Stephen Angus Douglas Cox

“ The youth, after a keen survey of the form, decided that the redcoat's back was toward him, and so advanced a couple of steps, as silently as a shadow. He was now close upon the man, and reaching out suddenly, he grasped the fellow by the throat with both hands, and raising his knee quickly, struck the soldier in the small of the back, and threw him with a twisting motion to the deck; then dropping upon the fallen man, Dick compressed his windpipe, gripping it with all his might.
Although but eighteen years of age, Dick Dare was stronger than the majority of men. ”

“ When he returned to his quarters and told Tom and Ben that General Washington had selected him to go over onto Long Island and do some spying, the youths were surprised, but were delighted as well, for they felt that it was an honor to Dick.
“That will be fine,” said Ben Foster. “I believe you will make a good spy, Dick.”
“I hope so, Ben.”
“I wish I could go with you,” said Tom, looking wistfully at his brother.
“It will be best that I go alone, Tom,” said Dick. “One can do spy-work better than two.”
“I vould lige dot sby vork,” said Fritz Schmockenburg, a fat, Dutch soldier, gravely. ”

“ If the soldiers knew of any intended move on the part of the British army, they did not mention the fact in their conversation, which was made up of idle talk, of the kind as such men would naturally indulge in.
When they left and returned to the encampment Dick drew a breath of relief, for he felt that every minute they remained in the clump of trees he was in danger of discovery. He might make a noise, in shifting his position, and be heard, or he might have to sneeze, or cough. And if he were to be discovered, it would go hard with him, for he would undoubtedly be deemed a spy. ”

“ Tom was only sixteen years of age, but he was well-built and athletic for his age, and was moreover as brave as a lion, though somewhat quick-tempered and impulsive. He put out his left hand and, placing it against Lem's chest, pushed him back.
“Hold on, Lem Hicks,” he said. “Just you stand back. One at a time talking with Dick is enough. You talk to me, if you want to talk to anybody.”
Lem Hicks was a hot-tempered youth also, and suddenly his rage flared to the surface. He didn't relish being pushed back by Tom, and quick as a flash, he gave the patriot youth a smart slap on the cheek. ”

“ There was an eager expression on Ben's face, however, and after greeting Dick, he asked:
“Are you really going to join the Continental army, Dick, you and Tom!”
“Yes, Ben,” was the reply.
“Well, say, I'm going to go with you,” declared Ben.
“Oh, Ben!” exclaimed Elsie. “What will father say?”
“Father's all right, sis. He is a king's man, everybody knows that, but he is reasonable, and lets other people think as they like. He knows that I'm a patriot, and he won't object.” ”

“ But General Howe, the British commander-in-chief, did not keep his troops long in Halifax, but sailed to New York, where he was soon joined by the British fleet under his brother, Admiral Howe, and by General Clinton.”
“And General Washington and his patriot army came to New York and took possession of that city,” said Tom.
“Yes, and he's there now, and that is where we are going, Tom.”
“Hurrah, Dick! Say, I'm glad of it. I want to join the army, and fight the redcoats. I want to fight for liberty and independence.” ”

“ Part of the way the road led through a heavy growth of timber, and as Dick and Tom were making their way past this point, talking enthusiastically of what they had seen in the city, and never thinking that danger might lurk near, they were suddenly set upon by four youths of about their own age–no others, in fact, than Zeke Boggs, Lem Hicks and two other Tory sympathisers of the neighborhood. ”

“ Dick's heart sank. General Percy was the officer he had seen, a few weeks before, when he had pretended to join the British force, and the officer would recognize him at once, without doubt. It would not do to permit himself to be taken into the camp, a prisoner. It would result disastrously, as he would likely be shot as a spy, for it was known that he had rescued the patriot prisoners out of the old prison-ship in the bay, and he would be handled severely. Even though only a boy in years, he had proven himself capable of doing a man's work. ”

“ Take him to the prison at once, men,” this last to the soldiers.
Poor Tom! He knew it would be hopeless to expostulate. He felt that he was doomed to become an inmate of one of the prison-ships, and as he thought it would be useless he said not a word, but accompanied the soldiers without making any show of resistance.
“Take him past the other encampments and let him see the whole army,” called General Percy after them. “When one has as much curiosity as he seems to be possessed of, it should be satisfied.” ”

“ I and two friends of about my own age have come to New York from our homes in the western part of New Jersey. We arrived here only this morning, and I, as their spokesman, have come to offer our services to you, sir. We are ardent patriots and desirous of fighting in our country, for the freedom and independence of our people.”
“Well, well,” said Washington, looking at the youth with renewed interest. “Bravely spoken! Your desire is a commendable one, and certainly I shall be glad to accept of your offer, if your parents are willing that you shall enter the army. ”

