"We must get out to-night as soon as we can procure boats," he said to himself, "There must be some way of getting them, and we must have them, as they are absolutely necessary."

He returned to the stone house, getting in by the lower door without being observed, the other boys returning shortly afterward by the upper entrance.

"It will be difficult to get away by any of the regular roads," declared Ben, "and even if we all had disguises, it is going to be a difficult matter to pass the guard."

"I was thinking of getting out of New York by way of the river, Ben," said Dick.

"That will be something less difficult, though hard enough, but where are we going to get our boats?"

"There are ships in the river not very far away, and it may be that they will anchor still nearer. The men will want to come ashore and we must get hold of at least two boats. I don't think one will be sufficient, even if it is a long boat. Watch the river, boys, and see what are our chances."

The boys ate some of the food which Dick and the rest had procured, and while some rested, others kept a lookout on the river, on the wharf and on the bank above. At times the paths were well frequented, and men and women could be seen on the walk above, the wharf being now quite busy and then almost deserted, although at no time would it have been wise for the boys in uniform to have ventured out. Well on in the afternoon a ship came up the river and anchored right off the stone house, well out in the stream, another being something above it.

"The bluejackets will be coming ashore some time in the evening to enjoy themselves," remarked Dick. "It will be high tide, and if we can get hold of the boat, we can perhaps hide it under the wharf."

"Unless it is too high," said Bob. "The tides are pretty heavy just now."

"Then we can leave from the wharf itself, but we shall have to do everything with despatch, for it is likely that a watch will be kept on the river and along shore, and the least suspicious act will bring down the night patrol and the watch, as well as the redcoats and sailors."

"No good thing can be had without effort," said Bob dryly, "and if we want our freedom we must work for it."

It was after dark when two boats came ashore from the nearest vessel and tied up at the wharf a short distance from the stone house. The sailors went ashore, leaving the boats without any one to look after them, but there were men on the wharf and constant passing to and fro of men and boys.

"We shall have to wait a while," said Dick. "When it is quieter there will be more chance to secure the boats."

"Then it may be too late," muttered Bob, "for the sailors will be going back to the ship."

"They will not return till late, for no sailor wants to cut short his shore leave."

"There may be a few minutes when all is quiet, and in the interim we can make a run for the boats and get away."

"Yes, and we must be on the lookout for just such a time."

The boys waited patiently, but it seemed as if no one wanted to go to bed, and as if there would be something going on all night. Finally, realizing the danger of waiting too long, Dick said to Bob and some of the boys:

"I am going to make my way to the other end of the wharf and get up some sort of disturbance to draw the people away from the boats. You must take that opportunity to seize them and get away. Then I will join you and we will all leave."

"You won't get caught?" asked Bob. "If I thought there was any danger, I would insist on going with you."

"There will be danger, of course, but I will take care of myself."

"I don't think that it will be wise to have too many of us away from the boats."

"No, perhaps not."

Dick shortly crept out cautiously by the lower door, having a long coat over his uniform, and made his way toward the farther end of the wharf and get up some sort of disturbance to draw the people away from the boats. "You must take that opportunity to seize them and get away. Then I will join you and we will all leave."

"You won't get caught?" asked Bob. "If I thought there was any danger, I would insist on going with you."

"There will be danger, of course, but I will take care of myself."

"I don't think that it will be wise to have too many of us away from the boats."

"No, perhaps not."

Dick shortly crept out cautiously by the lower door, having a long coat over his uniform, and made his way toward the farther end of the wharf. The boys were to act as soon as they heard any unusual noise from his direction, Bob taking the lead. Making his way along the wharf, Dick presently saw a nightwatch with a lantern at the end of a long pole coming toward them.

"Here is the watch," said one, "come to send us to bed."

"Let us put out his lantern and souse him in the river," said Dick, with a laugh.

"That's so, that will be great fun."

A man with a lantern came up at this moment and the light fell upon Dick.

"Hallo! if there isn't the rebel!" the man shouted.

The fellow was Tom's father, Dick recognizing him at that moment. Here was the chance to create the disturbance, and Dick at once sprang at the man, knocked him down, and said:

"Take that, you sot! We will see if you can insult honest folks for nothing!"

At once there was a shout, and some of the man's friends sprang at Dick with shouts and a great uproar. In the scuffle Dick lost his long coat, letting it go rather than be seized by one of the thieves. The night watch and a number of redcoats were now seen coming on at a run.

