Sally Hart was a bright, shrewd girl. She had noted the fact that Ralph Hicks and the sergeant had left the room together a while before the three patriot youths were made prisoners, and she guessed that Hicks had told the sergeant that the three youths were patriot soldiers. She summoned Hicks to her side, and whispered to him that she wanted him to come out of doors with her, that she had something to say to him privately, and he followed her out. When they were a short distance from the house, Sally turned and said, somewhat sternly: “Ralph, why did you tell that sergeant that the Dare Boys and Ben Foster were patriot soldiers, and cause them to be made prisoners?” “I--why, Sally, I didn’t--” “Ralph Hicks, you know you did tell him!” interrupted Sally. “And, now, why did you do it?” “Well, Sally,” was the reply, in a desperate tone, “if you must know, I did it because you--because, well, you seemed to like Dick Dare, that’s why. You danced with him four or five times, and I didn’t get to dance with you once.” “So that is the reason!” There was anger and scorn in the girl’s voice. “I danced with Dick Dare several times because he is a good dancer, and because he is a stranger, and our guest. And you had to go and get jealous and hand him over to the redcoats. Ralph Hicks, I have a good mind to never speak to you again!” “I’m sorry, Sally,” said Hicks. “I--well, I was kind of mad at Dick Dare, and--and, yes, jealous of him. I wish you were not angry with me, Sally.” “I am angry, Ralph,” was the grim reply. “And there is just one way that you can get me over my angry feeling toward you.” “How is that, Sally?” eagerly. “By securing the freedom of Dick and Tom Dare and Ben Foster.” Hicks was silent a few moments, and then said: “I can’t do that, Sally. The redcoats have the three prisoners, and how could I get them out of their hands?” “I don’t know, that’s your problem, but if you want me to ever speak to you, after to-night, you must get those three young men free. You were the cause of their being made prisoners, and it is your place to rescue them.” “But, how will I do it, Sally?” “I don’t know, I’m sure.” “If you will help me,” said Hicks, presently, after a period of pondering, “perhaps I might manage it.” “What could I do?” “I’ll tell you. You have some mighty fine cider in the cellar, haven’t you?” “Yes.” “Well, I’ll get a bottle of the cider, and will be out here with it, and you tell the soldier that is guarding the prisoners that if he will step out of doors, I will give him some cider. And when he comes out, you cut the ropes and free the prisoners, and they can rush out, knock the redcoat over and make their escape.” “But, won’t the redcoat wonder why the cider isn’t brought into the room and given to him there?” “Tell him there is only one bottle, and that the other soldiers would want some of it, too, if they saw him drinking.”