"It is spy-work!"

d.i.c.k's heart leapt with joy. Spy-work! This, of all things was what he felt that he would most like to do. As a spy he would have to venture into the enemy's territory, would have to even penetrate to their midst and secure information as to their plans and, too, he might thus find and rescue his father. It was fine to think of, and the sparkle in his eyes must have told the commander-in-chief that the youth was pleased, for he said:

"You seem to be favorably impressed, rather than otherwise, my boy.

You think you will like spy-work?"

"Yes, your excellency," was the reply. "I think I shall like it, better than anything else. I shall be glad to attempt any work in that line that you wish. Just tell me where you wish me to go and what you want me to do, and I will do my best to make a success of the work, sir."

"Very well, d.i.c.k. I will do so. You know, perhaps, that the British army is located on the southwest sh.o.r.e of Long Island, near York Bay, and the British fleet lies just outside the Narrows and off York Bay.

The British outnumber us considerably, I think, but just how much I do not know. And this is one thing that I wish to learn. I want to learn the numerical strength of the British, and also I wish to find out, if such a thing is possible, the intentions of the British commander-in-chief. This is a big undertaking, my boy, and as I have told you, several of my best men have already tried to accomplish this and failed, so you can see the magnitude of the task that confronts you. It will be no disgrace if you should fail."

"I may fail, sir," said d.i.c.k, modestly; "I may not succeed in securing the information you desire, but I will make the attempt, and I will say this, that if such a thing as securing the information is possible, I will do it. I will do my very best, sir, you may rest a.s.sured of that."

"I do, d.i.c.k. I feel confident that if you fail it will be only after you have made every effort to succeed. Well, it is settled, then? You will attempt his spy-work?"

"Yes, your excellency. When shall I start?"

"This evening. I will give you a letter of introduction to General Putnam, who is in command of the patriot force on Brooklyn Heights, and he will give you all the information and a.s.sistance in his power."

"Very well, sir. At what hour shall I report here?"

"Be here at six, d.i.c.k. I will have the letter for you, and then you will go down to the East River in company with one of my orderlies, and a boatman will take you across to the Long Island side. It is not far from there to the Heights, where you will locate General Putnam."

"I will report here at six, your excellency," said d.i.c.k, and then saluting, he took his departure.

When he returned to his quarters and told Tom and Ben that General Washington had selected him to go over onto Long Island and do some spying, the youths were surprised, but were delighted as well, for they felt that it was an honor to d.i.c.k.

"That will be fine," said Ben Foster. "I believe you will make a good spy, d.i.c.k."

"I hope so, Ben."

"I wish I could go with you," said Tom, looking wistfully at his brother.

"It will be best that I go alone, Tom," said d.i.c.k. "One can do spy-work better than two."

"I vould lige dot sby vork," said Fritz Schmockenburg, a fat, Dutch soldier, gravely.

"It's a foine spoy yez would be afther makin', Fritz," chuckled Tim Murphy, a merry Irish patriot. "Yez would be caught the first thing, and the only thing thot would kape thim from hangin' yez would be because they wouldn't have inny rope sthout enough to hould your weight."

"When are you going, d.i.c.k?" queried Ben.

"This evening at six."

The youths discussed the matter at considerable length, and were glad that d.i.c.k had been selected for such important work, though they were somewhat fearful for his safety. Tom and Ben cautioned him to be careful, and he was the recipient of advice from others, all well-meant, but of course not likely to be of much use to him, as he would have to govern his actions mainly by existing circ.u.mstances, after he was on the ground and at work.

Shortly before six he bade Tom and Ben, and his comrades good-bye and made his way to headquarters, where he was given the letter of introduction by the commander-in-chief, and also a few kindly words of encouragement.

"General Putnam will give you all the information and help in his power," General Washington said. "Go, now, d.i.c.k, my boy, and may you be successful is my prayer. Good-bye, and heaven bless you."

He shook d.i.c.k's hand, and then with a good-bye and a salute, the youth took his departure.

An orderly accompanied him to the dock and summoned a boatman, and then d.i.c.k got in and was ferried across the East River. Alighting on the Long Island sh.o.r.e, he set out in the direction of Brooklyn Heights, reaching there shortly after dark.

Chapter VII

d.i.c.k's First Adventure

d.i.c.k was challenged, and on answering that he was a friend, was told to advance and give the countersign.

He approached the sentinel, and when near him, said:

"I am a patriot, but do not know the countersign. I wish to see General Putnam."

"Who are you and why do you wish to see the general?" the sentinel asked.

"My name is Dare, and I am a messenger from General Washington. I have a letter of introduction to General Putnam."

"All right. I'll summon the officer of the guard and he'll conduct you to the general."

He did so, and the officer asked d.i.c.k a few questions, seemed satisfied, and conducted him to the quarters occupied by General Putnam.

d.i.c.k saluted on entering the presence of the general, and drawing the letter from his pocket, handed it to Putnam, who took it an read the contents, after which he gave d.i.c.k a keen, searching and somewhat wondering glance.

"You are Richard Dare?" he queried.

"Yes, General Putnam," replied d.i.c.k.

"H'm. The commander-in-chief says here that you are going down to the enemy's territory to try to do some spying. You are rather young, it seems to me, to be going such work."

"Time will cure that," smiled d.i.c.k.

"Yes-if you live," grimly. "This is very dangerous business you are entering upon, my boy."

"So General Washington said, sir."

"Yes? Well, it is a fact, and I have my doubts regarding your ability to do anything, but since the commander-in-chief has seen fit to try you and has sent you to me for the purpose of having me give you what information I possess regarding the location of the British, I will do what I can to a.s.sist you."

"Thank you, General Putnam."

The general then gave d.i.c.k all the information that he thought would be of value to him, and the youth listened attentively.

"Now," said Putnam when he had finished, "do you think you can find the British without any trouble?"

"I am sure I can find the British, sir," was the reply; "but I don't know about the trouble part."