“How are you, sir?” said Dick, while Tom and Ben nodded a greeting. “Is this a patriot settlement?”
The man started. “Why do you ask?” he queried.
“Because, if such is the case, we have some important information for you.”
“What is the information?” The man looked eagerly at the youths.
“There is a party of British soldiers encamped a couple of miles from here, sir,” said Dick. “We spied on them and overheard them talking, and it is their plan to come here soon after dark, plunder your houses and then set fire to them. We hastened here to tell you the news.”
“And you did well, young men. I thank you, in the name of the people of the settlement. Who are you, and where are you from?”
“My name is Dick Dare, and this is my brother Tom, and this is a comrade, Ben Foster. We have just come down into this part of the country, from New York, with a regiment of patriot soldiers under General Morris. Our camp is about twenty miles from here.”
“Ah, I am indeed glad to hear that there is a patriot force in this part of the country,” said the man. “Since Arnold came here and took command of the British force in Virginia, we have been having a hard time of it. He seems to be extremely bitter, the soldiers and Tories are rough and insolent, and there has been a great deal of plundering and burning of houses recently.”
“Well, seemingly that is what the redcoats we saw intend doing here, to-night.”
“I will call the men of the settlement together, and we will decide what to do,” announced the man. “I will have them come here to my house, and you young men may as well remain here. Just step inside and have seats.”