Weekly Trinity journal., 1862-09-27
The Ourna1.
arrnirr OF rhe EyiIlo-zs.
TALE or THE Rg7oLcT-oS.


that was formed after the landing Of the English
In New Jersey, as soon as the horses could be
obtained to mount the men. He was an officer
of some rank, evidently, and bis carriage and
demeanor were both naughty and aris,ocratc in
the hg ghest degree. And 4hy notY He was the
eldest son OF a British Earl.
1.-THE house appears to be deserted, Colonel
Uarcourt" said the Junior officer, as he dis
mounted from his horse.
1--WE will see. This way half dozen of you
he faid to bis men. Try The door yonder. If
1t is fastened break 1t open, and report If any
is inside II there should be, and they attempt
10 escape, shoot them down, but first give them
warning 10 surrender"
The men advanced TO the door, which they
found TO he fastened and then demanded admis-
zion, to which receiving no answer, they proceed
cd 10 break il open, which delayed them some
time, for the door was a strong oaken one. This
done, they entered.
Do you know the man by sight, Lieutenant?"
asked Col. Harcourt, while the men were busy
Tansacking the house.
mo, sir, but there is a fellow picked up on
the road, now in the rear, that knows him well.
He does not appear to owe him much favor"
Order him to the front"
The eountTyman had not very prepossessing
counteuance. There was bold surlIness and
cruel expression Of features extremely dispeasing
about him.
"What is your name ?" said Col. Harcourt in
his quick military manner.
"Jobn Classen."
"Do you know Peter Van Dyke"
"Very we'll"
els this his dwe)ng?'
"Yes-th0ugh since his mothers death and his
sisters marriage its hard to say where he keeps
himself"
does he bear the name Of being great rebel
and being dangerous man 10 those who favor
the King in this neighborhood?"
Yes, from the Passaic TO the IlaCkensack and
triIa haA, ho'I hnn
hung long ago, and bis house burned over his
head. He is the leader of every rebel gang in
the army, and points out the honest farmers
homes who stand by their King, whose barns
they punder, and who carry away their grain and
cattle"
"Why do you tell so bitter q tale about him
Hns he ever injured you?'
"lujur,d mes He and parcel OF robbers
like himself came one afternoon to burn my
house aud hang me before my door, which they
would have done, but for the arrival Of few
friendly ueighbors, well armed, aud they went off
in double quick time"
Z" Does he not venture into New York some.
times in disguise ?"
II have so heard it said He has been slip
perry from boy up, and can disguise himself in
any wny. He is precious scamp, and you will
do favor to this pnrt Of Jersey if you hang b i'm
ae soon as you catch him"
This conversation had been held near stone
wall, on one side of which an old garden
but the troubles of ihe times had left it uncuti-
vatrd-ihe goOsebprTy and currant bushes had
grown mp rank and untrmmed, while the hriers
stretched over the wall covering The ground from
sight.
Under this cover, and within ten feet Of the
Colonel and Classen, lay crouched the very man
Of whom they were talking. He had barely time |
10 escape from the house aud conceal himself on |
the approach of the horsemcn, whom he did not |
then expect to be within ten miles of him.
Twice on hearing the base lies Of C.assen he |
was on The point Of rising up and confronting |
him but a little more reflection was left, and |
he thought that was not the occasion 10 place |
his life in jeopardy, which he certainly would
have done, since the party Of troops had come
expressly to take him.
"Do you know with any certainty, Classen,
how long since Peter Van Dyke was in the
neighborhood ?"
~ heard that he was seen last night. two
miles from this, in by-pnlh through the woods,
coming towards his house"
'This Is the Information ! received, and am |
determined to capture him sooner or later. If |
you can point out his whereabouts or can arrest
him youself. you shall have reward of fifty
guineas."
Classen was avaricious and fond Of morey
as he was wicked. Fifty guineas large sum
indeed, when gold was rarely seen.
"I'll catch him, Colonel, before he's three days
older. ! know one Of his haunts."
"Why not lead us there, then ?"
" II would be of no use at this time of day
Besides, he may not be there for day or two,
and shall have to be very cautious in looking
for him."
"Well, secure him and you shall have the
money"
Several Of the soldiers now came from the
house. and stated that they had searched the |
house from top to bottom. but could find one
although from appearances some one had been |
there lately"
ell
the house, while the fugitive lay in bis conceal
ment
1t was plain frame house Of middling size. |
built partly of stone. in the old Dutch style, and
very comfortable within. There was but very |
lille furniture ID few chairs tables and cooking |
utensils. The better part, Classon said. had
ieen taken away on the occasion of Van Dykes
sisters marriage, as her part.
Here is great coat, sir, said one Of the
soldiers. that we found on the floor Of the
kitchen. near the back door 1t must have been
dropped by some one in hurry"
al Feel il there are any papers in the pockets"
said Col. Harcourt.
Yes, here is a bundle of them"
The Colonel took the package, looked at the
tuprrscription, broke the seal, and going to the
window, commenced reading to himself with n
couutenance OF surprise.
SO. here's u list Of our troops and their
number in and about the city. At Powle's Hook
three hundred and hfly. Az Elizabelhtown and
Newark one thousand. Gen. Clinton leaves for
ChaIlestown with five thousand. Why, these
documents indeed of Importance. Who can
play the spy so well in our camp? This Van
Dyke is most dangerous man abroad. Men.
and you, Classen, search every hole and see if
Apy more papers can be found'
"Wbat be found or discovered he did not re-
port to Col. Harcourt, but made the same reply
MS The soldiers, that nothing Of Importance could
Ice found.
every well, we will now leave the place and
r'tnrn to quarters at Powles Hook. lodgson
place some dry wood in the middle of the ROOM
und when give the word apply the match"
"Ycs, | will burn down the nest of this car
ZION bind. 1T is well he is not within my reach
he should swing for it, One such fellow with
his spying, is OF more injury TO us than regi
mtnt IN open field"
Lutte did the British commander imagine that
TIE Young man was almost Within The vrrv snnnh