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