Beadle's Half Dime Library No. 1168 — page 2: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

2 “'"Wore the Lord, who is you?” he asked, with chattering teeth. “Friends, in pursuit of a horseman—see one go down the road just now?’ demanded the Tory leader. ** Yes, massa,’’ replied the trembling darkey; ‘** but he wa'n’t in the flesh—he war a spirit! He jist flip- ed by like nothin’. Massa Bodson, he’s gone over tell de Simpkinses, and de whole family’s on dar heads wid fear. Lor’! Lor’! but—” The Tories heard no more, but galloped on. Sud- denly a lizht before them litup the sky. It was in the vicinity of Rugby'’s house—he who was speak- ing when the unknown looked in at the church win- ow. As they approached the light, Rugby saw that bis barn was in flames. ‘* Forward, men!” he shouted. “ The fire-fiends are abroad—my barn is wrapt in flames—my home will follow,’’ and as if upbraided by a guilty con- science, his mind went back to the speech he was making in the church when he saw the face at the window. Ten minutes’ ride brought them to Rugby’s prem- ises. Rugby drew rein in the light of his burning barn, dismounted and ran tothe house where all was terror. As he approached the door a horseman floated alongside of him from the adjacenfshadows, ane drawing rein, thrust a paper into Rugby’s hand. Rugby drew his heavy pistol, but. before he could use it, the silent horseman, whose face was the same geen at the caurch window, dashed away, leaping his horse over the low picket fence in front of the house and disappearing down the road, Rugby stood like a stone statue, and watched the gilent and mysterious horseman disappear from view. Not aword had escaped his lips, not a sound had his horse’s hoofs produced, He opened the paper, and in the red glare of his burning barn he read: ‘*T heard your speech in the Woodvale church, and I recognized every face there. Remember that eye for eve, and tooth for tooth shall be the motto of ** WING-OF-THS-Winp.”’ An exclamation burst from Rugby’s lips, and his face grew pale. ** Boys,” he said to his epmpanions, who, at this juncture, came up, “it wili be war to the knife be- tween rebels and royalists now, in the Stony river valley. That horseman was that terrible young rebel scourge, Delaware Dick, the Spy, and Wing-of- the-Wind, the Ranger, as he is called. Men, mount your horses and ride him down!” The Tories once more took to the saddle and dash- ed away in pursuit of the young patriot. On down the road toward Trenton sped the Wing- of-ihe- Wind. Mile after mile.was traversed under the crisp No- vember night, In. and out of the moonlight and darkness flitted and flashed the young patriot, then his Tory pursu- ers. The road was in good condition, and Delaware Dick being familiar with every crook and turn, amused nimself by slacking the speed of his horse until the Tories were nearly in reach, then darting away and appearing, first in their rear, then in front, to the confusion and rage of the party. Beadle’s Half-Dime Library. eee = : | | | | At length the broad expanse of the Delaware river | burst from the woods before him. Ice had formed in athin border along the shores, and the middle earrent ran swift and cold. But, without a moment’s hesitation, the fearless young Whig rode into the river and swam his horse over to the Pennsylvania shore, where the Tories dare not follow. In his wet clothes the hardy youth galloped on through the chilly night. He had gone about five miles wheu the twinkling of a hundred camp-fires burst upon his view, A smile of joy lit up his coun- tenance, and he moved on until suddenly halted by a sentinel—one of the pickets of the American army. ‘* Who comes there?’ was demanded. ‘* Delaware Dick,”’ answered the young patriot, The ranger was known to nearly every man in the american army, and without further words the sen- tinel allowed him to advance. einen | the picket lines, moved slowly on through the ‘encampment, an@ in a few minutes he stood, with hat in hand, in the presence of the com- mander-in-chief of the American army, General George Washington. . CHAPTER I. DELAWARE DICK’S INTERVIEW WITH WASHINGTON. Dwtaware Dick was well known to Washington, having etki rendered him some service as a ; and at sight of him the general uttered an ex- tion of delight. The cabin in which the general had established his quarters for the night, was lit up by the ruddy glow of a Aye thet burned in a yawning re-place. In this geht face and form of our hero was plainly re- He could not have been over twenty years of age; and yet his face bore the intelligence and strength of a more mature manhood, Indomitable courage, reckless daring and resolute energies were predomi- nant upon every feature—in the steel-gray eyes, the rather prominent nose and the large, expressive mouth. In form he was rather below the medium size, yet nature had bestowed upon his lithe figure all the physical developments of a perfect man. Seaton and wh Pave additonal sang ion, and which gave oO 8 rey Es fine martial bearing, and lent an air of dash- lantry to his movements, a seat near the fire where He couid dry his wet clo , Delaware Dick entered into conversa- tian with the general and hismen, He narrated his atventure ou the Jersey side, that at uipped ira