L20-00222-n0907-1918-05-17 ( .pdf )

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FRANK-TOUSEY, PUBLISHER, 168 WEST 23D STREET., NEW YUltK. No. 907. NEW YORK, MAY 17, 1918. Price SIX Cents The came dashing over the lawn and up the steps of the mansion. Dick threw open the door and sprang out. sword in hand. once a desperate fight ensued.

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THE LIBERTY BOYS OF '76 A Weekly Magazine Containing Stories of the American Revolution. Issued Weekly-By Subscription $3 .0 0 p er year. Enter ed at the New Y ork, N . Y ., Post Office aa S e c on d C lasa Matter b11 Frank T ousey, P u b lisher, 1 68 We s t 23 d S treet , New York . No. 907. NEW Y O RK, M A Y 17 , 1918. Price 6 Cents . T h e . Liberty Boys' G allant Stand ,OR-ROUNDING UP THE REDCOATS By HARRY MOORE CHAPTER I. THE GIRL IN THE FOG. "Help!" A young girl was clinging to the dashboard of a light :ig which was drawn by a frightened horse dashing down a country road. The place was in tl,le neighborhood of Short Hills, in the State of New Jersey. , The time was about the middle of the month of June in the year 1 780. "Help!" Again that terrified cry was heard as the girl, half-kneeling in the bottom of the gig, held frantically to the dashboard. 'Whoa!" A coarse ly dressed boy uttered the command. He suddenly appeared• around a bend in the road and had caught sight of the runaway. "Whoa!" he cried again. ' He did mo r e tha n that, for the frightened hors e .:ti.ad not heeded his command. He made a flying leap, seized the horse's bridle and held on furiously, throwing himself back at the same time te check the anima l ' s sp . e ed. "Whoa!" he said gently. "Whoa, boy; easy now." The strength, as well as the soothing tones, had had their effect. The horse understood that he had found a mastel', and yet one who would not beat or ill treat him. He gradually' slowed dovm, being held back as well as coaxed, and in a few minutes came to a stancs till, t rembling but conquered. "There," said the qoy. "So you're all right; there's nothing going to hurt you, so, boy." The n he stroked the ho -se's neck, speaking soothingly the while, till the animal stood p erfecdy st.ill. • ."If you don't mind, mi ss," the b oy said to the girl, who still kneeled in the bottom of the gig, "I y ;il! get in and drive him a little while so as to see . hat he is all right." "But won't you let me get out?" the girl asked. "I d on't believe I could stand it if he ran away again. " "You Cl!ll do as you choose, mis s , but he won't r u n away no w . I understand horses. He has be e n frightened, that's all." "I w ould rather get out," the gil'l said simply. "Very well," and the boy gave her his hand and hel.Ped her -Then he got into the gig and drove a few hundred yards and b<>ck again, the horse going at a n y easy canter and seeming not in the least frightened. " \Ve r e you alone?" asked the boy as he drew rein at the girl's side. "Shan't I take you where you wish to go? The animal is perfectly safe now, I can assure you." " We ll, y o u s e e m to manage him so well that perhaps I would not mind, but----" Oh, hcne's A y oung man in riding boots, jacket and hat and carrying a short whip, n o w came u p . ' ' "What are y ou doing i n t hat gi g , fellow?" he demanded coarsely. "I like your impudence! " ' At the sound of the yo ung man's v oice the hors e bega n to tremble and show signs of wanting t o bolt. "Whoa!" said the b oy gently. Then he noticed that the yo ung man's cl othes were d usty and that there was a scratch o n h i s cheek, as if he had had a fall. "Get out of that gig, you cl own! " he said . "What right have you got to get into a gentleman's carriage, I'd like t o know'!" "Roger!" said the girl in surprise'. " T h e yo u n g g e n t l eman has just saved my life, a n d " "Young gentleman!" sneeringly. "Young clodhop per yQU mean. Get out of that gig, fell ow!" ' "Not for any such asking," said the boy qui e tly. "Shall I take you home, miss?" "Do you think you cou l d manage him now, R oger?" asked the girl, turning to the young bully, for such he seeme d. "Manage him'!" with a snort. '.'I'll manage him, the brute!" and he raised his whip as if to strike. "Don't yoil strike that horse!" said the country boy. "You don't know any more abo u t h orse s than if you had nevrJ: one. You have been whipping him needlessly and th:!lt is wny he ran away. Y ou w e r e throw n o r jumped out a n J you're mad about it." The young man flushed deep l y and a s ked, sulkily: "Who are you to tell me what I shall do about my owu horse'?" "One who knows, " quietly. "Are yo u going to get out o f tha t gig o r not?" d oggedly. "Do you wish to go home? " t o the girl. "Yes, but--" "But you won't trust this y oung man t o take you?" "Well, we were---" "You were run away with and y o u were frightened. Y ou won't be run away with now . Shall I take you?" "Don't you dare t o go with that clodhopper, Faith," stormed Roger. ''If you do, things are at an end between us." "Perhaps it i s as w ell that they should b e," said the b o y . "You are no fit compan i o n for a lady, sir. You are no g e n tleman!" lloger colored, slashed the air with his whip and said: "Don't you dare to insult me. Who are you, anyhow"? That is my horse. Get out o f that wagon I If y o u want to tak-3 the lady home you can walk." "Get in, miss," said the boy quietly . " I will take y o u h o me. Is it far?" "No, but as it is his h o rse, 1--" "Will you let him drive you home?" "No, indeed!" and the girl shuddered with fear and con tempt. "Then if y o u will get in--" " l would rather w alk, " ll&id the girl.

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2 THE LIBERTY BOYS' GALL.ANT STAND. "Very well. You don't even want to I can quite understand that." ride in his cmri:lge? I Dick guessed that R oger H ogg had sent thes e young rufThen he jumped out and took the girl's arm. "I knew I'd make you get out!" sneered the bully. "I shall have to search to see that you have not stolen anything. Now get out, you clown, before I--" As he raised his whip threateningly, it was snatched out of his hand. _,,. . "Sir, you !lav e insulted me, intimating that I am a thief, and you threatened me," said the boy. "Are you ready to fians to him. It was just like the fellow to fight six or sev e n to one . Rog z r was not with the g ang, although Dick did not doubt that he was somewh ere at hand. Although the six bullies .were so fierce in their talk, they hesitated to come on. beg my pardon?" "Beg your pardon?" growled the other. me that whip!" There was s o m ething in Dick's manner that deterred them. They had not s urrounded him, for as soon as they appeareJ he had put his back against a great rock at the side of H , e rough country road. "No, indeed. Give It was too high for one of the crowd to climb and drcp down. upon him, and they could not get at him from behinri. "Very well, take it." "What do you want?" he demanded, as the six bullies stood He took it in a manner. temper. not calculated to improve his hesitating. "'Ve're ergoin' ter lick yer," said the leader. "What for?" The boy lashed his legs, back and shoulders with it till he fairly danced. Then he threw the whip down and said: "Are you ready to beg my pardon now?" "No," said the bully. "I'll have you pros ecuted for this." "Then I shall have to give you more," and the boy threw aside his coat. Then he promptly attacked the bully with his fists and knocked him down. . The young man was both older an.d big;rr than he was, and yet seemed to be utterly at a disadvantage. He sprang up and rushed at the boy, but was promptly knocked down again. "I could kill you if I desired, but you are not wo1:th it," said the boy tensely. • "You need not apolo g iz3. An apology from such as you is an insult. " Then he put on his coat, wiped his hands on his h:mdker chief, as if he had soiled them, and offered the young lady his arm. ' She took it and walked down the road with him, pointing out a house to which she wished to go. 1 "I never knew he was such a brute,'' she said. "and you served him just right. You are no ordinary b o y, I know." "l know a hundred .iust like me, miss," qui e tly. "'Won't you tell me who you are?" "Yes, I am Dick Slater, captain of the Boys.'1 "The band of young patriots who are now with General Washington at Short Hills?" "Yes, Miss Faith.'' "I knew that you were no common boy by thP way you managed the horse and punished Roger Hogg . I n , .s sure of it. " "Is that hls name?" asked Dick. "Yes." ' "Becos ye're er r e bel." "Is there any other reason?" The bullies looked one to the other in a puzzled wa• r . "You were sent herz to waylay me by Roger Hogg," sai
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' "THE .LIBERTY' BOYS' GALLANT STAND. 3 The secret of it all was Dick's quickness and bulli es ' I Bob was a handsome, manly, impetuous boy of about Dick's lack of knowledge of the scence of fighting. own age, and the two were greatly attached to each other. "There, I think the lesson will be enough without another," They were the closest of friends and were lik e brothers, said Dick, starting to leave. . the tie being further strengthened by Alice Estabrook, Bob'.s Then Roger Hogg suddenly appeared from around a bend sister, being Dick's sweetheart, while Edith Slater, in the road. • sister, was Bob's best girl. '.'Well, you haven't .finished with me yet, Dick Slater," he "Well, boy, there is said Dick as Bob entered. said. "You picked up something at Staten Island?" "What, you want another?" asked Dick coolly. "Yes . The fleet from the south has arrived and Sir Henry "No, I don't, but I'm going to set;tle yo_u all right." Clinton" has landed his troops." the T?ry bully suddenly drew a pistol. . "Say you so?" Dick was aimed, although he had scorned to use a pistol "A d t th b d g: " sai"d Dick. against such curs as these bullies. " h pu em oar a am, He would not even use one now against Roger Hogg. 1 at ,s that for . d' . 