Dick Again Does Spy-Work
As the days and weeks dragged slowly past and the British did not make
an attack on the patriot force on Brooklyn Heights, General Washington
became somewhat impatient. He was puzzled by the action, or rather
lack of action of the enemy, and was desirous of learning what it
meant.
There was only one way that this could be done-by sending a spy to
venture among the enemy and spy upon them, and as Dick Dare had done
good work for him on two former occasions, the commander-in-chief
decided to try him again. He had been on the Heights, conferring with
General Putnam, on the afternoon of August 20th, and presently he
summoned an orderly and told him to tell Dick Dare to come to
headquarters.
The orderly saluted and went in search of the youth, whom he found in
company with his brother Tom, and Ben Foster and two or three other
soldiers, talking listlessly and wondering when the British would make
an attack.
"Dick Dare, you are wanted at headquarters," said the orderly. "The
commander-in-chief sent me to inform you."
Dick leaped up with alacrity.
"I'll go at once," he said.
"Maybe he is wanting you to do some more spy-work, Dick," suggested
Ben.
"I hope so. I would like to get away from camp and circulate around
awhile."
"So would I," said Tom.
"Yes, and get captured again," grinned Ben. "You are not cut out for
spy-work, Tom. You are too impulsive."
"Oh, I don't know about that," demurred Tom. "I'd like to try spying,
on my own hook, once, like Dick does."
"I don't think either of us would be as successful as Dick," remarked
Ben.
"That is phwat Oi think," said Tim Murphy, the Irish soldier. "Av
inywan, now, could come innywhere near bein' as good at spyin' as
Dick, phwy Fritz here," he continued with a grin, "would be the mon,
Oi'm thinkin'."
Fritz Schmockenburg, the Dutch soldier, grunted.
"I bet me dot I vould mage ein better sby as vot your vould, Tim
Murphies," he said placidly.
And then ensued a good-natured dispute between the two, who, although
they quarrelled frequently, and to one who did not understand them
would seem to be very angry at each other and enemies in fact, were
the best of friends. And Tom and Ben egged the two on, for they liked
to hear them talk, it affording something in the way of amusement to
pass away the time, which was beginning to hang heavy on their hands,
camp-life being rather dull and trying, especially to youths like
them, who had always been used to an active life in the open fields.
Dick had gone to headquarters, and on reaching there, he was given a
cordial greeting by Generals Washington and Putnam.
"You sent for me, your excellency?" said Dick, after saluting.
"Yes, Dick," was the reply. "I think that I shall again call you into
requisition. How wold you like to again venture out toward the British
lines in search of information?"
Dick's face lighted up eagerly.
"I would like it first rate, sir," he said.
"I thought so, and that is the reason I sent for you. Well, Dick, the
fact is, that we are beginning to grow weary of this state of affairs,
and would like to learn what is detaining the enemy and causing them
to hold back from making an attack. And we wish to learn, if possible,
if an attack is intended soon, and if so, on what date. You wish to
try your hand at the work of learning this, my boy?"
"I shall be glad to make the attempt to secure the information you
wish, General Washington," was the prompt and earnest reply.
"Very well, Dick. Then the matter is settled. You will leave this
evening, as soon as darkness has come, and will visit the special spot
in the vicinity of the enemy's camp, and learn all that you possibly
can. There is no need of my giving you other than these general
instructions, for you have had sufficient experience as a spy to know
how to go about it yourself."
"Yes, your excellency. I will leave as soon as it is dark, and will do
my best to secure some information of value."
"I hope that you may succeed, my boy."
"I hope so, sir."
After a little further conversation Dick took his departure, and
rejoined his comrades, who looked at him inquiringly.
"Spy-work again, Dick?" queried Ben.
"Yes, Ben," was the reply.
"That's what we guessed. When do you start?"
"This evening."
"I wish I could go with you!" said Tom.
