Zeke and Lem, dressed in the uniform of British soldiers, entered the clump of timber and seated themselves on the moss under the tree next to that Dick was in. They had no suspicion that there was anyone other than themselves present, and talked freely of their plans. "How do ye like army life, anyhow, Zeke?" asked Lem, as they lolled on the grass. "Oh, pretty well, Lem," was the reply. "How do ye like et?" "Oh, only so-so, Zeke. They're too strict ter suit me. I don't like ter hev ter come an' go just ez sumbuddy tells me, do you?" "No, I don't. But when er feller enters the army, that's jest whut he hez ter do." "Yes, thet's so. Well, I guess I'll git used ter et." "I'll be glad when we git inter a bettle with the rebels, Lem, won't you?" "Yes, I guess so." The tone was not very decided or enthusiastic. "I hope thet ef we do git inter a battle, we'll meet up with Dick an' Tom Dare an' Ben Foster." "So do I. I'd like ter giv' 'em a thrashin' in a battle." "So would I. An' I guess thet we'll hev a chance to fight the rebels afore so very long, fur I heerd our colonel tell another officer thet et hez be'n decided ter make an attack on Brooklyn Heights the twenty-fourth." "Yes, I heard 'im say thet." Dick made mental note of this date. He had learned something of value, and from the lips of his enemies, Zeke and Lem. How angry they would be if they knew they had done Dick Dare a kindness! "Thank you, Zeke and Lem," he murmured. "You are very kind, and have done me quite a favor." The two Tory youths remained there half an hour or so, and then returned to the encampment. Their conversation had held nothing further of interest to Dick, but what he had learned was sufficient. He had learned when the British intended to make the attack, and that was just what he had come over there to try to learn. Now he was eager to get back to New York and tell the commander-in-chief the news. As soon as it was dark, he set out for New York, and reached there a couple of hours later. He went at once to headquarters, where he told General Washington what he had learned. The commander-in-chief complimented Dick on his success in securing the information, and next morning he sent three thousand troops over to reinforce General Putnam's force on Brooklyn Heights. To the delight of Dick, Tom and Ben, Colonel Morgan's regiment was among those sent, and the youths would thus be able to take part in the battle. When the 24th arrived, however, the British did not make the expected attack, and about mid-day General Washington came over to the Heights and conferred with Putnam, and Dick was asked his opinion regarding the non-appearance of the British. "I don't understand it, sir," he replied. "I heard the two Tory youths say that an attack would be made on the twenty-fourth. Perhaps the British have learned that you were expecting them, and have postponed the attack on that account."