then you can rescue him," proposed Ben, confidently.

"And after that we can thrash Zeke and Lem with a good heart,"
suggested Tom.

"I don't think Zeke and Lem will make very good soldiers," remarked
Ben.

"I think they'll run, the very first time they get into a battle,"
concluded Tom.



Chapter V

The Dare Boys in New York


An orderly knocked at the door of the room occupied by General
Washington, in the old Fraunces' Tavern, the building used as patriot
headquarters, and on being commanded to enter, opened the door and
said:

"A young man wishes audience with you, your excellency."

General Washington, the great man on whose shoulders rested such a
serious responsibility, now that the people of the Colonies had
declared for Independence, sat at his desk, looking over some papers.
He now glanced up at the orderly.