I began to grow up—times began to be troublesome

From The Road to Guilford Courthouse by John Buchanan. Page 123.

I began to grow up—times began to be troublesome, and people began to divide into parties. Those that had been good friends in times past became enemies; they began to watch each other with jealous eyes, and were designated by the name of Whigs and tory. Recruiting officers were out in all directions, to enlist soldiers.” James wanted to follow his older brother into the army. Daniel was strongly opposed, but James was equally stubborn. A compromise was worked out. James became a teenage Rebel spy. “There was a Mr. Moffitt in the neighborhood who was then captain of the militia, was pretty shrewd and an active partizan. I had often been sent on business by my father in various directions through the country, and was frequently employed by others to hunt stray horses, etc.; consequently I became acquainted with all the by-paths for twenty or thirty miles around. Moffitt consulted my father and it was agreed that I should be made use of merely as a collecter of news. In order to prepare me for business, I had to receive several lectures. I was furnished with documents—sometimes a list of stray horses with marks and brands, sometimes with papers and other business. I was to attend public places, make no inquiry, only about the business I was sent on, and pay strict attention to all that was passing in conversation and otherwise. I succeeded for some time without incurring the least suspicion, by which means the Tories were several times disappointed in their plans without being able to account for the cause.