1 He simply leaped forward seized the fellow's wrist and I don t know unless he meditates an expe it10n up t 1 e • Hudson" gave it such a wrench that he howled with pain, dropped "T k W p . ?" the pistol and came to his knees. • o attac est omt. Dick gave the pistol a kick which sent it flying into the ;;Perhaps," sho:r:tlJ'.. . ,, bushes where it could not be found. At all events it is important news, said Bob. Then Dick released the fellow and said: "Yes." "You are too contemptible to even thrash. You are the Dick then left camp of the Liberty and proceeded meanest, dirtiest kind of a coward. Now go!" to Genei:al Washington's not/far distant. Dick fixed such a look of scorn and contempt upon the fel-He enJoyed the _ge;neral-111-ch.1ef , s confidence and had often low that he slunk away like a whioped dog ::md neither spoke gone on missions for lum. . . . nor attempted to strike his plucky young foe. He Just returned from one, m wJth important The worsted bullies were beginning to recover now, and n e ws which he was no:v about to communicate to the general. Dick , not caring to have another encounter withthem, dashed . He was shortl:y: '.o the presence of General Wash-away and was soon out of sight. mgton, who received him krndly and asked: "We ll, Dick" any news from Staten Island?" "Yes, your excellency. The British fleet has at las t ar rived from the south, and after lancUn ... h's troops on Staten Island, Sir Henry Clinton has again "ed them." CHAPTER III. "This may mean an expedition aga... .1 est Point,'. ' said the general musingly. ,THE BULLY'S THREAT. Dick made no reply. Pretty soon the general asked: Reaching the camp, Dick was challenged by the sentry, a "Did you hear anything said as to their destinatron, DicJt?" freckled-faced, pug-nosed Irishman. "No. your excellency." The Liberty Boys had seen four years of most active "But you think that they might be going up the river?" service and could well be regarded as veterans, although they "Yes, your excellency." were still boys. The general pondered for several minutes , seeming to be They maintained the strictest discipline, and Dick Slater quite unaware of Dick's presence. was as much bound by it as was the humblest member of his Then he looked up, smiled and said in the kind, fatherly company. tone which he always used to tho s e around him: He was not averse to having a little fun now and then, "That is all for the prese n t , Dick. When I want you I however. will send for you. Good-day." The sentry was a rollicking young Irishman, named :Patsy "Good-day, your excellency," and Dick salut-:d and retired. Brannigan, and was the life of the camp. Return1ng to his own camp, he found Bob Estabrook and He did not recognize Dick in his disguis e and promptly said: • challenged him. "Phwat do yez want?" he demanded in a rich brogue. "I don't know what we shall do yet, Bob. It will qepend "Don't want nothin', I guess," drawled Dick, assuming a upon further information, of course. I had quite an adsimple look. . . venture this afternoon." "Dhin take it an' be off wid yez," retorted Patsy. "What was it, Dick?" "Huh! how be I goin' ter take nothing'? Yer can't get Dick related his meeting with the young lady and the uphold o' nothin', an' how be yer goin' ter take what yer can't start bully, Rog e r Hogg. get hold on, huh?" "Jove! but that was an e xciting ad.-enture, Dick," cried "Begorra, he's a natheral !" said Patsy, half to himself. Bob. "I'll bet anything that your bullying Roger Hogg is a Tory." . "What yer doin'," asked Dick, "playin' soger? Lemme play with yer. I like ter play soger." "I shou ld be sorry to think that we had any such feiiow Patsy gave the supposed simpleton a look of disgust. on our side, Bob." "Playin' soger, is it, me bhy? Shure, an' yez'd :ioind it no "You may be certain that he is not. I think you may play at all, at all, av yez llad to go troo phwat Oi do, me hear of him again, however, for suc h cattle are hard to teach, bhy." and he may need another lesson." "Shucks t you ai1''t no real soger." "It makes little difference to me, Bob, whether I heard from "An' phwy aren't Oi; will yez tell me dhat ?" him ag: : lin or not," said Dick carelessly. "Cos ye're too green." "I know it, Dick, but this fellow does not and he may re"Go'n wid yez ari' don't be interfarin' wid me duty. Go'n quire another thrashing or two to put sense in t o his obstinate now or Oi'll give yez a prod wid me boy'net." h ea d." "But I wanter see some real sogers like Gin'ral Wash'-Later in the day Dick an d Bob were riding along the r
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4 .THE LIBERTY BOYS' GALLANT "Who are you, fellow?" asked Roger, staring impuden',Jy at the young lieutenant. "Your better, Hogg!" said Bob. ' Jack -and Mark laughed, and Roger, coloring deeply, re-torted: "Do you mean to insult me?" "I couldn't," dryly. "I will send my second to call upon you, fellow," stormed Roger. "A second Hogg?" laughed Eob. "Please don't, One is enough." "Consider yourself challenged," said Roger. "Then you will have to consider shot dead," answered Bob. "Do you see this?" He took off his hat and turned it over and over to show the other that it was sound. '"Now watch this." Then Bob threw his hat straight up in the air. Then, before it had begun to descend, he drew his pistol and fired. ' Crack! The hat fell toward him, and he caught it in his hand. There was a hol e right through the crown. Roger Hogg turned pale and lost all his bravado. "He couldn't fight with you, Bob," said Dick. "It would be simply murder and nothing else." "I only fight with gentlemen, anyhow," said Roger sneer ingly. "Then all I can say is that you are greatly honored," said Bob, "and they are more indulgent than I am. I should consider it rather beneath me to thrash you, even." "You rebels are putting on a lot of airs now,'' said the bully, as he turned aside, "but just wa:t till Knyphausen gets after you and--" "Stop him!" cried Dick. "The scoundrel has inside information which we want." .fack Warren made a snatch at Roger's bridle, but lie dashed off so quickly that the boy was nearly unseated, while the boasting Tory escaped. CHAPTER IV. LOOKING FOR "I am sorry I missed him, Dick,'' said Jack, who was one of the bravest and pluckiest of the Liberty Boys. "Never mind, Jack," said Mark, who was just such another, "you tried, all right." "You did your best, Jack,'' said Dick, approvingly. "Let the fellow go. We have learned something, at any rate." "Then you think that Knyphausen may be contemplating a raid in the Jerseys?" asked Bob. "Very likely." "Well, we hav.e met him before and shown him what we can do." "Yes, Bob, we have made many a gallant stand against him." "And brought him up roundly, too," laughed Bob. "Let him come with his Hessians and redcoats . He will find the Lib2rty Boys ready for him." "I must learn more about this projected move," said Dick. "This may have been mere bluster on this Tory bully's part or it may be the truth." Dick Slater had been called the champion spy of the r2vo lution , and when he set about obtaining any special bit of information it was very rarely that he did not get it. "Knyphausen failed in his first attack," said Bob. "He imagined that the people of New Jersey lacked courage, but he found out his mistake." "And then they burned villages and shot women and chil dren," said Mark fiercely. "Poor Mr1:1. Caldwell!" addeq Jack. "We met her husband, the minister, at Elizab2thtown." "He is a brave man," said Dick. "They call him the fighting parson." "Then you are going to Elizabethtown -to spy upon Knyp hausen ?" asked Bob. "Yes. This may be important news\ and no chance of gainini information should be neglected." 'Very true," agreed Bob and the rest. The boys then started to return to the camp. As they were passing a cozy house settin11: back a little from the road, a young girl came running down the walk, her hand. The boys stopped and lifted their hats. The girl paused at the gat e and said: "I am glad to see you again, Captain Slater. Are these some of the Liberty Boys?" "They are," and Dick introduced his comrades. Faith Courtenay was a very ntce girl, and the boys were all greatly pleased with her. "I wanted to tell you," s!1e said to Dick, " that I have broken with Roger Hogg. He was too domineering, and he is a Tory besides." "We'll have to find some nice boy to take his place,'' laughej Dick, whereat Fai. h blushed crimson. "You'll give me a chance to make my own selection, won't you?" she asked. "Certainly," said Dick. "I am no match-maker." Then they all laughed, and Dick said: man was not good enough for you, frankly, and I am glad that you will" have no thing more to do with him." "You would better be careful, though," said Faith, "for he threatened to do the Libert y Boys an injury." "We have been thl'eatened before,'' said Dick, "and W3 have survived it. However, I am just as much obliged to you." Then thev rode back to camp, and s hortly afterward D'ck left Short Hills mounted on Major, his fine black hors e , which he had captured from the some four years before, and set out fol' Elizabethtown. He reached the town that evening after a sharp ride, r . nd went at once to an inn, put up his hors e and aske d for per and a bed. "Got business in town?" as!,ed the landlord, \ vho was of an inquisitive turn of mind. "Yes, urgent business." "You don't expect to trattsact it at night, do you?" was the next question. "Yes, I expect to see some of the rnirties to-night. D!ly or night makes little difference to me." This was quite true, as regarced Dick's spying exr:editions, but the inquiring landlord had no idea as to the rea l me::in ing of what Dick said. "You will have supper now?" . "Yes, if you please." "You ' bFought no baggage?" "No. I will pay my score now, if you wish." "Oh, I did not mean that. Yuur home would cover any expev.se you might be at. I meant that you were not a traveling merchant?" "No, I am not." "Engaged in ihe law, perhaps?" "Yes, perhaps." . "You see,'' the landlord went on, "there are so many spie s about for both sides that I have to be cautious." "You surely do not take me for a spy?" said Dick. "Oh, no, indeed." which was VP.ry true, for he (lid He wassimply inquisitive and liked to a s k questions, hav-ing no suspicion that Dick was a spy. "I am sim1Jly here to look o ver the ground, and see on2 or two persons of note,'' said Dick. That was true, but the landlord again did not catch Dick's true meaning. "If the fellow thought half as much as he talked," pondered Diok, "he would find out something. As it is, I am perfectly safe." " After supper Dick set off for a stroll about the to w n. He locat2d British headquarters, but he d oubted if he could obtain an entrance at that time. Matters were more likely to be discu s sed during the day than at night. The British loved amusement, and the men he sought w ere more likely to be found at taverns and drinking places than at the War Office. He had picked up, much valuable information from chance conversations, more than once in taverns and other public places. Officer s were apt to be talkative under the influence of punch and old ale, and Dick knew it. He neved drank anything himself, and he only visited taverns in his capacity of a spy. He founq. headquarters without difficulty and was turning away when two officers came out hurriedly. "If old Knyphausen would go right on to Morristown now he might do something," said one. "Yes, for their Mr. Washinirton has an idea that we're iro ing to West Point."

