Daily evening star. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1852-1854, 1853-12-16
JOHN PUTNAM. THE spy

JOHN PUTNAM, THE SPY.
Two horsemen of King George rode
furiously into village of half dozer
rude dwellings, in the northern part O
New York, and hailing the decrepit inn.
keeper, cried out, simultaneously, with
many barbaric oaths, Haloa, old wine
blubber! hast noted any cheating, lv.
ing, and sneaking pedlar at thy door to.
day? 2"
by my spurs! :" pompously added
Captain Dick, the elder of the two, we
have ridden these last thirty miles in
vain, if the scoundrel be not caught lurk.
ing in this hamlet. Hast thou seen him
Boniface! Speak, man; we be in haste
| bid thee answer, by the Kings com
mand -
The hesitating landlord held on to the
horse-post, and replied, "Sirs, be hall
deaf, yet methinks guess your meaning
Be ye gallant troopers of his majesty, af.
ter stray pedlar, eh! What would ye
with him 2"
"Sdeath! the rascally grey-beard ques-
tioneth US ~ interrupted the Younger
horseman, bragadociol private, and
wheeling his steed around, he touched the
tavern keeper rather roughly with his
gloved hand, and continued, " We desire
no questioning, old dotard? We would
know this, and quickly, too
I" Oh, be not rough, | pr'thee. A ped.
lar, sayest thou! Had he pack g."
''Pack Or no pack, hast thou seen
him ?' fiercely cried Dick
patience, masters, but nv memory
Is treacherous, and | must reflect. 4
pedlar with staff, did ye say 2" .
"Ill break thy skull with a staff, if
you befool us - said the bully, striking
at the old man, who rather nimbly for
his looks, leaped out of the troopers
reach.
The captain then seriously threatened
violence, and sternly demanded a reply.
As if frightened into submission, he then
hesitatingly said, "Oh-yes-yes-now
| bethinks myself. I did observe sneak
ing pedlar pass here this morning, on foot,
and in extreme haste"
Which way-which road took he o.
exclaimed both the others.
That" deliberately answered the
man, pointing to travelled lane, that led
from the Ole in which they stood.
Art sure! If thou liest to us, by st.
George, thou shalt be hung, at thine own
door, like sign"
"Ay, an that be not the road, thou
mayest hang me- observed Boniface.
g To horse he is six hours in advance d.
to horse and brevet to the one of us
that catches the first sight of the spu2"
shouted Captain Dick, and rapidly they
dashed away, leaving clouds of dust be-
hind them. Ere they had gone twenty
yards, the inn keeper shook his frame like
strong man, and muttered-" Ay, when
they catch me, they mag hang me-" He
then glanced around cautiously, and
quickly entered the house.
Meanwhile, Captain Dick and compan-
ions spured their beasts to a race that
would have injured animals unused to
their hardy life. Mile after mile was left
behind, until in three hours they had
covered every step that man could have
walked in whole day. Then, unsuc-
cessful, they thought of returning.
1.-The internal rebel hath eluded u.s.
We calculated that he would hasten
directly to the camp of Washington. We
are misled, or have passed him, secreted
in the forest
80 Perhaps that inn-keeper deceived us.
Methought he was not so imbecile as he
pretended.
BY my souls salvation, thou hast hit
it Dolts asses that we are > Did YOU
not note the nimbleness of his leap, when
thy hand was lifted against him Judas,
how this villain triumphed! Ride back
for thy life, ride like lightning"
"Nay, not back if he be the spy, he
hath taken the other road, and sent us
FOOLS errand on this A league hence
we passed by path, that doubtless in
tersects the highway, some distance to
the west along the river"
Well, be that our direction. Blood
how have we idled nor would | have
credited the clown with such WITT
cay, and now that I suspect him,
recollect the quietude of the village.
The place was solitary. Nor even prof
fered the man taste of his wine"
Ugh. didst thou note his keen eve 2"
"True-like the spy's own-biack as
jet-it was himself-curse him! But
surely our beasts need batting after so
hard a ride, and faith, feel like tasting
of my flask"
mind, now, Wolf, we must capture
that fellow, an if we starve ourselves
and stall our steeds. On, on five hun
dred pounds and brevet! Thine be-
/" The gold for me, captain !"
land l the brevet done. This ride
shall cost the pedlar dear"