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- 2026-01-30T20:48:05.590Z
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- 1383
- text
- CHAPTER VI.
ISRAEL MAKES THE ACQUAINTANCE OF CERTAIN SECRET FRIENDS OF AMERICA, ONE
OF THEM BEING THE FAMOUS AUTHOR OF THE “DIVERSIONS OF PURLEY,” THESE
DESPATCH HIM ON A SLY ERRAND ACROSS THE CHANNEL.
At this period, though made the victims indeed of British oppression,
yet the colonies were not totally without friends in Britain. It was
but natural that when Parliament itself held patriotic and gifted men,
who not only recommended conciliatory measures, but likewise denounced
the war as monstrous; it was but natural that throughout the nation at
large there should be many private individuals cherishing similar
sentiments, and some who made no scruple clandestinely to act upon
them.
Late one night while hiding in a farmer’s granary, Israel saw a man
with a lantern approaching. He was about to flee, when the man hailed
him in a well-known voice, bidding him have no fear. It was the farmer
himself. He carried a message to Israel from a gentleman of Brentford,
to the effect, that the refugee was earnestly requested to repair on
the following evening to that gentleman’s mansion.
At first, Israel was disposed to surmise that either the farmer was
playing him false, or else his honest credulity had been imposed upon
by evil-minded persons. At any rate, he regarded the message as a
decoy, and for half an hour refused to credit its sincerity. But at
length he was induced to think a little better of it. The gentleman
giving the invitation was one Squire Woodcock, of Brentford, whose
loyalty to the king had been under suspicion; so at least the farmer
averred. This latter information was not without its effect.
At nightfall on the following day, being disguised in strange clothes
by the farmer, Israel stole from his retreat, and after a few hours’
walk, arrived before the ancient brick house of the Squire; who opening
the door in person, and learning who it was that stood there, at once
assured Israel in the most solemn manner, that no foul play was
intended. So the wanderer suffered himself to enter, and be conducted
to a private chamber in the rear of the mansion, where were seated two
other gentlemen, attired, in the manner of that age, in long laced
coats, with small-clothes, and shoes with silver buckles.
“I am John Woodcock,” said the host, “and these gentlemen are Horne
Tooke and James Bridges. All three of us are friends to America. We
have heard of you for some weeks past, and inferring from your conduct,
that you must be a Yankee of the true blue stamp, we have resolved to
employ you in a way which you cannot but gladly approve; for surely,
though an exile, you are still willing to serve your country; if not as
a sailor or soldier, yet as a traveller?”
“Tell me how I may do it?” demanded Israel, not completely at ease.
“At that in good time,” smiled the Squire. “The point is now—do you
repose confidence in my statements?”
Israel glanced inquiringly upon the Squire; then upon his companions;
and meeting the expressive, enthusiastic, candid countenance of Horne
Tooke—then in the first honest ardor of his political career—turned to
the Squire, and said, “Sir, I believe what you have said. Tell me now
what I am to do.”
“Oh, there is just nothing to be done to-night,” said the Squire; “nor
for some days to come perhaps, but we wanted to have you prepared.”
And hereupon he hinted to his guest rather vaguely of his general
intention; and that over, begged him to entertain them with some
account of his adventures since he first took up arms for his country.
To this Israel had no objections in the world, since all men love to
tell the tale of hardships endured in a righteous cause. But ere
beginning his story, the Squire refreshed him with some cold beef, laid
in a snowy napkin, and a glass of Perry, and thrice during the
narration of the adventures, pressed him with additional draughts.
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