“Yes, till nightfall, and perhaps I may be able to secure some definite information regarding their intentions.”
Tom then took his departure, and made his way toward the patriot settlement. He walked rapidly, and in less than an hour had arrived at his destination.
On entering the encampment, he asked where Colonel Morris had his quarters, and was directed to the Williams home, where he found the colonel, and also Captain Morgan, who greeted him pleasantly.
“You bring news of the British, my boy?” said the colonel.
“Yes, sir. They have reached the Tory settlement about three miles from here and have gone into camp.”
“Then they are here for a campaign against us,” said Captain Morgan.
“It would seem so,” agreed the colonel. “Where is Dick Dare?” he asked, after a few moments.
“He stayed there, with the intention of waiting till after dark and trying to learn their plans.”
“That is a good idea. How strong is their force, do you think?”
“About fifteen hundred, sir, I should judge.”
“That is what Ben Foster said. Well, we have a thousand men, and will be able to give Arnold a good fight.”
“Yes, I think we can hold our own against his force,” said Captain Morgan.
After answering a few more questions, Tom made his way to the point where his company was quartered, and found Ben there. Herbert Miller, the school-teacher, was there also, and he informed Tom that he had joined the patriot army.
“Good for you. I’m glad of that,” said Tom.
Dick remained near the Tory settlement till nightfall, and then began to figure on entering and trying to learn something about the intentions of the enemy. The British force was encamped just at the edge of the settlement, and the youth believed he could visit one of the houses and perhaps learn something from the settler, without being seen by any of the redcoats.
So he made his way into the settlement, at the opposite side from the British encampment, and approaching one of the houses, knocked on the door.
The door opened, and a tall, rough-looking settler appeared. He was no other, in fact, than Hank Sprowl, Herbert Miller’s worst enemy, but Dick, of course, did not know him.
“How are ye, stranger?” Sprowl said, gruffly. “What kin I do fur ye?”
“I am a stranger in these parts,” replied Dick, “and I thought that perhaps I could get something to eat here. I will pay for the food.”