Thus it happened that Tim and Fritz came to the top of the ridge, from which the three youths had seen the camp of the party of redcoats, and reaching there about an hour after the youths had left. They stopped to rest, and soon caught sight of the redcoats, in the same manner as the youths had done. They were greatly excited at once. “Sure an’ we’ve found thim alriddy!” exclaimed Tim. “Yah, dot is so,” agreed Fritz. “But dere are not many dere, Tim. Dis is not der big encampment.” “Ye are roight, Fritz. This is a small party thot is out on a foraging expedition, loikely.” “Ve must sby on dem, Tim, und find ouid vot dey are doin’ here,” said Fritz. “Roight ye are, me bye. An’ it’s Tim Murphy can do thot worruk, sure an’ it is.” “Ah righd. You go und do dot vork, Tim. I vill sday here und be ready to gome to your assistance if you ged into drubble, already.” “Thot’s all roight. Here Oi go, Fritz.” Then Tim moved slowly and cautiously forward, heading for the encampment of the redcoats. He was not so skillful at this kind of work as was Dick Dare, but he did pretty well in this instance, and by going very slowly, he managed to get over the ground without making much noise. Closer and closer crept Tim, and finally he came to a stop behind a tree about fifty yards from the encampment. He could hear what the redcoats said, but they were talking about matters of no particular interest, and Tim did not learn of their intention of plundering and burning the patriot settlement. Tim saw that there was only a small party of the redcoats, and realizing that this was only a detachment from Arnold’s army, he decided to return to where he had left Fritz, and they would go on their way and try to find the main encampment. So he turned and slipped back in the direction from which he had come, and when he neared the top of the ridge and looked for his comrade, he greatly to his surprise did not see him. Tim supposed Fritz was seated behind a tree, however, and thought nothing of it, but when he reached the point where he had left the Dutch youth, sure as fate Fritz was not there. Tim looked all around, in surprise. Nowhere could he see Fritz. Glancing toward the redcoat camp, and deciding that they would not hear him, he sounded a signal that they often used to notify one of the other’s whereabouts. Then he listened, but did not hear any reply. Again he gave the signal, with the same result. “Where has Dootchy gone, Oi wondther,” muttered Tim, scratching his head. “Sure, an’ he’s so big thot av he was innywheres aroun’ here Oi ought to be able to see him.” He looked in all directions, carefully, searchingly, but Fritz was not to be seen, which was very puzzling, and Tim did not understand it at all. “Thot does bate all,” murmured Tim. “What shall Oi do? Shall Oi stay here, or go in search av him?” This was a problem, and Tim sat down, the better to figure it out.