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I xix:
Pii0NETlC SPELLING
I cannot spell-I wish I cood!
The dictionary is no gould
To aid a boy in spelling write,
And mother is too busy quiglit;
She never can take time to seigh -
Whether a horse should “ney" or “nay.”
Whether, to. pen: .“The pretty flliour .
Came up and withered in an ow'r”
Or not, and anyhow I trigh
'..'It’s not corrector even ny.
I’d like to be ‘a savage, thain
I’d never need to spell. agen!
ska-siioi teens
THE CUNMNG BOYSPY,
‘Br RALPH lllonrozv ,
, CHAPTER L
THE ziisio or run KING'S ARMS.
. It was in the month of September, 1776,
‘after the battle of Long Island, when the
Continental forces held New York.
At that time Wasliington’s army had es-
caped from many perils of war, butithere
were greater dangers within the American
lines. ' ' ‘
The army contained all theielements of I
dissolution. The soldiers were rent by See-
tional jealousies,- insubordination and dis-
respect for their superiors. -Greed over-
shadowed patriotism. Army surgeons sold
recommendations for furloughs for sixpence
each. A captain was cashiered for stealing
blankets from his men. . Soldiers plundered
friends and foes. Drunkenness was a com-
mon vice. - p ‘
George Washington was confronted by a
terrible situation. i p ,
The British were preparing for a crush-
ing blow. Their navy occupied the rivers
on each side of Manhattan island. In
'Westcliester county, swarms of Royalists
. were ready to cut off'Washington’s supplies
which came to New York from that direc-
tion. '
It was a gloomy time for the commander-
in-chief. ‘
He called a council of war, and a de-
cision was reached to send all the military
stores to Dobb’s Ferry, evacuate the, city,
and retreat to Harlem Heights, so as to
keep open communication with the country
beyond. .
New York-city was in“an uproar, ;
Washington was stopping at the home of
Robert Murray, on the Incleberg, which
was an eminence between Fifth and Sixth
avenues and Thirty-fourth and Thirty-
eighth street, now called Murray Hill.
From this house he sent out trusted
scouts toward various -points" along the
North and East 1, rivers.
It was on the 14th day of September,
when the sick were being taken to New
Jersey, and the stores and supplies were
being sent out of the panic-stricken city by
water, that our story begins.
At four o’clock in the afternoon, a lone
horseman might have been seen galloping
along the Bloomingdale road, at a high
rate of speed, heading in the direction of
the threatened city. ‘ I’ I
The rider was a boy of about eighteen,
clad in the uniform of a Continental sol-
dier, and he was armed with a good rifle,
there were four single-barreled pistols in
his belt, and he carried a. sword. ' .
The thick coating of dust upon him failed
to hide the,handsome contour of his bold
face, the flash of courage in his darkeyes,
and the look of grim determination upon
his thin lips.
"Get along there, Old Hickory!” he 83%-
claimed to the rawboned horse he bestrode,
and the swift-gaited buckskin laid back his
ears and increased his pace, as if he under-
stood what was said. .
Around a‘ bend they Went, and in the dis-
tance an old weather-beaten tavern loomed
up beside the road, bearing-the sign, "The
‘ King’s Arms.”
''There’s a. Tory stronghold,” muttered
the boy, “and old John Barley, the inn-
keeper, is certainly one of the worst ene-
mies the Continentals have to contend with
around here.” .
As this ‘reflection passed through his
mind, he heard a wild shriek in the voice
. of a female, and glancing over. at a. lane
that ran into the fields from thetavern,
he saw a pretty girl of sixteen, running
for her life, with a British soldier in hot
pursuit.‘ A
She wore the quaint costume of that
period, and the soldier was clad in the uni-
form of an English lieutenant. .
“Help, help!” she screamed. '
Instantly the boy on the horse reined
off to the right, and the animal cleared a
stone wall and sped across the field toward
the lane.
"Let that girl alone!” shouted the angry
young rider.
But tlie'l3ritish officer paid no heed to the
command. ‘
Seeing that the fellow meant to disobey’,
the boy drove his horse 1113011. the man, and
Old Hickory knocked the Britain down.
‘Looking over his shoulder as the lien-
Al? F Y
tenant yelled with pain, under the tramp-
ling of the horse, the maiden saw what was
going on.
l
“Save me!” she cried, running. toward.
the horse, which. now, paused. ’ .
