“Old hulks of dismantled ships,” was the reply. “We use them for prisons for those of the rebel army that we capture.”
“Are there any rebels in there now?” queried Dick, making his tone as careless as possible, though having his father in mind, his heart was throbbing with eagerness.
“Yes, there are a number in there–fifteen or twenty, I should judge. They are in the hulk farthest to the north. Among them are three or four rebel spies who will likely be shot or hanged sooner or later.”
Dick's heart thrilled as he heard this news. Perhaps he might be able to rescue all those poor, suffering patriot prisoners! He made up his mind that he would try, at any rate. And again the thought struck him that his father might be imprisoned there. He at once decided that he would visit the prison ship and rescue the prisoners, if possible.
Chapter XI
Tom in Trouble
Dick Dare eyed the British fleet with interest. It lay in the roadstead, just off York Bay, and the sight of the warships was indeed alluring. He asked questions about the fleet, being careful to inquire as if actuated merely by curiosity, and he also managed to secure information as to the number of soldiers in the army on shore. He was told that the army, as a whole, had about twenty-four thousand men in its ranks.
“Phew, that outnumbers our army considerably!” thought Dick. “Well, no matter, when it comes to battle, I'll wager that we will give the redcoats all they can do.”
When Company H. had finished bathing, the soldiers marched back to the encampment, and other companies were met on their way to the beach to take their turn in the water.
Dick was on the alert for information all the rest of that day. He did not learn much more, for he found that there was no intention of attacking the patriot force on Brooklyn Heights very soon, exactly the point on which General Washington wished to be informed. He became convinced that it would be useless to remain longer in the hope of securing further information, as no date for an attack had been decided upon.