CHAPTER XXIII—Dick And Arnold
When Dick Dare was confronted by General Arnold and Colonel Riggs, in the Sprowl home, he realized that it would be useless to offer resistance. So he simply sat there quietly, and made no move toward trying to get away. He was chiding himself, however, for not having been more careful, and see to it that Sprowl did not bring some redcoats back with him.
“Good evening, General Arnold,” said Dick, quietly. “I wasn’t expecting you.”
“I suppose not,” sarcastically. “But I’m here. That was a very shrewd plan of yours, to get Sprowl to secure information for you, and it might have succeeded, had it not been that I became suspicious when he told me about you, and I jumped to the conclusion that likely you were Dick Dare, so came to investigate.” Then he turned to Sprowl, who had entered with them, and said:
“Get a rope and bind his arms.”
Sprowl went to the kitchen and came back with a piece of rope, and he quickly tied Dick’s wrists together behind his back.
“Now, Dick Dare, you will answer a few questions, if you please,” said Arnold.
“What are the questions?” the youth asked.
“First, how many men are there in the rebel force?”
Dick shook his head. “I won’t answer that question,” he said.
“You had better,” threateningly.
“No.”
“Remember, you are in my power, Dick Dare. You are a rebel spy, and also I owe you something for trying to capture me, in New York a few months ago and again last evening. Answer my question.”
“I will not give you any information that might be of use to you in your campaign against the patriot force,” said Dick, decidedly.
“You had better think well. I have the power to order you strung up to a tree as a rebel spy.”
“That doesn’t make any difference,” was the reply. “I will give you no information, so there is no use of your asking.”
Arnold glared at Dick angrily for a few moments, and then said: “Very well. Since you wish to be stubborn, you may take the consequences. I think I shall have you strung up, perhaps tomorrow, Richard Dare!”
Dick made no reply, and Arnold summoned a couple of soldiers. They entered, took charge of Dick, and conducted him to a cabin that was being used as a guard-house. They thrust Dick into the building and closed and fastened the door. The youth was left alone in the darkness to ponder his dubious situation.
He felt that his position was a desperate one, for he knew that Arnold bore him ill will for the part he had played in trying to effect the traitor’s capture in New York; and, too, he was a spy, and death was usually the fate of spies.
Dick decided that he must manage to make his escape, but he felt that this would be extremely difficult, for there were soldiers on guard in front of the building, and his hands were still bound.
He worked at his bonds quite a while, however, in an effort to get his wrists free, but could not do so, Sprowl having tied the rope very securely. Finally Dick gave up the attempt, and felt around till he found a rude couch, upon which he threw himself, and presently went to sleep.
He did not sleep very soundly, but morning came at last, and a soldier brought him his breakfast. His wrists were freed while he ate, and he put in as much time at the meal as possible, so as to get the blood to circulating in his wrists and arms again. He wanted the soldier to let his arms remain free, but the fellow would not do it, and bound his wrists again.
Then he went out, closed and again fastened the door, and Dick sat down on the couch and tried to figure out some plan of escape, but without success.
That day passed slowly indeed for Dick Dare, but evening came at last, and while he was eating supper the redcoat informed him that an attack was to be made on the patriot force that evening.
“I wish I could be there to take part in it,” said Dick.
“No doubt,” was the reply. Then the soldier bound Dick’s wrists again, and withdrew.
So the redcoats were going to make an attack that evening! Well, Dick hoped that the patriots would not be taken by surprise. He wished that he might be able to escape and carry them the news, but he could not.
He heard the sounds of stirring about by the redcoats, and knew when they marched out of the settlement, and then he got up and walked the floor. He could not sit still, for the thought that perhaps the British might take the patriots by surprise was a disquieting one.
An hour passed, and then Dick guessed that the engagement was probably about to begin. And just then the faint sound of musketry and the occasional louder report of cannon came to his hearing, and then he knew the battle was on.
How he wished that he might be there! But the wish was vain. He could not escape from his quarters.
The firing continued for an hour, at least, and then suddenly, as Dick walked the floor, he saw one of the wide boards that constituted the floor of the building he was in, lift slowly, and at the opening thus made he saw his brother Tom!
“Sh!” whispered Tom. “I have come to rescue you, Dick.”