IN CAMP.
"Bring those two in here," said the major to the corporal, who was
holding Tom Dare and Tim.
He retired to the tent, and sat down on a small stool beside a camp
table. The boys were pushed forward into the tent and stood before the
British officer. There was no fear in their glances, and in fact they
seemed the coolest members of the party.
"What have got to say for yourselves?" questioned the major severely.
"What have we got to say for ourselves?" repeated Tom, speaking to gain
time.
"That's what I said!" snapped the officer. "Come now! Who are you? What
are you doing here, and what explanation can you make for the escape of
your two companions?"
"Praises be!" shouted Tim. "So they did escape?"
"Only temporarily," replied the major. "And kindly remember, young man,
that you are in the presence of an officer of his British Majesty, and
we don't permit interruptions from prisoners."
"That last expression explains our standing in this company, I
presume," said Tom. "May I ask why we are considered as prisoners, when
there seems to be no apparent ground for holding us?"
"There is plenty of reason for holding you two prisoners," replied
the officer. "You came ashore without any good reason for being out
in an open boat all night. Your two companions escaped for the time
being after stealing two of our horses, and in the excitement two
very important prisoners managed to slip away from their guards, thus
causing us any amount of unnecessary trouble and annoyance. You have
a good deal to answer for and no good answers to give as far as I can
see."
"Well, to begin with, we were the survivors of a wreck. Our ship blew
up, and the captain, mate, my friend and I escaped in the dory that
we landed in," replied Tom. "I guess our reception was not cordial
enough to inspire the other two with any desire to stay, and they just
departed by the easiest route they could find. I don't see why we
should be held responsible for their actions, nor for the escape of
your other prisoners."
"Where were you bound when you were wrecked?" questioned their captor.
"New York," replied Tom, doing some hasty thinking. "We were going to
land and go down to Philadelphia, where we live, after transacting some
business in New York."
"What took you so far from home?" queried the major.
"We worked our way down on a coasting schooner," replied Tom, referring
to a previous experience, and trying desperately to lighten the aspect
of the bad situation they had fallen into.
"Your story isn't convincing enough," replied the officer, and Tom's
heart sank at his words. "I think we'll keep you with us for awhile,
and see what else we can find out about you. You look a whole lot like
that very slippery rebel spy we are chasing, and maybe you know him."
"Who is that?" asked Tom, with apparent indifference.
"Dick Dare," replied the major, watching Tom closely.
But Tom was already sure of whom was meant and never blinked an eyelash.
"You boys can join the troops," continued the major, "and understand
that any attempt to escape will be at your own risk. I think you will
bear a little watching."
"I want to protest against such treatment," Tom said hotly, "and if
we get the opportunity, I will report this to those who will make you
regret this affair."
With that he and Tim walked out of the tent and sauntered over to a
fire. The soldiers were finishing their interrupted breakfast, and at
a nod from their old acquaintance, the corporal, the boys sat down and
joined them. Both of them were famished and the food was very welcome.
Shortly after the meal was over, camp was struck, and the boys were
given horses to ride and instructed to keep in the centre of the troop.
"These look like Dick's and Fritz's horses," said Tom. "They haven't
any of the usual army trappings, and the equipment seems different from
the rest."
Two of the troopers rode in the camp wagon, as their horses had been
appropriated by the mate and the captain in their dash for freedom.
Tom and Tim were considered more secure on horseback and in the centre
of the troop.
The party rode to the edge of the bay along the road, and then several
of them dismounted and closely inspected the shore for traces of any
of their fugitive's footsteps. They had only gone about half a mile
in this fashion when they came upon footprints leading to the water's
edge. It was here that Dick and Fritz had rested after their long run
through the woods. The spot where they had come out and marks down to
the water's edge were all that the troopers could find, and as there
was no sign of a boat having landed or pushed off, the officers decided
that the boys had kept in the shallow water near shore to hide their
further trail.
The troop, was therefore, ordered forward, and all the forenoon
they cantered briskly along the shore road, following the turns and
twistings of the irregular shore line, and making frequent detours to
avoid the deeper creeks that ran into the bay. They did not stop but
for a few moments at noon, when a hasty bite was snatched by the men
and horses, and the latter were given a breathing spell.
Still there was no sign of the fugitives, and the two boys, Tom and
Tim, were as elated as their companions were discouraged.
"Dick and Fritz must have gone the other way," said Tim, late in the
afternoon.
"Or else they got hold of a boat of some kind," said Tom. "I am
inclined to think it was the latter, for the other direction would have
led them back toward the camp, and would have delayed them further on
their journey. If these good fellows only keep going at this rate they
will get us within striking distance of our destination."
"And thim never guessing how kind they are," chuckled Tim. "If they
only knew how glad we are to go along they would probably face about
and cart us back agin."
"We must try to gain their confidence," Tom went on, quietly. "If they
do get hot on Dick's trail, and we are free to give them warning, we
can be of more use staying with them than by escaping."
"Thot's a foine idea," said Tim, greatly pleased with the new turn
things had taken.
"And, of course, at the end of the chase, if it only lasts that long,
we'll try to make our escape, and get to Vincennes with Dick and
Fritz. But I suppose that's almost too much to expect."
"Oi don't know, now. This pack of hounds seems moighty anxious to catch
up with your brother and the Dootchman, and Oi'm after thinkin' they'll
stay roight along to the ind of the chase."
"Let's hope the chase only ends in Vincennes then," replied Tom,
hopefully.
