GEN. P. TELLS OF THE FARTHER ADVENTURES OF CROSBY--HOW HE WAS OBLIGED
TO SHOW HIS SECRET PASS--OF HIS RESIDENCE AT A DUTCHMAN'S--OF HIS
BEING CRUELLY BEATEN AND WOUNDED.--CONCLUSION.
_Gen. P_. "Crosby, as I said, was in a safe retreat, on the mountain,
before morning."
_William_. "Were any measures adopted to retake him?"
_Gen. P_. "No very active measures, probably--but Townsend declared,
that if Crosby should ever fall in his way again, he would give him a
halter forthwith.
"During the following night, our hero descended the mountain, in a
southerly direction; and at a late breakfast hour, the next morning,
came to a farm house, the kind mistress of which gave him a
comfortable meal.
"For several days from this time, Crosby wandered round the country,
without any certain object. He greatly wished for an interview with
the Committee of Safety; but the attempt he found would be hazardous,
until the troops in the immediate neighbourhood of Fishkill should be
sent on some expedition, at a distance.
"This was a gloomy period for Crosby. Although conscious of toiling in
a good cause, and of promoting the interests of his country--somehow,
he felt alone--not a friend had he to whom he could unbosom his cares--and
often was he houseless, and in want. Besides, he began to be
known--to be suspected; and the double and treble caution, which he
found it necessary to exercise, made his employment almost a burden.
"While maturing some plan, by which he could effect an interview with
the Committee of Safety, he called, just at evening, at a farm house,
and requested a night's lodging. This was readily granted him, and he
laid aside his pack, thankful to find a resting place, after the toils
of the day.
"It was not long, before two very large men, armed with muskets,
entered the house. One of them started on seeing Crosby, and whispered
something to his companion, to which the latter apparently assented.
"Then, turning to Crosby--'I have seen you before, I think, sir?' said
he.
"'Probably,' replied Crosby, 'though I cannot say that I recollect
you.'
"'Perhaps not--but I am sure you were not long since at Fishkill? ha?'"
[Illustration]
"'The very fellow!' exclaimed the other--'you recollect how he
escaped--seize him!'
"In a moment, the strong hand of the first was laid upon him, and his
grasp was the grasp of an Anakim--and though Crosby might have been a
match for him alone,--prudence forbade resistance--they were two--he
was but one;--they were armed with muskets--he had no weapon about
him.
"'To-morrow,' said the principal, 'you shall go to head quarters,
where, my word for it, you'll swing without much ceremony. The
committee will never take the trouble to try you again, and Townsend
declares that he wishes only to come once more within gun shot of
you.'
"'Is it so?' asked Crosby.
"'Even so'--replied the stranger--'your time is short.'
"Crosby was seldom alarmed--but _now_ he could perceive real danger.
Could he be fairly tried he might escape--but to be delivered into
Townsend's hands, and perhaps the Committee of Safety at a distance--
he might, indeed, come to harm.
"He had _one_ resort--he could show his _pass_, and it might save him.
Accordingly, drawing it forth, he presented it to his captors; 'Read
that,' said he, 'and then say, whether I am worthy of death.'
"Astonishment sat on the countenances of both while they read the
pass. When it was finished, the principal observed, 'I am satisfied--
we have been deceived--others are deceived also;--you are at liberty
to go where you please. This is the hand-writing of Mr. Jay--I know it
well.'
"Crosby might, perhaps, have staid where he was through the night--but
his feelings were such, that he preferred to seek other lodgings.
Accordingly, shouldering his pack, he set forth in quest of a resting
place; which at the distance of a couple of miles, he was so fortunate
as to obtain.
"But he was destined to other troubles. Scarcely had he laid aside his
pack, and taken a seat near a comfortable fire, before a man entered,
whom he was sure that he had seen before.
"At the same time, the stranger cast upon him an eye of deep scrutiny,
and increasing severity.
"'A cool evening abroad'--observed Crosby.
"The stranger made no reply--but springing upon his feet, darted upon
him, like a fiend.
"'Now, I know you'--exclaimed he--'I thought it was you. You are the
villain who betrayed us to the Committee of Safety. Clear out from the
house quickly, or I'll call one of my neighbours, who says that if he
ever sees you again, he'll suck your very heart's blood.'
"'Ah!' said Crosby, quite calm and collected--'perhaps'--
"'Leave this house instantly'--vociferated the man, now nearly choked
with rage--'but before you go, take one pounding.'
"'A pounding!' exclaimed Crosby, in contempt--'Come then,'--rising
like a lion from his lair--'Come,'--said he, at the same time rolling
up his sleeves, and showing a pair of fists, which resembled a
trip-hammer for hardness.
