"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