“Nothing regarding the fort, as yet. But I have learned where my brother Tom is.”
“That is good. Where is he?”
“A prisoner in the fort.”
“Indeed?”
“Yes, sir. He was captured by some British soldiers and brought to the fort, and pretended to join the force. He was sent with a foraging force, to attack a patriot village up in the mountains, and he managed to get away and reach the settlement ahead of the redcoats and warn the settlers, and they managed to get to a hiding-place up in the mountains, with their household goods, but the British burned the houses. I was there, and saw the settlers, and they told me about the affair. They said that Tom was recaptured, while reconnoitering, and that the British took him to Ninety-Six. When we capture the fort, we can free him.”
“I think we shall be able to capture the fort. Ben Foster made a reconnoitering trip last night, and learned considerable about the strength of the walls. I believe we can batter them down with the field-pieces.”
“I hope so. Is there anything you wish me to do?”
“You may reconnoiter and gain all the information possible. There is no hurry, and by taking our time, we may be able to make the capture of the fort more certain.”
“I will do my best to secure information that will be of value to you, sir.”
Then Dick saluted and withdrew, and was soon with Ben Foster, at the quarters occupied by Captain Morgan’s company.