"We didn't stop for such a critical examination," Seth replied grimly. "Just at that time we were doing our best to escape from the house of a Tory, where we'd been kept prisoners over night, and—"
"Was it a big building on the right-hand side of the road, with four poplar trees in front?" one of the men asked.
"Yes, and the door is painted green."
"I know the house well. A rank Tory by the name of Plummer lives there, and I only hope we may be given orders to pay him a visit. I've had some dealings with that fellow myself."
Seth would have questioned the soldier as to what "dealings" he had had, but for the fact that Enoch whispered:
"We mustn't wait here to talk; the general will expect us to come to him as soon as possible."
Then, asking for and receiving more explicit directions as to where General Dickinson would be found, the boys hurried forward, and, half an hour later, were detailing their experiences to the commander.
"Not very successful on your first scout, eh?" he said with a smile when the story was finished.
"We have at least learned where the Britishers are," Seth replied grimly, "and, what is more, know that the man Plummer is not a friend of the cause."
"I think it will be a good idea to call on him when we have time. We shall bivouac here tonight, for the sun will set in less than an hour, and you boys are excused from further duty to-day. Early to-morrow morning Master Ball will report to me personally."