The Dare Boys of 1776

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Dick took the seat and then looked at the commander-in-chief
inquiringly.

General Washington did not say anything for a few moments, but eyed
Dick keenly and searchingly. It was evident that he was appraising the
boy's value carefully, and it seemed that the result was satisfactory,
for he gave a sigh as of relief, and said:

"How old are you, Dare?"

"Eighteen, sir."

"Eighteen. That is young. You are a mere youth, but somehow I believe
you are the one to do what I wish done. I have a mind to try you,
anyway. Dick," pausing and looking impressively at the youth, "if I
were to ask you to undertake something that was exceedingly dangerous,
something that might easily result in your death if you made a false
step, what would you say?"

"I would say, your excellency, that if you had confidence enough in me
to think I might succeed, I would be only too glad to try. You have
only to command and I will obey, sir."

"Spoken like a true Son of Liberty!" exclaimed the commander-in-chief.
"That is what I expected to hear you say, however. I believe you are a
brave, sensible youth, and that it is possible you may succeed in the
undertaking which I have in mind, even though several grown men have
already failed. You had better think well before you consent to
attempt this task, however, Dick. It is one fraught with such danger
that I would not think of ordering you to attempt it, considering your
age. But if, on the other hand, after knowing what the work is, you
still wish to go ahead, I shall be delighted to avail myself of your
services."

"I will be glad to attempt the work, sir. Pray state the case. What is
the nature of the work you wish me to do?"

"It is spy-work!"

Dick's heart leapt with joy. Spy-work! This, of all things was what he
felt that he would most like to do. As a spy he would have to venture
into the enemy's territory, would have to even penetrate to their
midst and secure information as to their plans and, too, he might thus
find and rescue his father. It was fine to think of, and the sparkle
in his eyes must have told the commander-in-chief that the youth was
pleased, for he said:

"You seem to be favorably impressed, rather than otherwise, my boy.
You think you will like spy-work?"

"Yes, your excellency," was the reply. "I think I shall like it,
better than anything else. I shall be glad to attempt any work in that
line that you wish. Just tell me where you wish me to go and what you
want me to do, and I will do my best to make a success of the work,
sir."

"Very well, Dick. I will do so. You know, perhaps, that the British
army is located on the southwest shore of Long Island, near York Bay,
and the British fleet lies just outside the Narrows and off York Bay.
The British outnumber us considerably, I think, but just how much I do
not know. And this is one thing that I wish to learn. I want to learn
the numerical strength of the British, and also I wish to find out, if
such a thing is possible, the intentions of the British
commander-in-chief. This is a big undertaking, my boy, and as I have
told you, several of my best men have already tried to accomplish this
and failed, so you can see the magnitude of the task that confronts
you. It will be no disgrace if you should fail."

"I may fail, sir," said Dick, modestly; "I may not succeed in securing
the information you desire, but I will make the attempt, and I will
say this, that if such a thing as securing the information is
possible, I will do it. I will do my very best, sir, you may rest
assured of that."

"I do, Dick. I feel confident that if you fail it will be only after
you have made every effort to succeed. Well, it is settled, then? You
will attempt his spy-work?"

"Yes, your excellency. When shall I start?"

"This evening. I will give you a letter of introduction to General
Putnam, who is in command of the patriot force on Brooklyn Heights,
and he will give you all the information and assistance in his power."

"Very well, sir. At what hour shall I report here?"

"Be here at six, Dick. I will have the letter for you, and then you
will go down to the East River in company with one of my orderlies,
and a boatman will take you across to the Long Island side. It is not
far from there to the Heights, where you will locate General Putnam."

"I will report here at six, your excellency," said Dick, and then
saluting, he took his departure.

When he returned to his quarters and told Tom and Ben that General
Washington had selected him to go over onto Long Island and do some
spying, the youths were surprised, but were delighted as well, for
they felt that it was an honor to Dick.

"That will be fine," said Ben Foster. "I believe you will make a good
spy, Dick."

"I hope so, Ben."

"I wish I could go with you," said Tom, looking wistfully at his
brother.

"It will be best that I go alone, Tom," said Dick. "One can do
spy-work better than two."

"I vould lige dot sby vork," said Fritz Schmockenburg, a fat, Dutch
soldier, gravely.

"It's a foine spoy yez would be afther makin', Fritz," chuckled Tim
Murphy, a merry Irish patriot. "Yez would be caught the first thing,
and the only thing thot would kape thim from hangin' yez would be
because they wouldn't have inny rope sthout enough to hould your
weight."

"When are you going, Dick?" queried Ben.

"This evening at six."

The youths discussed the matter at considerable length, and were glad
that Dick had been selected for such important work, though they were
somewhat fearful for his safety. Tom and Ben cautioned him to be
careful, and he was the recipient of advice from others, all
well-meant, but of course not likely to be of much use to him, as he
would have to govern his actions mainly by existing circumstances,
after he was on the ground and at work.

Shortly before six he bade Tom and Ben, and his comrades good-bye and
made his way to headquarters, where he was given the letter of
introduction by the commander-in-chief, and also a few kindly words of
encouragement.

"General Putnam will give you all the information and help in his
power," General Washington said. "Go, now, Dick, my boy, and may you
be successful is my prayer. Good-bye, and heaven bless you."

He shook Dick's hand, and then with a good-bye and a salute, the youth
took his departure.

An orderly accompanied him to the dock and summoned a boatman, and
then Dick got in and was ferried across the East River. Alighting on
the Long Island shore, he set out in the direction of Brooklyn
Heights, reaching there shortly after dark.

Chapter VII

Dick's First Adventure

Dick was challenged, and on answering that he was a friend, was told
to advance and give the countersign.

He approached the sentinel, and when near him, said:

"I am a patriot, but do not know the countersign. I wish to see
General Putnam."

"Who are you and why do you wish to see the general?" the sentinel
asked.

"My name is Dare, and I am a messenger from General Washington. I have
a letter of introduction to General Putnam."

"All right. I'll summon the officer of the guard and he'll conduct you
to the general."

He did so, and the officer asked Dick a few questions, seemed
satisfied, and conducted him to the quarters occupied by General
Putnam.

Dick saluted on entering the presence of the general, and drawing the
letter from his pocket, handed it to Putnam, who took it an read the
contents, after which he gave Dick a keen, searching and somewhat
wondering glance.

"You are Richard Dare?" he queried.

"Yes, General Putnam," replied Dick.

"H'm. The commander-in-chief says here that you are going down to the
enemy's territory to try to do some spying. You are rather young, it
seems to me, to be going such work."

"Time will cure that," smiled Dick.

"Yes-if you live," grimly. "This is very dangerous business you are
entering upon, my boy."

"So General Washington said, sir."

"Yes? Well, it is a fact, and I have my doubts regarding your ability
to do anything, but since the commander-in-chief has seen fit to try
you and has sent you to me for the purpose of having me give you what
information I possess regarding the location of the British, I will do
what I can to assist you."

"Thank you, General Putnam."

The general then gave Dick all the information that he thought would
be of value to him, and the youth listened attentively.

"Now," said Putnam when he had finished, "do you think you can find
the British without any trouble?"

"I am sure I can find the British, sir," was the reply; "but I don't
know about the trouble part."

The grim general chuckled. He seemed to like the dry humor of the lad.

"I guess you'll do, Dare," he said. "I'm beginning to think the
commander-in-chief showed good judgment in sending you, after all.
But, I might have known that such was the case, for he is a man who
seldom makes mistakes."

"I hope he hasn't made a mistake in this instance, sir," modestly.

"I guess he hasn't. It is possible that a boy like you may be better
able to penetrate to the enemy's lines and secure information than a
man, for the British will not be so likely to suspect you of being a
spy."

"That is what General Washington said, sir."

"The position is well taken, I feel confident. Well, Dare, be careful,
take care of yourself and secure all the information possible
regarding the enemy."

"I will do my best, General. Well, I must be going."

The general shook hands with Dick, and wished him good luck.

"Don't let the redcoats get you," he said.

Dick laughed.

"They won't get me, if I can help it," he said. "Good-bye, General
Putnam."

Dick did not start just then, however, for the very good reason that
while he had been engaged in conversation with General Putnam, a storm
that had been threatening that afternoon and evening, broke upon them,
the wind blew a gale and the rain poured down in torrents, the
lightning was incessant and the roar of the thunder terrific. It was
indeed a severe storm.