manner becom- “utes the Scarlet the *Woodvale church, and his flight and escape across the Delaware river. Dick noticed that a heavy cloud rested upon the brow of Washington and his generals. He saw that the commander was troubled; his very tone indi- cated a despondent and gloomy spirit. “His features were almost severe in their expreenoe of agitation. ‘Dick, my boy,”’ the general said after listening to our hero’s story, *‘ the Tories will now grow bolder, They will no longer hesitate to speak their senti- ments, and encourage the British army by all as- sistance possible. The Jerseys are completely within the enemy’s control, and he only awaits the freezing over of the river to follow us into Pennsylvania. Total defeat seems inevitable, unless we can make a sudden movement and retrieve some of our lost ground and revive the spirit of the army and the country. Despondency and gloom has seized the public mind, and nothing but some brilliant feat can hap restore it to its wonted degree of strength and ope.”’ *T admit, general,’ said Delaware Dick, “that our prospec: of success is not flattering: but what merey would we receive should we give up?” ~ “We must not give up, Dick,’’ answered the gen- eral, resolutely: ** we must not think about giving up, for our cause being just, God will help us in the end. The fear of a severe winter troubles me now, for our soldiers are almost naked. The want of the necessaries and comforts of life may prove the most destructive enemy to my army. So, something must be done. I believe you are well acquainted with the Delaware valley; are you not, Dick?’ “I’ve been raisedalong the Delaware, general, and eet every crook and turn for fifty miles above and »elow,”’ The general's face brightened. ‘*T was just thinking since you entered, that if I were in possession of Lord Cornwallis’s plans of the winter’s campaign, as well as the number and dispo- sition of his army, it would be of inestimable value to me; but none but a daring spy could Obtain this information,” ‘‘Did my coming suggest this to you, general?” asked Delaware Dick, ; “Tt did,’”’ answered the general, a faint smile play- ing about his lips. ‘General, I am _ at your service,” declared the young ranger. “If you request it of me, I wiil sac- rifice my all to obtain this information for eae : “You know your ability and resources, Dick, and the dangers that would attend the adventures of a patriot spy in the British camp; but for this infor- mation, 1, as well as our country, would be grateful. Cornwallis is some thirty milés up the river on the Jersey side, and since he has sen’ but a detachment of his army to Trenton, I an; inciined to think that he is arranging a trap for me.” ‘General, I will start. this night for Cornwallis’s head-quarters,’’ said our hero. “TI left my band of rangers some ten miles up the river, and I will join them, and approach the enemy close as possible; then disguise myself, and evter the British lines.” With the blessings of Washington and his generais, Delaware Dick soon took his departure upon the dangerous mission of &@ spy; and in less than an hour, he was on the Jersey side of the Delaware, moving up the river. Just as it was growing day, he came upon the bivonac of ascore of men in the deep, dense forest bordering the stream. His presence in the camp was hailed with joy, for these men were Dick’s own followers, They were all young men and boys, who had won a name in the local history of the Delaware valley. Tney.were the sons of patriot fathers, whose homes had been desolated by the ruthless hand of theenemy; and, fired with the spirit of patri- otism and the passion of) revenge, they had taken to the fleld, in ense of theircountry and their honor. They were a band of those fearless, dashing fellows, roduced by the exigency of the times, of which Sarion and Sumter will ever stand forward the most conspicuous in American history. But history is often partial, and fails to do justice to all deserv- ing men, Such has been the case with our hero and his band, Delaware Dick’s men were au very plainly dressed. There was but one peculiarity about them. That was a pair of scarlet wings, taken from red birds, and worn upon the side of eyery hat. Wherever these badges went they were never forgotten, and to the Tory element, the names of Delaware Dick and his Scarlet Wings Ab oe synonymous with terror. Dick dismounted, & horse, and partook of a hearty breakfast of hard biscuit and ed , In the meantime, he narrated his ht’s*adventure at the old stone church and at W. n’s head- quarters. ‘** And now,” he continued, “T am on my way to Cornwallis’s head-qnarters. An exclamation burst from the li “Tam going. as.a spy,” he con ington’s requiem You will never. return alive, Dick,” said Roland Runkles. “The British camp will be full of Tories that will know you.”’ . “Tt is a risk to run; friend Roll; but there is no sacrifice but what I am willing to make in behalf o our country. A.spy Must expect to meet dangers. bene want you to accompany me as far as ou Zo.’ An ¥'To this all readily acquiesced, and in a few min- of his friends. ued, “at Wash- “ ings were moving up the Dela- ware. The sun was up, but the air was and frosty. The fingers of the little band with cold, Two hours’ ri brought them to a road runni almost parallel with their course, They conclud to take to the road, but before entering it, Delaware Dick dismounted, and creeping to a point where he | | | | | — a could command a view of the road in both diree- tions, resolved to know whether the read was clear or not. To his surprise, he saw a horseman coming from the direction of Trenton. He was dressed in the uniform of the king’s cavalry, He was a British dragoon, “Fall back, boys, fall back,’ commanded Dick, ‘‘for here comes a British trooper. I will drop into company with him, and you can follow behind, though out of sight. Should I need your presence, I will call you. I dare say, he is a messenger carry- ing dispatches, either oral or written, from Trenton to Cornwallis; and if so, I'm going to have them at. all hazards.’’ Delaware Dick mounted his horse, and rode away up the road at a slow pace. ; F The trooper soon came up with him, and,in a doubtful tone, demanded: ‘“Good-morning, sir stranger; for whom do you ride? The king or the rebels?” *“Do I look like a rebel, friend trooper? Do you think it very safe for rebels in Jersey nowadays?” answered our hero, “ Verily, the rebels and Tories, as the king’s friends are called, dress alike, and ave known only by the company they keep.” ‘Then, friend trooper, I shall be pleased to ride te Cornwallis’s head-quarters with you.” ‘*How know you that I go there?” ‘*T merely supposed so,”’ * Well, you are right; and as sure as my name is Coonrod Kimball, 1 am glad of your company, I don’t fancy meandering alone along here, for there’s no telling what moment a dog of a Whig will bounce upon you.” Delaware Dick smiled. The two rode on side and side through the cvispy morn. Delaware Dick conversed freely, but guardedly; and he soon discovered that his companion was no fool. He nS ad ar the trooper carefully, but, de- ore his skillful questioning, he failed to circumvent the wily red-coat. Dick, however, became satisfied of one thing—that the man was a bearer of dis- patches to Cornwallis. A couple of hours, ride brought them in sight of the fine residence of one Henry Bland, an old Tory of the deepest dye. This Delaware Dick knew. He Beep often seen the old man, yet was unknown to im. ‘** Yonder,’ said Dick, pointing ahead, “lives ag warm old royalist as ever lived.” “Indeed?” rejoined the dragoon; ‘suppose, then, we stop, and warm, and get something to eat; for by the prophets, Iam as hungry as a bear and cold as an iceberg.” Dick consented, and they soon drew up before the house. . The place denoted wealth and culture. In answer to their,summons, old Henry Bland ap- eared at the door, The uniform of the British gol- Mier was sufficient to admit him, and the company he kept, to the old man's friendship. “Be you friend or foe, old man, we want some. thing to eat,” said Dick, “for we are cold and hun. OT And thirsty,”’ added the treo er, facetiously, Riand invited them in. J Breakfast was over with, but the table was soon spread with a sumptuous meal, and the men invited to the board. A bottle of rare old brandy was placed before them. Both drank freely, or, at least, Dick appeared to. The trooper drank often, and he became merry under the happy influence of the liquor. He drank to ey. ery potentate of England, from the time of the Con- quest down to George the Third. He Analy became so confused in his ideas, that he drank to the health Dick, too, became over- Sey by his frequent draughts, and finaily rolled the floor in a sort of a drunken stupor. of friend and foe alike. “Too bad, (hic)” exclaimed the trooper, “ (see a young man in prime manhood (hic) let likker get 'g est of ’m (hic) that way. I say, gov’ner, I a’wa rs know , when to quit (hic) ’dulgin’ t’ excess, I do c Henry Bland made no reply, for the trooper rolled from his chair, dead drunk. Coming in, as they did, out of the cold to the warm reom, and imbibing so freely of the brandy, they were overcome by the jo. tent influence of the drink ere they were aware of the fact. Bland swore like a*pirate at the men for maki beasts of themselves; but his words would have ha as much effect upon-stone statues. With the assist- ance of a male servant he removed the men ito a wood-house, and left them to sober off. But scarcely had they left the building, ere Delaware Dick opened eyes and gazed about him; and, finding the trooper snoring away in a drunken sleep, he rose to a@ si ing posture, A smile of grim triumph was upon his face. : ,_ When assured that the trooper was not ‘playing possum,” Dick arose, and began searching his pock- Sispatoh: fea Palok nahh ot teeton, to Lord m on at Trenton, Cornwallis. It read: “My Lorp: Washington is near Trenton with a su: or force. Would it not be advisable to send re. orcements here at.once for fear of an attack? * Your obedient servant, *'Lornp CorNWALLIs.”’ 5 i nalaes Dick’s. face became flushed with delight, as he lanced over this gispatech. He rose to his feet, 80- ras a judee. In fact, he had not been drunk at all. He only embraced that onportunity to cir cumvent the trooper, after he found that the love of liquor was a weakness of the royal soldier. ‘““This very. paper will be my passport to Corpwe!- lis's head-quarters. I will pass myself.as a Tory and. com —— J ,O0KS- COM