"We keep our good ideas for those who are able to appreciate them," replied Tom, for his first encounter with this youth had left him with no very pleasant feelings toward him.
"We'll see about that," said the other, advancing on Tom. "I'll teach you how to answer a gentleman when he speaks to you."
"When a gentleman speaks to me I'll know how to answer him," replied Tom, while Tim burst out laughing.
The added insult of Tim Murphy's laughter was too much for the hot blooded southerner, and he sprang at Tom with an arm upraised, intending to show the Dare boy who was master in this case. But Tom had had too many of such little frays to be caught napping, and quickly stepping aside, he stuck out his foot and pushed the furious boy as he plunged past him. Tim was standing directly behind where Tom Dare had been, and he grabbed the falling figure as he lost his balance with Tom's push.
"Saved your loife, me little man," said Tim, carelessly letting the young fellow slide prone upon the ground. He then turned and walked away with Tom toward the major.
"Ha, ha!" laughed the soldiers, greatly tickled to see the southerner get a tumble.
"You uns got a fall that time for sure," said one.
The indignant object of these remarks, however, was hastily brushing off clinging pine needles and dirt, and meanwhile hurrying up after his two intended victims.
The boys had reached the major and that officer was having difficulty in restraining his laughter, for although some distance away, he had seen the incident clearly.
Tom saluted and said, quickly: "My companion and I have gotten interested in this chase, and as it promises to last but a few days at the most, would like to go on with you rather than go back and await your return. We can't be set free, you say, until you capture whoever you are after, so we may as well try to help you out and hurry our freedom at the same time."