"You must not think of starting out to-night," said General Putnam.
"You could not find your way anywhere, and would simply get soaked to
the skin, or perhaps struck by lightning. I will give you a bed, and
you will remain here till morning."

"Doubtless that will be best," agreed Dick, though he disliked the
delay. Still, he felt that it would do no good to go in such a storm,
for as the general had said, he could not find his way to the British
encampment, or accomplish anything if he did find it.

So he remained on the Heights that night, only to find it still
raining the next morning.

"You would not want to start out in the daytime, anyhow," said General
Putnam; "so it does not matter. You will stay till evening, and then
if it has ceased raining, you can start on your expedition."

It was still raining hard, when evening came, however, and General
Putnam said it would be foolish to make the start in the storm. So
Dick remained all that night, and all next day. The rain had ceased
soon after sunrise and the sun shone brightly that day, drying the
ground pretty thoroughly, by evening.

"You can make the start, this evening, Dare," said the general. "I
don't suppose the delay in getting away from here will make any
difference."

"I hope not, sir," said Dick.

After dark that evening, Dick took his departure, and as soon as he
was past the sentinels, he struck out southward. The British army was
at that time encamped near the Flatlands, about two miles from the bay
and about two miles south of Flatbush.

Dick walked onward at a moderate pace. There was no hurry, and
besides, by hurrying he might run right into a party of redcoats, and
this would be bad, as it would likely result in his capture.

It were better to make haste slowly. Dick realized this, and he
decided to take his time and exercise his every care. Caution was a
necessary adjunct of a spy.

Dick was eager to succeed. Several men had failed, and had doubtless
been captured, and if he could accomplish his object it would be a big
feather in his cap. He was intensely patriotic, anyway, and this made
him extremely desirous of succeeding in securing the information
regarding the plans of the British.

He reached the wooded heights about halfway between the village of
Bedford and Flatbush after a walk of an hour or so, and having climbed
the hill, he paused on the summit and listened intently for some time.
It was his thought that perhaps a party of British might be located
here, and he did not want to run into their midst, if such were the
case.

He heard sounds, but only such as are usually to be heard in the woods
at night-the chirping of crickets, the buzzing of the wings of
insects, and the call of nightbirds. He heard nothing that would
indicate the presence of human beings.

"I guess there are no redcoats in these woods," he murmured after
listening a while. "The British haven't advanced this far yet, likely.
I'll go ahead, but will be exceedingly careful."

He moved forward slowly, and cautiously made his way down the south
slope of the wooded hill. He paused every few moments and listened. He
was not going to take any chances of discovery and capture, if he
could avoid it by exercising care.

Somehow Dick's heart thrilled with pleasure, even though he were on a
perilous undertaking. He was working for General Washington, trying to
do something that would be of benefit to the great Cause of Liberty,
and this made him experience a feeling of happiness. The danger did
not have any effect on him, save to, if anything, add to the zest. He
was a brave youth, though not a foolhardy one, and the danger made the
work all the more interesting and exhilarating.

On he went down the slope, slowly and cautiously. He had to
practically feel his way, for in under the trees it was very dark and
he could not see to pick a path. This made it slow work, but he had
all night for his task, if he wished so much time, and so he did not
worry because he could not proceed at a swift pace.

"`Slow but sure,' is a good motto," he told himself. "There will be
times, doubtless, when it will pay me to move swiftly, but this is not
one of the times."

Suddenly Dick paused and stood stock still, his every nerve tense, his
every sense on the alert. He thought that he had heard the sound of
voices!

He listened intently, and presently his heart gave a leap. Yes, he had
not been mistaken. Over to the right, and not very far distant, he had
heard someone talking. At least two men were there, engaged in
conversation, their voices being pitched low.

Dick strained his eyes, but could not catch sight of the speakers. He
could only judge of their location and distance from him by the sound
of their voices, and he judged that they were perhaps a dozen yards
from him. This was rather close, if they were British soldiers, as he
had no doubt they were, and he decided that the best thing for him to
do was to get away from their vicinity as quickly as possible. It
would be well to be silent about it, too, for if they should discover
his presence, they would doubtless make a great outcry and try to
capture him.