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THE LIBERTY GALLANT STAND. 5 "That's just it. a:1d the old Dutchman ought to know it." j "Yes; what sort was it?" "Perhaps he doe s, but he's pig-headed, like all Hessians." "A very fine black on.e, full of spirit and with plenty of Then the two officers hurried on fl.nd Dick did not follow speed, I should say." them. "Dick Slater's horse, fo a dot!" "They have little respect for the men they hire to help "Well, well. this is important/' conquer u s,'' thought Dick. "So it seems that there is an "Yes, he will have to be questioned, and unless he can give expedition talked of, eh? Well, that is what I wanted to find a satisfactory answer. we will lock him up." I)ick had other opinions. Dick did not attempt to enter headquarters, having an idea "When will he 1eturn, landlord?" that there would be few persons there at that time. he should be at home shortly, as it is growing He went to the nearest tavern instead, and sat in a quiet late . He does not look like a night hawki" but then he said corner over a plate of bread and cheese. that day or night made very little difference to him in his Presently three or four British officers came in and sat at business." ' a table next to his. "Jove! I should say not! He goes spying about at all They ordered mugs of ale and lon g pipes and began to times." talk quite freely, evidently not heeding the presence of a will wait for him.'' . . "I hope you will enjoy waiting," thought Dick to himself. "Yes,' ' said one, whom Dick at once recognized by his voice Then he went out to the barn. as one of tlre men he had .coming out of headquarters, He found Major and led him out. . "if Mr. Washington c a n only be induced to leave we "You will hav" a weary time waiting, I fear, gentlemen," can ma1ch l'ight on to Morristown and capture the stores." he Raid to himse lf. "W e11, but he has o ther generals, has he not?" asked anThen, when clear of the yard, he sprang upon Major's other. back a.nrl dashed away. 'Oh, yes, he has and Arnold and one or two more, He l eft enoug-h money to pay his score in Major's late but i hey are nothing much." . stall. for he had no desire to cheat any one, even if he had "The y may be more than you think," was Dick's thought. to P"akf) a hasty departure. "The general-in-ch ief knows all that is going on and directs He had come into the town with little trouble, but he was all movements v>h-:>ther he is on the spot or not.'' not so sure that he could get out of it so easily. "Th':!n you think this movement will be made?" However, he knPw all the ways of getting out or in and " Yes , as soon as old Knyphausen is sure of his ground." whi"h roads were th suspect. first, we tell you." The alarm might have been spread, although Dick scarcely 'Ihere is Dick Slater, for mstance. He goes everywhere. thought it could have been. I .have the chap when 1 never suspected him, but I know The presence of the British soldiers near the gate showed horse. . him that they were on the lookout for the enemy, howeyer, . person came with a very handsome one, too, and and that Knyphausen might have already sent some of his I m a Judge of hors es," said the landlorrl uoops forward. .

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6 , THE LIBERTY BOYS' GALLANT STAND. The toll gate was closed, and Dick knew that the redcoats When they began to fill it he turned it over to Carl. would want to ask questions. "Shure an' Oi phweeled it all dhe way down, Cockyspiller," It was a good high gate, but Major had taken ones as he said, "an' now it's yt!re turn to take it back." high, if not higher, and Dick had therefore no fear of the "Off you was letted me I would brought it mit nod ings in result. • it ghoost der same what yer do." As soon as the re!lcoats saw him he dashed full tilt at the j "Go on wid yez, don't Oi have to get dhe t'ings for it, gate. Cookyspiller ?" asked Patsy. The y rushed forward to intercept him. Pretty soon he came out with a bag of meal. Two were overturned in the dust in a most undignified At the f\ext place he got some hams. mann e r. Then he came out with some apples. The n Dick threw some coppers, the toll, in fact, at the "Howld shtill, me bhy, till Ci do be puttin' dhe t'ings on," others. . he said. • In another instant M ajor had risen at the gate. Carl stood still. Over it he went like a bird, never hitting or even grazing "Now yez are all roight," the bar. something else." Patsy said. "Go on till I get wheel and saw what was d' e r One or two of the redcoats fir e d at him, but their shots "Yoost look off dot vront went wild and Dick dashed on . matter mit it," said Carl. "I had forgotten the toll gate," he said, "but such things Patsy bent over to make an examination. are no hindrance to me when I make up my mind to go on." Then Carl upset the wheelbarrow, but whether by acci-He reached the camp an hour later and found that Wash-dent or design it was hard to tell. ington had gone on to Pompton. Dpwn went Patsy in the dust, with a lot of hams and a "They think there is some movement against West Point," bag of meal on top of him. said Bob. "An' phwat are yez doin' at all, at all?" he gasped. may but there is another n earer home," said "Oxcuse me, dot parrow was fell ofer." Dick, who went at once to one of the other generals and ""Well, take it off." reported what he had learned. Carl righted the barrow. Preparations to meet the enemy were made at once. "Take dhe t'ings off, Cookyspiller; yez are smotherin' me," ( CHAPTER VI. A FINE SHOT. After Dick had left the camp of the Liberty Boys the young Irishman, Patsy B:rannigan, was sitting in front of his tent. Pretty soon along came a fat German boy, who weighed nearly two hundred pounds. He was a rosy-cheeked, blue-eyed, fair-haired fellow, with a sober face, and w a s known as Carl Gookenspiller. He and Pats y were close .Jriends, but were forever argu-ing about one thing or another. . "Well, Cool.-yspill er," said the Irish boy, looking up, "phwat do yez b e thinkin' av at all, at all?" "I was t'ought for why de.y call dose der Short Hills when dey w::i'3 s o long been alretty." " Shme an' dhat's an ais y wan, me bhy," said Patsy. "For why d e y wa:i dooded it?" "C a n y e z t e ll me phwy dhey cal yez Carl, me bhy?" "Po r shure I can. It was for cause dot was mein name been alretty." "Well , an' be dhe same token dhat's phwy dhey call dhim dhe Short Hills an' dhat's all Oi do know about it." "Dot was e : n foolishness," muttered Carl. "An' y e z another, but Oi say, Cookyspiller, phwat are yez doin' ?" " Couldn't you was saw what I was done, Batsy ?" "We ll, phwat is it?" said Patsy. Carl lifted off the hams and put them in the barrow. Then he took hold of the bag of meal. He took it by the bottom, which s ent all the meal bling to the top. All at once, the bag not having been very securely tiei.i, the . meal began to run out. "Howld on, howld on, Cookyspiller; yez do be spillin' dhe male all over me!" bawled Patsy. "Yah, dot was so and we don'd was wanted to waste dot meal alretty." Then he -put back into the bag what had spilled out and tied it up. "Here, give me dhe barrow," said Patsy, getting up. "Yez'll be upsettin' it ag'in av Oi don't lo,ok out." Then he caught up the barrow handles and starte d. "Hold on, you was not der bag of meal got!" cri e d Car l. "Shure Oi had it wanst an' now yez can take it," laughed Patsy. It ended in Carl having to put the bag of meal on his back and carrying it. "You t'ought I was e i n horse to carry dot bag off meal mit mein back?" he aske d. "No, Oi don't," laughe d Patsy; "but yez can carry it all dhe same." Then Patsy trundled the barrow back to camp and . Carl carried the bag of meal, grumbling all the way. When they got to the camp Carl said: "Wait a minute, Batsy, and hellup me got dose bag off meal vrom mein ):>ack off." "Set it down, Cookyspiller. Shure an' dhat's aisy." "Nein, I was afeerd dot off I Jetted dot go it would tumble me ofer, und I wanted to Jetted it down eas y alretty ." "Noding s ." "Well, it's toime ye z done somet'ing. Do yez want to wid me an' get so mething for dhe bhys to ate?" go "No, yez don't," laughed Patsy. "Yez wan t me to take h-0wld av dhe bag an' dhin yez ' ll let go av it sudden loike "Yah, I went wid you. Where you was went, and what you got?" an' let it fall on me, dhe same as yez did before . " "You was too shmart alretty," said Carl, letting go of the bag of meal. "Annything at all." "How you was brought horses' packs?" it? Mit der wagon or on dose "For yez, me bhy, yis, yez are roight, I am," and Patsy roared. "Shure an' Oi think we'JJ have to bring it on backs or in a wheelbarrow." our own "Nefer moind, I was caughted you once annyhows," said Carl. "You was lige ein turtle loogked when you was had took der dot bag your back on alretty." "Dot's all righd. I got der t'ings und you was wheelbarrow, ain't it?" "Shure an' yez'll do yer share av dhe worruk, Cooky spiller, an' not be lavin' it all to me." "Dot was all righd," said Carl. "You don'd got more as your share. You nefer doed." "Shure an' phwat do yez mane be dhat, Cookyspiller?" asked Patsy. "For cause you wouldn't looked it," laughed. Carl. "Go on wid yez." "Yah, I do dot off you was toldt me where I was went." "Come on dhin an' Oi'll show yez." They got a wheelbarrow and started off. Patsy trundled the barrow as long as there was nothing in it. "Shure and I was thought it wor yeself dhat was settin' on me." "l don'd was so heafy lige dot bag, Batsy," said Carl. "Shure yez are." "No, sir." "An' phwy not?" "For cause I could meinselluf carry mitouid some drob bles, und I don'd could dot bag carry mitoui d some sweat in ' s alretty." "Shure an' Oi niver t'ought. av dhat, Cookyspiller, but av yer wor to thry an' carry yersilf over yer own showldher, yez wud foind it wor heavier." "How I was carry meinselluf mein own shoulder ofer?"' asked Carl.