The boy laughed, and went to meet her.
“What’s the trouble, miss?” he asked;
As his glance fell" upon‘ her‘ milk-white
face and big blue eyes, he saw, what”;-1
beauty she was. . . G i
“Oh, sir,” she panted, excitedly. .“Do not
let that fellow interfere with me. He is my
deadliest enemy, andwants to force me
to go with him to the British lines. He
is Lieutenant James Darrell, the leader
of a band of Scoundrels who massacred my
parents, with the other unfortuiiates, at
Sleepy Hollow several nights ago.” ' , . ‘-
A frown gathered on the boy’s brow, for
he had heard of that atrocity.- ‘ . A
.“I shall protedct you.; Do not be alarmed,
Miss-.-” . ' V . i. J 7 B 1 .
“I am Ruth Harland, sir.’.’ ,
“And I tim‘Tom‘Logan, the patriot.”
,“What! Dead Shot Logan, the Boy Spy
of the Continental,army?'-‘ . . .
‘ “That's whatthey call me," he smiled.
“I hope you are a. patriot.” . ‘
“I am, heart and soul, believe me. ’."
At that moment the lieutenant scrambled
to his feet, and with a furious look on his
dark face,he drew his sword and rushed at
the‘ boy. . i . =
“You infernal rebel!” he yelled. “I shall
teach you to run people down with your
horse. I'll put this blade into you.”
“Will you, indeed?” sneered Logan, and
with that he suddenly. drew his own wea-
pon and sprang toward the other. .
Their swords came together witha clash.
The lieutenant was an expert swordsman.‘
but-it only took him an? instant to,.1earn
that he had met his master. ' I ’
They fenced, as they circled around, the
keen weapons scraping-againsteach other
with a sibilant sound. . . , ,
First one would thrust, only to be coun-
tered, then the other would dart in his
blade, and have it turned aside. .
Young Logan was as quick asa cat.
He soon saw a chance to end the fray,
and he gave a swift twist of his wrist that
sent the point of his blade under the hilt
of the other;
There was a sudden jerk, and he sent
Darrell’s weapon flying up in the air out of
his hand. ’ I -V ..
It landed some distance away, and the
next instant Logan's sword point was
pressed against the, throat of the English-
man.
“Mercy!” yelled the lieutenant, falling on
‘his“‘knees.
“You coward!" hissed Dead Shot Logan,
contemptuously.
“I surrender!” hoarsely groaned the pale
and trembling Englishman- “Spare my life,
,I will let the girl god’! .
“You bet you will! ” emphatically answer-
ed the boy. “Get up.” ,
“Don’t stab me, ‘for pity’s sake.”
“I’m not going to, although you deserve
nothing else.” -
With a look of intense relief on his face, .-
the lieutenant got up. ‘
“Can I go?” he asked, eagerly.
,“.Not yet! What is the meaning of your
attack on this girl?” i ,
‘‘I am her guardian, and am bringing
her to a place of safety.” ‘
“Oh, you liar!” cried the girl, angrily.
“What was he doing?” .
“Abductiiig me.” -
“That is a serious charge, Miss Harland.”
.“But it is true. He designed to marry
me. He said love impelled him, but I know
that he merely wants to get at,-my for-‘
tune.”
"I see. Well, I guess I can teach him to
let you be in future.” A .
He replaced his sword in its scabbard,
and drew acouple of ilintlock pistolsifrom
his belt. '.
Darrell shook like a leaf with fear.
"Don’t, don't!” he pleaded.
“Run for your life, you dog!” sternly
cried the now enraged boy as he aimed a
-pistol at the man. i “I am Dead Shot Logan,
and I am going to give you a. taste of my
quality.” ' .
A fearful yell burst from the'lieutenant’s
lips, and he started off on a. run.
The moment he was ten yards away the
boy took swift aim and fired. a A
Off flew the otiicer’s hat.
“That’s the way to shoot when you de-
part,” laughed the boy spy.
“Murder!” yelled the terrified lieutenant,
“Look out for your right ear!" shouted
Logan, and-- .
Bang! went the pistol.
A little piece was clipped off the edge of
Da1‘Te1l’S 8111', and he let out a wild yell,
ran faster, and :'clappe(l a hand to the
wound.
Out came K two more
young spy shouted:
“Here goes the other car!” , -
Bang! and the llyinglieutenant felt a
twingerof pain. .. .