"'Come on, and I'll try you a pull'--the muscles of his arm
contracting, and lying out like cart-ropes the whole length--from
shoulder to wrist--and his countenance, at the same time, looking as
terrific as a madman's--'Come on,' said he."
[Illustration]
"'Why! we-we-ll--upon the whole'--said the man--'I--I--think I'll let
you off, if you'll never set foot here again.'
"'I'll promise no such thing,' said Crosby. 'I'm willing to go--
indeed, I would, not stay in such a habitation as this; but I'll not
be driven.'
"Crosby well knew that prudence required his departure; and with some
deliberation, he shouldered his pack once more, and with a short 'good
by'--left the house. At the distance of a mile, he found lodgings
where he slept unmolested.
"On the following morning, he ascertained that the Committee of Safety
were alone at Fishkill--the troops having gone abroad on some
expedition. Seizing the opportunity of their absence, he crossed the
river, and was soon at the residence of Mr. Duer.
"That Crosby was in more than ordinary danger in traversing the
country, was apparent both to himself and Mr. Duer. He was advised,
therefore, to repair to an honest old Dutchman's, who lived in a
retired place, some miles distant, and there wait until farther
orders.
"Accordingly, being furnished with a complete set of tools, he
proceeded to the appointed place, and was so fortunate as to find
ample employ for some time, under the very roof of his host.
"A few days only, however, had elapsed, when an express arrived,
bringing him a letter from Mr. Duer.
"The worthy old Dutchman was quite curious to know from whom the
letter came, and what was its purport.
"'Val,' said he, knocking the ashes from his pipe--'you know tee
shentlemen of tee armee? Vat for tey rite you?--eh?'
"Crosby waived an answer as well as he was able, informing his host
that he must be absent a short time, when he would return, and finish
the shoes.
"'Val,' said the Dutchman, 'how you go?--on shank's mare? You no
trudge so--you nebber get tere. Here, you Hauns! Puckle tee pest
shaddle on mine horse, and pring him to tee horse plock tirectly--you
hear?'
"The horse was brought out accordingly, and Crosby was soon on his way
to Fishkill. On his arrival, circumstances existed, which rendered it
imprudent for him to tarry, and he was directed to go to Dr. Miller's,
who kept an apothecary's shop at some distance, and there wait the
arrival of one of the Committee of Safety.
"On reaching the place, he inquired for Dr. Miller, who he was told
was absent. This information was given him by a girl, whom he was sure
he had seen before, but where he could not recollect.
"'If you wish to trade,' said the girl, 'I can wait upon you. Perhaps
you would like some of Dr. Miller's opiates. You recollect they are
quite powerful.'
"Crosby was on the point of exclaiming. But the girl whispered him to
be silent. 'These men,' said she, 'who are around us, are _whigs_, but
you must not let your name be known.'
"While thus conversing, and listening to the conversation of several
men, at the fire, a stranger entered the shop, and inquired for a vial
of medicine. Crosby recognized that it was Mr. Jay--so slipping out of
the door, he 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
through the window at him, the ball of which grazed his neck, and tore
the collar of his coat.
"It was apparent from this circumstance that his retreat was known; but
it was rendered quite certain a few nights after, by the appearance of
an armed gang at the door, who having burst in, dragged Crosby's
brother-in-law from the bed, and demanded where Crosby slept.
"This information, for a time, was refused; but at length, death was
threatened, in case of refusal, and his bed chamber was pointed out.
"Crosby heard the coming of the assailants, and sprung to his gun;
but, before he could reach it, a ruffian had snapped a pistol at his
head. Fortunately, it missed fire--but _now_ a most desperate
engagement followed, in which Crosby showed the most astonishing
strength and agility--but numbers, at length, overpowered him, and he
was left for dead.
"Life, however, was not extinct. And after the ruffians had retired,
Crosby in a measure came to himself; but months passed away before he
was able to resume the business, in which he had been engaged. Indeed,
after this period, less was required. The long and bloody contest was
in a measure drawing to a close. Liberty, for which so many had fought
and bled, was destined to take up her delightful abode on the American
soil.
"But had the same necessity existed, it was apparent that Crosby must
be released. It was becoming dangerous for him to be seen abroad. He
was known to many, to whose capture he had been directly instrumental.
Such were of course bitter against him, and needed only an opportunity
to wreak their vengeance upon him. Yet he continued with the army some
time longer. At length his time of service expired, upon which he
returned to South-East, where he still lives."
_William_. "What! alive yet, father?"
_Gen. P_. "Yes, still living, and enjoying the pleasant reflection
that millions are freemen, whom he helped to make free--but who,
without his labours, and those of kindred spirits, might this day be
doing homage to British power."
THE END.