“I guess Gurley won’t be back for quite a while,” thought Dick. “I will set out at once and make my way to the patriot encampment.” Dick left the cabin and made his way through the forest, heading northward, and hastened onward as rapidly as he could. He had already lost considerable time, and he was eager to reach the patriot encampment as quickly as possible, and get General Greene and his army started to the rescue of the settlers in the fort in Peaceful Valley. At noon Dick stopped at the house of a settler, and ate dinner there. He learned that the settler was a patriot, and told him where he was going, and why, and the settler told him he could have one of his horses to ride. “Thank you, sir,” said Dick. “That is kind of you. I’ll leave the horse here as we come back.” “That’s all right, Dick Dare. I am a patriot an’ want to do all I can to help get help to the patriot settlers in Peaceful Valley.” Dick thanked him again, and a few minutes later was mounted on a horse and riding northward proceeding now at a rapid pace. He believed that he would be able to reach the patriot encampment by noon of the next day, and by pushing onward nearly through the night, he was enabled to do so. As soon as he reached the encampment, he went to the headquarters tent, and found General Greene and some of the other officers there, among them Captain Morgan, of Dick’s own company. “Ah, Dick, how are you?” greeted the general, shaking the youth’s hand. “I am feeling well, sir,” was the reply. And then Dick, after shaking hands with the other officers, said: “I have important news for you, sir.” “Let’s hear the news, Dick?” eagerly. “Very well, sir.” And then Dick told about the desperate needs of the settlers of Peaceful Valley, whose homes had been burned by the Indians, and who were now in the little fort, surrounded by the Indians, who would undoubtedly capture the patriots soon if help was not vouchsafed. “How far is the fort from here?” asked General Greene. “Nearly a hundred miles, I should judge.” “A good three days’ march from here,” said the general. “I think we had better break camp and start with the entire force. Give the orders to your respective companies, officers. We will move at once.” The officers saluted and hastened out, and Dick remained to answer the questions that General Greene wished to ask about the location of the fort, the number of the settlers, and particulars concerning the Indians, etc. Within an hour after dinner, the little army was ready to start, and at the word from General Greene, it set out on the march. In the lead rode General Greene and some of the officers, and Dick, while behind came the soldiers, marching steadily, and with a grim, determined look on their faces. They knew that they were going to the rescue of a party of settlers surrounded by redskins, and were eager to reach their destination and get a chance at the Indians.