“But we would have succeeded, if the soldiers had not come to the assistance of Arnold and the colonel,” said Dick.
They talked there an hour or so, and then the members of the Hart family went to their rooms, while Dick, Tom and Ben slept on blankets spread on the floor, as they had done the night before.
Next morning they ate an early breakfast, after which they said good-by, and took their departure, going over to a point from which they could see the British encampment.
The soldiers were just beginning to cook breakast, and the youths waited patiently till the redcoats had eaten. Then when they broke camp and started the day’s march, the youths advanced also, keeping well ahead of the British.
An hour or so before noon the British had reached a point about three miles from the patriot settlement where the patriot army had its quarters, but instead of going in that direction, the redcoats bore away to the left and headed toward the Tory settlement three miles farther to the southward.
“They are going to the Tory settlement,” said Dick. “Likely they will encamp there, and then will figure on engaging our army in battle.”
“I guess that’s about what they are going to do,” said Tom.
“Well, as we are within about three miles of the patriot encampment, one of us had better go there with the news of the presence in this vicinity of the British army. Which of you will go?”
“I’ll go,” said Ben.
“Very well. Tell Colonel Morris that the British are evidently going to go into camp at the Tory settlement, and that as soon as we see that they have done so, we will bring him word.”