Bob, Mark, or any of the Liberty Boys, in fact, would have been glad to go with him, but the general thought it was best to go alone, and so he took no one with him. The pass had been taken from a spy whom the patriots had captured and enabled Dick to get through the lines in safety. Reaching the city, he set about getting the information required, and secured it the first day he was there. That night there was an alarm of fire in the lower part of the city, and Dick dressed himself and went out with many others to ascertain its extent and see what he could do to help put it down.
It had started in a low groggery on Whitehall wharf and was of considerable extent, spreading as far as Beaver street, and then shifting to the west, and going as far as the river and nearly to Partition street, Trinity church being destroyed on the way. It had started by accident, but many of the British declared that it had been set by the Americans, and there was a bitter feeling against them, many innocent persons being put to death by the enraged people.
During the fire, while Dick was working with others to stop its spreading, a man was caught looting a burning house and was at once dragged away and hanged to a post holding a street lamp. Dick saw his face for an instant and recognized Tom's father. There was no interceding for the man, who had been caught red-handed, and he suffered the penalty of his crimes.
"His wife and the rest are the better off for his taking away," said Dick to himself, "but I cannot tell how he died. He was never of any use to them and they are better off without him."
The fire burned out at length, but there were smoking ruins the next day and for several days, although Dick did not remain as long as that. He got away the next day and made his way out of the city and to the camp with very little difficulty, his pass being of great assistance to him. Changing his clothes and putting on his uniform, Dick reported at once to the commander-in-chief and was complimented upon securing the information so promptly. Reporting other matters that he had learned, Dick returned to the camp and told Bob and a few others how the Tory had met his death, adding:
"Do not say anything to Tom about it. I will tell him that his father is dead, but not how it happened. It is a hard thing to say, perhaps, but they are better off without him than they ever were with him."
"It is the truth, at any rate," muttered Bob, "though it may not be necessary to tell them."
A few days later the Liberty Boys were ordered into lower Westchester to check the advance of Howe and Cornwallis, who were trying to get behind the Americans at King's Bridge and thus have a better opportunity to attack Fort Washington, which the British leader had set his heart upon subduing.
"That will give us plenty to do," declared Bob, "and give us a chance to bother the redcoats."
"And give Patsy a chance to get rid of some of his extra fat," laughed Mark, who was a bit of a tease.