"By George! the fellow is a rebel, after all! See his uniform."

"My word, that's Dick Slater himself! Seize him, there is a big reward offered for him."

Dick knocked down two of the crowd and pushed another into the water from the wharf. There was a great outcry, and now men and boys began coming from all quarters to see the fight. The watch and the redcoats saw Dick and hurried forward to arrest him as a rebel and for creating a disturbance. The people, fearing to be apprehended by the watch, hurried away by this and that way of escape, and Dick had a clear coast. Then he gave a signal which told the boys to get away as quickly as possible. They had already seized the two boats and filled them rapidly.

"Take in Dick, boys," said Bob, heading one of the boats, "while I go ahead to clear the way."

Harry, Ben, Sam, Phil and others were in the other boat, which lay alongside the wharf, ready to take Dick on board. Meanwhile the alarm was spreading that Dick Slater, the captain of the Liberty Boys, was in the city and that whoever would seize him would receive a large reward. Dick, close pressed, sounded a signal to the boys to get away at once for fear of being caught. It were better that he were taken, he reasoned, than that all the boys should be made prisoners. Bob, in his boat, thinking that Dick was all right, went on out upon the river. Redcoats, nightwatch, sailors and populace joined in the pursuit, pressing the young patriot sorely. He had to dodge and take a longer course to the boat in order to reach it at all and then signalled to the boys to go on. Harry and his boys, supposing that Dick had in some way reached the other boat, took up their oars and began to pull. Then Dick found a way suddenly to dart between two of the redcoats and run rapidly toward the water. There was a great outcry and the chase waxed hotter than ever. The redcoats and the nightwatch pursued Dick to the very edge of the wharf.

The boat containing the Liberty Boys was just putting out. Dick jumped and was caught by Harry. The redcoats were too late. A furious captain, in his haste to seize Dick rushed forward with drawn sword, and in a moment went pitching headlong, and was speedily seen floundering in the water, his wig floating in one direction and his hat in another, his sword sinking to the bottom, as he was suddenly forced to swim for it or go down. The nightwatch lost his lantern in the scuffle, and there was great confusion and hubbub. In the dark, men behind pushing forward to see what was going on crowded redcoats and others into the river, and the confusion and hubbub grew worse and worse every moment.

"Hallo, keep back there, you are throwing us all into the river!"

"Good thing, too, to get rid of all the redcoats!"

"Push a few more in and give them a good soaking."

"Shove in a few rebels to even things up."

"What's all the trouble about, anyhow?"

"Ten o'clock of a sultry night and all's well!" drawled the nightwatch, recovering his lantern and lighting it.

Then other nightwatchmen came up, and there was more light and less confusion and turmoil. The redcoats were very wroth at the people for letting the "saucy young rebels" escape, and the bluejackets were angry at the rebels for taking their boats, while some of the people were wrathful at both redcoats and bluejackets, and others,—Tories, by the way—were incensed against the others and angry at the escape of the boys.

The latter were now out upon the river in the dark, but going cautiously and steadily on. Dick took the lead and worked his way between the shore and the nearest ship without being discovered, the hubbub on shore not having yet resolved itself into an alarm which the ships could understand. The officers, supposing it to be merely a fight between rival crews or between sailors and people, paid no attention to it, and the boys continued steadily on their way. Then other boats put out, and some one shouted:

"Hallo! there's a boatload of young rebels on the river, trying to escape. Fire upon them and sink the young rascals the moment you see them!"

Now the cause of the fracas on shore was explained, and at once a search for the daring boys was instituted. Lights flashed, hoarse voices were heard calling across the water, and there was as much confusion on the river as there had been on land. One could not see as far as on shore, however, and the means of getting from place to place were not as numerous, and much time was lost in getting into communication one with another.

Dick knew his way and went on as rapidly as possible, and with all caution, passing one ship and making his way toward the next. In the dark, the blue uniforms of the boys could easily be mistaken for the blue jackets or sailors or midshipmen, and Dick relied upon this to help him in his escape. A boat had been lowered, and presently the sound of the boys' oars was heard by the enemy.

"Ahoy! What boat is that?"

"Seen anything of the rebels, sir?" asked Dick, the boys pulling steadily.

