Dick began to think the day was to be barren of results, as evening drew near; but a little while before sundown he caught sight of a couple of soldiers approaching the clump of trees. As the two drew near, he got a fair view of their faces, and he had all he could do to keep from uttering an exclamation, for–the two approaching British soldiers were no others than Zeke Boggs and Lem Hicks, Dick's enemies, the Tory youths from over in New Jersey!
“Well, this is a surprise!” thought Dick. “But I remember now, that Ben said Zeke told him he and Lem were going to join the British army and be British soldiers, that they were not going to let Tom, Ben, and myself get ahead of them. I wonder what they would say if they knew I was so near them?”
Zeke and Lem, dressed in the uniform of British soldiers, entered the clump of timber and seated themselves on the moss under the tree next to that Dick was in. They had no suspicion that there was anyone other than themselves present, and talked freely of their plans.
“How do ye like army life, anyhow, Zeke?” asked Lem, as they lolled on the grass.
“Oh, pretty well, Lem,” was the reply. “How do ye like et?”
“Oh, only so-so, Zeke. They're too strict ter suit me. I don't like ter hev ter come an' go just ez sumbuddy tells me, do you?”
“No, I don't. But when er feller enters the army, that's jest whut he hez ter do.”
“Yes, thet's so. Well, I guess I'll git used ter et.”
“I'll be glad when we git inter a bettle with the rebels, Lem, won't you?”
“Yes, I guess so.” The tone was not very decided or enthusiastic. “I hope thet ef we do git inter a battle, we'll meet up with Dick an' Tom Dare an' Ben Foster.”