The Liberty Boys Running the Blockade; or, Getting Out of New York

CHAPTER 1.–A Clever Capture.
I think that fellow is following us, Bob.
What fellow, Dick?
The one on the other side of the way, the man with a beard and a steeple-crowned hat.
Yes, I see him, but why should he follow us, Dick?
To obtain information, I suppose. He is certainly watching and following us and if we were to stop anywhere you would see that he would do the same.
Suppose we try it, Dick?
Very well. I may get some information myself. There is Fraunces' tavern. That is as good as any place.
Yes, for that is a general resort for army officers, and if this man is a spy, as you seem to think, he will be very likely to go to just such places.
The boys, well built and handsome, bronzed from exposure to the weather and wearing the uniform of the Continental army, were making their way along Wall street in the City of New York one pleasant September afternoon. Dick Slater was the captain and Bob Estabrook the first lieutenant of the Liberty Boys, a band of one hundred sterling young patriots engaged in the war for American independence, and at that time quartered in New York, on the Commons at the upper end of town.
As they were walking along Wall street, Dick, who was very observant, noticed a man on the opposite side of the street, who seemed to be watching them closely as if with an idea of learning what they knew, and following them wherever they went. At this time the city was threatened by the British, who held Long Island and had ships at Staten Island just across from Manhattan ready to proceed up the rivers at any time. The presence of British spies in the city was suspected, and Dick, who was an expert spy himself, had his suspicions concerning the man opposite as soon as he saw the fellow.
Turning into Broad Street, the boys walked down and at once the spy, if he were one, took the same direction. Fraunces tavern, on the corner of Broad and Pearl streets, was at that time a great resort for army officers and men-about-town, and was, therefore, just the place which the boys would frequent. Crossing the street when they reached Pearl street, the boys went into the tavern, and were shortly followed by the man in the steeple-crowned hat, who took a seat at a table near enough to understand all that they said.