Harry Moore

“ Dick took the lead and worked his way between the shore and the nearest ship without being discovered, the hubbub on shore not having yet resolved itself into an alarm which the ships could understand. The officers, supposing it to be merely a fight between rival crews or between sailors and people, paid no attention to it, and the boys continued steadily on their way. Then other boats put out, and some one shouted:
"Hallo! there's a boatload of young rebels on the river, trying to escape. Fire upon them and sink the young rascals the moment you see them!" ”

“ Hughson had escaped through the negligence of a fresh recruit, who had not understood the importance of his prisoner, and had supposed him to be simply a man who had been locked up for insubordination and was sorry for it, Hughson carrying the thing through cleverly.
"The man will be more careful the next time, having been so close to punishment," thought Dick, "and knowing that we are in earnest and will show him no mercy." ”

“ Meanwhile the alarm was spreading that Dick Slater, the captain of the Liberty Boys, was in the city and that whoever would seize him would receive a large reward. Dick, close pressed, sounded a signal to the boys to get away at once for fear of being caught. It were better that he were taken, he reasoned, than that all the boys should be made prisoners. Bob, in his boat, thinking that Dick was all right, went on out upon the river. Redcoats, nightwatch, sailors and populace joined in the pursuit, pressing the young patriot sorely. ”

“ In a short time they were back in camp, the occasional tramp of a sentry or the sudden flaring up of a fire from a puff of night air being the only things to show that there was any one there. The Liberty Boys were always vigilant, for one never knew when an enemy might be about, and Dick had taught them to be on the lookout at all times, whether they expected a foe or not. After breakfast Dick took a party of about a dozen of the boys in addition to Bob, and set out for the stone house on the river. ”

“ Then the five Liberty Boys suddenly dashed up and leaped upon the smugglers or Tories, whichever they were. In a moment they were disarmed, Dick putting his pistol to his prisoners head and saying sternly:
"Now perhaps you will tell me what I want to know. You men are thieves, smugglers, Tories, aren't you?"
"We make our money with as little trouble as possible," the man replied. ”

“ Dick secured a basketful of food to take to the boys, knowing that Ben and Harry would procure more, and therefore not taking any more than he could conveniently carry without arousing suspicion. The city was full of redcoats, and at every step he realized the danger he ran, and also that it would increase with every hour that he and the boys remained in New York.
"We must get out to-night as soon as we can procure boats," he said to himself, "There must be some way of getting them, and we must have them, as they are absolutely necessary." ”

“ At once there was a shout, and some of the man's friends sprang at Dick with shouts and a great uproar. In the scuffle Dick lost his long coat, letting it go rather than be seized by one of the thieves. The night watch and a number of redcoats were now seen coming on at a run.
"By George! the fellow is a rebel, after all! See his uniform."
"My word, that's Dick Slater himself! Seize him, there is a big reward offered for him."
Dick knocked down two of the crowd and pushed another into the water from the wharf. ”

“ A hulking-looking man in a corner now arose to get lights, as it was growing dark in the place, and at the same moment some one entered and said:
"They've got Pike hard and fast, and Wendell was hanged this morning. I'd like to get hold of Slater and some of his—hello!"
The big man came along with a lantern, and Hughson, for it was the spy himself, suddenly caught sight of Dick and recognized him.
"What's the matter?" tried several of the men in the place, leaping to their feet.
"There's the rebel now–Slater himself!" cried Hughson. "Don't let him get away! ”

“ Seeing the general, Dick informed him of the capture of the spy, and what the man had said about Howe.
"It looks as if we might have trouble in a short time, Captain," the veteran answered, "and you will hold your Liberty Boys in readiness to act at a moment's notice at all times."
"I will do so, General," replied Dick. "If there is to be any fighting, the Liberty Boys will be glad to take part in it and do their share in opposing the advance of the enemy."
"I have always found them ready to do that, Captain," Putnam replied, "and to do it well, too. ”

“ That means to look out for the enemy. We are here to see that the enemy are looked out for. That's my authority! Pull ahead, my men!"
The middy in the other boat saw just enough blue and gold lace to mistake Dick for a naval officer, and the young patriot's tone of authority did the rest.
"Very good, sir!" promptly, and the boats containing the boys went on, the names painted on the sterns being seen, and no one supposing that any one but British bluejackets would be in them.
"Keep a sharp lookout below there, Midshipman!" said Dick, in a commanding tone. "There is no use of that light. ”

“ It was after dark when two boats came ashore from the nearest vessel and tied up at the wharf a short distance from the stone house. The sailors went ashore, leaving the boats without any one to look after them, but there were men on the wharf and constant passing to and fro of men and boys.
"We shall have to wait a while," said Dick. "When it is quieter there will be more chance to secure the boats."
"Then it may be too late," muttered Bob, "for the sailors will be going back to the ship."
"They will not return till late, for no sailor wants to cut short his shore leave." ”

“ Dick and Bob set out upon their horses for the general's quarters, and upon reaching Broadway met the girls coming along on horseback.
"I am afraid we cannot give you much attention now, girls," said Dick. "We are going to the general's quarters, and then to rout out the thieves, who make a rendezvous of the stone house and I think we shall be very busy for sometime."
"You might go up to the camp and cheer Patsy's heart by a visit," laughed Bob. "He is fond of the girls."
"You want us to get the poor boy in trouble, I see," said Alice. ”

“ Dick resumed. "Some of us had a hard time getting out of New York and had to run the blockade, but we got out fast enough and gave the redcoats some pretty good slaps."
"The young ladies will be glad to hear of it. Did you see him again, Captain?"
"Yes, and he made some trouble for us, but we got away all right for all of him, and I doubt if we shall ever see him again."
"Well, I hope not, but you can't tell. What you don't expect is just what happens."
"At all events, he has no idea that you and your mother are up here, Tom, and it is not likely that he will trouble you any more." ”