PAGE 8

THE LIBERTY BOYS' GALLANT STAND. 7 "Shure an' Oi do:i't care how yez do it, but av yez thry it wan st, yez'll see dhat Oi'm roight." Then Patsy went off, l eaving Carl to stud:r the problem ou t at his l eisure. The next day Dick returned and made his r eport of the inte nded march upon Monistown. • The news was important and the generals decided to act upon it at once. Dick in the meantime decided to look over the field . Taking Bob and another of the Liberty Boys with him, he set out. The three were mounted upon horseback and made a good appearance. The third member of the party was a riew recruit by the name of Paul Bem:on, and was universally liked. As they were riding along they came in sight of the house where Faith Courtenay liv ed. "There's a very pretty girl in that house," said Dick . "So she is," said Bob, "and she's a patriot, too, which is better yet." "Well, we could stand her being plain if she is a patriot," laughed Paul. At that very moment a scream was heard. Then a young girl was seen to turn a bend in the road. She w.as running toward the gate of the house which Dick had pointed out to Paul. Close behind her was a ferocious dog, foaming at the mouth. He was mad, beyond a doubt. As the girl re'.lchf'd the vte, she tried to unlatch it. For some r P a s on it to open. The mad dog was close b ehind . It seemed as iJ nothing could save her. Then Paul dashed ahead of his comrades. As, he sped forw"lrd he drew his pistol. • As he reachPd tlie gate the dog was about to spring at the thJ'oat of the girl. Crack! The pistol rangont clear and sharp. Li v ou take him off his high horse." "l\1iss Faith has fainted," said Bob. "She was in great "You have mv permission to th1 .,sh him :it any time you danger." "M fit." said Diel<. with a laug h , "but I think, as Bob does, Just then a n ew comer arrived. tli:>f: you won't get a chance." He came around the bend in the road, whistling as if for "No, he'll keep out of your way after this," added Bob. a
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8 THE LIBERTY DOYS' GALLANT STAND. They left their horses tethered at the gate and entered the house. i-'aith herself came forw Ii to receive them. -Was it you, Captain Sla er, who saved me just now?" she asked. 'No, Miss Faith, I did not have that llonor. Let ine present. Paul Benson, one of the latest of the Liberty Boys." Faith blu she d and sai.d: " I thank you very much for--" "No, thank the good fortune that sent me to your aid, liiss Faith," said Paul, blu shing in hls turn. "J knew tha,t . dog and was always afrai d of him," said F"ith. "Roger Hogg only laughed and would not call him off." ".Tnst now, do you mean?" asked Dick, excitedly. "Yes." "And he was there?" "Yes, on the road." . "Ayd would not call off his dog?" "No, ]jut laughed at my terror." Dick was fiercely indignant. "Then Roger Hogg is either a con summate fool or a con t emp tible scoundrel," he said. "I wish I had known of this before." "I am sorry you did not thrash him," said Bob. 1'If he did 1,.,not know the dog was mad. he's an idiot; if he did, he is contemptible ." "He will be careful after this," said Dick. "Paul spoke pretty plainly to him." "I am glad that you saw my danger," said Faith. "I did not know that you were about until I heard that shot. Then I swooned." "There was little time to lose," said Dick, "and you can thank me for my desire to have as many expert rifle and pistol shots in the Liberty Boys as I can." "I thank you all," said Faith, blushing, her glance being directed particularly at Paul. " Dick excused himself in . a short time, and they all took their leave. . "You must all come again soon," said Faith, but she looked at Paul when she gave the invitation. Then they rode away, and Dick said to Bob, unheard by Paul: "Well, I guess we've found him, Bob, just as I said we would have to." "It looks like it," laughed Bob. CHAETER VIII. A NARROW ESCAPE. "That fellow Hogg has got to be taught a lesson," said Dick, as the three Liberty Boys . rode on. "I think I have s een him get two or three very good ones," said Bob. "In some manner that we do not know of, h e is able to communicat e with the enemy, or at least to know of their movements," added Dick. "And you think he may make them acquainted with ours?" "Yes." "Then he is a spy." "Yes, but not of the honest sort. You will never find him putting his life in danger for the sake of his cause." "No . h e is too big a bully and coward for that." "That is why I say that lie must b e taught a lesson. He is a fellow to have at large." "Then the Liberty Bo ys will have to round him up," said Bob, "together with his friends, the redcoats." ' "He is very apt at call:ng folks 'rebels,' " said Paul. "He is not a soldier, is he?" "No," said Bob. "He thinks too much of his own precious skin to risk it in a fight." There were a good many Tories in the neighborhood, as Dick knew. They were the sort to set fire to churches, run away with the cattle of inoffensive persons and to commit other ex cesses. Roger Hogg was one of that kind. He would persecute those who were weaker than he and would furnish information to the enemy whenever he could, but would not go into the army. He needed to be taught a lesson, therefore, jus t as had said. He was conceit e d, arrogant and self-willed, had never b ee n taught restrai::t and tho!.lght that everybo dy must bow to his will, without regard to right or wrong. There were many more like him, and they were a m er.ace to the country and needed to be taught a lesson. Dick meant to do so at the first opportunity. 'I'he three Liberty Boys rode on for some distanc e till they came to a c1oss roads. Here a ooy su ddenly dashed into the ro a d , saw them and came running toward them . "Be yer s-0gers ?!' "Yes." "Come quick!" "What's the matter?" "Som e body's runnin' away with our cows . " "Show us the way." Th e boy ran down the road .he h a d come out of, clo::;cly followed by Dick and the others. They saw a little farm house not far di stant. There seemed to be some commotion going on there. In a moment three or four men came into the road driving two cows . "There they b e !" cried the boy. "There be the fellersJ" Th e n :::nother person appeared, mounted on a horse. He had been hiding b e h in d the trees before that. He was directing the others, how ever, for he shouted something to them. HP. was Roger Hogg, and Dick recognized him in an instant. "Come, boys!" he cried, hurrying forward. The moment that Hogg saw him he clapped spurs to his horse and darte d away. "What are you go in g to do with those .cows?" aske d reining up in front of men. '.'Take 'em away." "V.7hat for?" "For deb t ." A woman now came out of the house . . "Do you owe ;:iny one any mon ey ?" D ick asked. "No, sir, I don't." . . ,, "This man s a vs the cows are being seized to pay a d ebt. "It ii:;n't PO. .Ho g g had a mortgage on the place, but it's b e0n paid <'ff." "no you mean thi s young m a n who ran away as we came up?" " "Not H"1 , bnt hi<; fathe)'. Roger Hogg never said a word ab0ut debt , but .i st told these men to take the cows." "It's for a debt . " said one of the men. "He told us so." "Then you have no legal papers?" "No." "Put t h0se cows b<>ck from whf'r e you took them." The men SC'emed di sposed to disobey Dick's commands. "Are g-oinrr to do as I t e ll you?" he asked quie t ly. '"Rut v:e w:iR tolrl to take 'em away. " "By f'oger Hogg?" "Yes. " "And you l rnve no other authority?" "He s:.iirl he'd give 1!s ten " hillings for the job." "You will get nothing. H e had no anthot"ity to offer you anvthin;t. Do you know t hese men, ma'am?" "I kn0w o., e of ' em ." sa id the wom: = m . "and I don't kT\ow any good of h ini. He':;; in the B ride well and h e ' s he0n in thC' pillory an' h e's b ee n put under bonds for beatir::; hi s wife." "Let go of those cows," sai d Dick. "Dut the young gentleman said that--" "Never mind what that bully said. Take ,those cows back." Doh and Paul s tood alongside Dick. The f:::uner's boy had pic k e d up a stout switch . The woman had gone to the w e ll for a bucket of water. "Oh, well, if you say l :e hadn't any authority, I suppo se we can't take 'er;1." "'l'a'.:c them back" "But w e ain't .r.:oiu' ter take 'em off," and the man seemed about to st:irt Ml'. "T:ike them back!" said Dick. "You took them out; now lead them back." The men obeyed with an ill grace. "And don't come arriun d here again," sai d Dick. The men were at the road again by this t i me. Dick, I3ob and Paul rode away.

