General Putnam."

"That's all right. You are welcome. Good-bye and good luck."

Tom took his departure, and as soon as he was out of the patriot
encampment, he hastened away in the direction that he had been told
Dick had undoubtedly gone.

"Perhaps by hurrying I may be able to overtake Dick," was his thought.

He walked swiftly, at times running, and came to the wooded hills much
quicker than Dick had done. He climbed the hill quickly, and was soon
making his way down the other side. He had gone only a few steps when
he heard the report of the musket-shot, sounding close at hand and
almost in front of him.

Instantly Tom was greatly excited. The thought came to him at once
that a redcoat had fired that shot and that it had been fired at Dick,
and with wildly-beating heart he ran forward, at the same time drawing
a pistol from his belt. Tom was excited, but not at all frightened.
His only fear was that perhaps Dick had been wounded or killed by the
bullet from the musket, and he was eager to get a shot at the person
who had just done the shooting.

Suddenly he heard voices, and paused, listening intently.

"I wonder if I got the rebel?" he heard one say.

"Likely you did," replied another voice. "I don't hear the sound of
running feet any more."