His left car was scratched like the first,
with a bullet. . A
n“Help! Help!" yelled Darrell, frantic-
zi y.. ,
“Once more foryour lieel, just to keep
you moviiig!" lauglied Logan, and as he
pulled the trigger tliewlieel of Darrell's shoe
flew off. >
The lieutenant was in a cold sweat, as he
pistols. and the
i heard of his boast.
‘ the window began talking’
had heardiwhat a. remarkableushot this
young Continental ;was, for"? Dead Shot
Logan was famous; as ' .
A rippling peal of laughter now broke
involuntarily, from the red lips of the pretty.
girl, for the lieutenant presented ya. sorry
sight. f - - g ., .
All his dignity was gone,.and‘ he was
shown up for xthempll'.lfl:1I coward he really
was. . . . . - e i I
A , “Oh, don’t he look funny!” laughed Ruth.
’ Logan ‘nodded and chuckled as he re-
loaded his weapons. . iv i
‘?l’ve got ridof him at last,”
‘claimed. V ' i “
"You; wait!
he ex-
7 I’ll -get even with you for
these shots! ”howled' Darrell, ashe looked
- back, and shook his list at the boy spy. v
, oiiarrnn II.
w.-iiixixo ,WAsHINoT0rl'.-
. “Now, Elissl Harland,” said Logan, “get
up on my horse- I amigoing. to-takeeyou
away, unless there is anything to keep you
here.” V . . . > f . '
“There is .-no reason” for my staying,”
she. answered. “The V lieutenant and I
merely stopped at the inn to get some‘re-
freshments, when I discovered that he was
duping me.’ I then made an attempt to es-
cape from him, when you appeared.” .
“I see,”r said Logan,’ nodding,!and he
helped her uponvthe horse. . > -
I “I-Ie..will bring menfrom the inn, "sug-
gested the girl. t
“Let him, ” answered -the boy, ’ contemptu-
ously, and; he vaulted into the saddle be-
hind her. “By the time any of the redcoatsv
iii the King’s Arms cancome after us, we
shall be so far in advance, that they will
not be able to overtake-us.‘ Don’t you.
be alarmed, Miss Harland.” ,,
He spoke to the horse-and it sprang for-
ward at a gallop, and went down the road
kicking up a cloud, of dust. . p
A few minutes later there came several
pistol shots from the rear, and looking
back, they saw six soldiers in red uniforms,
in hot chase. a , " ‘ ‘
“The fellow Iypunished has sent some.‘of
“his men after us,” laughed ‘Logan. “They
are firing, but their bullets can't reach us. ’f
“011. I am not afraid,” she answered
brayely.’. “I have every confidence in you.
TfhlS horse seems well able to carry the two
0 us.” ' A
“Old I-Iickory is doing very well,” as-
sented the boy, nodding. “But it is, 3,
IIGIIVY burden for him. He isn’t used to
two.. -But he is .strong.'and Lgiiess he will
be able to carry us out of danger, If he .-
fails, well--- ”
He smiled.grimly, and tapped his wea-
pons.
-The girl had flung an arm around him,
to hold herself, and the old horse was gal-
10DiI1g at a swift pace. ’
> They could hear their enemies yelling
threats, far behind. , .
Several miles were thus covered, and the
Sounds Of Pursuit died out gradually, unti1
they were lost altogether.
Then the boy reined in the sweating
horsfrhtii 2. Wall; and asked: .
" a was ie cause v ’ - -
with Lieutenant Darrell?”Of '0?“ tumble
“I will explain,” she answered, i-.1-was
‘ the Only child of Judge’Hirain Harland ‘ of
Sleepy Hollow.”
“I knew him. He was a rich and respect-
ed 015393: 1iVil1g in a big mansion so mu
“'39 his daughter, eh?“ . ' '
.. ..Iifii’.,.’.“S1‘ii’.‘.ii;’.’%E..’.i’e 335 “iii “""“““ W
frequently, re Called mete
:;’a‘’r5If‘-'i11 3. tall room that he Was going to
3 me .fOI' my Enolley. “Then he DI-0;,
IJ0Sed, I rejected him, and told him’ I had
.He went away. laid‘
not see him again until the British troops
now ' - v . .
