The two soldiers entered the edge of the timber and seated themselves under a tree close to the one d.i.c.k was in, and sat there, smoking and talking, their conversation being mainly personal, as had been the case with the two that had been there in the forenoon. But, after a while they got to talking about the army, and finally touched upon the very matter that d.i.c.k wish to hear discussed. In a general way they commented upon the bustle, stir and preparation that indicated some important move.

"I'm glad of it," remarked one. "I am getting tired of being cooped up in camp. I'd rather do some marching and fighting."

"So would I. Well, I think it likely that we will have fighting to do in a few days, if the colonel knew what he was talking about, and I suppose he did."

"He had the news from General Percy?"

"I suppose so. The general was over to the main encampment yesterday, you know, and likely they held a council of war and decided to make an attack."

d.i.c.k was straining every nerve to hear distinctly.

Just then a groan sounded, from amid the clump of bushes in which d.i.c.k had placed the soldier he had overpowered. The soldiers heard it, and looked at each other wonderingly and inquiringly and then gazed keenly toward the clump of bushes. d.i.c.k had heard the groan also, and his heart sank, for he thought that if the soldiers found and released the other redcoat, a search might be inst.i.tuted for him, and result in his discovery and capture.

"What does that mean, comrade?" remarked one of the soldiers.

"Somebody groaned," was the reply. "Let's take a look in that clump of bushes and see who is there, and what ails him."

They leaped to their feet, and drawing pistols, strode to the edge of the clump of bushes, and stooping, pushed their way through between the bushes. A few moments later d.i.c.k heard an exclamation from the lips of one of the soldiers, and knew they had discovered the bound redcoat. The youth had thought of slipping down out of the tree and trying to make his escape, but did not do so, for he realized that the chances were that he would be seen and either shot or captured. So he decided to remain where he was, and risk being discovered.

A few minutes later the three redcoats emerged from amid the bushes, the two having freed the redcoat from his bonds. They paused underneath the tree d.i.c.k was in, and the redcoat explained about his encounter with and capture by the person he had suspected of being a spy and had intended to march into the camp, a prisoner. To d.i.c.k's amus.e.m.e.nt, the redcoat described him as being a big, ferocious-looking fellow, a six-footer, and very strong. Evidently the soldier did not want his comrades to know that he had been overpowered and mad a prisoner by a youth of eighteen years, and smaller than himself.

"I suppose the rascally spy isn't still in this clump of timer, eh?"

remarked one of the soldiers, with a glance around.

"No, not likely," was the reply of the one who had been made a prisoner. "Probably he got away from here as quickly as possible, after making a prisoner of me."

"Luckily he was not here to listen to what we were saying," remarked one, and he looked significantly at the other who agreed.

Then one suggested that they go into the encampment and make a report of the affair to the general. The other two a.s.sented to this proposition, and they at once left the clump of trees and made their way to the encampment.

d.i.c.k was eager, now, to get away from there.

He felt that he had important if not really definite information and wished to get it to General Washington as quickly as possible. He knew that he might succeed in getting away from the clump of timber without being discovered, but again there was a chance that he would be seen and captured, and so he decided to wait till nightfall, when he could slip away in safety, and without being in any danger of being seen.

True, the redcoats might come and search the clump of timber, for the spy the soldier had had the encounter with, but the youth did not believe they would do so, as they would not think him likely to linger thereabouts after having had the struggle with the British soldier there.

So d.i.c.k remained in the timber, and the result justified his judgment, for the soldiers did not come out again to make a search. Evidently it was thought that the spy had taken his departure.

When night came, d.i.c.k slipped away and started in the direction of the patriot encampment on Brooklyn Heights. He reached there in safety, a couple of hours later, and at once went to headquarters and made his report, General Washington being there, conferring with General Putnam.

When d.i.c.k told them of the unwonted activities in the British lines they were well pleased, and said that if an attack were made they would be able to hold their position on the Heights, in spite of the superior numbers of the enemy.

Next day preparations were begun for the reception of the British, and all was done that could be to make it possible to offer strong and successful battle to the enemy. Then the patriots waited, as patiently as possible for the coming of the British, who might now come at any time. The days dragged slowly by, however, and it was not until the morning of the 27th of August that the British advanced to attack.

Seated in their quarters on the Heights, d.i.c.k, Tom and Ben, and the other soldiers were discussing the matter and wishing that the redcoats would do something, when suddenly the rattle of musketry was heard, coming from down on the Narrows road, near the bay, where General Stirling's division was stationed.

"To arms!" at once shouted General Putnam. "The British are beginning the attack!"

Instantly all was excitement. The soldiers grabbed their muskets and took their places, ready for battle, and down where Stirling's force was there sounded the rattle of musketry, as volleys were exchanged.

It was indeed exciting, and d.i.c.k, Tom and Ben, their eyes shining, could scarcely contain themselves. They wanted to be at the front, helping fight the redcoats.

"Say, d.i.c.k, ask General Putnam to let us go down there," pleaded Ben Foster. "I want to help fight the redcoats!"

"Yes, do ask him, d.i.c.k," urged Tom. "I can't stand staying here, doing nothing, when there is fighting going on. Get him to let us go down there."

"All right, I'll try," said d.i.c.k. "I would like it myself. But, I'm afraid he won't be willing to let us go."

"Ask him, anyway," said Tom.

"I will," and d.i.c.k hastened to General Putnam and made his wish known.

General Putnam listened, but shook his head. "No, I can't permit you to go down there," he said. "You must stay here with your company. If it should go, of course you would go too. But I don't think it will leave the works."

d.i.c.k nodded, a disappointed look on his face.

"Very well, sir," he said, and turning, started to rejoin his comrades.

"It is possible that I may make use of you boys as messengers during the battle, d.i.c.k," the general said. He had noted the disappointed look on the youth's face, and doubtless thought the idea of being used as messengers would please the boys.

It evidently pleased d.i.c.k, for he turned a beaming face toward the general and said: "Thank you, General Putnam. If you have any messages to send to the commanders of the other forces, at the front, we will be glad to take them."

"Very well, d.i.c.k. It is likely that I shall want to send some messages. You boys hold yourselves in readiness to take them."

"We will do so, sir."

Then d.i.c.k hastened back to his comrades and told them the result of the interview. They were slightly disappointed because of not being permitted to go and join the troops already engaged in fighting the British, but were pleased with the idea of being sent to the commanders with orders.

"I hope General Putnam will have a lot of messages to send," said Tom Dare, his eyes shining with excitement.

"So do I," said Ben Foster.

Chapter XVI

The Battle of Long Island

Down on the Narrows Road, General Stirling's force was holding its own against the British. The patriot soldiers were steady and calm, and loaded and fired regularly and with considerable effect, and had fortune gone well with Sullivan's division, the Continental soldiers would probably have won the battle. But General Sullivan, stationed on the hills south of Bedford, was attacked fiercely in front by a strong force of British, and another force under Generals Howe and Cornwallis, having marched around to the north of this position, by way of the Jamaica Road, attacked Sullivan from the rear, and his force, thus caught between two fires, was driven back and forth among the trees, with disastrous results.

General Putnam, watching the battle from the Heights, through his gla.s.s, saw that Sullivan was in difficulties and in danger of capture, and he decided to send a message to Stirling, warning him of this fact, and ordering him to retreat toward the Heights as quickly as possible-for as soon as Sullivan's force was overpowered, the British would sweep on across the fields and fall upon the rear of Stirling's force and capture it. So, having written a brief note, General Putnam summoned d.i.c.k Dare.

"Do you think you can find General Stirling?" the general asked.

"I think so, sir," was the reply.

"He is over on Narrows Road. You will know him, because he will be mounted on a large bay horse. Get to him as quickly as possible, and hand him this message," and he gave d.i.c.k the slip of paper.

"I will do so, General Putnam," said d.i.c.k, firmly.

"Very good. Now hurry. Get there as quickly as possible."