“Our force could not hope to capture Fort Ninety-Six after this force gets there,” he murmured. “And this force will reach there easily by noon to-morrow.” Having sized up the British force, Dick turned and made his way back in the direction of the patriot encampment, reaching there about half-past ten o’clock. He went direct to the tent occupied by General Greene, and found the general still up. “I found the encampment of the British, sir,” said Dick, after exchanging greetings. “Ah, indeed. How far from here is the encampment, Dick?” “About ten or twelve miles.” “How strong a force have they?” was the next question. “There is nearer one thousand men than five hundred, sir.” “Ah. Then the force is stronger than the messenger thought.” “Yes, sir.” The general asked a number of questions, all of which Dick answered, and then the youth went to the quarters occupied by his company, and told Tom and Ben about the British. “That means that we will have a big battle to-morrow,” said Tom, his voice trembling with eagerness. “Likely,” said Dick. “But they will outnumber us greatly,” said Ben. “Yes,” said Dick, “but we will make a strong fight, and if we could manage to capture the fort before the reinforcements get here, I believe we could hold it.” “I wish we could capture the fort,” said Tom. Then they lay down and were soon sound asleep. CHAPTER XXIV Lively Work The patriot force was up very early next morning, and had eaten breakfast before daylight, and as soon as they could see, they began the attack on Fort Ninety-Six. They fired with the field-pieces as rapidly as possible, and about the middle of the forenoon they charged upon the fort and made another attempt to force an entrance, but the British fought desperately, and the patriot force was driven back. And soon afterward word was brought by a messenger that had been sent to keep watch for the coming British reinforcements, to the effect that the force in question was close at hand. It would be useless to try to attack the fort again, and so General Greene ordered that they advance, take up as strong a position as possible, and resist with persistence the approaching force of British. The patriot soldiers made their way to the top of a sort of ridge about half a mile east of Fort Ninety-Six, and here they stationed themselves behind trees and awaited the coming of the enemy. Presently they caught sight of the redcoats approaching, but it was seen a few moments later that it was only an advance guard. The redcoats had heard the sound of the battle, and were cautious, and had sent a reconnoitering party ahead, so as to avoid an ambush. The patriots, knowing they would be discovered before the main force reached the spot, opened fire on the party as soon as it came in range, and several of the redcoats were dropped, dead or wounded.