Page:Tomlinson--The rider of the black horse.djvu/158

142 goyne's army. I think I understand pretty well the sentiment of the people, but one never knows. Sometimes even the very men on whom we believe we can most strongly rely are the ones to disappoint us first. Here's a letter I received this morning, for example," he added as he held forth a paper to Robert. "I know the young Dutchman referred to, and I would have relied upon him as much as I would upon you, but you see what Captain Underdunck has to say."

Robert took the letter and began to read:

Taken in Tappen Lane between the Hours of Eleven & Twelve O'clock at night Dirck Rykman on Horse Back Heading one David Rake & Peter Lent with a Scouting party from the Enemy; And it appears by Evidence that said Rykman was Privy to the Scout, for said Rykman was Riding up and Down the Lanes at the Said time of night, untill one of our Centinals challenged & Stopt him, and Orderd him to Return home; yet he past the Lane which led Home, went on to meet his party, as appears by the Short aproach of the