Next morning the subject of what should be done was taken up, and the men discussed the matter thoroughly, but could not come to any decision. Dick Dare and his two comrades had not had much to say, as they considered themselves outsiders, but when the settlers had talked an hour or so and had not come to any decision, Dick, who had been doing considerable thinking, rose and walked along the shore of the island, peering up into the trees that extended away across the swamp. Then he came back, and said to Mr. Williams: “How far is it to the mainland, in that direction,” pointing toward the north. The path by which they had come connected with the island on the east side. “About a mile, I should judge,” replied Mr. Williams. “Why?” “I have a plan which I think may work,” was the reply. “I notice that the trees in the swamp are rather close together, and the limbs intermingle. I believe that I can reach the shore by climbing from one treetop to another. What do you think?” “It might be possible to do that,” was the reply. “An active young fellow like you might do it. If you should happen to fall into the bog, however, it would likely be the last that would ever be heard of you, as it is like quicksand, and sucks its victims down out of sight.” “Well, I believe I will try it, anyhow. If I can reach the mainland, I can go to the encampment of our army and get some of the soldiers to come and drive the redcoats away, or, better still, capture them.” “That would be splendid, if you could accomplish it,” said the settler. “I think it worth trying,” said Dick, confidently. “I am a good climber, and believe that I can make my way from one tree to another, and thus reach the shore.” “I’ll bet that I could, too,” said Tom, eagerly. “You stay here and let me go, Dick.” But Dick shook his head. “I am older and stronger than you, Tom,” he said, “and as it will be a hard job working one’s way to the mainland, I prefer to make the attempt. You and Ben will stay here.” “All right, just as you say.” “I’ll start immediately,” determined Dick. “You had better take some food with you,” suggested Mr. Williams. “You will find your task a hard one and you may have to go two or three miles in order to reach the shore, for you will have to work your way wherever the trees are thickest.” “True, sir,” said Dick. He tied up a package of food, and fastened it on his shoulder by a piece of leather string, and then, after talking to Tom and Ben a few moments, he said good-by to all the folks. Stepping to a tree that grew right at the edge of the island, climbed it, till high enough up so that the limbs were of good size and extending to those of another tree out in the swamp, and then he worked his way across into the other tree. “Good for you,” congratulated Mr. Williams. “That’s the way to do it, Dick,” cried Tom. “It is going to be slow work,” replied Dick. “But I think I can reach the mainland by noon, anyway.”