The Boy Spies of Philadelphia

"Don't make so certain of that, my son," the veteran said with an admonitory shake of the head. "There's plenty of danger in scurryin' 'round the country now, when the redcoats are scouting in every direction, and if you are overhauled there's none to help you out. Every man's duty is important in times like these, even though he may never so much as smell burning powder."

Enoch was silenced by this remark, and, after a hurried good-by to his comrades, set off in search of his horse.

General Dickinson ordered him to ride to Valley Forge, and knowing the general direction after crossing the river, he hastened on without remembering Greene had told him the army had moved.

The result of this carelessness was that he found the winter camp deserted, and was forced to ride further in search of information.

After some difficulty he learned that General Washington's force had been put in motion immediately after Generals Maxwell and Dickinson left with orders to harass the enemy, and had intended to cross at Coryell's Ferry.

It was not until the morning of the 23d that he entered the American camp at Hopewell, and delivered the written message to the commander.

General Washington, who was riding away from the encampment, received the document without remark, and after reading it turned to one of his staff as if such a person as Enoch had never existed.

There was no opportunity for the boy to explain why he had been delayed, and he fell back to the rear of the officers, regretting more than ever that he was not a regularly enlisted private, serving in the same company with Seth and Jacob.

"I ain't fit to do such work as this, and never should have tried," he muttered to himself. "Here I am of about as much service as a second tail would be to a dog, and shall only bungle the next thing I am called upon to do, if indeed General Washington is willing to trust me with anything else."

"Hello, lad! You're looking uncommonly glum this morning, even though you are riding when the rest of us are obliged to foot it, and carry our own trunks in the bargain."

A cry of glad surprise burst from Enoch's lips as he saw, on turning, Greene the spy.

"What are you doing here?" he asked, reining in his horse and leaping to the ground.

"Trying to do my duty, though it ain't no ways pleasant while the weather is so scorching hot."

"I didn't know you were in the ranks with the others."

"Why not? I'm only a private, even though I did work 'round Philadelphia during the winter, and haven't succeeded in being given a place on the staff of the commander-in-chief."

"That's exactly what was troubling me when you spoke," Enoch cried. "I am not fit for such a place, and it's lucky I'm not really an aid. I can't even ride from one town to another without making a mistake."

Then Enoch, glad of an opportunity to free his mind, told Greene of all that had happened to him, and the latter said cheerily when the story was finished:

"I don't understand you've got any good cause to complain. That you went to Valley Forge was Dickinson's mistake, even though I did tell you the army had moved."

"But General Washington didn't even ask me why I was so long getting here, and most likely thinks I'm a regular fool."

"I'll guarantee it hasn't so much as come into his mind, or you may be positive he'd said something. I allow you'll hear from it before night."

"Is the army to remain in camp?"

"It seems that way; but it don't stand to reason we shall be idle very long. Colonel Daniel Morgan and six hundred of his command were sent yesterday to reinforce Maxwell, which looks like business, and I allow we shall all be headed for the Britishers before we're many hours older. You say Dickinson was getting ready for business when you left?"

"That is what I heard. We were called an hour before daylight, and the men were not in line when I came away."

"There's no question but that Maxwell and Dickinson will pepper Clinton in good shape before his force gets very far on their way, and when everything is to General Washington's liking we shall fall upon them."

"But what am I to do in the meanwhile, Mr. Greene?"

"Stay where you are, and mess with me, if it so happens that you're not sent for to come to headquarters."

"But I want to be in the ranks where I'll have a chance to help in the fighting."

"My boy," and now Greene was very grave, "don't fret; you'll have all of such work you could wish for, whether acting as aid or making a poor show as a private. It is your duty to take things as they come, without finding fault. Let's get back to camp and see that your horse is fed, for there's no knowing how soon you may call on him for a spell of hard work."

General Washington and his staff had disappeared in the distance, and Enoch acted upon the spy's advice at once.

The horse was given a generous breakfast, and while he was eating it the boy sat down by the side of the spy to hear what the latter had been doing since the two parted at General Arnold's headquarters.

"It isn't much of a story, lad. My work in Philadelphia being finished, I came back here to rejoin my company, but found they had left camp, therefore am forced to hang on with the others until we overtake General Dickinson, which I'm hoping we shall do before the battle – "

"Is this the boy who brought a message from Dickinson?" an officer asked as he came toward the two rapidly.

"It is," Greene replied.

"He is wanted at headquarters immediately."

The officer turned on his heel, having discharged his duty, and the spy said triumphantly to Enoch:

"What did I tell you, lad? It seems you haven't been forgotten yet. Go on, and I'll wait here in order to see you before you leave us again, for I allow your work as aid isn't finished."

CHAPTER XVIII.

PREPARING FOR ACTION

When Enoch presented himself at headquarters the sentry saluted and stood aside for him to pass into the tent, and perhaps for the first time since he had been attached to General Washington's staff, however informally, he felt a certain sense of pride at being thus received.

When Enoch entered he found General Washington and several of his officers discussing the probable intentions of the enemy.

"There can be no question, gentlemen, but that he intended to pass through New Brunswick, as was indicated by the fact that on the morning of the evacuation the parole was 'Jersey,' and the countersign 'Brunswick.' It is, in my opinion, evident that our movements have caused him to change his intended route, or it may be that the necessarily slow advance of such an immense train, where bridges and causeways must be built over streams and marshes, induces General Clinton to believe it would be dangerous to make further effort toward carrying out his intentions. I regret that you have decided against the hazard of a general engagement."

"If your excellency pleases, I would like to state why I am opposed to any interference at present with the enemy," an officer who was seated near Washington said courteously.

"I think, General Lee, you have already defined your position plainly," the commander-in-chief replied. "You believe the enemy is still too strong for us; that his troops are so far superior to ours that even though we outnumber him, we have no right to engage."

"I believe, sir, that continued annoyance of the enemy by detachments is our proper course, and my belief is shared by at least six general officers."

"Very true, sir. And in favor of a battle there are only Generals Greene, Wayne, Lafayette and myself. It is known that General Morgan has gained the rear of the British right flank, and Maxwell is willing to put in on their left. I propose, therefore, to add to that force fifteen hundred picked men under General Charles Scott, and one thousand under Wayne; the combined force to be in the command of General Lafayette."

It was as if Washington had not observed Enoch's entrance until this moment.

Turning to the boy, he said:

"You will ride with all speed to such point as it will be possible to communicate with Generals Maxwell and Dickinson. Show them this memoranda, and say I expect they will make most active interference with the enemy. You will have seen both these generals by morning, and are to return at once to Kingston on the Millstone River, where we shall bivouac. Commit to memory the lines here written, and should you be in the least danger of capture, destroy this paper immediately. Were you detained by the enemy after leaving General Dickinson?"

"The general sent my two friends with me on a scout near Mount Holly, and we were made prisoners by a Tory whose name I understand is Plummer. We succeeded in escaping within twenty-four hours, but when I left General Dickinson I understood I was to go directly to Valley Forge, therefore was delayed."

General Lee questioned Enoch sharply as to his adventures in the house of the Tory, and the boy, remembering what had been told him regarding that officer, fancied he was better acquainted with Plummer than he would have it appear.