“Yes,” was the reply. “The patriot settlers succeeded in driving the redcoats away.” And then he told what they had learned by listening to the conversation of the British soldiers after their return from their unsuccessful attempt to reach the island in the swamp.
“Oh, I am so glad to hear that the patriot families are safe!” exclaimed Mrs. Santon.
“Yes, but they are still in danger,” said Miller. And he told how the redcoats were going to keep up a siege. But he also told how Tim Murphy had gone to get a company of patriot soldiers to come and drive the raiders away, and rescue the patriots. He added that he did not have any doubts but that this would be done successfully.
CHAPTER XII—The Pathfinders
Next morning, after breakfast, Fritz Schmockenburg and Herbert Miller said they would go and reconnoiter the enemy’s position, and see what they were doing.
“Be careful,” said Mr. Santon. “Don’t run into any of the enemy’s traps.”
“We will be careful,” said Miller.
“Yah, ve von’t let dem gatch us,” confidently rejoined Fritz.
So they said good-by, took their departure, and in about twenty minutes were close enough to the British to see that all was quiet in the encampment.
The redcoats were sitting around, talking and taking it easy, and did not seem to have any fear of being attacked, for they did not have any sentinels posted. Doubtless they had not yet learned that a patriot regiment was in the vicinity.