“I thought I would find them somewhere around here,” thought Tom, “Well, now by keeping watch on this party of redcoats, I will know when the others join them, and when they start toward the valley, and can hasten and warn the settlers and they can be ready to begin the bombardment with the stones.” Tom selected a good place from which to keep his eyes on the redcoats, and then settled down to take it easy. It was a warm morning, and Tom presently became somewhat drowsy. He would watch the encampment a little while, then he would nod slightly, but would presently rouse up again. It was during one of his nodding periods that Tom suddenly felt strong hands seize hold of him. Startled, he made an attempt to get free from the grasp, but could not do so, there being two of his assailants, and to Tom’s surprise they were Indians. “That accounts for their being able to slip up on me without my hearing them,” thought Tom, with some bitterness. His hands were quickly bound together behind his back with a thong, and then the Indians dragged Tom down to the British encampment, where he was given a rather grim reception. “So, here you are again, eh, Tom Dare!” exclaimed Lieutenant Wicks. “Good. I am glad to see you. You played us a nice trick when you pretended to fall, rolled down the slope and then hastened on ahead and gave the settlers warning, didn’t you. Very good, I will settle with you for that, now that we have got you in our hands!” And he glared at the youth in a manner that showed he was very much wrought up, as indeed he had cause to be. The truth was, that he was one of those who had been wounded by the bullets from the weapons of the settlers. His wound was not serious, but it was painful, and did not have a good effect on his temper. “What are you going to do with me?” asked Tom, somewhat defiantly. “I’ll show you at the proper time,” was the reply. “You will be very sorry that you acted as you did.” “Perhaps so, perhaps not,” replied the patriot youth. “You will find that it does not pay to try tricks on soldiers of the king,” said the lieutenant, sternly. “You will wish that you had remained a member of the British army.” “No, I won’t,” said Tom. “I am a patriot, and I wouldn’t fight for the king.” “You will be glad to fight for the king, before I get through with you, you blasted rebel!” cried the lieutenant, fiercely. Then he went on: “Just wait till the reinforcements get here. We will return to the valley and thrash the settlers and plunder their houses, and you are going to go along and help. Do you hear?” “Yes, I hear,” replied Tom, “but I won’t do much helping, I can tell you that.” He thought of the rocks that were to be rolled down on the redcoats, and did not like the prospect of being taken along with the force when it made its way along the path, in going to the valley.