"No, not yet. Have you?"

"I've an idea there's a boatload of them ahead of us somewhere, but it's dark as Erebus on the river."

"Go ahead and keep a watch. My idea is that they have not gone as far as this yet."

"An idea that you are quite welcome to, my man!" was Dick's thought. "Everybody thinks that his idea is the only correct one."

Bob was hailed by the other boat as he followed Dick closely, and answered gruffly:

"Port, captain! Keep a watch below there, and keep a sharper eye on your duty. The rebels may have gone down the river, for all you know. There is no good in looking one way only."

"Aye, aye, sir!" and the boat went down the river.

The ship was passed in safety, the boats being supposed to be filled with middies and bluejackets, and no questions were asked. There were dangers ahead of the boys, however, and they all realized that running the blockade was not going to be as easy a matter as one might think.

CHAPTER XII.—On the River.

There were other ships up the river, and there were the chevaux-de-frise which the patriots had constructed to keep the enemy out, and which would now be a hindrance to the boys. They must get beyond the ships and the obstructions before dawn, or they would be captured, and they all realized the dangers to be met. It was better for the two boats to keep together, but in case they were beset, it might be wiser for them to separate and the boys understood this. They had passed the ships nearest to their hiding place, and unless the alarm spread to those farther up the river, it might not be so hard to pass these also.

The alarm might be carried alongshore, however, and there might be boats out watching for parties of patriots trying to get over to the Jersey shore, and all these things must be taken into consideration in pushing forward. The boys rowed steadily, all of them being accustomed to being on the water, and their progress was steady if not very rapid, it being dark on the river, and the current and the tide being both against them.

Rowing on steadily, they at length heard sounds behind them, which told them that the search below had been thorough, and that the enemy were convinced that they had gone up the river instead of down, and the pursuit was now being carried on in that direction. A bright light was seen from the masthead of a ship below them, this being meant as a signal to those above. As they went on, they saw a light flash from the masthead of a vessel some way ahead of them.

"Pull steady, boys," he said. "We may be able to pass the ship without being seen, and, if not, I think I can find a way to fool them and run the blockade."

As they went on, a boat was seen crossing their bow at some little distance, and Dick told the boys to get the lanterns ready. On they went, and at last a hail came from the boat ahead:

"Ahoy! Who are you?"

The lanterns suddenly flashed, and Dick cried:

"There are the rebels, men. Don't let them fool you. Get ready, all of you!"

"Hello! Boat ahoy! Are you looking for rebels?"

"Yes, and we've got you! Surrender, or we'll run you down!"

"Why, you dunderhead, we are looking for rebels ourselves!"

"By George! then they must be below. Go down there and look for them!"

"What authority have you over us, I'd like to know?" in an angry tone.

"See that masthead light? That means to look out for the enemy. We are here to see that the enemy are looked out for. That's my authority! Pull ahead, my men!"

The middy in the other boat saw just enough blue and gold lace to mistake Dick for a naval officer, and the young patriot's tone of authority did the rest.

"Very good, sir!" promptly, and the boats containing the boys went on, the names painted on the sterns being seen, and no one supposing that any one but British bluejackets would be in them.

"Keep a sharp lookout below there, Midshipman!" said Dick, in a commanding tone. "There is no use of that light. You are only giving the rebels warning."

The other boat went on, and the masthead light was presently extinguished, much to Bob's delight.

"The thing has burned out, I suppose," he muttered, "and they will not renew it. Good thing, too!"

"Keep on steady, boys, and make as little noise as possible," said Dick. "We are not out of danger yet, and no one knows what may happen before we get up to the obstructions."

"We may be able to go ashore there, Captain," observed Harry, "in place of having to get through them."

"Yes, if there are no lines drawn across the island at that point. We can tell better when we get there."

It was all dark on the river again in a few minutes, and the two boats keeping close together proceeded steadily on, making very fair progress.

"Would it be of any advantage to make our way over to the Jersey shore and cross again higher up the river, Dick?" asked Bob.

"I am not sure that it would, Bob," was the reply. "We will not do it unless we have to, as we can probably make better time by keeping on as we are."

