"Keep a good watch for them, and if you see any give us a signal."
"Aye, aye! we'll keep a strict watch for them."
"That's what we've been doing ever since we left New York," muttered Ben, under his breath.
The ship was presently lost in the mist and darkness, and the boys went on, not knowing when they might come upon another. They kept close together, so as not to be separated, and drew as near to the shore as was safe, the ships being mostly in midstream. Now and then the darkness was so dense as to shut out everything, and once they ran upon a bar and had to push themselves off with considerable exertion, being unable to see anything. Getting off at last, they went on, but were at length hailed by a boat out on the river and not far from them.
"Boat ahoy!" cried Dick, in answer to the hail. "Are you from the Royal George?"
"No, the Inflexible. Are you from the George?"
"No; we are looking for her. We are carrying despatches."
"She must be up the river. We have seen nothing of her. Who are you?"
"Despatch boat. Keep a sharp lookout for the enemy. They are getting troublesome."
"Aye, aye!" and Dick and his boys went on rapidly, getting farther and farther away from the other boat every minute.