“ He found Tom there, engaged in telling the story of his and Dick's adventures over on Long Island, and Ben and the other soldiers were listening eagerly, their eyes shining. They greeted Dick joyously.
“Say, I wish I had been with you two fellows, old man,” said Ben Foster. “You have got the bulge on the rest of us, and that isn't fair. You have already encountered the redcoats and had adventures with them, while the rest of us have had to stay cooped up here in the city.” Ben pretended to be vexed with Dick and Tom, but it was only pretense. ”

“ Dare. “I am glad, and almost sorry, as well, for–I am afraid it will take you from me. You will want to enter the army, I am afraid.”
“Oh, I must do so, wife,” earnestly. “Every man should step to the front and shoulder a musket and fight for liberty. Yes, I must go to the war, mother. I must join the Continental Army at once.” ”

“ You feel certain that there will be war?”
“War has really existed for more than a year, Tom. You know the battle of Lexington was fought April the nineteenth of last year, and that was the first battle of the Revolution. And since that there has been more or less skirmishing between the ‘Minute Men’ of New England and the British, the most important of all these being the battle of Bunker Hill, which took place on the seventeenth day of June of last year.”
“Our soldiers defeated the British there, didn't they, Dick!” ”

“ One evening, a few days after the British took possession of New York and the patriots took up their station on Harlem Heights, the commander-in-chief of the patriot army made the soldiers a stirring speech, as they were assembled at the center of the encampment, saying that he expected each and every soldier to do his full duty, and support the cause of Liberty with his life if need be. The speech made a great impression on Dick, Tom and Ben, and when they went to their quarters, they were enthusiastic about it. ”

“ I have sent Dick over to Long Island on a spying expedition, and if you were to go also and join him, it might hamper him in his work. At the same time, I dislike to refuse your request, since you made your mother the promise that you would stay by your brother's side. Still, you can hardly hope to be always together. War is cruel, and one can not always do as one would like, or be where one would wish to be. We must all go where we think we can be of the most benefit to the Cause, and do that which will be most beneficial. ”

“ Soon the little party was at the beach, and getting into the old row-boat, the soldiers rowed out to the hulk furthest north, and assisted Tom to the deck. Here they found a British soldier on guard.
“What have you got there, comrades?” this soldier asked, looking at Tom in surprise.
“Another prisoner, Hawkins. He is only a boy, but the general is of the opinion that he is a rebel spy, so down he goes into the hold with the rest of the rebels.”
“All right; down with him. But I wouldn't think the rebels would send out such a young one to do spy-work.” ”

“ I haven't any idea when the move will be made.”
“I hope it will be soon,” declared Dick, with a view to keeping up the pretense of being imbued with an intense desire to get at the rebels.
“You'll get a chance to do all the fighting you care for, one of these days, young fellow,” said another soldier. “Don't worry on that score.”
“I'm not worrying about it, sir,” said Dick.
“Do you think you will fight when the time comes?” half-sneered another, rather evil-featured fellow, leering at Dick. “I'd be willing to wager that you'll do more running than fighting.” ”

“ Chapter XIV The Haunted House Life in the patriot camp often grew irksome to the volunteers of Washington's army. All were eager to meet their red-coat foes, and prove their mettle in a real battle. Thus far the troops gathered in New York, had been forced to content themselves with occasional skirmishes with the British outposts, which little affairs only served to increase their eagerness to “have it out” with the invaders. ”

“ Dick walked boldly out of the encampment, and in order to disarm suspicion, in case his action should occasion comment, he went toward the east. To have started north might have aroused suspicion that he was heading for New York.
“Where away, comrade?” queried the sentinel at the east side of the encampment.
“Oh, out for a little walk for exercise,” replied Dick, carelessly.
“All right. The Countersign is ‘The King Rules’.”
“Thank you,” said Dick. “I'll not forget.” ”

“ Dick, Tom, and Ben Foster began getting ready to go to New York, that day, to join the patriot army under General Washington. They would be ready in a day or two, as there was not a great deal to do.
Next day, however, Ben Foster had news for his friends. He came over, an eager look in his eyes, and told the brothers that Zeke Boggs had just told him that he and Lem Hicks were going over to Long Island and join the British army.
“He says that they don't intend to let us get ahead of them, Dick,” finished Ben. “They hope to fight against us in some of the battles.” ”