"I think it will be better for me to go alone," said Dick. "I can do
better work alone than if somebody is with me. The general selected me
because I have a likely place to hide."
"How would it do to take Dootchy wid yez, Dick?" grinned Tim. "He
thinks he would be a foine spy."
Dick laughed. "I don't know how Fritz would make out in that field of
endeavor," he said.
"He is so big he couldn't get within a mile of the redcoats without
their seeing him," commented Ben.
"Yes, that's the only trouble with Fritz," said Tom. "He is too big to
be a success as a spy."
"I didn't said dot I vould be a goot sby, Dick," responded Fritz. "I
said dot I vould be as goot a sby as vot Tim Murphies vould be, see?
und I vill stand me by dot statements, alretty."
"Wull, Oi have not said thot Oi would make a good spy, Dootchy," said
Tim, "so you wouldn't have to be much in thot line to aquil me. But
whin it comes to foightin', now, it's mesilf belaves Oi have yez bate,
Fritz, me bye."
"Oh, I don'd vos know abouid dot, Tim," was the reply. "I think dot I
vill do some fighdin' myselufs alretty, ven ve get der retgoads at,
yahs."
"Maybe so," grinned Tim. "We wull wait an see how yez act whin we come
face to face wid the ridcoats."
"Oh, you'll both be brave soldiers, no doubt," said Tom. "But, you
won't be any ahead of Dick, Ben and myself. We intend to do some
fighting, too, when the time comes."
"Oi'm bettin' thot yez presint a bold face to the inimy," nodded Tom,
who liked the youths immensely. "An' sure, it's meself is wishin' thot
we get a chance at the ridcoats before very long."
"I hope so, Tim," said Dick.
Soon after supper, that evening, Dick made his preparations for going
on the expedition. Tom cautioned him again and again to be careful,
and not take too great risks. "I won't be there to help you, and you
will have to depend on yourself," he said.
"I shall be careful," said Dick. "But I'm going to find out when the
British intend to make an attack, that is, if such a thing is
possible."
"I hope that you may succeed, Dick," encouraged Ben.
"I'll do my best," and then saying good-bye to his friends, Dick left
the works and set out down the slope, heading in the direction of the
encampment of the British.
He walked at a moderate pace, for there was no occasion for haste. He
had the whole night before him.
He walked onward an hour or more, and then stopped in the same little
clump of timber which had before sheltered him. Climbing a tree, he
looked toward the south, and saw, not very far distant, the campfires
of the British. The enemy were still occupying their old quarters.
Dick did not of course dare venture into the British encampment, for
the reason that he would be recognized and placed under arrest as a
spy at once, for having pretended to join the force in question only a
few weeks before, and the redcoats would be only too glad to get their
hands on him now.
"I guess the best thing I can do is to remain here till morning," was
Dick's thought. "Then I can get a good view of the encampment, and
possibly some soldiers may come here to the timber during the day, as
they did before, to loll in the shade, and I may again be able to hear
something of interest."
Dick climbed down out of the tree and lay down under some bushes and
was soon sound asleep. That was one thing that made Dick a good person
for work of this kind. He did not get excited, and could lie down and
sleep soundly almost anywhere, and even with the redcoats in close
proximity to him.
He was up with the sun, next morning, and after eating a portion of
the food he had brought along with him, he felt refreshed, and turned
his attention again toward the British encampment. By climbing the
tree, he was enabled to get a good view of the camp, and could see the
British soldiers at work cooking their breakfast over the campfires.
Away in the distance, toward the bay, Dick could make out another
encampment, and knew that this was the main force, under General Howe
in person. There was no clump of trees near that encampment, however,
which made it difficult of approach for spying purposes, which was the
reason he had come to this division of the army instead.
Dick remained up in the tree an hour or so, and then descended and lay
down under some bushes at the edge of the clump of the trees, on the
side next to the encampment, and kept a sharp lookout in that
direction, watching eagerly for the coming of some of the soldiers.
