Then Dick climbed up on the seat beside the man, who drove onward and half an hour later they were at the entrance to the stockade, the big gate swung open, and the man drove into the enclosure.
Dick, seated on the seat beside the man, looked around him with eager interest, but with all evidence of eagerness carefully kept from showing. He seemed careless and indifferent.
Then the farmer began selling the meat and vegetables, and Dick helped him, and all the time he was sizing up the interior of the fort as best he could.
Dick had not noticed the fact, but while he was helping the farmer hand out the meat and vegetables to the others, a soldier had been standing near, gazing keenly and searchingly at him.
Suddenly a low exclamation escaped the lips of the soldier, and he turned to one of his comrades and said something, and they conversed a few moments, after which the soldier spoken to hastened into the fort. Presently he returned, accompanied by a soldier wearing a captain’s uniform.
The captain advanced to the side of the wagon, and looking up at Dick, said: “Who are you, young man?”
“I am working for Mr. Boggs,” replied Dick.
The captain pointed a finger at the young patriot, and exclaimed in a stern, threatening voice: “You are Dick Dare, the rebel spy!”
Dick had expected something of the kind, after seeing the threatening look on the captain’s face, but at the same time it rather took him aback. He gazed steadily at the officer, however, and said:
“Why do you think I am Dick Dare, sir? And who is he?”
“Why do I think you are Dick Dare? Because one of the soldiers here, was stationed up in Virginia a few months ago, and saw you there, and he recognized you and told me who you were. And now, you are my prisoner. Climb down out of that wagon.”
On driving into the enclosure, the farmer had made a circle, and the horses were now standing with their heads toward the gate, which was still open. Dick had noted this fact, and when he heard the captain’s command, a daring plan came into his mind. He would attempt to drive out of the enclosure and make his escape.
So he quickly grabbed up the lines and whip, and yelling to the horses, and giving them a couple of cuts with the whip, Dick sent the team out of the enclosure on the gallop, knocking down and running over two of the soldiers, who at the command from the captain had tried to stop the horses.