“ Elsie Foster was the daughter of Robert Foster, the nearest neighbor of the Dares. Mr. Foster was a king's man, but he was different from the other Tories of the neighborhood, in that he was an honest, honorable man, and was a friend of the Dares. He had had nothing to do with the capture of Mr. Dare, and was outspoken in his denunciation of his Tory neighbors for the deed they had committed.
Dick had gone over to the Foster home to borrow something for his mother, and had met Elsie out in the yard, and the girl had greeted Dick as above. The truth was that Dick and Elsie were great friends. ”

“ General Putnam, watching the battle from the Heights, through his glass, saw that Sullivan was in difficulties and in danger of capture, and he decided to send a message to Stirling, warning him of this fact, and ordering him to retreat toward the Heights as quickly as possible–for as soon as Sullivan's force was overpowered, the British would sweep on across the fields and fall upon the rear of Stirling's force and capture it. So, having written a brief note, General Putnam summoned Dick Dare. ”

“ General Washington came down from the Heights with two brigades of patriot soldiers, with the purpose of holding the British in check long enough for General Putnam to evacuate the lower part of the city with the four thousand soldiers under him at that point. This was accomplished, and when Putnam and his men were safe on the Heights, the two brigades retired to the Heights also. The British then took possession of New York City, and so the two armies lay, the Continental on the Heights and the British in the city, confronting each other, on Manhattan Island. ”

“ They found Colonel Morgan and Dick gave him the note from the commander-in-chief, whereupon they were assigned to their new quarters, their names having been enrolled on the membership list of the regiment.
“Now we are soldiers, sure enough!” murmured Tom Dare, his eyes shining. “Hurrah!”
“Yes, patriot soldiers, Tom,” said Dick, quietly. There was an air of satisfaction on his face also.
“We will be ready to take part in the first battle that takes place,” said Ben. “Say, that'll be fine. I am eager to be in a battle!” ”

“ Dick had nothing to eat, but did not let that bother him. He was prepared to go without food all day, if by so doing he would have a better chance of securing information regarding the enemy. He watched till the British soldiers got up and ate their breakfast, and then as he saw small groups moving about, some coming almost to the clump of trees, he decided that it would be best to climb up into a tree and conceal himself amid the leaves, and selecting a tree with very heavy foliage, he climbed well up into it. ”

“ I will do my very best, sir, you may rest assured of that.”
“I do, Dick. I feel confident that if you fail it will be only after you have made every effort to succeed. Well, it is settled, then? You will attempt his spy-work?”
“Yes, your excellency. When shall I start?”
“This evening. I will give you a letter of introduction to General Putnam, who is in command of teh patriot force on Brooklyn Heights, and he will give you all the information and assistance in his power.” ”

“ The rescued patriots leaped ashore as fast as they could, and then with Dick in the lead, they set out northward.
“By keeping over pretty close to the water, I think we shall be able to keep clear of the redcoats,” said Dick.
“Likely,” agreed Tom. “We mustn't let them capture us now.”
“I'll never go back to that terrible prison-pen alive!” declared Boswick. “I would much rather die fighting.”
“We'll get to the Heights and then over to New York in safety,” assured Dick. ”

“ On the fifteenth of September the British made the move that was expected. Warships from Admiral Howe's fleet ascended the Hudson river as far as Bloomingdale, and the East River as far as Blackwell's Island, and while they bombarded the north end of the island, General Howe brought his army across from Brooklyn in boats, and landed at Kipp's Bay, near what is now the foot of 34th Street. ”

“ I hope so.”
“Bah, they won't do nothin' uv the kind, Dick Dare!” cried a sneering voice at their side, and turning, the Dare youths saw Zeke Boggs and Lem Hicks, the sons of two Tory neighbors, standing there.
“Uv course they won't,” added Lem Hicks. “They don't darst. They know that ef they do, they'll git into trouble with King George. They won't ring no old Liberty Bell to-day.”
“Well, they just will!” cried Tom Dare, who was an excitable, impulsive youth. “They'll ring it pretty soon, Lem Hicks, and they aren't afraid of your old king, not a bit of it!” ”

“ A number of the soldiers grinned, and two or three chuckled aloud, and unless Coggins was deaf, he must have heard them.
“Would you really have fought him?” queried a soldier, looking at Dick keenly, when Coggins was gone.
“If he attacked me, I should have protected myself,” was the reply.
“But you couldn't have done much against him. You're only a boy.”
“I don't know about that. I am pretty strong and am also rather active, and I have wrestled with a number of grown men, and never found one yet that I couldn't down.” ”