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TIIE LIBEP..T-l DOYS' G."'..LLANT STAND. 9 Then the fr. r mer's boy and half a dozen neig:1bors who had come up b :iga n to use their switches on the supposed s!1erif!s' office r s . The wom a n the bucke t of water on them, and the boys cal b d fol' rcbforcements. Then the four ruffi:.:; : s fled in ho't hast2 . "They. must hav e known what they were likely to get," laughe d Bob, "ar: d wante d to get awc.y while we were the re." The three L i be r t y the ruffi::ms g o t. B o ys had witnesse d 'the treatment that "It's a pity tha t Rorrer got away so soon, or he might have h a d the same do se ," said Paul. "He knew that he w ould receive much worse if he waited till we came up,'' said Dick. "That's on e time we c aught him,'' said Dick. "I know thes e people. They are pat ri ots, and that is why Tiogc r Hogg persecutes the m . Let him b2ware, for we mean to round up all such and put a stop to thes e evil practices." They rode on for s ome tim e longer and then to return. • "There is an inn," said Dick. "I thir:k it will be as well to wnter our hors es b efore returning. We have a pretty good iide before us." They, rod e to the i nn. therefore, Dick was about to c::il! a hostle r wh e n, 100 ki n g a window, he saw half a c1. o z e n 1edcoats s e a t e d at a t:ible. eating and drinking. H e at once drew back and said to Bob: "There are six Britis h soldiers in the tavern and the1e are only thre e of us." "That means two apiece , " said Bnb. "That isn't such great odds if we g o about it in the 1ight way." "No, it i s not, but we do no t k.1ow how many more there may be b e hind out of si ght." "Ve r y trtle." "Wait a moment." 'f Dick then advance d cauticusly and pe ered in at another d o or, thn t l eading to the public ba!. The pl ace fairly swarmed with r e dcoats. ' ' CHAPTER IX. THE DAY BEFORE THE FIGHT. Dick a;:d the Liberty Boys had gone ahead the night before. '!'hey were to advance as far as possible and send back word of the enemy's approach. Their body was one that was well adapted for just such WOl'k. 'l'here was not a large number of them and they cold mo v e quickly. In fact, this was not the first tiJne that Dick had been em ploy e d in just rnch a capacity. :He was trusted by all th'e generals, w!10 were well aware what he could do. They knew that wherever Dick Slater and his Liberty 'Coys were, they would stick until driven out by vastly supm 'ior numbers. . Dick kn e w the responsibility of his position, he knew wh'lt was expected of him and he res_olvcd to do his duty as long as it could be done. Pushing on that evening, Dick stopped just beyond town of Springfield, through which the enemy must pass on its way to Morristown . There we'J:e two roads by which the enemy might c ome, or he might take both. The main road passed directly through the village . toward Morristown, and it was on this that Dick w a s po s ted. The other road, north of the main road, crossed streams, the conflue nce of which formed the Rahway RivCo'r . This was called the Vauxhall road and united beyorid t h e village in the principal pass to the Short Hills. It was nece ssary to know by just which l'Oad the enemy would advance, and this was Dick's duty. Beyond village, in the direction of Elizabethtown, where Knyphausen was now stationed, there was a fine, Inrge colonial mansion, built of stone, as it was the habit to build gentlemen's houses in those days. T'1 e grPat door, approached by a flight of stone steps, was in the ifniddle; a spacious hall as large as a room _its<>lf r;:n rin-ht through, and there were ample rooms. on either side of it. A broad winding stairway led to the floors apove, and there were queer little landings, abrupt turnings, half-s tail' wa vs and queer little nooks at the most unexpected The house was two stories and a half in height in tl e main portion, wiPl!"8 and ells h::tving been addr..d to it and there. so that in some parts it was only a story in height and in others two. Dick Slater h::.st ily withdrew, joined his comrades and It to a patriot judge, but at faat the family leaped into the s addle. did not o c cupy it. "It's really alive with British and Hessians,'' he said. "This The jnclrre. however. belm:i; in the nei.P"hhorhood aTJd fear-may be an advance or skirmishing pal'ty." ing for his house if the eTJemy advanced , sent word by his "Then there are two many for us to try to capture?" steward that the Liberty Boys were free to use it and make asked Bob. it thl'!ir headquarters. . "Most d e cidedly . " Dick was then in Springfield, and he made all haste to "Do you s uppo se I could run back and b ring up the LibaccP.pt the judl!"e's f!eneroP'l offer and occuny the house. erty Ilo y s ? " su g g e s t e d Paul. It stood well back frnm the main road and was approached hv fine lawns in which stood many magnificent trees, ''Do you thir.'.{ you cou'.d get bac'.{ to-nig-ht?" said Dob, l!"iants of the fore<;t. quizzingl y . " You know y ou wouk! be oblig;)d to p::is:i Fa1til Th<' house itself was quite can:i.bl<> of accoi;nmodating all Courten a y's hou se , goinp; and coming?" P 1 1 d d Liherty Boys, bein!!' robst r0ml!'odious. au! a u g i e ' and Dick sai : In the rear were stables. ba,....s. outhouses and kitrh"'"'"• "No, it is a lo n g w a y , a!ld thes e follows mig-ht discover rn that there was room for all and many more, besides us in the meant i me . It is b etter tha t thev s !1ou'.J hav e no s u s picion we are ar..ywhere in the vici nity." qu<>rters for the horses. "Yes , I suppose it is," s aid both B o b and Paul. Dick at. once sent his tl,ank!': to the iudrr0 • saying that he Then they hurried away before pi e se nce w::>.s dis'Yould do his best to protect the house and would care for covered. it as if it were his own. 'Jt was very fortunate that I saw thorn in time, " s a i d The Liberty Boys established themselves in it without Dick. "If they had seen me w e would h n d to run fnr delay, finding it much pr .. t? being in camp. it, and they w'ould have known th'":l.t thme were C :mtinentals They were. u sed tu all. sort:> of of cou r se, and g_rumin the neighborhood." bled" ::!t nothmg, but at Lhe. ,;am c time it y;as havmg a "That is so," said Bob. . ;oof. sleepinl:' m .. "Now we may be able to capture the' n and upset then 1 Shme an dhis I S dh e 1011;:1. t s oi t av a lntchen, said plans." who very soon fo und !u s quarters and took posses"! hope we do," from Paul. 1 . ,, . They hurried back to camp, which they reached during 'Do t was no.t so yme. been d e r shtables, said Carl, the afternoon. who ha, 1 mvest1gatmri: on his O\Vll account .. As there were redcoats in the neighborhood and General "Go'n w1d Cookyo-n-!ler. Shure an' yez mver cud get Knyphausen might be already sending out scouting parties up" a sunrer m dhe . to make way for his advance, it was neceSSl)rY to ao some-Vh;ll. yo u could eated It dere, annyhows, it was so fery thing to hold them in check. glean. The Liberty Boys were ordered to be ready to march at a "Mebby yez cud. Shure, an' yez cud cook a supper fit for moment's notice. a lord in dhis kitchen, me thy." There was also a good deal of activity in the other di"Yah, you might was dooded dot, but it didn't was so vi:oions. vine lige der shtables been alretty." .i.:ailv the next morninl!." the troo:: s . y;ere all in motion. "Go on out an' shtay qhere dhin wid dhe ither jackassea.'

