"Good idea," said Tom, being decided by this argument to do his best to continue with the larger body of men. "What's a good idea?" suddenly asked the young fellow whom Tom had noticed talking with the major when Tim and he were captured. "We keep our good ideas for those who are able to appreciate them," replied Tom, for his first encounter with this youth had left him with no very pleasant feelings toward him. "We'll see about that," said the other, advancing on Tom. "I'll teach you how to answer a gentleman when he speaks to you." "When a gentleman speaks to me I'll know how to answer him," replied Tom, while Tim burst out laughing. The added insult of Tim Murphy's laughter was too much for the hot blooded southerner, and he sprang at Tom with an arm upraised, intending to show the Dare boy who was master in this case. But Tom had had too many of such little frays to be caught napping, and quickly stepping aside, he stuck out his foot and pushed the furious boy as he plunged past him. Tim was standing directly behind where Tom Dare had been, and he grabbed the falling figure as he lost his balance with Tom's push. "Saved your loife, me little man," said Tim, carelessly letting the young fellow slide prone upon the ground. He then turned and walked away with Tom toward the major. "Ha, ha!" laughed the soldiers, greatly tickled to see the southerner get a tumble. "You uns got a fall that time for sure," said one. The indignant object of these remarks, however, was hastily brushing off clinging pine needles and dirt, and meanwhile hurrying up after his two intended victims. The boys had reached the major and that officer was having difficulty in restraining his laughter, for although some distance away, he had seen the incident clearly. Tom saluted and said, quickly: "My companion and I have gotten interested in this chase, and as it promises to last but a few days at the most, would like to go on with you rather than go back and await your return. We can't be set free, you say, until you capture whoever you are after, so we may as well try to help you out and hurry our freedom at the same time." "Two burds at one stone," volunteered Tim, smilingly. "These two fellows are up to something," interrupted the southerner, running up at that minute. "I heard one of them say that he had a good idea, so they must be planning to escape." The major looked from the speaker to the two boys. They were smiling innocently. "We had two good ideas, begging your pardon," explained Tom. "One we explained to this young man and the other one to you." "They were both all right, I think," said the major. "And I think, as these boys are in my charge at the present time, Mr. Wilson, you had better leave them undisturbed in the future. It looks as if it would be better for both of you." "But," sputtered the excited fellow, "they insulted me, they----"