The Dare Boys with General Greene

by Stephen Angus Douglas Cox

That night the patriot force went into camp on the top of a knoll and made its position as strong as possible. Double the usual number of sentinels were stationed, and it would not be possible for the British to take them by surprise.

The British did not make an attack that night, however, but instead encircled the encampment of the patriots, and when morning came, the patriots found that they could not proceed, unless they fought their way through the British lines.

What to do was the question. If they remained, they would probably sooner or later be captured, as the British force was more than twice as strong as their own, and to try to break through the enemy’s lines would be to cause the loss of many patriot lives.

It was decided, at a council, to remain on the knoll and hold the British in check as long as possible.

“If we can get word to General Sumpter, he will come to our assistance,” said General Greene, and he summoned Dick Dare and asked him if he were willing to make the attempt to slip through the British lines, after nightfall, that evening, and carry a message to General Sumpter.

As the readers of the Dare Boys stories know, and as they will see by reading the next volume, entitled, “The Dare Boys With La Fayette,” Dick Dare was always ready to attempt any feat, no matter how dangerous, if it would benefit the patriot cause, so now he said promptly that he would make the attempt.

The British did not make a strong attack, that day, but contented themselves with firing at the patriots whenever they caught sight of one. The patriots returned the fire, and thus the day passed, and evening came.

And as soon as it was dark, Dick Dare started on his perilous expedition, and worked his way slowly and cautiously through the British lines. He had selected the weakest point of the line for his attempt, and he succeeded in getting through, though he was discovered by a sentinel as he was hastening away, and was fired at. He ran swiftly, however, and although he was pursued, he managed to escape in the darkness.

He had received instructions as to the whereabouts of Sumpter, from the man that had brought the news of the coming of the British force, and so he did not have a great deal of difficulty in finding Sumpter.

When Dick told Sumpter that the patriot force under General Greene was surrounded by a superior force of British and that he needed assistance, Sumpter said that he would go to the assistance of the patriot party at once.