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10 THE LIBERTY BOYS' GALLANT STAND. "Who you was call ed a shackass, Batsy ?" "Yer brot h er, av coarse," laughed Patsy. "Anny wan phwat wud call a shtable betther dhan a foine kitchen do be nothin' ils e an' dhat's p hwat Oi's tellin' yez." f'Y ou don'd could put horses mit der kitchen," said Carl, who was di s:pcse d to argue the question." "Shure, an' Oi don't want to, anny more dhan Oi wud cook in dhe parlor. Ivery place to its use, me bhy." "Yah, dot was so, but dot was a bootiful shtables." "Dhin, for goo dn ess sak es, go on out dhe r e an' shtay dhere an' don't be bodherin' me about it. Shure, anny body cud tell yez wor a jackass be yer fondness fur a sh table." "You was e in hock, d o t was what you was been," retorted Carl, "und y ou was went in her kitchen, so you was enuff for eated got alretty." "Go on away wid yez," said Patsy. "Av Oi had to feed a doz e n s uch as ye, Oi'd have to have a forchin." Then Carl off to admire the stables again, while Patsy proceeded to get up supper for a lot of hungry boys with good appetites. After supper the youths sat in the library on the steps o r about the lawn under the trees, talking, singing and in other ways amusing themse l ves . The knowledge that on the morrow there would be fighting perhaps on this very spot did not dampen their ardor in the least. . When fighting came they were ready for it, but they did not worry over it in advance. ,They took proper precautions, of course. On the other hand, they

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• THE LIBERTY BOYS' GALLANT STAND. 11 The judge's servants and dependents were here, and they fought with a will, having their home to defend from those who would destroy it. It seemed hopeless to try and carry anything against such a determined resistance. The main body of the left division had passed and were engaged in a desperate fight farther on, as could be told by the heavy firing. It was quite evident that Greene and his officers were rounding up the redcoats as effectively as the Liberty Boys had done. The party detailed to destroy the mansion, that Jt had a harder task than it had realized, now withdrew m great disorder, amid the cheers of the Liberty Boys. Th' e n the gallant boys, with ' Dtck at their head, rushed from the mansion, mounted their horses and gave chase "Liberty forever!" they shouted, as they thundered down the road and the discouraged redcoats hurriedly broke in disorder and fled in every direction, while Dick and his boys made a detour and joined Dayton and his Jersey militia on the main road. ---. CHAPTER XI. THE FIGHTING PARSON. The main body of the left division of the redcoats had metwith most determined opposition from Colonel Dayton a nd the militia. The chaplain of this regiment was as valiant a fighter as any man in it, and no one showed more ardor. He was the Rev. James Caldwell, and was !mown as "the rousing gospel preacher," being a stanch patriot an especia l object of hostility to both British 11nd Tories. At the time of the British attack on Efizabethtown earlier in this same year his church had been burned by Tories, who expressed a wish that he might be i;' een in his pulpit a t the time. After the burning of his church, Caldwell had i:emoved his family to the village of Connecticut Farms, winch was sacked by Knyphausen's soldiers on a raid jus t prev ious to the one they were now upon. , . Mrs. Caldwe ll retired to a back room in the house where she was li ving, when a shot was fired in at the win. dow and she fell dead. : Mr. Cald well was at the camp in Short Hills, and hurry ing back to the village, found his home in ashes and his wife dead. With the image of his murdered wife before his eyes , the chaplain was now doing his best to hold the enemy in check. When. Dick arrived with his Boys the fight was gomg on with the utmost determmation. on the part of the Americans. They received Dick with cheers and the Liberty Boys at once took their place in the line and fought with the rest. "Give it to them, boys!" cried Dick. "Down with the redcoats!" The Liberty Boys had already made one gallant stand th11t day and now they made another. They fired volley after volley at the enemy and appeared to be utterly tireless. "Shure, an' dhis is joost dhe koind av fun Oi do loike," said Patsy, as he bla ze d away with his musket, the sweat pouring down his freckled face. "Yah, I en doing it. The briga de despatched by Washington to aid General Greene arrived too late to b e of any use. Knyphausen had retreated. As soon as this was known the Liberty Boys and several comnanies of light infantry began to pursue the discour aged redcoats. CHAPTER XII. . THE RETREAT OF THE BRITISH. Knyphausen was in retreat. . . The Liberty Boys were harassing his rear guard. . Occasionally they would seize a baggage wagon and qutckly distribute its contents.

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12 THE LIBERTY DOYS' G;_. LLANT STAND. They kept up these attacks, now at one point, now at another, and always where they were least expected. Other light parties kept up the same tactics, and the retreat of the redcoats was_ by no means an orderly one. It was as much a rout as a retreat, for nearly every step of the way had to be disputed. Once Dick dasheq up so suddenly with his entire party that he was a:ble to capture a large quantity of stol'eB which the redcoats were obliged to abandon and a number of prisoners as well. It was sunset when the Britis h reached Elizabe.thtown. Dick hung about the edge of the town so as to captul'e any stragglers and pl'event fornys . "Shure, an' dhis have been a foine day," said Patsy, resting himself in the temporary camp. "Y ah, dot was a goot day b ee n vor us, I bet you,'' said Carl. Dick kept a sharp watch on the town, venturing as close as he dared, and letting nothing escape his notice. The gallant boys had been fighting all day since early morning and needed a rest. Dick gave them a chance to get over their fatigue some-what; but took very little rest himself. • He wanted to give the enemy all the trouble . he could and to see that none left the town except by the hill. Foraging parties might be sent out and this he wished to prevent. During the night the enemy crossed to Staten Island by a bridge of boats. In the early morning all had crossed, the bTidge was removed and the enemy had at last evacuated New Jersey, so long a school of war for the American soldiers. The State had been a theater of war for four years and the patriot soldiers had been rendered hardy, adroit and long-suffering by the constant match!ng-s, rude eneamp ments, rough encounters, stratagems and adventurous en . terprises which had taken place during this time. Th.ey. h!ld also been made accustomed to clanger , inured to d1sc1plme and brought to a level with the soldiers• of Europe in the usages of arms, while they had the superior incitements of home, country and independence. The closing acts of the British in their Jersey campaign were not at all to their credit and gave it an igno,!1in ious ending. . "They're out of Jersey at last,'' said Dick. "Yes, and they're likely to stay out," said Bob. "They have not added anything to their reputation as soldiers." "Very true," agreed Dick, "but our men have been constantly improving." After the departure of the British Dick returned l eis urely to Springfield. The judge's mansion was still standing, but there were very few houses left in the village. • The stining experiences the enemy had had at the mansion had made them wary of attacking it the second time. It was still intact, therefore, and the judge, thanking the Liberty Boys for what they had already done, pressed them to return indefinitely. . "They have told me how well you boys pl'ot cctecl my place, Captain Slater,'' he said, "and I am grateful." "There was some hot fighting h ere, judge,'' said Dick, with a smile. "So I should imagine from what I hear." "They could neither drive us out nor get in themselves." "By the looks of things I should say that there had been a battle here." "At all events, it was a pretty sharp skirmish." "I fancy they must have thought that the bulk o:r the patriot forces were near, by the way you fought," the judge laughed. "Well, they gave it up as a bad job and did not trouble the house again." "No, and my people gave them a rousing volley as they came back." "I am glad they did. We gave them on their retreat." "Yes, the Liberty Boys behaved valiantly." "They always try to do their duty, judge," answered Dick proudly. "You are at liberty to make my house your quarters as long as you please, Captain Slater,'' the judge said warmly. "Thank you, sir, but we will not intrude upon your hospitality longer than to-night." "A1 you please." "The bo ys are greatl y fatigued, but they are recovering, and by to-morrow they will be ready to proceed." • The Liberty Boys would therefore spend another night in the mansion and in the morning would go back to their camp in the Short Hills. It was a jolly party of boys that gathered in and about the mansion that night. Dick, Bob, Mark, Paul and a dozen others sat on the stone steps where they had fought so bravely the day be fore and \vent over the in cidents of the fight. There was a big fire on the lawn, and here Jack Warren, Sam Sanderson, Arthur Mackay, Harry Judson, Will Free man and a score or two more sat talking and singing to a late hour. , Patsy had found a great quantity of dainties among captured stores, and he had got up a supper such .ns boys se ldom enjoyed. "Well, dhim Britishers do be good livers in wan way,'' h<' said, "an' as long as dhey do have no furdher use for dhim t'ings, dhere do be no use av washtin' dhim." "How you was knowed dot dey didn't was want dern, Batsy?" asked Carl. "\Veil, Dootchy, Oi know roight well dhat dhey'll not gd dhim an' dhat's whoy Oi do be sayin' dhat dhey have no furdher u se for dhim, me bhy." "Dot was diff'rent." "An' dhc same in dhe ind." After supper Carl said: "You was lige to took ein walk, Batsy, b y
