“Please direct me how to go in order to overtake him, General Putnam.”
“I will do so as nearly as possible, my boy.” Then the general gave Tom all the directions possible, and the boy said:
“Thank you, sir. I will try to join my brother to-night.”
“You had better keep your eyes open, Master Dare,” cautioned General Putnam. “You are going where redcoats are thicker than mosquitoes, and that is saying a good deal.”
“I'll look out for them, sir,” with a smile. “Good-bye, and thank you, General Putnam.”
“That's all right. You are welcome. Good-bye and good luck.”
Tom took his departure, and as soon as he was out of the patriot encampment, he hastened away in the direction that he had been told Dick had undoubtedly gone.
“Perhaps by hurrying I may be able to overtake Dick,” was his thought.
He walked swiftly, at times running, and came to the wooded hills much quicker than Dick had done. He climbed the hill quickly, and was soon making his way down the other side. He had gone only a few steps when he heard the report of the musket-shot, sounding close at hand and almost in front of him.
Instantly Tom was greatly excited. The thought came to him at once that a redcoat had fired that shot and that it had been fired at Dick, and with wildly-beating heart he ran forward, at the same time drawing a pistol from his belt. Tom was excited, but not at all frightened. His only fear was that perhaps Dick had been wounded or killed by the bullet from the musket, and he was eager to get a shot at the person who had just done the shooting.