CHAPTER XV
Preparing for Trouble
Tom Dare and the settlers managed to hold their own against the redcoats, and the latter, after two or three attempts at forcing their way into the houses sheltering the marksmen, retreated about half a mile and evidently held a council, for they gesticulated quite a good deal. Then the settlers saw one of the soldiers take his leave, hastening down the valley, and Tom Dare exclaimed:
“He’s going back to the fort after reinforcements.”
“Do you think so?” asked Mr. Hicks, the man who was looked upon as being the leader at the settlement.
“Yes, that is what he is going to do. They know that they can’t capture the settlement with their present force, and as we have killed one or two of them and wounded several, they are determined to capture the settlement.”
“Well, they will be able to do so, if they have a strong enough force, I guess.”
“Yes. And that fellow will bring enough soldiers so that they will have no trouble in getting the best of you.”
The settlers looked sober and thoughtful. They realized that while they had gotten the better of the affair, so far, they would not be able to hold their own against overwhelming odds.
“What shall we do, anyhow?” remarked one of the settlers.
“I’ll tell you what,” said Tom, who had been doing considerable thinking. “Let’s take the offensive, and go out and attack those redcoats and drive them out of the valley.”