"The Dare Boys!" ejaculated the captain. "Why, we've heard of you way out here. I am certainly glad to shake hands with such brave fighters for freedom's cause."
The boys modestly disclaimed any undue share of praise and assured the captain that there were any number of patriots, just like themselves, who did as much for the cause as they did.
"What are your plans now?" asked the captain.
"Why, just at present, I think we would all enjoy a wash and several hours' solid, undisturbed sleep."
"Nefer mind the wash," said Fritz, yawning.
The captain smiled. "I guess you can have all the rest you want right over here," he said, leading the way to another small room fitted with bunks about the walls. "You boys tumble right in here while I go over these papers you have brought, and we will call you in time for dinner to-night. That will give you a chance to get a little rest. The men will all want to see you to-night and hear your news and stories, but you won't be disturbed till then."
"And, captain," called Tim after him, "we'll be havin' foine appetities by evening, I'm not doubtin'."
"Don't worry," replied the frontiersman, laughing. "We'll attend to that all right."
"We want to get in good shape for our trip back," said Tom. "So here goes for a good snooze."
Those of our readers who are interested in what happened to the Dare Boys and their comrades on the return trip and in their further unexpected adventures amongst the Indians of that unsettled region, can follow them in the next volume, entitled, "The Dare Boys in the Northwest."
That night the boys were given a warm welcome by the men and officers of the post. They told the amusing incidents of their adventurous trip amidst the hearty laughter of their new friends.
"You boys better stay right here and join us," one of them suggested. "We'd show you plenty of excitement."
"No, thanks," Dick replied. "I guess we better travel along towards home."
And after a two-days' rest, they did; that is, to be more accurate, they started.