“Due search was now made.  Every nook and corner were examined; but not a trace of the vagrant was discovered.

“‘Well!’ said the captain, ’I thought Crosby and the ——­ were in league—­now I know it.’”

CHAPTER VII.

GEN.  P. TELLS OF THE FARTHER ADVENTURES OF CROSBY—­HOW HE WAS OBLIGED TO SHOW HIS SECRET PASS—­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 assented.

“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?’”

[Illustration]

“‘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.