They were well pleased, and although they had not killed any of the Tories outright, yet the youths were sure they had wounded several, for they had heard the ruffians give utterance to cries of pain, and too, they saw blood on the ground in several places.
Dick now hastened to the Foster home and reported the victory over the Tories, and was congratulated by all there, even Mr. Foster, the avowed king's man, seeming very well pleased for he was an honest, honorable man, and not at all in sympathy with the night-marauding tactics of his Tory neighbors.
Mrs. Dare and Mary accompanied Dick home, and the good woman thanked Ben for coming and helping her sons.
“Oh, that's all right,” smiled Ben. “I was glad to come. I wanted a chance at those cowardly Tories.”
“And we thrashed them soundly, too, mother,” said Tom.
“Do you think there is any danger that they will return?” queried Mrs. Dare, somewhat anxiously.
“I don't think so, mother,” said Dick. “They've had all the fighting they want, for one night, I am sure.”
“I think so,” said Ben Foster. “But I'll stay here, Mrs. Dare, and if they come, we will be able to drive them away again.”
But the Tories did not return. They had, as Dick said, evidently seen all the fighting they wanted, for one night.
Dick, Tom, and Ben Foster began getting ready to go to New York, that day, to join the patriot army under General Washington. They would be ready in a day or two, as there was not a great deal to do.