“Then he told you, doubtless, that we got separated while running from some Indians.” “Yes.” “Well, I supposed that he would go on toward Ninety-Six, and so I did that.” “Ah. And have you learned anything of importance?” “Nothing regarding the fort, as yet. But I have learned where my brother Tom is.” “That is good. Where is he?” “A prisoner in the fort.” “Indeed?” “Yes, sir. He was captured by some British soldiers and brought to the fort, and pretended to join the force. He was sent with a foraging force, to attack a patriot village up in the mountains, and he managed to get away and reach the settlement ahead of the redcoats and warn the settlers, and they managed to get to a hiding-place up in the mountains, with their household goods, but the British burned the houses. I was there, and saw the settlers, and they told me about the affair. They said that Tom was recaptured, while reconnoitering, and that the British took him to Ninety-Six. When we capture the fort, we can free him.” “I think we shall be able to capture the fort. Ben Foster made a reconnoitering trip last night, and learned considerable about the strength of the walls. I believe we can batter them down with the field-pieces.” “I hope so. Is there anything you wish me to do?” “You may reconnoiter and gain all the information possible. There is no hurry, and by taking our time, we may be able to make the capture of the fort more certain.” “I will do my best to secure information that will be of value to you, sir.” Then Dick saluted and withdrew, and was soon with Ben Foster, at the quarters occupied by Captain Morgan’s company. They shook hands, and then Ben asked: “What became of you after we got separated, Dick? I hunted around quite a good deal for you, and signalled, but you did not answer.” “Likely if you were near me when you uttered any of the signals, it was while I was insensible, and I did not hear you, of course.” Then Dick explained that he had fallen into a pit that had been dug as a trap to capture wild animals, and that he had fallen so hard as to knock him senseless. And then he told of there being a panther in the pit, and Ben uttered an exclamation. “Phew!” he murmured, “that wasn’t very pleasant, was it?” “No, indeed,” said Dick. “But I managed to climb up a limb that I found there, and make my escape, and then I headed toward Ninety-Six.” Then he told Ben the same story that he had told General Greene, and Ben was glad to know that Tom was alive and probably well, though a prisoner in Fort Ninety-Six. Full particulars he gave too, of the kindly hunter to whom they owed their life and opportunity to escape from the savages. “We’ll have Tom out of there before very long,” said Ben, reverting to the problem at hand. “General Greene said for me to reconnoiter,” said Dick, “and I guess that I will take a look at the fort to-day, and then visit it to-night.”