One, two hours passed, and then Dick's patience was rewarded. He saw a
couple of British soldiers have the encampment and come strolling in
the direction of the clump of trees.
Dick would have liked to remain on the ground, but feared that he
might be discovered in case he did so, and thinking it better to be
careful, he once more careful a position as possible, feeling up as
comfortable a position as possible, owing to the fact that the foliage
was very thick.
The two British soldiers came strolling along, talking and laughing,
and presently they entered the clump of trees and sat down under the
very tree that Dick was in. Here they made themselves as comfortable
as possible, and lighting their pipes, smoked and talked lazily.
Dick listened eagerly, hoping to hear something that would be in the
nature of news, and of value to General Washington, but the soldiers
kept their conversation in personal channels, which was not of much
interest to Dick.
"I wish they would talk about the army, and what it intends to do,"
was Dick's thought.
But the redcoats did not do this. They talked of matters of no
importance or interest to Dick, and after staying an hour or so, they
get up and returned to the encampment.
Dick was disappointed. "I was in hopes that I would learn something
from their conversation," he muttered. "Well, perhaps some more
soldiers will visit the clump of trees to-day, and in that case I may
succeed in securing some information. I hope that such will be the
case, anyway."
Noon came, and no other soldiers had visited the clump of trees. Dick
was not discouraged, however. He felt that he would likely get a
chance to hear other soldiers talk that afternoon.
He ate the rest of his food, and then sat down beside a tree and took
it easy for a while. He knew that the soldiers were busy cooking their
dinners, and that none would likely come to the timber for quite a
while.
As he sat there, gazing idly over toward the encampment, however, he
suddenly heard footsteps behind him, and turned his head quickly, and
saw a British soldier standing within a few paces of him, musket in
hand, eyeing him suspiciously.
"Hello," greeted the redcoat.
Dick was surprised and somewhat dismayed as well, but he was a cool
youth, and did not let the fact that he was flustered show on his
face. Instead, he affected a cool and careless air, and replied:
"Hello. Good afternoon, sir."
The soldier stood there, keeping a keen eye on the youth.
"Who are you?" he queried.
"My name is Dick Morris." Dick gave the first name that came to his
mind.
"Humph. What are you doing here?"
"Nothing. Just sitting here."
"Why are you sitting here?" Dick believed the soldier was suspicious
of him.
"I'm resting," replied the youth.
"Resting, eh?"
"Yes, sir."
"What made you tired?"
"I have come quite a distance. I walked here from nearly twenty miles
east, and I'm resting in the shade, before continuing my journey. No
objection is there?"
"Humph. Where are you bound for?"
"Over on the shore of the bay."
"What are you going there for?"
"To work for a man, sir."
"Who?"
"An old fisherman."
"Humph. You seem to be interested in the army, yonder, judging by the
way you were looking that way when I came up."
"Yes, sir," replied Dick, quietly. "When one has never seen an army
before, it does interest one."
The redcoat eyed Dick searchingly.
"I'm almost inclined to believe that you are not what you make out
yourself to be," he said, after a few moments.
"Why so, sir?" Dick opened his eyes as if surprised and puzzled and
looked at the soldier inquiringly.
"Because-in these times of war, it is often the case that anyone like
yourself may turn out to be a spy."
"A spy?" exclaimed Dick, assuming a most astonished expression.
"Yes, and you may be a spy for all I know."
Dick shook his head. "Oh, no, you've got another guess," he said. He
felt that he was doing no wrong in denying being a spy, to a British
soldier.
"I'm not so sure of it," was the stubborn reply. "I think that I shall
have to take you into camp and see what General Percy has to say about
the matter."
Dick's heart sank. General Percy was the officer he had seen, a few
weeks before, when he had pretended to join the British force, and the
officer would recognize him at once, without doubt. It would not do to
permit himself to be taken into the camp, a prisoner. It would result
disastrously, as he would likely be shot as a spy, for it was known
that he had rescued the patriot prisoners out of the old prison-ship
in the bay, and he would be handled severely. Even though only a boy
in years, he had proven himself capable of doing a man's work.
