At noon that day they rode boldly up to the door of a farm house, and asked a surly looking grey-haired farmer for a meal, for which they would gladly pay what was fair. The man's face brightened visibly at the mention of payment, and after looking them over again, he drawled, "Wall, I reckon you two young uns kin get a bit here, providin' you're able to pay fer it." "Sure," answered Fritz, holding out a handful of coin with which he was equipped for traveling. The man's eyes narrowed a little at the sight of the money, but he didn't express any surprise, and nodding toward the stable, said, "Just stow your nags in there and come in. We'll have somethin' ready in a minit." As they turned toward the stable Dick thought he saw another form through the half-open door of the kitchen, but the vision was so uncertain that he dismissed the thought and busied himself with his horse. "Dot money opened the old crab's eyes, yes?" chuckled Fritz. "Seemed to me he closed them," said Dick. "I'm afraid it isn't wise to show more than one coin at a time, Fritz." "Dot old feller couldn't do notings," boasted the German boy. "And besides I don't always got so much to show." "Oh, I guess everything is all right," replied Dick, "but I thought the old man looked rather interested at your display of good money." "Veil, id don't do him any no good," returned Fritz. "He gets enough for vat fer meals he gives us, und dot's all." The boys now walked up to the house, and entered the kitchen. Again Dick thought he saw someone in the front room, but he couldn't investigate, and besides, what of it? There were undoubtedly others in the house. The farmer appeared to have prepared the meal himself, and as he set it before them he plied them with questions. "Bin fightin'?" he queried. "Some," replied Dick, his mouth full of hot potato. "Which side?" asked the farmer. "Patriot, of course." "Of course," agreed the old man. "Sure," said Fritz, and Dick kicked him in the shins. "Hear them British is about knocked out," continued their host. "They will be before long," Dick answered. "They are getting enough of this chasing up and down the country, and finding food scarce and enemies plentiful." "They ain't all enemies, though." "No, there are a few good for nothing Tories left," said Dick. "That's kind o' hard talk," the old man drawled. "They ought to be called worse than that," Dick returned sharply. "S'pose I was one, myself?"