“Then you would have no objections to joining the company that I spoke of to Harkins?”
Tom was silent a few moments. He was doing some swift thinking. He quickly decided that he could learn more regarding the strength of the fort, if he were to have the freedom that would come with being a member of the company in question; and also he would have a better chance to make his escape. So he said, quietly: “I will join the company, sir, unless you will let me go on my way up north to see my folks.”
The colonel shook his head. “I think I shall hold you prisoner, unless you join the company,” he said, “so you had better join.”
“Very well.”
The colonel then ordered that Tom be conducted to the quarters occupied by Captain Kane and his company of loyalists, and soon the youth stood in the captain’s presence. When the soldier that had conducted Tom thither explained to Captain Kane that Tom was to be a new recruit, the captain said: “Very well; glad to have all the recruits I can get. What is your name?”
“Tom Dare.”
The captain wrote this in a book. Then he asked: “Where do you live?”
“About fifty miles south of here,” was the reply.
The captain then asked a few more questions, and told Tom he was a member of the company and to make himself at home and get acquainted with his comrades.
“Very well, and thank you,” said the youth.