menacing New York weie camped at,
519993‘ Hollow There was a wantoi
. . s ' e l at-
ulliollzi OE": Oust? and that Of 0111‘ neigh-
amohg thninlielie killed, my parents being
9 - I1 the midst of the fray
Darrell appeared, and told me he would
gfilenna S1111: listen’ Igace of safety with some
lieved his 1' W mi’ In my mm“ 1 be‘
Reachin tiiesiqf-"E “E .5” 0”‘ in it Chaise-
refreshiiigeiitsfiiyy In“ S .‘%1mS7 We Stapped for
“Yes. I . ,, . . .
she Daused. elstand’ Sam the boii. as
“Well. he left - - - .' ‘
and two British s<)Illd3iei'Is gtlglizdgongccigil’
- e
Of them say. ‘Darrell has f:dll(e%dI”ti11(?a1‘d‘0ne
‘land C1eV9I‘1Y- It was liewho htlsii
9‘ . . g p 8
riid on the people at 319993’ Hollow.
n10I10Y her father had ’
to hear this. Instantly I 11 d .. .
and the lieut . .9 fmm the “m2
came to my aCi.zd.q’Pt chased me’ Then you
“Great heavens! wmt S .
13- !,, , . - . : consuniniate vii.‘
is . ti$.;0ra:i.i' r
Darrell, for he is notliin 1, to “We. Stmt
rascal. what excuse! as 1i a designing
of
6 181' 8. 1 ‘ ' '0. . I‘
staunch patriot?" '13l1leh1:‘III)11%l.l)l:1e1:3O1Sp‘Esra
1 , .7 , , 3 le-
tically. "T1; . .,
iieeded." mt WIS an the m‘c“Se U103’
‘safely under her‘ protection.
‘P-head, "and were-approaching the"
but 51 gentleman, heard him i
, 1)’ killed by
Imagine my horror ,
. “Havefyoii, any friends in the city?” - f “I
“Yes, I have. Mrs. Robert ;Mi'irray Wa5’i:t11e
my aunt.” . G 2 I ’ , gt, W
‘tI know the lady, and there is not a'finerV;LLog
one in New York.’ She is 1lOW.llal‘1)0I‘lllg‘.,31-00;
General Washington. ; It happens that lgipati
am going to see the commandei--in-chiefii
and we -are, therefore, bound for the samefjthe
place, as I infer -that you wish to seek their “
protection-of Mrs.‘ Murray!’ Hi I
The ‘girl-nodded, and answered: visa“
.,,"'Her house is the onlyplace I can. go to“? A
just now.” i ‘ " r E
-“All rigllt, I
shall see that You are put,
I am veryient
sorry for you, Miss Harland. But in tiniei A “
of war one musteiqiect the woi‘st-thingsfclai
, to happen. It-isvery unfortunate that you; “
are compelled to go to the city, for. the?;Gei
Americans are about to-abandon it, and the’.gthe
British forces, are likely to enter and take’7yoi
possession. ‘However, thei'e,will be hiin,,’soli
dreds of loyal ,patriot,families left‘ in NeW';2lt'.
York after the evacuation, and it‘is no “
likely that the redcoats will molest thein‘.’Zthe
‘5I shall be as safe there as anywhere else, ‘,.
Do-you live there?” , - , . 9 ma
‘."Ne,”.ans.wered the boy, with a sad smile bel
“I iiaveino home. .My mother died when "res
was a-child. My father-was killed in battle‘-?"shi
I remained on our‘ farm in Westcnesteifg at
until I was driven out, by. the British. Theigpei
I sought a position as a soldier in the arniyfii’ .
It so happened that I had madesome repu
tation as a dead shot withrifle and pistol N
and a friend of mine on General Washing-’
iton’s staff called his attention to the fact. 5
He summoned me, and gave me a positionii .'.
as one of his scouts andspies. This llilp-lg-ihl
pened nearlya yearago. Since, then I haveime
been actively engaged in Washington's ser-fan
‘lice. " ' ' ' V ‘
. “I see. And you are now employed, I';Tpo
presume?” . B - ‘. i’
“Yes, he sent me on a scouting expedi-lie:
tion, up the state to find out what the redl5“a
coatsiare doing. I have some importaiithe
information, and am now onimy way, backlca;
to impart it to him.”. - ..
