CHAPTER XIX—The Armies Close Together
The three patriot youths would have succeeded in effecting the capture of Arnold and the colonel, had it not been that four or five British soldiers happened to be coming along the path. They were not far distant, and were on their way to the Hart home to get some cider. Hearing the cries for assistance made by the British officers they ran in the direction from which the sound came.
The patriot youths heard the redcoats coming, and recognized that it would be impossible to make prisoners of the two officers, now that reinforcements were at hand, so Dick and his comrades let go of the two and ran away through the woods at the top of their speed.
The officers called loudly, but did not themselves go in pursuit. As soon however as the soldiers reached them, they indicated the direction taken by their assailants and the soldiers took up the chase.
“I would wager anything that those scoundrels that attacked us were the Dare Boys and Ben Foster,” said Arnold, breathing hard. “They are just about daring enough to attempt such work as that.”
“Likely you are right,” agreed the colonel, who also was panting for breath.
“I hope that the men will capture them.”
“Yes, but I have my doubts.”
“So do I. The young rascals are fleet of foot and likely know the ground better than our men.”
“Yes, and in the darkness and amid the trees it will be an easy matter for them to escape.”
“I suppose so. Well, let us go on to the encampment.”
They set out and were soon at the camp, where they sat down for a refreshing smoke, to await the return of the soldiers who had gone in pursuit of the three patriots.
An hour and a half passed, and then two of the soldiers arrived at camp, and reported that they had been unable to catch the rebels.
“I hardly expected you would,” said Arnold, and then he dismissed them.
The other soldiers failing in their efforts to locate the boys had made their way to the Hart home, and were given several bottles of cider, which they drank, and then returned to camp.
They had scarcely gotten a hundred yards away from the house before Dick arid Tom Dare and Ben Foster entered at the rear door.
The three were given a cordial greeting, and when they told how they had tried to capture Arnold and his companion, Mr. Hart laughed heartily.
“That was a daring attempt to make,” he said.
“But we would have succeeded, if the soldiers had not come to the assistance of Arnold and the colonel,” said Dick.
They talked there an hour or so, and then the members of the Hart family went to their rooms, while Dick, Tom and Ben slept on blankets spread on the floor, as they had done the night before.
Next morning they ate an early breakfast, after which they said good-by, and took their departure, going over to a point from which they could see the British encampment.
The soldiers were just beginning to cook breakast, and the youths waited patiently till the redcoats had eaten. Then when they broke camp and started the day’s march, the youths advanced also, keeping well ahead of the British.
An hour or so before noon the British had reached a point about three miles from the patriot settlement where the patriot army had its quarters, but instead of going in that direction, the redcoats bore away to the left and headed toward the Tory settlement three miles farther to the southward.
“They are going to the Tory settlement,” said Dick. “Likely they will encamp there, and then will figure on engaging our army in battle.”
“I guess that’s about what they are going to do,” said Tom.
“Well, as we are within about three miles of the patriot encampment, one of us had better go there with the news of the presence in this vicinity of the British army. Which of you will go?”
“I’ll go,” said Ben.
“Very well. Tell Colonel Morris that the British are evidently going to go into camp at the Tory settlement, and that as soon as we see that they have done so, we will bring him word.”
“All right.” And then Ben hastened away in the direction of the patriot encampment.
Dick and Tom made their way onward, following now instead of preceding the British, and remaining on their trail till they arrived at the settlement, where, as the youths had expected, the British stopped and went into camp.
“That means that they are going to stay there a while,” said Dick. “So you go to the patriot encampment and tell Colonel Morris the news, Tom.”
“All right. You will stay here?”
“Yes, till nightfall, and perhaps I may be able to secure some definite information regarding their intentions.”
Tom then took his departure, and made his way toward the patriot settlement. He walked rapidly, and in less than an hour had arrived at his destination.
On entering the encampment, he asked where Colonel Morris had his quarters, and was directed to the Williams home, where he found the colonel, and also Captain Morgan, who greeted him pleasantly.
“You bring news of the British, my boy?” said the colonel.
“Yes, sir. They have reached the Tory settlement about three miles from here and have gone into camp.”
“Then they are here for a campaign against us,” said Captain Morgan.
“It would seem so,” agreed the colonel. “Where is Dick Dare?” he asked, after a few moments.
“He stayed there, with the intention of waiting till after dark and trying to learn their plans.”
“That is a good idea. How strong is their force, do you think?”
“About fifteen hundred, sir, I should judge.”
“That is what Ben Foster said. Well, we have a thousand men, and will be able to give Arnold a good fight.”
“Yes, I think we can hold our own against his force,” said Captain Morgan.
After answering a few more questions, Tom made his way to the point where his company was quartered, and found Ben there. Herbert Miller, the school-teacher, was there also, and he informed Tom that he had joined the patriot army.
“Good for you. I’m glad of that,” said Tom.