“There isn’t much that you can learn,” said Ben. “I found out the strength of the stockade-walls, and that is about all there is to learn, from the outside. If you could get within the walls, you could secure definite information regarding its strength, but you can’t do that.” “I suppose not,” said Dick. A little while after luncheon, Dick left the encampment and made his way in the direction of Fort Ninety-Six. He reached the edge of the timber, presently, and stopped and gazed across at the fort. He could not venture out into the open ground without being seen by the sentinels, of course, and so he did not advance farther. He made his way along the edge of the forest quite a distance, however, and sized up the fort from different directions. Then he turned and walked slowly along through the woods. He was heading for the encampment, and when about halfway there, he crossed a rude wagon-road, which wound this way and that among the trees, and Dick suddenly caught sight of a man approaching, driving a team and wagon. Dick had crossed the road at the edge of the timber, and knew it led to the fort, and now he stopped and waited till the wagon approached, when he stepped out and stopped the man, who looked like a typical settler of the vicinity. “Where are you going?” queried Dick. “To the fort,” was the reply. “What for?” “I’m takin’ some meat an’ vegertables thar to sell to ther sojers,” was the reply. “Ah!” exclaimed Dick. He had been struck by an idea. “Say,” he remarked, eyeing the man searchingly, “are you a king’s man, or are you a patriot? Or are you neutral?” “Wal,” was the reply, “I kain’t say thet I’m a king’s man, but ther redcoats pay me well fur my garden truck. Why d’ye ask?” “I’ll tell you why,” said Dick, eagerly. “I wish to enter the fort, and why can’t I go with you? They’ll not be suspicious if I’m with you, and that will give me a chance to get a look at the inside of the fort.” “Ye’re a patriot, then, hey?” “Yes.” “All right Ye can go inter ther fort with me, an’ can help me sell ther truck to ther sojers, an’ ye can look aroun’ while ye’re doin’ thet.” “Thank you. That will be very kind of you.” Then Dick climbed up on the seat beside the man, who drove onward and half an hour later they were at the entrance to the stockade, the big gate swung open, and the man drove into the enclosure. Dick, seated on the seat beside the man, looked around him with eager interest, but with all evidence of eagerness carefully kept from showing. He seemed careless and indifferent. Then the farmer began selling the meat and vegetables, and Dick helped him, and all the time he was sizing up the interior of the fort as best he could. CHAPTER XXI In the Fort Dick had not noticed the fact, but while he was helping the farmer hand out the meat and vegetables to the others, a soldier had been standing near, gazing keenly and searchingly at him.