Gen. P. "Sit down, my children, sit down. Did I ever tell you about Enoch Crosby?"
William. "Enoch Crosby? why, I never heard of such a man."
Henry. "Nor did I."
Gen. P. "I suppose not; but he was a brave man, and did that for his country, which is worthy to be told."
John. "Was he a general, father?"
Gen. P. "No; he was a spy."
William. "A spy! a spy! father, I thought a spy was an odious character?"
Gen. P. "Well, a real spy is generally so considered. I think it would be more appropriate to say, that he was an informer. During the war, many Americans were employed to obtain information about the enemy. They were often soldiers, and received pay, as did the soldiers, and sometimes obtained information, which was very important, especially about the tories, or such Americans as favoured the British cause."
Henry. "Is that the meaning of the word tory?"
Gen. P. "Yes; tories were Americans, who wished that the British aims might succeed, and the king of England might still be king of the colonies. Those who wished differently, and who fought against the British, were called whigs."