"'Sure I am,' said Crosby. 'I gave them encouragement that I would 'join' them, and well should I like to fulfil such an engagement.'
"'You shall have an opportunity,' said the committee. 'Hold yourself in readiness, and may success crown the enterprise.'
"'At the appointed time, a company of troop well mounted, left White Plains; and, under the pilotage of Crosby, directed their course towards the spot. In the mean time, the company had assembled, and now, amid the darkness of the night, were arranging their plans——"
* * * * *
"'What noise is that!' asked one—rising from his seat, and turning his ear towards the quarter whence the sound came.
"'Nothing, I guess,' said a witty sort of fellow, in one corner of the room, 'but my old horse, taking lessons at the post, before——'
"'Something more serious, perhaps,' said the farmer, with whom Enoch Crosby had quartered, 'that yankee!'
"'Where is he?' asked a dark eyed, keen sighted tory, rising from his seat—'I didn't much like his looks, the other day.'
"'Something serious abroad!'—exclaimed several at the same time rising—'Captain! Captain!'
"'Go to the door,' thundered the Captain of the gang—'and reconnoitre'—