He began edging away, toward the left. Every once in awhile he paused
to listen. The voices could still be heard, but not so plainly as at
first. He was gradually getting farther and farther away from the
speakers, and would have been successful in escaping from the vicinity
without his presence having been discovered, but for an accident. He
struck his foot against a good-sized stone, which was lying right on
the edge of a rather steep slope, and the rock, becoming dislodged,
went tumbling and plunging downward through the underbrush, making
what seemed to be a great noise, coming as it did in the midst of the
night stillness. It sounded as loud as thunder in Dick's ears.

"Now I've done it!" he murmured, in some dismay. "That will rouse them
sure."

He was right, for instantly there came the challenge, loud and clear:

"Halt! Who comes there?"

There could be no doubt regarding the matter, now; the men Dick had
heard talking were British soldiers doing picket duty.

Dick's first impulse was to take to his heels and run at the top of
his speed, but his second thought was that perhaps if he were to stand
perfectly still, the redcoats would come to the conclusion that there
was no one in the vicinity save themselves, and would go ahead with
their conversation after a few minutes of listening. But it did not
work out that way. After a few moments of silence there came the
command, in a stern voice:

"Who is there? Answer, or I will fire!"

Dick did not like the idea of being fired at, even in the darkness. He
knew the soldier could not see to take aim, but a chance shot might be
as successful as one that was aimed. Dick did not care to take the
chance, anyway, and he quickly, but very cautiously shifted his
position and got a tree between himself and the redcoats.

"Now, he won't be able to hit me, even if he does fire," thought the
youth with a feeling of relief. "Now if he will just make up his mind
that there is no one here and resume the conversation with his
comrade, I shall be able to slip away and escape, doubtless."

But the redcoats were evidently not satisfied to let the matter go
thus. "Let's investigate, comrade," Dick heard a voice say. And then
he heard another in reply: "All right. If there is anybody round here,
we will either run him down or frighten him out of his boots."

"That's what we will, comrade."

"And I feel confident there is somebody near here. What else would
make the noise that we heard?"

"I don't know, comrade. I think it likely that somebody is about."

"I am positive, sure of it as can be."

"Well, come on, then. Let's search all around. We ought to be able to
lay him by the heels, for we can hear him if he tries to run away."

"True. Come, comrade. We'll quickly have the fellow, if he's here."

Then Dick heard the trampling of feet, which sounded closer and
closer, and he realized that he must get away from there at once, or
the redcoats would be upon him.

Having so decided, he lost not time, but moved away as cautiously as
possible. He went a bit faster than he should have done, to maintain a
noiseless movement, however, for he stepped on a fallen branch, which
broke with a cracking sound, and the very next step he stumbled over a
log, and fell into a brushpile, making considerable noise.

"A spy!" he heard one of the redcoats cry. "There's somebody there,
sure!"

"Halt!" cried the other soldier, loudly. "Stop, or I'll fire!"

But Dick, fearing to remain, as he would almost certainly be found and
captured, leaped to his feet and took to his heels, running as fast as
he dared; to run too fast, would have been to break his head against a
tree, more than likely.

The British soldiers heard him, evidently, for one cried, excitedly:

"There he goes! I hear him running!"

"Yes," cried the other, "but I'll put a stop to his running, or know
the reason why. Here goes to wing the rebel."

The next instant the loud crack of a musket rang upon the still night
air. At the same instant Dick Dare fell sprawling upon his face on the
ground, and lay still.

Chapter VIII

Tom Dare Acts

On the afternoon of the second day after the departure of Dick Dare
from patriot headquarters in New York, Tom Dare appeared there, and to
the orderly at the door said:

"I wish to see General Washington, sir."

"Oh, you do, eh?" was the query. The orderly could not imagine what
business this sixteen-year-old boy could have with the commander-in-chief.

"Yes, sir. Show me to his presence, please."

The orderly looked at the eager, bright face of the boy with more of
interest.

"Who are you?" he queried.

"My name is Tom Dare."

"Tom Dare!" in surprise. "Why, there was a young fellow here a couple
of days ago whose name was Dare-Dick Dare, I believe it was."

"Yes," quietly; "he is my brother."

"Ah, your brother! Are you a member of the patriot army, also?"

"Yes, sir. I'm in Colonel Morgan's regiment."

The orderly stared.

"Well!" he murmured; "the Dares seem to be pretty well represented in
the Continental Army."

