would be recognized.

"Been drove out of our place over on t'other side of the city, hain't
you, Jeb?" asked one.

"Yes, by a lot of confounded rebels, too, and just as we was getting
ready to sell off a lot of the stuff," snarled the other. "I'd like to
get hold of the fellows!"

"Maybe when the redcoats come in you will, unless they get scared and
get out before that."

"Yes, maybe. Seen Hughson over this way? He had a narrow shave of it.
Come 'most to stretching a rope for old Put. Them same young rebels
caught him."

"No, I ain't seen him, but I heard he was looking around to find all he
could about the rebels so as to give the general a better show for
getting in. Light up here, Jim, it's getting dark."

A hulking-looking man in a corner now arose to get lights, as it was
growing dark in the place, and at the same moment some one entered and
said:

"They've got Pike hard and fast, and Wendell was hanged this morning.
I'd like to get hold of Slater and some of his---hello!"

The big man came along with a lantern, and Hughson, for it was the spy
himself, suddenly caught sight of Dick and recognized him.

"What's the matter?" tried several of the men in the place, leaping to
their feet.

"There's the rebel now--Slater himself!" cried Hughson. "Don't let him
get away! The boy in the brown homespun suit!"

In an instant a rush was made for Dick.

CHAPTER VII.--An Act of Gratitude.

Seeing his danger, Dick whipped out a pistol and shot the lantern out of
the big man's hand, making a sudden dash for the door. As he reached it,
however, some one came in, there was a collision and Dick and the
newcomer fell to the floor with a crash.

"Hallo! can't you see where you're going?" the fellow yelled, and Dick
recognized his voice as that of the man who had been, abusing the boy
farther up the street.

The spy, Jeb and others now rushed forward, lights were procured and
Dick was surrounded and made a prisoner.

"H'm! that's the rebel that said I shouldn't spend my own boy's money,"
the newcomer muttered. "I owe him a grudge and I'll pay it, too. No
rebel strikes me for nothing!"

"You know him, do you, Fletch?" asked Hughson.

"Yes, I know him. I didn't know he was Dick Slater, but I know him, and
I've got a grudge against him and I'm going to settle it. You was
counting on taking him to the general, I suppose?"

"Yes, but get him out of the way. Some one might come in."

Dick was taken into a rear r