Fearing that the redcoats up on the top of the knoll might hear the voices of the youths, or catch sight of them, Dick hastened to meet the two, and when they discovered him, he made a cautioning gesture to which they gave heed for they stopped and waited for him to join them. “Have you found the encampment of Arnold, Dick?” asked Tom, eagerly. “No,” was the reply. “The party of redcoats that we chased away have stopped here and gone into camp. I’m waiting for them to continue their journey.” “Well, I’m glad we caught up with you and we have brought you rations.” “Which is most welcome news.” They settled down behind a clump of bushes, and took it easy while Dick filled, in some degree, the empty void within him. They could peep through between the bushes and see the redcoats on the knoll; and Tom and Ben now told Dick that Tim and Fritz had come to the island and brought the news that the patriot soldiers were there and had driven the redcoats away. “The patriot settlers came back to the mainland and went to their homes again,” said Tom. “And the soldiers are encamped at the settlement, where they will stay till we get back with the news of the whereabouts of Arnold’s main encampment.” “That is good,” said Dick. “Yes,” said Ben. “What luck did you have, Dick, climbing through the tops of the trees?” Dick then told them of his experience in the bog, and how Fritz and Herbert Miller had come to his rescue, just when he had begun to think he would perish in the bog. “It was lucky that they happened to find that path and were trying to reach the island,” said Tom. “Yes, it was my only salvation. There was near to being an end to Dick Dare.” Slowly the time rolled away, and evening came, with the redcoats still encamped on the top of the knoll. As soon as it was dark, Dick crept up close to the encampment, and after listening a while, succeeded in hearing enough of the conversation of the soldiers to learn that it was their intention to remain there all night. Dick made his way back to where Tom and Ben were and told them the news. “Such being the case,” he said, “we don’t need to stay right here and keep watch on the camp all the time. We will go and find a settler’s home and get something to eat.” “That’s the idea,” said Tom. “I am beginning to feel pretty hungry.” “I could enjoy a bite, myself,” said Ben. “Come, then,” said Dick. “We’ll see if we can find a place where we can get something to eat.” He set out through the woodland with Tom and Ben close beside him. They traveled thus for perhaps half an hour, during which time darkness overtook them, then they suddenly caught sight of lights, through between the trees. “There’s a little settlement!” exclaimed Tom. “Yes, and there’s something going on at one of the houses,” said Ben. “See, that house near the center is lighted up more than the others, and I hear music.” “Sounds like a violin,” said Tom. “Likely they are having a party there.”