The fact that he was in the encampment of the enemy did not have any effect on Dick's nerves at all. He was a brave and matter-of-fact youth, and felt the boldest plan was the safest, and so he was enabled to act with as much _sang froid_ as if he were really an adherent of the king and sincere in his desire to fight for him. Dick ate breakfast with the rest of the soldiers of his company, then he looked about them, and over the encampment, with interest. It was very interesting indeed to the boy patriot spy and he was eager to see all that there was to be seen. He noted that this was in itself quite an encampment, but realized that it was only one portion of the whole. He wished to get the other divisions located, and desired also to learn how many soldiers there were in the entire British army. He asked questions, carefully, in such a manner as not to create suspicion, and gradually became possessed of considerable information that he felt must be reliable, since there could be no occasion for those who gave him the information to deceive him, they believing him to be loyal to the king and a soldier the same as they were. About nine o'clock Company H. was ordered to proceed to the beach for the purpose of allowing the soldiers to bathe, and they set out at once, Dick accompanying them, of course. On the way they passed another division of the British army, and Dick was informed by a companion that it was the main body. When they neared the beach, Dick caught sight of several old hulks of vessels at anchor near the shore, and he inquired what they were. "Old hulks of dismantled ships," was the reply. "We use them for prisons for those of the rebel army that we capture." "Are there any rebels in there now?" queried Dick, making his tone as careless as possible, though having his father in mind, his heart was throbbing with eagerness. "Yes, there are a number in there-fifteen or twenty, I should judge. They are in the hulk farthest to the north. Among them are three or four rebel spies who will likely be shot or hanged sooner or later." Dick's heart thrilled as he heard this news. Perhaps he might be able to rescue all those poor, suffering patriot prisoners! He made up his mind that he would try, at any rate. And again the thought struck him that his father might be imprisoned there. He at once decided that he would visit the prison ship and rescue the prisoners, if possible. Chapter XI Tom in Trouble Dick Dare eyed the British fleet with interest. It lay in the roadstead, just off York Bay, and the sight of the warships was indeed alluring. He asked questions about the fleet, being careful to inquire as if actuated merely by curiosity, and he also managed to secure information as to the number of soldiers in the army on shore. He was told that the army, as a whole, had about twenty-four thousand men in its ranks.