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THE LIBERTY BOYS' GALLANT STAND. 13 "Say, hev you seen a white cow anywheres on ther rud ?" "Yah." . She's got lost, I guess." "But av yez are not here, without a good raison, ye'll be Just then the so und that had so alarmed Patsy and Carl punished. Now do yez undershtand ?" was repeated. "Yah, dot was easy." "There she be now!" cried the boy. "Co-boss, co-boss, "Well, dhin, when yez are here, yez must say so and so!" . phwin yez are not here yez must say dhat, too." Patsy stopped and roared. "How I was sayed anydings off I was been here not? "Cookyspiller, me bhy," he said. Dot was ein foolishness." "Vhell, what it was?" "Shure, an' dhere's little u se thryin' to explain annything "Dhat was a cow." to yez," said Patsy, whereat the others laughed. "Who wai:t a cow?" "Look at dhat, me bhy. Dliey are all laffin' at yez." "Dhe t'ing dhat made dhe n'ise." "No, sir, I dinks dey was at yourselluf laffed alretty," and "Was dot so?" the boys laughed again. "Yis." "Vhell, I knowed dot." In the morning the Liberty Boys left the judge's hos"Yer did?" ' pitable roof and returned to their camp. "Yah, I knowed it." As they weie passing the Courtenay house Faith's mother "An' yez didn't t'ink it wor a gho s ' ?" came out and beckoned to Dick. "No, sir, I knowed it don'd was one." He halted and asked: Patsv whistled. "Do you want to see me for anything special, madam?" "Dootchy?" "Have you not seen my daughter?" the lady asked. "Yah ?" "No, madam.'' "Phwat made yei run ? " "But she went down to the village to see the Liberty "Vor gause I was wanted to kee ''•i you company so Boys come in.'' dot you shou ld got losed not, ain't it?" ' j "I think I should have seen :her if she had been there. Pr-t s y shook. ' • I saw a number of young ladies." "Go'n wid ye7.," he l aughed. '"ez wor as badly sheared "Then perhaps she will return shortly." as Oi wor mesilf.'' "I have no doubt she will, ' madam," said Dick. Carl would not own up to it. Then the Liberty Boys rode on, but Dick could not help He felt too sheepish, in fact. thinking of the matter. • Patsy saw the fun of it, however, ar. d was willing to j When they reached camp he was still thinking of it. acknowledge that he had been frightened. Finally he sent for Bob, Paul, Jack and Mark and said: "Do yez know phwat Oi think, Cookyspi!ler ?" he asked. I "I want you to go with me, boys.'' "How I kriowded dot, off you clon'd tolclt me?" 1 "Reconnoitering?" asked Bob. "Well, Oi think yez are dhe biggest loiar Oi've met dhe "Yes," answered Dick in an absent-minded fashion. da;y,'' and Patsy roared. i They all rode off together, Dick leading the way to th!! 'Off you was called me a liar, I was hitted ;,:ou on cler Courtenay house. shnood.'' 1 Here he was told that the girl had not returned, and .lust then the cow bellowed again. that certain young ladies with whom she was thought to "Rin. Cookv s niller, rin, dhere's dhe ghost ag'in," cried have been had seen nothing of her all the afternoon. the jolly Irish boy. I Then he ran off laughing and Carl followed n10re leisurely. 1 Patsy had to tell the story to the Liberty Boys, of course, 1 and it was a long time before Carl heard the last of his ' CHAPTER XIV. ghost. Wh<''1 Patsy and Carl got back to camp Dick wa
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14 THE LIBERTY BOYS' GALLANT STAND. "At first I thought a forged message might have been sent to her," said Dick. "But the girls say that they did send," said Mark. "Exactly; so that is dispo!ied of." "It would be a good time," said Jack, "the Liberty Boys being away." "Yes, and the scoundrel has a wholesome fear of us," added Dick. "And would want to take revenge upon us," suggested Bob . "That is just it." "He might want to retaliate upon Faith for having thrown him over," suggested Mark. "Yes, for he is just that sort of fellow." "Agreeing that he did it," said Bob, "and I believe we are all agreed on that point, how are we going to work?" Dick thought a moment. ';In the first place, if we could be sure of it, our task would be easier." "But are you not, Dick?" asked Bob. "I think he did, but I am not certain, of course." "Very true." "And the thing to do is to settle tha t beyond a doubt..'' "Yes. " "We don't have to know positively; but to get evidence which will strengthen our belief." "And you want to get that?" asked Paul. "Yes." "And meantime?" said Bob. "Meantime we must all ernep up a search." "Where ? " asked,; Jack. "In such places where one would be likely to hide a person he had taken away." ''The Short Hills are full of them," said Bob. "I am a pretty good Jerseyman myself," laughed Jack, 'Who lived near Allentow n, on the Brunswick road, "and I believe I can find caves and hollows almost as well as a rabbit." "Then you must take that part of it in charge," . said Dick, "while Bob and I settle definitely that this fellow Hogg has abducted Miss Faith." "Pl! go with you, Jack," said Paul. "All right, I'll be glad to have you," said J ack. "What about me?" asked Mark. "Oh, you'll have to go, too, for there may be, fighting." "And you think I c a n do it?" with a smile. "I know it!" in a tone of conviction. • Mark laughed. "I think I have seen ,Mr. Jack Warren do some pretty good fighting, on occasion," he said. "The other day at the mansion, for instance," said Paul. "Yes, and at various other places." "Well," said Dick, "I think that you three boys can attend to your part Of it, while Bob and I do ours." "All right," said Jaak heartily. "Come along, boys." The three Liberty Boys dashed away, leaving Dick and Bob a lone ill the middle of the road. "What do you think of that?" laughed Bob. "Trust Jack Warren for doing what he sets out to do," said Dick. "And Mark?" "There i sn't another in all the Liberty Boys whom I would trust more than Mark Morrison." "And Paul." "He is interes ted, and, besides, is a brave fellow . He has not had the same experience that Mark has had, but with his advice and that of Jack, he can be trusted." "And now what are we going to do?" asked Bob. "Locate Roh"er Hogg." "How are you going to go about it?" "We will want disguises, Bob. Come back to the camp." Later, mounted on two of the hors es c aptured from the British during the Ir.st fight, Dick and D e b rode to Roger Ilogg's house in the disguise of horse traders. Riding up to the stable entrance, Dick :i s ket! : "Is Muster Roger in? I've a 'orse 'ere what Oi think 'e'll loike foine." "Mr. Roger is not at home,'! said the groom. "But 'e'll be 'ere shortly, Oi p resume?" "I dunno. I don't thi:rtk he wants any horses." "Never mind what you think. This 'ere 'orse is just to the king's taste. 'E's been rode by, a dragoon, too. You can tell it by his 'igh stepping." "Well, you'll have to see him.' "0' "Course I will. 'E knows all about 'orses an' you don't. Oi'm dealin' with principals, Oi am, but o' course, if you speaks a good word, Oi'm givin' you somethink fur it, d'ye mind?" "Well, that's handsome." "No, it .ain't 'andsome, it's roight. Oi'll look arter you, me boy. You said you didn't know where 'e went." "No." "Nor when 'e'll be 'ome?" "No." "Don't you know nothink? Think a and Dick jingled some coin in his pocket. "No, I don't. He's been gone since noon. He went off on hotseback vrith an under groom, and hasn't been back since ." "You'll tell 'im about the 'orse ?" "Yes." " 'E can 'ave 'im for 'is own price, tell 'im." "All right." "Oi'll be back ter-morrer, tell 1 'im, if Oi don't see 'im on the road." "Very good . V/hat name?" "Oh, 'e wouldn't know it. That's all roight; 'ave a 'alf gallon on my account," and Dick tossed the groom a s hillin g. Thm1 he and Bob rode out of the yard: "He has not been hor.1e since noon, said "He is our man." "I b e lieve you, Dick." CHAPTER XV. LOOKING FOR A HIDING-PLACE. Jack and hili twq comrades set off in quest of a place where one' was !il,i:ely to hide some one he did not wish to be found. A cave, a :l\idden no o k in the rocks, a deep ravine or s ome little mountain glade would be just a . place. "We want to get in the hills first ," said J ack, "and then we can lopk for a likely plac e ." Jack knew the Short Hills most thoroughly. He was accustomed to a hilly region, and knew how to look for odd nooks and corners. He struck out for a pass in a different direction than that in which the camp lay. "He wouldn't go too near us," he. said, "for fear of running across us son:e time." "Quite true," said P a ul. "It wouldn't be safe," added Mark. Entering the pass, Jack began to look a bou t him. He looked up several hill paths, he g l a nc e d down one or two little holes, and he look ed up at a cluster of rough boulders. "See any likely place yet?" asked Mark. "W.ell, there's none of them such as I would choose, and I suppose this fellow Hogg knows a good deal about this • region." . "Wo uld he?" asked Paul. "Yes. He rides and hunts and spends most of his time out-of-doors." "But he might have had to take her somewhere in a hurry," suggested Paul. "Perhaps." "And has not found as g ood a one as he would like." "Very true ." They at last came to a po in t where a mountain stream w ent "tumbling down the rocks iT'to a ravine where the trees were so thick that it was like twilight down there even at noonday. Jack jumped off his horse and looked about him. "Down there," he said, "there are nooks among the rocks where one might hide in safety. " At that moment the sound of a horse coming along ihe rough road was heard. Jack looked around. A man attired as a groom appeared riding an ordinary horse. At sight of the y1mths he stopped and said: "Loo kin' for rabbits, masters?" "No, for foxes, " s aid Jack. "There's none in these parts that I ever heard of. You're not fox hunters?"

