The Carbon advocate. [volume] (Lehighton, Pa.) 1872-1924, 1888-05-19

a British officer was secretly recruiting
company of Tories for the royal army, not
far north of Newburgh. Thither Crosby
was sent. He sought employment As a
shoemaker a farmhouse, and was en-
gaced TO work on the farm a few days. He
tried in vain to elicit from the farmer any
indications Of his politics. At length.
while in the field, they heard the booming
Of cannon below. After some conyersa-
tion Crosby said:
"lYhat do YOU think of all this businessS"
The answer revealed the Tory procllvi-
ties OF the farmer Crosby led him on.
He expressed to the farmer his desire to
join the British army if he could. Salts
fed with evidences loyalty, the farmer told
him that In mountain not far off was
cave, used as headquarters by British
captain, who was recruiting company for
the British army, who would be glad to re.
ceive him as a recruit, with whom he could
90 In safety TO New York. That night the
he was cordially received. He told the
captain the story of his escape from the
rebels at FishkilI, joined his company as
John Brown, and gained the full confidence
Of his commander.
An arrangement was made for general
rendezvous of the company at barn near
Cornwall, at a certain time, to prepare for
proceeding to the British lines. Crosby
now wished to send communication Ia
the Committee of Safety. 70 be absent
from headquarters long might excite sus-
picion. He shrewdly suggested to the cap
tain that Townsend's Rangers were ubiqui-,
tous, and II they should fall upon them At
the barn they might ruin the whole corps.
He proposed partial scattering of the band
until the hour for departure. The captain
assented, when Crosby repaired to the
house of staunch Whig, whom he knew,
and desired him to saddle his bis horse and
carry message to the Committee at Fish
kill. 1t was done. Crosby wrote:
"GENTI.EMEN: hasten this express TO
request you to order Captain Townsend's
company OF Rangers to repair Immediately
to the barn on the west side Of Butter Hill.
and there to secrete themselves until We
arrive, which will be tomorrow evening
probably about seven O'Clock, where with
about thirty Thirty Tories, they may find
your obedient servant, JOHN BROWN"
Accompanied by Col Duer, one Of the
Committee of Safety, Captain Townsend
with his Rangers appeared promptly at the
appointed time ard place, and secured the
whole band of Tories, with the English
captain. Duer had come to protect Cros-
by, for Townsend chagrined at his escape
from Fishkill, might now use him harshly.
They were all taken to Fishkill. Crosby
was marched mile from the church 10 g
farmhouse where Jay, one of the Commit
tee resided, and which was the temporory
headquarters of Townsend. The latter.
determined that his troublesome prisoner
should not again escape, put Crosby In q
room by himself under strong guard.
At about midnight Crosby was awakened
by gentle touch, and saw the sweet face
of maiden beuding over him with dark
lantern.
'Follow me without speaking, " she said
Crosby obeyed. AS they left the room
the girl locked the door, led Crosby out by
back way, and pointing to mountain
which lay bathed in moonlight, babe him
seek safety among its crags.
"But how have you effected this?' asked
the bewildered prisoner, "and what will be
the result to your self ard that careless SEN
tinel?"
Fear nothing for either" replied the
girl, 'but hasten to the mountains. shall
Instantly return the key to Townsend's
pocket. DIR. Miller's opiates are wonder
fully powerful when mixed with brandy
Now fly for your life The sentinel shall
be on his feet when the relief comes. You
have not a moment TO lose. l shall be At
Hopewell by the time the alarm is given.
Not another word Il want no thanks--Jay
is your protector. FlYf'
Townsend and his men had tasted all daV
The maiden provided the captain and the
sentinel with bountiful supper, and with
plenty OF brandy, which she had drugged.
and they slept soundly until morning.
Townsend was puzzled. How could ths
prisoner escape from the locked room, and
the key in the captains pocketl He con,
cluded he had climbed up the chimney.
He swore that If he ever caught Crosby
again he would hang him on the spot
After few more eqnally striking adven.
lures, Crosby, finding himself suspected BY
the Tories. deemed it no longer prudent TO
play the part of spy and left the secret
service. At the close of the war he became
a small farmer, was twice married, was JUS
tice of the Peace twenty-elght years, and
was deacon of Presbyterian church
many years. He died in the town of South
east, Putnam County, on Jan. n, 1884, In
he eighty-eighth year of his age.
| BRNsoN ]. LOSING, LID.
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