The Boy Spies of Philadelphia

it would be comparatively easy to perform t

would be that of finding Colonel Powers, or

ter, and Seth thought, as he set off at his best pace, that it was possible a fellow could aid the ca

r, they being quick to take advantage of the fact that the road had been lately clear

nizingly, as if suspicious because he had left the city; but this sensation soon wore away as the

e, he decided he was at least four miles from the town, and the likeli

ld meet with detachments of Americans, and he believed he was now in th

nsidered a suspicious character by those whom he would aid, and he thought that it

uld have been as well if I hadn't allowed mother an opportunity to worry about me. General Howe must have

dozen horsemen on the road in advance of him, for he felt pos

ward rapidly in order to accomplish his purpose, f

he leader asked as he drew r

ng a friendly greeting as soon as his errand was made known. "I want to

the horseman asked more sternl

s captured by the Brit

nterrupted, "but Grimshaw would never ha

"and it was under his advice that I

s quite certain from the expression on the faces of the horsemen that such was the cas

he leaders of the Continental army, and Grimshaw to

he leader asked sharply.

Gray

Graydon who keeps the boardin

ied without hesi

imshaw if he was on the pillory

the capture brought him in, and by waiting until the curious one

gged?" the

, s

everely than being

, s

ld where we co

r one of us should have s

they will be disappointed at the result of their scheme. The Tories of Philadelph

irst time since he parted with his comrade

a Tory!" he

h a laugh. "A great hulking lad like you would be in the Continental army if he ha

ender you a service, at the risk of being flogged if it is known that I left the city f

u will enlist when we are on the

sked hotly. "Or will you take me t

that; but if you count on going back to Philadelphia in time to give valuable information to t

m not a spy!" S

n opportunity to prove

d I ha

r said to one of his followers, and the man dismounted at once, searching Seth's

y for this!" he cried h

to reel, and he would have fallen but th

a laugh, and added in a threatening tone to Seth, "March ahead of us, young man! Don't make the mistake of think

u a service, it is little wonder you fail to receiv

all be made to understand that Howe is not the only person who can order floggings ad

it would be worse than useless

h treatment seemed brutal in the extreme after he had vent

inds it difficult to raise recruits," Seth said to himself. "When I have told Jacob and Enoch of m

being made a prisoner, and he felt only bitterness toward th

to prick him roughly now and then when he lagged, until two miles or more had been traversed, when they arrived at what w

aping; but, fortunately, he realized the futility of such a

wing to the rapid march, the party had arrived at wha

a dozen or more horses were tethered to the trees, while

one of the idlers cried, and the

ing to win his spurs in

the

boarding-house for British officers, an

is Gr

s. He was captured this morning

a sore back when he

th. "It won't be a bad idea to show Howe that we can swing the whip as we

's try our hand on him," some one cri

owerless against them, and there seemed little chance he

as if believing the suggestion would be carried into

ad begun the preparations for the punishment cried, as if eager to be at the work. "It's

not prepared to give the order, knowing full well that he would be

need of being in a hurry. Look out for the prisoner

and half-dragging, half-leading him to a tree on one side of t

way," Seth said bitterly. "Fifteen or twen

lves any more trouble than is necessary. You will stay here,

s tone which caused Seth to bel

isplay temper, and that it might yet be possible to escape the

fit to the cause, that you cannot believe my story suf

hat, lad; but it isn't for me to say. Cap

If my mother, a poor widow woman, is forced to take En

nketin's you people have had in Philadelphia this winter, I

you know; we drew lots to see who should come here, and I was pleased because the choice fell on me. Do you think it right t

ances to hear that which would be valuable to our side;

soldiers of the Continental army the onl

should be in the army wh

s too young to be received as a soldier-am too young now;

willing to e

her permission. But that has nothing to do with the story I came to tell. I swear to you I have heard that which should be k

e mighty import

e an opportunity to tell it I a

but Seth understood that his words had had some effe

s been done you will still have the opportunity to give me a flogging.

of the men, and Seth began to hope he could yet accomplish his purpose, although he was far from

fficiently near the prisoner to admit of

ter very earnestly, and Seth bel

scene was

y their uniforms Seth understood that officers o

ptain's report while in the saddle, and then, to th

" the eldest member

Gray

er has as boarders many of

ty-second Highlanders, five of the Roya

at your mother's house which you

s conversation with Ezra Grimshaw, conclu

t has not been serious, and you must realize that the soldiers are suspicious because of the many attempts at treach

imply to tell no

t have yo

lonel Powers questioned him closely regarding the comments which had been

he best of his ability, the colonel becko

bind him in such a manner. He has brought most valuable information, and should

he released Seth, and while doi

at has happened, and tha

felt toward his captor just at that

ad undergone during his time of arrest, and he felt almost friendly-disposed, even tow

the colonel said when Seth was freed from the ropes. "I thank you for your service, and shal

the air of one who has an important duty to execute, an

and say you bear

lied promptly, and the troopers gathered around, each as eager to sh

he captain, now the most frie

an that is hardly safe. You can easily reach home

ot, if you have other wo

ntry people from carrying in produce, and by givin

the little party started at a sharp trot, which, owing to his lack of skill as a horseman, ef

uad had arrived at the bank of

eat you in a better fashion, lad," Captain Jord

with more caution, fearing lest I meet with those who wil

les were over, and that he would be at home before any of the inm

he had rendered no slight service to the cause, and

, until, within less than five minutes from the time he had parted with the American h

said to the trooper nearest him. "We can't

n surprise, for this command was the first

e seen," the offic

h continued. "I am the son of Mrs. Graydon, wh

Ind

of the officers who liv

hold communication with the rebels; but any protestations on your part would be useless, so far as we are concerned, for we saw you escorted by a squad of rebel horsemen. Mount

ost helpless

al troopers there was little question but that he would be cons