“ Dick then went over to Stone street, where he entered a little shop kept by a draper, to whom he said:
"I want an ordinary suit of clothes, Mr. Towns. I am watching a spy and I think it just as well not to be in uniform."
"I see, Captain. You are wearing the lieutenant's coat now."
"You are very observant," smiling. "I will leave it here and send one of the boys for it." ”

“ Bob was hailed by the other boat as he followed Dick closely, and answered gruffly:
"Port, captain! Keep a watch below there, and keep a sharper eye on your duty. The rebels may have gone down the river, for all you know. There is no good in looking one way only."
"Aye, aye, sir!" and the boat went down the river.
The ship was passed in safety, the boats being supposed to be filled with middies and bluejackets, and no questions were asked. There were dangers ahead of the boys, however, and they all realized that running the blockade was not going to be as easy a matter as one might think. ”

“ You are young, but not too young, and you are strong and willing, and that is a good deal. I will see your mother, Tom, and I do not think there will be any trouble about your joining."
Tom returned to his mother and in a day or so Dick saw her and found that she was willing that Tom should join the company. Tom went back with Dick, therefore, and was sworn in as one of the Liberty Boys, to his great delight. The boys cheered him for they had all heard of him and knew of his sterling character and manly qualities. ”

“ They struck across the Common to the road running to the west of it, and would then make their way into the city past the new church and Broadway to Maiden Lane.
As they were going on at an easy jog, expecting to leave the Common, four or five dark forms suddenly sprang up in front of them and seize their bridles, while as many ran up behind and prevented their wheeling. ”

“ We live in Westchester, about twenty miles away, which will be far enough to keep your father from finding you and not too far away to get plenty of work."
"I shall be very glad to go there," simply.
"My mother and sister and the lieutenant's parents and sister live there, besides many of the boys' families, and it will be no difficult matter to get you all the work you can do, and work for your mother as well. It will be a better place to live than the city, and you will be in no danger from your father."
"I would like a place like that," said Tom. "It would be better for all of us!" ”

“ He returned to the stone house, getting in by the lower door without being observed, the other boys returning shortly afterward by the upper entrance.
"It will be difficult to get away by any of the regular roads," declared Ben, "and even if we all had disguises, it is going to be a difficult matter to pass the guard."
"I was thinking of getting out of New York by way of the river, Ben," said Dick.
"That will be something less difficult, though hard enough, but where are we going to get our boats?" ”

“ Bob meanwhile, had deftly searched the man for concealed weapons and had taken them all away, so that Hughson might not cheat them by killing himself. He drank a pot of homebrew and puffed at his pipe under the trees, and then the groom announced that his horse was ready and he was quickly in the saddle. He said nothing as he rode away between the two boys, but seemed to be thinking deeply.
"You rebels don't have very much money," he said at last. "What would you consider a fair amount to allow me to escape?"
"You have made two serious errors," replied Dick coolly. ”

“ The patriots had lost New York, but they were still in possession of the upper part of the island and meant to hold it as long as they could, Fort Washington being a strong fort and well defended. At night the Liberty Boys' camp was well guarded, and the slightest move of the enemy toward it would have been detected in a moment. During the forenoon, Tom came to the camp and said:
"It's a fine place where we are, Captain, and I am obliged to you for sending us up there. Mother will get plenty to do and already has the promise of enough to keep her busy for a month." ”

“ In an instant the intelligent animal was flying after the girls, who quickly recognized his hoof-beats. Meanwhile the men who had captured Dick and Bob knew the danger they would run remaining on the ground, and they hurried away with the two boys, letting Bob's bay go free. They went on so rapidly that Dick was unable to see much of the way, but he knew the direction they took almost by instinct, and could have returned without trouble if he had been liberated. The men kept the two boys in the middle of the party and held on to them tightly. ”

“ He had to dodge and take a longer course to the boat in order to reach it at all and then signalled to the boys to go on. Harry and his boys, supposing that Dick had in some way reached the other boat, took up their oars and began to pull. Then Dick found a way suddenly to dart between two of the redcoats and run rapidly toward the water. There was a great outcry and the chase waxed hotter than ever. The redcoats and the nightwatch pursued Dick to the very edge of the wharf. ”

“ The enemy raised a great shout, but they had no boats, and all they could do was to run along shore and shout, firing a volley now and then, which did no damage and only set the echoes to answering.
"They had better keep quiet," sputtered Bob. "The first thing we know they will wake up everybody along shore, and we will have some trouble in making a landing."
"I think we might do it before long, Bob," Dick returned. "A run will do us good after being on the river so many hours."
"All right, Dick, and if we can give the redcoats a run the right way, so much the better." ”

“ The boys walked down to Whitehall wharf, where they could see over to Staten Island, where the British ships seemed to be getting ready to change their positions. The day was wearing on rapidly, and as they could not get any additional information at the wharf, they turned their faces toward the city and made their way at a good jog toward the Commons, where the camp was located. As they neared Thames street, above the church, Dick said in a low tone:
"There is that spy going down the street. He has changed his disguise and I would not be surprised if he had taken off his beard. ”

“ Then one of the boys was sent to the upper door to keep a lookout, Dick going to see him in a few minutes.
"There are redcoats on the Commons, Captain," the boy reported. "A couple of men went by here just now and I heard them talking about it."
"We can leave the house," remarked Dick, "but we would not get a great way before being discovered, and I think it better we remain here for a time, till dark, perhaps."
"We are caught in a trap," muttered Bob, "but the redcoats don't know it, and that's the only hopeful thing about it."
"We are not caught in a trap exactly, Bob," declared Dick. ”