The Boy Spies of Philadelphia

helmed by the misfortune

American soldiers, he believed his troubles were over, and that he might

e should explain to him how

how they were friends, and then he had come directly toward the city, all of which would be sufficien

one man hanged for such an offense, and remained in the house on two other occasi

conviction, and understood that, once sentence had

ition as to be thoroughly unnerved; and when, on arriving at the outskirts of the town, the lieutenant or

dlers on the streets followed, hooting and yelling, and once he fancied some pers

stood face to face with a shameful death, and

the Continental army, and believed himself so brave! Now, however, he understood that

himself more than once during that disgraceful journey through the streets, while he was being

ould be many sympathizers; but in civilian's garb he could not be distinguished from

use, and in the yard, still standing

ecognition, and so sore was Seth's distress that he failed to understand how much mo

the boy's ears like a knell of doom, and he firmly believed that when h

hat he could hardly have stood upright even though the fetters

erefore was ignorant of the fact that Jacob and Enoch had followed him as closely as the soldier

his friends would have been allowed to communicate with him; but he might

inally hid him from view, Enoch and Jacob stood silent and motionless in front

g which Jacob had led him out on to High Street lest their sorrow should be observed

ell, for it will soon be known around town, althou

he found any off

y because he walked out into the country. Besides, I heard one of the Rangers tell a friend

him?" and Enoch's voice tremb

ishers who made the capture will take good car

hey are killing poor Seth?" and now the b

r goes as far as that. We must do wh

ritishers, and even though we had it isn't likely we

n do nothing?" Jacob sa

itself, to help him. Oh, Jacob!" Enoch cried as a sudden thought came into

nd the tears were so near his eyelids that he dared n

irection in which they were going, when Jacob gave vent t

nk of him! He would be a very pleasan

and Enoch looked a

r side of the stree

ept Lord Cosmo Gordon, w

o will help us if it is poss

od word for Seth after it is known he has been

any of the enemy would do a good turn, that one is Lord

ut then he did not know we were

g rebels, and declared that when we were ripe for the army

would talk differently if

as a spy, and no worse punishment can be given him. I

owledging their share in what had been done they might be making great troub

o anything that might b

osite, walking rapidly past, and unless they overtook him at once he

behind, and a few seconds later, to his great surprise, Lord Gordon

bels! Where is the third? I thou

and you have always been so kind, even though you are a-I mean, you've been so

aid with a smile. "I gather from the beginning of your incoherent remarks that you hav

ntly, and then, after trying unsuccessfully to think of

lenty of time, and try to tell me what disturbs you so seriously," Lord Gordon said with a hearty laugh. "I had an engageme

ble to make the Englishman understand how desperate was the situation. "S

from Lord Gordon's face. "Do y

d I do

hopes of some day entering the American army, as all you young rebels have, he is not

cause by confessing the truth, and yet at the some time it was not reasonable to su

noch said in a low tone. "I am certain

truth. I do not promise to aid you; but I wil

aking no attempt to conceal the fact that Seth had listened to the conversation of the guests in his mother'

id, as if

for his mother, and s

about kill her

to meet the rebels?" and no

had gone out on the Delaware Road; but made it

ou not have t

ned-well, perhaps it wouldn't have been just right to take such an advantage except in a case

on ever carried any informa

nce General Howe has been in th

you so

ing to take your money, we should at le

t you boys are not

on, and it is our duty to do all we ca

ing to aid the cause, what is to

aking boldly, and Lord Gordon had so clearly the best of

s anything more could come of it than a flogging, and that seemed terribl

himself in a position where he certainly appears as if he had been acting the spy, and there is, perhaps,

, but, fortunately for Seth, he realized in time that Lord Gordon considered the Americans

mploringly, understanding that nothing c

g while the charge is so serious. There is but one punishment

poor Seth

and to that end I will work. His mother must know he is in prison, but need not be told he is there as a spy. Disagreeable though the task wil

Jacob and I are willing to come up for our share of

at ten o'clock, and I will then let you know what can be done." Both the boys would have thanked the kindly Engli

to thank me, for I really have but little influence with General Howe. Don't show yourself to Mrs. Graydon to-night, for she would soon learn the sad news from the expres

o make a reply, and although he had not given them very much enco

ho can," Jacob said with emphasis. "He's the only one I know

could go home while poor Seth is in prison, and m

t to go out to Germantown, because I might not be able to get back in ti

and she will make no ques

thing to help Seth, and she must know why you are absent

in what might lead to Seth's death, he was mistaken. She spoke only of her sympathy for

her, should you blame me for h

w your own mind, and should be at libe

ke no question if

ng if you were killed; but her sorrow could be no greater than is borne uncomplai

id at this moment, and when he and Jacob bade her goo

inted Jacob and Enoch were at the

s arrest, and the opinion of all was to the effect that he woul

who made the capture say they saw him escorted to the bank of the creek by a squad of Continental troopers, and that he appeared to be on the most friendly terms with

hopeful regarding Lord Gordon's ability to save th

had made, and at once invited them into the c

e all may see us, for it may be important that I s

gree of privacy the boys waited for their companion to speak, but h

e for your lordship

I deemed possible yesterday. I believe the story you told; but you could not pe

her know?" En

the gossips before this time. I have not concealed from her the fact that he is in a most serious

not think that w

o this question Lord

boys go in trying to

ke any chances," Ja

d imperil your lives in

rd Gordon's tone was exceedingly grave, and then Enoch replied in

to do anything, no mat

acob added e

ained silent, looking like a man who is uncertain a

d I am ready to aid you in so far as I can without dishonor. It will not be well for us to be seen together, neither are you to visit

m, Lord Gordon walked out of the building, leavin