CHAPTER X
At Fort Ninety-Six
The British soldiers had quickly tied the hands of Tom and Harkins, andthen set out through the forest with the two prisoners in their midst.
"Where are you taking us?" asked Tom.
"To Ninety-Six," was the reply.
"How far is that from here?"
"About fifty miles."
"Why have you made us prisoners?"
"Because you are rebels."
"Why do you think I am a rebel?"
"We have known that Harkins is a rebel for quite a while, and the factthat you were in his company proves that you are one also."
"That is poor reasoning," said Tom. "I was on my way up north to seesome of my folks, and stopped at Mr. Harkins' cabin for breakfast. He'lltell you that I am speaking the truth."
"Where do your folks live, that you were going to see?"
"About a hundred miles from here."
The redcoat laughed derisively. "I think it more than likely that youare a rebel spy," he said. "We will take you to Ninety-Six in companywith Harkins, anyhow."
Tom realized that it would do no good to talk to the redcoat, so heceased, and walked onward in silence.
All that day they continued a steady tramp, and camped that eveningbeside a stream, remaining there till morning. Then they resumed thejourney, and reached the fort at Ninety-Six about the middle of theafternoon.
Tom, knowing that it was General Greene's intention to attempt tocapture Ninety-Six, later on, took note of the surroundings with a keenand critical eye, and he decided that it would be a difficult matter tocapture the fort, as it was strongly situated.
"If they have a strong force in the fort, it will be a big job to getthe better of them," he thought. "Well, I will try to learn all I canwhile I am here, and then if I succeed in making my escape, I will havesome information to carry to General Greene."
Harking had not had much, to say during the trip to Ninety-Six, but itwas evident that he was not very well pleased at having been made aprisoner.
As soon as they were within the fort, the redcoats took Tom and Harkinsbefore the commander, Colonel Cruger, who eyed them sternly for a fewmoments, and then said:
"Who are these men, lieutenant?"
"This man is Harkins, the outlaw that has been trying to organize acompany of rebels," was the reply. "And this young fellow says his nameis Tom Dare, and that he was on his way to see some of his folks upnorth a hundred miles or so. He was at Harkins' cabin when we got there,and so we brought him along."
"H'm," said the colonel. Then to Tom's companion he said: "I suppose youare sorry, now, Harkins, that you took the side of the rebels?"
Harkins, who was a quiet, determined man, shook his head. "No, I'm notsorry," he said.
"You will be sorry that you're a rebel, before we get through with you,"sternly.
"I am not a rebel."
"What are you, then, if not a rebel?" was the query.
"A patriot," was the dignified reply.
"Bah," sneered the officer, "a distinction without a difference."
"It makes considerable difference to me," said Harkins. "I do notconsider that the patriots are rebels. They are fighting for theirindependence, which they are entitled to, which doesn't make themrebels."
"Well, they'll never get their independence," was the colonel's reply."They will lose the fight, and will have to again take up theirallegiance to the king."
"Perhaps, but I don't believe it," was the reply.
"If you will join a company of loyalists that I have formed, here, Iwill overlook your past actions in trying to organize a company ofrebels," said the colonel.
Harkins shook his head. "I will never take up arms in the service of theking," he said.
"Very well, then," exclaimed the colonel, angrily. "Take him to theguard-house."
A couple of soldiers conducted Harkins from the room, and then Crugerlooked sternly at Tom, and said:
"You are a rebel, are you not?"
Tom shook his head. "No," he said.
"You are loyal to the king?"
"I haven't given the matter much thought," said the youth. "I suppose Iam what would be termed neutral."
"Then you would have no objections to joining the company that I spokeof to Harkins?"
Tom was silent a few moments. He was doing some swift thinking. Hequickly decided that he could learn more regarding the strength of thefort, if he were to have the freedom that would come with being a memberof the company in question; and also he would have a better chance tomake his escape. So he said, quietly: "I will join the company, sir,unless you will let me go on my way up north to see my folks."
The colonel shook his head. "I think I shall hold you prisoner, unlessyou join the company," he said, "so you had better join."
"Very well."
The colonel then ordered that Tom be conducted to the quarters occupiedby Captain Kane and his company of loyalists, and soon the youth stoodin the captain's presence. When the soldier that had conducted Tomthither explained to Captain Kane that Tom was to be a new recruit, thecaptain said: "Very well; glad to have all the recruits I can get. Whatis your name?"
"Tom Dare."
The captain wrote this in a book. Then he asked: "Where do you live?"
"About fifty miles south of here," was the reply.
The captain then asked a few more questions, and told Tom he was amember of the company and to make himself at home and get acquaintedwith his comrades.
"Very well, and thank you," said the youth.
Then he began mingling with the other members of the company andengaging them in conversation, and quickly got acquainted with quite anumber. He was a good-natured, jolly youth, and could make friendseasily, and he endeavored to make a good impression, now, for he wishedto learn all he could about the fort, and its strength, and also itsweaknesses, with a view to carrying the information to General Greene assoon as he could make his escape.
His only worry was, what had become of his brother Dick?