“It would seem so,” agreed the colonel. “Where is Dick Dare?” he asked, after a few moments.
“He stayed there, with the intention of waiting till after dark and trying to learn their plans.”
“That is a good idea. How strong is their force, do you think?”
“About fifteen hundred, sir, I should judge.”
“That is what Ben Foster said. Well, we have a thousand men, and will be able to give Arnold a good fight.”
“Yes, I think we can hold our own against his force,” said Captain Morgan.
After answering a few more questions, Tom made his way to the point where his company was quartered, and found Ben there. Herbert Miller, the school-teacher, was there also, and he informed Tom that he had joined the patriot army.
“Good for you. I’m glad of that,” said Tom.
CHAPTER XX—Dick And Hank Sprowl
Dick remained near the Tory settlement till nightfall, and then began to figure on entering and trying to learn something about the intentions of the enemy. The British force was encamped just at the edge of the settlement, and the youth believed he could visit one of the houses and perhaps learn something from the settler, without being seen by any of the redcoats.