"'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'--

"'You are prisoners!' exclaimed a voice which struck a panic through
the clan, as the door was opened--'surrender, or you are dead men!'