CHAPTER XVIII--A Daring Attempt
The youths settled down and took it easy, while watching the encampment.They decided to wait till afternoon, before starting back to the patriotencampment, with the hope that Arnold might make a move, on learningfrom the soldiers that had just arrived that a patriot force had comedown into that region from the North.
The result justified their judgment, for soon after noon the Britishsoldiers began breaking camp, as if getting ready to march aconsiderable distance.
"Are they going to go toward our encampment, with the purpose of makingan attack, or will they go in the other direction, I wonder?" questionedTom.
"We will wait here and see," determined Dick.
"Somehow, I think they intend going in the other direction," assertedBen.
Dick, however, shook his head. "I hardly think so," he said.
When the British force, which consisted of perhaps fifteen hundred men,got ready, it marched out of the encampment and came slowly up the slopetoward where the three youths were concealed.
"They are going to march into the vicinity of our encampment," saidDick. "Well, that is all right. Colonel Morris won't have so far to goto get at them."
"True," said Ben.
"Come, boys," said Dick, a few moments later. "We must not let them seeus."
The three set out down the slope toward the west, and during theafternoon they kept about a mile ahead of the redcoats, who advanceddirectly toward the point where the patriot army was encamped.
It was slow work for the British force to march along poorly conditionedroads, and they only got to the vicinity of the little settlement, wherethe dance had taken place the night before, at the hour it was time togo into camp.
Here they stopped and went into camp for the night, and Dick, Tom andBen, being certain that the redcoats would be there till morning, madetheir way to the home of the Harts, where they were given a cordialwelcome.
"You are back quickly," said Mr. Hart.
"Yes," replied Dick. "We are on our way back to the patriot encampment,and are keeping a little distance in front of the British force, whichis marching toward the point where the patriots are encamped."
"Ah, so they are moving in that direction, are they?" exclaimed Mr.Hart.
"Yes, sir. They are encamped about a mile from here. They will be theretill morning, and we thought we would come over here and see you folks."
"We are glad you did. Supper will be ready in a few minutes, and youwill take supper and stay all night with us, the same as you did lastnight."
"If it won't inconvenience you too much," said Dick.
"We shall be glad to have you here," was the hearty reply, and Mrs. Hartand Sally said the same.
When supper was ready, the six sat up to the table and ate heartily,laughing and talking, and had just finished when there came the sound ofknocking at the front door.
"Some of the redcoats have come here!" exclaimed Dick, in a low voice."We will slip out at the back door, while you go to the front door tosee them, Mr. Hart."
"Very well, but stay and come in as soon as they are gone."
"We will do so."
The three youths passed out through the rear exit, and Mr. Hart made hisway to the front door, which, when he opened it, revealed to his view acouple of British officers.
"Good evening, sirs," said Mr. Hart, politely. "Will you come in?"
"Thank you, yes," replied one. And they entered, after which the officerwho had spoken said: "I am General Arnold, of the king's troops, sir,and this gentleman is Colonel Riggs, of my staff."
"My name is Hart," was the reply. "I am glad to make your acquaintance."
Then the two seated themselves, and Mr. Hart did the same, after whichGeneral Arnold asked:
"I wish to inquire if there are many loyalists in this vicinity, Mr.Hart?"
"I think there are quite a good many, sir," was the reply.
"Do you think I could recruit my army here, to do much good?"
"You might secure a few members," was the reply.
"About how many, would you say?"
"Oh, perhaps fifteen or twenty, within a radius of five or six miles."
"That would not be very much of a reinforcement," said Arnold. "Thecountry around here is not very thickly settled, then."
"Not very."
"There is quite a good-sized settlement about twelve or fifteen miles tothe westward, is there not?" Arnold asked, after a few moments.
"Yes, sir."
"How big a settlement is it?"
"There are forty or fifty houses, sir."
"And there is another settlement near that one, made up mostly ofrebels, is there not?"
"Yes, sir, so I have understood. It is not so large, however, havingonly twelve or fifteen families."
"Humph. Well, thank you, Mr. Hart. My army is encamped near here, and Ithought we would walk over and have a talk with you, some of my soldiershaving stated that they were here last night, at a dance."
"Yes, the young folks of the settlement had a little party here lastnight."
"My men informed me that Dick and Tom Dare and Ben Foster, three rebelspies, were here, and that they had them prisoners, but that theymanaged to escape," said Arnold.
"Yes, General Arnold. We did not know anything about them, of course,but as they appeared to be very nice young men, we gave them theirsupper, and they took part in the festivities."
"Oh, I am not blaming you, Mr. Hart. I was just wishing that the rebelshad not escaped. I would have liked to have made them prisoners."
They talked a while longer, and then Arnold and his companion rose, saidgood-night and took their departure.
"That man is a rebel, Colonel Riggs," said Arnold, when they were alittle distance from the house.
"I rather think so, myself," was the reply.
"Yes. He pretended that he was in sympathy with the king, but I ampretty sure that he is at heart a rebel."
"He did not seem to be very enthusiastic when you were asking aboutsecuring recruits in this region," said the colonel.
"No. I think he wished to discourage the idea."
"It looked that way to me."
Suddenly, when the two were about a quarter of a mile from thesettlement, three forms leaped out behind them, from behind trees, andthrew themselves upon the British officers. They were Dick and Tom Dareand Ben Foster, and they were attempting a most daring enterprise--thecapture of General Arnold and Colonel Riggs.
Tom and Ben had seized the colonel, while Dick had leaped upon Arnold,and instantly a fierce struggle was taking place there in theunderbrush.
The Dare Boys in Virginia Page 18