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The Dare Boys of 1776
by
Stephen Angus Cox
Illustrations by R. Mencl
New York
The Platt & Peck Co.
Copyright 1910
by
The A. L. Chatterton Co.
Contents
I. The Clang of the Liberty Bell
II. Waylaid on the Road
III. Ben Foster Brings Important News
IV. A Night Attack
V. The Dare Boys in New York
VI. Chosen for Dangerous Work
VII. Dick's First Adventure
VIII. Tom Dare Acts
IX. The Brothers Together
X. In the Enemy's Camp
XI. Tom in Trouble
XII. Dick Does Wonderful Work
XIII. General Washington is Pleased
XIV. The Haunted House
XV. Dick Again Does Spy-Work
XVI. The Battle of Long Island
Chapter I
The Clang of the Liberty Bell
It was the fourth day of July of the year 1776. There was great
excitement in all of the colonies of America at that time, for on this
day the representatives of the people, gathered together in the city
of Philadelphia, were to decide whether the Declaration of
Independence, already drawn up, should be adopted and signed. In
Philadelphia, as may well be supposed, the excitement was so intense
that the people suspended business. They thronged the streets, walking
up and down, talking excitedly, and waiting, waiting for the decision
to be made, the determination that would mean so much to them.
The people talked and gesticulated, and there was considerable
arguing, some contending that the Declaration of Independence would be
adopted and signed, others that it would not.
"Look, here it is almost evening," contended one of these latter, "and
nothing has been done yet. If they were going to adopt the Declaration
it would have been done before this. The delay means that it will not
be done."
"They are taking their time to it, that is all," replied the others.
"It is a most serious matter and not to be taken up hastily and
without due thought. They will adopt and sign the Declaration of
Independence before the day is gone, see if they don't!"
Dick and Tom Dare, two patriot youths, brothers, from about three
miles over in New Jersey, who had come to the city to hear the news,
listening eagerly, were thrilled by the excitement and interest shown
on every side.
"Oh, I hope they will adopt the Declaration of Independence, Dick!"
said Tom. "I'm sure they will, aren't you?"
"I think they will, Tom. I hope so."
"Bah, they won't do nothin' uv the kind, Dick Dare!" cried a sneering
voice at their side, and turning, the Dare youths saw Zeke Boggs and
Lem Hicks, the sons of two Tory neighbors, standing there.
"Uv course they won't," added Lem Hicks. "They don't darst. They know
that ef they do, they'll git into trouble with King George. They won't
ring no old Liberty Bell to-day."
"Well, they just will!" cried Tom Dare, who was an excitable,
impulsive youth. "They'll ring it pretty soon, Lem Hicks, and they
aren't afraid of your old king, not a bit of it!"
"What's thet! Don't ye dare speak disrespectfully uv the king!"
snarled Zeke Boggs, making a threatening motion with his fist. "Ef ye
do, why et'll be the worse fur ye, that's all."
Instantly Dick Dare, who was the elder of the brothers, a handsome,
manly youth of eighteen years, seized Zeke by the wrist, and pushed
him back, at the same time saying quietly, yet firmly:
"That will do, Zeke. Don't go making any threats. You and Lem go about
your business, and don't interfere with Tom and I."
"We'll go where we please," snarled Zeke, who was a vicious youth of
about Dick's age, as was Lem Hicks also. "An' we'll stay heer ef we
want to, too, Dick Dare, an' ye can't he'p yerself."
"That's all right," calmly; "you can stay here, I suppose, if you want
to, but you will have to behave yourselves and attend to your own
business. If you try to interfere with Tom and I, or to bully us, you
will wish you hadn't stayed."
"Is thet so?" sneeringly. "Whut'll ye do, Dick Dare, hey?"
"Yes, whut'll ye do?" cried Lem Hicks, pushing forward and facing
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