The sergeant looked puzzled, but did not say much. “I thought that you men could tie a prisoner’s hands so that he could not get free,” he growled. “That was a poor job you did, Simons.” “I thought I tied their hands tight, sir,” was the reply. “Oh, well, the rebels have made their escape, so there is no use worrying about it,” said the sergeant. “Let’s have another dance, and then we’ll return to camp and say nothing about it.” They went back into the front room, the musician started a tune, and they were soon dancing with great enthusiasm. And after the dance was over, they and the young people went into the kitchen and ate heartily of the food that had been prepared. All that the young folks regretted was that Dick and Tom Dare and Ben Foster, whom they had taken a liking to, were not there to help enjoy the supper, as they had expected would be the case. As for the three in question, they had ran onward till they found that the redcoats had given up the chase, when they had turned around and made their way back to the house. And when the young people were eating, and at the same time wishing the patriot youths were there, the three were near enough so that while they could not look in through the window, they knew what was going on. Dick, Tom and Ben would liked to have been in there, engaged in the same pleasing work, but fortunately they had eaten heartily that evening, after reaching the Hart home, and were not really hungry. So they simply watched and waited. When the soldiers and the young folks had finished the repast, the redcoats took their departure, and soon after they had left the house, by way of the front door, Dick Dare opened the rear door, and called to Sally Hart, who came quickly, a delighted look on her face. “I wanted to thank you for freeing us,” said Dick. “It was very kind of you, and we appreciate it, I assure you.” “Oh, I was glad to set you free,” said Sally. “I am a patriot girl, you know, and I didn’t want the redcoats to take you to their camp, prisoners.” And then she motioned toward the table, and said: “Come on in, and have something to eat. There is plenty of food left.” “Thanks, we will do so, Miss Sally,” said Dick. “But, I will go and make sure that the redcoats have taken their departure. Tom, you and Ben can go on in. I’ll be back in a few moments.” Tom and Ben entered the house, and Dick made his way around to the front, and after listening a few moments, heard the voices of the British soldiers, as they made their way through the woods, toward their encampment. He followed a couple of hundred yards, and then, feeling sure that the redcoats would not return, he went back to the house and entered the kitchen, where Tom and Ben were already seated at the table, eating. Dick took a place beside them, and Sally waited on the three, while the young folks stood around, asking questions about the manner in which the young patriot soldiers had escaped from their pursuers.