[Illustration: The Old State House Bell] THE YOUNG AMERICAN'S LIBRARY. THE OLD BELL OF INDEPENDENCE; OR, PHILADELPHIA IN 1776. BY HENRY C. WATSON, AUTHOR OF "THE CAMP-FIRES OF THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION," "THE YANKEE TEA-PARTY, OR BOSTON IN 1773," ETC. ETC. With Illustrations. Entered, according to Act of Congress, in the year 1851, by LINDSAY AND BLAKISTON, in the Clerk's Office of the District Court of the United States for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania. PREFACE. To awaken in the minds of all Americans that veneration of the patriots and heroes of the War of Independence, and that emulation of their noble example which is so necessary to the maintenance of our liberties, are the objects of this little work. Every day's developments illustrate the importance of these objects. In the enjoyment of the freedom and prosperity of our country, we are apt to under-rate the means by which that enjoyment was secured to us, and to forget the men who worked for that end. A knowledge of the toils and sufferings of the noble-hearted fathers of the Revolution is the best preventative, or curative, for this "falling off." War, clothed as it is, with horrors, is to be condemned, and the spirit which leads to it should be driven from the breasts of men. But generous devotion, strength of resolution, and far-reaching skill, are things to be commended and imitated wherever displayed. In these pages, will be found stories of the chief men of the Revolution, so connected, by the manner in which they are narrated, as to give a general interest to them--"The Old Bell of Independence" being the rallying point of the veteran story-tellers. CONTENTS. INTRODUCTION STORY OF GENERAL WASHINGTON THE SPY'S FATE STORY OF THE SERMON STORY OF THE PRAYER STORY OF LYDIA DARRAGH THE DEAD MAN'S LAKE THE HALF-BREED DEATH OF COLONEL LOVELACE MURDER OF MISS McCREA DEFENCE OF SHELL'S BLOCK-HOUSE BATES'S REVENGE STORY OF GENERAL WAYNE THE OUTLAW OF THE PINES THE TORY'S CONVERSION THE TIMELY RESCUE THE BATTLE OF GERMANTOWN THE BATTLE OF THE KEGS ARNOLD'S TREASON CAPTURE OF GENERAL PRESCOTT JONATHAN RILEY AND FRANK LILLY MASSACRE OF WYOMING STORY OF THE DAUPHIN'S BIRTHDAY THE OLD BELL OF INDEPENDENCE. INTRODUCTION. It was a season of unparalleled enthusiasm and rejoicing, when General Lafayette, the friend and supporter of American Independence, responded to the wishes of the people of the United States, and came to see their prosperity, and to hear their expressions of gratitude. The national heart beat joyfully in anticipation; and one long, loud, and free shout of welcome was heard throughout the land.