The British soldiers had quickly tied the hands of Tom and Harkins, and then set out through the forest with the two prisoners in their midst.

“Where are you taking us?” asked Tom.

“To Ninety-Six,” was the reply.

“How far is that from here?”

“About fifty miles.”

“Why have you made us prisoners?”

“Because you are rebels.”

“Why do you think I am a rebel?”

“We have known that Harkins is a rebel for quite a while, and the fact that you were in his company proves that you are one also.”

“That is poor reasoning,” said Tom. “I was on my way up north to see some of my folks, and stopped at Mr. Harkins’ cabin for breakfast. He’ll tell you that I am speaking the truth.”

“Where do your folks live, that you were going to see?”

“About a hundred miles from here.”

The redcoat laughed derisively. “I think it more than likely that you are a rebel spy,” he said. “We will take you to Ninety-Six in company with Harkins, anyhow.”

Tom realized that it would do no good to talk to the redcoat, so he ceased, and walked onward in silence.

All that day they continued a steady tramp, and camped that evening beside a stream, remaining there till morning. Then they resumed the journey, and reached the fort at Ninety-Six about the middle of the afternoon.

Tom, knowing that it was General Greene’s intention to attempt to capture Ninety-Six, later on, took note of the surroundings with a keen and critical eye, and he decided that it would be a difficult matter to capture the fort, as it was strongly situated.

“If they have a strong force in the fort, it will be a big job to get the better of them,” he thought. “Well, I will try to learn all I can while I am here, and then if I succeed in making my escape, I will have some information to carry to General Greene.”

Harking had not had much, to say during the trip to Ninety-Six, but it was evident that he was not very well pleased at having been made a prisoner.

As soon as they were within the fort, the redcoats took Tom and Harkins before the commander, Colonel Cruger, who eyed them sternly for a few moments, and then said:

“Who are these men, lieutenant?”

“This man is Harkins, the outlaw that has been trying to organize a company of rebels,” was the reply. “And this young fellow says his name is Tom Dare, and that he was on his way to see some of his folks up north a hundred miles or so. He was at Harkins’ cabin when we got there, and so we brought him along.”

“H’m,” said the colonel. Then to Tom’s companion he said: “I suppose you are sorry, now, Harkins, that you took the side of the rebels?”

Harkins, who was a quiet, determined man, shook his head. “No, I’m not sorry,” he said.

“You will be sorry that you’re a rebel, before we get through with you,” sternly.

“I am not a rebel.”

“What are you, then, if not a rebel?” was the query.

“A patriot,” was the dignified reply.

“Bah,” sneered the officer, “a distinction without a difference.”

“It makes considerable difference to me,” said Harkins. “I do not consider that the patriots are rebels. They are fighting for their independence, which they are entitled to, which doesn’t make them rebels.”

“Well, they’ll never get their independence,” was the colonel’s reply. “They will lose the fight, and will have to again take up their allegiance to the king.”

“Perhaps, but I don’t believe it,” was the reply.

“If you will join a company of loyalists that I have formed, here, I will overlook your past actions in trying to organize a company of rebels,” said the colonel.

Harkins shook his head. “I will never take up arms in the service of the king,” he said.

“Very well, then,” exclaimed the colonel, angrily. “Take him to the guard-house.”

A couple of soldiers conducted Harkins from the room, and then Cruger looked sternly at Tom, and said:

“You are a rebel, are you not?”

Tom shook his head. “No,” he said.

“You are loyal to the king?”

“I haven’t given the matter much thought,” said the youth. “I suppose I am what would be termed neutral.”

“Then you would have no objections to joining the company that I spoke of to Harkins?”

Tom was silent a few moments. He was doing some swift thinking. He quickly decided that he could learn more regarding the strength of the fort, if he were to have the freedom that would come with being a member of the company in question; and also he would have a better chance to make his escape. So he said, quietly: “I will join the company, sir, unless you will let me go on my way up north to see my folks.”

The colonel shook his head. “I think I shall hold you prisoner, unless you join the company,” he said, “so you had better join.”

“Very well.”

The colonel then ordered that Tom be conducted to the quarters occupied by Captain Kane and his company of loyalists, and soon the youth stood in the captain’s presence. When the soldier that had conducted Tom thither explained to Captain Kane that Tom was to be a new recruit, the captain said: “Very well; glad to have all the recruits I can get. What is your name?”

“Tom Dare.”

The captain wrote this in a book. Then he asked: “Where do you live?”

“About fifty miles south of here,” was the reply.

The captain then asked a few more questions, and told Tom he was a member of the company and to make himself at home and get acquainted with his comrades.

“Very well, and thank you,” said the youth.

Then he began mingling with the other members of the company and engaging them in conversation, and quickly got acquainted with quite a number. He was a good-natured, jolly youth, and could make friends easily, and he endeavored to make a good impression, now, for he wished to learn all he could about the fort, and its strength, and also its weaknesses, with a view to carrying the information to General Greene as soon as he could make his escape.

His only worry was, what had become of his brother Dick?