Slowly the hours rolled away, and when evening came, the soldiers began gathering dry wood, with the intention of carrying it and placing it against the wall, and then when it was set on fire, there would be a big blaze, by the light of which redcoats could be shot if they attempted to put out the fire. Luckily it was a dark night, and the soldiers were enabled to carry the wood and pile it against the walls without being seen, though they had to exercise great care to avoid discovery. Among those who were most active in this work were Dick and Tom Dare and Ben Foster, and they were eager to see the fire started, for they hoped it would result in the capture of the fort. Slowly the work went on, and at last a sufficient amount of wood had been piled against the wall, and now the next move was to set fire to the wood. This would be a very dangerous undertaking, as the moment the fire was started, the person or persons starting it would be revealed by the light of the flames, and would be in danger of being shot before they could get out of range. General Greene did not like to name anyone for this dangerous work, and so he called for volunteers. A dozen of the soldiers, Dick and Tom Dare and Ben Foster among them, stepped forward at once, and offered their services. “I expected that there would be plenty who would be willing to risk getting shot in order to render a service to the patriot Cause,” said the general. “But, how shall I choose from among you?” “By lot,” suggested a soldier. And this was done, and the result was that Dick Dare and Tim Murphy were the ones who were to venture up to the wall of the fort and set the fire. “Sure an’ we are the byes phwat can do thot work, all roight, Dick,” said Tim. “We will do the best we can to make a success of setting the wood on fire,” replied Dick. They provided themselves with flint and steel and tinder, and then set out in the direction of the fort. Slowly they made their way to the point where the wood was piled against the wall, and, reaching there, they crouched down, got out their flint and steel and tinder, and got ready to start the fire. [Illustration: Suddenly these sparks caught in the tinder.] Slowly and carefully they began striking the flint with the steel, and with each blow they expected to hear a commotion from the sentinels on the platform along the wall. Click, click, click. With each click little sparks flew from the flint, and suddenly these sparks caught in the tinder, which blazed upward quickly, revealing the two brave patriots who were thus risking their lives for the good of the patriot Cause. The light from the tinder was seen by the sentinels above, and the next moment there was a great outcry, and the sentinels, looking over and catching sight of the two patriots, who were now running away from the fort as fast as possible, opened fire, and several musket-shots were fired at the fugitives.