“Yes, I’ll go on in the direction of Ninety-Six,” murmured Dick. “Likely Ben will do so, and I will meet him again, and if not, I may find Tom.” So Dick set out through the forest, heading toward the west. He walked steadily for two or three hours, and then, feeling tired, he lay down at the foot of a tree and was soon asleep. When he awoke it was morning, he rose and looked about him. On all sides was the wilderness, the timber being all around him. Nowhere were there any signs of Indians. “I wish I could find a settler’s home,” murmured Dick. “I am feeling the need of some food. Well, perhaps I may happen upon one, soon.” Then he set out, still heading westward, and walked steadily onward an hour or so, when he came to a little cabin in an open space in the forest. “Good,” thought Dick. “Now, I shall be able to get something to eat, likely.” Dick advanced and knocked on the door, which was opened a few moments later by a tall, roughly-dressed man, who looked like a hunter and trapper. “Good morning, sir,” greeted Dick. “I would like to get something to eat.” “All right, stranger; come right in,” was the reply. “Ye are welcome to all the grub ye can eat, such as it is.” “Thank you,” said Dick, and he entered and took a seat, while his host placed some meat and corn cakes on the rude table at one side. “Now set up here, and eat all ye want,” said the man. Dick did so, and when he had talked with the man a few moments, he learned that he was a hunter, but that he was a patriot, and the youth learned that it was about forty miles to Ninety-Six. “If ye’re going over in that part of the country, ye’ll have to keep your eyes open,” said the hunter. “The redcoats and redskins both are thick over thar. Only yesterday the savages caught a couple of young fellows and were going to burn them at the stake. I was about an’ with a friendly Indian’s aid crawled up just in time to cut loose their bonds or they would be on the road to kingdom come before now.” “My kind preserver,” gasped Dick, “I thank you for myself and for Ben, my comrade.” Naturally there was a long talk, and Dick repeated time and again his words of appreciation. Finally with a last grasp of the kindly hunter’s hand he took his departure. The man insisted on Dick taking a package of food with him, which the youth did, and he was glad afterward that he did so, for he did not come upon another cabin during that day, and would have had to go hungry, but for the supply he had brought with him. He camped that night at a point which he judged was perhaps ten miles from Fort Ninety-Six, and slept quietly till morning. He ate the last of the food the hunter had given him, and then set out in the direction of Ninety-Six. About three hours later, he came to a wide open space, and looked with interest at what he knew was Fort Ninety-Six, standing near the center of an open space of goodly size.