e pretended to be admiring the stranger's fine horse, when
Mr. Jay came out; and, as he mounted, whispered to Crosby to return to
the Dutchman's, and wait for farther orders.

"Accordingly, he soon after left Miller's, and before night was again
at his quarters.

"'Sho, ten, you cot pack'--said the Dutchman as Crosby rode into the
yard--the smoke at the same time running in a fine curl from his
mouth.

"'Safe home again,' replied Crosby.

"'Yaw, tee horse pe true--true--he vill ride any potty rite to mine
ouse. Hauns! here--take off his shaddle--rup him toun mit a whisp of
shtraw--tont let him trink till he coutch'd cuoold.'

"A few days from this time, Crosby received definite instructions from
the Committee of Safety, to repair to Vermont, on a secret expedition;
and as no time was to be lost, he was obliged to bid his host adieu,
quite suddenly.

"'Can you direct me the road to S----,' asked Crosby.

"'To S----? Yaw--you see dat road pon de hel?'

"'O, yes,' said Crosby, 'I see it.'"

[Illustration]

"'Val, you musht not take dat roat. But, I tell you vat, you musht go
right straight by the parn, and vere you see yon roat dat crooks just
so--see here'--bending his elbow--'you must go right strait--ten you
vill turn de potato patch round, de pridge over, and de river up
stream, and de hel up; and tirectly you see mine prother Haunse's parn
shingled mit straw; dat's his house, vare mine prother Schnven lives.
He'll tell you so petter as I can. And you go little farther, you see
two roats--you musht not take bote of 'em--understand?'

"'Quite plain! quite plain!' said Crosby--adding in a low tone to
himself, 'that you are a Dutchman. Well, friend, good morning.'"

* * * * *

"We shall not attempt to follow Crosby on his northern tour; nor to
relate the many adventures with which he met during his absence. He
proved of great service to the cause of his country; but often
suffered much by being taken with tories, whose capture he was
instrumental in effecting.

"At length he returned to the theatre of his former operations, but he
was now suspected by the tories of being a secret friend to the whigs,
and opposed to the royal cause. He was, therefore, narrowly watched,
and even found it necessary to hide himself at a brother-in-law's in
the Highlands. Nor was he even here secure, for on the second night
after reaching his brother-in-law's residence, a musket was discharged