"Oh, I wouldn't do that, if I were you," said Dick, calmly.
The soldier smiled grimly. "I suppose you do not view the matter
favorably," he replied. "But, I think it my duty to take you into
camp, for you may be a dangerous spy."
Dick had been doing some swift thinking, and he had made up his mind
that he must not permit himself to be taken into the encampment a
prisoner. He must manage in some way to prevent the soldier from
accomplishing this. The only way, so far as he could see, was to
engage the soldier in a struggle, and overpower him, and as the
redcoat looked a pretty husky fellow, this would likely not be an easy
thing to accomplish. But Dick was more than ordinarily strong, and he
was quick and athletic, and a good wrestler, and he believed he could
overpower the soldier. He felt confident he could do so, if he could
succeed in taking the redcoat by surprise.
Dick, busy thinking, made no reply to the redcoat's last remark, and
the soldier, after waiting a few moments, said sharply: "Get up, young
fellow."
Dick rose to his feet, slowly and quietly. His actions were such as
would cause the redcoat to think he did not contemplate offering any
resistance, and this was done purposely, so as to throw the redcoat
off his guard. And it worked that way, for the soldier, with a
careless wave of the hand, said:
"March along in front of me to the encampment, young fellow. We'll see
what General Percy thinks about you."
But Dick did not march, as ordered to do. Instead, he suddenly leaped
upon the amazed soldier, and seizing him by the throat, so as to
prevent his crying out, tripped him, throwing him to the ground
heavily, and then, seated astride the redcoat's body, and holding him
pinned to the earth in spite of his struggles.
The soldier was a pretty strong man, but he had been taken at a
disadvantage and by surprise, and so was not in a position to exercise
his full powers, and the result was, that although only a youth of
eighteen years, Dick managed to choke the soldier into a state of
insensibility in a very few minutes.
And then, when confident that the redcoat was unconscious, Dick let go
his hold, and proceeded to bind the redcoat's hands and feet, and gag
him. This accomplished, the youth dragged the soldier into the deepest
and thickest clump of bushes and concealed him there, so that in case
any soldiers came to the timber, later on, they would not discover his
presence.
Having accomplished this task, Dick sat down beside the tree and drew
a long breath of relief and satisfaction.
"There, that turned out all right, after all," he murmured. "But, I
thought at first that I might be taken into camp a prisoner, and that
would have been bad indeed."
Dick looked toward the encampment keenly, as he spoke, and noted that
all was quiet there, and that none of the soldiers were as yet
evincing any disposition to visit the clump of timber.
At least an hour passed, and then Dick saw a couple of soldiers leave
the encampment and come toward the timber. As soon as he was certain
they were coming to loll in the shade of the trees, Dick climbed the
tree. From there he could hear the conversation of the redcoats, and
there was not much chance that they would discover his presence, the
foliage in the tree as has been noted, being quite thick.
The two soldiers entered the edge of the timber and seated themselves
under a tree close to the one Dick 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 Dick 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."
Dick was straining every nerve to hear distinctly.
Just then a groan sounded, from amid the clump of bushes in which Dick
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. Dick 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 instituted 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 Dick 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 Dick 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 Dick's
amusement, 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 assented to this
proposition, and they at once left the clump of trees and made their
way to the encampment.
Dick 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 Dick 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, Dick 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 Dick 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, Dick, 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 Dick, Tom and Ben, their eyes shining,
could scarcely contain themselves. They wanted to be at the front,
helping fight the redcoats.
"Say, Dick, ask General Putnam to let us go down there," pleaded Ben
Foster. "I want to help fight the redcoats!"
"Yes, do ask him, Dick," 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 Dick. "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 Dick 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."
Dick 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, Dick," 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 Dick, 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, Dick. 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 Dick 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.