“I‘understand.’-‘ S W 7 lw
‘While -speaking, . they had‘ been . ridiiigm
. be-500
leagued ‘city, and one of the outposts new Se;
stepped into the road, and presentinghis .‘
musket, he shouted steriilyzi .31,
-‘jHalt! .Who“-goes there?’f 3 7,
‘ f'A friend,” promptly answered the boyfpr
reiningin; ' g . V, W
.“Ad'v'a11C8,‘ friend. and-give! the counter"-' Lt
sign." ‘ ' . M ii -5
"Liberty forever,”, exclaimed the boyfm;
riding forward- , aw
“in whose. name?” , . [W
"George.Washington.’-' S. . ‘Ike
“C t] P Q I 79 ' '1
orrec . , ass on. . 5th
The boy saluted the sentry, and roddy-(
ahead. . ‘ =
W'th' ‘ 4 ' ” 33“
' i ‘in a few minutes he came to the 1e
1111191‘ 11119 Of Sentfies. and was halted agaiiii. ft;
but 1,16 had thespassword, and was.admittec:.;
within the lines.
R‘ .L0:3‘an rode towardtlie Incleberg with his; xiv
‘an’ 9QmPi‘;l11011, and ‘they attractedjmore‘ 0:
‘$31311 133551118’. attention from the men,
woman ‘and children they met. , ‘ ‘
The OIL)’ was in tlievhgi-eatest confusion 3
:9" most of F119 l3‘30Dle who feared the Bri‘
tish determined to evacuate ‘;hNew Yorli,
the Continental troops. . , 9,’
Hie DBQDIG are panic stricken,'! observed -‘.5 W
the gIT1- "They are all taking their house- ’
hold goods and valuables away with them.”
' It is a needless task; The -English;
‘ii ould not harm them unless the soliliers;
mlltlny anti try to sack the houses.” '
Old. Hickory soon reached! the l‘vluri‘al"i
‘M35103’ aflfl L0g3.!1,2l.1lgllted and assisted. i.
the young girl to the ground. A '
,H1tCh111$ his horseto a post,
DIlSS,Ea1'13nd to the door, and rapping with; '
“1? mg “"355 k110C1i<3I‘. a negro servant and, i
Sil‘f3%<jd tliel summons. . .. I
‘e wisi to see Mrs. Murray Pete:-,”.i
Satan the 31”; Smiling at him. ' t ‘
,G00d gracious! It am Missy Ruth!” ex-
claimed the darky, “Come in,'" . ‘
He led them into the spacious drawingl.
100111, and went away, A" i’.
‘A I‘-‘W Dlqments later a sweet-faced’ ,'
woiiian. ‘clad in silks, entered. .- .
M3’. dear child, what brings 3’0ll;%,
h.e“’- ,She cried as she rushed upto th‘.-“g7;
gtfll ‘ind mmg. 1191‘ arms around her. neck. ".5.
. 3' my deal‘ 111111133‘! ” sobbed the poori"
gglgsmanrl she buried her face. upon‘ theft.
a Chino tilt? good woman, and wept Vlikc-E;
‘As, soon as she had mastered her‘ emo-f A
tlfffli Logan said,!gently: ' I , :2’
M15‘ M“"r‘;31"1v hg1'.iiai'ents were wantoiri I
, .9 Wish, and she has H0 I
$1339; big: this roof. "Ihavei brought her
0 ' F v . ' .
tion-H at 5118' I113.‘ hl3.‘.eI3(21uc protect I.
.“Merciful hen’ 2 ,. - . .-
this is dreadflllgsns. M, S1St?l,1xl1.it.d? Oh.‘
“I will leave Miss Harlan B‘ S in
, . . V c d in your care:
flgwekililalii the details. As for myself. 3-;
W‘-te msmgss of the greatest iinportancei
1 h General Washington, and I beg to be;
e".‘3‘,’5‘3d.- WWI‘? can I find him?” I
ie is l1DSl‘.21ll‘S-ID. his room, with sev-5'
S‘-7
--..ain.V’
r:‘.dl:J ‘i-.4
‘ no 0 4
i
he‘ led?
fkt-J
Leral of his generals, liolding;a. 'confe,.ence,:
‘about the evacuation! of the city " .
at 3011- I Will go up and see,him'j,
1, ‘,’““9' find b0'i‘r'ing to the two ladies, the:
-. 03 11lI1‘I‘1ed out into the 11:1“
th:Ie1"“‘:‘ upstairs; and met an orderly at‘;
o (00.1. of Vv8iSlllIlgi’.0n’s mom, ‘ if ..,:j
. i
it