“Yes, it was my only salvation. There was near to being an end to Dick Dare.”
Slowly the time rolled away, and evening came, with the redcoats still encamped on the top of the knoll. As soon as it was dark, Dick crept up close to the encampment, and after listening a while, succeeded in hearing enough of the conversation of the soldiers to learn that it was their intention to remain there all night.
Dick made his way back to where Tom and Ben were and told them the news. “Such being the case,” he said, “we don’t need to stay right here and keep watch on the camp all the time. We will go and find a settler’s home and get something to eat.”
“That’s the idea,” said Tom. “I am beginning to feel pretty hungry.”
“I could enjoy a bite, myself,” said Ben.
“Come, then,” said Dick. “We’ll see if we can find a place where we can get something to eat.”
He set out through the woodland with Tom and Ben close beside him. They traveled thus for perhaps half an hour, during which time darkness overtook them, then they suddenly caught sight of lights, through between the trees.
“There’s a little settlement!” exclaimed Tom.
“Yes, and there’s something going on at one of the houses,” said Ben. “See, that house near the center is lighted up more than the others, and I hear music.”
“Sounds like a violin,” said Tom. “Likely they are having a party there.”