"A piece of rank carelessness on the part of the men," the major was saying. "They were both securely guarded, and should never have escaped, but the minute our backs are turned these hired troops forget their duty, and everything else but themselves, and give those rascals a chance that they didn't overlook."
"There'll be the dickens to pay when this gets to headquarters," said the young fellow in civilian's clothes. "We have got to get them again, or we will have to pay for it. I've followed those two for a full week or more, and had them almost secure three times, and every time they slip away when they seem safest. When we get them again we'll have to let nothing stand in the way of their safe return to Charleston."
"Don't worry, we'll get them again," returned the major. "With this force at our disposal, two young fellows like that can never successfully escape us for long."
"They better not or we might as well stay away too," replied the young man. "And, besides, I have a little personal matter to settle with one of them."
"So that's what makes you so anxious to get them, is it?" queried the officer.
"That makes me doubly anxious," answered the younger man.
"Do you know who they are talking about?" asked Tom, in a whisper.
"Sure, and it must be Dick Dare and Fritz," answered Tim.