“Now we are all right,” said Dick. “They have only two pistols apiece, likely, and so will not be able to fire again, unless they stop and reload, in which case we would get so far away from them that they would never get within shooting distance again.” “That’s so,” said Tom. Gradually they drew away from the pursuing redcoats, and finally the pursuers gave up the chase and turned back. As soon as they noted this, Dick and Tom slowed their pace to a walk and took it easy. They continued onward till they came to the bank of a creek. The bank was high, and they noted that at the point where they stood, a portion of the bank seemed to have caved away recently. They glanced downward, and saw that several tons of earth had fallen into the creek at least thirty feet below, and at a point about ten or twelve feet down the face of the bank a ledge that projected three or four feet had caught and held a ton or so of earth. It was now almost dark, however, and the youths, after resting a few moments, were about to turn and start for the patriot encampment when to their hearing came a muffled cry for help. “Listen!” exclaimed Dick. “Somebody cried ‘help,’” said Tom. “Yes, but where did the voice come from?” “It sounded to me as if it came from below us, somewhere.” “That’s the way it seemed to me.” Dick and Tom dropped down on their knees, and peered downward, and Dick called out, loudly: “Hello, down there! Where are you?” “In the cave,” came back to their ears, in a muffled, faint voice. “In behind the earth that has closed up the entrance to the cave.” “Well, that is queer!” exclaimed Tom. “Somebody was in the cave when the bank caved off, and is a prisoner there.” “We must get him out, Tom.” “Yes, but how will we do it?” “We must get down there on top of the ledge, and dig an opening.” “That’s right. I guess we can get down there. Let’s try it, anyhow.” They began making their way down the side of the creek-bank. It was now slightly sloping, and there were projections and indentations sufficient to give them foothold, and presently they stood on the top of the heap of earth that had lodged on the ledge. They looked to see if they could see any signs of the entrance, and near the top of the pile of dirt they found a small opening, which they judged was near the top wall of the cave itself. Dick placed his mouth close to the little opening and called out: “Hello, in there. Are you all right?” “Yes,” was the reply. And then in an eager voice came the query: “Is that you, Dick?” Dick uttered an exclamation of amazement. “Great Guns, Tom,” he cried. “I believe that is Ben, in there!” “What!” exclaimed Tom. “Why, I left him at the encampment.” “Is that you, Ben?” called Dick. “Yes. How did you get here, Dick? I supposed you were a prisoner.” “I was, but Tom rescued me.” “Ah!” eagerly. “Is Tom with you?” “Yes.” “Good! I was hunting him when I got into this predicament.”