"Yes, sir. Our father was captured by Tories, and Dick and I made up
our minds that we would join the patriot army and do all we could to
bring about the defeat of the British and Tories, and if possible
rescue our father."

"Well, that is the right spirit, certainly."

"Will you show me to the presence of the commander-in-chief, sir?"
questioned Tom, eagerly. "I am very desirous of seeing him," he added,
earnestly.

"Come with me," was the reply; "I will speak to the
commander-in-chief, and if he is willing, I will conduct you to his
presence."

Tom accompanied the orderly along the hall, pausing presently when
told to do so. The orderly said he would be back in a few moments, and
disappeared in a room at one side. He quickly returned and said that
General Washington would see the youth.

The next moment he ushered Tom into the presence of the
commander-in-chief, announcing:

"Master Tom Dare."

The general looked up from some papers he was examining, and gave Tom
a keen, searching glance.

"You are Master Tom Dare," he said.

"Yes, your excellency," saluting.

"Brother to Dick Dare?"

"Yes, sir."

"Very good. What can I do for you, my boy?" The great man's air and
tone were kindly, and Tom, encouraged, said:

"I have come to ask a favor, sir."

"What is the favor? Be brief, as my time is of value, my boy."

"Very well, sir. I have come to ask that you let me go over onto Long
Island, the same as you have done with Dick."

General Washington looked at the boy in surprise.

"Why do you want to do that?" he queried.

"I want to be with Dick, sir, or near him, all the time, if possible.
I promised my mother that I would stay at Dick's side and fight side
by side with him, and if I stay here, when he is over on Long Island,
I won't be keeping my word, sir. Something might happen to Dick. He
might get into trouble with the British, and if I was near at hand, I
could render him assistance, and if he were captured, I might be able
to rescue him. I hope you will let me go, sir."

The commander-in-chief looked thoughtfully at the boy. There was a
look of admiration in his eyes, and to himself he said: "A brave pair
of lads are those two Dares, I feel certain." Aloud he said, after a
few moments:

"I don't know whether to grant your request or not, my boy. I have
sent Dick over to Long Island on a spying expedition, and if you were
to go also and join him, it might hamper him in his work. At the same
time, I dislike to refuse your request, since you made your mother the
promise that you would stay by your brother's side. Still, you can
hardly hope to be always together. War is cruel, and one can not
always do as one would like, or be where one would wish to be. We must
all go where we think we can be of the most benefit to the Cause, and
do that which will be most beneficial. Do you think you could do Dick
any good, if I were to let you go, my boy?"

"I think it possible, sir. He is going into great danger, as I
understand it, and I might render him very valuable assistance. At any
rate, if you will let me go, I will promise that at least I will not
in any way interfere with his work or do anything to cause him to fail
in the task he has before him."

"Very good. Then I will grant your request. Go, my boy; but be
careful. I will give you a note to General Putnam, on Brooklyn
Heights, and he will tell you which way to go to find your brother."

"Thank you, sir. You are very kind, and I will try to do nothing to
cause you to regret that you let me go."

"That is right." The commander-in-chief wrote a brief note, addressed
it to General Putnam and handed it to Tom.

"There. Now go, my boy, and may you succeed in joining your brother
and benefit to him in his work. Good-bye," and he gave the boy's hand
a friendly grasp.

"Good-bye, your excellency," and saluting, Tom took his departure.

He hastened down to the East River dock and got a boatman to take him
across to the east shore, after which he made his way as quickly as
possible to the patriot quarters on Brooklyn Heights.

When he presented himself before General Putnam, and handed over the
note, the officer, after a perusal of the few words written there,
looked at the boy in some surprise and with no little interest.

"Another one," he said, with something like a grim smile. "The Dares
certainly seem to be in evidence to-night."

"Dick was here, then, sir?" eagerly.

"Yes, he was here."

"How long has he been gone?"

"Oh, about an hour, I should judge. He had to remain here until this
evening on account of the storm."

"Please direct me how to go in order to overtake him, General Putnam."

"I will do so as nearly as possible, my boy." Then the general gave
Tom all the directions possible, and the boy said:

"Thank you, sir. I will try to join my brother to-night."

"You had better keep your eyes open, Master Dare," cautioned General
Putnam. "You are going where redcoats are thicker than mosquitoes, and
that is saying a good deal."

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