That night the British party were able to make out the lights of
several camp fires across the bay. The day's trip had brought them near
the head waters of the Chesapeake, and across the narrower portion of
the water the glitter of the fires could be easily distinguished. A
council was held by the officers and they determined to make an early
start in the morning and endeavor to reach the end of the bay before
the party on the opposite shore, so that if their prey were with the
other group and traveling in the same direction, they might be within
striking distance.
The night passed without adventure and the two boys made considerable
progress toward getting friendly with the troopers by relating stories
while seated about the fires in the evening. From the talk of the
soldiers, carefully guided by veiled hints from Tom, they learned
the history of Dick Dare's and Fritz's adventures since they had left
Charleston.
The soldiers recounted their many encounters with the two energetic
Patriots and were especially bitter about their defeat by the boys and
their friends some days back on the road. Tom and his companion could
scarcely refrain from laughing at the thought that these men were so
innocently telling Dick's own brother and one of his closest friends
how these two trouble makers had outwitted the forces of his royal
majesty, King George the Third.
The troopers soon tired of telling of their poor success with Dick and
Fritz, however, and rather than seem too curious about the other boys,
Tim encouraged one of them to tell a story of one of the European wars
that the troop had engaged in.
The man was noted for his odd tales and needed but sufficient coaxing
and an appreciative audience to launch into one of his yarns.
"All right," the soldier replied to Tim's urging. "Some of us boys were
in the regiment when this happened, and remember the incident, but if
they can stand for an old story, I'll let you have it."
"Go ahead," said two of the older men. "You can make an old tale sound
new, anyhow."
Thus encouraged the soldier launched forth on his yarn.
"It was a strange regiment, that old one, of 'Dragoons,'" he began.
"There were men of all lands in that band and under the 'Red Colonel'
it was a rare fighting force. We were always in the front of everything
and when finally a ten days' truce with the French was decided, we were
all glad of the rest.
"There was only one Spaniard, I forgot to say, in the whole regiment,
for somehow or other, those fellows weren't much in favor of us and
we didn't trust them any too fully. This fellow had been with us for
a number of years and had time and again proven himself true to the
regiment and his comrades.
"We were just at the foot of the pass through the Pyrannees when the
truce came, and this Spaniard fellow, who was a captain then, and very
friendly with the colonel, asked for a ten-day leave of absence. He
gave some excuse about long absence from home and about going to see
his mother, and the colonel allowed him to go. He took his sword and
his musket with him and disappeared along the track toward the mountain
passes.
"There were some in his own troop who didn't love their captain any
to well and in particular the young lieutenant who was directly under
this Spanish captain would have been glad to have him out of the way.
Therefore, before half of his ten days were up, reports of an ugly
nature began to circulate. They were somewhat to the effect that the
captain had accepted an offer from our enemies and had gone over to
them with information that would be of great advantage when the truce
was over.
"His friends indignantly rejected all such suggestions and said that
the captain himself would deal with the parties who started such rumors
when he returned. But the ninth and then the tenth day came and passed
and the captain didn't return to his place in the regiment, nor to
disprove all remarks that had been passed in his absence.
"After twelve days, the colonel, very much against his wishes, but in
accordance with his duty, had the captain deposed from office and read
out of the regiment."
Here the soldier paused, and Tim, who was very much absorbed in the
narrative, said, "And did the man niver turn up agin?"
"Oh, to be sure," continued the British trooper, "and that's the
story. On the thirteenth night there comes a challenge from one of the
outposts and the Spanish captain answers the call.
"'Halt!' says the guard. 'Who goes there!'
"'Friend,' replied the captain. 'I'm captain of troop B.'
"'Captain Thornton is captain of Troop B,' replied the sentry. 'You are
no longer a member of this regiment. They read you out of it yesterday.'
"The colonel had been attracted by this disturbance and he ordered the
former captain to be brought before him in his tent.
"'Well, what made you break your promise in this way?' queried his
anxious superior.
"'I couldn't help it,' replied the captain. 'I was afraid when I asked
for leave that if I gave the right reason you wouldn't let me go, so
I said it was to visit my mother. But she has been dead for two years
now. In our mountain country of Northern Spain we have what you call
blood-feuds, and when they are once started the end only comes with the
extinction of one or both families concerned. In our family there has
been such a feud now for twenty years, but it is no more.'
"'Go on,' said the colonel, 'explain your over long absence.'
"'That was the cause of it,' continued the captain. 'I received word
that the last two men, the only ones left of our enemies had been
seen about my house and that my wife and two children were in danger.
I hurried to their aid. In crossing the pass I lost my musket and
succeeded only in reaching my house in the dark, without any firearm.
There was but one old gun in the house, and, worse luck, there was but
one charge for that. However, our enemies who were trying to starve out
my family, didn't know of my arrival. I waited day after day, hoping,
sometime, to get them both in line and to kill them with but a single
shot. Day after day they went for water at the well, and lurked about
the grounds around the house, but never did the chance I was waiting
for present itself. Then finally, on the eleventh day of my furlough,
the opportunity came. And now they are both gone and I am here.'
"The colonel's face beamed with pleasure, for his confidence in the
captain had been justified.
"'Thornton is captain of Troop B now,' said the colonel. 'Your leave of
absence was, I remember, for twenty days, not ten. Good-night, major.'"
"So," cried Tom, "he was not only forgiven for his overstay of leave,
but promoted in rank?"
"Thot's a strange story for sure," muttered Tim. "And you say it's
true?"
"Absolutely," replied the British soldier, and his two old comrades
nodded their assent. In the meantime the men were preparing for their
night's rest. In a very few minutes the whole troop was asleep.