Los Angeles herald., 1908-10-04
$S&SY


and Jerry was compelled to put his arms around
the old beasts neck to keep his seat. Thus they
went past Nathan Abbotts house just as the
stranger was coming in from the barn where he
had put his big grey.
The galloping horse was kept going up the
road until the tory's house shut from view by
grove of trees, then he stopped and his small
rider slid off his back and led him from the road
into the thckest part of the grove. Here he was
tied and his master started through the grove to
get to the back of the house
Jerry knew that Nathan Abbott had so-called
office in of the rooms on that side of the house
where he would be to take the man If there
was anything private to be discussed There was
a bush directly below the window OF that
ROOM where the boy could screen himself.
From the grove he made for the woodshed which
was lust back of the house and from that to the
corner of the house and along the side to the rose
bush beneath the window. One of the panes in
the window had, at some time been broken and an
old rag had been stuffed in its place to keep out
the now, cold air. 1t had not been put in very
tight, however, and when Jerry Crane got to the
rose bush he could hear someone talking in that
room. He squeezed himself in between the house
and the bushes and listened closely.
"And YOU say General Howe is going to make
a night march, surprise Washington and scatter,
or make prisoners of his whole army
That was Nathan Abbotts voice. Jerry would
have known it anywhere.
Eyes" answered the voice of the stranger "he has
all his plans laid Only few of his trustiest Off
GERS have been told so Washington cannot possibly
hear of it."
Good for Howe" exclaimed the tory in his
wheezy voice, "ths will put an end to the war
and leave His Majesys soldiers still in possession
of the land
Have you heard anything from Briggs lately?"
asked the other in lower voice
Yes he managed to slip down little while last
night" replied Nathan, and he, too. lowered his
voice. "He says Washington is using him as one
of his aids, and of doesn't have the slight
est suspicion that he is British spy
"He doesn't go by his name, does he?' was
the next question.
"Oh no. he calls himself Noah Jenkins
Both men seemed to think this something
funny, for they laughed quietly, and Nathan Alb
bott took pinch of snuff, or rather, Jerry Crane
could imagine he did, and he was probably not
very far out of the way for the tory was wont to
use great deal of the article.
The lad decided that the conference was ended
and he quietly slipped out from behind the rose
bush and along the wall to the corner again. From
there he went as he had come back to where old
Dick was standing half asleep.
Untying him. Jerry led him up beside d1ap-
idated rail fence that along the side of the
road, he could get onto his back from it, as the
boy was too short to climb up from the ground.
Before he had mounted he secured a little switch
and now when he fairly seated he began ply
ing it with a good deal of vim the flank of his
steed, and for once old Dick was fully woke up.
He laid back his ears and struck into gallop that
would have bounced his rider off his back in no
time, if the latter had not caught him around the
neck and held tight.
On they went at steady gallOp keeping on the
straight road to Whitemarsh. They came to the
crossroad where they should turn to go to Jerry's
friends but Dick was not allowed to leave the main
highway, and they sped on
Finally as they came to the top of small hill
the lad in the distance great numbers of sol
diers gathered in groups around small fires scat
tered the encampment Jerry slackened his