The day had been sultry, but it was now cold and damp on the river, being dark as well, a cold mist arising as they went on, which not only made it more difficult to see their way but chilled them as well. However, if they could not see the enemy, the latter could not see them, so that there was an advantage on their side after all. They went as far as Bloomingdale without seeing anything of the enemy or hearing any alarm, and were in hope of going the rest of the way safely, when the mist lifted for a few moments, and Dick saw the outlines of a ship looming up before him out of the darkness. He quickly steered out of the day and signalled to Bob to go closer inshore so as to avoid the ship. Presently a light appeared on board, and then a voice called out in sharp tones:

"Boat ahoy! What are you doing out there?"

"Looking out for the enemy!" answered Dick, that being just what he was doing.

"Seen anything of them?"

"Yes, some little time ago. Seen any yourselves?"

"No, what are they up to? Sending out their confounded fireboats to annoy us?"

"Oh, they'll do anything, I fancy," and the boats went on, the men on the ships never imagining that they contained a number of the Liberty Boys.

"Keep a good watch for them, and if you see any give us a signal."

"Aye, aye! we'll keep a strict watch for them."

"That's what we've been doing ever since we left New York," muttered Ben, under his breath.

The ship was presently lost in the mist and darkness, and the boys went on, not knowing when they might come upon another. They kept close together, so as not to be separated, and drew as near to the shore as was safe, the ships being mostly in midstream. Now and then the darkness was so dense as to shut out everything, and once they ran upon a bar and had to push themselves off with considerable exertion, being unable to see anything. Getting off at last, they went on, but were at length hailed by a boat out on the river and not far from them.

"Boat ahoy!" cried Dick, in answer to the hail. "Are you from the Royal George?"

"No, the Inflexible. Are you from the George?"

"No; we are looking for her. We are carrying despatches."

"She must be up the river. We have seen nothing of her. Who are you?"

"Despatch boat. Keep a sharp lookout for the enemy. They are getting troublesome."

"Aye, aye!" and Dick and his boys went on rapidly, getting farther and farther away from the other boat every minute.

"The river is full of the pesky British!" muttered Bob. "I am not sure that it would not be safer to go ashore."

"We are sure of our road here, Bob," laughed Dick, "but we would not be, on shore. I think we had better stick to the river for a time, until dawn, at any rate."

"H'm! it can't be far from it, then, for I never knew it to be thundering dark," growled Bob.

The boys laughed and went on less rapidly, that being the safest course. They took turns rowing, and so no one became over-fatigued and all had a chance to warm up, the mists of the river being very chilly and damp. At length it grew light enough to see the obstructions in the river just ahead of them, and they set about getting through and going on. Dick would have gone ashore, but he saw tents and the gleam of scarlet uniforms on shore, and concluded that it would be better to remain longer on the river. The boats had much less trouble in getting past the obstructions than a ship would have had, and they got through at length, with some trouble, being seen by the redcoats on shore, however, it being very much lighter by this time.

The enemy raised a great shout, but they had no boats, and all they could do was to run along shore and shout, firing a volley now and then, which did no damage and only set the echoes to answering.

"They had better keep quiet," sputtered Bob. "The first thing we know they will wake up everybody along shore, and we will have some trouble in making a landing."

"I think we might do it before long, Bob," Dick returned. "A run will do us good after being on the river so many hours."

"All right, Dick, and if we can give the redcoats a run the right way, so much the better."

Farther on, around a bend of the river, the redcoats being now out of sight, the boys rowed in to shore and made a landing. They had left their muskets behind, but they all had their pistols and were ready to give the redcoats as lively a reception as they could. The boats were left to go adrift, and then, led by Dick, who knew the way thoroughly, they set out for their own lines, which Dick judged would be somewhere below Fort Washington. On they went, and all at once came upon a party of the enemy hurrying to intercept them.

"Fire, Liberty Boys!" shouted Dick. "Scatter the redcoats, drive them off the island, hurl them into the river!"

"Liberty forever, forward, down with the redcoats!" echoed the plucky fellows.

Then they began to discharge their pistols in the liveliest fashion, and to shout as if there were four or five times as many of them. The redcoats evidently thought that there were many more of the daring boys, and fell back in haste. Dick and Bob led the way, and the whole party charged resolutely, desiring to get to a place of safety as soon as possible, although it seemed to the enemy as if they were being pursued by an army, and they made all haste to get away.

