“Very well,” said Sally, after a few moments of silence, “we will try that plan. Go down into the cellar and get a bottle of the cider.” “And--Sally.” “Well?” “If we succeed in setting the prisoners free, you’ll--you won’t be angry with me, will you?” “I’ll see about it, Ralph. Now, go and get the cider.” Hicks said, “All right,” and then lifted the cellar-door and made his way down into the cellar. He got a bottle of the cider, and when he got back up, and had closed the cellar-door, the redcoat was just emerging from the kitchen. “Here,” said Hicks, his voice trembling slightly. “Here is the cider.” “All right, young man, and thank you,” said the redcoat. He stepped to Hicks’ side, and took the bottle, and placed it to his mouth. A few moments later the door of the kitchen opened again, and Dick and Tom Dare and Ben Foster leaped forth. The redcoat heard them and started to turn around, but Dick Dare, who was in the lead, sprang upon the British soldier with all his force, and the redcoat was hurled sprawling to the earth, the bottle flying from his hand. [Illustration: The red coat was hurled sprawling.] Then the three youths dashed away, into the edge of the timber at the rear of the house. The redcoat was not injured, excepting that he had been jarred by falling, and he scrambled to his feet, caught sight of the youths running, and jerking out a pistol, he fired a shot after the fugitives, and yelled loudly: “Quick, comrades! The prisoners have escaped!” CHAPTER XVII—Arnold’s Encampment The British soldiers came dashing through the kitchen and out by way of the rear door, and, directed by the excited redcoat that had permitted the prisoners to escape, through leaving his post, they dashed through the underbrush in pursuit of the three patriot soldiers. On they ran, for quite a distance, but they did not catch sight of the fugitives, or hear any sound of them, so they presently, there being naught else to do, gave up the chase and made their way back to the house, where the young people, greatly excited, were eagerly awaiting their return. When it was seen that the redcoats were returning empty-handed, there was great delight expressed by the young people, though in subdued tones, so that the redcoats could not hear what was said. And Ralph Hicks, who had been responsible for the capture of the three patriot youths, was glad they had escaped, for he felt that if they had been recaptured, Sally would have kept her word, and never spoken to him again. When all had entered the house, the sergeant began questioning the soldier that he had left to guard the prisoners, and the fellow said that the prisoners had somehow gotten their hands free, and had suddenly jumped up, knocked him down and had dashed out of the house. He had quickly gotten to his feet and followed them, had then fired the shot and yelled that the prisoners were escaping.