me is to be lost. You are
fatigued--but once on the other side, you will be more safe, and can
take rest.'

"'I will go,' said Crosby.

"'And I will set you across myself,' said the gentleman, 'it is only a
short distance.'

"Accordingly they proceeded to the river, where a boat was in
readiness, in which they soon reached the opposite shore.

"Having received the necessary directions, Crosby now proceeded on his
course; and, by the hour of breakfast, had reached the ground where he
was to begin his operations.

"At a farm house, near where he found himself he obtained a
comfortable breakfast; after finishing which, he made himself known as
a shoemaker, and begged employment.

"'Why,' said the farmer, 'just at present, we are pretty well shod.'

"'Well,' observed Crosby, 'perhaps you have other work, about which
you can employ me. I can turn my hand to almost any kind of farming
business.'

"'No doubt--no doubt,' said the farmer, 'you are no fool--from Yankee
land, I guess--no matter--well, I don't care if you stay a couple of
days, or so, and help me and my wife kill hogs, and a few such
notions.'

"Terms were soon settled, and Crosby proved quite knowing and helpful."

* * * * *

"What noise is that?' asked Crosby, while he and the farmer were at
work--'can it be thunder?'

"'More like cannon,' said the farmer--'loud talk below, I rather
guess.'

"'Hard times for Washington just now,' observed Crosby, 'and _some_
think pretty justly.'

"'Why,' said the farmer, 'why--it won't do to speak all one thinks--
but--well--why don't _you_ turn soldier--you look as though you could
fight, upon a _pinch_?'

"'Well, I think, I might,' said Crosby. 'Have you any place of
enlistment hereabouts, that a body could join, if one were so minded?'

"'Why,' replied the farmer, 'I don't know but I could put you in a
way, if you are one of the right sort of men.'

"'What sort do you wish?' inquired Crosby.

"'Oh, lower party men--they are more fashionable hereabouts.'

"'Well, I like to be in the fashion, wherever I am,' observed Crosby.

"'Good!' said the farmer, 'do you see yonder mountain, west?'

"'I do,' replied Crosby.

"'Well, if you wish to see as fine a fellow as ever carried sword,
there is your man, and right glad would he be of your bone and
muscle--good pay--light work, I tell you.'

"'Can I be introduced to him?' asked Crosby.

"'That you can--to-night--I've shown