“They have seen and recognized me,” thought Tom. “Well, I have the start of them, and will reach the settlement in time to make it possible for the men to get ready to show fight.”
On ran the youth, and the redcoats could be seen to be running also, but they were not so swift-footed as Tom, and he reached the settlement while the redcoats were still more than half a mile distant.
Tom stopped at the first house he came to, and opened the door without ceremony and called out:
“A party of redcoats is coming to attack the settlement, sir. Get the men together quickly, if you want to make a fight.”
A man came hastily to the door, and cried: “What’s thet you say, young man? Redcoats comin’ here?”
“Yes, sir. You can see them, yonder, and--”
“Why, ye’re one yourself!” exclaimed the man, noting Tom’s British uniform.
“No, I’m a patriot that was forced to join their force. I was with that party, but got ahead of them, and came to warn you. Get the men together, quickly. How many are there in the settlement?”
“About twenty-five.”
“There are only twenty of the redcoats. We can whip them. Get the other men at once.”