He made his way along the edge of the forest quite a distance, however, and sized up the fort from different directions. Then he turned and walked slowly along through the woods.
He was heading for the encampment, and when about halfway there, he crossed a rude wagon-road, which wound this way and that among the trees, and Dick suddenly caught sight of a man approaching, driving a team and wagon.
Dick had crossed the road at the edge of the timber, and knew it led to the fort, and now he stopped and waited till the wagon approached, when he stepped out and stopped the man, who looked like a typical settler of the vicinity.
“Where are you going?” queried Dick.
“To the fort,” was the reply.
“What for?”
“I’m takin’ some meat an’ vegertables thar to sell to ther sojers,” was the reply.
“Ah!” exclaimed Dick. He had been struck by an idea. “Say,” he remarked, eyeing the man searchingly, “are you a king’s man, or are you a patriot? Or are you neutral?”
“Wal,” was the reply, “I kain’t say thet I’m a king’s man, but ther redcoats pay me well fur my garden truck. Why d’ye ask?”
“I’ll tell you why,” said Dick, eagerly. “I wish to enter the fort, and why can’t I go with you? They’ll not be suspicious if I’m with you, and that will give me a chance to get a look at the inside of the fort.”