At their head rode a heavy, middle-aged man, whose features
expressed as much of animal courage, and as little of reason, as could
be desired for such an occupation. He wore the dress of an officer, but
there was none of that neatness in his attire, nor grace in his
movements, that was usually found about the gentlemen who bore the royal
commission. His limbs were firm, and not pliable, and he sat his horse
with strength and confidence, but his bridle hand would have been
ridiculed by the meanest rider amongst the Virginians. As he expected,
this leader instantly hailed the peddler, in a voice by no means more
conciliating than his appearance.
"Hey! my gentlemen, which way so fast?" he cried, "Has Washington sent
you down as spies?"
"I am an innocent peddler," returned Harvey meekly, "and am going
below, to lay in a fresh stock of goods."
"And how do you expect to get below, my innocent peddler? Do you think
we hold the forts at King's Bridge to cover such peddling rascals as
you, in your goings in and comings out?"
"I believe I hold a pass that will carry me through," said the peddler,
handing him a paper, with an air of indifference.
The officer, for such he was, read it, and cast a look of surprise and
curiosity at Harvey, when he had done.
Then turning to one or two of his men, who had officiously stopped the
way, he cried,--
"Why do you detain the man? Give way, and let him pass in peace.
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