James Fenimore Cooper
Image Attribution: John Wesley Jarvis (Public domain)
Image Attribution: John Wesley Jarvis (Public domain)
"It is an accusation against you, that, being an officer of the enemy, you passed the pickets of the American army at the White Plains, in disguise, on the 29th of October last, whereby you are suspected of views hostile to the interests of America, and have subjected yourself to the punishment of a spy."
The mild but steady tones of the speaker, as he slowly repeated the substance of this charge, were full of authority. The accusation was so plain, the facts so limited, the proof so obvious, and the penalty so well established, that escape seemed impossible. But Henry replied, with earnest grace,—
"That I passed your pickets in disguise, is true; but—"
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