The Boy Spies of Philadelphia
and Enoch did not see Seth, who, as a mat
en from the Tory, and, therefore, were not inconvenienced by the forced march; but they had good opportunity
y neared the encampment at Valley Forge. "Look at the privates staggering under a load big enough for a h
officer, but because you seemed to think it
unless General Lafayette gives us a
at him in a
to become a soldier now we are
ore signing the rolls," Jacob replied with an air of complacency, much as if
do not care to be a soldier? He must be here at V
e cold shoulder after doing the work we
and you had better do the same thing. Of course we
ry to tie yourself down; but w
ntal army without delay; but Jacob urged him so strongly to wait at least twe
in advance of the retreating force, being allowed to enter th
her. He will find us a place in which to
ou be go
or I should never find you if you strayed away. I had n
eth, you, and I, and all three of us holding c
me, and it may be you'll learn that I wasn't very far wr
find your father to-day. Don't be gone any longer than necessary, for it won't be par
tion to the returning troops, finding much to interest him as the different regiments ma
t, and, but for his promise to Jacob, would have followed
ted air, much as though twenty-five hundred men had not marched ou
urs passed, and Ja
le it might cause Master Ludwick to find him, and seek out Seth, when he was accos
ed, eh? It was a good bit of work you did, but, save for the
; but I can't remember where," and En
o know me in this garb; I was dress
talked with us on the
erstand why I am sorry because it bec
ery much toward helpi
ght be. Two boys can loiter here or there without exciting the suspicion w
e came away. It seemed n
st right in getting to Barren Hill
ould have thought of getting the horses but
id not embrace and kiss him on both cheeks, at the
rtily, and finall
know anything
nd it may be I heard you two talking, or read it in Master L
that is done in behalf of the cause one is rewarded
your way of thinking," Greene said in a low tone,
lis
ranch of t
th Graydon, and, if possibl
ter Ludwick sa
th his father, and I am wa
ur baker-general is a true-blooded American even though he was born in Germany, and will not have any patience with such ideas a
anything i
and no one can guess what his policy will be. It would not be safe for Seth Graydon to volunteer for such work, because the Britishers would han
m known
required. If you should return home at once-this very day-it would not b
tached to such work, and fancied the enemy knew perfectly well who had carried the first
ing, or go anywhere tha
ral Howe or his officers have the slightest idea that any information was carried to General Lafayette, sav
and it is not really necessary I should do even th
ill Master Ludwick returns, and then I will
remain there any length of time, and after tying the horse's
been doing this kin
a notion to stir our folks up at a time when they were having about all they could do to keep body and soul together, without thinking of fightin
be hanged i
he world; but I am in no more danger of death than if
ery first time he tried to g
engaged in such business does not take any unnecessary chances, and is always on the alert lest his true character be discovered. That which I propose you shall do, however, is no
er, and what I have seen is only such as I have believed w
, therefore, he had only his own staff with him. You would see plenty of generals
friendly with all of them
en very much, and heard more, since I began to play the spy, that shakes my faith in some of the officers
and now Enoch's cu
u and I are to work together you should know it, for I want you to keep your ears open very wide whenever his name is
is his
hat he might whisper
r major-general und
heard
believing he might hear something to
an the mention of his name as one of Genera
deroga. After that he lived for some time with the Mohawk Indians, and was such a restless, jealous, quarrelsome man that they gave him the name 'Boiling Water.' He left the king's service, and came over here in '73, claiming to be in sympathy with the colonists, and succeeding so well in his pretensions, or his faith, whichever you choose to call it, that when the Conti
es. Why, even General Washington hi
ss New Jersey in '76 by Cornwallis, Lee followed with a heavy force; but although called upon again and again by the comma
hy
ay I put it-found a chance to be captured by a small British scouting party, and was taken prisoner to New York. He was soon hand in glove with General Howe and his officers, and there are many of our people who say he t
what
r hands on the Bible, he took his off when General Washington began to read the oath. The commander waited for him to put his hand back, and he withdrew it again before the words could be read. Then General Washington asked wh
he mean
nk it only one of his odd traits, and passed it over as something not to be remembered. I bear it in mind,
vate to watch his superior offi
ee as a man who can, and will, if he gets the chance
second in rank only to the commander-in-chief, in treasonable practices. Besides, it appeared to him a very disgraceful duty to
particularly cheerful, and Gr
lesson on the patriotic idea of expecting a rich reward whenever he ch
for Jacob had nothing more to say against enlisting, but app
decided
as the c
-ni
on't be much chance
counted on stayin
acob replied as if the subj
ou done with
r to the army, and then I couldn't be acc
said, trying not to smile when Greene indulge
e business for you," the spy replied. "I reckon you
at I would
lot of cannon; then turn to the left, and you'll be in the midst of the Jersey b
spy walked away with Mr. Wharton's stee
e what it was Greene had prop
hinks I can really be of as much serv
ve always thought it was, and if I can get out of c
Do you think he would o
sed an awful row when I talked about being an officer, and when I said I guessed I wouldn't enlist he flew
e disconsolate expression on Jacob's face; but he succeeded in
w much your father has done for the cause, and I suppose it made him
ught one spell that he was going to flog me. If
k out of a military camp whenever you choose. Y
e any trouble
o we were and that we
d that;
k it will be very easy to get out again
that fellow Greene would be willing to say I could
at the same time he did not believe the spy wou
t was concluded they had passed the artillery park, arriving at that
h of his greeting was particularly pleasing to