expedition that he engaged
in the secret service."

"Being a spy?" queried Neddie.

"Yes; but at length finding that his many escapes after being taken
prisoner by the Whigs had excited the suspicions of the Tories, he
gave up that work and joined a detachment of the Continental Army then
stationed in the Highlands."

"I hope he didn't get killed, papa?" said Little Elsie.

"No; he lived through the war, and for many years afterward. In 1827
he was in New York City as witness at a trial in court, and an old
gentleman who knew him introduced him to the audience as the original
of Harvey Birch--Cooper's spy. That story had been turned into a play,
and was then being performed at one of the theatres. Notice was given
that Crosby had accepted an invitation to attend the play, and the
house was crowded with an audience who warmly greeted the old
soldier."

"I'm glad they did," said Elsie. "It must have been pleasant for him,
and I'm sure he deserved it; for he had helped a great deal to get us
all free. Papa, haven't we just the very best country in all the
world?"

"So I think," her father answered with a smile; adding, "and that
being the case we ought to be the best people in all the world. Don't
you think so, daughter?"

"Yes, indeed, papa; and I mean to try."

"Why not go to Fishkill to-morrow?" asked Sydney.

"All in favor of so doing may say aye," said the captain, glancing
around upon the small crowd of hearers, big and little.

"Aye!" exclaimed every voice, and that was followed by a ripple of
laughter. As that died down, "We seem to be of one mind," remarked the
captain pleasantly. "Well, the yacht will be ready to start
immediately after breakfast, if the weather is pleasant. We would
hardly wish to go in a storm."

"Oh, no!" exclaimed several voices; "especially as we have plenty of
time to wait for a pleasant day."

"Yes," the captain said; "but there is every indication that we will
not have to do so--that to-morrow will prove as fine a day as we
could wish; and I suggest that our young people--and all older ones
who desire plenty of sleep--should retire pretty soon; for we will
need to rise early if we want abundance of time for our expedition.
The trip on the river will be short, but we will probably want to
spend at least half the day on shore."

Everyone followed the captain's good advice; they were all up early
next morning and ready to start on their proposed trip in good season.

The