“We'll get to the Heights and then over to New York in safety,” assured Dick.
The excited voices of the British who had discovered the escape of the prisoners could be heard for some time, but gradually grew fainter, until at last no sound could be heard. The little party kept steadily onward, and managed to get past the left end of the British army and an hour or so later arrived at the patriot encampment on Brooklyn Heights.
They paused there only long enough to rest a bit and apprise the officer in command of their escape from the prison-ship, then they went down to the shore and were taken across to the New York side in boats.
They went direct to patriot headquarters, and were quickly ushered into the presence of the commander-in-chief. When he saw Dick and Tom, and also Boswick and the other spies and the patriot soldiers that had been prisoners, his face lighted up with pleasure.
“You surely have succeeded well, Dare!” he exclaimed. “You have rescued the patriot prisoners from the British prison-ship, and I hope you have as well secured some important information.”
“I have secured some information, your excellency,” replied Dick. “And I am pleased because I was able to free the patriots from the prison-ship.”
“You have done well, Dick–wonderfully well. I congratulate you, my boy.” Then he shook hands with Boswick and the other spies and the soldiers and asked them about their experience in the prison-ship. According to their words, the prison-ship was a terrible place, the bottom of the hold being water-soaked and slimy, and infested by myriads of insects and worms, which crawled over the prisoners' bodies, stinging and biting them and almost driving them wild. There were large and vicious rats also. The prisoners were thin and gaunt, and it was evident that they had suffered indeed.
“You have had a very unpleasant experience, men,” said the commander-in-chief; “but now you are free and will soon be your old selves again. Go to your quarters, get some food and then rest up and regain your lost strength.”
The soldiers obeyed, all going save Dick, who remained at the command of General Washington. When the others had gone, he turned inquiringly at Dick.
“What did you learn, my boy?” he queried. “Have you secured any information of value?”