Tories outright, yet the youths were sure they had wounded several,
for they had heard the ruffians give utterance to cries of pain, and
too, they saw blood on the ground in several places.

Dick now hastened to the Foster home and reported the victory over the
Tories, and was congratulated by all there, even Mr. Foster, the
avowed king's man, seeming very well pleased for he was an honest,
honorable man, and not at all in sympathy with the night-marauding
tactics of his Tory neighbors.

Mrs. Dare and Mary accompanied Dick home, and the good woman thanked
Ben for coming and helping her sons.

"Oh, that's all right," smiled Ben. "I was glad to come. I wanted a
chance at those cowardly Tories."

"And we thrashed them soundly, too, mother," said Tom.

"Do you think there is any danger that they will return?" queried Mrs.
Dare, somewhat anxiously.

"I don't think so, mother," said Dick. "They've had all the fighting
they want, for one night, I am sure."

"I think so," said Ben Foster. "But I'll stay here, Mrs. Dare, and if
they come, we will be able to drive them away again."

But the Tories did not return. They had, as Dick said, evidently seen
all the fighting they wanted, for one night.