“We were in the flood, too, as we told you before you let us in,” said Dick. “We were chased by Indians, and were trying to escape. We swung down on the end of a tall tree, and dropped into the gulch, then suddenly a torrent came rushing down upon us and bore us a considerable distance before emptying into a river several miles from here. We swam ashore, dried our clothes and then came here.” “You were fortunate, in that you were not hit by any of the logs,” said Mr. Perkins. “Yes, so we were,” said Dick. “We grabbed hold of logs, and kept from being swept underneath the water and drowned.” There was some further talk, and then the youths were given something to eat, after which all settled down to take matters as easy as possible. The settlers rather expected an attack, but were prepared to offer battle, and did not doubt but what they could drive the redskins away, unless they came in much stronger force than when they made the attack in the afternoon. Dick asked the settlers many questions, and gained a good knowledge of the situation in that part of the country. He learned that Ninety-Six was garrisoned by about five hundred British and Tory soldiers, and that they were inciting the Indians to attack the patriot settlers, and when he had gathered all the information possible, Dick said that he would take his leave about midnight and start northward to carry the report to General Greene. “Hadn’t you better let me take the news to General Greene, Dick?” said Ben. “You might be able to do good work here, scouting and spying on the Indians, redcoats and Tories.” “No, I guess I will take the news to the general,” said Dick. “It is going to be exceedingly dangerous getting back through the lines of the Indians, and I have had more experience in woodcraft than you have, and think I can slip through with greater ease and safety than you could.” “I’ll go, Dick,” said Tom. “I can slip through the Indians’ lines, all right.” “No, you and Ben stay here,” said Dick. “I’ll take the news to General Greene, and we’ll be back here pretty quick, with the army, and then the redskins, redcoats and Tories will have to look out.” “Good!” said Mr. Holden. “The quicker the soldiers get here, the better it will be for the patriots in this part of the country.” Shortly after midnight Dick said good-by to Tom, Ben and the settlers, and passing out of the stockade he stole away in the darkness. CHAPTER IV Dick and the Indians