Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1888-05-23

news. He greeted Crosby warmly, and be
was entertained as friend of the royal
cause. The next day he was introduced tc
the captain of a company nearly ready tC
join the British, and was shown by him /;
long muster roll. Crosby became thu
guest of the captain that night, who re
vealed to his new recruit all their plans.
Retiring early, when all was quie
Crosby left his bed, sped to White Plains
revealed his discovery, ard returned before
day ybreak. That following night the com
pany were all assembled at the captains
house. Crosby was one of the most active
among them. Suddenly the tramp of hor.
ses was heard and then a shout at the door
Surrender, or you are all dead men %
Some fled to the attic, some to the eel
lar, but all were arrested, taken to White
Plains, and then sent up the Hudson aud
imprisoned in the Dutch Church at Fish
kill village, five miles from the landing
Crosby was among the prisoners, who were
taken before the Committee of Safety, sit
ting at house near Fishkill village
When left alone with the Committee, alter
the other prisoners we're taken away, a
plan for his escape was formed he was
instructed to go to person at Wappinger's
Creek, who would give him directions
son. Then be assumed the name of John
Brown. That night he escaped through a
window of the church, adroitly avoiding
the sen,inels. He fled to swamp and baf-
fled pursuers.
The Committee had been informed that a
British officer was secretly recruiting q
company of Tories for the royal army, not
far north of Newburgh. Thither Crosby
was sent. He sought employment as a
shoemaker at farmhouse, and was en-
gagged to work on the farm 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 conversation
Crosby said,
"What do you think Of all this bust
ness?"
The answer revealed the Tory proclivi-
ties of the farmer. Crosby led him on
He expressed to the farmer his desire to
join the British army if be could. Satisfied
with evidences of the laborer's loyalty, the
farmer told him that in a mountain not far
off was a cave, used as headquarters by a
British captain, who was recruiting COM
pany for the British army, who would be
glad to receive him as recruit, with
whom he could go in safety to New York.
That night the farmer piloted Crosby to
the cave, where he was cordially received.
He told the captain the story of his escape
from the rebels at Fishkill, joined his COM
pany as John Brown, and gained the full
confidence of his commander.
An arrangement was made for a general
rendezvous of the company at barn near
Cornwall, at certain time, to prepare for
proceeding to the British lines. Crosby
now wished to send communication to
the Committee of Safety. To be absent
from headquarters long might excite sus-
picion. He shrewdly suggested to the cap
tain that Townsend's Rangers were ubi-
quitous, and if 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 Wbig, whom he
knew, and desired him to saddle his horse
and carry message to the Committee at
Fishkill. 1t was done. Crosby wrote
''GENTLEMEN: hasten this express to
request you to order Captain Townsend Is
company of Rangers to repair Immediately
to the barn on the west side of Butter Hill,
and there to secrete themselves until we ar
rive, which will be tomorrow evening, pro-
badly about seven o'clock, where, with
about thirty Tories, they may find your
loedient servant, JOHN BROWN"
Accompanied By Col. Duer, one of the
Committee of Safety, Captain Townsend
with his Rangers appeared promptly at the
appointed time and place, aud 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 to q
farmhouse where Jay, one of the Commit
tee, resided, and which was the temporary
headquarters of Towdsend. The latter,
determined that his troublesome prisoner
should not again escape, put Crosby in a
room by himself under strong guard.
At about midnight Crosby was awakened
by gentle touch, and saw the sweet face
of maiden bending over him with a 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