Year: 1861

and her cause replied the intruder, as he
advanced still nearer.


Stand, and give me the counterign, said
the sentinel. in a low, stern voice, as he
brought his musket to a charge. Il know
who you are, sir, of course, but then all
neediul forms must be gone through with.


you are right, Fearing-always attend to
your duty to the letter. The countersign is
Putnam


'Countersign's correct, replied the scnti'
mel, bringing his musket down athwart his
breast to the position known among military
men as the "port," and now, sir, we will
commence our conference


The conference need not be long, this bit
ter cold night replied the tall stranger, as
he drew his gray oyercoat more closely about
his noble figure, you know that when |
wrote you to come on from Virginia and en-
list in the army, | expressly gave you to un-
derstand that although you would be for the
time being ostensibly private soldier, yet |
had higher and moro important duties for
you to engage in, which, il you successfully
performed, you should have commission us
lieutenant


YES, sir. I am patriot. I would serve
my country to the last drop Of my blood If
il were necessary


Il believe you, Fearing. know you to
be good man and true, and that is why
have selected you for the duty which want
performed. | could not send for you to come
to my quarters without exciting suspicion,
and rs it is necessary to use great caution
and circumspection, 1 decided to visit you
when you were sentinel on the outpost, a
spot where We can converse without danger
Of being overheard


Your plans are well formed, sir, and
am now ready to listen to whatever instruc-
tion you may have to give


Tomorrow morning. continued the tall
stranger, in q low tone, 'you will obtain a
pass from your captain to 80 over the river
and spend the day. and to return in the eve
ming. But so far from returning, you will
make the best of your way to New York,
represent to Sir Henry Clinton that you have
deserted from the American army at West
Point, and are anxious to join that Of tho
British, and return to your allegiance to
England's king. OF course YOU will be
asked many questions by Sir Henry as to the
strength OF this post, the number OF troops
and other matters, which you must be care
ful to eIaggcrate Us much as you can with
safety. BY making him believe the post is
well defended, you may prevent his planning
an attack until spring, when we shall have
reiniorcements, and be better prepared to re-
ceive him should he see fit to pay US visit.
Do YOU perfectly understand me, Fearing2


'Pcrlectly, SIR


We'll, then. give heed. You will enter
the British army, watch with keen eyes ey-
cry thing that transpires, acquaint yourself
with its movements, its numbers, and every
thing that would be likely to be interesting
to me, and having obtained all the infOrma-
ton in your power, you can watch your op-
pOrtunity, make your escapeand return hith-
CT, when you will obtain your promised re
ward. 1t will require great caution, great
discretion, great secretiyeness ON your part,
to insure success, but should you succeed you
will be doing your country great service,
which she will not DO likely to forget. At
the same time will not conceal FROM you
the fact that the mission is fraught with
danger. Should your plans be discovered
you will be hanged just as sure as your name
is Albert Fearing


Il know that, sir


And knowing it, you decide to run the
haIardr


lido. Tomorrow l will be OF, and in
two days in the presence of Sir Henry Clin.
ton


IT'S we'll. will now return to the fort,
and remember shall look with anxiety for
the success Of your dangerous mission. Good
night


Good night, SIR


And the tall and stately figure turned and
disappeared within the shadow Of the neigh
boring thicket, from which he had emerged
when we introduced him to our readers,
while the grim sentinel continued to pace to
and fro upon his post as if nothing had hap
pened to break in upon the quiet tour Of his
duty. AT length the hour Of midnight ar
rived, and the soldier was relieved, and re-
turning to his straw couch in the barracks at
Fort Putnam, he was soon buried in a pro-
found and drcamles slumber.


The next morning our hero applied to the
captain Of his company for a pass to cross
the river on the Ice, giving as reason that
he wished to visit relative who resided on
the other side. Although Fearing had been
but a few days enlisted, yet so cheeriully and
faithfully had he performed his duties that
the request was readily granted, and the
young man, having dressed himself in his
best continental uniform, started Of, and was
soon seen plodding over the smooth surface
of ice which bridgcd the noble Hudson
That night at sundown the new recruit did
not return, and the next morning a party
was sent to look after him. They however
returned unsuccessful, much to the surprise
Of Washington and the other officers, and
he was reported to have deserted to the enc
my. This oecasioned considerable chagrin