+-------------------------------------------------+ |Transcriber's note: | | | |Obvious typographic errors have been corrected. | | | +-------------------------------------------------+ [Illustration: "YOU LITTLE REBEL SPY!" HE HISSED.] The Dare Boys IN Vincennes BY STEPHEN ANGUS COX ILLUSTRATED BY RUDOLF MENCL NEW YORK A. L. CHATTERTON CO. Copyright, 1912 A. L. CHATTERTON CO. CONTENTS CHAPTER. PAGE. I. ASSIGNED TO DUTY 9 II. AN INCIDENT 18 III. A SURPRISE 28 IV. AN ENCOUNTER 39 V. ABOARD THE SLOOP 55 VI. ON THE MARCH 68 VII. ON THE BEACH 80 VIII. THE AMBUSH 92 IX. IN CAMP 103 X. TELCA 116 XI. FOLLOWING THE TRAIL 130 XII. THE NIGHT ATTACK 143 XIII. THE CLIFF DROP 156 XIV. EVADING THE ENEMY 168 XV. UNITED 180 XVI. CONCLUSION 189 THE DARE BOYS IN VINCENNES CHAPTER I. ASSIGNED TO DUTY. In the cool, darkened room of the improvised Patriot Hospital in Charleston, a young man in the uniform of a Continental, read aloud to his much-bandaged friend. The subject of their attention was a long-delayed letter from the invalid's sister, in which she dwelt lightly on the hardships at home, and came forth strongly in praise of her brother's hardy deeds. "If it wasn't for Dick," said the wounded boy, faintly, but with a smile, "you would imagine I was the Patriot army all by myself." "It's because you were such a good part of it that you're on your back now," returned Tom Dare with enthusiasm. In an important engagement near Charleston, Ben Foster had been severely wounded, and for two weeks the Dare Boys, Dick and Tom, feared for their friend's life. That morning, however, the surgeons had relieved their anxiety by promising Ben's recovery, provided he received careful nursing. This good news greatly cheered the two brothers' hearts, for after having passed through so many thrilling occasions in safety, they dreaded the thought of returning to their homes near Philadelphia without their boon companion. Although the city at this date was in control of the Patriot Army, the British were everywhere about and actively watchful. To go to or communicate with any point beyond the lines was a task fraught with difficulty, and letters were rare events indeed. Dick Dare, whose latest triumphs under the "Swamp Fox" the reader well remembers, returned at this moment from the commander's quarters and noticed the letter in his comrade's hand. "News from home?" he inquired, eagerly. "Oh! from your sister, Ben?"