Omaha daily bee., 1896-03-29

look and see the enemyS. shipping and now
and then hear the booming of cannon az
they saluted. from the forts on the island
some passing vessel.
Peg Harbor was a small village, but it
contained half a dozen boys who, early in
the struggle of the colonies, had formed
themselves. into a liberty-loving league, in
tended to give the patriots all the aid and
comfort 1t could. =.
The boys owned a VIII lie boat which they
had christened the Nancy Bell, and on more
than enc occasion they had rowed across
the sound and taken a look at some of the
British forts there. During these trips they
saw the country retreat Of Hiram Dale, a
loud mouthed loyalist, and one Of the most
prominent of King Georges supporters on
the island, a great old-fashione1 colonial
residence surrounded by a high stone fence
and possessing a wide porch over which in
the summer time parti-colored creepers vege-
tated In profusion.
own use, that is, he did not let everybody
inspect them, and the six little rebels never
got any further than the stone fence.
H CONSPIRACY.
One night near the close of the month Of
August the six boys of Peg Harbor might
have been seen in close consultation under
the stone wall which ran parallel with the
waters Of the sound.
They talked in whispers, which indicated
that some sort of expedition, was on the
tapis, for Tom Harris said:
Judge Dale won't have the party with
out getting his friend, the big major from
the fort, to take part in it. The major
Major Perley is his name-is an officer Of
rank equal to my fathers, and II we could
only get possession Of him, why, the Harris
household would be the happiest one in
Peg Harbor."
IT'S worth trying boys" said one of the
others. THE house isn't far from the
beach and II we find ourselves likely to get
into trouble or to be overpowered-that's,
II the old Judge has more than the major
could soon make the boat"
Certainly, but We don't want to run I'M
less we're forced to-" put in Tom with
some emphasis. Mother wants father to
come home Just now and General Washing
ton would like to have him back in his
place. -.
Very well. Tom. He will soon be ex-
changed IL We do our duty tonight"
The six boys slipped away and were soor
launching the whale boat, which had been
rocking on the waters Of Peg Harbor in a
secluded spot.
The night was not very dark, but objects
could not be distinguished very far across
the water. A light breeze rippled the our
face of the sound, which was at its narrowest
at that particular point. for across 1t
could be seen the lights OF forts and viii
lagos. H.
The boys had beeen ffSaar4pped by a peddler
ground WaS %a ON the lesH isIsnd taBas that hS l might eh MIrsm IS
Dale, the ~loyalist, intended, to give a small
children's party at his residence called Rest
dale, beyond the messy stone fence.
The peddler could not say II the judges
friend, Major Perley, would honor the party
with his presence, but the chances were
that he would. rsfw
1t was this informatiobl which had brought
about the meeting of heIyoung conspirators
under the stone wall, pand they determined
to slip across the sound IN the whale boat
and capture the doughpy major, 30 as to re-
lease Toms father froms captivity. 1t was a
dangerous undertaking. buti the boys had
counted the cost and the pefils of it did not
daunt them. laL
THE NANCY bell.
The trim whale boat, we'll equipped with
oars and rudder, and carrying besides the
boys. six muskets and bayonets, glided over
the water like a swallow.
The dip OF the oars did not send forth any
suspicious sound, and with Tom Harris In
the bow the expedition promised success
from the start.
The sound was the travelling place for boats
OF all kinds which fitted hither and thither
at all hours. for the British forts had
brought out a great trafic with the farmers
and hucksters on the mainland, and these
people did not hesitate TO supply the kings
soldiers with vegetables Of all kinds.
The Nancy Bell was fortunate not TO be
challenged during her trip and when she was
run into a little natural cove on the opposite
side OF the sound, Tom sprang out and Or
dered her beached.
The cove afforded a splendid hiding place
for the boat and It was left there while the
boys. taking out the muskets. shouldered