The boys turned up the road toward the fort with all haste, and were well on their way before the enemy realized that they were not being pursued. Then they turned and went after the boys, greatly chagrined at having been so cleverly fooled. They got reinforcements, and set out after the boys in full chase, but were suddenly brought to a stop by the main body of the Liberty Boys under Mark Morrison. Mark had heard the firing, and was out looking for Dick and the Liberty Boys at the same time, and now, seeing their danger, fell upon the enemy tooth and nail and sent them flying.

"Hurrah! back with the redcoats!" he shouted. "Give it to them, my boys. Fire!"

Crash—roar! The redcoats now had to face a musket volley instead of a pistol discharge, and they felt the difference. Down upon them bore the gallant boys with a cheer and a ringing volley, and then two or three brigades of regulars were seen following up the boys, and they fell back in great disorder.

"Hurrah!" yelled Bob. "That's the kind of reception to get. Here we are, boys!"

CHAPTER XIII.—Tom Joins the Liberty Boys.

Mark and his boys gave Dick and Bob and the rest a hearty cheer, and then the whole body took a stand to be ready to meet the enemy in case they should make another advance. The patriots were out in full force now, however, and the redcoats fell back to the edge of Harlem Plains, where they had their camp, the plan being a sort of neutral ground between the two armies.

The boys shortly retired to their own camp, and here Dick and Bob and Ben, and the rest who had been left in the city, were given a right royal welcome, and then they all had breakfast together, Dick and his boys being very glad to get it. Mark and the others were eager to hear what had befallen them in the city, and were greatly interested in hearing the story of their many and varied adventures. "We had some trouble ourselves in getting away," declared Mark, "but nothing like what you fellows had. You must have given the redcoats a good scare at times, however."

"It was the only chance we had of getting away," laughed Bob. "If we had not made them think we were ten times as strong as we were, we would have been gobbled up."

The enemy made one or two sorties during the day, but were in every case driven back, and at last retired to their lines and did not again seek to molest the Americans. The patriots had lost New York, but they were still in possession of the upper part of the island and meant to hold it as long as they could, Fort Washington being a strong fort and well defended. At night the Liberty Boys' camp was well guarded, and the slightest move of the enemy toward it would have been detected in a moment. During the forenoon, Tom came to the camp and said:

"It's a fine place where we are, Captain, and I am obliged to you for sending us up there. Mother will get plenty to do and already has the promise of enough to keep her busy for a month."

"I am very glad of it, Tom," said Dick, "and I am sure that you will all be much happier there than in the city. The enemy are there now, and it will be much worse than before."

"So the redcoats have gone into New York, have they? I am sorry for that."

"So are we all, Tom, but it will not be forever. Some day we will be back there again, and the British will be driven out and have to go back to their own country beyond the sea."

"The sooner the better!" muttered Tom.

"Tell them when you go back that we are all right, Tom," Dick resumed. "Some of us had a hard time getting out of New York and had to run the blockade, but we got out fast enough and gave the redcoats some pretty good slaps."

"The young ladies will be glad to hear of it. Did you see him again, Captain?"

"Yes, and he made some trouble for us, but we got away all right for all of him, and I doubt if we shall ever see him again."

"Well, I hope not, but you can't tell. What you don't expect is just what happens."

"At all events, he has no idea that you and your mother are up here, Tom, and it is not likely that he will trouble you any more."

"Well, I hope he won't, Captain, but you can't tell, as I said."

"No, but we will do all we can to keep him away. His reputation is not good, and if he appears in camp we will warn him that if he does not keep away he will be arrested."

"That may have some effect, though if he thought that arresting just meant being put in jail he wouldn't care, because he's been there before lots of times."

"We will make him understand just what it means, Tom," said Dick, "and I think he will keep away, but then, he has not appeared at all yet."

"No, that's so, and I was making out as if he had or was going to," with a smile. "Well, perhaps he won't."

The boy's look and tone seemed to indicate that he was afraid the man would come, however, and Dick said no more about it. Tom went back to Dick's house, and the Liberty Boys did not see him again for two or three days. Meantime the commander-in-chief, whose confidence Dick enjoyed, sent for the boy and said:

"There is an important mission which I wish to entrust to some one, Captain, and I know of no better, person than yourself to do it. Get ready at once to go down to the city and obtain certain information. Procure a disguise and a horse, and then come to me, and I will furnish you with money for your expenses and a pass, which will enable you to get through the lines."

