set by the Americans, and there was a bitter feeling against them, many
innocent persons being put to death by the enraged people.

During the fire, while Dick was working with others to stop its
spreading, a man was caught looting a burning house and was at once
dragged away and hanged to a post holding a street lamp. Dick saw his
face for an instant and recognized Tom's father. There was no
interceding for the man, who had been caught red-handed, and he suffered
the penalty of his crimes.

"His wife and the rest are the better off for his taking away," said
Dick to himself, "but I cannot tell how he died. He was never of any use
to them and they are better off without him."

The fire burned out at length, but there were smoking ruins the next day
and for several days, although Dick did not remain as long as that. He
got away the next day and made his way out of the city and to the camp
with very little difficulty, his pass being of great assistance to him.
Changing his clothes and putting on his uniform, Dick reported at once
to the commander-in-chief and was complimented upon securing the
information so promptly. Reporting other matters that he had learned,
Dick returned to the camp and told Bob and a few others how the Tory had
met his death, adding:

"Do not say anything to Tom about it. I will tell him that his father is
dead, but not how it happened. It is a hard thing to say, perhaps, but
they are better off without him than they ever were with him."

"It is the truth, at any rate," muttered Bob, "though it may not be
necessary to tell them."

A few days later the Liberty Boys were ordered into lower Westchester to
check the advance of Howe and Cornwallis, who were trying to get behind
the Americans at King's Bridge and thus have a better opportunity to
attack Fort Washington, which the British leader had set his heart upon
subduing.

"That will give us plenty to do," declared Bob, "and give us a chance to
bother the redcoats."

"And give Patsy a chance to get rid of some of his extra fat," laughed
Mark, who was a bit of a tease.

"Sure Oi've none to spare at all, Liftinant," roared Patsy, "but if ye
had said Cookyspiller now, ye'd have hit it to a tay. Sure he do be
nadin' it had."

As the boys were getting ready to leave, Tom came into camp and said:

"So you are leaving, are you, Captain? You have not seen him, have you?"

"You will not see him again, Tom," Dick replied. "He was killed a few
d