the ground where he was to begin his operations.

“At a farm house, near where he found himself he obtained a comfortable breakfast; after finishing which, he made himself known as a shoemaker, and begged employment.

“‘Why,’ said the farmer, ‘just at present, we are pretty well shod.’

“‘Well,’ observed Crosby, ’perhaps you have other work, about which you can employ me.  I can turn my hand to almost any kind of farming business.’

“‘No doubt—­no doubt,’ said the farmer, ’you are no fool—­from Yankee land, I guess—­no matter—­well, I don’t care if you stay a couple of days, or so, and help me and my wife kill hogs, and a few such notions.’

“Terms were soon settled, and Crosby proved quite knowing and helpful.”

* * * * *

“What noise is that?’ asked Crosby, while he and the farmer were at work—­’can it be thunder?’

“‘More like cannon,’ said the farmer—­’loud talk below, I rather guess.’

“‘Hard times for Washington just now,’ observed Crosby, ’and some think pretty justly.’

“‘Why,’ said the farmer, ’why—­it won’t do to speak all one thinks—­ but—­well—­why don’t you turn soldier—­you look as though you could fight, upon a pinch?’

“‘Well, I think, I might,’ said Crosby.  ’Have you any place of enlistment hereabouts, that a body could join, if one were so minded?’

“‘Why,’ replied the farmer, ’I don’t know but I could put you in a way, if you are one of the right sort of men.’

“‘What sort do you wish?’ inquired Crosby.

“‘Oh, lower party men—­they are more fashionable hereabouts.’

“‘Well, I like to be in the fashion, wherever I am,’ observed Crosby.

“‘Good!’ said the farmer, ‘do you see yonder mountain, west?’

“‘I do,’ replied Crosby.

“’Well, if you wish to see as fine a fellow as ever carried sword, there is your man, and right glad would he be of your bone and muscle—­good pay—­light work, I tell you.’