"Thot's a foine idea," said Tim, greatly pleased with the new turn things had taken.
"And, of course, at the end of the chase, if it only lasts that long, we'll try to make our escape, and get to Vincennes with Dick and Fritz. But I suppose that's almost too much to expect."
"Oi don't know, now. This pack of hounds seems moighty anxious to catch up with your brother and the Dootchman, and Oi'm after thinkin' they'll stay roight along to the ind of the chase."
"Let's hope the chase only ends in Vincennes then," replied Tom, hopefully.
That night the British party were able to make out the lights of several camp fires across the bay. The day's trip had brought them near the head waters of the Chesapeake, and across the narrower portion of the water the glitter of the fires could be easily distinguished. A council was held by the officers and they determined to make an early start in the morning and endeavor to reach the end of the bay before the party on the opposite shore, so that if their prey were with the other group and traveling in the same direction, they might be within striking distance.
The night passed without adventure and the two boys made considerable progress toward getting friendly with the troopers by relating stories while seated about the fires in the evening. From the talk of the soldiers, carefully guided by veiled hints from Tom, they learned the history of Dick Dare's and Fritz's adventures since they had left Charleston.
The soldiers recounted their many encounters with the two energetic Patriots and were especially bitter about their defeat by the boys and their friends some days back on the road. Tom and his companion could scarcely refrain from laughing at the thought that these men were so innocently telling Dick's own brother and one of his closest friends how these two trouble makers had outwitted the forces of his royal majesty, King George the Third.
The troopers soon tired of telling of their poor success with Dick and Fritz, however, and rather than seem too curious about the other boys, Tim encouraged one of them to tell a story of one of the European wars that the troop had engaged in.
The man was noted for his odd tales and needed but sufficient coaxing and an appreciative audience to launch into one of his yarns.
"All right," the soldier replied to Tim's urging. "Some of us boys were in the regiment when this happened, and remember the incident, but if they can stand for an old story, I'll let you have it."