"True. Come, comrade. We'll quickly have the fellow, if he's here."

Then d.i.c.k heard the trampling of feet, which sounded closer and closer, and he realized that he must get away from there at once, or the redcoats would be upon him.

Having so decided, he lost not time, but moved away as cautiously as possible. He went a bit faster than he should have done, to maintain a noiseless movement, however, for he stepped on a fallen branch, which broke with a cracking sound, and the very next step he stumbled over a log, and fell into a brushpile, making considerable noise.

"A spy!" he heard one of the redcoats cry. "There's somebody there, sure!"

"Halt!" cried the other soldier, loudly. "Stop, or I'll fire!"

But d.i.c.k, fearing to remain, as he would almost certainly be found and captured, leaped to his feet and took to his heels, running as fast as he dared; to run too fast, would have been to break his head against a tree, more than likely.

The British soldiers heard him, evidently, for one cried, excitedly:

"There he goes! I hear him running!"

"Yes," cried the other, "but I'll put a stop to his running, or know the reason why. Here goes to wing the rebel."

The next instant the loud crack of a musket rang upon the still night air. At the same instant d.i.c.k Dare fell sprawling upon his face on the ground, and lay still.

Chapter VIII

Tom Dare Acts

On the afternoon of the second day after the departure of d.i.c.k Dare from patriot headquarters in New York, Tom Dare appeared there, and to the orderly at the door said:

"I wish to see General Washington, sir."

"Oh, you do, eh?" was the query. The orderly could not imagine what business this sixteen-year-old boy could have with the commander-in-chief.

"Yes, sir. Show me to his presence, please."

The orderly looked at the eager, bright face of the boy with more of interest.

"Who are you?" he queried.

"My name is Tom Dare."

"Tom Dare!" in surprise. "Why, there was a young fellow here a couple of days ago whose name was Dare-d.i.c.k Dare, I believe it was."

"Yes," quietly; "he is my brother."

"Ah, your brother! Are you a member of the patriot army, also?"

"Yes, sir. I'm in Colonel Morgan's regiment."

The orderly stared.

"Well!" he murmured; "the Dares seem to be pretty well represented in the Continental Army."

"Yes, sir. Our father was captured by Tories, and d.i.c.k and I made up our minds that we would join the patriot army and do all we could to bring about the defeat of the British and Tories, and if possible rescue our father."

"Well, that is the right spirit, certainly."

"Will you show me to the presence of the commander-in-chief, sir?"

questioned Tom, eagerly. "I am very desirous of seeing him," he added, earnestly.

"Come with me," was the reply; "I will speak to the commander-in-chief, and if he is willing, I will conduct you to his presence."

Tom accompanied the orderly along the hall, pausing presently when told to do so. The orderly said he would be back in a few moments, and disappeared in a room at one side. He quickly returned and said that General Washington would see the youth.

The next moment he ushered Tom into the presence of the commander-in-chief, announcing:

"Master Tom Dare."

The general looked up from some papers he was examining, and gave Tom a keen, searching glance.

"You are Master Tom Dare," he said.

"Yes, your excellency," saluting.

"Brother to d.i.c.k Dare?"

"Yes, sir."

"Very good. What can I do for you, my boy?" The great man's air and tone were kindly, and Tom, encouraged, said:

"I have come to ask a favor, sir."

"What is the favor? Be brief, as my time is of value, my boy."

"Very well, sir. I have come to ask that you let me go over onto Long Island, the same as you have done with d.i.c.k."

General Washington looked at the boy in surprise.

"Why do you want to do that?" he queried.

"I want to be with d.i.c.k, sir, or near him, all the time, if possible.

I promised my mother that I would stay at d.i.c.k's side and fight side by side with him, and if I stay here, when he is over on Long Island, I won't be keeping my word, sir. Something might happen to d.i.c.k. He might get into trouble with the British, and if I was near at hand, I could render him a.s.sistance, and if he were captured, I might be able to rescue him. I hope you will let me go, sir."

The commander-in-chief looked thoughtfully at the boy. There was a look of admiration in his eyes, and to himself he said: "A brave pair of lads are those two Dares, I feel certain." Aloud he said, after a few moments:

"I don't know whether to grant your request or not, my boy. I have sent d.i.c.k over to Long Island on a spying expedition, and if you were to go also and join him, it might hamper him in his work. At the same time, I dislike to refuse your request, since you made your mother the promise that you would stay by your brother's side. Still, you can hardly hope to be always together. War is cruel, and one can not always do as one would like, or be where one would wish to be. We must all go where we think we can be of the most benefit to the Cause, and do that which will be most beneficial. Do you think you could do d.i.c.k any good, if I were to let you go, my boy?"

"I think it possible, sir. He is going into great danger, as I understand it, and I might render him very valuable a.s.sistance. At any rate, if you will let me go, I will promise that at least I will not in any way interfere with his work or do anything to cause him to fail in the task he has before him."

"Very good. Then I will grant your request. Go, my boy; but be careful. I will give you a note to General Putnam, on Brooklyn Heights, and he will tell you which way to go to find your brother."