"We found this youngster over yonder in that bit of woods, General Percy," said one of the soldiers. "He was sitting there, eating a lunch, and when we appeared and asked him who he was and where he came from, he seemed frightened and could make no satisfactory answer." "I wasn't frightened, any such thing!" said Tom, his eyes flashing. "I am not frightened even now, sir. I was surprised, for they came upon me so suddenly, and the leaped at me as if I were a desperado, and naturally I may have seemed a bit confused in my answers to their questions. But I wasn't frightened, sir." Something like a grim smile appeared for an instant on the general's face, as he looked at the bright face of the boy. "So you were not afraid, eh?" he remarked. "Well, if you are not a rebel spy or an enemy to the king, there is no reason that you should be afraid. What is your name?" "Tom Dare, sir." Tom had given his real name to the soldiers, but had wished afterward that he had given a fictitious one. Now he could do nothing other than give his own name. "Tom Dare, eh? Well, Master Tom Dare, where do you live?" The boy hesitated an instant, and then said: "I live over in New Jersey." "Ah, in New Jersey? Well, what are you doing over here on Long Island?" "I wanted to see the British army, sir, and so I came over here." "Ah, indeed? Why did you wish to see the British army?" "Just out of curiosity, sir. I have never before seen an army, and I wanted to see one." General Percy eyed the boy searchingly for a few moments, and then said: "It seems to me you have come good ways to satisfy a feeling of curiosity. Your action is a little bit unusual. You appear to have an inquiring mind." There was something in his tone that Tom did not just like. It had a threatening sound. However, he kept a bold face, and said as calmly as possible: "Yes, sir." "I suppose," said the general after a few moments, "that you have so much curiosity, you would like to see all that you possibly can." Tom still did not fancy the general's tone and air, but he answered: "True, sir. So I would." "Very well. Such being the case, I have no doubt that you would like to see the interior of one of the old hulks down at the bay, that we use as prisons for rebel spies and other prisoners. I am going to send you down there, my boy, and I hope you will like the looks of things there, for you will probably be there some time." Tom started and turned slightly pale. "Surely you are not going to make me a prisoner there, sir!" he exclaimed in dismay. "That is just what I am going to do, Master Tom Dare!" was the reply in a stern tone. "The fact is, I believe you are a rebel spy. Your explanation of your presence here, when your home is over in New Jersey is not satisfactory at all. I am certain that you have an ulterior motive in coming, and the only motive that I can think of is that you came to engage in spy-work. Take him to the prison at once, men," this last to the soldiers.