"Very good, your excellency," Dick replied, and in half an hour he was ready to start.

Bob, Mark, or any of the Liberty Boys, in fact, would have been glad to go with him, but the general thought it was best to go alone, and so he took no one with him. The pass had been taken from a spy whom the patriots had captured and enabled Dick to get through the lines in safety. Reaching the city, he set about getting the information required, and secured it the first day he was there. That night there was an alarm of fire in the lower part of the city, and Dick dressed himself and went out with many others to ascertain its extent and see what he could do to help put it down.

It had started in a low groggery on Whitehall wharf and was of considerable extent, spreading as far as Beaver street, and then shifting to the west, and going as far as the river and nearly to Partition street, Trinity church being destroyed on the way. It had started by accident, but many of the British declared that it had been set by the Americans, and there was a bitter feeling against them, many innocent persons being put to death by the enraged people.

During the fire, while Dick was working with others to stop its spreading, a man was caught looting a burning house and was at once dragged away and hanged to a post holding a street lamp. Dick saw his face for an instant and recognized Tom's father. There was no interceding for the man, who had been caught red-handed, and he suffered the penalty of his crimes.

"His wife and the rest are the better off for his taking away," said Dick to himself, "but I cannot tell how he died. He was never of any use to them and they are better off without him."

The fire burned out at length, but there were smoking ruins the next day and for several days, although Dick did not remain as long as that. He got away the next day and made his way out of the city and to the camp with very little difficulty, his pass being of great assistance to him. Changing his clothes and putting on his uniform, Dick reported at once to the commander-in-chief and was complimented upon securing the information so promptly. Reporting other matters that he had learned, Dick returned to the camp and told Bob and a few others how the Tory had met his death, adding:

"Do not say anything to Tom about it. I will tell him that his father is dead, but not how it happened. It is a hard thing to say, perhaps, but they are better off without him than they ever were with him."

"It is the truth, at any rate," muttered Bob, "though it may not be necessary to tell them."

A few days later the Liberty Boys were ordered into lower Westchester to check the advance of Howe and Cornwallis, who were trying to get behind the Americans at King's Bridge and thus have a better opportunity to attack Fort Washington, which the British leader had set his heart upon subduing.

"That will give us plenty to do," declared Bob, "and give us a chance to bother the redcoats."

"And give Patsy a chance to get rid of some of his extra fat," laughed Mark, who was a bit of a tease.

"Sure Oi've none to spare at all, Liftinant," roared Patsy, "but if ye had said Cookyspiller now, ye'd have hit it to a tay. Sure he do be nadin' it had."

As the boys were getting ready to leave, Tom came into camp and said:

"So you are leaving, are you, Captain? You have not seen him, have you?"

"You will not see him again, Tom," Dick replied. "He was killed a few days ago while in the commission of a crime in the city."

"Did you see it, Captain?"

"Yes, Tom. You and your mother are now free."

Tom asked no questions, but presently said:

"I would like to join the Liberty Boys. Mother is doing very well, the little children are being cared for, and there is a good man up at Tarrytown who has lost his wife and needs some one to take care of his children. Mother can do it, and I think—-"

"She will marry him in time, Tom? Yes, it will be good for both of them. She likes him?"

"Yes, and so do all of us. Is it wrong for me to think that we are better off now that he has been taken away?"

"You need not think anything about it, Tom, but you are better off, for all that. The man was simply a clog about the necks of all of you."

"Then I may join the Liberty Boys, if I am big enough? Mother does not need me now and I want to do something for my country."

"Your mother is willing, Tom?"

"Yes, if you will take me."

"Very good. You are young, but not too young, and you are strong and willing, and that is a good deal. I will see your mother, Tom, and I do not think there will be any trouble about your joining."

Tom returned to his mother and in a day or so Dick saw her and found that she was willing that Tom should join the company. Tom went back with Dick, therefore, and was sworn in as one of the Liberty Boys, to his great delight. The boys cheered him for they had all heard of him and knew of his sterling character and manly qualities. He fought with the Liberty Boys at White Plains and Fort Washington and went into the Jerseys with the troop when they joined the commander after the fall of the fort. He was at Trenton and Princeton, where he did brave work with the boys and fought through the succeeding campaign, doing good service at Brandywine and Germantown and going into camp at Valley Forge, where he bore with fortitude all the hardships of that rigorous winter, one of the severest ever known. During the next spring he was with the Liberty Boys in Connecticut and lost his life during a fight with Tryon's raiders. His mother had married in the meantime and was in comfortable circumstances, and this was a great comfort to the boy, who said to Dick:

"I have done my duty, Captain?"

