Still there was no sign of the fugitives, and the two boys, Tom and Tim, were as elated as their companions were discouraged.
"Dick and Fritz must have gone the other way," said Tim, late in the afternoon.
"Or else they got hold of a boat of some kind," said Tom. "I am inclined to think it was the latter, for the other direction would have led them back toward the camp, and would have delayed them further on their journey. If these good fellows only keep going at this rate they will get us within striking distance of our destination."
"And thim never guessing how kind they are," chuckled Tim. "If they only knew how glad we are to go along they would probably face about and cart us back agin."
"We must try to gain their confidence," Tom went on, quietly. "If they do get hot on Dick's trail, and we are free to give them warning, we can be of more use staying with them than by escaping."
"Thot's a foine idea," said Tim, greatly pleased with the new turn things had taken.
"And, of course, at the end of the chase, if it only lasts that long, we'll try to make our escape, and get to Vincennes with Dick and Fritz. But I suppose that's almost too much to expect."
"Oi don't know, now. This pack of hounds seems moighty anxious to catch up with your brother and the Dootchman, and Oi'm after thinkin' they'll stay roight along to the ind of the chase."
"Let's hope the chase only ends in Vincennes then," replied Tom, hopefully.
That night the British party were able to make out the lights of several camp fires across the bay. The day's trip had brought them near the head waters of the Chesapeake, and across the narrower portion of the water the glitter of the fires could be easily distinguished. A council was held by the officers and they determined to make an early start in the morning and endeavor to reach the end of the bay before the party on the opposite shore, so that if their prey were with the other group and traveling in the same direction, they might be within striking distance.
The night passed without adventure and the two boys made considerable progress toward getting friendly with the troopers by relating stories while seated about the fires in the evening. From the talk of the soldiers, carefully guided by veiled hints from Tom, they learned the history of Dick Dare's and Fritz's adventures since they had left Charleston.