The daily phoenix. [volume] (Columbia, S.C.) 1865-1878, 1869-02-17
JOHN PUTNAM, THE SPY.

JOHN PUTNAM, THE SPY.
Two horsemen of King George rode fu-
riously into o village Of dozen rude
dwellings. in the Northern part of New
York, and hailing the decrepit-lookng inn
keeper, cried out, simultaneously, with
many barbaric oaths, 'Halloal old wine
bibberl hast noted any cheating, lying and
sneaking pedar at thy door today"
s'By my spurs!" pompously added Cop
tain Dick, the elder of the two, eve have
ridden these last thirty miles in vain, if the
sconndrel be not caught lurking in this
hamlet. Hast seen him, Boniface? Speak,
man, we be in haste. I bid thee answer,
by the Kings commandr'
The hesitating landlord held on to the
horse-post, and replied, "Sirs, be half
deaf, yet methinks I guess your meaning.
Be ye gallant troopers of his Majesty after
him?"
"'Sdeath! the rascally gray-beard ques-
tioneth us" interrupted the younger horse
man, braggadocial private, and wheeling
his steed around, he touched the tavern
keeper rather roughly with his gloved
hand, and continued, 1--WE desire no ques-
tioning, old dotard Hast seen the pedlar?
We would know this, and right quickly,
tool'
30, be not rough, pr'thee. pedlar,
''Pack or no pack, hast seen him?"
fercely cried Dick.
Patience, masters, but my memory is
treacherous, and must reflect. A pedlar?
With staff, did ye say?"
''I'll break thy skull with staff, if thou
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 reply.
AS if frightened into submission, he then
th;Dk myself. I did observe sneaking
pedlar' pass here this morning, on foot, and
in extreme haste"
(Which way?-which road took he?" ex-
claimed both the others.
"That," deliberately answered the man,
pointing to q travelled lane that led from
the one in which they stood.
cart sure? If thou lie to us, by St.
George, thou shalt be hung at thine own
door like signp'
''Ay. an that be not the road, thou
mayest hang me-" observed Boniface.
ITO horse, then; he is six hours in ad-
vance; to horse-and 6 brevet to the one of
us that catches the first sight of the spy!"
shouted Captain Dick; and rapidly thew
dashed away, leaving clouds of dust behind
them. But ere they had gone twenty yards,
the lnn-keeper shook his frame like strong
man, and muttered, cay, when they catch
me. they may hang me!'' He then glanced
around cautiously, and quickly entered the
house.
Meanwhile, Captain Dick and his com
panion spurred 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
stop that man could have walked in
whole day. Then. unsuccessful, they
thonght of returning.
= ''The Internal rebel hath eluded MS. We
calculated that he would hasten directly to
the camp Of Washington. We are misled,
or have passed him secreted in the forest. "
Perhaps that inn-keeper deceived us.
Methought he was not 30 imbecile as he
pretended"
"By my souls salvation! thou hast hit it'll
Dolta! asses that we arel Didst not note
the nimbleness of his leap when thy hand
was lifted against him? JudasI how will
this villain triumph? Ride back-for thy
Life, ride like the lightningl'
May! 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
n by-path that doubtless interseots the
highway, some distance to the West, along
she river"