und I vill stand me by dot statements, alretty."

"Wull, Oi have not said thot Oi would make a good spy, Dootchy," said
Tim, "so you wouldn't have to be much in thot line to aquil me. But
whin it comes to foightin', now, it's mesilf belaves Oi have yez bate,
Fritz, me bye."

"Oh, I don'd vos know abouid dot, Tim," was the reply. "I think dot I
vill do some fighdin' myselufs alretty, ven ve get der retgoads at,
yahs."

"Maybe so," grinned Tim. "We wull wait an see how yez act whin we come
face to face wid the ridcoats."

"Oh, you'll both be brave soldiers, no doubt," said Tom. "But, you
won't be any ahead of Dick, Ben and myself. We intend to do some
fighting, too, when the time comes."

"Oi'm bettin' thot yez presint a bold face to the inimy," nodded Tom,
who liked the youths immensely. "An' sure, it's meself is wishin' thot
we get a chance at the ridcoats before very long."

"I hope so, Tim," said Dick.

Soon after supper, that evening, Dick made his preparations for going
on the expedition. Tom cautioned him again and again to be careful,
and not take too great risks. "I won't be there to help you, and you
will have to depend on yourself," he said.

"I shall be careful," said Dick. "But I'm going to find out when the