The Boy Spies of Philadelphia

lieve that the most difficult port

my while riding in this direction, and all that no

cob was familiar with the roads in that section of the count

ace if allowed to continue on at a walk, and such gentle exerci

emy had abandoned the pursuit and there was no longer any danger to be appreh

h replied with a laugh. "As to whether we are given swords or not tr

now how much easier it is t

a fellow doesn't k

n soon

on why we should discuss the matter, for the swords

re not appreciated. Hark! Do you hear anything?" and Jaco

dvance of the Continental army was encamped, could be heard the

gth. "Do you suppose it is possible our friends have a

to resist one. Now if ever is the t

riends, and a few moments later two mounted men could be seen di

uiding his horse to the middle of

and one of them asked in a low

cannot be that any of the ene

re members of the Contin

o you take the middle of the road a

We have ridden at risk of our lives, having been chased and fired at by a s

amed of was already hanging by his side, and had even now assumed

y; but if your information is of importance it may be to our advantage

d himself sent in the full particulars. From all we could learn, two forces, one

officers repeated. "Do you me

for marching before we came away, and they mu

so certain as to

isher said General Howe was so sure of capturing the marquis that he h

rs a few seconds, and then he who ha

isoned on the charge of having

ar

no question as to the

errupted. "Why, we saw the s

with us to Gene

! It was to find h

nd began to retrace their steps at a rap

le, asked how the young messengers had procured horses, a

if you continue with the same zeal, should be able to give

o," Enoch replied, and Jac

ut our being given commissi

hould be enough for us that we have rendered an important service, and it

er which he relapsed into silence, not venturing to speak again until the little party had arriv

understood that they were at General Lafayette's quarters, the owner of

o a room strewn with military accouterments, in the cent

after which a young, not particularly preposses

vident respect, while Jacob and Eno

ous Frenchman of whom they had heard so much, and both were sadly disappointed, beca

of the officers said to Jacob,

" Master Ludwick c

an old man?" Lafayett

u was-I mean, it didn't

ormation to give it will be well if I hear that at once, and your

ch to act as spokesman, a post he filled with great satisfaction to all, except, perhaps, his comrade, who wa

aid as if to himself when Enoch's story was ended. "With seven thousand men against us t

turned to the young messengers with a smile which changed the entire expression o

Mr. Wharton at the earliest convenient moment, stating that I impressed them into the service of the United States, and forward him an order for the payment of the animals. It will be better you should remain wit

that the interview had come to an end, and at once went toward the door; bu

g more to tell me

ted on saying something els

Perhaps at some future time we may hav

his companion, and when they were outside the

hat we got much thanks

t perhaps we have been the means of sa

et he didn't say a word about giving us

ces to a people who were strangers to him, he has a right to believe that

reply, when he was suddenly seized from behind in what

il; but didn't think you'd steal up on us in the night. Have you b

fore the three boys had so far concluded their greeti

ow he had succeeded in reaching the American lines on the n

m until he was at Valley Forge he saw nothing of the enemy. The food provided by Mrs. Ball was ample for all his wa

us situation, and was allowed to enlist in whatever branch of the service he desired. He enrolled himself in the New Jersey mil

arded in some way because of all he had suffered, and Seth's r

d, to reward me for simply trying t

n which must have been v

n told, and surely such know

de officers at the very least, because of bringing news which may prevent General Lafayette from being made prisone

officer in the Continental army before he had even so much as handled a muske

ected could not well be given, unless the army was to be used as an o

for some one of the squad that pursued us might remember our faces. Yes, the time has come when we should be

st in the regiment

should be with the

particular difference, for you will do yo

"and if you really believe there's no chance of our being made

fayette will recommend you for promotion until you know what a private's d

ed as a farm-hand, and came into

es

ers had their celebration, or what

d the cause. His name is Robert Greene, and when I heard that he wanted to be directed to several people in the city who might be able to give h

of their troubles after he escaped, but before his curio

Lafayette had begun making preparations to escape

s were halted at the forks of the roads leading, one to Barren Hill, and the other to Matson's Ford. It was also learned that a considerable number of

nly avenue of escape left open being by way of Matson's Ford, the appro

m which he could not escape, and, in fact, the majority of the Americans believed they must soon be made prisoners of war, w

stood with his comrades listening to the comments of those around him. "We're likely to go bac

try to make out; but if he is, it will be better for you to be captured with muskets in your ha

n't propose to give them up unless we're forced to

s friends. The drums were beating the call for the men to "fall

te, the booming of heavy guns close at hand startled the boys, and Master Ludwick was looking anxiously around for some con

htened," he sa

want to be taken back to the city as a horse thief, an

being served by our men, and I allow they will deceive

ds like a re

m mistaken we shan't see anything in

k General La

roops will soon begin to move toward Matson's Ford, and yo

ers said the Britisher

n a place of safety, for, as a matter of course, there can be no question of pitting twenty-five hun

eared to think he should receive personal orders from General Lafayette regarding himself, he finally di

ge withdrawn to a place of safety, did the boys understand how it was done. Then the m

for a time persuaded the Englishman that an action was imminent. Meantime the troops, as fast as they could come up, were hurrying across the ford, until at last the artillery and a body of Oneida savages only remained on this side of the stream. These were also now brought over, and on the high ground beyond our men were secure. Grant at last came up, and ordered the advance to move on, but too late. They saw but a party of our troops dotting the surface of the water like the floats of a seine. The prey had escaped. Grant was hopelessly in the rear; and when Gr