"'The very fellow!' exclaimed the other—'you recollect how he escaped—seize him!'
"In a moment, the strong hand of the first was laid upon him, and his grasp was the grasp of an Anakim—and though Crosby might have been a match for him alone,—prudence forbade resistance—they were two—he was but one;—they were armed with muskets—he had no weapon about him.
"'To-morrow,' said the principal, 'you shall go to head quarters, where, my word for it, you'll swing without much ceremony. The committee will never take the trouble to try you again, and Townsend declares that he wishes only to come once more within gun shot of you.'
"'Is it so?' asked Crosby.
"'Even so'—replied the stranger—'your time is short.'
"Crosby was seldom alarmed—but now he could perceive real danger. Could he be fairly tried he might escape—but to be delivered into Townsend's hands, and perhaps the Committee of Safety at a distance— he might, indeed, come to harm.
"He had one resort—he could show his pass, and it might save him. Accordingly, drawing it forth, he presented it to his captors; 'Read that,' said he, 'and then say, whether I am worthy of death.'
"Astonishment sat on the countenances of both while they read the pass. When it was finished, the principal observed, 'I am satisfied— we have been deceived—others are deceived also;—you are at liberty to go where you please. This is the hand-writing of Mr. Jay—I know it well.'
"Crosby might, perhaps, have staid where he was through the night—but his feelings were such, that he preferred to seek other lodgings. Accordingly, shouldering his pack, he set forth in quest of a resting place; which at the distance of a couple of miles, he was so fortunate as to obtain.
"But he was destined to other troubles. Scarcely had he laid aside his pack, and taken a seat near a comfortable fire, before a man entered, whom he was sure that he had seen before.