Carroll free press. [volume] (Carrollton [Ohio]) 1834-1861, 1847-05-21
From the Ladies' Companion.
Arnold. or the British spy.

CHAPTER VIII.

-
ridge half mile from the Hudson to ls shores
and within sight Of the village of Tarrytown, a
foraging party, consisting Of three yeomen, were
seated on the ground beneath tree, playing al
cards. The tree STOOD lrtile retired from pub
lie road, which, coming from the village below,
wound across the face of the hill and disappear.
ed over the ridge towards the interior. Each oI
them had a powder horn and shot pouch hung
over his shoulder, while musket lay across the
knees of one, and rifle and long duckling gun
stood against tree where apparently they had
been placed by the others 10 leave Them more al
liberty to pursue their paslime.
Althoug intent on their games, every few Sc.
conds they lifted their heads, and took keen sur
Vey Of the road.
"Trumps" exclaimed one, shaping the card
down on his brawny thigh.
"lPs yourtrick, John, by the living Jerusalem!''
cried he with the musket.
"Luck's agn me this mornin', boys" said the
third, stout built jolly faced farmer, with twin
kle in his eye, and globular nose, on which was
scored in carmine many deep pOlalion; "l'll
into the road and see if can't find some luck
with game Of another SORT"
"If you can light on one Of them ere COW boys,
Ike, we are on the look out for, driving any Yam.
kee cattle to make beef for John Bulls carcass
down in York, III give up every copper I've won
on ye," said the first speaker, thin cadaverous
looking man, with long legs and long hair.
"Then fork out, Davy, for here comes prize
~goOd, or may | never take aim again at the sun
with the butt end of quart pot"
The men sprung to their feet, seized their guns,
and Joined their comrade in the wood
"Whose cut and deal is this?" said the last
speaker, pointing up the road, along which a sim
gle horseman was advancing at the best speed he
could get out Of aded horse.
At the period Of which we write, there was q
tract Of country along the east bank of the Hud-
son between the American and British lines, call
ed the neutral ground, thirty miles wide. By a
law of the State of New York, any person was
authorized to seize and convert TO his own use
al horses and cattle or beef that should be driv-
en- across it southwark towards the British lines
if it was taken within ten miles of these lines
The consequence was that the whole Of the neu-
iral ground was closely watched by the inhabit-
ants, who sailed from their homes in small par
ties and wayaid the hightoads; so thatitwas DIFF
fcult for the cowboys, whose occupation was
stealing cows from the slower camp" to get with
their booty safely across the debateable land.-
Stragglers and all suspicious persons were also
stopped and made TO give an account OF them
selves, and occasionally peaceful travellers were
civilly invited to pay toll Of few dollars &c
some Of those guardians of the roads, who were
not over nice in their distinctions between those
who drove horses, and those who rode upon them
With this explanation the character OF the party
will be readily seen.
"He's conference.-the looking chap" said he
of the carmne nose, who had been called Ike;
'broadcloth and boots, and heavy purse, III
warrant me-"
"You're always thinkin' Of the purse, Ike y
said he Of tho long limbs; 81 wouldn't wonder il
natur' hadn't gen we a spice of the foot pad in
your liver. Come, John, suppose you step ou1
and speak to him." he said, addressing the win.
ner at cards, a substantial looking farmer, "i
Ike does il, it will be like your regular bandit
one Of your touch and go. We must stand by
the honor Of the country at all hazards"
Tho one addressed stepped in advance of hi:
comrades towards the horseman, who was looking
as he rode, earnestly towards a vessel of wal
some miles above in the river, and did not see the
man until he came within twenty PAGES Of him
when he suddenly checked his horse; the mex
instant he spurred him on as if he would pass
him ut full speed, reined up before the glitcrlng
bayonet levelled at his chest, and then, making
demi.vote across the road, buried his spurs
deep and would have dashed past, but the coo
woman caught the animal firmly by his nostr
and checked him so suddenly as to throw hin
backward nearly upon his launches.
alt was we'll done, sir" said the yeoman, "nt
doubt you are in hurry, but then we want to be
come a little acquainted with you before you trav
IF
know not true men from bad."
The stranger was enveloped in blue grea
coat buuoned to the neck, with nankeen breeche
and military boots and an ordinary black coat
and had that indescribabe air and manner tina
betrays under the meanest DISCUSSES, the gentle
man and the soldier.
"Gentlemen," he said, in collected manner
as the rest of the party came up, 81 hope you be
long to our party"
(Which party?" asked the first.
"The lower party"
CAV, ay, that we do, don't we, Davy7" said til
knight Of the carmne."
"ro be sure! what else does the gentleman
,hinkl" replied he Of the long hair, winking Q
his fellows.
81 am glad to learn it, replied major Andre
whom the reader has already recognized.
From Smihson's house he had crossed King
Ferry, and ridden southwark along the easter
side under the guidance of Smithson, and onl
dismissed him few miles back, when he enter
ed the neutral ground, where he considered him
self comparatively secure. From the top of tn
ridge above alluded to, he deserted the Vulture
few miles above where she had anchored be
yond the tlre Of the American batteries. 1t oc
Cured to him that he might get some one to tax
him on board from the village, whereby he shoul
be saved the fatigue and danger of long ride q
ten miles to the British lines. His spirits hithel
to depressed by the loneliness of the road, an
the extreme peril of his situation, became eIeya
led at the prospect, and urging his horse forwar
he found himself all at once in the, midst of q