"Yes, Tom, and well."

"And mother and the children are well and happy?"

"Yes, they are, Tom."

"We are sure to win this fight for freedom, Captain?"

"Yes, Tom, we cannot do otherwise."

"Then I have not died in vain in giving my life for my country?"

"No, Tom, you have not."

"Then I have nothing to regret. Good-by, Captain. You have been very good to me."

Dick took the boy's hand and held it till the grip relaxed, when he placed it at his side and spread the flag over the young hero.

Next week's issue will contain "THE LIBERTY BOYS AND CAPTAIN HUCK; or, ROUTING A WICKED LEADER."

. . . . . . . . . . .

A reporter was interviewing Thomas A. Edison. "And you, sir," he said to the inventor, "made the first talking machine?" "No," Mr. Edison replied, "the first one was made long before my time—out of a rib."

. . . . . . . . . . .

THE LIBERTY BOYS OF '76

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1064 The Liberty Boys in Kentucky; or, After the Redskins and Renegades. 1065 " and Old Moll; or, The Witch of Red Hook Point. 1066 " Secret Cave; or, Hiding From Tryon. 1067 " and the Jailer; or, Digging Out of Captivity. 1068 " Trumpet Blast; or, The Battle Cry of Freedom. 1069 " Call to Arms; or, Washington's Clever Ruse. 1070 " Whirlwind Attack; or, A Terrible Surprise to Tarleton. 1071 " Out With Brave Barry; or, The Battle With the "Unicorn." 1072 " Lost Trail: or, The Escape of the Traitor. 1073 " Beating the Skinners; or, Clearing Out a Bad Lot. 1074 " Flank Move; or, Coming Up Behind the British. 1075 " as Scouts; or, Skirmishing Around Valley Forge. 1076 " Forced March: or, Caught in a Terrible Trap. 1077 " Defending Bennington; or, Helping General Stark. 1078 " Young Messenger; or, Storming the Jersey Batteries. 1079 " and the Indian Fighter; or, Saving the Southern Settlers. 1080 " Running Fight; or, After the Redcoat Rangers. 1081 " Fighting Doxstader; or, The Destruction of Currytown. 1082 " and the Miller; or, Routing the Tory Bandits. 1083 " Chasing "Wild Bill"; or, Fighting a Mysterious Troop. 1084 " Hidden Swamp: or, Hot Times Along the Shore. 1085 " and the Black Horseman; or, Defeating a Dangerous Foe. 1086 " After the Cherokees; or, Battling With Cruel Enemies. 1087 " River Journey; or, Down the Ohio. 1088 " at East Rock; or, The Burning of New Haven. 1089 " in the Drowned Lands; or, Perilous Times Out West. 1090 " on the Commons; or, Defending Old New York. 1091 " Sword Charge; or, The Fight at Stony Point. 1092 " After Sir John; or, Dick Slater's Clever Ruse. 1093 " Doing Guard Duty; or, The Loss of Fort Washington. 1094 " Chasing a Renegade; or, The Worst Man on the Ohio. 1095 " and the Fortune Teller; or, The Gypsy Spy of Harlem. 1096 " Guarding Washington, or, Defeating a British Plot. 1097 " and Major Davie; or, Warm Work in the Mecklenburg District. 1098 " Fierce Hunt; or, Capturing a Clever Enemy. 1099 " Betrayed; or, Dick Sister's False Friend. 1100 " on the March: or, After a Slippery Foe. 1101 " Winter Camp; or, Lively Times in the North. 1102 " Avenged; or, The Traitor's Doom. 1103 " Pitched Battle; or, The Escape of the Indian Spy. 1104 " Light Artillery; or, Good Work At the Guns. 1105 " and "Whistling Will"; or, The Mad Spy of Paulus Hook. 1106 " Underground Camp; or, In Strange Quarters. 1107 " Dandy Spy; or, Deceiving the Governor. 1108 " Gunpowder Plot; or, Failing by an Inch. 1109 " Drummer Boy; or, Sounding the Call to Arms.

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