The Liberty Boys Running the Blockade Part 1

The Liberty Boys Running the Blockade.

by Harry Moore.

CHAPTER 1.--A Clever Capture.

"I think that fellow is following us, Bob."

"What fellow, d.i.c.k?"

"The one on the other side of the way, the man with a beard and a steeple-crowned hat."

"Yes, I see him, but why should he follow us, d.i.c.k?"

"To obtain information, I suppose. He is certainly watching and following us and if we were to stop anywhere you would see that he would do the same."

"Suppose we try it, d.i.c.k?"

"Very well. I may get some information myself. There is Fraunces'

tavern. That is as good as any place."

"Yes, for that is a general resort for army officers, and if this man is a spy, as you seem to think, he will be very likely to go to just such places."

The boys, well built and handsome, bronzed from exposure to the weather and wearing the uniform of the Continental army, were making their way along Wall street in the City of New York one pleasant September afternoon. d.i.c.k Slater was the captain and Bob Estabrook the first lieutenant of the Liberty Boys, a band of one hundred sterling young patriots engaged in the war for American independence, and at that time quartered in New York, on the Commons at the upper end of town.

As they were walking along Wall street, d.i.c.k, who was very observant, noticed a man on the opposite side of the street, who seemed to be watching them closely as if with an idea of learning what they knew, and following them wherever they went. At this time the city was threatened by the British, who held Long Island and had ships at Staten Island just across from Manhattan ready to proceed up the rivers at any time. The presence of British spies in the city was suspected, and d.i.c.k, who was an expert spy himself, had his suspicions concerning the man opposite as soon as he saw the fellow.

Turning into Broad Street, the boys walked down and at once the spy, if he were one, took the same direction. Fraunces tavern, on the corner of Broad and Pearl streets, was at that time a great resort for army officers and men-about-town, and was, therefore, just the place which the boys would frequent. Crossing the street when they reached Pearl street, the boys went into the tavern, and were shortly followed by the man in the steeple-crowned hat, who took a seat at a table near enough to understand all that they said.

Giving Bob a wink, d.i.c.k began talking about some supposed exploit with some one in the army, and went on from that to telling of meeting certain beautiful young ladies, and how the latter were so charmed with him and other boastful talk. The man was evidently greatly disgusted at having to listen to such talk, as he had evidently expected to hear something different, and he shortly moved his seat to another part of the room.

"He had no interest in hearing how Polly Perkins winked at you, d.i.c.k,"

laughed Bob.

"No, but he wants to find out more about us, nevertheless. Don't look over there. He has a very pretty scheme, I can see."

The man was drinking strong ale from a pewter and, having finished it, set the pewter down. d.i.c.k saw him scratch something on it and beckon almost imperceptably to a man near by who had just entered. Then, as if by accident, knocked his pewter off the table to the floor. The other man came forward, picked it up and set it on the table, but d.i.c.k could see that he glanced at it at the same time, and then, as if upon a place to sit, came toward them and sat three or four tables away. The suspected spy presently arose and went out and d.i.c.k said:

"Well, good-by, Bob. I will meet you at Trinity church in half an hour."

Then muttering the words, "Bowling Green, ten minutes," he walked away, going past the table where the man with the steeple-crowned hat had been sitting and carelessly knocking off the pewter. Picking it up, he looked at it and saw scratched on one side: "Follow Slater."

"So, this is another, as I supposed," he thought. "There are several spies in town, and they know me and are trying either to learn something or to get possession of me. We shall have to turn the tables on them."

He made his way to the Bowling Green, meeting on the way four or five of the Liberty Boys.

"Go up to Trinity church, boys," he said, "stroll about the place carelessly. There is British spy watching my movements and I wish to watch him and, if possible, to catch him. The man is short and rather stout and had a red face. There is another, who may not join him at once, who wears a black suit and a steeple-crowned hat and has a beard.

He will send the other one first, I think."

"All right, Captain," replied the boy, whose name was Ben Spurlock. "We will watch him. Come along, Sam."

d.i.c.k had gone on, meanwhile, the boys proceeding in couples or singly to the church, where they scattered about waiting further instructions from the young captain. Bob appeared at the Bowling Green at the appointed time, and said:

"The fellow was cautious and did not follow me, but I suppose he will be at the church."

"Probably, as his instructions were to follow me. Did he stay as long as you did?"

"Yes, and remained after I left. You will see him at the church, no doubt. The other man may be there. Come into the nearest tavern and exchange coats with me. We will see if these men are observant or not."

"Very good," laughed Bob.

In the private bar of the tavern the boys were alone long enough to make the exchange, and then d.i.c.k sent Bob ahead and told him to wait in the churchyard for him or some one wearing his own uniform.

"You are the captain now, Bob," with a laugh, "but I don't know who will be the lieutenant yet. That will depend."

d.i.c.k 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."

"Very good, Captain. Step into the wareroom and take what you wish."

The wareroom was no bigger than the shop, but the different suits were hanging about the sides, and d.i.c.k quickly selected one not likely to attract much attention, and put it on, leaving the uniform behind. On Whitehall street d.i.c.k met one of the boys, Phil Waters by name, and directed him to go to the draper's and put on Bob's coat over his own, the young lieutenant being of a heavier build. As Phil did not have his musket with him, the change was easily effected, and no one not knowing him would suspect that he was not the lieutenant.

"Go and meet Bob," d.i.c.k said, "and talk about anything but matters of importance. Do not recognize me and watch the man whom you see observing you and Bob."

"All right, Captain," and Phil went away to make the change.

Then d.i.c.k took his way up to the church and waited for the spy to appear. Coming out of the church after a stay of a few minutes, d.i.c.k saw Bob in the yard, standing contemplating a monument, while not far away stood the second spy watching him. At the time mentioned, Phil, who was supposed to be Bob, came up, and the two began to chat in the most animated fashion. d.i.c.k saw the spy approach them so as to overhear their conversation, and at once signaled to Ben, Sam, Harry, Will and others whom he saw in the grounds to approach rapidly.

Bob and Phil were talking away in the liveliest fashion about all sorts of things except matters of importance, the spy standing behind a monument listening to them and trying to discover what connection the talk had with the situation in the city. d.i.c.k meanwhile had gathered the various groups together, and they were now closing in upon the spy, ready to act as soon as they got the word from the captain. The man with the steeple-crowned hat was not to be seen, and d.i.c.k was uncertain whether to wait for him or not. Then the spy stepped up to Bob and Phil and said glibly:

"Good day, Captain. You don't remember me, I suppose? I met you on Long Island. So you are over here now? Where is your camp? I should like to send up an ox or two for your use. Where did you say you were encamped?"

d.i.c.k pa.s.sed at that moment but was not observed, nor was a certain sign he made to Bob. Then the call of a bird was heard and Ben, Sam and the rest began to close in.

"On the Commons," replied Bob. "Come up and see us some time. You are Mr. Bulwinkle, are you not?"

"Yes. I see you remember me very well."

Then all at once he found himself surrounded by Liberty Boys, and a young man in plain garments stepped up and said:

"You are a British spy. You and a man in a steeple-crowned hat in Fraunces tavern tried to listen to my conversation. I have not yet caught your employer, but if you make any alarm or try to get away you will be denounced. Go with these boys. They will show you our camp, where you will remain a prisoner until I can deliver you up to General Putnam."

The man's face blanched, and then he recognized d.i.c.k, and muttered: