Having so decided, he lost not time, but moved away as cautiously as possible. He went a bit faster than he should have done, to maintain a noiseless movement, however, for he stepped on a fallen branch, which broke with a cracking sound, and the very next step he stumbled over a log, and fell into a brushpile, making considerable noise. "A spy!" he heard one of the redcoats cry. "There's somebody there, sure!" "Halt!" cried the other soldier, loudly. "Stop, or I'll fire!" But Dick, fearing to remain, as he would almost certainly be found and captured, leaped to his feet and took to his heels, running as fast as he dared; to run too fast, would have been to break his head against a tree, more than likely. The British soldiers heard him, evidently, for one cried, excitedly: "There he goes! I hear him running!" "Yes," cried the other, "but I'll put a stop to his running, or know the reason why. Here goes to wing the rebel." The next instant the loud crack of a musket rang upon the still night air. At the same instant Dick Dare fell sprawling upon his face on the ground, and lay still. Chapter VIII Tom Dare Acts On the afternoon of the second day after the departure of Dick Dare from patriot headquarters in New York, Tom Dare appeared there, and to the orderly at the door said: "I wish to see General Washington, sir." "Oh, you do, eh?" was the query. The orderly could not imagine what business this sixteen-year-old boy could have with the commander-in-chief. "Yes, sir. Show me to his presence, please." The orderly looked at the eager, bright face of the boy with more of interest. "Who are you?" he queried. "My name is Tom Dare." "Tom Dare!" in surprise. "Why, there was a young fellow here a couple of days ago whose name was Dare-Dick Dare, I believe it was." "Yes," quietly; "he is my brother." "Ah, your brother! Are you a member of the patriot army, also?" "Yes, sir. I'm in Colonel Morgan's regiment." The orderly stared. "Well!" he murmured; "the Dares seem to be pretty well represented in the Continental Army." "Yes, sir. Our father was captured by Tories, and Dick and I made up our minds that we would join the patriot army and do all we could to bring about the defeat of the British and Tories, and if possible rescue our father." "Well, that is the right spirit, certainly." "Will you show me to the presence of the commander-in-chief, sir?" questioned Tom, eagerly. "I am very desirous of seeing him," he added, earnestly. "Come with me," was the reply; "I will speak to the commander-in-chief, and if he is willing, I will conduct you to his presence." Tom accompanied the orderly along the hall, pausing presently when told to do so. The orderly said he would be back in a few moments, and disappeared in a room at one side. He quickly returned and said that General Washington would see the youth. The next moment he ushered Tom into the presence of the commander-in-chief, announcing: "Master Tom Dare."