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• 'i"IIj LID:CR'i'Y BOYS' GALLANT STAND. 15 .. But we're looking for one," said Jack! "and he's a sly "Thon you've seen him?" , "Not brt we think he's in the neighborhood." "There's moles and r:::bhits down tho ravine the1e," said the groom, "if you want 'em. You do11't lo ok like hunters, masters." "Oh, but we are." "Well, you don't look it," and the g1'oom rode on and shortly disappeared. "I think we've made a mistake," said Jack. "How so?" asked Mark. "In koep'ng on our uniforms." "But this is tho only man we've met," saici Paul. "Hf'! may be just the or.o that we should not h:::ve met." "vVhy so?" "He's ri groom." "vVell ?" "Wouldn't Hogg have a groom ? " "I suppos_e he might,'' said Mark. "He probably has ." "And ... .:rnrd not that groom be helping him in this work?" "If he were sneak e no uirh," was Paul's comment. '.'You don't lo ok for all the manly qualities in _ a groom," said Jack. "What one wants is a servant." "Thon you think that--" "That there is no use in searching that place," into the ravine. "Why?" asked Paul. "Becan:;e that fellow called our attention to it." "Yes, but what has he to do with our affair?" "I know,'' said Mark. "Jack suspects him. He cfi.d look at our, unifo1111s pretty sharp." "Of course ho did,'' said Jack, "and if that isn't Roger Hogg's gro6m he's a fellow that the scoundrel has employed to help him." "I think you are right,'' said Mark. "I am afraid we went off in something of a hurry." "Iv'[aybe not," said Jack. "Let us go on. 'There is no use looking further here." Jack \Valked ahead. l eading hi s horse, the others, who had not dismounted, following. Jack kept his eye s on the ground and pretty soon stopped short. "The horse stood here," he sairl. "Now where did the g;-oom come from before h e mounted?" There were evidences of a horse haYingbe e n tethered to a little tree and of his having grazed on the sparse grrss and also on the leaves . • Tl1ere were the marks of his hoofs also, showing where he liad moved about. "Crin you see any footpricts ?" askio
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16 THE LIBERTY BOYS' GALLANT STAND, drinks like a fish an' don't tell the truth he's erbliged ter; thet's what Roger Hogg is, an' I don't care who hears me say it." "Yes, I've heard somethin' like this afore," drawled Dick. "Had some trouble with these Liberty Boys, didn't he?" ' "Yes, an' one on 'em lashed him an' another knock e d him down." "And what has the young woman got to do with ther case?" asked Dick. "Well, they do say that one o' ther Liberty Boys has been seen goin' there pretty reg'lar, like as if he was keq,in' comp'ny." . "And this here Hogg wanted her hisself?" The man laughed. "You seem to know all erbout it," he said. "I'm Jest er argerin' from human nater You j est look inter this case an' I guess yer'll find thet Muster Roger Hogg i s at ther bottom er this carryin' off business hisself." The man gasped. "Waal, that's sol" "I shouldn't wonder if he had." "It doe s look reasonable, I decfare ef et doesn't." "Never looked at it in that light afore." While the men were all talking and wondering Dick and Bob s lipped away. "Didn't I tell you so, Bob?" said Dick. "This fellow has been circulating evil reports about us in order to cover his own tracks." "So it seems." "And now people will begin to re;i.son it out for them-selves." "Ve1y true." "And estimate the feltp:w at his proper value." "So they will." "We have satisfied ourselves on one or two points, and now we must locate this scoundrel." "He has been about circulating these evil reports." "Yes, and is no doubt still doing it." They rode to another tavern and entered. Here they found the frequenters discussing the disappearance ' of Faith Courtenay and attributing various causes to it. They did not remain here long and took no part in the conversation. "The trail is freshening, Bob," said Dick, as they left. "Yes." They stopped at' one or two other taverns and finally entered one, where they saw Roger Hogg sitting at a table with a pot of beer in front of liim and smoking a long clay pipe. • CHAPTER XVII. THE PLACE FOUND. "A horse stood below for a few minutes," he said, "just where my horse is standin g no w." Paul now stood in Jack's saddle. Jack helped him up. A s he climbed up he rubbed his boot against the ro c k. A few shreds of leather were rubbed off. "Just like the other on e," said Jack. " Look after the horses , Mark." "Where are yo'u goin ?" a sked Paul. . "Straight ahead. Don't you see an op e ning in the rocks?" Paul hurried forward and quickly disappeared. "Look out!" continued Jack. The n h e heard the sound of a fall, followed by a sudden startled cry. _ H e advanced cautiously throug h the opening. He passed between great rocks into a sort of nook, where he could see the sky overhead. Then h e came to a point there was a steep descent. It was down this that Paul had fall e n. Jack saw him pickin g himself up at the foot of a rock which was as slippery as g l ass. ' "Anything there, Paul?" the boy asked. "Yes, thel'e's a hole in t h e rocks." . "All l'ight, I'll come down." Then Jack made his way down at one side of sl ippery rock by means o f rough steps. "Now go ahead," he said, "and b e cautious. Yo u might get worse than just a little tumble l ike that. " Paul advanced eautiously and pnssed through the hole in the ro & ks, as he called it. In a few moments he came to a circular space from which there appeared to be no exit. In front of him was a wull of ledge and earth reaching high above his head. The openin g was a bo u t t en feet across and seemed to have just on e entrance. "We c an't go an y farther," said Paul. "Don't b e s o sure about that," replied J ack. "Well, I don't see any, at a!ly rate." "That may be very true and yet there may Jje an entrance to a cave or to another ]Jasi n lik e this." "Through the face o f the rock '?" asked Paul. " C ertainly." "But that is impossi b l e." "Not at all," and J ac k gave a laugh. "Well, but how--" "Push aside that mass It's like a curtain, isn't "Yes." "Push it aside." Paul obeyed. ,. of hanging vine s in front of you . it?" He disclos e d an op e nin g i n the l edge large enough for a person to enter. As he stepped inside he heard a savage growl as of a dog . "How are you going to find the place, Jack?" asked Mark He quickly stepped back. in a low tone. "What is it?" asked Jack. "Look around," said Jack tersely. "There's . a
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THE LIBERTY BOYS' GALLANT STAND. 17 He was chained, but no one could enter the door with-out encountering him. "Hello!" cried Jack. "Is there any one here?" There was no answer. Then Jack's match went out. "I'm going to get in there," said Paul, with determination. "Let us have some light, Jack." "The door is only barred, isn't it?" asked Jack. "That is all thz.t it seemed to be." • "But you can't open it without shooting the dog?" "No. " "I don't think y&u mind that?" "No." Then Jack lighted another match. The dog gave a savage growl and flew at Paul. Suddenly the chain gave a loud snap and broke. Crack! Paul's pistol. rang out sharply, the sounp echoing through the cavern and making a terrible din. The place was full of smoke, but when it cleared away the dog was seen lying dead at Paul's feet. He had fired not an instant too soon. Paul 'stepped for !'lard and tried the rough slab door . There was a bar in front of it and also a couple of rude bolts and a r'ough hook. Removing thes e, the boys threw the door open. CHAPTER XVIII. AN UNWILLING GUIDE . . ,, Roge r Hogg looked up as Dick and Bob entered. He gave them an impudent stare, but did notl seem to recognize them. mister. d'ye think ye'll know me ag'in w'en ye sees me?" asked Dick, in a broad accent. . "You're not much to know, anyhow!" snarled 'Hogg. "That' s a matter o' 'pinion, o' course, an' I bean't axin' :,r ou for yours." • "A cat can look at a king," growled Roger. .,. "Aye, so she . can, but I bean't a king, nor yet are ye a cat. Ye'rc worse, ye're a cur." "How dare you!" cried Roger, breaking his pipe on the table. "Easy," ro ared Dick. "Av you want anythin' else broke, I'll try your head." Some of those in the place laughed coarsely. "Who are you, to come in here unasked and isult gentlemen?" snarled Roger angrily. "I haven't insulted any gentlemen yet. Ye don't call y er-self one, do ye?" asked Dick. . This caused anothe r laugh. The laugh irritated Roger more than Dick's vef'Y pointed remarks. He upset his pot of b::!er, arose in a rage and said: "I'll not stay in a plac e where every Tom, Dick or Harry is allowed to enter and in sult gentlemen, and I'll see that none of my friends com e h ere, either." The n he strode out in a fit of passion without paying his score. Dick and Bob followed. Ro g e r sprang upon a horse at the door and would have ridden away, but Dick seized the bridle. "Not s o fast, Hogg!" he said in a tone of command. The bully gave a start and looked at Dick. "Who are you ?'1 he asked, trembling. He had partly guessed, for Dick had spoken in his natural tones. "I am Dick Slater and this is Bob Estabrook." "What do you want?" have you taken Faith Courtenay?" The bully started and changed color. "I have not taken her anywhere," he gasped. "I did not know she was missing." . "Now, I . want to know where you have taken the young lady, for I am satisfied that you have taken her somewhere." "She went with me wiHingly," snarled Roger. Dick's brow grew black on the instant. "Another such insulting lie as that," he hissed "and I'll choke you." "And serve you right, too." said Bob. "Now, then, where is she?" "I won't tell you," said the bully doggedly . Two or three men were looking out of the tavern door. "Come away, Bob," said Dick . ' They l'ode out of the yard and upon the h i ghway, the b u lly between them. Then Di<;k suddenly seized Roger' s neckcloth and gave it a twist. "Where is she?" "I won't tell you . " Dick gave the cloth another twist. Roger began to turn blue in the face. "Stop!" he gasped. , . Dick untwisted the cloth and Roger took a deep b r eath, Bob had his eyes upon him, and he could not do ar1ything without being detected. "Now," sai d Dick, "where is the young lady?" "Up in the hills, confound you, where you will n eve r find her." "You took her there?" "Yes." "You and your groom?" "Yes." is it?" "You'll have to find out," Eaid Roger. "You are going to take us to the place," said Dick, catch ing hol