The Boy Spies of Philadelphia
ger they were jeopardizing their lives, Jacob and Enoch felt very proud because
e in whom the Continental officers trusted implicitly, otherwise he would not have been selected for so da
ican army, and both were well content to delay signing their names on the enlistment rolls, because of
and fro through the streets of the now almost deserted city, believing their new duties demanded such diligence; but seeing nothing more formida
n to Enoch's home, and by daylight next
the price of a cabbage as if his only thought was to sell his wa
sation with the man but for the fact
lest we rouse the suspicions of the Britishers. We have nothing to r
ave something
it; but unless he makes a sign
evident, but he did not so much as raise his eyes after one quick gla
g; but few officers were to be seen on the streets until late in the afternoon, an
rned from High into Second Street be
Tavern was thronged with officers
on there? Some of the cr
r chance to linger. You go ahead, and I'll follow when you are halfway t
hrong he heard that which caus
d-holes, have they?" a gentleman who had just come up sa
Frenchman quartered himself has sent word that he is at Barre
believes for a single instant that his rag-tag and
icers replied with a laugh. "There are times when he behaves as if he thought h
d Lafayette?" the citizen continued. "He is hardly more than a
He has had the advantage of a thorough military education,
e continues his march? I should say he might be advancing
and the spokesman continued, as soon as his mirth
e the field; but I question if General Howe will pay any
to the conversation should become known; but before getting out of the throng he he
nry Clinton, after taking command of the army, would press him too warmly, and that this movement of Lafayette's but cloaked the design. Not a few thought that
to join him, and when, after what seemed an exceedingly long time, his comrade came up lookin
possibility the conversation could be overhe
rn what might be done by the Britishers. He knew General Lafayette was
ut little service, for the soldie
when we can do work that will be of import
e barracks; we can be of no servic
enemy makes any move to-night it is our duty to take the news to General Washin
stand how it i
ling to run
o anything in ai
ter the groom has gone away for the night. If anything is done by the Britishers which our friends should know, we ca
d be stealing!
es. It will be only an honest act, for w
the Britishers are here, and the stranger said we might
it is better for us to leave here on an errand lik
ht, Jacob, but do not want to serv
come, I tell you!" Ja
l be as
on High Street near Fourth. If nothing has been seen we must continue to
best pace, and Enoch went in the opposite direction, feeling rather do
thing to denote that the enemy's troops would be moved that night, an
t's quarters when that gentleman came out attended by
fellows are enjoying themselves at the play. I expected to see at lea
go far?" one of hi
he has invited a large party to take supper with the proposed captive to-morrow night, while Admiral Howe has given orders to have a fri
will give us half a chance to catch h
y column and two th
't impossible we may succeed in surprising him.
idea of what it is proposed to do, and all
ion; but he had heard enough to change his mind as to the honesty of stealing horses,
he found Jacob awaiting him and displaying
y. "We have no time to lose, for I have seen more tha
ble, for there is no time to lose!" and Enoch urged his comrade forward, telling
to carry the news to General Lafayette, it will be a work that even General Washington would thank us for! W
we are not even soldiers; a man must have
we soon
we succeed in finding General Lafayette I shall have reward en
ate," Jacob replied decidedly, "and w
nversation, and the boys were panting so heavily that it was absolutely nece
yards or more from the dwelling, and
hid them from view of any one who might pass that way, un
k in the evening after his day's work is done. The stable door opens toward Wharton's house, and our greatest da
if the soldiers set out ahead of us w
ing horses was a work with which he was thoroughly conversa
population of the city were congregated in the business portion of the town discussing this
as situated so far out of the city there was little fe
d by the subdued noise that Master Ludwi
ere two
f you'll hold him I'll take out the o
but I think we should have something in t
are clear of the city. Have
y, for if any one should come now we'd be in a bad plight
interior of the stable was proved
ke minutes, it seemed to him as if he had but just taken charge o
nted twenty when Master Ludwick opened th
e any of the family should chance to be at home. Remember, we must keep together as long as possible
eplied nervously as he mounted, and in another moment
eet on the hard road sounded so loud in their ears that
wed their horses to trot, and, dangerous though the position was, they reined their steeds
if we are caught it won't be becau
ined, darted forward swiftly when the reins
and we should be able to keep ahead of foot sold
almost certain there is no enemy between us and the Ameri
d the swor
voice, coming apparently from the thick
Halt or
with both heels, darting ahead of Enoch for the tim
ee that they
back just as a broad sheet of flame lighted up the trees a short distance in the rear, and he heard the
, Jake?" he c
ellows have horses, and it's a question how long these can hold out
merits of the Tory's horses; but he was thoroughly aware that he and his comrade would soon h
en in sharp pursuit, and he decided there could not b
ny one from carrying information to the enemy, and now, when it was too late, he rememb
uch out of our way if we had ridden across the field, and then we shouldn't b
e quickly, and there was good reason to believe the weapons would again be used, when a chance s
imself with holding the advantage he had over the enemy; while Jacob had
f fatigue. Now it was necessary for Enoch to urge his on, while Jacob's, less f
Their horses must be as tired as ours; but if they've go
be overhauled because I sent this beast ahead at such a furious rate when we first started. Do your best to give them t
dedly as he reined in his horse. "They
rts of muskets or pistols rang out once more; but thi
n't punish your horse so much, but slacken the pac
the boys no longer bent their heads, for they w
re lost to view in the distance, a
longer, it would have been all over, so far as I'm concerned, for
lookout in case they should make another t
the next hill. There is no short cut hereabouts that they can tak