"You're a rebel, that's what you are, and all the rebels will be driven out'n this town, and then we gentlemen can do as we like."
"You gentlemen may be in jail or hanged by that time, and so know nothing about it," dryly. "You are a pretty sort of gentlemen! I'd rather not be one if you are a good specimen."
"I'll keep you in mind, my fine fellow," with a snarl. "You don't strike me for nothing, let me tell you that!"
"I did not I struck you for a good reason, and whenever the occasion rises again I will do the same, and you may remember that!" and then Dick turned on his heel and walked away, having caught sight of a man whom he had seen on the other side of the city, and whom he suspected to be one of Hughson's cronies, having seen him in the tavern near the Bowling Green. He followed the man carelessly so as to avoid suspicion, and presently saw him go into a low groggery down the street. The boy's father stood watching Dick for a time and then went off, Dick following the man he had seen and paying no attention to the other. He found the fellow sitting on a bench with others, but kept out of sight as much as possible, not knowing if he would be recognized.
"Been drove out of our place over on t'other side of the city, hain't you, Jeb?" asked one.
"Yes, by a lot of confounded rebels, too, and just as we was getting ready to sell off a lot of the stuff," snarled the other. "I'd like to get hold of the fellows!"
"Maybe when the redcoats come in you will, unless they get scared and get out before that."
"Yes, maybe. Seen Hughson over this way? He had a narrow shave of it. Come 'most to stretching a rope for old Put. Them same young rebels caught him."
"No, I ain't seen him, but I heard he was looking around to find all he could about the rebels so as to give the general a better show for getting in. Light up here, Jim, it's getting dark."
A hulking-looking man in a corner now arose to get lights, as it was growing dark in the place, and at the same moment some one entered and said: