"In Philadelphia, yesterday. Didn't d.i.c.k tell you about it?"

"No, you tell me now," eagerly.

Then Tom did so, detailing the encounter on the streets of Philadelphia, and when he had heard all, Ben said:

"Good! I'm glad you thrashed them."

Chapter IV

A Night Attack

"They're coming, d.i.c.k!" whispered Ben Foster.

"Yes, I hear footsteps," replied d.i.c.k. "But," after listening a few moments, "there is only one person coming. Perhaps it isn't the Tories after all."

"Yes, that's their game-to make you think there is only one. He walks boldly, so you can hear him, while the others creep up. It is the Tory gang, all right."

"Likely you are right."

It was now nearly midnight, and so it was time for the Tories to put in their appearance, if they were to make the attack that night, as Mr. Foster had heard them say they would do.

Closer sounded the footsteps, and then they ceased and there came a knock on the door.

d.i.c.k did not answer, as he did not want the fellow to suspect that the inmates of the house were awake and on the alert. The youths, gripping tightly their rifles and muskets, waited. Their hearts were beating more rapidly than was their wont, but it is safe to say that no feeling of fear had place in their hearts. Only expectation, and eagerness to get at the Tories dominated them.

After a brief period, the knock on the door was repeated. Then d.i.c.k spoke up.

"Who is there?" he called out.

"A friend," was the reply, in a hoa.r.s.e, evidently disguised voice.

"What is your name, friend?"

"That doesn't matter. I have news, important news for you, d.i.c.k Dare"

"You have no news for me that I don't know already," retorted the youth.

"What do you mean?" There was a quick suspicion in the voice.

"I mean that I know you are a Tory, and that you have a number of companions, and intend to try to get hold of my brother and myself and tie us up and whip us. I don't feel like permitting that, so you had better go away, if you value your skins, for if you try to bother us, we will surely defend ourselves and do harm to you-if we can."

Evidently the man realized it was useless to carry the deception further, for he cried out, sneeringly:

"Oh, will you indeed, d.i.c.k Dare? Well, let me tell you something, my bold young rebel: When we get through with you, you will not be in a position to harm anybody. We are going to take you out and whip you soundly, as should be done with all such traitors to the king as you two are!"

"I give you fair warning," replied d.i.c.k, sternly; "if you attempt to injure myself and brother, you will get badly hurt. Go about you business and leave us alone."

"Oh, we'll go about our business and leave you alone, of course we will-but it will be after we have tied you up to one of the trees here in your own yard! Open the door, or we'll break it down."

"You are wasting breath," in a voice of contempt. "We would be very foolish if we opened the door, would we not?"

"It doesn't matter; we'll break the door down in a jiffy, anyway."

"If you do, you'll be very sorry. Remember, I gave you fair warning."

"Bah! Boys' threats don't scare us worth a cent. We'll have the door down and you two rebel brats out of there very quickly."

"And we'll have some of you Tory hounds lying dead on the gra.s.s of our own yard very soon, too. Mind what I tell you!"

A sneering laugh was the only reply. They had no idea the boys would really shoot at them.

There was the sound of receding footsteps, followed by the murmur of voices, and then a few minutes later there sounded the trampling of many feet, and crash! something struck the door, causing it to creak and groan under the impact.

"They've found a log, and will better the door down," said d.i.c.k. "Be ready, boys and as soon as the door falls, fire through the opening.

They have brought this upon themselves, and if we injure a few of them, it will be their own fault."

"We're ready, d.i.c.k," said Tom.

"Yes, we'll fire when you give the word," from Ben.

"All right, boys. Level your weapons, and be ready, and when I say 'Fire', pull trigger."

"Yes, yes, we will!" came the reply.

The next moment there sounded the trampling of feet once more, and crash! the end of the log struck the door. This time the impact was so great the door could not withstand it, and down it came with a thud.

At least a dozen forms could be seen through the opening, outlined against the horizon.

"Fire!" cried d.i.c.k, his voice ringing out loudly and clearly.

The youths obeyed the command, pulling trigger instantly, and the crash that followed was deafening, and seemed almost sufficient in volume to raise the roof.

It was an effective volley, too, for two or three of the Tories were hit by bullets, as was evidenced by the yells and screams of pain and rage that they gave utterance to. They fell back, in dismay, the log dropping to the ground with a thud.

d.i.c.k, instinctively realizing that the Tories were stricken with a feeling of dismay, not to say terror, because of their reception, cried, "Charge them, boys! At them! Give it to the scoundrels!"

With a yell that must have added to the dismay of the enemy, the youths dashed out through the doorway and attacked the Tories, laying about them with the b.u.t.ts of their rifles and muskets, and discharging their pistols.

Thud, thud, thud! Thus sounded the impact of the b.u.t.ts of the weapons with the heads, arms and bodies of the ruffians, and with each thud sounded a yell of pain and rage from the recipient of the blow. Then, suddenly the Tories took refuge in flight, running from the scene as swiftly as possible, and fairly falling over the fence in their haste to get away. They were quickly out of sight, and the affair was at an end. The three youths had put their enemies to rout, and without having sustained any injury whatever.

They were well pleased, and although they had not killed any of the Tories outright, yet the youths were sure they had wounded several, for they had heard the ruffians give utterance to cries of pain, and too, they saw blood on the ground in several places.

d.i.c.k now hastened to the Foster home and reported the victory over the Tories, and was congratulated by all there, even Mr. Foster, the avowed king's man, seeming very well pleased for he was an honest, honorable man, and not at all in sympathy with the night-marauding tactics of his Tory neighbors.

Mrs. Dare and Mary accompanied d.i.c.k home, and the good woman thanked Ben for coming and helping her sons.

"Oh, that's all right," smiled Ben. "I was glad to come. I wanted a chance at those cowardly Tories."